There are several ways to define a mother, the most basic definition is a woman who raises children. 

Mothers have traditionally been the primary caregivers for children, staying up all night to feed, change, tidy up after and care for them. The unwavering devotion of a “good” mother is supposed to be one of her defining qualities. 

This extended act of selflessness includes a lengthy 18 years of time during which the woman is expected to give up everything she might have wanted prior to becoming a mother. At least, that is what is typically expected of a mother.

However, despite having these social confines placed upon them by society, college moms are free to be who they are and do not have to suppress their own aspirations.

“My journey in higher education is completely about myself and my educational goals,” stated Kyra Perez, a communication and philosophy Major at the University of Guam. 

“It may sound selfish, but that is because in my case it is. I can quit school now and go find some entry level job and start making money, but I know I will not feel fulfilled with that route. Getting my college degree is an important step in my personal self-development,” continued Perez.

For other college moms, the choice to wait to pursue a college education later in their lives was their only option because it was what was best for them and their children.

“…I had already waited long enough to go back and for a chance at a better life. the sooner the better is what I prefer even though I am sacrificing time away from my babies. It is what will benefit my family in the long run that was on my mind when I took the first steps to go back to school,” said Ciana Rosario, a communications major at the University of Guam.

While pursuing a degree while your children are growing up can appear selfish to some members of society, it really is not. Your children pick up on what you do, they notice your sacrifices and successes and learn valuable lessons from watching the way their mothers take on life.

“I hope [my children] recognise the importance of higher education. A lot of people think going to college is not necessary to find a good job and lead a fulfilling life and I agree with that 100 percent. There is something about higher education, however, that can provide more than financial gain to a person,” said Perez.

“I hope my children will learn several things watching me go through school. One of them is seeing how the difficulties and sacrifices you make when you put off college until later in your life. Another is knowing what you want to do early on in life but also knowing that it’s okay if you don’t know it right away because it may come to you later, like it did for me,“ stated Rosario.