Balancing studies, family and self-employment: my path to compatibility

In the midst of books, children’s laughter and the clicking of the keyboard, my journey began – a dance between full-time study, self-employment and family life. A tightrope act? Definitely. But perhaps you find yourself in a similar situation, are about to embark on your studies or are simply curious about my path. In the following lines, I share my highs and lows, my insights into time management, compatibility and perseverance. Insights that offer not only knowledge, but also inspiration. Ready to take on the challenge?

After this journey, you will not only understand what happened to me, but you will also be able to consider concrete steps for your own journey.

But first a little back story:

The path to a Bachelor of international Management

Admittedly, it was a long, rocky and not always straightforward path, but I made it. It’s official – the grade has been entered and the certificate is on its way to me. When I decided to finally take the chance and start a distance learning course in January 2020, all was still right with the world. I’d had the idea of doing a Bachelor of Business Administration for a while, but I couldn’t think about studying on campus and I didn’t want to study locally. During my research, I came across the “Bachelor of international Management” at the IU – distance learning, an almost perfect combination of modules for me, international and customizable. So I signed the contract and off I went – the idea was to complete the course in less than 3 years. But things always turn out differently and I had to come to terms with that too.

We were living in Singapore at the time, I had just quit a job that didn’t make me happy, the kids were at school and nursery until 3pm and I had the whole morning to study and work for my remote job – that went well for the first 3 months. Until a global pandemic paralyzed everything, starting with the fact that the children no longer went to school or kindergarten from a certain point in time, but had online lessons and my husband was no longer allowed to travel, i.e. 4 people in a small apartment in Singapore, which you were only allowed to leave individually and not as a family, and the whole city was in lockdown. That suddenly presented completely different challenges for my own time management. In the end, we had to leave Singapore during the pandemic and started all over again in Switzerland (looking for an apartment, buying a car, settling in with the children, arrival of the container, acclimatization to European culture, which unfortunately meant that I didn’t pick up a script for almost 6 months 🙁

So I had to adapt to the new situation. As if that wasn’t enough, I decided to start my own business as a virtual assistant, but that’s another story.

“Never stop learning because life never stops teaching”

– Kirill Korshikov-

When I think about this trip, several valuable insights come to mind:

• Time management: tips and techniques that have helped me
  In the whirlwind of lectures, client meetings and family time, I discovered the magic of effective time management. A crucial tip: set clear priorities. The Eisenhower matrix became my ally – the urgent and important were filtered out and tasks found their place.
  The Pomodoro technique, a structured 25-minute work period followed by a short break, proved to be a lifeline. In these short intervals, I was able to focus without getting lost in the maelstrom of distractions. I also discovered the value of time blocks – specific times for specific tasks. This not only created structure, but also a clear head.
• The importance of setting priorities
  Setting priorities became my elixir of life. The art of distinguishing the important from the urgent helped me to keep my focus. Instead of getting lost in a sea of tasks, I concentrated on what really mattered. With this clarity in my time management, everyday life became not only manageable, but also fulfilling.
• Juggling roles and responsibilities
  Juggling lectures, client requests and family time, I learned that balance is not static, but a constant act of adaptation. The dining table was often more than just a workplace – it became a symbol of the symbiosis of study, independence and family happiness.
  I often encountered challenges, whether it was nervousness during exams or a surprising flood of orders. But I found order in this chaos through clear communication. The key was to define roles and delegate responsibilities. Drawing clear boundaries allowed me to focus on the tasks at hand without getting lost in the chaos of overlaps.
• Flexibility as the key to mastering various requirements
  A constant companion on my journey was the ability to adapt. Between virtual lectures, sprints, exams, homework, the office at home and the playground, I not only changed my physical location, but also my mental focus. This is where the art of conscious transition proved its worth – from focused student to creative entrepreneur and back again. Flexibility proved to be the key in my arsenal. Many a client project clashed with the demands of my children or my study schedule, but instead of panicking, flexibility became the solution. The ability to adapt to changing requirements made it possible not only to juggle between roles, but also to create a harmonious rhythm.
• Resilience: dealing with obstacles and setbacks
  On my journey through university, self-employment and family life, I often stumbled over obstacles. Setbacks were not only companions, but also teachers. I had to turn down new customers or even end the collaboration because the projects were too costly for me. Here I learned not to dwell on the setbacks, but to use them as a springboard for personal growth. The failed exam and the lost assignment became resilience milestones.
  Resilience was not just a question of external circumstances, but above all of inner strength. The ability to keep a clear head even in turbulent phases became the supreme discipline. Perseverance became my faithful companion when the hours of study turned into night and the assignment had to be completed by a certain time.

Conclusion:

On this journey of balancing full-time study, self-employment and family, I gained valuable insights. Time management, the art of compatibility and adaptability became my companions. The challenges I overcame not only shaped my everyday life, but also me as a person.

I would like to send words of encouragement to all those who are thinking of following a similar path. The challenges are real, the doubts sometimes overwhelming, but the rewards are worth it. Organize your time wisely, nurture your resilience and appreciate the supportive hands around you. Every step, even the hesitant ones, brings you closer to your goals.

Outlook and prospects for the future

The future opens up as another chapter in this adventure. We look to the future, not without the backpack of experience, but with the certainty that every challenge holds an opportunity for further development.

I owe a big thank you to my family and friends, my support during this rollercoaster of a life. Without her patience, her words of encouragement and her unconditional support, this path would not only have been rockier, but also lonelier. Family ties are not only the roots, but also the wings on such journeys.

With these thoughts I close not only this article, but also a chapter of this journey. Off to new horizons, off to individual paths of compatibility.

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