Juggling College Life with the Roles of a Reservist and National Guard Member

If you're thinking about enrolling in college as a reservist or a member of the National Guard, you might be wondering what to expect from the experience. Will you be able to keep up with the demands of school while juggling your military service responsibilities? What if you face an unexpected deployment? 

These are all common questions that those in the Army Reserve and National Guard have when considering college. The good news? By choosing a military-friendly school when preparing for your college experience, you can set yourself up for success. 

Understanding the Dual Role of Reservists and National Guard Members

Reservists and National Guard members play a critical role in the United States military. Specifically, reservists are citizen-soldiers who serve part-time in the military while otherwise leading a "normal" civilian life. National Guard members, on the other hand, serve as the primary combat reserve for both the Army and Air Force when it comes to responding to threats, national disasters, and domestic emergencies. 

Demands of Military Service

As a member of the National Guard or Army Reserve, you must take on a dual role of sorts. First and foremost, you are committed to serving your country if and when the need arises. At the same time, you also have the opportunity to lead a "typical" civilian life and take advantage of military educational benefits while you're not actively serving. 

Commitment to Education

Reservists and National Guard members receive many of the same educational benefits as active duty and veteran military members, which can make committing to a college education much more affordable. 

Unique Challenges Faced by Student Service Members

Despite the benefits of attending college as a reservist or National Guard member, there are also some unique challenges that these students may face. For starters, there may be logistical challenges that need to be taken into consideration, such as completing training and other ongoing service requirements while attending school. 

Likewise, some military members may struggle with immersing themselves in the overall college experience because they have grown accustomed to service life. With this in mind, adjusting to the routine of attending school as a civilian can be a struggle. 

Time Management Strategies

If you're thinking about enrolling in a degree program as a reservist or National Guard member, time management will be key to your success. After all, there is a significant U.S. Army Reserve time commitment, along with other potential responsibilities that affect your schedule, that you will need to juggle alongside your academics. 

Creating a Structured Schedule

One of the best habits you can get into from a time management perspective while in school is to stick to a very structured schedule. For many military service members, structured schedules can be helpful when setting aside enough time to study, while remaining disciplined and on top of due dates and other important events. 

Whether you use a paper planner or a digital calendar to do your scheduling, creating a structured schedule is something you should aim to get into the habit of doing on a regular basis while in school. 

Setting Realistic Goals

Another crucial thing to keep in mind when it comes to juggling the Army Reserve and college is to set realistic goals. Depending on how much training or other military service you may be expected to complete while in school, you might want to consider enrolling in part-time classes rather than a full-time courseload to begin with. This way, you won't face the possibility of getting too overwhelmed while trying to balance your coursework with your military duties. 

Leveraging Support Systems

Your time in the reserve or National Guard while attending school is likely to be one of the busiest and more stressful times in your life. This is why it's vital to have a strong support system in place. 

Military Support Networks

Depending on where you serve in the military, there are many kinds of support networks that you can explore as a means of connecting with others and building meaningful relationships with those who understand what you're going through. Don't hesitate to lean on your military support networks while you're in school. If you don't already have a military support network, check to see if your school of choice offers such resources on-campus or online. 

Academic Support Services

Completing a college degree program is challenging without factoring in the additional duties of being a reservist or National Guard member. That’s why it’s also important to take advantage of academic support services that may be available to you. Check with your school to see if they offer tutoring services, career development services, or similar resources to help you succeed. 

Family and Friends

Your family, friends, and loved ones will be one of your most valuable resources during your time in school. Just as they have supported you in your military career, they should be there for you while you better yourself through a degree program. Whether you need help studying or simply need a pep talk to get you through a challenging time, remember that it is okay to lean on your family and friends. 

Financial Resources and Benefits

One common question many reservists and National Guard members have when considering college is "How will I pay for it?" 

The good news is that there are numerous educational benefits available to military members, even if they are not in active service. The key is knowing what these benefits entail and how to use them. 

Utilizing Military Education Benefits

Those who participated in the ROTC in high school may be eligible for ROTC scholarships. Beyond that, military members may also be able to take advantage of educational benefits as part of the GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and similar programs. 

Typically, you will first need to obtain an eligibility certificate by providing some basic information to the program itself, including details about your military service or history. From there, you can present your eligibility certificate to your school of choice to apply your benefits to things like tuition, housing, and more.

Managing Personal Finances

Another essential aspect of being able to pay for college is being able to manage your personal finances wisely. This applies not just to military members and reservists, but to all students preparing for college. 

Take the time to research costs per credit hour and calculate how much your college education will cost you. Then, be sure to explore other financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and loans, which may be available to you. 

Handling Unexpected Deployments

Even when you're laser-focused on your academics, the reality is that a deployment can come at any time. By being prepared for unexpected deployments, you can put your academic life on hold and pick up where you left off once you return. 

Preparing for Potential Interruptions

First, understand that most schools are extremely accommodating to military service members who face a deployment while in school. It can be helpful to prepare for this possibility ahead of time by speaking with your academic advisors and professors to let them know that you are a reservist and that there is a possibility that a deployment could occur in the middle of the academic year. 

Academic Flexibility

Consider, too, the nature of your deployment and whether it may be possible to continue your studies while you're away. While this is certainly not always the case, it may be possible to continue with an online degree program while on deployment for some military members. 

Understanding Leave of Absence Policies

Take time to study and understand your school's leave of absence policies as a military member as well. A military-friendly school should have detailed policies in place for this exact scenario, which can empower you to create a game plan ahead of time. 

Mental and Physical Health

Taking care of your mental and physical health is especially important while you're juggling school, military life, and other responsibilities. Balancing these demands can be challenging, but prioritizing self-care ensures you have the resilience and energy needed to succeed in all areas. 

Importance of Self-Care

Maintaining a semblance of army work-life balance is challenging while you're also in school, but this is where setting aside some dedicated time for self-care can make all the difference. It can be helpful to actually schedule self-care just as you would a study session or any other commitment. 

Stress Management Techniques

There will inevitably be times of high stress while you're juggling the demands of military reserve life with school. Knowing how to properly manage your stress can help you get through challenging times. From meditation and breathing exercises to simply taking a break, it's paramount to find what works for you. 

Planning for the Future

While obtaining a college degree may be the end-goal for now, it's also a good idea to consider what you might do after you graduate. Do you plan to continue serving in the military or are you interested in a more traditional job?

Career Advancement Opportunities

There are plenty of career advancement opportunities available to those who want to continue military service after school. Common options include officer-rank positions and other leadership or specialty roles. On the other hand, if you don't plan to continue your military service, you can always explore career opportunities in your chosen field of study. 

Continuing Education and Professional Development

In some cases, it might even make sense to continue your education with an advanced degree, such as a master's degree, in a field you are passionate about. An advanced degree can give you the opportunity to really hone your skills while qualifying you for higher-level positions within your chosen discipline. Even if you don't end up going for a graduate degree, you may want to take advantage of professional development opportunities in the form of additional certifications or licenses. 

The Importance of a Military-Friendly School

Army reservists and National Guard members face a number of unique challenges in their pursuit of a college degree. Ultimately, some schools offer more support and resources for military members than others. This is why it's so important to do your research and select a military-friendly school before you enroll. 

At Lindenwood University, we welcome all active military and veterans as a top-ranked military-friendly school. Not only do we work with military students to offer the best tuition rates, but we also accept such military tuition benefits as the GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, and more. 

Reach out today to learn more about our programs offered and the many ways in which we go above and beyond for our military students.