Being a student is hard work. It’s especially hard if you have a full-time job too.

Now try to imagine being a full-time student with a full –time job and raising a child.

All of these things require a lot of attention, but one person only has so much to give at a time. For me, being a mom comes first. My son is the No. 1 priority in my life. If he needs to go to the doctor, I will take off work, or skip school.

Most students have a long list of things to do. Waking up, going to class and making sure there’s food, just to name a few.

For single moms, like me, or dads, the list gets much longer. At times these tasks seem almost impossible to accomplish.

For example, waking up and making sure you have everything you need for the day and then doing it a second time for your child. The simplest things can turn into a nightmare in 2.5 seconds. Always being on your toes is a must when dealing with children.

I believe that most non-parents don’t understand is never being able to relax.

When I drop my son off with the babysitter in the morning, my thoughts and worries about him don’t stop.

I am constantly wondering how he is doing, if I sent enough food or diapers and if he misses me.

It’s not that I don’t trust my babysitter, because I do with all my heart. It’s just knowing that I am not there if he falls and gets hurt, or if he does or says something for the first time.

Needless to say, my mind is on overload all the time. Being a full-time student adds pressure to my already hectic schedule.

I spend all morning at school, all afternoon at work and pretty much all night working on homework or projects.

My alone time with my son is very slim, so he sleeps with me at night.

I may not be there during the day but, by golly, if a monster decides to come out of the closet or from underneath the bed, I’ll be there.

I am constantly telling myself that I am in school because I am hoping to better myself and my son. So if being away from him for another year is what I have to do, then I am willing to do it for him.

I encourage everyone to not only thank your parents, grandparents or guardians, but to thank a parent that you know, or even don’t know.

Children are our future, and I want mine to be the best man that ever lived.

I will tell my son to do what he loves and never give up and maybe one day he will understand that is what I was doing in 2013.

My point in saying all of this is to let people know that having a child doesn’t stop you from doing what you want to do. You have to work a little harder and be willing to set your priorities.

I am not a student who just happens to have a child; I am a parent who just happens to be a student.