When you have children, a job and classes to attend, it can be quite a challenge trying to fit everything in, especially when some days you have to do it all in one day. Medical assistant training may only last one or two years, but in that brief time, you need to make your education and experience count. In order to keep some sanity and be successful, there’s a few helpful hints you should keep in mind.
Schedule
You can attempt to leave your days unplanned and just hope for the best, but this isn’t really practical. If you’re interested in adhering to your work schedule, your children’s sports, schooling and extracurricular activities and your education, you need to plan each day. Create a planner on your calendar, in your phone or on your PDA. Make sure you include all your projects, homework and labs, so you know exactly where you need to be and what needs to be accomplished. You may even want to add a list of items you must bring to class, so you don’t forget anything.
Time for You
Yes, education alone is enough to keep with. This is not to mention any other obligations you might have, such as a house to manage and children to raise. No matter how busy you are with everything, schedule about 15 or so minutes to yourself. During your designated time, read, watch television or take a relaxing bath. Anything you choose to do should be an activity that you enjoy, which takes your mind off of all the stress from school.
Find Time to Study
Your day might consist of chasing after children or dealing with angry customers, but you need to leave your busy day where you had it at and make time to study. If you don’t study, not only will you not complete examinations accurately; you also will not retain the information you need to be successful at your future career.
Ask for Help
If you don’t understand something, ask you professor for help. If you can’t find time to complete a project due to your children, ask someone to baby sit. If your work schedule coincides with your school, ask someone to pick up a shift for you. Don’t let your pride get in the way of seeking assistance.
Study Buddy
Find yourself a study buddy. This person needs to hold you accountable to complete your work and study for exams. If you have someone from class to partner up with, the curriculum will come easier to you and be less stressful.