Over the course of this blog I will explore more ways to maximize extra time available for family and minimize the stress of the process.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Where'd all my time go?
It seems like just a little while ago I had more time than I knew what to do with. I remember the phrase "I'm bored." Lately, though, I don't seem to know the meaning of the word. But a lot has happened in the last 12 years since I left school. I've been working a steady 40 hrs.+ a week pretty much since I left high school. I got married to a fabulous woman and gained 3 highly intelligent step-sons. The problem is, now that I'm back in school, where the hell do I find the time to juggle all 3? I have thus far been able to successfully juggle both the job and school, but lately have been noticing that I have had zero time left over for family. How do I go about fixing this problem? Nancy Giguere of the Star-Tribune gives a few tips to help minimize the stress and chaos involved:
Be fully committed. Decide to make time for your studies.
Don't let school work pile up. Instead, break it into manageable chunks. For example, read 50 pages of an assigned book each day, and you'll soon be finished.
Get organized. Pack a special briefcase just for class. Include books, notebooks, pens, highlighters and supplies such as aspirin, lip balm and a water bottle.
Take your homework wherever you go. Study during your child's soccer game, in the dentist's office or at the cabin.
Create a study space. Set up a table with pens, pencils, notebooks and other supplies next to your favorite chair in the living room or in the corner of your bedroom.
Ask for help from family members, other students, teachers and advisors.
Learn about student services, such as counseling or tutoring, offered at your school.
Over the course of this blog I will explore more ways to maximize extra time available for family and minimize the stress of the process.
Over the course of this blog I will explore more ways to maximize extra time available for family and minimize the stress of the process.
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First, how did you come up with "eviloyster"? If it's not to personal I am very interested in the inside story that came up with this nick name.I can fully empathise with you on this subject. I have four kids at home, a huge house payment, full time job, and am a full time student. I have absolutely zero excess time. In my case I have everything scheduled with home work fit into its own time slot. The disadvantage to this method became painfully apperant this last week when my truck broke down and I fell behind on my homework. Now trying to find time to get caught up is proving to be rather difficult.
ReplyDeleteEviloyster.... hmmm.... it's a handle I've been using for longer than I care to remember, but it was spawned from my love of the bass guitar, or more particularly Les Claypool. Among other bands, he started a band with Tre Anastasio from Phish (was a huge fan at the time) and Stewart Copeland, the drummer from The Police (also a fan). So I stole the oyster tag, and just added the little bit of evil-colored glasses I tend to see the world through. As to your truck breaking down, I feel ya there. Our car is now officially busted, and it has been creating an issue of getting to/from school and work, thus straining the little time I do have. This in turn helped me to fall behind on my Comm. 101 assignment due yesterday, but I seem to have dodged the bullet, and wasn't called on, so luckily I now have until next Monday to finish it.
ReplyDeleteJust realized I left out the name of the band.... Oysterhead.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy thats an interesting story I appriciate your sharing that with me. I havent done much on the computer until recently so I havent had time to come up with something clever. All of nicknames I have, what people call me, are inappropriate for public use so I'll just use my name for now. I can emathize with you on the vehicle situation that sucks very much trying to share a vehicle. With any luck I will get mine back from the shop today. I'll be a couple thousand dollars more poor but hopefully I'll gain a few more horse's under the hood. I figured if the heads were off already I might as well do some upgrades.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the unexpected car troubles. I've been trying to find time to get everything done that I need to get done, but little things always seem to chew up half hour here, half hour there, and suddenly I'm behind a few hours with a packed schedule that makes it impossible to catch up. And I like to watch football. I schedule in the Seahawks games, and if I'm not done with what I need to get done, I miss the first half. It's a good motivator to set "leisure goals", I think. That way, if you get your stuff done, you have a reward. If you don't get it done, you can sacrifice some leisure time.
ReplyDelete