🎓 Balancing Books and Bedtime: 7 Realistic Study Tips for Working Mums

Let’s be honest — studying as a mum is no small task. Add a part-time job into the mix, and you’re basically running a full-time schedule on part-time sleep (and caffeine).

Whether you’re doing it for a career change, a dream degree, or simply for you, it’s tough — but possible. So grab your Red Bull (I know you’ve got one nearby 😉) and let’s chat about the little habits that can make a big difference when studying as a working mum.

1. ✏️ Accept that “perfect” study time doesn’t exist

There’s no perfect quiet hour when you’ve got little ones and a work rota to juggle. Sometimes you’ll be writing essays with Peppa Pig in the background — and that’s okay.

Rather than chasing the ideal moment, use the time you have. 20 focused minutes is better than an hour of procrastination waiting for silence.

💡 Mum hack: Try the “10-minute rule.” Tell yourself you’ll study for just 10 minutes — you’ll often end up doing 30 once you’re in the flow.

2. 🕰️ Time-block your week (not your days)

Rigid daily routines rarely work when life with kids is unpredictable. Instead, plan your study sessions across the week, giving yourself flexible windows.

For example:

• Monday evening: light reading after bedtime

• Wednesday afternoon: assignment planning during nap time

• Saturday morning: a solid 90-minute session while your partner/family takes the kids out

Seeing your week as a whole gives you breathing room — and less guilt when a study slot gets stolen by toddler chaos.

3. ☕ Batch your brainpower

Some days, your brain will feel like it’s running on fumes. Don’t waste those rare alert moments on admin tasks like checking emails.

Instead, save your high-energy hours (usually morning or post-caffeine) for reading, writing, or creative thinking — and do lighter tasks when you’re tired, like editing notes or formatting work.

4. 🧺 Lower the bar, not the dream

No one is nailing everything at once — promise. If the washing piles up or dinner is beans on toast, that’s just life. You’re studying for something bigger, and it’s temporary.

Progress over perfection — every small step counts.

5. 💻 Use your commute or break time wisely

If you work part-time outside the house, your commute or lunch breaks can become golden study moments. Listen to recorded lectures, dictation notes, or short podcasts relevant to your course.

Even 20 minutes a day adds up to hours over the week — and it keeps your brain switched on without taking time from your family.

6. 🤝 Ask for help — and actually accept it

You don’t earn extra points for doing everything solo. If someone offers to watch the kids, cook dinner, or help with chores, say yes — and use that time to study guilt-free.

Remember, you’re not just studying for your family — you’re showing your children what determination looks like.

7. 🌙 Rest counts as productivity too

The temptation to study into the early hours is real (we’ve all done the midnight laptop stare). But sometimes, closing your laptop is the smartest move.

Rest is part of your success routine — not a break from it. You can’t pour from an empty mug (or can of Red Bull).

💬 Final Thoughts

Being a working, studying mum is a juggling act — some days you’ll drop a ball, and that’s fine. What matters is you keep picking it back up.

Your degree won’t just be a piece of paper — it’ll be proof of your resilience, your grit, and the endless love driving you to make life better for your family.

You’ve got this, mama 💛

Rachel x