6 Tips for Work-Life Balance as an Adult Learner
Words of wisdom from working professionals in Georgia Tech’s online master’s degrees
“With a full-time career, three kids, and working on a master’s degree, my time is spread thin. I want to ensure that each gets the proper amount of my time and attention,“ said master’s candidate, S. Chase Mecham.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Pursuing a rigorous graduate degree while working and making time for family is no easy feat. Mecham is one of the working professionals who shared tips for juggling family responsibilities while keeping up with the demands of taking a Georgia Tech online master's degree.
1. Set Realistic Goals
Start by setting goals you can meet. Most of the learners in the Online Master of Science in Analytics and the Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity, who shared their views, suggest taking one course at a time despite the temptation to take on more. As Joseph Kyle Richardson put it, “Be careful that your excitement about the program doesn’t overwhelm your judgment of what you can truly handle.”
Start by translating your big “why” into specific, doable targets for the term. Use the SMART framework, making each goal:
- Specific (what you’ll accomplish)
- Measurable (how you’ll track it)
- Achievable (fits your time/energy)
- Relevant (moves you toward your degree/career)
- Time-bound (by when)
For example: “Complete two discussion posts and one quiz by Thursday at 8 p.m.” is clearer — and more motivating — than “catch up on class.”
Create an action plan that breaks each SMART goal into steps, then schedule them. Batch similar tasks, add buffers for busy weeks, and set checkpoints (e.g., midweek 10-minute review) to adjust as needed. If a step slips, re-plan immediately rather than abandoning the goal.
Additionally, write your goals down to boost accountability. Put them where you’ll see them (like on a whiteboard, in your planner, or as calendar reminders), and share key milestones with a study buddy, family member, or manager. Keep goals visible, tracking progress denoted with simple checkmarks or even percentage bars.
2. Communicate with Your Employer and Family
Accept that adding a demanding graduate program to an already busy life dominated by work and bustling with family activities will be challenging. You’ll need a strong support system at home to make it work. That’s why it’s essential to communicate with family to set expectations, clarify how much time you’ll need, and get family members’ buy-in before you start your program. “The commitment issue needs to be dealt with upfront,” explained Colleen Fellows. “If you don’t decide on how to handle those responsibilities beforehand, it’s only more stressful to figure out in the moment."
Extend that same proactive communication to your employer. For instance:
- Schedule a conversation with your manager four to six weeks before the term begins.
- Bring your course calendar (major due dates, exam windows, and any on-campus intensives), and propose a plan that keeps business needs first while protecting a few non-negotiable study blocks.
- Emphasize how your coursework aligns with your role and the organization’s goals (for example, applying analytics methods to a current project or piloting a process-improvement technique learned in class).
This approach reduces surprises for your team, builds trust with your manager, and turns your degree path into a value-add for the organization — while ensuring your family knows when you’ll be “all in” at home and when you’ll need dedicated time to focus on school.
3. Manage Your Time Wisely
Experiment with routines until you find one that works for you. A.J. Angus, for example, has set times during the week and weekends for different tasks such as reviewing lectures and working on assignments.
For some, working in the mornings before work or while children are asleep does the trick. “The time of the day I have most control over is mornings,” said Thomas Cobb. “I started getting up at 4 a.m. and doing classwork until 6 a.m. when I had to leave for work.”
For others, like Laura Beebe, evenings turned out to be a better option. “With the heavy degree requirements, I couldn’t rely on being able to complete them in a set number of hours in the morning. I had to adjust and do degree work in the evening so that I could work as long as I needed.”
If your job involves travel, you may find time for schoolwork while in transit as Richard Powers suggested, “Work on the plane. Work in the hotel.” Javier Rodriguez, who as a consultant sometimes spends two weeks at a time on the road visiting clients, adds, “Avoid the cocktails and go directly to your room to keep studying.”
Peter Sahlstrom shared that being deliberate with his time has been helpful. “It turns out that being able to get 30 to 60 minutes of work in every evening works better than an uninterrupted four-hour chunk when I’m distracted.”
Set priorities and accept that you may need to make some sacrifices. Drew Mooney noted, "We've been extra intentional when we're having family time, putting our phones away and focusing on being present. You'll have less free time, so don't waste it.
Most contributors to this story agreed that planning ahead is essential. It enables you to keep pace with your work and meet deadlines. Planning your time also allows you to avoid distractions and focus on your priorities in the time you have available. And, as Cobb found, it can help to free up time for family activities. “Working ahead provides much needed flexibility especially toward the end of semesters when my kids’ activities are ramping up.”
4. Practice Self-Care
Carving out time to recharge isn’t a luxury; it’s necessary maintenance for your mind and body. Establish clear boundaries between work, school, and home life. For example, this might mean no coursework after 9 p.m., or a dedicated “study night” when you aren’t working.
Pay close attention to getting adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise, and hydration as well. These basics are critical components to stabilizing energy and focus when your schedule gets busy. Finally, learn to recognize signs of burnout, and adjust early by asking for help to lighten your load or building in a rest day to reset. Signs that students may be approaching or experiencing burnout include:
- Persistent exhaustion, physically and/or emotionally
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Losing interest in activities you enjoy
5. Acknowledge Family Support
Without the support of an understanding spouse or partner, managing work, family, and a demanding graduate degree would be extremely difficult for most adult learners. But keep in mind that spouses and partners need a break too. As Frank Falat discovered, it can be well worth it to seek babysitting help – not only to make time for schoolwork. “It also reduced the toll on my spouse.”
For Sahlstrom, who completed two previous degrees at Georgia Tech with his spouse, this is the first time he’s “been a student without her” and he’s careful not to take advantage of her support. “It’s been crucial that I don’t take for granted that she’ll pick things up where I let them drop.
6. Keep Your Eye on the Prize
When you’re overwhelmed with schoolwork, it’s important to stay focused on the big picture. The time you spend on your master’s degree may seem endless but in reality, it’s a short journey and a worthwhile investment. Mecham advocates keeping your eye on the prize. “Yes, it’s going to be grueling at times. Prepare your family for this. Then share with them what you’re doing and how it will benefit you all as a family,” he said. “My children wear their Georgia Tech swag with pride and feel like they’re an equal part of this journey. It is something we can all be proud and excited about. Someday, maybe they’ll be students here as well.”
Clarify why you’re back in school — career mobility, a promotion, setting an example for your family — and put that purpose somewhere visible. Break big goals into manageable milestones and celebrate your progress, whether that’s finishing a tough module, submitting your first paper, or improving a quiz score. Small wins create momentum and make the end goal feel attainable, especially during demanding weeks.
Georgia Tech Professional Education is a leader in innovative educational delivery, designed for working professionals in tech, business, and leadership. Our connection to the marketplace — coupled with our world-class faculty, researchers, and subject matter experts — provides an unparalleled perspective on education innovation, industry trends, future work, and lifelong learning. To uncover additional resources to help with questions and challenges around career advancement visit our Working & Learning page.
Editor: Shannon Helton-Amos
Digital Producer: Kelsey Harris
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