Full Time Worker/Full Time Nursing Student - How do you Manage Your Homes?

anurseatlast · Sep 18, 2010

The only way to make it through is to lower your standards for a "clean house" - otherwise, you will go crazy.

Think of how you can simplify what has to be done - buy paper plates, use frozen dinners, etc.I actually bought extra undies and socks before I started school so I could go longer without doing laundry!

I agree that doing something small - like starting laundry- while taking a short break from studying can help. If you do that, set a timer to remind you to get back to studying and stick to it. Sometimes, I just couldn't study effectively at home because I was distracted by all the things that needed to be done. I would study at school or the library to decrease distractions. Sometimes, I would take a couple hours to do a quick cleanup. Sometimes I just had to live with it because I did not have the time or energy to do it.

When I had time to cook (start something will studying), I always made enough for leftovers. I also bought ready-to-serve items like salad in a bag or pre-cooked chicken. Easy things too like scrambled eggs for dinner. I would throw a couple frozen chicken breasts on the Foreman grill while I microwaved veggies and rice. I did use the crockpot too - just throw something in and dinner is ready when you get home. (or do it on the weekend so you can take leftovers to school/work. I did not really plan. I just tried to have easy stuff around. In reality, I did eat out more often than I had planned - sometimes it was just too hard to get something together.

For me, doing well in school was a priority (after my family) and that meant other things had to go undone. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the long list of things you have to do. I often reminded myself of a quote I had heard about how to handle these types of intense situations: "Do the next thing." Don't worry about all you can't get to - prioritize and do what you have to one thing at a time. (And sometimes, the thing you need most is sleep or a few hours of fun - it will keep you from burning out)

You can do it. Many people have done it before. It is not the ideal but it is worth it to reach your goal.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Sep 20, 2010

I found planning meals works best for me, but I just don't have much time any more. So a friend on facebook mentioned a site called E-mealz. For $5 a month they give you a weekly menu along with the cooking directions and shopping list. They also give you prices according to a few stores. I went with a points (Weight watchers) menu for 6 from Walmart. There are only 3 of us right now, but that way I have some lunches for the kids and I left over.

I have only been doing it a week, but so far the recipes aren't too bad. Some pretty good, some meh, and 3 this week were crock pot meals. The biggest benefit to me is printing off then taking the list to the store and have my weekly shopping done in about an hour. I used to do my own menu planning, but this is easier (and faster) for me.

As for house cleaning, well, I just ask my guests not to draw in the dust. I vacuum when I can and tidy up as I go along.

Good luck, it sounds like your plate is full!