Fact: going back to school is hard. Between balancing a full-time job, quality time with your kids, and us-time with your spouse, you barely have seconds in the day left over for sleep, much less going to class. Your hectic schedule is so daunting that it might discourage you from going back to school entirely.

But here's another fact: you don't have to do it alone. Schools want their adult students to succeed, and they'll do almost anything they can to help you achieve your goals. Whether you want a Bachelor's degree or just a certification, most colleges will work closely with you to iron out the perfect back-to-school gameplan to fit your busy schedule. All you have to do is ask.

What school is right for me?

When it comes to students with packed schedules, community colleges are usually the most accommodating. At Monroe Community College, for example, you can complete any major part-time, and the school offers hundreds of evening, weekend, and summertime classes. MCC even offers LateStart Courses, or sessions that start later in the semester (on October 1 instead of September 4).

But don't rule out a four-year college. Rochester Institute of Technology, for example, provides plenty of evening courses, as well as five-week and 10-week summertime sessions. Even smaller schools like Nazareth College often offer night and summer classes.

You don't even have to commit to an exact hour or date. Online classes, or "distance learning" courses, have become popular in recent years, and most of the colleges in the area offer at least some online classes to fulfill your degree requirements.

In fact, some schools like MCC, RIT and SUNY Brockport, offer degrees you can complete entirely online. "I have online students who are in the military, serving in Iraq right now," says Gene Clark, assistant director at RIT's Office of Part-Time and Graduate Enrollment. "It doesn't matter where they are. As long as they have access to a computer, they can literally be in class, doing their work."

How will I find the time?

Maybe you're more concerned about whether or not you'll actually have the time to do your coursework - especially if you're a parent. Luckily, these days most colleges have on-campus childcare facilities, open to both full- and part-time students.

And if you're worried about when you'll fit in tutoring sessions, never fear: most colleges offer free subject-specific tutoring sessions, led by a professor or upperclassman. Many are scheduled for the evenings, after most students are done with classes for the day, but there are often lunchtime and early morning sessions as well.

Plus, many schools have free study centers where students struggling with papers or math homework can come for assistance. Nazareth, for example, has a Writing Lab, where you can bring in essays for a friendly critique. The University of Rochester offers a Math Study Hall, run by math graduate students and specializing in individual attention. RIT even has dedicated tutoring centers for engineering, computer science, and information technology.

How long will it take?

Going to school part-time used to mean you'd be taking classes for the better part of a decade. Not so anymore. Many area schools offer accelerated programs where you can get your degree in just a couple of years.

For example, MCC offers a Fast-Track Program, which lets you complete your Associate's in three years or less. You attend class only one evening and one Saturday a week, taking nine credit hours a semester. Fast-Track is especially good for students who don't need handholding, as each session meets for just 32 hours (instead of 45) and requires plenty of out-of-class, independent study.

Another option is the "2+2 Program." This set-up lets you complete your first two years of a four-year degree at a community college, like MCC, and the last two years at a four-year college of your choice. Most area colleges work with the 2+2 program, including the University of Rochester, RIT, SUNY Brockport, Nazareth and St. John Fisher. "Many times, it's a realistic way for students to start, for academic or financial reasons," says Dolores Johnson, senior assistant director for transfer admissions. "If they just jumped into [a four-year school] right away, it might not be a good thing."

Who do I call?

If you're thinking about going back to school, your best first step is to contact a school's office of adult or part-time education. "You'll want to talk it over with an academic counselor to assess your needs," says MCC spokesperson Dianne McConkey. "We have to figure out what you're interested in doing and what your limitations are."

Many schools have continuing education information clearly linked on the front page of their websites, but if not, you can always call or e-mail the admissions office and ask to be directed to an admissions counselor.

From there, it's all about figuring out what options are best for you. "If we can get you to feel confident walking through the door," says Johnson, "that's half the battle right there."