By Staff Writer: Erika Hernandez
During the lockdown in 2021 from COVID, my oldest had just started Pre-K. It was his very first school year, and he had to do it all online. Watching him navigate virtual learning at such a young age gave me time to reflect on my own journey. I thought to myself, “I want to go back to school.” But life, as it always does, kept moving, and it wasn’t until three years later that I finally re-registered.
Now when I sit down to do homework at night, my three boys are always around me. Two of them need homework help, and my youngest is asking me to watch his awesome soccer trick or just wants to cuddle. At times it’s chaotic, but it is also my why. I am a wife, a mother, an employee, and now — after more than ten years of being out of school — a college student finally about to get her degree.
For a long time, I focused on raising my boys and running my business as a hairstylist. Today, I work full-time as an administrative assistant at the University of New Mexico, while still keeping up with my hair clients. Balancing those roles while being a mom, wife, and student has its challenges, but it’s teaching me I’m more resilient than I ever knew.
I couldn’t do any of this without the amazing support of my husband. He has been my number one encourager from day one, reminding me that I am capable and stepping in when I need extra help at home or with our boys. Having a partner who believes in me makes all the difference on the hard days, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Some days the exhaustion hits hard. I’m writing a paper at soccer practice, reading articles in the school pickup line, or studying late at night when the house is quiet. In those moments, I start to question if I can keep up. But then I look at my boys, and they remind me exactly why I’m here in this season of life.
I want my sons to see that perseverance matters and that dreams are worth chasing, even if the path isn’t straight or easy. Every quiz I complete and every paper I turn in isn’t just a step toward my degree — it’s a lesson for them. When my boys see me studying, they see more than a mom with her books open. They see resilience, determination, and hope. And that’s the legacy I want to leave them.
I know I’m not the only student parent at ENMU. Many of us are quietly balancing diapers and discussion boards, family dinners and final exams. To those who might be hesitant about returning to school because of kids or time away, I want you to know this: it’s possible. It’s hard, yes, but it’s also rewarding. You don’t have to choose between being a parent and being a student — you can be both.