Time Management and other Helpful tips please.

Stephalump · May 23, 2012

I am planning on applying to a nursing program and I am a mom and work. I was wondering if anyone has been through this and can help with time management techniques. How do you juggle work, school, and family. Also any good study strategies.

My husband and I have a big calendar we use to block out times. His work schedule and my class schedule, kids extra curriculars, etc. My study time is also blocked out, just like class time, because it's just as important.

We also have a morning/evening routine posted on the wall (ie, 5pm kids are doing chores while I'm making dinner, 6pm is dinner, each kid has a scheduled bath time and the other ones are getting ready for the next day during while they're waiting.)

Chores and things like menu planning/grocery shopping are scheduled, too.

It's a lot of organizational work, but once it's done, it's done, and being on top of when I actually do have free time means we can make the most of it. If we want to go to the zoo, I know I can go on Sunday with no stress that I should be doing something else.

kgregg · May 23, 2012

im in the same situation... Ive been told to do alot of PRAYING!:uhoh21:

dreamangel219 · May 23, 2012

I make good grades and all its just that I am all over the place. i like the idea of the calender and pre-planning so it seems. I really hope this will work out. I know that this needs to become habit before entering the actual program. Thanks for your help.

GranadaGuiri · May 24, 2012

I'm in the same boat. I have a professional job, which keeps me in the office at least 40 hours a week, plus 2 kids and a fiance at home. Their support (and the support of family and friends living nearby) has been essential to my success in my pre-requisites. They've been able to help substitute in for me when I've had to be at class or study. Of course, it is not ideal and I hate missing out on family time. However, I fully believe that it will pay off in the long run. To take advantage of as much study time as possible, I do the following:

-Use an app on my phone for flashcards. This way, whenever I have down time, I can review and memorize. I always have my phone with me and it beats carrying around a deck of cards. Besides, I'm a much faster typer than writer, AND you can use decks that other people have posted. I've found this saves a ton of time for me and I can use my hour+ commutes to study. (Yeah, I know I'm glancing at my phone while driving, but I spend most of my time going 5 mi/hr on the freeway so I'm willing to take the risk).

-Take as many online classes as possible. Be sure to double check that the schools you're applying to will accept online classes. I've found that most will, especially the non-science courses.

-Cook rarely, but cook a lot (quantity-wise). I cook maybe 3x/ week, mostly on weekends. The other nights, it's leftovers.

-We take a lot of weekend trips, which is great because I study in the car and the kids are usually occupied at our destination.

-Really evaluate what you need to be successful in a class. Do you need to read the textbook, or can you get by with the prof's notes? My goal is to get between a 91-92% in each class. Any more and I spent too much time studying.

Hope this helps!

Stephalump · May 24, 2012

I make good grades and all its just that I am all over the place. i like the idea of the calender and pre-planning so it seems. I really hope this will work out. I know that this needs to become habit before entering the actual program. Thanks for your help.

I'm the same way...I make A's but I'm scattered, and jt can get in the way. I do think getting into the habit early is key. We've already started implementing changes one baby step at a time that we want full-blown by the fall. That way of we crash and burn in the beginning, we have the rest of the summer to get things in order!

Brookelin · May 25, 2012

Thank you for asking this! And thanks to those that are responding...all great ideas that I desperately need to start implementing. With a lazy husband and three kids I'm having a very hard time with managing my time. I had a 4.0 GPA before this semester and now I've got two stinkin B's that are going to bring it down. I also need to get a handle on this before I start the nursing program - so keep the ideas coming! :idea:

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · May 25, 2012

I'm not trying to be insulting, but when u mentioned having a lazy husband and 3 kids, u reminded me of myself. Please be cognizant of the fact that, while your husband could be a well meaning lazy guy, he could also be a sabatour, as mine was, before he left us. If your spouse is lazy, you might be taking on too much and that could be the source of your challenges. Every husband is different. But if yours isn't being as helpful as he could be , Id encourage u to cut back on non essential tasks. That way his unhelpfulness will be less likely to affect u. What I mean is, for me, I felt pressure to do everything even though I was getting minimal help. The truth is, in my opinion, it is not usually possible to keep the housework done, do well in school and stay active in the kids lives while working at a job and going to school unless you have good help.So, in order for you to have success, while time management is crucial, sometimes, certain activities have to be eliminated. And sometimes us mummies/wives feel pressure to be superwoman. I would encourage you to prioritize your activities and boldly pursue your dreams. Don't allow anything to stop you! Hope this helps and I dont sound too bitter.