Juggling Family, Work, and an MBA Is Possible—Here’s How
Grad school is never easyand when youre juggling the responsibilities of family life and a full-time job, too, the challenges of finishing an MBA can seem insurmountable. It may be daunting, but its definitely possible to complete an MBA while working full-time and caring for a family. Plenty of students do it all the time! You just have to manage your time wisely, and be willing to work hard, and with the support of family and friends, youll soon be walking across that graduation stage. Lets take a look at some strategies to help you juggle work, family, and graduate studies.
Technology Is Your Friend
These days, its all about going to school online. The stigma of online education is rapidly disappearing, as more and more great schools are offering online programs. Typically, online degree programs are taught by the same faculty that teaches on-campus courses. Online degree programs should be just as rigorous as their on-campus counterparts, and youll enjoy the same student support resources, as well as having many of the same opportunities for networking in your program.
Enrolling in a university online MBA program is the best thing you can do in terms of time management. An online program allows you to go through the material at your own pace, when your schedule allows, so you dont have to worry about making time in your schedule to sit in a classroom several times a week. Instead, youll be able to complete your coursework at any time of the day or night.
Technology can also help you network with classmates and work on group projects. Discussion forums, email, teleconferencing, and video conferencing applications can bring you all together, even when youre located around the country or the world.
Manage Your Time Wisely
Going to grad school shouldnt be taken lightly, and youll need to stay on top of things if you want to succeed. Block out time each day to study, in the way that works best for you. Expect to spend at least six hours a week on each of your courses. Finding this time may mean getting up earlier in the morning, studying during lunch breaks and coffee breaks at work, sitting down to homework during your childrens nap or TV time, and blocking out time in the evenings and on weekends to study. Consider doing your MBA on a part-time basis to ease the burden.
Make Time for YourselfAnd Those You Love
No matter how much work you have to do, its still important to make time for yourself and for those youre closest too. If you have children, make sure you set aside some time each day to spend just having fun with them. Your relationships with your children are worth working on, and you dont want to miss out on these years of your childrens lives because of grad school.
Its also important to set aside time for yourself and time to spend with your significant other. Set aside two blocks of free time each weekone to relax doing something you love, and one to spend with your partner. Though you may not have time to see friends every week, its also important to make time for them as often as you can. This down time is essential for your well-being.
Take Care of Yourself
When youre juggling grad school, family, and a full-time job, taking time to exercise, get plenty of sleep, and eat right can seen counterintuitive. Dont fall into the trap of thinking that skipping your yoga class, skimping on sleep, and grabbing some fast food would be the easiest ways to free up time in your schedule for your studies. Think of it this wayif you dont have time to exercise, sleep, and prepare healthy meals, then youd better make time to get sick! Take good care of yourself to maintain your health, manage stress, and stay energized and focused through the long days ahead.
Managing the responsibilities of family and a full-time job while going to grad school takes focus, self-discipline, and determinationbut just remember that all of your hard work will soon pay off. Whenever you start to feel overwhelmed, just remember: Grad school is only a couple of years. Itll be over before you know it.