Children motivate student parents

Student parents share how a family keeps them focused, helps them prioritize

BY VIVIANA CHUAH

Married students at BYU–Hawaii said being parents doesn’t stop them from attending school; rather it pushes them to finish strong. They said parenthood keeps them from putting off what they need to accomplish every day.

Role model

Job Akau, a senior studying TESOL from Solomon Islands, said, “One thing that motivates me to keep going is my kids. I want to model my kids to continue their education beyond my level of achievement.” As a father of four and a Polynesian Cultural Center employee, he said he had to learn to balance spiritual study and family, education, work and his friends.

He said after his priorities, he uses any free time to focus on his assignments.

“I usually do my assignments after my kids go to bed. So, my wife, who is also a student, and I made sure that we have dinner as early as 6 or before 7 in the evening.”

Effectiveness

Amaritra Chansriramee, a senior studying hospitality and tourism management from Thailand, said, “Being a mother is never easy. However, the opportunity to study in a university doesn’t come to anyone, so I want to treasure this opportunity despite the challenges.”

Having to juggle all her responsibilities, Chansriramee emphasized the importance of time management. She said if she procrastinates, she won’t have other time to study because most of her time will be spent with her baby. “I had to be on top of things,” she added.

Productivity

Keen Kathleen Melody Acain-Flores, a senior studying hospitality and tourism management from the Philippines, said her biggest motivation is her family. She continued, “I’m thinking of my family’s future. So no matter the challenges, I still push myself to finish school.”

Flores said being a parent has helped her to be more organized and productive. She said she enrolled in classes that hold classes every other day. That way she said she will have time to do her assignments, be at home for her baby, and do house chores. She also said, “I tried to organize my schedule so I don’t waste my time on things that are not essential or not my day’s priority.” •

BYU-Hawaii married students say having a family and children helps them be more organized and productive. They say they learn to balance family, work, school and friends. Photo illustration from Unsplash by Ricardo Moura.