When it’s time to register for classes, the first thing I think about is finding the courses that best fit both my home schedule and my military life schedule.
To make sure I am able to pick up the kids from school, I take morning and early afternoon classes. Sometimes that means a class I really need, that is offered in the afternoon, will have to wait until another semester when it is offered at a different time.
In addition to meshing my schedule with my children’s commitments, I have to fit in my husband’s schedule as well. Normally, he’s able to pick up the children during the day but if he has to work late or his unit is in the field, all the duties of the house are left to me.
I have had to retake or drop a course because of deployments and PCS moves. I’ve missed final exams too. These are the sacrifices we make as college students who also serve as military spouses. Many of us have experienced these hardships. Learning to manage the chaos can make scheduling your classes into your family life much easier.
I carry my calendar at all times and keep track of my kids’ school activities, extra-curricular activities and my husband’s weekly work schedule. Once I have an overview of the flow of the month, I can begin choosing my classes based on the free time left over.
Next, I map the quickest route between my house, the kids’ school, the base and college. Since I’m on the go so much, it is important to know how quickly I can travel between each place. Every minute is precious!
With my classes chosen, and my family’s schedule set, I fill much of the remainder of my calendar with study time. The best time for me is after the children wind down and the house is semi-quiet, usually around 8 p.m. Since my classes alternate days, I usually have homework for one class each night.
None of this schedule juggling would be possible without my support system at home. My family knows how important school is to me and they give me the time to do what I need to achieve my dreams.
Managing everyday life and attending school can be stressful. But if you take the time to map out your days and take control of your time, you can eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed.
