How To Balance College, Work and A Family Without Overwhelming Yourself

There is nothing wrong with going back to school many years after graduation. You may see it as a great opportunity to obtain a career that allows you to support your family. Unfortunately, you may also feel stressed because you are trying to juggle too many tasks at one time. Luckily, it is possible to take care of more than one task while you are taking classes. Use the following tips to balance college, work and your family without feeling overwhelmed.

Take Your Classes Online

It never hurts to take your classes online if you have a busy schedule. This way, you do not have to worry about commuting to and from your campus. You can also take the classes around your own schedule, but you do need to be sure to complete your work by the deadline. Taking classes online gives you more time to focus on your family and job while working towards your certificate or degree.

Display Your Schedule In Sight

If you know you are going to be very busy with classwork, your job, appointments and other duties, make it a habit to display your schedule in plain sight. One idea is a calendar on your refrigerator or family bulletin board. It gives your family an idea of your schedule for the upcoming week, and this allows them to prepare for any activities that require their help or involve them in any way.

Designate Time To Different Activities

You may not have as much control over your work schedule, but it does help to create a schedule outside the workplace. One example is deciding what time you are going to attend your online classes or work on your schoolwork. You also want to set aside time for your family by planning a walk, movie or game night. Remember to add your schedule to your calendar so your family is aware of it.

Prepare Your Day or Week In Advance

It also helps to prepare for your week in advance. One idea is to invest in a hanging clothes organizer or designate a spot in your closet to your outfits for the week. You can also save time by preparing lunches and meals for the week every Sunday. It may feel like you are spending a lot of time putting together your outfits and meals, but you are actually saving more time over the week by preparing in advance.

Ask For Help If You Need It

Your significant other is going to help you take care of tasks at home while you are busy with school and work. However, there may come a time when you both need help with your responsibilities. You may need to ask a trusted relative or friend to watch your children after school, or maybe you need to hire a professional cleaning service once a week or month. It is okay to ask for help if you are feeling overwhelmed by your tasks.

Talk To Your Professors

If you know you are going to have a busy schedule this semester, do not be afraid to talk to your professors about it. You would be surprised at how understanding a professor can be when it comes to a hectic schedule. There are many professors who know what it is like to juggle home, work and school, and some professors may still be juggling those responsibilities today. They may be able to work with you to create a plan for completing your work on time.

When you take the time to create a plan for each semester, you can balance your classes, job and family without feeling overwhelmed.