The Chaos Before the Cap and Gown

1. The Chaos Before the Cap & Gown: Surviving College as a Parent, Employee, and Spouse

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve found yourself staring at a syllabus while holding a baby bottle in one hand and a toddler who insists on wearing their shirt inside out in the other. Sound familiar? Yep, that’s me. For the past few years, I’ve been juggling parenthood, a full-time job, a marriage, and a college degree. And let me tell you—survival mode is an art form.

Let’s break it down:

• Morning: The alarm goes off. Well, actually, the baby wakes up crying. That’s my alarm. The day begins with a whirlwind of making breakfast for my kids, rushing my teenager out the door (hopefully to school, but that’s not always a given), and getting myself dressed in something that’s not covered in baby spit-up. My husband? He’s also up, but he’s in the throes of a “quick” email check before diving into work. Meanwhile, I’m wondering if I should just throw on a robe and go with “chaotic chic.”

• Midday: At this point, I’ve somehow gotten through a couple of hours of work. The baby needs to be fed. The toddler has suddenly developed an obsession with putting their shoes on the wrong feet and demands constant assistance. Somewhere between these parental duties, I manage to glance at my assignments and quickly regret not starting that paper last week. But hey, life happens. Now I’m pacing around my house, alternating between responding to work emails, studying for an exam, and wrangling kids. Who said multitasking isn’t a real skill?

• Evening: The family finally settles down for the night. The kids are in bed, and I’ve got my laptop out to tackle that assignment. I’m sure the paper is going to come together seamlessly. Except it’s 11:30 pm, and I’ve somehow gotten distracted by YouTube videos on how to make the best pancakes for breakfast. But there’s no time for that. The deadline is now, and so begins my late-night college hustle, fueled by caffeine and the faint hope that one day, this will all be worth it.

The hardest part? Being present in any one of those roles. As a parent, I’m mentally preparing for my child’s next meltdown. As a student, I’m trying to comprehend the latest lecture on network protocols. And as a wife, I’m attempting to keep the romance alive through all the stress and exhaustion. It’s a balancing act, and let me tell you, it’s not for the faint of heart. But here’s the thing: I’ve learned to be resilient. Not perfect, but resilient. Every day, I’m one step closer to the finish line.

So, if you’re in the middle of your own chaos, hang in there. Graduation will come, and it will feel like winning the Olympics after running a marathon. The road may not be smooth, and there will be detours you didn’t plan for, but you will get there. Trust me.