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Studying as a mature student can be challenging because you will likely have more responsibilities and less time to devote to learning outside of the classroom environment.
However, by actively using methods to balance your studies and your busy family life, you can ensure both areas of your current world run smoothly.
Here are eight effective ways to get the balance right.
1. Embrace Smart Planning
Being a mature student often comes with additional responsibilities like managing a family or working a full-time job.
Therefore, mastery of time management is crucial. Creating a study timetable that fits neatly around your day-to-day commitments is the best first step to take to make sure you have enough time to devote to both your studies and your busy family life. That could involve scheduling study sessions during quieter periods of the day, such as early mornings or late evenings.
By clearly allocating time to each task in your day, including studying, work, and family time, you will reduce your stress levels and have allocated time to better manage the busy elements of your life.
2. Combine Learning with Your Routine
Another effective approach can be combining learning with routine tasks. So, do not hesitate to turn mundane tasks into opportunities for revision or studying. For instance, you could listen to audio material related to your course while preparing packed lunches for your children.
Having educational materials readily accessible on a mobile device can contribute greatly towards maintaining a balance between your studies and family responsibilities. You might even like to consider completing an online course rather than attending a brick-and-mortar educational establishment to gain your desired qualification.
That way, you can eliminate the need to travel and gain more time for studies – which you can sometimes combine with home tasks.
3. Get Kid-Friendly Meal Kits Delivered
Managing family meals can be quite a task for a mature student trying to balance their studies with family life. But you could eliminate the need to plan and prepare meals every night by getting meal kits delivered. You can even get nutritional and delicious meals for kids at your doorstep.
Plus, the companies delivering these kits often offer a range of menus that cater to various dietary preferences and allergies. Using a meal kit service will eliminate much of the stress associated with meal planning and preparation. You can then dedicate that saved time towards your studies.
4. Create a Designated Study Space
Having a designated study space can improve focus and productivity. The area need not be large. It could be as simple as a specific chair at the dining table or a corner of your living room equipped with all the necessary supplies for studying.
The idea is to create an environment connected to studying that can mentally prepare you for focused learning and set boundaries within your household regarding interruptions during study time.
5. Look at Childcare Options
Exploring childcare options is another way to create a harmonious balance between your studies and family responsibilities. Your educational institution may offer on-site childcare services for students. If not, you can look into local daycare centers or even enroll your kids in after-school programs.
Some mature students seeking higher education may even qualify for financial assistance aimed at easing childcare costs.
By relieving the pressure of constant supervision, these services provide undistracted periods during which you can fully concentrate on your studies.
6. Engage in Teamwork at Home
Sharing household responsibilities can be an effective strategy to balance your studies with family life. Enlist the help of your family members in tackling chores around the house. This not only frees up time for you to focus on your studies but also promotes a sense of shared responsibility and teamwork among family members.
For example, older children could help wash dishes or do the laundry, while younger ones could assist in tidying up their play areas.
7. Be Flexible
Remember that perfection is not always attainable. There will be times when things will not go according to plan due to unexpected workloads or family emergencies. At such moments, being flexible with your schedule and expectations can ease the situation.
So, try to adapt to evolving circumstances and adjust your plan accordingly. For example, if your child falls sick, you might need to shift your study time or catch up over the weekend.
8. Foster a Healthy Study-Life Balance
Lastly, remember that as much as being devoted to your studies is important, maintaining a healthy life outside academic pursuits matters too.
Engaging in recreational activities with your family or engaging in hobbies helps replenish energy levels and ensures you are not overstressing yourself – which could eventually lead to burnout. Striking this balance not only benefits your personal well-being but also enhances overall academic performance.
So, make time for communal activities like family game nights, meals, or outings to get that break from studies when needed. You will then be refreshed enough to focus on your studies more when it is time to return to them.
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