Maybe A Not-So-Perfectly-Balanced Act
The adage goes something like this: You can’t keep all of your balls in the air if you’re trying to juggle too many. So, if you try to balance too many things in your life, at least one area of it will suffer. So what is it going to be? It can’t be your job or the family you support, nor can it be your education. So how can you make sure you keep those three balls up in the air so that none suffers? You take steps towards learning how to balancing everything, Here are five great steps to get you on your way:
Step 1: Accept the Sleep Factor
Understand that you will be getting less sleep and learn to embrace it. Now, you don’t have to love it; just accept it with less resistance. If this means you have to get up at 4:00 a.m. every day, then you do it. This is what one girl interviewed by USA Today said she had to do. If this sounds like something you might struggle with, ease yourself with the knowledge that your situation is only temporary. Everything will change, just as it should, when you are done with your studies. In the long run, you will have benefited yourself and your family.
Step 2: Make a Schedule
Make a daily schedule with realistic expectations, and stick to it. But leave some wiggle room for emergencies or the unexpected. A good rule of thumb to follow, according to the Star Tribune, is to allow yourself two hours of study time for every of class time. So, if you are taking a full load of classes at 12 hours, then you would need to budget 24 hours of study time a week into your schedule. Taking fewer courses? Then you likely won’t need to budget as much study time. Taking more classes? Then hats off to you.
Step 3: Set Attainable Goals
Set reasonable goals for yourself each day, and don’t always expect perfection. Instead, be willing to compromise when necessary so that no one or nothing suffers. Forgive yourself when you so have to compromise, and simply adjust your goals. By setting reasonable goals and being flexible, you’ll soon join the ranks of those who have learned to work smarter, not harder.
Step 4: Develop a Support System
Discuss your expectations with your family and friends. Let me know your schedule so they understand times when you’ll be unavailable. Use dedicated family time to deal with family issues Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. That’s what a support system is for.
Step 5: Reward Yourself
Take one day off and allow yourself time to relax. Spend time with your family or reward yourself with whatever guilty pleasures you want. Whether it’s that one show a week you can’t miss or sleeping in till noon do it. But only once a week. After all, you deserve to reward yourself, right?
Balancing family, work, and school doesn’t work for some people. But if you can remember to be realistic about your goals and reasonable about your schedule, you can find harmony and balance. It may not always be perfect, but stick with it. Don’t waste time or quit school. Hang in there till the end. You’ll be glad you did.
This article was written by the team at the Engineering Institute of Technology who cater for anyone looking to further their career options online whether it’s a master’s degree in engineering or an advanced diploma it IT, they’ve got you covered.