In 2025, AU learners opened up about the realities of studying while raising families, building careers, and supporting their communities
Every AU student brings a unique mix of responsibilities, goals, and passions to their studies. The Learners Like No Other series captures this perfectly, with students’ own words, about their own experiences. When we asked students how they juggle work, family, and coursework, they opened up about the routines and mindsets that keep them grounded and moving forward.
Together, these stories show a community of committed students, learning on their own terms and overcoming their own challenges. We applaud our students’ continued hard work and life balance.
Kim Kimberlin
Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies student
📍 Williams Lake, B.C.
“It’s hard, but I remind myself that it’s just a season. I’ve always been an avid reader, so for now I’ve accepted that I need to put fun reads on the shelf while I focus on my schoolwork. Most of my studying happens after my kids are in bed. I’m tired every day, but I know each step brings me closer to my goal.”
Ava Shum
Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education student
📍 Markham, Ont. 
“Balancing my studies with work and family definitely requires some planning, but it’s all about flexibility and setting priorities. As a full-time professor, my work schedule is already demanding, so I’ve had to get creative with how I fit in study time.
"I try to make the most of those quieter moments—early mornings, weekends, or even during lunch breaks—to tackle my coursework. At home, I make sure to involve my family in my schedule so they know when I’ll need uninterrupted time for studying. It’s a team effort! And I make sure to set aside time for myself too, even if it’s just a quick break to recharge.
"Keeping everything organized with a planner has been a huge help in staying on top of everything. It’s all about finding that balance and being flexible when life throws curve balls.”
Ashley Reimer
Bachelor of Professional Arts, Human Services Major student
📍 Edmonton, Alta. 
“It can be really hard some days to maintain balance, but I have found it’s essential to always attend to self-care. Short walks, exercise, nourishing foods, and breaks to do something fun, laugh, or rest ensure that I have the inner resources to keep going. I also schedule activities, block off chunks of time for studying or work, and plan weeks ahead so I can limit those moments of overwhelm and stress.”
Vanessa Lagacé
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Major student
📍 Grande Prairie, Alta.
“I make my studies a priority. I am a firm believer that school comes first in my life. The minute a semester starts, I plan out my semester day by day and make requirements and deadlines for myself daily to be able to finish all the required coursework. Google Calendar has been my best friend! Once I finish my daily requirements, then I am able to do my part-time job, hang out with friends and family, and engage in my extracurriculars.”
Fela Waddy
Bachelor of Professional Arts, Human Services Major student
📍 Calgary, Alta.
“It can be tricky sometimes as a stay-at-home mother to find balance for my studies and all the other responsibilities I have related to my children's school, my son's disabilities, managing a home, and finding time for self-care for my well-being, especially when issues appear unexpectedly. But I have learned to be flexible with the way I manage my time to make it work.”
Wesley Weber
Graduate Diploma in Management ’25
📍Edmonton, Alta.
"I was up until midnight many times over the 1.5 years of the first phase of my Graduate Diploma in Management / MBA journey. I would also have Fridays off while my wife worked, so I could put in a full day of study. CNRL supported me in my studies and encouraged me all the way, which helped tremendously.
"We would allocate Saturdays as family time, with Sunday morning—before my wife woke up—as school time. I have always been a good multitasker (I have owned two larger businesses), so I knew how to squeeze every minute out of the day to achieve my goals.”
Jaclyn Eamer
Master of Counselling student
📍 Calgary, Alta.
“Finding a balance is difficult, and it does not always appear or feel equally balanced. On one hand, it required a lot of discipline, planning, and developing a highly proactive work ethic to achieve success. However, I also had to ensure that I took time for myself and didn't push myself too hard, neglecting my relationships and other responsibilities.
"Sometimes this meant finding acceptance in a B-plus instead of an A-plus. Sometimes it meant taking time off work when I felt I needed to. Sometimes I needed to ask for more support or understanding from my family. Above all, I had to be gentle with myself throughout the process, forgive myself for my shortcomings, and take what I learned each time I moved forward.”
Michelina Hamilton
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Major student
📍 Hamilton, Ont.
“I balance my school with family responsibilities by making sure to schedule enough time for both my studies and my family. For example, I have a younger sister who is happy that I can take breaks to spend time with her. Also, I have two collies, and I am always around throughout the day to play, train, or care for them.”
Lauren Guday
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology Major student
📍Airdrie, Alta.
“I like to plan out my studies in blocks to give my routine some stability. At the beginning of each month, I sit down, check my course calendar, and plan out which assignments I need to complete day by day, even giving myself my own due dates. This helps me get my studies under control when I feel overwhelmed.”
Pradip Rokaya
University Certificate, Advanced Accounting student
📍 Calgary, Alta.
“I create a dedicated study schedule while making the most of AU’s flexible learning model. Though a suggested timeline is provided, I push myself beyond it, driven by my passion for learning. This allows me to juggle studies, work, and family without feeling overwhelmed.”
Oak Rasmussen
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Major, Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies student
📍 Cochrane, Alta.
“I have a part-time job and schedule my school time around that. I've always been a fast worker, so I often have quite a few hours in a day, or even sometimes full days, where I have time for friends—if time isn't filled by doctor's appointments, which it often is.”
David Story
Bachelor of Arts, Humanities Major student
📍Toronto, Ont.
“In August, I block off my calendar with all my responsibilities for the coming year: marriage, students, studying at AU, and social commitments. Then, each summer I reflect on the year ahead and readjust as needed.”
Ashvaria Rai
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
“I keep a strict schedule and do my best to stick to it. Lately, I’ve been trying to maximize my time at work so I can have more family time at home.
"For example, my commute to work takes 1.5 hours on transit; I like to spend this time doing readings or finding papers for research. Sometimes I will also combine my lunch and coffee breaks to work on assignments during that 1.5-hour period.
"At home, I make sure to keep a good chunk of my evenings free for time with my family and dog, while still keeping one to two hours per day allotted for coursework.”
Jennifer May-Anderson
Bachelor of Professional Arts, Communication Studies Major ’25
“Many nights, my children and I did our homework together at the kitchen table. I read textbooks on the sidelines of soccer fields and curling rinks. I took my books to work and often dedicated Saturdays or Sundays to schoolwork. I even used my vacation time to finish assignments. It wasn’t easy—but it was absolutely worth it.
"One of the things that helped me most was learning to be highly organized and disciplined. Whenever I started a new course, I would review all the materials right away along with the suggested study schedule. Then, I’d shift every deadline up by about eight weeks and put it all in my calendar. That way, I could work ahead and build in wiggle room in case life got busy—as it always does.
"I also leaned on my support network—family, close friends, and co-workers—who all understood how important this goal was to me. Balancing school, work, and family required planning, sacrifice, and many late nights, but I was determined to see it through. Not just for myself but also to show my children what it means to set a big goal and stay with it, even when it’s hard. That purpose carried me through—and made achieving my degree one of the most meaningful milestones of my life.”
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