The Balancing Act: A Tongue-in-Cheek Guide to Managing Assignments for Working Adult Learners

Whoever said, "Life begins at forty" (in my case) forgot to mention the part about pursuing a two-year Financial Services Analytics course, while simultaneously working a full-time job, maintaining a household, and nurturing children. Quite a mouthful, isn't it? And yet, here we are, living the dream, as they say.

If you're like me, elbow-deep in deadlines, paperwork, and a pile of laundry that's begun to develop its own consciousness, you'll know there's no room for procrastination. Deadlines are the 'dementors' of our real-world Hogwarts, constantly looming, sucking the joy out of our 'learning journey'. But fear not! I've managed to collate some survival tips for this assignment wilderness, particularly for essays with a one-month submission deadline (P.S - in the process of finishing one)

The Early Bird Gets the Worm, and Hopefully, the Qualification: It's the age-old advice, start early. Break the Herculean task into digestible portions - planning, research, drafting, reviewing, and editing. The key is to assign dates to each task, creating your very own timeline. Doing this helps avoid the midnight oil-burning escapades and leaves room for life's 'little surprises', like an unexpected power cut (or your child's forgotten science project).

Research: The Labyrinth of Knowledge: The research phase is the Minotaur you need to conquer. Start by understanding the beast (topic) and identifying your weapons (key points). Gather all relevant scrolls (books, online articles, and journals) and jot down important points, page numbers, and links. It's like your own treasure map to navigate back when you're lost in the labyrinth.

Thoughts Assemble: Having a plan is like having a secret weapon. Use it to structure your thoughts into a coherent narrative for your essay. The classic 'trinity' (not Trinity College): introduction, body, and conclusion - is your go-to structure. And for the bullet-point essays, jot down ideas next to each point. It's like leaving breadcrumbs in the forest of ideas.

First Draft: The Ugly Duckling: Remember, your first draft doesn't have to be a swan, it's allowed to be an ugly duckling. The goal here is not to pen down a masterpiece, but to give your thoughts a body, however rough around the edges it may be. Keep the word count on the lower side; it's always easier to fatten a skinny essay than to put a plump one on a diet (punt intended).

Revision: The Beauty Sleep: Once your first draft is complete, let it hibernate for a day or two (yes, but just don’t go for that pint yet). Upon waking, you'll see the beast in a new light, and you'll be ready to fill the gaps, smoothen the edges, and ensure your essay flows like the River Liffey (or Thames - minus the pollution).

Proofreading: The Nit-Picking Exercise: This step is as crucial as a cuppa in the morning. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Reading your essay aloud might make you feel like you're practising a Shakespearean monologue, but it's a great way to catch awkward phrasing or sentences that seem to run longer than the Great Wall of China. You might even employ online tools, if you fancy (don’t have a clue which one though).

Feedback: The Second Pair of Eyes: Another person reading your essay can be as enlightening as switching on a light in a dark room. They might catch things you've missed or provide suggestions on improving the clarity or structure. (so, don’t neglect that. It’s none of your time, anyway)

Final Touches: The Cherry on Top: After incorporating feedback, it's time to add the cherry on top. Go through your essay one last time to make sure everything is in place. Check your formatting, citation style, and ensure you've met all the requirements of the assignment. It's like checking your reflection before stepping out the door - you want to make sure everything is in order.

Submission: Early Bird 2.0: Don't dawdle on submitting your work. Technical glitches are as unpredictable as the Irish weather. Submitting a day or two early gives you a buffer, just in case. Moreover, this gives you a chance to review the plagiarism rate. Now, I'm not suggesting you'd be plagiarising, but with the vast ocean of academic submissions and online publishings, it's likely some of your text may match others'. Use this time to fine-tune and reduce the plagiarism rate if you so wish). Remember, as long as you've followed academic rules and guidelines, there's no need to worry.

As an adult learner, working four days a week at Fidelity International and attending the National College of Ireland under the SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) Apprenticeship programme once a week, I've discovered that following these steps not only helps me complete my assignments effectively but also mitigates the stress associated with deadlines. So, take heart and embrace the chaos. After all, every assignment is a learning opportunity, and as they say, success will follow.

Now that I've shared my survival tips for managing assignments as an overcommitted adult learner, I'd love to hear from you! What strategies have you employed to keep up with the demands of work, school, and family life? Share your experiences, triumphs, and challenges in the comments below - let's learn and grow together!

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