Tips for Balancing School, Work, and Family
As you start thinking about continuing your education in cosmetology or esthetics, you may have questions about whether you will be able to keep on working, not neglect your family, and still be successful academically. There are many students who work at least part time, some full time, while going to school. Juggling work, family and school is not an easy task.
Here are several suggestions for maintaining balance:
- 1. Think about taking classes part time.
If finances force you to keep a full time job, you may want to become a part time student. You can work during the day and take part time classes at night or on the weekends. - 2. Get a part-time job instead of a full-time job.
It would be fantastic if you were able to change to part time hours at your current job. If your job cannot accommodate your school schedule, consider one that will give you nights or weekends while you are in school. - 3. Keep everyone informed.
Your partner and kids need to be informed on how this will affect them. Your supervisor might inquire if it will affect your employment schedule or your ability to perform your job. It is vital that you communicate. - 4. Buy a calendar or personal agenda.
Anything could be used for this, such as a wall calendar or the calendar section for your cell phone. Putting notes about your schedule in one area will make it simpler to keep everything that you have to do together. Put the schedule up in a noticeable area in your home so everybody will be aware of what is going on. - 5. Think of creative ways to use your spare time.
Does your job offer a long lunch break? Take along some study items to catch up with. Do you take the bus or train to work? This is a great place to squeeze in some reading. If you have more work than you can finish while your children study, then do your reading after they are in bed. This will still give you lots of quality time with them. - 6. The people in your class are an excellent resource.
Other students can give you valuable advice. How are they balancing school and a job? Can they give you any suggestions for how to keep things balanced? Students who are nearing the end of their programs can give you good advice as you begin your program. - 7. Make special time for your family.
Spending time with your mate or kids means just as much as spending time studying. Attempt to have regular family nights, taking one night out of the week to do an enjoyable activity such as playing games or watching movies. You will have the opportunity to ease up a bit and have fun with your family! - 8. Now is the time to give a hands-on lesson to your children.
Show them how important school and work are by setting up a schedule for all of you to study together. When your kids sit down to do their homework, spend time doing your own. Just make sure to make some rules about the amount of noise and talking. - 9. Do not worry about little things.
Who cares if there are dust bunnies under the couch? Are there some extra dishes sitting in the sink? You should not let these things give you stress. Spend time on what is important - your family, your job, and doing well at school. Everything else will come together on its own. - 10. Keep the reason for your hard work firmly in mind!
It might appear to take a lot of effort and be very stressful currently, but remember the results you will have. You will be eligible to begin a different career and do something that you enjoy, making life more secure for you and your family. Make a written note of your goal and stick it on your refrigerator, the mirror in the bathroom, or any other place that will make you remember why you are working very hard.