Preparations

My before graduate school preparations are in full swing. These are things that, in my mind, if I get them done, they will enable me to be successful in school. What do they include this time around?

Because I will have next to no time apart from work, clinicals and studying for classes and exams, I am worried about my house work getting done. So, here's how I am handling that:

1) I've given the kids more chores. They already have several chores they do on a daily basis - But, they get paid a monthly allowance for these chores - AND, they are getting older now... So, I've added one more chore per child. I now have no kitty cat duties... the sweeping, scooping and changing of the litter are no longer my responsibility. It's not even my cat... Surely, it was an acceptable thing to ask the kids to take care of their own animal?

2) I've set up an interview with a perspective house cleaning service. They would come into the house and do all of the vacuuming, dusting, wiping of kitchen counters & appliances, cleaning of the light fixtures and ceiling fans, scrubbing the floors and cleaning the bathrooms. If I could get these chores off of my plate, it would be a major relief and free up a lot of time for me to study.

Additionally, I am worried about creating a work space for me to study in. In the past, I have used the kitchen table, my bed or my favorite chair in the living room. But, the drawback to not having a specific study space is that if meal time comes and I am at the table, I have to pack up my current project and move it... and I am generally right in the middle of all of the normal household commotion. So, I have begun looking for a desk - just for my computer and my school books. I would like to put it in a place that is away from the action.. Perhaps my bedroom... But, it gets very cold down in my bedroom in the winter... I'm still working on this.

There is still one thing weighing on my mind: The cooking/grocery shopping. That is a never ending, time-sucking cycle that worries me. My husband can shop if I make him a very specific list... But half of the tings I buy are things I pick up while going through the aisles. And, often after working all night and sleeping all day, I am able to wake up and make dinner and have it on the table by 5:30 when he gets home... But will I be able to spend that time cooking? Or will I have to fit an hour or two of homework/studying in?

That's where I am at. In a frenzy trying to get my life in order - to basically not be here for 2 & 1/2 years. :(