How do you balance being busy and visiting family?

I’m a college student in my last quarter of school (we do quarters at my school instead of semesters, so I already walked in spring, despite still having 2 final summer classes). This last quarter is really important because I am trying to solidify my connections with my professors, finish up my final projects that will help launch me into my professional career, and also apply for jobs and internships.

I live 2 hours away from my family and work on weekends. I have in person class on Tuesdays/Thursdays and need to meet up with students often to work on larger collaborative work. I haven’t seen my family for 3 weeks and they are very sad about it even though I try to call every day.

My father texted me on Monday telling me we were having distant family coming into town this week and he wanted me to visit one day this week. I wouldn’t have been able to leave until after 3 after an exhausting event with my class and then would have to return by Thursday afternoon miss class that day. I would have to work on 2 projects while trying to hang out with my extended family and go on outings with them etc. On weekends, I work in outdoor entertainment so I would have to begin working the fourth of July weekend on Friday.

I decided it is probably easier to go next week so I don’t burn out, but now they are really sad and feel like I am abandoning them for my boyfriend who pretty much lives with me at this point in our relationship.

I really miss my family too but it’s just so hard to go home sometimes with my busy schedule. How do you guys deal with this feeling of disappointing them? Thanks