Studying from home has advantages but also its own set of challenges. If you’re a parent, trying to study from home, it can be especially challenging. Here are some suggestions on how to balance family time with study time.

Make a Plan

As soon as you’ve signed up for a course with a high reputation like the Wilkes University ranking has for its courses, you will be able to plan out your study around your family commitments. Give yourself a little leeway in case this takes longer than expected. Once you get started, you’ll have a better idea of the time you need.

Tell Your Family When You Won’t be Available

Talk to your family and make sure they know you should only be disturbed in an emergency during your set study times. Ensure your children have someone around for them, and plenty to keep them occupied. If relying on other family members or close friends to help with childcare, keep them on your side by not taking advantage of their kindness. Even if you can’t afford to pay them much or anything, thank them by inviting them for a home-cooked meal, or buying a small thank you gift every couple of months, so they know you appreciate their help.

Make Time to be There

Although you may be busy with studying, it’s important for yourself and your family to make time for them. Make plans to spend quality time together and stick to it. They will be more likely to understand your need for study time, if you make the most of your time with them, and only postpone or cancel when there is no other option.

If you need to, look at which commitments outside of studying or family time, you can step away from, even if just as a temporary measure. If you explain your reasons, most people will be understanding and supportive.

Create a Support Network

Studying from home can feel isolating, even if you have the most supportive family. However, there will probably be other students who are juggling family commitments with study. Social media makes it easy to find them and form a support group. You’ll be able to offer each other emotional support, encouragement, and even share some tips. So, they might help you come up with solutions you never thought of before.

Even just forming a WhatsApp group could give you the space to share anything you need to with other students. Although, there may be times where you need to mute the group temporarily, so you can study or be there for your family.

Make Use of the Counseling Services Offered

There will usually be counseling offered when signing up and/or during your course. This allows you to discuss concerns you may have about balancing your commitments. They will have heard most of these before and be able to give you advice.

It may take more work but having a family doesn’t have to be a barrier to learning. You can still pursue your learning and career choice.