(NewsUSA) – Parents and even grandparents are now doing homework alongside their children. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), higher education enrollment of students age 25 and older rose 43 percent between 2000 and 2009. From 2010 to 2019, NCES projects a 23 percent rise in college enrollments of students age 25 and older.Many adults are striving to find the balance between work, family and education; others feel they are too overwhelmed by responsibilities to even consider pursuing a higher degree.However, options do exist. Online education is a great solution for working adults seeking an advanced degree. Online programs enable working adults to accommodate their busy schedules. However, despite the schedule flexibility that online learning offers, adult students still must prioritize their responsibilities and commitments in order to complete assignments on time."Parents aren’t the only ones who need to understand that going back to school is a time-consuming process — everyone in the family should understand the commitment as well," says Savitri Dixon-Saxon, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, associate dean of Walden University’s School of Counseling and Social Service. Walden University offers more than 60 online doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degree programs.Here are five tips from Dr. Dixon-Saxon for achieving balance:* Choose a focus or specialization that you truly care about. The juggling act will be much more challenging for you if you don’t enjoy your field of study. Choose a focus area you are passionate about.* Set aside time for your studies. Set specific time frames for studying and completing assignments. This requires discipline and time management, but once you establish a routine, it can help keep you on track.* Find a place to do your studies. It’s easy to be distracted, so find a quiet place to study away from excessive noise and interruptions.* Ask for help. Make connections early on with classmates and faculty members to set up online study groups and start the term off right.* Renew your energy. Take time for yourself as part of your schedule. Spend time with your family and friends to recharge your batteries.For additional tips for a successful online learning experience, go to www.WaldenU.edu/studytips.
Balancing Higher Education as an Adult
Tech Programs Cultivate Digital Literacy for Future Success
Among the latest tech gadgets, cell phones and social media sites, today’s teens are more connected than ever. Although teens are surrounded by a flurry of electronics and digital media, are they gaining the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven world?
According to the Department of Commerce, students educated in science, technology, engineering and math at any level make 26 percent more money overall than counterparts who have studied in other fields.
Networking in the Social Sphere Builds Strong Career Connections
(NewsUSA) – A strong network is a key building block for career success. Whether you’re looking for a new job or connecting with peers in your industry, building a strong set of connections to help advance your career is vital.
While older generations used to build their networks one handshake at a time, today’s networkers foster and maintain connections online through the use of social media tools.
Whether you’re a social media novice or aficionado, it is important to remember that unlike connections made through face-to-face contact, when building an online network, credibility is assessed via digital profiles.
“It’s essential for professionals to understand that digital tools like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter allow our professional and personal worlds to blend,” says Jason Seiden, co-founder of Ajax Social Media and a member of the Career Advisory Board, presented by DeVry University. “You must learn to bring the edges in and ensure your online profile exudes both elements effectively, without misrepresenting either.”
Building or revising your digital profile may seem daunting, but there are simple ways to bolster it to showcase what you have to offer, helping you connect to the right people more quickly.
For those feeling unsure where to begin, Seiden offers actionable advice for building a strong digital profile to position oneself for online networking success.
This Back-to-School Season, WGU Texas Declares, “No Parent Left Behind”
Across the state, parents are buying school supplies, loading backpacks, and packing lunches as their kids head back to school. With carpools, afterschool activities, and homework added to schedules already packed with work and other family responsibilities, the last thing more parents have time to consider is heading back to school themselves. But, they should be….
More than 3 million Texas residents, many of them parents, have started but not finished a college degree; yet by 2018, an estimated 63 percent of all jobs will require at least some post-secondary education. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can bring career advancement, increase job security and enhance earning potential, so how can busy parents finish their degrees and avoid being left behind?
This Back-to-School Season, WGU Washington Declares, “No Parent Left Behind”
Across the state, parents are buying school supplies, loading backpacks, and packing lunches as their kids head back to school. With carpools, afterschool activities, and homework added to schedules already packed with work and other family responsibilities, the last thing more parents have time to consider is heading back to school themselves. But, they should be….
Nearly half a million Washington residents, many of them parents, have started but not finished a college degree; yet by 2018, two-thirds of all jobs in the state will require at least some post-secondary education. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can bring career advancement, increase job security, and enhance earning potential, so how can busy parents finish their degrees and avoid being left behind?
Combat Childhood Sleep Problems With Outdoor Fun
Parents are hearing a lot these days about the hazards of today’s “indoor childhood,” with kids spending countless hours on electronic media. But one consequence may be going undetected. National Wildlife Federation’s new parent guide highlights the connection between the time kids spend playing outdoors and sleep deprivation.
According to NWF Guide, young children and teens are losing anywhere from 10 to 14 hours of sleep a week. Sleep deprivation can stunt physical growth, impede performance at school, lead to anxiety or depression and contribute to future health problems like obesity. Making matters worse, children are generally bad judges of the amount of sleep they really need.
WGW Texas Declares, "No Parent Left Behind"
(NewsUSA) – As kids are prepped for school each day, the last thing parents have time to consider is heading to school themselves. But, they should be?.More than 3 million Texas residents, many of them parents, have started but not finished a college degree; yet by 2018, an estimated 63 percent of all jobs will require at least some post-secondary education. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can bring career advancement, increase job security and enhance earning potential, so how can busy parents finish their degrees and avoid being left behind?The prospect of heading back to college can be a daunting one. There are a number of college options, but few that are affordable and flexible enough to meet the needs of working adults. Texas’s new online university, WGU Texas, Texas.wgu.edu, is designed to meet the needs of students with family and work obligations, and to do it affordably. Nonprofit and endorsed by the state, WGU Texas offers 50 accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the high-demand career fields of business, information technology, teacher education, and health professions, including nursing.WGU Texas’s programs are structured to allow students to move quickly through what they already know and to focus on what they still need to learn. WGU Texas students advance by demonstrating what they know, not by logging time in class. This learning model, which includes the support of a dedicated mentor, is called "competency-based education," and it represents a truly new and innovative approach to higher education.At less than $3,000 per six-month term (and no limit on the number of courses per term), WGU Texas is about half the cost of most other online universities and considerably less than most of Texas’s public universities. Because students can leverage their experience and prior college to help them move as quickly through courses as they are able, the average time to complete a bachelor’s degree at WGU Texas is just two-and-a-half years — an average cost of about $15,000.It’s likely that you are already encouraging your kids to plan for college. And, as all good parents know, kids learn best by example. Finishing a degree means more than career advancement and better earning potential — it is a priceless accomplishment that demonstrates the value of education to your children. This school year, don’t be left behind. Note to editors: Great for regional use in Texas.
Working Adults Going Back to School
Excitement and opportunity abound as children and teenagers get ready to go back to school. But the enthusiasm—and pressure—of this season are also affecting more adults. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), higher education enrollment of students age 25 and older rose 43 percent between 2000 and 2009. From 2010 to 2019, NCES projects a 23 percent rise in college enrollments of students age 25 and older.
Many adults are striving to find the balance between work, family and education; others feel they are too overwhelmed by responsibilities to even consider pursuing a higher degree.
Find Out if Your Child’s School Makes the Grade
Parents send their children to school hoping and trusting that teachers and school systems are providing a well-rounded, holistic education that’s personalized and supportive.
Now, thanks to an initiative by ASCD, one of America’s leading education associations, anyone interested in preparing today’s youth for success, can check whether schools make the grade.
Using the “Grade Your School” tool [www.wholechildeducation.org/gradeyourschool], a resource presented as part of ASCD’s Whole Child Initiative, parents and communities can confirm whether their schools meet the five tenets of ASCD’s Whole Child approach to education. Those tenets are:
1. Each student enters school healthy and learns and practices a healthy lifestyle.
Early Intervention May Prevent Bullying
What’s the best way to stop a bully? Don’t let him (or her) become one. Multiple studies have shown that teaching children positive social skills and taking proactive steps to prevent and discourage delinquent behavior can go a long way toward preventing bullying and providing a more effective learning environment.
Unfortunately, childhood bullying has become a 24/7 problem, and the anonymity of the Internet makes it more difficult to identify and punish bullies. But programs in which schools and the community work together to prevent bullying and reduce disruptive behavior can make a difference.
