Students blog

Winter can be a difficult season. Long breaks and shorter days can cause us to lose motivation. It is known that screen time increases during the winter months, which can make winter blues worse. Here are tips that help me keep myself busy and motivated during colder months, without being attached to my phone.

Stay active

Staying active helps tremendously, whether to the gym, a coffee run, a Target run, or a quick walk around the block. I have noticed that my mood changes when I leave my house, making me feel less anxious and overwhelmed. For some people, self-care might be their go-to to helping feel recovered & overcome winter blues, for me it is the gym. The gym helps me feel strong and calm; it is a huge part of my lifestyle. Even in the winter when it is cold and snowy, I look forward to going to the gym because it is part of my daily routine.

Find a hobby indoors

Finding a hobby has also helped me with fight boredom and overthinking. I recently picked up adult coloring books; it helps time go by fast and it also helps me stay off my phone. Another hobby that has helped me stay disconnected from my phone is junk journal or scrapbooking. This is an easy way to print out memories from my phone and express myself. It is also a fun way to capture special events spent with my friends and family. Listening to podcasts has also encouraged my mental health and has helped to reduce screen time.

Adjust holiday expectations

Winter brings the holidays and with that, the exceptions set on social media can feel overwhelming. I have been a victim of falling for Instagram's “family activities,” “family vacations”, and the most famous “Elf on the Shelf”. Without proper help and income that is impossible to achieve. I have made peace with what I will do with my family and what I will not. Setting boundaries is the primary goal when it comes to adjusting holiday expectations. Setting boundaries is helpful to reduce stress and help be realistic with yourself. Lastly, it is okay to say “No”.

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College can feel overwhelming. Registering for classes, getting books, finding a classroom, and just finding your way around campus. In my scenario, it gets overwhelming because I need to work with my kids’ schedule as well as my class schedule. Here’s how I balance college life with two kids!

Online Learning

For my lifestyle, I rely heavily on online classes, which give me the flexibility to plan accordingly around my two kids. Having a schedule is essential to stay on task and meet deadlines, which helps me meet family responsibilities as well as college tasks and time management.

Organize with Planners

Organization is the key to success. Having a planner, calendar, or a digital planner helps me stay on top of assignments, exams, and family commitments. I have a planner at my desk, so I can see everything coming up for the work week. I also use a digital calendar on my phone where I can see everything at a glance - my kid’s appointments, school events, doctor’s appointments as well as my class assignments. Staying organized helps me stay positive and not get overwhelmed by all the different events happening.

Establish Support

Balancing college with two kids can be challenging, but it's possible with efficient time management and support. My husband is my support system. He takes over when I have a work meeting or watches one of our kids when the other one has an appointment. My professors can also be a part of my support network. The most important factor here is communicating, whether it’s with your professors or significant other, about your situation. Most of my past professors have been understanding and offered flexibility or accommodations when an emergency came up.

Practice Self-Care

Finally, don't forget to take care of yourself. Find time for self-care activities to maintain your overall well-being. For me, I find time to go to the gym at least four times a week and weight train. It helps me feel stronger and it helps me mentally, to focus on myself.

Whether it’s enrolling in online classes, utilizing planners, leaning on your support network, or taking time for yourself, it is possible to balance pursuing your college education with parenthood. Find what works best for your situation and reach for your goal!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!