The demand for online schooling has risen sharply due to COVID-19. More and more professionals are opting for this solution specifically because it allows them to hold on to their jobs or to care for their families. A professional development program can advance your career to the next level, but it also comes with great challenges. For most, finding the balance between life and school is the most difficult aspect of upgrading. Achieving that balance requires planning and a great deal of dedication. Keep reading for some tips that working professionals can use in order to strike the right balance between work and school.
Set Your Priorities
When you have so many irons in the fire, transform your life into a set of tasks defined by three categories: life, career, and school. To successfully create a balance among them, you need to devote your attention on one single task at a time. This involves setting your priorities in advance, so when you submerge yourself into a task, you are not worried about other things that need to be done. For example, you should submit the report to your boss before the deadline and then start working on your school assignment. Or, feed the kids and make sure they are entertained before taking an online quiz. Fortunately, most online programs that are designed for working professionals are flexible which makes setting your tasks priorities less stressful.
Follow the Light at the End of the Tunnel
Your worst enemy is stress. It can cause hormonal imbalances and ruin your mood, resulting in anger and anxiety. You may ask yourself why you even started classes, and you might wonder if you can “survive” this hectic period. To ease your stress, focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. With any academic program, there is a finish line, unlike regular routines such as work. Remind yourself that this situation is temporary. It will end as soon as you complete the course. Then, you can get back to fully focusing on other aspects of your life.
Master Time Management
Create your personalized study routine around unchangeable things on your schedule – tasks that you have no control over. Mark your work hours, kids’ activities, and lectures on the calendar in a bold colour. Then, add study blocks around those activities. Choose your study blocks wisely so they are during times when you are less distracted and less tired. You might have to create a new sleeping routine, like waking up early, to achieve that.
The mission you are trying to achieve might not be easy, but it’s worth it. Keep in mind that your situation is temporary and with some time management and the right mind set, you can go sail through the months with ease.
