9 Time Management Tips for the Student Spouse

Back-to-school time often makes us think of the typical activities in relation to kids: shopping for new clothes or uniforms, buying notebooks and supplies, and Meet-the-Teacher night. We ramp up to the first day of school by helping our kids get in bed earlier for a week or two, and we start thinking about healthy lunches to pack for them.

But what about when that student is you, the military spouse? Perhaps you are a young, new spouse and still in college; or you might be going back to school to finish a degree or start a new one later in your career.

Whatever your circumstance is, do you have your outfit laid out for the school year, so to speak? What are your goals? How will you balance school with military life?

Here are nine tips to efficiently and effectively manage your time so that you can still lead a balanced life:

1. Register for classes early or as soon as possible.  

You don’t want to be rushing around at the last minute, trying to get the classes you want at the time you need them. This is especially important if you are working while going to school. Get the registration process out of the way, then you don’t have to worry about scheduling conflicts.

2. Reorganize your closet.  

You know all those clothes and shoes you haven’t touched for a year? Get rid of them! Having a more streamlined closet and dresser will mean less stress in the mornings, as well as less clutter. For bonus points, donate them or pass them on to a friend who might be looking to add to her closet without adding strain on the budget.

3. Make a list of easy, healthy dinners.  

Many of you may work during the day and then take night classes. Especially if you’re the cook of the household, this puts an added strain on dinnertime. If meals aren’t planned, they tend to take a backseat during busyness, which can mean eating out (thus spending more money) or making quick but unhealthy choices. Have a rotation of favorite meals that are healthy yet simple to make. Better yet, before the school year begins, take a couple weekends to cook large batches of meals, separate them into individual or family-sized portions, and freeze. I did this for myself before starting an internship my last year of college, and it reduced stress significantly.

4. Create a “me” corner.

You will need a space that is just for you—no kids or spouse—so that when it comes time for studying or doing homework, you have a place to go. It doesn’t need to be an entire room, but a space that everyone knows is for you when you need to concentrate and you shouldn’t be bothered. Organize it with items you’ll need to complete school work, such as your computer, notebook paper, pens/pencils, a comfy chair, and maybe a small bookshelf. Personalize it in a way that works for you.

5. Test drive your commute.  

The farther away your school is, the more important this becomes. I commuted every day from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. for four months (which was brutal, by the way!), and before my internship started, I went through the motions of riding public transportation to test how much time I needed to allow in the mornings. It saved me a lot of worry that first day!

6. Get a functional calendar.  

Whether digital or on paper, having a calendar or planner is essential to maintaining balance and effective time management. If digital is your thing, find an app that you can sync across all your devices. If you prefer paper, buy a planner that has an adequate amount of space for keeping a daily list of all your tasks, including school, business, and your personal life.

7. Always prep the night before.  

This is easier said than done, but in the morning you will be so glad you did! Lay out your clothes, prepare your lunch or dinner, and pack your backpack. Then in the morning, you can grab and go.

8. Plan leisure time.  

It is incredibly easy to get swamped with all the craziness of life: work, school, your spouse’s military schedule, taking care of kids (if you have them), and everyday tasks such as grocery shopping. Remember to take time to exhale. Schedule dates or time alone with your spouse. Plan family outings, even if it’s just going to the park and sitting on the park bench while your kiddos play. Take time to unwind in the evenings before you go to sleep, even if that just means reading a magazine for 15 minutes. It is important to not get burned out; otherwise, being excessively tired will impair your time management.

9. Enlist the help of others.  

As military spouses, we tend to have the strong, independent mindset of “I can do it all by myself.”  Being self-sufficient is an admirable thing, but we need to be realistic as well. Create a schedule of when your spouse or kids might be able to perform tasks you normally do, like clean the bathroom and do laundry. If your service member is deployed and you’re going to school, perhaps there is a friend who would sometimes mow your lawn or you can pay someone else to do it. Don’t be afraid to “farm out” things to other people, because sometimes, it isn’t possible to “do it all.”

What are some ways that you’ve been able to streamline and manage your life?  Share your #10 for this list in the comments.