3 answers
Caleb
Student
Tacoma, Washington
1
Question
Updated
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How do you balance college, even part-time, with full-time work?
I am 40 and work full-time. I am going to college part-time. But I also of course have house chores, medical and dental appointments, and family responsibilities like spending time with my aging mother. How do you balance it all?
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3 answers
CM G
Project Management
1
Answer
Singapore
Updated
CM’s Answer
First, I want you to know that what you’re doing is already an achievement. Balancing a full‑time job, part‑time studies, and family responsibilities—especially caring for an aging parent—takes commitment, courage, and heart. There’s no “perfect” balance, and that’s okay.
What helps many adult learners is letting go of the idea that everything gets equal time all the time. Life comes in seasons. Some weeks work needs more of you, other weeks family or health does—and during exam periods, school naturally takes priority. Balance isn’t a fixed state; it’s a constant adjustment.
A few practical and encouraging thoughts:
Be kind to yourself. You’re carrying a full load. Progress matters more than perfection.
Plan realistically, not ideally. Build your schedule around your non‑negotiables (work hours, medical appointments, family time), then fit study time where it’s sustainable—even small, consistent blocks count.
Ask for support when possible. This might mean flexibility at work, understanding from instructors, or simply letting family know when you need quiet study time.
Protect your “why.” You chose to return to college for a reason—career growth, personal fulfillment, setting an example. Revisit that purpose when things feel heavy.
Celebrate small wins. Finishing an assignment, surviving a tough week, or just showing up—those all count.
If needed, you may want to postpone things or events that are not important when you need to juggle multiple tasks at same time.
You’re not behind, and you’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing something brave and meaningful in real life circumstances. That alone says a lot about your strength and resilience.
What helps many adult learners is letting go of the idea that everything gets equal time all the time. Life comes in seasons. Some weeks work needs more of you, other weeks family or health does—and during exam periods, school naturally takes priority. Balance isn’t a fixed state; it’s a constant adjustment.
A few practical and encouraging thoughts:
Be kind to yourself. You’re carrying a full load. Progress matters more than perfection.
Plan realistically, not ideally. Build your schedule around your non‑negotiables (work hours, medical appointments, family time), then fit study time where it’s sustainable—even small, consistent blocks count.
Ask for support when possible. This might mean flexibility at work, understanding from instructors, or simply letting family know when you need quiet study time.
Protect your “why.” You chose to return to college for a reason—career growth, personal fulfillment, setting an example. Revisit that purpose when things feel heavy.
Celebrate small wins. Finishing an assignment, surviving a tough week, or just showing up—those all count.
If needed, you may want to postpone things or events that are not important when you need to juggle multiple tasks at same time.
You’re not behind, and you’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing something brave and meaningful in real life circumstances. That alone says a lot about your strength and resilience.
Michael Richtberg
Product management & engineering
24
Answers
Norfolk, Virginia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
I started off my career right out of high school. I was fortunate to have technology experience that typically required a 2-year degree because of options that I selected during my high school years, and because of hobby skills that I developed. That allowed me to get a foothold in the technology manufacturing space where I built on my youthful experience. During that time, I discovered two things:
1- The skills that I needed were a combination of technology and business acumen. I realized early on that the technology space would continue to evolve and change, but fundamental business skills are evergreen.
2- That my future growth objectives would require more formal training and a degree to get greater responsibility and higher wage growth.
I was already in my full-time work role. My life was independent of my parents. I was already in a home ownership position. But I knew that all my future direction aspirations would require a degree. I chose a business major and a computer science minor. I took on a part time school schedule and committed to a certain number of credits per semester and stuck to the plan. I even had a promotional opportunity that required relocating to another state while all of this was happening, but I stuck with getting set up in my new state and continuing the final courses that I needed to graduate.
Because I had real-world experience while I attended college, I could immediately apply my learning to my job. It also helped bring my employment experience into the class work. This combination made the experience much more enlightening. The result was a perfect 4.0 GPA because I never asked why I had to take a particular course or why I had to learn A, B, or C.
I can sympathize with your situation. The choice to commit to better yourself is one only you can make. It won't be easy, and you will have to give up evenings to attend classes and do homework. The pursuit takes energy.
You are plotting your future, so decide where you want to be and how you will get there. Make a plan and stick to it.
1- The skills that I needed were a combination of technology and business acumen. I realized early on that the technology space would continue to evolve and change, but fundamental business skills are evergreen.
2- That my future growth objectives would require more formal training and a degree to get greater responsibility and higher wage growth.
I was already in my full-time work role. My life was independent of my parents. I was already in a home ownership position. But I knew that all my future direction aspirations would require a degree. I chose a business major and a computer science minor. I took on a part time school schedule and committed to a certain number of credits per semester and stuck to the plan. I even had a promotional opportunity that required relocating to another state while all of this was happening, but I stuck with getting set up in my new state and continuing the final courses that I needed to graduate.
Because I had real-world experience while I attended college, I could immediately apply my learning to my job. It also helped bring my employment experience into the class work. This combination made the experience much more enlightening. The result was a perfect 4.0 GPA because I never asked why I had to take a particular course or why I had to learn A, B, or C.
I can sympathize with your situation. The choice to commit to better yourself is one only you can make. It won't be easy, and you will have to give up evenings to attend classes and do homework. The pursuit takes energy.
Michael recommends the following next steps:
Tamina Crook
pediatric occupational therapy assistant; student
60
Answers
Greensboro, North Carolina
Updated
Tamina’s Answer
As someone who's worked full-time while going back to school for my Master's in Occupational Therapy (hybrid program) , I can honestly say that balancing work, school, family, and everyday responsibilities isn't easy, and there are seasons when something has to take priority. What has helped me the most is accepting that I can't do everything perfectly all the time. I plan my week in advance, schedule study time just like I would a work meeting or appointment, and break assignments into smaller tasks so they feel more manageable. I also try to use small pockets of time wisely—reviewing notes during lunch, listening to lectures while driving, or reading for a few minutes when I have the opportunity. At the same time, I've learned to protect time for the people who matter most because those relationships help keep me grounded. Give yourself permission to ask for help when you need it, let go of perfection, and celebrate the small wins along the way. Going back to school as an adult takes determination, but remember that you're building a future for yourself one step at a time, and that's something to be proud of.