5 Tips for Pursuing a Degree as a Busy Adult

Being a student while being a full-time adult is no joke! The 9-5 job, parenting, fitness, and home chores can have you overburdened and overwhelmed easily. When education is thrown into the mix, the likelihood of burnout is real.

At one point this year, I absolutely burned out. The support of family, friends, and the workplace are paramount when pursuing higher education. I put together five tips I’ve leaned into for balancing online education with everyday life, along with practical solutions for the challenges that come up.

1. Carve Out a Realistic Study Schedule

Challenge: Between work, kids’ soccer games, the gym, and household chores, finding consistent study time feels impossible. Sometimes, my fiancé feels neglected when I’m glued to my laptop instead of spending quality time together. I also feel as though I am neglecting my family, at times. In turn, that feeling can further feed into the burnout.
Solution: Create a study schedule that respects your family’s rhythm. I sit down with my fiancé whenever I can to discuss my plan for the week. Typically, I block off 1-2 hours for studying when the kids are asleep or during my lunch breaks.

During weekends, time for coursework increases. Between chores and family activities, you can openly communicate a “breakaway” session to knock out some tasks. For example, the kid goes somewhere else to play, such as a neighbor- perfect time to outline and research for an assignment.

2. Communicate Openly with Your Spouse or Partner

Challenge: My partner wants to support my education but sometimes feels overwhelmed if I get overwhelmed. It’s easy for arguments to unfold when we’re not aligned.
Solution: Honest communication is everything. I make it a point to check in with my fiancé regularly about how we’re both feeling. We talk about what support looks like—maybe we alternate tasking, or I take over weekend chores to give her a break. Acknowledging her efforts and expressing gratitude (a simple “thank you” goes a long way) keeps us a team. I also share why my degree matters to me, so they feel invested in my journey too. Also, buy flowers. You don’t need a reason.

3. Communicate with the Workplace

Challenge: Sometimes, I feel like work is consuming so much time, I cannot possibly balance it with home life, gym time, and coursework.
Solution: Utilize lunch breaks for brief learning sessions, especially if your degree aligns with your career. This time can be used for forum posts, reading, or practice questions for an exam. Additionally, utilize flexible hours or PTO if planning a large assignment. Trust me, it works. Most importantly, don’t keep it a secret! When communicated properly, the right work environment will be nothing but supportive towards your educational goals. Sometimes, though rare, I plan PTO on big assignments, or end up working a bit during PTO if I have time.

4. Leverage Online Learning Flexibility

Challenge: A full-time job and parenting leave little wiggle room, and unexpected demands (like a sick kid or overtime) can derail study plans. However, an online platform can be adventageous when the unexpected arises.
Solution: Online programs are a lifesaver because of their flexibility. I choose asynchronous courses when possible, so I can watch lectures or submit assignments at midnight if needed. When life throws curveballs, I email professors early to request extensions—most are understanding. Particularly in my undergrad, I utilized the online platform and the supportive professors for extensions at times during my programming courses. I also loop my family in on deadlines so they know when I’ll need extra support. This transparency helps us plan together and reduces stress on both sides.

Pro Tip: Utilize an online note platform, such as Notion, to organize your thoughts. Since it is accessible from almost anywhere, it is the perfect tool to reference tasks, pain points, or reminders for your studies.

5. Prioritize Self-Care to Stay Sane

Challenge: I’m so busy juggling work, parenting, and studying that I burn out, which strains my relationship with my partner and makes me less present for my kids.
Solution: Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s survival. I schedule 15-minute breaks to stretch, meditate, or just breathe. I also make time for small moments with my fiance, like watching a favorite show. Fitness is paramount- I go to the gym 4-6 days per week, strength train, and (poorly) golf. If possible, include the family in fitness activities. I take my son to the gym at least once a week. We bond during treadmill, versa climber, and strength training sessions.

Honestly, there are entire days or weeks I have taken “off” of academic duties. It’s okay, so long as you stay on track.

Conclusion

Balancing online higher education with a full-time job, parenting, and family life is no small feat, but it’s doable with intention and teamwork. By setting a realistic schedule, communicating openly with my fiancé, communicating with the workplace, leveraging the flexibility of online learning, and prioritizing self-care, I’m making progress toward my degree without sacrificing what matters most. It’s not perfect, but it’s my journey—and with my fiancé’s support, we’re making it work together. Burnout is real. Notice the symptoms early, step back, and breath. Take breaks. Know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

What are some of your strategies to avoid burnout, especially if pursuing higher education?