Winter Garden Magazine September 2018 | Page 9

Achieving balance: 5 tips to manage work, school and family BPT I t may not be easy, but many are doing it, balancing school, work and family. It’s a difficult task and those who do it will tell you they sometimes feel as though they are being pulled in three directions at the same time. If you are already struggling to achieve balance, or are considering adding school to your already busy life, there are things you can do to not only survive but thrive in managing these demands. for your lifestyle - you just may not be aware of them. For some, flexibility may be a key factor, while for others - and, in fact, for most - cost is the biggest factor in selecting a program. Strayer University, for example, caters to working adults, keeping in mind the financial difficulties of managing work, family and school. The Strayer Graduation Fund allows bachelor’s degree students to earn a course at no cost for every three classes they complete. This effectively reduces your college tuition expenses by as much as 25 percent if you stay actively enrolled. “The Strayer Graduation Fund has shown me that there are other alternative funds available for me to acquire my degree,” said Eboni. “I don’t have to depend on loans.” what are you going to school for. If your answer is simply because you feel you should, it will be tough to stick with it. Instead focus on your goals. Maybe you want to buy a permanent home for your family, to grow your career or find a job that will help you pay for your child’s college. Eboni Weekes, a Strayer University student, vowed to provide a better life for her daughter, so she knew she needed a Bachelor’s in Business Administration Below is a collection of gathered advice to further her career. Whatever your from students who are “doing it all” motivation, keep it front and center and these tips can help you manage so you can call on it when the tough * Develop your support system. When times come. your busy life and find balance: balancing school, work and family, * Have your goal from the beginning. * Explore your options. All of your it’s important to realize you don’t Navigating through the tough times - options. Education models simply have to go it alone. Students who and they will come - is really a matter aren’t one-size-fits-all. There may be juggle multiple demands recommend of motivation. For starters, decide certain programs designed specifically asking for help from grandparents, continued on pg. 57 SEPTEMBER 2018 | WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE |   9