I recently graduated with my master’s degree while working a full-time job and planning my own wedding.
While I enjoyed all these things, it was all very demanding, I’ve had to learn some serious time management techniques, get serious about organization, and take really good care of myself. Here’s how I balanced these significant aspects of my life and made it all work.
1. Prioritizing and Setting Clear Goals
The first step in managing my busy schedule was to prioritize my commitments. I took the time to outline my goals for each area of my life: my job, my studies, and my wedding planning. By setting clear, achievable goals, I was able to focus on what truly mattered and allocate my time accordingly.
For instance, I established deadlines for school assignments, work projects, and wedding planning tasks, ensuring that I stayed on track.
2. Creating a Comprehensive Schedule
To keep everything organized, I created a comprehensive schedule that included work hours, class times, study sessions, and wedding planning activities. I used a digital calendar to block out time for each commitment, allowing me to visualize my week and avoid overcommitting. This schedule also included buffer time for unexpected events or tasks, which helped reduce stress.
3. Utilizing Time Management Techniques
I employed various time management techniques to maximize my productivity. The Pomodoro Technique, for example, helped me stay focused during study sessions by breaking my work into manageable intervals with short breaks in between. This approach kept me energized and motivated, allowing me to tackle both schoolwork and wedding planning without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Delegating
Planning a wedding can be a monumental task, especially when juggling other responsibilities. My fiancé and I are planning this wedding together, but we’ve also delegated some of the tasks to family members and friends.
5. Staying Organized with Tools and Apps
I relied on various tools and apps to keep everything organized. For wedding planning, I used The Knot and Notion to track budget, manage guest lists, and store vendor information. For school, I also utilized Notion along with Google Drive to keep my study materials organized and accessible. These tools helped streamline my tasks and ensured that I had everything I needed at my fingertips.
6. Carving Out Time for Self-Care
Amidst the chaos of work, school, and wedding planning, I recognized the importance of self-care. I made it a priority to carve out time for activities that rejuvenated me, whether it was going for a run, working out, playing music, or simply enjoying a quiet evening with a good book. Taking care of my mental and physical well-being allowed me to approach my responsibilities with a clearer mind and a more positive attitude.
7. Communicating with My Employer and Professors
Open communication with my employer and professors was crucial in managing my commitments. I informed my supervisor about my school schedule and any important deadlines, which allowed for flexibility when needed. Similarly, I communicated with my professors about my situation, seeking extensions or accommodations when necessary.
One example was during the hurricane season, I was on call for emergency response for work, but I had an exam scheduled. I informed my professor, and he gave me a different window for my exam.
8. Embracing the Journey
Finally, I reminded myself to embrace the journey. While it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of balancing everything, I made a conscious effort to enjoy the process. I celebrated small milestones, whether it was completing a challenging assignment or booking a great photographer. This positive mindset helped me stay motivated and appreciate the exciting moments along the way.
Suzie Key Tima 
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