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Balancing the demands of work, family and education can be a daunting task. However, for individuals pursuing continuing education classes either online or in the evening, finding a harmonious equilibrium becomes even more crucial. The desire to advance professionally or explore new fields often coexists with the responsibilities of a career and a family.
Below, 17 Forbes Human Resources Council members explore several approaches to help individuals strike a balance between their work and family life while successfully managing their educational pursuits.
1. Redefine The Term Super Mom Or Dad
We often resort to our norms and habits thinking we’re supposed to uphold this unachievable title of “super mom” or “super dad” when in reality, we can not add continued education to the old formula and expect the same answer. So redefine what “super” looks like. Find new habits or new norms, essentially a new formula, that offers your family and yourself the same level of gratitude and appreciation. - Kimika Banfield, Arootah
2. Have Grit And Determination
Grit, perseverance, strong focus and tenacity are needed! As a mother of a toddler, with another child on the way, working full-time as well as attending evening classes to obtain my master's degree, I can share with you that this is possible! However, you need to approach the situation with the mindset that this is temporary, and through grit and hard work, the outcome will be well worth it! - Janet Vardeman, Avanade
3. Find A Support System
As someone who pursued an executive master's while in her late 40s and works full-time with two children—one in middle school and one in high school—I would say ensure you have a support system around you. That will be key to your success. Also, planning ahead and time blocking when you can study and complete assignments will be key to managing your time and work-life balance. - Tracy Dodd
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4. Create A Structured Schedule
One approach is to create a structured schedule, allocating dedicated time for work, family and education. Prioritize tasks, delegate when possible and communicate openly with family and employers about commitments. Set boundaries, practice wellness and self-care and leverage support systems to maintain balance and ensure personal and professional growth. - Cally Stanphill, PainTEQ LLC
5. Establish Clear Boundaries
Having a strategic and consistent mindset for balancing work and family life is a must. First, establish a clear schedule that accounts for work hours, family commitments and study time. Next, identify and eliminate non-essential tasks and delegate some duties by design to others. Additionally, consider leveraging technology and resources to maximize efficiency. Last, but not least, realize that self-care is crucial when overwhelmed. - Raj Tanwar, ADVANTAGE CLUB TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED
6. Work Remotely When Needed
Talk to your manager about having a more flexible schedule or working remotely on class days. To ease the conversation, come with a communication plan in mind to ensure you’ll still be engaged with the team or ask for a trial period so you and your manager can check that everything is working. - Ursula Mead, InHerSight
7. Communicate Clearly With Work And Family
As you begin your education, be sure to communicate with work and family about the changes that will be needed during the time you are in a program. Clear communication, setting expectations and asking for help are important steps to take to create the best environment to excel in your program. Communicating new boundaries with the groups impacted the most will set everyone up for success. - Jess Elmquist, Phenom
8. Set Clear Goals
I have to remind myself of my goals and how they will support my family. Your work, family and personal life need to serve where your current circumstances. Set goals and don't be afraid to remove parts from each as priorities shift. I have dropped classes, asked for flexible schedules and called in the grandparents all in service of reaching my goals—essentially, don't forget you can do it! - Jessica Wallen, Marten Law
9. Use All Resources Available To You
It’s important to be creative and see what resources are available. If you are traveling for a conference, are there any CE credits being offered? Are there CE credits available or offered by your employer? - Ryan Tofte, BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy, A Carelon Company, Elevance Health
10. Monitor Physical And Mental Health
Balancing work, family and education can be demanding, so it’s crucial to prioritize self-care. Take breaks, exercise regularly, eat healthy and get enough sleep. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally enhances your ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. - Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
11. Align Professional And Personal Goals
The main concern is to prevent dependency from developing due to the excessive workload and unending family obligations. It is essential to avoid conflicts of interest from concurrent operational, commercial and private situations. A successful professional career should align not just with personal growth but also with time spent with family. - Dr. Nara Ringrose, Aquila Nuclear Engineering
12. Seek Flexible Opportunities
One approach to balancing work, family life and continuing education classes, whether online or attending on-site in the evening, is seeking flexibility. You can look for opportunities to integrate work and education where possible. Consider discussing flexible work arrangements with your employer, such as flexible hours or adjusted schedules, to accommodate education commitments. - Domonique Revere, Ph.D., Adjaye Associates
13. Honor Time To Rest
Carve out time each day, whether before or after work or once your family is off to bed, that is designated for work or for relaxation. One of the hardest parts of balancing it all is honoring time for rest and not using scheduled rest and relaxation time for other tasks. The time of day most conducive to your focus is ideal for schoolwork, but time to decompress is equally important for long-term success. - Jennifer Rozon, McLean & Company
14. Have A Family Meal Together
Time management is critical. It's necessary to carve out specific time for work, family, classes and studying—clearly communicate that to everyone. My colleagues have shared some great work-related tips. A key item I would suggest for balancing family life is to carve out time to sit down as a family for a meal together. This is a great time to share with each other and will help you to stay connected. - Hazel Kassu, Sudduth Search
15. Multi-Task When Necessary
Finding balance while taking online classes can be challenging but multi-tasking is the key. Maximizing time is also helpful when working and pursuing continuing education classes. Also, leveraging lunch breaks to complete reading or homework and enjoying a meal can allow one to maximize time. - Cynamon Voe Scott, DuploCloud Inc.
16. Take Asynchronous Online Classes
Obtaining continuing education while working is challenging. I found that taking asynchronous online classes works well, as I can log in before or after work or on weekends. It is important to check the syllabus so you can plan when papers are due and correlate that with work projects. I have a weekly set schedule when I post, respond to posts and submit assignments to stay on track. - Erin ImHof, CertiK
17. Speak Honestly With Your Manager
Every good employer values employees who are looking to gain knowledge and further their education. Therefore, managers should be willing to accommodate your class schedule. Talk to your manager and let them know what you need in order to maintain a good work-life balance. By providing flexibility, they can help you achieve both professional and academic success while avoiding burnout. - John Feldmann, Insperity
