How can I manage school, work, & family??

cee cee g · Dec 16, 2013

With a lot of prayer :saint: . I'm in the same boat you are in where I have a husband and 3 kids. Good luck with your journey. And sorry but thats all I could think of and plus I am a living testimony that it does truly works.

CDEWannaBe · Dec 16, 2013

Have family or friends who are willing to take your kids when they are sick. You will inevitably have a child get sick on the same day you have a final and your husband can't get out of work.

Meal plan. Cook a couple nights a week and have leftovers the other nights. Always have sandwich stuff so you can make quick dinners.

Every night when you walk in the door, start a load of laundry before you do anything else. You'll always be glad. =)

Study at school where you won't be interrupted. That may mean get to school an hour before class or staying after. Studying at home is pretty much impossible.

Put a family calendar on the wall that includes your tests and major projects, plus your kids' activities and family obligations.

You will sometimes have to selfishly put your own needs ahead of your families. Talk about this in advance with your husband and figure out how you'll make it work.

NicoleAlbertie84 · Dec 16, 2013

Thank you both! I will make sure I pray. And I love the calendar idea I am going to go out and get one ASAP!

ReginaK · Dec 17, 2013

Lower your expectations! A clean house and full course meals seemed to lose when prioritizing. I enjoyed more having a happy family

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Dec 17, 2013

I organize my week every Sunday. Things always come up and disrupt my schedule but by writing it down and having it somewhere I know it needs to get done. I am up at 6:15 everyday and in bed most days by 10:30. I do not function well without sleep. I studied when I got out of school and before my son gets home. I put a load of laundry in the morning before I get a shower. I load dishes before bed. Everything else waits til the weekend. During the week I study while my son is at judo practice at night. We do his homework and any of mine I can get done before judo. I cook easy meals and he is in bed by 9. Any extra I have to do gets done between 9 and 10:30. I also make sure I make time for my son. When we were at therapy last week for him (he is having issues with the divorce) she had him do something great. He made a sign called Talk Time. He drew my room because that is his safe, happy place. He now brings me that sign when he wants to talk and we go to my room to talk. As much time as my schoolwork takes up, he is still my most important thing and I make sure to make time for him.

carefulcare · Dec 17, 2013

Lower your expectations! A clean house and full course meals seemed to lose when prioritizing. I enjoyed more having a happy family

This is true ^ also, avoid comparisons, I have two children and a husband who works fulltime and this is yhe first semester I didn't work full time so I could do school full time. Let me tell you that if your husband can help more around the house it would be beneficial, if he doesn't, you may lose sleep staying up late to study and clean and doing housework, but its temporary and so worth it. You can do it!

asmyth13 · Dec 17, 2013

Hey guys the question I'm curious about is managing work with this. Should I try to drop down to part time hours so I can focus more on school? I'm not sure how it will all pan out and it makes me a little nervous

MandieeRN · Dec 17, 2013

Hello I will be starting school (LPN) on the 30th of December. I wanted any advice or ideas on how you plan to organize your life so that things don't get crazy. I have 3 kids (9,5,3) and a husband and I will be going part time at my current job. I don't function well unless I have things in order so I am seeking advice from fellow pre-nursing students on how you plan to handle everything. Thanks![/quote']
Know your learning style and find good study habits. Record lectures and listen to them while in the car. Carry flash cards in your pockets.These things helped me a lot through my LPN program.

NicoleAlbertie84 · Dec 17, 2013

Hey guys the question I'm curious about is managing work with this. Should I try to drop down to part time hours so I can focus more on school? I'm not sure how it will all pan out and it makes me a little nervous

I am currently at a call center and I did drop down to part time hours. I think it will be easier that way for me at least. What time are your classes?

asmyth13 · Dec 17, 2013

This semester they are in the evening from 5:30-8:40 but it's more so next semester I'm really worried about because I will be taking a science in the summer and then two science classes at the same time the following semester I just barely drug by this semester working a Monday thru Friday 6:45-6:30 job

RunBabyRN · Dec 18, 2013

Get some good crock pot recipes.

Meal plan, including leftovers. Put some in the freezer, too, for easy dinners later, so you're not eating the same thing 4 nights in a row.

Google 30 minute recipes. You'll find some good stuff that way, too.

Make a list of quick, easy, healthy snacks, and keep them on hand. I like eating things like grapes or cherry tomatoes sometimes when I'm studying.

Schedule as best you can, but be flexible, because inevitably, stuff will come up. I also agree about the family wall calendar- that really helps to keep everyone on the same page!

Include time for yourself, or you'll go nuts. For me, running is my sanity. Find what works for you.

Carry a textbook with you everywhere. You'll find random times to study all over the place! I was able to download the ATI books on my phone, so I was able to read a bit in line at random places and such. I also carry notecards with me.

Dropping down your hours will help with time. Just be sure to budget accordingly, and have some extra aside for extra costs that will come up with school (unfortunately, it happens).

Definitely lower your expectations of keeping the perfect house or yard, an immaculate car, or fabulous dinners. Recruit your husband to take over as much of this as possible. If you have the spare cash, a housekeeper once or twice a month can be great (I WISH I could do this!!).

Study away from home. One of my favorite things to do (this is actually one of the few things I CAN do at home) is get on the treadmill and walk slowly at an incline while reading. I can't write and do this, but I can review Powerpoints and read the ATI books online this way very easily (I use my laptop), or I can review notecards. Otherwise, I'm at Starbucks or the campus library, writing a paper, making notecards, etc. I also carry my own snacks, so that I'm not tempted to buy pastries or other junk food (though I do get coffee).