How do you do it?

atandt33 · September 2010

Right now I am:

Working Part time
Taking 18 credits
Preparing to graduate (December) and looking for a job
Planning my wedding (May)

All while figuring out how to pay for our wedding and trying to balance the opinions of the two people helping me plan the wedding. (my Fiancée and my mother)

Please? How do you guys balance it all?

jennifermarie1224 · September 2010

I set up time blocks to work on stuff. I take out a calendar and mark out all class time, then work time, then study time. I then divide the remaining time into wedding, job search, and relaxation. Don't forget to include the relaxation time!

MrsMLRB · September 2010

A lot of deep breaths and a lot of focus on things.

I am teaching full time, coaching tennis, in graduate school and planning a wedding. I have tasks in my phone and on my calednar on when to get things done. I basically work on one task until it is done and try my best not to waste time. You need to stay super organized to keep track of everything- when payments are due, when homework assignments are due, etc.

Also, with FI being in law school, a lot of the savings has fallen to me (though he did do a lot of the savings over the summer from his job). You just need to make a budget and stick to it for both the wedding and your monthly expenses.

But still sometimes I feel like I am drowning in work and that there is no end. When I reach that point I put all the work away and go do something just for me.

newyearnewfamily · September 2010

I keep a planner with me at all times and plan everything out from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. FI and I have given up T.V. for the time being and any time that we would sit down to watch some T.V., we are being productive.

I completely understand how you feel. I am working full time, taking 17 credit hours, in a very time consuming honors program, volunteer at church, and I have a 2 year old. It is hard to deal with everything but life is hectic now so that you can enjoy your life down the road. Keep your head up!

stephdonjon · September 2010

It really hasn't been bad for me, and I'm a full-time graduate student who also works for the school as a graduate assistant. I think it helps a lot that FI and I got most of our major items checked off just before school started (and I moved halfway across the country). And honestly, I haven't done much planning in the last week since school started. But I do find I have time in evenings that isn't devoted to homework and such, and I can relax and watch tv while doing some planning.

I think if you set yourself a wedding-related goal or two each week and then just focus on getting those done, that might help. Or if its a major item like booking a venue, just do one. Then you can allocate your free time to searching for places and making appointments. It's not the end of the world if you don't do it that week either, just keep pushing it back until you can get it done.

For me, wedding planning is actually a break from school and life. It's as only stressful as you let it be.

Karebear852k3 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_students_how-do-you-do-it?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:684Discussion:740334d5-f0eb-42c3-abab-1b1d9a4b2ddfPost:868a72ed-84fe-47a8-84d7-983b4124e9c3">Re: How do you do it?</a>:

This:
[QUOTE]I keep a planner with me at all times and plan everything out from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep.
Posted by newyearnewfamily[/QUOTE]

and this:

[QUOTE]It really hasn't been bad for me, and I'm a full-time graduate student who also works for the school as a graduate assistant. I think it helps a lot that FI and I got most of our major items checked off just before school started (and I moved halfway across the country). And honestly, I haven't done much planning in the last week since school started. But I do find I have time in evenings that isn't devoted to homework and such, and I can relax and watch tv while doing some planning. I think if you set yourself a wedding-related goal or two each week and then just focus on getting those done, that might help. Or if its a major item like booking a venue, just do one. Then you can allocate your free time to searching for places and making appointments. It's not the end of the world if you don't do it that week either, just keep pushing it back until you can get it done. For me, wedding planning is actually a break from school and life. It's as only stressful as you let it be. 
Posted by stephdonjon[/QUOTE]

I'm a full-time graduate student, full-time graduate assistant (20 hours per week), I've been working full-time (but just quit my full-time job, might be getting a part-time job - at least working on finding a new one, might have gotten one)...I just carry a planner to keep track of my daily/weekly activities (classes/homework, doctor's appointments) so I know where I'm supposed to be at any given day/time. And breathe - my program is a counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy) program, and the most important thing for any person is SELF-CARE - take care of yourself by relaxing!

MrsMLRB · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_students_how-do-you-do-it?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:684Discussion:740334d5-f0eb-42c3-abab-1b1d9a4b2ddfPost:2710b703-8896-4017-a874-cdc2934c5194">Re: How do you do it?</a>:
[QUOTE] I think if you set yourself a wedding-related goal or two each week and then just focus on getting those done, that might help. Or if its a major item like booking a venue, just do one. Then you can allocate your free time to searching for places and making appointments. It's not the end of the world if you don't do it that week either, just keep pushing it back until you can get it done. For me, wedding planning is actually a break from school and life. It's as only stressful as you let it be.
Posted by stephdonjon[/QUOTE]

This is very wise.

TriSaratops10 · September 2010

I agree completely with the above suggestions, especially:
- calendar on your phone w/all appointments, bill due dates, hw assignments, test dates, etc
- breaking down your wedding to-do list into do-able sections and setting reasonable goals

I also find it useful to set aside small blocks of time purely for yourself, where you surf the knot, watch tv, etc whatever helps you relax. It can be as little as 30min, but it will help keep you sane!

I also think that keeping up some resemblence of a good workout routine helpful, it really will help with the stress! (not to mention the health benefits).

(PS - I work 80hrs/wk as a doc and have to read at least 2-3 hrs/night in addition)

Best of luck!!

ruby&orlando · September 2010

WOW you guys are all amazing!!!

LOL i thought i was the only one about to start my graduate program,with a son, and planning our wedding. I was trying to get everything out of the way before i began school, well not everything. but the majority of the stuff. We plan on getting married in summer of 2012, since that is when i graduate. So we are booking venue next month, and I already purchased my dress LOL im something else. most people told me, "are you sure you wont change your mind about the dress?,or loose/gain weight"? but ive wanted that dress for 2 years now and i found it discount price, so I went for it!! and its corset so i can loose or gain a couple pounds Lol. OOPs i seem to ramble, but anywho you all have INspired me!! keep up the good work everyone!!

ruby&orlando · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_students_how-do-you-do-it?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:684Discussion:740334d5-f0eb-42c3-abab-1b1d9a4b2ddfPost:3b96ddaa-c03e-4edd-8912-115502370cef">How do you do it?</a>:
[QUOTE]Right now I am: Working Part time Taking 18 credits Preparing to graduate (December) and looking for a job Planning my wedding (May) All while figuring out how to pay for our wedding and trying to balance the opinions of the two people helping me plan the wedding. (my Fiancée and my mother) Please? How do you guys balance it all?
Posted by atandt33[/QUOTE]
Congratulations!! be happy you have such a busy schedule <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /> you are a lucky gal, and if you dont have enough yet, get some family members and friends to help out. have your maid of honor take charge! and if i were you, i would just take a deep breath, look around and appreciate all the wonderful things in my life. You will find a job, dont worry. All of these wonderful ladies have great ideas on organizing your schedule. I just wanted to remind you, to stop and smell the flowers once in a while. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /> Good Luck with everything, youll do just fine

chelsali · September 2010

I'm a full time student, working part time and trying to plan too! On top of that, my FH and I moved out of state so I could finish school. I make time by ALWAYS having my planner with me in case I think of something in class or at work. It helps that our wedding isn't until June 2012, but I take Sundays (while he's watching football all day) and usually spend a few hours working on wedding stuff then. It helps that he's super involved too! I don't know how we would do it if our wedding was any closer! Good luck!

JCM10 · September 2010

I'm doing it with a lot of planning. Like every minute of my day. This doesn't mean I'm never resting...it just means that, for example, from 7-10pm on Thursday nights are fiance time. No studying, no distractions, no wedding planning...just relaxing. Planners are your friend! I don't know what I'd do without one!

I'm working full time, going to graduate school, and planning a wedding, and it's a lot more reasonable than I thought it would be. It just gets down to having a routine...and sticking with it. I've been doing P90X the last month...something I never had time or flexibility to do as an undergrad...so this job and grad school thing is working out great for me! I do have a long engagement though, so I'm lucky about being able to leisurely plan a wedding...although this doesn't stop FI's parents from asking how it's going about once a week!

How do you do it?

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