For so many students, working a part-time (or even a full-time) job while attending school is a reality. In fact, a study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce finds that, over the past 25 years, more than 70 percent of college students have worked while attending school.

With some organization, motivation and a healthy dose of realistic expectations, you can do it all!

Check out our tips on how to balance work and school:

1. Manage your time well

Don’t overwhelm yourself. Setting realistic goals for your coursework and career path helps you keep your life balanced. There is no shame in taking fewer courses in order to maintain a healthy work/school/life balance. It’ll be much easier to stick to the schedule you’ve created if it’s realistic. Consider mobile apps that can help keep you organized, like Trello or Asana!

Always be prepared! Even if you do everything “right” there will be times when your schedule gets tight. You may need to wake up earlier to squeeze in your responsibilities or finish some homework on your lunch break. Or, if worse comes to worst, you may need to resign at your job to maintain your studies. Whatever the situation, always assess and prioritize your future.

3. Don’t expect to be perfect

If you show up late for work, find yourself asking for an extension on a paper, or forget about a group project meet up, don’t let one mistake turn into a nasty habit. Fix the problem, find a solution, and then put it behind you. A couple of mistakes are almost guaranteed, especially near the end of a semester when everything seems to be piling up. It’s okay to explain that you’re working full-time and going to school, but don’t play the victim. If needed, make hard choices that will help you prioritize what matters most.