Category Archives: Moms Going Back to School

Moms: Make Friends at School

Posted on by
Reply

As a mom who is returning to college the last thing on your mind is probably making new friends. You are more concerned with how you are going to juggle your family, your schoolwork and perhaps your job. However, social relationships are highly important to women. If you can find a way to make new friends in your classes at school than you may boost your own success as a result.

Benefits of Making Friends at School

Why should you take on the added burden of trying to befriend the people in your classes? Because it offers you numerous benefits:

  • People to discuss school topics with. Your spouse and current group of friends just may not have an interest in what you are studying. New friends in class will provide a great outlet for discussing all you are learning.
  • Social support. School may feel tough. It is easier to give up and drop out if you don’t have a strong and encouraging network. That support can help get you through.
  • Folks to vent to. One of the ways that we deal with stress as women is to talk about it. When problems arise in class it helps to have people who can relate.
  • Improved associations with school. The happier you are about returning to college, the easier the program will be for you. You will get more out of it when you have a great social system.

Simple Tips for Making New College Friends

These hints may seem obvious to some, but the truth is that it’s tough for many women to make friends as adults, especially with other women. There can be a lot of competition and jealousy and just general awkwardness around forming new friendships -  especially for any who feel like the odd one out as an older student returning to school. The following tips can help:

  • Identify 1 or 2 women you feel you have something in common with. Maybe they are also older students; perhaps they are young but  also moms. There are all kinds of people you can reach out and connect to.
  • Engage these women in conversation about their own experiences with the class or their return to school. If you ask probing questions then you can usually get a conversation going and that is what ultimately leads to friendship.
  • Form a study group. Since you have a busy life you probably can’t just sit around after class gossiping for hours. A focused task like a study group helps you stick to your academic goals while making friends.
  • Grow the friendship through other modes of communication. Email, Facebook and texting can all help you get to know someone else without requiring as much time and effort as face to face get-togethers.
  • Accept that these friendships may be limited in time and scope. You don’t need to make a new best friend for life. You have those already. Take these friendships for what they are and if it lasts that’s a nice bonus.

Ready to make new associations at school? Pick the program that best suits your busy schedule.

Moms: Have a Family and Career Worth Envying

Posted on by
3

Best Online Degrees for Busy Moms

Across the country, 26 million moms are trying to raise their children while they are currently working, or trying to get back into the work force. No one needs to remind you of how difficult it is to have a young child and move up the corporate ladder. If you’ve reached a point where you need a degree to take the next step, or you need one to get back into the work force, then an online degree is the best bet for you. Currently, it is estimated that only 16% of mothers have a college degree. With the advent of online programs, you can join that elite number to improve earnings potential and increase your self-confidence.

Benefits of Online Degrees

  • You can work your studies around your already busy schedule. Without a set time for attending class or studying, you can get your work in when the kids are sleeping, or even on your lunch break.
  • A range of subjects are available in addition to traditional business programs. You can also get degrees in nursing, health care, art & design, education, and many more.
  • The online degree shows employers that you are a self-starter, that you are organized and an independent worker.

Things to Keep in Mind with Online Degrees

  • Make sure the college is fully accredited. Employers are becoming more willing to accept online degrees, but the college must be recognized and accredited.
  • See what kind of support system is available, in case you run into problems. Are the professors available to take phone calls, are they fast to return e-mails; do they have forums where other students can offer support?
  • Confirm that the college will give you credit for classes already taken.
  • Find out if they offer accelerated classes so you will graduate faster.

Available Degrees


Online degrees are available for certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s programs, master’s degrees and even some PhD programs.

Great Degrees for Working Moms

  • Business degrees are ideal for working moms who already have the business experience.
  • Social sciences are another excellent choice, and your experience as a Mom fits right in with class work.
  • Communications is a growing field that busy moms can easily move into.
  • Humanities majors allow you to learn more, even while you’re teaching your children.
  • Education, especially in the field of special needs, is always an important area.
  • Psychology is a growing field, and the lessons can be applied to your own family.

Whatever degree you pursue, don’t forget to include your experience on your new, improved resume. As a working Mom, you have valuable office and work experience to offer.  At-home Moms who are returning to the work force should not underestimate the value of their volunteer work. Whether you’ve been President of the PTG or actively worked to change the laws in your town, be sure to include that on your resume. Potential employers will be impressed, and before you know it, you will be putting your new skills to work.

If you’d like to get your degree, weigh your college options to earn your diploma and still be a full-time mom.

8 Ways Moms Can Be Stellar Students

Posted on by
1

Tips for Middle-Aged Moms Returning to School

Do these describe you? The children grew up faster than you thought they would, and now you’re considering a return to full-time work. You feel so blessed to have been able to stay at home with the kids, but now you’re ready to go back and finish that degree that you put off. It can be intimidating, walking into a classroom full of kids who could be your own children. But you have a great deal to offer. Don’t sell yourself short, and don’t underestimate the value of your Mom experience.

Challenges

  • A hectic schedule is the biggest challenge. Whether the kids are still home or off to college, you still have a house to run. You like cooking for your husband, and laundry slows down for no one.
  • You may feel intimated by the younger students. But as Eleanor Roosevelt said, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
  • Your kids still need you. Even if they’re out of the house with children of their own, they still need their mother. And, because you’re a great Mom, you’ll still be there for them.

How to Be Successful

1. Put past failures behind you. Just because you never understood chemistry when you were in high school does not mean it will beat you now. You are intelligent, and you’ve got years of helping your own kids with science behind you now. Don’t let past failures make you afraid of future success.
2. Get a mentor. Find a professor you click with or someone else who will support you. Share goals, dreams, and fears with this person. Let them inspire you to keep going.
3. Don’t let the husband drag you down. If he’s supportive, that’s great. If he’s not, then remind yourself of all the struggles in your life, and how well you’ve sailed through them.
4. No excuses allowed. Remember that every person who ever quit anything had an excuse, but you are not in this to quit.
5. Follow your passion. After all, it’s true that if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life. You’ve raised your children and now you are enriching yourself. Do it by learning more about something you already enjoy.
6. Use that volunteer experience. Most housewives don’t sit at home and do nothing. They’re active in the community. Put that experience to work for you. It’s valuable at school, and it will be valuable at your future job.
7. Consider an online program that will fit in nicely with your schedule.
8. Take advantage of your age. Some schools are offering grants and programs designed for older students. Former military personnel can also take advantage of special grants.

You may have given up the dream of a college degree years ago, but that dream can be revived. Don’t be afraid to go back to school and follow your bliss. Whether you want the degree for personal satisfaction or for the leg up it will give you in a job search, getting the degree will be a proud moment for you. It will also be an incredibly proud moment for your children.

 

Have you been thinking about going back to school now that you are an empty-nester? Consider distance learning. Take classes in the comfort of your own home.

The Secret to the Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

Posted on by
Reply

If you ask her, she’ll probably just say, “Oh, sweetie, it’s enough if you just call me. I don’t need anything special.” Mothers are like that, they won’t tell you what they would most like as a gift.  If you are bored with the flowers and chocolates routine, (and you suspect your mom is too) maybe the following post will inspire you to get her the most perfect present this Mother’s Day. So what is the perfect gift?

All Your Mother Gave to You

Did your mom care for you through scraped knees, chicken pox, bad days at school, a broken heart and countless other disappointments? Was she there for you to celebrate each loose tooth, winning the spelling bee, the first day of Summer, your A in math or myriad other accomplishments? Many loving mothers cared for and helped out their families by sacrificing what they wanted for themselves. Perhaps your mother had the talent to be a famous violinist but gave up her training to care for you. Maybe your mom was on her way to becoming an influential and groundbreaking architect but she put aside her career to be there for her family.

Give a Lasting Gift

Maybe it’s time to give her a gift that will last as long as her love for you. How would she react to the gift of helping her fulfill a lifelong dream? Lend your support to her so she is free to brush up on those violin skills; pay for her music lessons and attend her recitals. If your mom has always dreamed of opening her own shop and selling her handmade treasures, help her learn how to set up a website with an etsy shop as a prominent feature. You know her best.  What is her story? What would she most love to learn or do or become? You might be able to give her a gift that will last her whole life if you help her develop a talent or learn a new skill. Moms give up so much to help their children, and if we put our minds to it surely we can come up with a way for each honored mother to reach a goal or see a dream come true.

Sweet Sentiments

If you’re like most, those words to tell your mother all she means to you do not come easily.  If you need a little inspiration to present your thoughtful gift, try these on for size.

  • Thanks for always being there, Mom. You helped me make my dreams soar, and now I’d like to put your dreams in flight. Fly high!
  • There were good times and there were not so good times, but I always knew you were in my corner. Thanks for being my biggest fan, Mom.
  • We shared laughs and tears and our favorite songs .Thanks for everything through the years, Mom, and for sharing so much with me. You’re the best.
  • Remember all I put you through getting me all raised? It’s time for me to return the favor and help you learn all you’ve ever wanted. You deserve it, Mom!
  • Mom, you always taught me to follow the Golden Rule – so now I’m giving you what I would wish for myself – because you you have already given me everything.

Celebrating Mother’s Day

So do your homework and find out what your mother, or another influential female role model, would most like to become.  Be her magic genie this Mother’s Day and grant her that one heartfelt wish to let her live her dream. She will be happy that she raised such a thoughtful son or daughter and be thrilled to develop a long-hidden talent. Think of the difference you can make by giving back to someone who still gives you so much.

If your mom would like to finish that degree perhaps adult education is the answer. There is so much in the world to learn!

Moms: Are These Top 5 Job Categories for You?

Posted on by
1

Best Degrees for Moms Going Back to School

As a mom who is going back to school you probably want to get a jump start. You’re all ready to get on with your education and your career. You aren’t in a position to dawdle for a couple of years trying to decide what the best major is. You don’t want to get a degree just for the sake of learning but also for the value that it will offer to you in the employment market. That is why you are probably thinking long and hard about the right degree for you before you sign up for classes. Ultimately the best degree will be the one that you are most passionate about but you might want to consider looking at the areas of management, new media, information science, domestic arts and entrepreneurship because these are the areas that you already have experience in as a mom!

Moms in Management

As a mom you are almost undoubtedly the manager of your own household. You keep things organized and running smoothly. You know where your husband’s only clean tie is, what needs to be taken out of the freezer in the morning so it’s ready to make for dinner and how to solve logistical problems like getting to both your daughter’s dance class and your son’s tennis lesson on the same afternoon. If this multi-tasking ability to control the chaos feels natural, comfortable and easy for you then you might want to think about getting a degree in management. You will shine in your classes while gaining new skills that will make you employable immediately upon graduation. Although you may not have specific experience in this field, you can boost your resume with a cover letter explaining why being a mom makes you more than qualified for the job.

New Media for the New College Mom

As a stay-at-home mom you have probably spent a lot of time exploring new media. You use social media. Maybe you blog or vlog. And you certainly stay on top of the computer issues that may affect your children (like cyberbullying). This knowledge can be put to use if you get a degree in new media. New media degrees expand on your existing Internet experience but teach you marketable skills like digital design and web communication. Also note that some schools are starting to offer professional blogging degrees (according to LittleTechGirl) and Mommy Bloggers actually have the potential to make a lot of money so this is a niche area of new media that is worth exploring. This is an especially good option for Moms who want to go back to school but don’t want to enter the traditional work force after graduation since these degrees often lead to telecommuting and work-at-home positions.

Love Your Work: Information and Library Sciences

You’ve probably logged about as many hours at the library as at the park with the kids. Libraries are terrific places to entertain youngsters with story hour, special events and book sales. If you love taking your kids to your public library to sample the staggering amount of children’s literature available nowadays, you might enjoy being a librarian yourself. There is no one as well-versed in children’s books as a mom. Not only do you know what is out there, you know what different age groups prefer, how they like it read and you likely have several books committed to memory by now. Utilize this knowledge and look into becoming a librarian or an assistant librarian.

Employment in the Domestic Arts

Do not underestimate the value of the activities that you do at home. The domestic arts are alive and well and have the potential to lead to a variety of lucrative careers. Just a few of the domestic arts that you may already know as a mom include:

  • Sewing, knitting, crocheting and other needlearts
  • De-cluttering, cleaning and personal organization skills
  • Cooking and baking

Take the skills that you already have any put them to work for you by choosing a related degree such as fiber arts, fashion design, culinary arts or housekeeping. These classes can prepare you for jobs ranging from pastry chef to personal organizer.

Entrepreneurship for Self-Motivated Moms

Are you someone who dreams of starting her own business? Maybe you want to start a cookie business from your home or maybe you want to head up a large company down the line. Either way you may find that a degree in entrepreneurship puts you ahead of the game. It will allow you to meet the right people and gain the skills that you need to start your own business even if you’ve been out of the employment game for awhile.

Do you only plan to get a two year degree? Take a look at your options: Find Just the Right School for Me.