Published: November 19, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

Online education can feel isolating, but the iSchool community spans the globe. We’re not alone in our studies, stresses or struggles. Across time zones and life stages, there are hundreds of students we can celebrate, commiserate or collaborate with. For this reason, I present a “Day in the Life” series that will highlight some relatable iSchool students. The feature will offer insights into how students from all walks of life balance the program with their day-to-day lives and shine a light on our shared experiences. 

This week, I chatted with Corinne Shor, a part-time library assistant, part-time iSchool student and full-time mom to a busy toddler. Her days are packed with reference desk shifts, school assignments and toddler demands, but somehow, she manages to keep all the plates spinning.

A Day in the Life: Balancing It All

Corrine says that her usual day begins with dropping her three-year-old son, Henry, off at daycare, followed by a five-hour shift at one of Burbank Public Library’s (BPL) three branches. There, she splits her time between the adult and children’s reference desk, which she says has been a great learning experience. “I’ve really enjoyed seeing what both look like,” she shared. Usually, she has one or two off-desk hours reserved for special projects, including her work on BPL’s partnership with the Braille Institute Library in Los Angeles, where she’s helping to promote their resources better.

However, when her shift at the library ends, her day is far from over. Corinne says she usually has about an hour and a half after work before picking up her son, Henry. During that time, she tries to tackle any imminent assignments, but we can all relate to her saying that she usually needs that time to decompress and re-energize for the rest of her day.

Following that short break, it is back to family time. Corinne, her husband and their son spend the next few hours bonding, eating dinner and spending time together. “I have tried to work on school at the same time [as parenting], but he’s a bit like a cat that’ll sit on your keyboard… So I just wait until he goes to sleep and then start my schoolwork,” Corinne says. That means she isn’t able to start schoolwork in earnest until her son is in bed around 9 PM. “There’s definitely been an uptick in my daily life of caffeine,” she added with a laugh. Corinne says many of her days end in the early hours of the morning finishing school work, and then decompressing until 1 or 2 AM.

That’s quite a full workload! How does she do it all and stay sane? Corinne says she has several methods to ensure balance and organization.

Staying Organized and Productive

Corinne relies heavily on Canvas notifications to keep her assignments front and center. “I check them countless times a day, even when I already know what’s due,” she explained.

Google Calendar plays a key role, too, helping her block out time for specific tasks. “I’ll create blocks, like ‘this is a 260 block,’ so I know exactly what I’m working on during that time.” But Corrine’s true organizational secret? Tried and true pen and paper. “I write out my assignments in a notebook and put a circle next to each one so I can check it off. Sometimes I even write down tasks I’ve already done, just so I can check them off. It feels good to see that progress.” To-do lists are a great way to stay organized and motivated for that next serotonin hit when you get to mark something as ‘completed’ whether you use pen and paper or, my preference, an application like Todoist.

Managing Stress and Overwhelm

Despite her organization and trusty to-do list, Corrine admits there are moments when everything feels overwhelming. In those times, she leans on her support system. “I’ve had to rely heavily on my spouse,” she said. Whether it’s covering “Henry duty” during Zoom meetings or just giving her space to focus, her family’s support is crucial.

Corrine also carves out small pockets of time to decompress. “I’m a car sitter,” she admitted. “If I arrive somewhere early, I’ll sit in the car, listen to an audiobook, or respond to a few texts before heading inside. It’s my little moment to refuel.” She also finds peace in nature, but she says those moments look a bit different these days. Where she used to find time for hikes in the beautiful natural areas of Southern California, now she seizes even just a few moments to sit outside and enjoy the sunlight.

Her mantra during tough moments? “I remind myself that I’ve done difficult things in my life, and I can do this too.” 

Despite the challenges, Corrine finds ways to embrace the journey and focus on the meaningful aspects of her work and studies.

Finding Joy and Purpose in the Journey

Corrine’s journey isn’t just about managing the chaos, it’s about finding joy and purpose along the way. She’s particularly proud of her work in INFO 200 Information Communities, where she dove back into academic writing through her information community blog posts and final paper. “I gave that class my all, and I think it showed,” she reflected. Fittingly, the information community she chose for that class was the blind and visually impaired community whom she works with in her position at BPL!

Beyond her personal achievements, Corrine is grateful to be studying in a field that aligns with her values. “I’m thankful to have a job and be studying something that I believe has real social and civic power,” she said. Her coursework has also broadened her perspective, allowing her to explore how libraries serve diverse communities, including those in jail and reentry services, the subject of her current final project in INFO 210 Reference and Information Services.

Advice for Fellow Students

When asked if she had any advice for fellow students, Corrine offered two helpful tips. First, get a job in your desired information field if you can. “Working in a library while studying has been invaluable,” she said. “It helps me decide which readings are most useful and connects the theory to real-world applications.”

Second, find your people. “Whether it’s classmates you meet in group projects or other students in your town, having someone to commiserate with makes a huge difference,” she said. “Fellow students understand the mental load in a way friends and family might not.” Not sure how to get started with finding your people? Check out the SJSU iSchool Student Groups page!

We’re All in this Together

Corrine’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of a well-organized notebook. Her story, like those of hundreds of iSchool students, highlights the shared experiences that connect us. Lean on your support system, take those much-needed breaks, and remember—you’ve done hard things before. You’ve got this, and we’ve got this.