You have a full-time job. You have young children. You have aging parents. For many undergraduate and graduate students, juggling a graduate degree, especially an MBA, and family life can be a challenge. Doing the work-and-school juggle isn’t easy, but it’s possible to excel at both. Here are 5 tips for handling work and college successfully:

Here are 7 ways to make going back for your MBA work for you and your family if this is something you’re considering:

1. Find out if the university you are planning to attend offer courses that work with your life rather than against it.  You’ll have a better chance of reaching your life goals if they do. So, talk with an admissions counselor and find out if courses are available online as well as in class, whether they are flexible, and if you can complete your program at your own pace. Many schools offer help with time management, so find out what’s available.
2. Start by writing down the activities you have on a daily basis.  Next, figure out what you can realistically accomplish.  Assign a specific time to important tasks.  Add in extra time for interruptions that will no doubt come up through the day.
3. You need to look to your family and friends for support.  Review your commitments and ask for help. It’s hard for some people to do this, but it’s impossible to do it all and you will find that others will be happy to help.
4. Don’t try to take on too much at one time or you will not be able to focus clearly.  Maybe take on or two courses at first and see how that goes.  And don’t put so much pressure on yourself to complete your degree by a certain date.
5. Online classes. Consider remote schooling as an option.  This will give you the flexibility you need to take courses on your own time, that will coincide with your work schedule and family commitments.
6. Don’t keep it a secret from work. Hiding your school commitment from your boss will only lead to problems. Be upfront about it and get your boss’ support. There may be times when you have to leave a bit early to take an exam or maybe you’ll need to print something out at the office. You don’t want to have to make up a cover story every time.
7. Form a peer-to-peer group. Talking and getting support from others going through the same situation can be a great help as you start taking courses, studying and working on projects. Learning from others how they are balancing their time can be very insightful and may make things easier for you if you try to incorporate what others are doing.

Explore the possibilities of Wilmington University.  WilmU has over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from.

Click here to learn the six ways to take a class at Wilmington University.  Find out which one is right for you.

Better yet, register for WilmU’s August XX Introduction to Graduate Programs webinar. WilmU will waive registration fees for all who “attend” the August XX session, a $35-dollar savings.

If you’re ready to kick your career into high gear, click here to learn more about the webinar and getting started on your MBA at Wilmington University.