Advice for Balancing Education, Employment and Family

As you think about learning to be a cosmetologist or esthetician, you might be questioning if you can keep on working, take time to be with your family, and still do well academically. A large number of students have to work at least some of the time, if not full time, while going to school. It is even more difficult to balance everything if you have a family.

Here are some suggestions for balancing everything:

• 1. Think about a part time class program.
  If you have to work full time, try taking classes part time. You are able to work during the day with classes given in the evening and on the weekends.
• 2. Get a part time job instead of full time.
  It would be great if your current job would allow you to work part time hours. If you can't, consider finding employment on the weekend and at night time, instead of the normal 9 to 5 job.
• 3. Be sure that everyone knows what is going on.
  You should tell all of the necessary people in your life that you are going back to school. Your family needs to know how this affects them. Your employer may wonder how this will affect your ability to do your job. It is essential to communicate.
• 4. Look into getting a nice calendar or personal agenda.
  Your choices vary from a wall calendar to the calendar that is on your own cell phone. Keeping a record of your schedule in the same place will make it easy for you to organize everything you are doing. Put a schedule in an easily noticed place in your home.
• 5. Make your extra time work for you.
  Does your work give you an extended lunch break? Take your study materials with you to catch up! Do you travel on a train or bus? Take advantage of this time to catch up on your reading. Do your studying once the kids are asleep so you can still have your quality time with them.
• 6. A good place for ideas is your classmates.
  Go to other students for advice. How are they balancing both school and work? Do they have any suggestions on handling both activities? Speak with students who are almost done with their education, and you might learn something from them as your start your education.
• 7. Take time for your family.
  Making time for your mate or children is as necessary as the time you spend studying. Try to have a special night for your family, choosing one night a week to have fun together and compete in board games or watch a movie. You will be able to relax and enjoy time with your family.
• 8. Learn your lessons with your kids.
  You've been talking to your kids about the importance of school, and here is your opportunity to prove it to them. When your kids sit at the table to do homework, join them and do your own work. Just remember to lay down some rules about the amount of talking and distraction.
• 9. Don't worry about little things.
  So what if dust bunnies live under your couch or you have dishes in the kitchen sink. These types of things should not create stress for you. Concentrate on important things like taking time with your family, being useful at work, and doing very well in school. Everything else will work itself out.
• 10. Keep in mind why you have been working so hard.
  It might look like you are working hard and under pressure now, but continue to remember what the result will be. You will be ready to start a new job doing work that you love, making life more stable for yourself and your family. Jot down messages about your goals and place them on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror, and other places so you can remind yourself why you study so much.

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