Sonography school is intense on its own. Add a job, family responsibilities, and early morning clinicals — and suddenly you're juggling more than most people realize.
If you’ve ever looked at your calendar and wondered how you're going to survive the week, you're in the right place. Balancing everything isn’t easy, but it is possible with the right habits and tools.
Here’s how to manage the chaos and protect your peace.
1. Get Your Week Out of Your Head and Onto Paper
Trying to keep everything in your brain is exhausting. Sit down each Sunday or Monday and do a full brain dump. Write out your class times, clinicals, work shifts, study goals, appointments. All of it.
Having a visual layout of your week gives your mind room to breathe and helps you plan realistically.
📔 If you're a visual learner, a planner with color-coded time blocks or to-do lists can be a game-changer.
2. Use Short, Targeted Study Sessions
You don’t need hours of study time to stay on track. You need focused, short bursts. Flashcards on your break. A quick review while you eat. Labeling diagrams on the bus.
Fitting study into your life, not around it, makes it doable and less overwhelming.
🧠 Try using study tools that are portable and visual so they’re easier to pull out anytime, anywhere.
3. Make the Most of Clinicals
Clinical days are long, but they’re full of learning moments. Come prepared with a goal in mind — like focusing on one anatomy region or improving your scanning ergonomics. Jot down what you learned right after your shift while it’s still fresh.
📝 A dedicated clinical logbook can help you track progress and reflect so you don't feel like you're just surviving each day.
4. Protect Your Energy, Not Just Your Time
Yes, your time is limited, but your energy matters too. Avoid overloading yourself on days you know you’ll be drained. Try to leave buffer time between major commitments when you can, even if it's just 30 minutes to reset.
Remember, burnout doesn’t mean you're not cut out for this. It means you're human.
5. Automate or Simplify What You Can
Batch your meals. Set reminders. Use a reusable planner template. Put your go-to flashcards in one spot. Little systems like these save mental energy and free up space for more important things, like passing your next exam or catching a nap.
6. Let Go of Perfection
You will miss assignments. You will forget to study. You might even show up to clinicals with two different socks on. It’s okay. The goal isn’t to do everything perfectly — it’s to keep showing up and doing your best.
Final Thoughts
Balancing work, school, and clinicals is a lot. But you’re doing more than just getting through it. You’re building a future in a field that changes lives. Be proud of how far you’ve come, even on the messy days.
Keep pushing.🤍
Written by Tekara - BSc, RDMS (AB) (OB/GYN), RVT (VT)
Founder of Tech Me Out
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