Authors note: Names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

I never would have dreamed I’d be middle-aged, a full-time college student and a single mother! Neither would many of my fellow classmates. Yet we congregate in classrooms whispering about the horrors of our schedules before classes begin. Mary hopes class ends early so she can steal a few moments with her sweetie before he leaves for the late shift. Kathy didn’t study this weekend because her kids had separate sporting events. Jim is nodding off in the corner, hoping no one notices.

The average age of a Metropolitan State University student is 32, and 66.5 percent are part-time students. That means many juggle classes and homework with careers, family commitments and outside demands. How do we find time for love and romance in all of this? I asked several of my classmates.

Many said romance is on hold until they graduate.

Bob is relieved he and his fiancée live together because time is very precious. "I don’t know how we’d do it if we weren’t,” he said. "Sometimes I just reach over during the middle of the night to touch her hair, which I certainly wouldn’t be able to do if we lived separately. Sometimes that’s all we’ve got because of our schedules.”

Bonnie and Sarah each carry 28 credits between them, and work and date people too. Sarah joined a dating service but keeps things light. "School is my priority. I hate to admit it, but I use index cards. I make notes after a date so I can keep things straight.” Sarah uses online Web sites. "While dating’s a priority for me, I just don’t have that much time to devote to it, so I have to be as efficient as I can.” Both cautioned Web sites can also eat up a lot of time if not used prudently.

It’s not easy to juggle life, love and college. A few suggestions:

Be highly organized and disciplined. Have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place. Schedule blocks of time for things that matter to you: studying, working, sleeping, romance and family. Run errands consecutively rather than haphazardly. Don’t be distracted away from the books by a colorful store window; stick to your schedule.

Multitask and work smart. Study when caught waiting or over lunch. Keep lists, writing deadlines in red ink.

Strive for balance by prioritizing. While it’s true we are sacrificing much in our lives for the greater gain of a college degree, it’s just as important to enjoy the journey. Close the textbook and your eyes for a few minutes and take some deep cleansing breaths when you feel harried. Snuggle up to your children or sweetheart for just a little longer instead of watching the news. You’ll be fine in just a few more semesters.....I promise!