There is no doubt that returning to school as a working adult presents some unique challenges. Effective time management is possibly the greatest of these hurdles. In fact, the reality is that time management is problematic for most people even before you add the responsibility of having to keep up with classes.
However, creating that perfect balance between life, work, and school is not as difficult as it may seem. All you need to do is develop a time management plan. So before you throw up your hands because there are not enough hours in a day, consider these tips to make the most of your valuable time as you consider earning your degree:
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Establish priorities. Figure out what needs to be done first and which tasks need more attention. Also see if the task can be delegated to someone else. For example, if you have an exam tomorrow, make that studying is a priority over going out to dinner with friends.
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Create a schedule. In the beginning, many students find it helpful to lay out their schedule in advance. In today’s world there are so many ways to do this (smartphones, calendars, day planners, computer software), that you can choose whichever one personally works best for you. It’s also a good idea to keep the schedule with you as a reminder to stay on track. However you do it, make sure it is something visual because there is truth to the old saying “out of sight, out of mind.”
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Understand your optimal working times. It’s a fact of nature that some people are morning people and others are night people. Only you know when you work best, so schedule classwork during that time. For example, if you are a morning person, set your alarm a little earlier and make morning study time a part of your routine. If you function better at night, hit the books once your family goes to sleep.
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Be flexible. It’s not realistic to expect that every day will turn out the way you planned it. (If only!) Make sure your schedule allows for necessary changes and be prepared to go with the flow. That said, learn to say no — don’t take on more than you can handle no matter how flexible your schedule is. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm yourself.
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Don’t let the little things build up. When you are balancing a busy schedule, procrastination is not your friend. We have all probably learned this the hard way!
At Albertus Magnus, we understand how valuable your time is and that the traditional college class schedule may not work for you. In order to meet the needs of the increasing number of working adults in our community, we have developed three distinct programs for students like you: New Dimensions, Accelerated Degrees, and the FLEX Program. And to further help you succeed, the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) offers support programs specifically for the adult learner, including scheduling help and time management assistance.
When you take advantage of our flexible degree program options and develop your time management plan, you will be well on your way to reaching your career goals! Check into our blogs for more helpful tips on returning to school as a working adult — let our years of experience in education for adults help you.