Written by Kelly Lovell
My cup is full… and honestly, I think I thrive on that…
Figuratively speaking, if my life was a mug cake recipe, it would go something like this:
- Take one 40-year-old first-year full-time online Bachelor of Nursing Student.
- Add part-time medical receptionist working the evening shift.
- Mix in raising four children.
- And finally, sprinkle in volunteering as a firefighter and SES member in my hometown in Tasmania!
What’s the secret ingredient holding this recipe together? A semester planner – that’s what! I use a planner I created to fit in my family, study, work, and volunteering commitments.
Without it, I honestly couldn’t function as a full-time student!
- I add each subject unit to the key bar with a different colour.
- I have 16 pages in my planner, one for each week of Semester 2, including exams and breaks. I include session breaks because assignments are often due the week we return, and it’s a perfect opportunity to really concentrate and work on them since there are no lectures or tutorials.
- I add blocks for catching up on study, which helps me stay on track with modules and exam preparation if I fall behind.
- I also add blocks for researching, drafting, and reviewing assignments, work shifts, volunteer training and courses, family time, and travel time to the mainland for nursing intensives.
- I scroll through the weeks to see what’s coming up and highlight modules or tutorials in green once completed. I find it quite satisfying to see the week all in green, it helps me visualise my progress throughout the semester and keeps me motivated to stay on track.
Having everything written down and ‘checking it off’ helps me stay organised and in-control. Life throws obstacles – sick kids, housework, or unexpected callouts – so I often need to modify and adjust my week to navigate and manage any changes that pop up.
As a volunteer, I do my best to respond when the pager goes off, but sometimes I have to say no, especially during exams or when assignments are due. Family and study come first, and I’m grateful for a supportive brigade that steps up when I can’t, knowing I can always attend the next callout.
Volunteering with the Tasmanian Fire Service and SES has been a deeply rewarding part of my life for over five years. It’s my time away from study, and while it can be demanding, I genuinely love it. It balances the academic side of my life by giving me a social outlet – I get to spend time with my brigade, share a few laughs during training, and be part of a team that feels like a second family.
That balance is exactly why having a semester planner is so vital for me. It helps me juggle these commitments effectively, ensuring I can dedicate time to my studies, while still making room for the volunteer work that I love.
So, if there’s one piece of advice I can offer to another CSU student, it’s this:
Try using a planner. Whether digital or on paper, having a clear overview of your commitments is a huge game-changer for balancing your family, study and work life!
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
