by Erich Rosenberger M.D.

Created on: March 25, 2010

Being an adult student can present a unique set of challenges. Non-traditional students often have responsibilities that a younger, more typical college student may not have. One of those responsibilities can be a job - usually one that doesn't involving asking the phrase, "Would you like fries with that order?" Juggling classes and a significant job is not always easy. Here are some tips on what to look for when scheduling classes around your job. 

I've been a combination student and employee myself. For two years, I worked full-time and was taking pre-med science classes at a major University. I was able to see first hand some of the difficulties in scheduling classes around a job.

Talk to your employer.

The first thing you should do when you begin to take classes is to talk to your employer. Many employers will be very helpful when you tell them that you are going back to school. In some cases, the company you work for may even offer to pay for some of the tuition.

At the very least, it's not uncommon for employers to offer flexible hours. Night and weekend hours are some options, as well as the chance to work partially from home. Any of these things can make it easier to schedule classes and ensure that you are getting your job done at the same time. Make every effort to include your employer in to your educational plans - it makes your life a lot easier, especially around exam time.

Night and evening classes.

If you cannot change your work schedule to fit your classes, you're going to have to pick classes that work around your work. Look for night and evening classes. Many colleges and universities offer classes outside the traditional times during the day. In some cases, there are programs where the entire curriculum is set outside of daytime business hours. Executive MBA programs do this frequently.

Get online.

If you can't flex your work schedule and there are no night and evening classes, the next option to consider is online coursework. There are many classes that are completely online at this point. As the technology for this improves, we can expect to see more in the way of online college classes. I have a close friend who is getting an advanced nursing degree from a school in South Dakota, even though she lives and works with her husband and infant child in San Diego. Pretty cool, eh?

Scheduling classes around your job can be done with a little ingenuity and flexibility. The first step should always be to talk to your boss, then look at your school's class options. Keep an open mind and stay focused.

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