Before I entered nursing school, I had these preconceived notions on how I would split my time between school and raising a family. Boy was I wrong! Never did I imagine the amount of hard work and effort I would need to succeed and advance through the program. If I am not careful as to how I budget my time during the semester, things could go terribly wrong for both school and family relationships. Here are a few ways in which I split my time between studying and family time that could work for any student!
- Keep close watch of specific dates for things such as tests, quizzes and family related events that require much of your time. Examples of these could be parties or doctor appointments.
- Sometimes it is good to keep a calendar of these events visible for the whole family. Be sure to add on test and quiz dates! This will let everyone know that you may be a bit busier studying at these times.
- Budget your time wisely! Do you really need to be watching those reruns when the kids are asleep? Pick up those books!
- Have your spouse quiz you! Hey, nothing like quality time together. If you are taking your nursing assessment course this could be really fun!
- On a nice day, take the kids to the local park and pack a picnic. When they are ready to play, pull out the books! They will most likely feel that mom took them on a special outing!
- Nap time is always a good time to study!
- If you have a long break in between classes, find a quiet place and study.
- Schedule at least one date night and one family night a month. If things are hectic, this forces you to slow down and focus on what is important. This could consist of something as little as renting a movie!
While I don’t always abide by my own rules, I try to make a conscious effort at dividing my time wisely. If it were not for my family support system, there is no way I could have survived the first three years of nursing school. Give your loved ones a hug and thank them for their support and efforts. Trust me, they will appreciate it!