How to Balance Work, Family and Going Back to School
When you think about all the responsibilities that come with being an adult, it can be hard to figure out how and where going back to school fits into the mix. However, pursuing higher education doesn't have to be unattainable or daunting; in fact, it's totally possible! In this article, we've put together some tips on how to balance work, family and going back to school so you can prioritize your own personal educational and professional growth.
Re-prioritize time and commitments
Take a moment to step back and look at what vies for your time and energy—not your family or work responsibilities, but other places where you can cut back to make space for completing your coursework. Think about how much time you scroll on social media or watch TV. Where can you re-prioritize your time so that school can take its place as an important commitment in your life?
This is not to say that in order to go back to school, you have to give up all your free time, hobbies and interests. Instead, think about it as optimizing your time to its full potential. Find a balance between having enough downtime for your mental health and hobbies and using your time to put effort towards schoolwork.
Make a Schedule
After you re-prioritize your time, make a schedule to help you capitalize on it. Are you a morning person? If so, getting up early a few times a week to devote to school may be beneficial. If you’re a night owl, staying up late after you put the kids to bed could be helpful so you can focus on school without interruption.
Maybe, short bursts throughout the day work best for your time and focus, such as at your lunch hour or right after work before you unwind from the day. However, regardless of when and how you carve out your schedule, setting aside specific time to devote to your coursework is important for succeeding in the classroom and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
Use your village
While going back to school and pursuing higher education is a noble effort, there are going to be times when it feels draining, especially when you're trying to balance your work, family, and social life in the midst of it. This is when you use your village, or the people closest to you in your life that can support you.
So what does using your village look like? That's really up to you. It can be that you have someone in your corner, cheering you on. It can be that you have someone to vent to when the courseload gets tough. It can even be a friend or family member watching your kids for the day so you can focus and get work done, or any other combination of support. Having a network of people who are for you and your education helps you feel less alone and can be a critical factor in finishing your degree!
Remember you can do it
More than having a community to encourage you, remember to also believe in yourself. Push through the hard days, prioritize your time and stick to it and invest in your future. Your hard work will only come back and reward you.
Going back to school as an adult is not only feasible, it's a decision you won't regret! If you're ready to make the jump back to higher education, check out our article "11 Steps to Returning to College as an Adult."
At Bluffton…
Bluffton University offers four different accredited graduate programs in education, nutrition and dietetics, business administration, and social work. Learn more about pursuing a master's degree at Bluffton here.