Deciding to go back to school can leave you worried or scared. You may wonder how you will handle another responsibility because you already have so many. As a single, working mother and homeowner, I've taken some steps that I'd like to share with you to reduce the stress of adding schoolwork to your load. To pass this course, balancing your studies with the other aspects of your life will guide you towards stress-free success. Take each day as it comes and do your best. Whether you are a mother, father, daughter, or anyone with a family at home, you need to set aside what I call “me time,” time for everything. alone that you can get all the work done without interruption. You need time to yourself to study and work on your course load without distractions. Turn off the TV, turn off the radio, lock yourself in your room and study. Since my daughter is my number one priority, I find the best time to study between my work commitments while my daughter is in school. I have 5 hours available to concentrate on school and dedicate the best of me to school work. The house is generally quiet, except when my dogs are hyperactive and noisy. Buying them more toys has made them play with each other instead of begging me to play, which stresses me out less. By doing my courses during the day, my role as a mother does not interfere with school. I start the day by preparing. I prepare breakfast for my daughter and I, energizing us for the day. Preparing breakfast was stressful for me, I would open the fridge and try to figure out what to prepare. Now, preparing breakfast is simple because I plan it the night before. When I come home from work, my daughter does her homework. Normally I don't need...... middle of paper...... breakfast, I was more alert than ever. I'm lucky enough to have a job that I don't take home. It's less stressful to leave all your job duties at work. If you have employees calling you at home or emails you need to send, don't do it during study time. Balancing your studies with work is very important to your success and if you leave out the interruptions to your work, you will have no problem continuing your studies. When you take the time to balance the duties of your life while going to school, you will find that it greatly eases your mind and clears away stress. Balancing your life to make time for your studies and really focus on them helps you stay sane and not feel overloaded and overwhelmed. Use your time efficiently with your family, your job and your duties at home to facilitate the achievement of your academic goals.