Finding Time for College in Life’s Busy Schedule

Someone once said, “Nobody is too busy, it’s just a matter of priorities.” While that is a fairly trite and overly simplistic statement that doesn’t necessarily reflect one’s true nature, it does provide a certain perspective on how we manage time.

Pursuing a college education is a commitment like no other. You commit time, resources, energy, and sacrifices to make sure that your assignments have been read, researched, completed, and submitted on time – hopefully in a satisfactory manner so you can progress and continue to the next course. It’s a commitment over an extended period of time that can be taxing.

The benefits, however, greatly outweigh the sacrifice. The financial benefits alone make it well worth your while to proceed. But there are so many other things associated with earning a degree that just make life better. Social justice, social responsibility, problem solving, creativity … all these and more are heavily influenced by education.

Education is vitally important, but so many people either never start college, or they drop out when things get difficult. And things will get difficult. Finances are the number one reason (42%) students drop out of college, and we have discussed ways to combat those issues in a previous post. According to University Professional and Continuing Education Association, family and time commitment (32%) is second leading reason students fail to complete their education.

Family commitments and life in general can definitely be a barrier to higher education. Sitting through classes and working on a degree takes a back seat to caring for family members, raising children, and other basic life issues. According to the American Time Use Survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, parents between the ages of 25 – 54 spend an average of 8.8 hours per day on work, 7.8 hours sleeping, 2.6 hours on leisure activities and 1.2 hours caring for others. This leaves about 4 hours for schoolwork and other issues that arise.

That schedule, of course, is a generalization of what daily life looks like. There are plenty of variables that affect those hours, and your time may be more heavily committed to caring for family or maybe even working two jobs to make ends meet. The load seems unbearable. But while cutting out the pursuit of your college education may seem like the only viable option; you must ask yourself if it’s worth it. The benefits of higher education are tremendous and while some sacrifice may be required, it will be beneficial in the long run. Time management becomes a key to success, and a close look at your schedule may help you find times in your day that can be devoted to education. Here are a few tips that can help you efficiently navigate those daily responsibilities:

1. Evaluate your day and create a plan that ensures time for each task that must be completed.
2. Group tasks together. For instance, folding laundry while talking on the phone allows you to complete two tasks at the same time. Grouping tasks can require less focus and be highly beneficial.
3. Find those forced downtime moments when you can still be productive. If you’re sitting in a doctor’s waiting room or waiting in line to pick your children up from school, use that time to catch up on your reading assignments for class.
4. Balance studying with daily responsibilities:
   • Keep an updated calendar
   • Designate study time
   • Keep your professors informed of events in your personal life that may affect your course work. Your professors want you to succeed and they will work with you.
   • Plan ahead. Review all course syllabi and make note of when assignments are due.
   • Connect with fellow students. Building relationships with other students can help relieve stress.
   • Take time to relax. All work and no play...

The most important thing you can do is ask for help when you need it. Schools like Texas A&M University – Central Texas offer resources for students who are struggling. First and foremost, maintaining a good relationship with your professors allows you to contact them directly and inform them of your situation. Professors at A&M-Central Texas will gladly work with you to make sure you have a firm grasp of the information you need to pass the course.

Health issues are another big reason students leave college. Whether taking care of themselves or a family member, healthcare is an important obstacle that cannot be ignored. There are options, however, that will allow you to continue your coursework while taking care of your health. Asking for accommodations is not only a gracious way for the institution to help you through a difficult time, but it is your legal right. If health issues hinder you from taking courses, but a reasonable accommodation of some sort makes it possible for you to continue, then you have a right to that accommodation. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Also remember that you don’t have to finish all at once. You can slow down. Take two classes a term instead of four. There’s nothing wrong with that and it will keep you moving toward your goal. You can also investigate the availability of online course that allow you to complete coursework on your own schedule without being tied to specific class times or operations.

Staying motivated and committed to your goal is important. Not only will proper time management help you maintain a high level of motivation, but regular contact with your advisor, or a professor who has been influential, will help you to focus on your goals. Connecting with fellow students also serves as a motivating factor and stress reliever. Knowing there are other students going through the same things you are dealing with can help alleviate some of the self-doubt. They can serve as a sounding board and offer additional coping mechanisms to fight the educational funk. If nothing else, having someone to vent to when you are overtaxed builds a sense of camaraderie and helps you to stay active and engaged.

At A&M-Central Texas, you can also take advantage of counseling services, tutorial services, and a writing center. The on-staff counselors can outline strategies to assist in coping with the day-to-day stressors that come along with a college education. They will also provide resources for issues outside of the university that may be affecting your daily life. Tutorial services and the writing center assist in making sure your assignments are completed accurately and on time. If you need a refresher on the differences between MLA and APA writing styles, then a visit to the writing center may be just what the doctor ordered.

There is ample research showing that a college education just makes life better. Earning that education, however, is difficult. At times, family and life commitments can make it seem nearly impossible. However, if you are truly committed to the process and make it a priority, you can find ways to meet the challenges head-on. And just think, when you cross the stage, shake hands with the university president and feel the pride that comes with such a great accomplishment, holding that diploma in your hand and celebrating with your family and friends, you’ll have to stop and ask yourself, “Now what am I going to do with all my free time?”