So many of us decide after we’re already well into our 20s, or even 30s or 40s, that we want to go back to school. We finally realize, after putting years into the workforce, what we’d really like to do. Once you’ve realized what your dream is, there’s no stopping your mind from steaming full speed ahead to realizing that dream.
But when you’re an adult with adult responsibilities, it can sometimes be hard to envision how you’ll fit into a grueling college schedule with an already busy life. How do you juggle responsibilities such as your day job, family/children, activism, socializing and other extracurricular pursuits with a newfound schedule of classes, exams and papers?
The truth that nobody wants to tell you is that it will be hard. But it is not impossible. And it is not forever. If you can find ways to manage your time and fit a course of study into your life, you find that it pays off in dividends when you obtain your degree and start making those dreams a reality. It’s just a matter of implementing some organizational skills to rearrange your time a little and learn how to manage your day to day.
One of the first things you should do is look into online universities that can offer you the courses you’re interested in with a flexible schedule on your terms - whether that’s night classes or weekend classes, online study or a hybrid learning model is up to you. Many accredited universities like USA.edu offer online courses of study that you can do at your own pace, so that you’re never overwhelmed with too many classes or having to travel to and fro. Colleges these days are much more flexible as they realize that their student base is much more diverse in terms of age, and that many of their students are also full-time workers, parents, and/or caregivers (or all three).
Implementing an organizational attitude in all areas of your life can help you get in and stay in the right mindset to complete a course of study. This means becoming more organized everywhere from the home to at work. Utilize lists and schedulers/planners to help you keep up with important appointments, assignments and tests. Work with your boss and coworkers to try and schedule your job around your educational needs, if possible. Even organizing your personal space at home and setting up a desk with easy access to supplies and materials that is clean and uncluttered will help you stay in that organized mindset you need to keep on top of things.
And one thing you definitely want to schedule and keep track of might surprise you: downtime. Every successful student who manages a busy schedule always prioritizes time to relax and practice self-care. If you don’t take a little time here and there to unwind and do things you enjoy, you will suffer burnout. Don’t burn the candle at both ends. Make time for you, always.
Some delegation may be required, if you have a partner, spouse, older children or roommate that can help with home responsibilities and chores. Take advantage of offers of help whenever they come, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Check with your university to find out if any resources are available to you, such as childcare assistance. A simple idea that many don’t consider but really works, is to work when you feel good. If you feel more energized and peppy at night, do the bulk of your schoolwork after dinner. If mornings have you feeling refreshed and ready to face the day, doing schoolwork just after breakfast is your best bet. Don’t try to force yourself to adhere to a schedule that does not work for you. You set the schedule for your best hope for success.
Remember: there’s no timetable, no running clock that says you have to finish by a certain time. Students who also juggle jobs, families, and other important stuff often go back to school at a slow pace, only putting as much on their plate as they can truly handle. And there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s no reason why a degree should be a hurried, rushed thing. You want to make sure that your school experience is something that you can enjoy, get something out of, and complete at a pace that ensures you do your very best. With a little luck, you’ll learn how to manage your time and make going back to school a breeze.
