How to Find Time for Continuing Education in a Busy Family Schedule

Continuing education contributes to lifelong learning, financial freedom, and a happy and healthy household. When you’re a busy parent, however, it’s not so easy to squeeze an entire degree or semester-long course into your life. It can be difficult to find time for simple cleaning or cooking tasks when raising a family, so how are you supposed to go to school? In today’s digital world, there are plenty of options for busy parents to continue their education and empower themselves. You’ll just need to make some simple, stress-free adjustments to allow classwork and studying to fit your hectic schedule.

Take Advantage of Remote or Hybrid Learning

In most cases, especially regarding college or career courses, you don’t need to drive to a physical location to get an education. You can complete an entire degree entirely online at legitimate, accredited universities or trade schools. Whether you want to get a new degree or just take a class or two, you can use remote or online learning to get your class time in. You can juggle your baby or cook for your kids while reading your textbook if necessary! There are also hybrid options if you can only attend physical classes during certain days or weeks while the rest of the course is completed online. There’s a schedule that can fit any busy parent’s lifestyle.

Use a Family Schedule or Calendar

You can increase availability and improve your productivity when your family uses a group calendar. Group calendars can be physically pinned to the wall in your home or digital, like a Google Calendar synced to everyone’s email. Obviously, younger children won’t be able to understand this schedule. Still, your partner or extended family members can see when you need studying time and pick up the parenting slack for you. Older children will know when you have classwork and can plan accordingly. You’ll be able to make time for classes easier with a physical calendar listing all of your scheduled responsibilities, too.

Consider Self-Paced Learning

Self-paced learning reworks the traditional class timeline and allows people to take the time they need for a particular lesson or course. Instead of having classwork or test deadlines, the course is completed whenever you finish. Self-paced learning is growing more popular, especially with online classes, as not everyone will need to complete their tasks at the same pace when they’re at home. Trade schools and continuing educational courses are quickly adapting to self-paced learning methods. In some states like North Carolina or Oregon, electrical workers actually need continuing education courses to renew their licenses. Self-paced learning allows more busy trade workers to obtain this education in their own time.

Include Your Kids

You don’t have to exclude your kids from your educational endeavors completely. You obviously won’t want to bounce your toddler on your knee during a final exam, but they can help you study by quizzing you on note cards or reading your textbook together. If your kids are in school, you can even do joint homework or study sessions together. You can set a good example for your kids by investing in your education, even in adulthood.

Split Parenting Tasks

If you have a partner or co-parent, splitting up your chores and duties is crucial when you’re in school, especially if you have to juggle work on top of it. On days you’ll need class or homework time, designate chores to your partner so you don’t feel overwhelmed. You can make it up to them by doing tasks for them on days you don’t have class. It truly takes a village to raise a family, so take advantage of your village!

Use Downtime

Your kids won’t be attached to your hip all the time. During bedtimes, use the quiet to read your textbook or get an assignment done. If your kids are in school, take advantage of the free time to review lectures or study. If you work, you can use break times or days off to do classwork. There is always room for free time in even the busiest schedules; plan your studying wisely.

Take It Slow

You’re living a busy life and trying to raise a family. There’s no shame or harm in taking your education slower than average, especially with self-paced learning. It’s important to keep going, no matter how slow. You’ll still succeed even if it takes you longer. Rushing through your education can make it less effective.

Know Your Limits

Juggling work, school, and family life can be very tiring. You may be tempted to skip breaks or days off to get as much done as possible. While it’s smart to take advantage of free time, your mind and body also need rest. Avoiding proper rest can be counterproductive, causing your work and school productivity to worsen. Take your time, and get the rest you need for success!