Every adult or mature learner needs to find a balance that works well for them and their families. This is particularly true when mom or dad is juggling college classes, a full-time job, a spouse and children.
If you haven’t selected a school consider one which accommodates adult learners. Schools like Chicago’s Csinow.com have several geographically separated campuses within Chicago and the surrounding area as well as evening and weekend classes.
While creating a study space for you at home may seem like a dream. This home study hall can become a logistical nightmare if you don’t get any work done or neglect your family.
To create the perfect place to study and give your spouse and children the proper attention takes careful planning to keep balance and a systematic process.
Create a Space and Time to Study
Make a large family calendar to schedule after-school activities, study, couple and family time. In a large common area such as your kitchen or den, place a large calendar on the wall.
Each month you can identify important study and family times so you can synchronize your important test and school calendar dates with the family schedule.
- Identify a space in your home or garage where you can study. Make sure the area is well lit and is off-limits to your spouse and children.
- Plan to study and take classes when your children are sleeping, at school or daycare. If you are taking online classes, you can study quietly at night or during the morning hours before you go to work.
If your college is nearby, make plans to study on campus once a week.
- Plan your study, work and family time wisely. When you have a busy family, job and work life, you can’t afford to waste any time by “winging it.” Every night, create a to-do list of important activities and school-related responsibilities.
By creating this list, you can relax and study without worrying you missed a family- or job-related task.
- Buy a personal computer for your school activities. While some families share internet and computer time, it is best to have a dedicated laptop or desktop for your college coursework.
If you only have one computer in the home, establish firm rules as to when your family members can read, shop, search of do their homework online.
Get Help and Childcare Support
- Find affordable childcare for the hours you study to prevent neglecting your kids and your schoolwork. Enroll your smaller children in day care, preschool or hire a sitter to help you during your study times.
If you have a network of trusted friends and family members nearby, schedule a month of play dates and babysitting opportunities to cover the times when you are learning and studying.
- Don’t neglect summertime and holiday planning. While the summer months are the best times to engage with your kids and spouse, these are also prime study times for students who have full-time jobs.
To make sure you balance your family fun days and school hours appropriately, make sure you study a maximum of three hours a day. By creating a limit to your study time, you will be able to enjoy time at the beach or trimming the Christmas tree without any guilt.
After earning your degree in the UK you can consider working for a company like npower. npower supplies energy to around 5.1 million customers.
The company has around 20 sites around the country of which many of the offices are agile or remote. You may not have an allocated desk but you can work anywhere and everywhere you need to including your home.
Achievement of an long-time educational goal is important. To do so at the expense of your relationship with spouse, children or your career will only tarnish the achievement.
Maintaining a balance is needed for personal effectiveness, peace of mind and your relationships.
