AMU Lifestyle Military Spouses

Tiffany's Tips: Supporting Servicemembers at School

By Tiffany Kyall
Special Contributor, In Military Education

If you are reading this, then you must know a service member who is in school. My husband is currently attending a military career training school, but these tips can be applied to anyone who knows a service member in school, military career related or civilian.

  1. Remember that the service member embarking on this journey, attending school will affect everyone in your household, including pet(s). Having a flexible schedule that can accommodate any last minute changes. For example, if you and your family planned to eat dinner outside of the home and the service member needs time to study, try to find an alternative solution. This alternative could be ordering pizza or take out, therefore, the service member gets time to study and your family will be able to eat something different.
  2. Try to understand that the service member will need support from you and everyone at home. He or she will have struggles, accomplishments, and everything in between. Be there to help him or her through the difficulties and or celebrate the endeavors. If the service member is getting frustrated with his or her school work, suggest for the service member to take a break from studying and de-stress the service member’s feeling(s).
  3. Speaking about breaks, have the service member take breaks while studying for school. In addition, give yourself a break too to recharge and come back with a sense of focus. Schedule in or plan for time for you, your family, and the service member to spend some together sans school related topics. Unwind and get to know each other again. This will put everyone in a better mood and will alleviate any stress from school.
  4. Remember to have the line of communication open amongst everyone. If something needs to be changed or if someone feels uncomfortable, speak up, do not keep frustrations or nagging topics inside to yourselves.
  5. Lastly, if you, your family, and service member feel as if something is not working and you all have tried to make things work, seek out help. This assistance can come from professionals, instructors, local support centers, and web resources

Tiffany Kyall is a military spouse currently living in Mississippi. She is a current student at American Military University, pursuing an Associates of Science in Web Publishing. Tiffany has a three year old daughter, and two German Shepherds. When not studying for school, Tiffany can be found spending time with her family, tending to household demands, or relaxing by watching television.

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