To improve your skills and potential for advancement, you’re going back to school—online. Here’s how to carve out time for your virtual education.

Talk it up. Let your family know that you’re planning to restart your studies. Express what you hope to achieve and how this can benefit all of you. They’ll be excited to support your scholarly dreams if they’re a part of the journey.

Make room. Find a spot that’s (mostly) free of distractions, and set a realistic schedule that includes both family time and study time. Post a time chart in a location visible to everyone and stick to it.

Make a few trade-offs. Being a second-time student means less time for mall runs and Wii dance-offs. Have your spouse and older kids pitch in with additional household tasks. Study when the kids do their own homework.

Share your success. Celebrate those important milestones (your first A on a paper, surviving your first semester) with your family. It shows that hard work pays off and will also help you reconnect with and inspire everyone.

Source: Savitri Dixon-Saxon, PhD, associate dean at the online Walden University (WaldenU.edu)