Other than spending time with my Lord and Savior, the next most important thing I can do is spend time with my family. I have 9 precious people in my life who are more important than any amount of book learning. Their smiles cheer me, their conversation entertains me, and their companionship comforts me.
I think it can be to easy to set aside family for studying. You can convince yourself that one more chapter, or one more problem, is more important than hunting tadpoles with your brother. My little siblings love to take me on walks, color me pictures, read their books to me, or tell me about their day… however, it always seems to come in the middle of my working!!! What to do?
Schedule family time. This includes meal times, chore times, family games, family trips, and family movies. When it’s time to spend time with your family, it’s time to spend time with your family!!! My family sits down to three meals a day together. That means that all of us set aside what we are doing, and we eat together. That also means that my school work needs to be done by meal time. Scheduling our day, and keeping to it, has really helped me give my family all of my attention when they need it.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve taken on more extra-curricular activities. I’m teaching twice a week, I’m trying to find more ways to intern with some older women in areas I’m interested in, I’m CLEPing (which means I have to schedule driving in with my dad), and I’m running several online businesses. My schedule and my to-do list fills up quickly. The best rule of thumb is to run by every event with your family. Put it on the family calendar so everyone knows what you’re doing, and when you are doing it. That simple step really helps. We are a super close knit family so anyone leaving for the day can be hard on everyone else without planning.
However, don’t over schedule!!! If your 4 year old brother asks you to go to hunt for tadpoles, or your little sister asks you to read to her, DO IT!!! Seize the moment! They won’t always be here, little and cute, your books (unfortunately) will ALWAYS be there! 🙂
Again, there is another side of the coin… if you really need to concentrate at the moment, let your family know. Put a sign on the door, be polite, and kick them out of the room! 🙂 Just kidding. Seriously though, let them know if you need alone time for just a few more minutes.
Follow this tip, keep your family in your college life, and you’ll be happy!
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