Getting the Swing of Going to School Year Round
April 10, 2012
•AIU Online
• 0 Comments
From kindergarten through twelfth grade, most students are in school from September through June, and on vacation during the summer. Going to school year-round is counterintuitive for most of us. So what do you do when you are in school all year pursuing your bachelor degree (or other level of degree) while your children are out of school? Here are a few tips that can help.
Keep Summer Special.
Forgetting to make time for fun is all too common when you’re busy pursuing your bachelor degree and fulfilling your other obligations. Make it a point to do fun, seasonal activities regularly. You can always make backyard barbecues a weekly tradition, go swimming at a public pool or visit a farmer’s market to buy ingredients for a meal with your children. You may want to plan a series of weekend overnight trips or weekend day trips as mini-vacations for the whole family.
Stay Motivated.
Make a list of the reasons why you're continuing your education. Possibilities include qualifying for more jobs, applying for a raise at your current company and setting an example for your children. Also write down the advantages of year round school, like finishing your bachelor degree requirements faster. Take a look at your list when you're feeling down or unmotivated.
Be Organized.
You have a lot to do when you’re juggling work, school and family. Staying organized can help you make the most of your time. Create a schedule to accommodate your work hours and time for studying. Keep your schedule updated with your appointments, upcoming assignment due dates and exams as well as the events of your children and anything else you have going on. You don’t want to miss anything just because you forgot about it during the daily hustle.
Recruit Help.
A challenge of year-round school is balancing your schoolwork, working your regular full-time job, doing the housework and caring for your children while they're out of school. Ask your spouse to help with household chores and taking care of your children. Your neighbors that have children and parents of your children’s friends from school are probably also willing to watch your kids occasionally. You’ll be able to return the favor when you’ve completed your bachelor degree.
Traditionally, summer means family time, time to relax and above all, freedom from classes. As a college student, though, you may need to be enrolled in classes all year to finish your bachelor degree faster. Year-round school can present a few challenges, but you can strategize to cope well with the situation.
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