Two babies? Check. Two jobs? Check. Five classes? Check.

If that sounds anything like your future, fear not: it is more than manageable. Wipe the sweat off your brow and listen up; this guide will let you know what you should expect, plan for, and avoid in order to keep your head above water in 2017.

In a recent interview with coworker Lindsey Reynolds, I was able to ask a few questions on what it is like to have a baby, a full-time job, and be a full-time student. She cooperated in exchange for my advice on adding a baby to the hot mess that is her upcoming 2017 school year.

Q: “Linds, how do you feel continuing with classes went after you had Hank compared to before?”

A: “Ugh, I think I became a wine expert. If anything it made me work harder, which was good, but I definitely felt like there was less to worry about before. I wrote papers on my time, not my kid’s.”

Q: “How is your love life? I know that is a little personal, but how has your husband been throughout this journey?”

A: “Matt is the best. I think he is what makes everything stick. He is the glue. Without him, I don’t know if any of this would be possible. I think anybody looking to do all of this at once needs support. God knows I will after the second comes.”

Q: “If you could change anything about the semester what would it be?”

A: “I would have asked for more help. Not necessarily in school or work in particular, but just in general. Unless you’re an octopus I find it hard to believe you can do everything on your own.”

Q: “Are you worried about adding baby number two to your life? How do you plan on handling it?”

A: “You tell me, Superdad. You’re the one with two kids and two jobs. I have it easy, right?”

The thing is fellow students, as much as it seems like all of this cannot be done, it can. Lindsey is proof. I am proof. Yes, I may have one more kid than she does, but in no way does she have it any easier than I do. Fact of the matter is, anyone taking on another journey can feel overwhelmed, no matter how big or small that challenge may be.

Lindsey may have said it best when mentioning her husband Matt. Support is key. There is not one champion on this green earth that did not have some help in getting there. Juggling everything ahead is no different.

Do not be afraid to ask for help, ACC students. Your fears about how grueling it may be are warranted, but they are not insurmountable.

Parents, please heed this warning: you will get stressed. There will come a time in this upcoming semester when you literally tug your hair, yell at your kid, and cry to yourself or your partner about how bad of a parent you are for getting upset. BUT DO NOT! We are all human, and getting emotional is okay; you are still a good parent.

Your baby will love you more for working your tail off than not love you for getting upset. That is the wonderful thing about kids. They forgive almost as quickly as they get angry. For your sake, go over this with your partner before starting classes. They too need to be forgiving. More than that, your support system needs to be understanding. To think that this will be easy is downright naïve, and as much as it pains me to say, there will be fights.

Again, you both are human. That is perfectly fine. Before this happens, explain to your partner that there may be nights where you do not go to bed together. Explain to your partner that you may have to miss a dinner or two to meet with your group on the final project. There will be plenty of issues that come up, but giving them a briefing beforehand may make the blow softer when the time finally comes.

Most importantly, explain to everyone around you that you have worries, concerns, and fears, and at the end of the day, you are doing this out of the love for yourself and your family. As cliché as it sounds, love is the grease in this well-oiled machine.

Love for your family made you take this leap of faith, and love from you family is what will turn falling into flying.