How to Manage School and Work Together

The idea of returning to school often seems overwhelming; a busy work schedule and a hectic family life leave little room for studying and attending classes. However, if you're serious about pursuing your degree you can manage it and these straightforward steps can help you find time to handle work, family and school.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook-type calendar
• Color markers
• Work schedule

Instructions

1. Register for either online or weekend classes. Online classes have been created to fit the busy schedules of returning students. By taking online classes, students go to class when they want. Weekend classes also help to ease a hectic work schedule.

2. Develop skills to handle stress. Balancing healthy eating, exercise, and scheduling some leisure time releases stress. By practicing all three elements, students will find that they feel better about themselves and about what they are trying to accomplish.

3. Stay organized. By keeping both work and school priorities and deadlines in a notebook-type calendar, students will be able to stay on top of what is due when. Use a color-code system to mark both work and school schedules. Students will find that they can easily plan both schedules around one another.

4. Set goals. Students must consistently remember what they are attempting to achieve by going back to school. By setting small goals, and meeting them, students will soon find themselves achieving the larger goal.

5. Maintain a positive attitude. Do not complain about what has to be done--just remember that each assignment, each deadline met is a step closer to the end goal.

Tips & Warnings

• When the schedules become hectic, do not complain about the work that has to be done, especially while on the job. Stay on track and be proud of the accomplishments.