08/16/2024
Juggling Act:
Being a single mother of three pursuing college courses is undoubtedly challenging, but with effective time management strategies, it’s possible to find a balance. Here are some tips on time management that I have found to be helpful in creating a study schedule around kids’ routines, and personal anecdotes of success and failure as a single mother of three making time to study for college courses.
Creating a Schedule:
1. Start by listing all essential tasks
a. household chores, childcare, and study time
b. Allocate specific time blocks for each task and stick to the plan
c. A well-organized schedule reduces stress and keeps you on track
2. Setting priorities
a. Categorize tasks as urgent, important, or optional.
b. Prioritize urg3ent and important tasks first, then tackle optional ones.
c. Focusing on priorities helps you achieve your goals.
3. Utilize Short Study Sessions
a. As a busy mom, you might not have long study sessions.
b. Make the most of short bursts of focused study time.
c. Use active learning techniques and take brief breaks.
d. Include high-energy foods in your diet to stay alert.
4. Remember to build a strong support system
a. Seek help from family, friends, or support groups to navigate the challenges.
b. You are not alone, and success is within reach.
Here’s my story:
As a single mother of three juggling college courses, household responsibilities, and teen social lives, I’ve learned a thing or two about time management. One is that teenagers don't outgrow chaos; they perfect it. Mornings begin with a symphony of alarms: mine, the teenagers, and the coffee maker’s. While the kids take forever to grab their backpacks, I grab my sanity. Coffee in hand, I open my textbooks, ready to conquer both spreadsheets and calculus.
Traffic jams and school drop-offs were my daily saga. I calculate travel time like a pro: “If I leave now, I can finish Chapter 5 before the next red light.” And yes, I’ve mastered the art of reading research papers during volleyball, band, and ROTC practice. Go team efficiency!
My work area doubles as my study nook. Between customers, I sneak in a few derivatives. Colleagues raise eyebrows; I call it multitasking. My boss thinks I’m engrossed in inventory reports; little does she know I’m deciphering integrals.
Guilt? It’s my unwelcome companion. When I miss school events, I replay the guilt playlist: “Bad Mom” on repeat. But then I remember: I’m teaching my kids resilience. They see me juggling deadlines and dinner menus, and that’s a lesson no classroom can replicate.
Coworkers become allies. They cover for me, and I return the favor during their crunch sessions. We’re a secret society: “The Working Moms Who Also Do Calculus”.
Late nights remain my sanctuary. At 1 a.m., I’m not just balancing equations; I’m balancing dreams. My laptop glows, and I whisper, “Mom’s solving for x, kiddos.” They sleep, unaware that their superhero wears an apron by day and math capes by night.
My goal echoes louder: to show my kids that ambition doesn’t fade with motherhood. When they see me toggling between spreadsheets and study guides, they learn that life isn’t about balance – it’s about harmonizing chaos.
So, fellow working mom-warriors, embrace the hustle, celebrate the victories (big and small), and keep chasing that degree. We’re rewriting the narrative, one opening at a time!
