Writer's Fallout Shelter

I am suddenly finding myself in a difficult position with my writing. I'm at the point in my life where I've decided what I want to pursue as my career. I've never wanted to do writing for a living, but that's not to say that I don't have a dream of publishing. What I want to do is going to involve a lot of schooling and a lot of dedication. To truly succeed the way that i want to I'm going to have to really immerse myself in my studies and in my eventual work. Because of this I feel like I may come to a fork in the road where I'll have to choose to succeed in my work or succeed in my writing. I don't to give either of them up since I have a passion for them both, but I suppose I just feel a little overwhelmed

Has anyone here had to face this problem? And if you did, how did you remain so dedicated to your writing and your work at the same time? I suppose I just hope that there's some special secret that'll make it all work out. I'd really love some advice.

Bernidette