The Balancing Act: How to Balance Family, Work and School

Author

Elizabeth West

Publish Date

2023-12-18

Most students are not just students. According to a report from Georgetown in 2019, 70% of full-time college students also hold jobs. Not only are students trying to juggle work and school, but their social and personal lives require attention, too. College students often move to a new city, establish a new routine and enter new relationships. Adult students may already have a spouse, a job, a mortgage and kids. They are trying to balance a new chapter, even when their lives haven’t slowed down at all. They are expected to find ways to squeeze in hours of studying, going to work and putting the kids to bed. Being pulled in so many directions, students can find it difficult to balance everything. Here are some tips to help you perform this balancing act.

Schedule your Time

Scheduling time for each area of your life helps you prioritize your responsibilities. One of UIS’ very own is an expert at juggling his time. Johnathan Pierce, Ph.D., completed his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees all while working full-time and managing a young family. He emphasizes that it’s vital to create a routine that works for you.

“For me, I chose to study at home, in a cold corner of our basement that was quiet and where I would not be interrupted,” said Dr. Pierce. To complete his doctoral studies, he created a five-year plan to study early in the mornings on weekdays and weekends before his young family woke, sometimes even before sunrise. “While it might seem daunting to an outsider, it is what was required to stick to my plan of completing a doctorate degree,” said Dr. Pierce. “During my undergraduate and graduate studies, I typically studied in the mornings with some work in the afternoons and evenings, but the demands were far less than in the doctoral program.”

Dr. Pierce also recommended finishing assignments a week in advance in case something unexpected came up with work or family. He wanted to acknowledge that his schooling affected his family. They too made sacrifices that allowed him to finish, because as he puts it, “There was no Plan B… this was the only plan, and I absolutely had to succeed, no matter the cost.”

Take a Break

There are only so many hours in the day, but a break might be just what you need. There is no shame in it, and it doesn’t make you lazy. Your brain gets tired just like every other part of your body. Taking a break can increase your motivation, creativity and improve your memory. Giving your brain a break will allow it time to absorb all the information you just learned.

Students can create scheduled breaks during their week with friends. Having friends come together for a break makes you more accountable to take them. You can have a movie night or a night out every week. Some friends may try to avoid the get-together or try to reschedule when they become busy but make it a sacred time. No matter what, that is your time for a break and it’s just as important as studying.

Double-Up on Responsibilities

There are so many things you’re supposed to do in college. You’re supposed to attend class, study, make time for friends, work out, eat right and gain work experience. What if you combined some of those responsibilities? If you want to join a club to make friends, look for a club that also gives you work experience and connections. If you must have a job while in school, look for a job that will provide you with work experience in your desired field. For example, if you are studying marketing and you work at a clothing store, you could ask to help run their social media accounts. With all the things you are supposed to do, it can be hard to make time for friends. You could schedule a weekly dinner or a weekly study session to keep in touch with friends. Make a list of all your responsibilities and see where you can double up.

Alternative Options

There will also be times when you literally can’t do everything on your list. Let’s look at some alternative options.

Don’t have time for an internship? You could do a case study for a competition. This will give you some work experience in a short period.
Can’t take another class you need this semester? You can take classes over breaks. These classes are in an accelerated format and will allow you to have more flexibility in your following semesters. Check out UIS’s accelerated courses.
Don’t have time to cook every night? You can meal prep your meals and store some in the freezer for busier times.

Need Help?

Keeping a balanced life is hard. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. No one does the impossible alone. Your family at UIS is here to help you achieve your goals, no matter your circumstances. Contact us to help you achieve your goals.