African American woman reading a book peacefully on couch

We know it’s hard to successfully navigate family, work, politics, health, chores, and studying. Life seems to be going too fast, and to be honest, it’s not slowing down any time soon. But that doesn’t mean you have to succumb to the stress, eat comfort food for every meal, and give up on all the fun extra things that make life awesome.

Stress — and more importantly, how you deal with it — all come down to you. Even a simple mindset shift can help you view stressors in a new light. Think about all the advice you’ve heard about saying “I get to …” instead of “I have to …”. And it doesn’t stop there. You have the power to remove stress from your life, too.

Don’t believe us? Let’s breakdown 4 strategies you can use to reduce stress levels and set priorities in your life.

Rule 1: Set Aside all the “Nice to Haves” for Later

No doubt about it, college stress is on a whole new level. You’ve got essays, and tests, and pop quizzes, group assignments, speeches … you name it. And it’s all happening at once. There’s no “one and done”: rule for how to handle it all, but it can be helpful to remember to simply put first things first.

Ask yourself: “will what I’m about to do have an immediate effect on my most important goal right now?” Think about this in terms of short-term goals. You have dishes to do, laundry to fold, and an essay to write. Your biggest short-term goal is to get an A in your class for the semester. Which task helps you get there?

That doesn’t mean that the dishes won’t ever get done, or that the laundry will sit there forever. But always, first things first.

Rule 2. If it Works Without the Change, Then Let the Change Wait

Multi-tasking can seem like the easy way out of pressure, but try to avoid it if you’re really serious about reducing stress and increasing efficiency.

We all get distracted by a few new tasks here and there. The reality is that you may not be able to stop all these tasks from coming at you, especially as a college student. You may find yourself shuttling between school work and family tasks, only halfway showing up for either one.

Why not try out a more efficient way to deal with this situation? You can reduce stress, manage your time well and still remain fully present in each moment. Here’s the simple secret: as soon as a new assignment is given to you, listen to the instructions carefully and determine how much time you need to complete it. Then ask yourself if it’s really a priority that day or if it can be done tomorrow or next. Those dishes are annoying (and frankly, kinda gross) but leaving them one more day won’t be the end of the world.

On the other hand, leaving your assignment until tomorrow could cause serious issues. You just never know what might pop up tomorrow, right?

Rule 3: Focusing 100% on One Assignment is the Fastest Way to Complete It

Managing your time is a huge part of prioritizing your life, too. This means allotting a time block to complete certain tasks. Let’s say you’ve decided to complete that essay assignment that’s due in a couple of days. You sit down with a goal to get it done, then find that you spend three hours digging through research papers, bouncing around on Facebook, and staring at the ceiling. Or, you get distracted in 15 minutes and walk away.

Instead, get focused by setting a timer. 30 minutes will do. Set a timer, open your document, and get to work. Knowing that you’re in a time crunch, you’ll likely get more done in 30 minutes than you would in 3 hours, and you can walk away satisfied with your progress (even if you don’t finish it 100%).

Rule 4: Ask for Help When You Need It

Being productive and being stressed don’t need to go hand-in-hand. Ask for help when you need it:

task your kids with household chores while you study
ask a neighbor to pull in trash cans or check mail while you’re working late
use a delivery service for food from a local restaurant while you write an essay
hire help for everyday tasks while you enjoy time with family

Just be sure to ask for help from the right person. Having the wrong person, or someone who’s not up to the task, can end up causing more work for you down the line.

If you want to reduce stress and stay productive, focus on prioritizing what’s really important. If you want more help, join the Back to School Divas Facebook group for motivation and inspiration from women just like you!

woman wearing red polka dot shirt at cafe on smartphone

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019

3 Ways You Can Use Your Devices To Maximize Productivity

Your digital devices don’t have to be a place for distraction. Take advantage of these productivity tools for students. Did you know that the average person spends ...

Your digital devices don’t have to be a place for distraction. Take advantage of these productivity tools for students.

Did you know that the average person spends four hours a day on their devices?

How much of that time is used being productive? Technology has made our lives easy and interesting but unfortunately, while some people use these technological innovations to maximize productivity, some others just use it to get too comfortable and unproductive. Our phones, laptops, computers, and other devices can either help us to maximize our productivity or make us lazy and unproductive.

As a student, there are tools that you can have on your device to make studying, doing assignments, and projects easier for you. But as helpful as your devices are, they can also be a source of distraction for you especially when you have a lot of gaming apps and social apps installed.

Luckily, there are productivity tools for Mac and productivity tools for Windows for students that can help you get more done, faster.

How To Maximize Productivity With Your Devices

Set Schedules

The first step to being more productive is arranging schedules and setting alarms. Wake up on time, get where you need to be on time, and you’re halfway there, Diva! There are many built-in apps that can help you plan your day, week, and year. Take advantage of your Calendar, Notes, Alarms, and Reminders to keep track of appointments, assignment deadlines, and even to try calendar blocking or other productivity time hacks.

Time Management

There are so many productivity tools for Mac as well as productivity tools for Windows devices designed to help you manage your time. Banking apps make it easier for you to carry out transactions at home and make good use of the time you would have lost going to the bank. Location apps make it easier to locate where you’re going without wasting time asking people around and getting lost. You can even incorporate other time management systems like the 10-3-2-1-0 method into your phone to help you better maintain your schedule.

Performing Difficult Tasks

One major thing that our devices help us with is the performance of difficult tasks. For example, use an app to proofread documents like essays or even emails to your professors so you’re sure to sound professional. Explore apps that help with calculations, language translations, and other things that you might not be able to do on our own. Productivity tools for Mac and productivity tools for Windows can help you manage difficult tasks.

Productivity Tools For Your Devices

Productivity Tools For Students:

As a student, these are some major tools that will help you to be more productive.

Tools for Mac:

Schoolhouse
iRecorder
Knowledge NoteBook
Flashcard Hero
Studyper
Gigi

Tools for Windows:

Word Web
Typing Trainer
My Study Life Chrome
Rosetta Stone Free Trial

Other helpful tools:

Sticky Notes
Office Lens
Microsoft To-Do
Todoist
PDFpen
MindNode
Grammarly

Want to REALLY get productive? Download the Back to School Divas printable planner for FREE and track your to-dos, assignments and meals like a pro.

Sources:

https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/are-you-on-your-phone-too-much-average-person-spends-this-many-hours-on-it-every-day.html

April 10, 2019April 2, 2019

Get Calm with These Mindfulness Apps

Are you familiar with the term mindfulness? It’s gained popularity in the past few years and many people swear they have gotten their lives together, lost weight, learned to be happier and relieved stress by practici...

Still, some people have yet to catch up with the mindfulness train and if you’re one of them, then today our goal is to help you get started! Let’s start living a much more calm, aware and stress-free life by identifying some of the best mindfulness apps to help you get in on it.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a state of being more aware, living in the present moment and being conscious of your feelings, emotions, and thoughts as well as your physical presence.

encourages you to let go of the past and mistakes you have made and focus more on living life to the fullest in the present. It’s a powerful therapeutic technique that can help you feel more at ease.

Focusing on the past or future instead of the present can make you anxious and stressed out which reduces your quality of life and productivity. If you’re looking to cut out those negative thoughts that make you feel stressed, and become more present in the moment, or if you already actively practice and want to enhance your practice, mindfulness apps can help.

Could relief be as close as your smartphone?

Let’s find out.

Calm

The Calm app lets you customize your experience by selecting soothing tracks to accompany your practice: the sound of the outdoors or rain, chirping crickets, or whatever sounds soothe you and puts your mind at ease. Calm features an exercise that helps you refocus your mind when it wanders, build awareness and learn to “snap out of it” when your mind goes into autopilot mode.

There are a series of 10-minute long videos on mindful movements and sleep stories that are read to you in a calming voice, like a bedtime story to put you at ease and help you sleep better.. There are also guided sessions for “daily calm” to help you relax and unwind. It has a wide selection of up to 100 music tracks to relax and sleep peacefully.

The app is free, but you can access even more helpful features with a premium subscription. It’s available on the Google Play store and iTunes App Store.

Headspace

Headspace is one of the most popular and best mindfulness apps available today. Creator Andy Puddicombe makes meditation and mindfulness a breeze with guided sessions based on what you want to achieve from your practice.

The app’s interface is bright and cheerful with animations and even has sessions for kids and short mini sessions to help you incorporate a bit of mindfulness into your daily life. You can track your progress as you meditate more and set reminders for days when you might forget to get a session in.

There are a variety of guided sessions to choose from like sleep sounds, emergency meditations, and short meditations. There is also an option for you to save some of these sessions for when you’re offline so you can access your favorite guided meditation sessions when you are off the grid.

The Headspace mindfulness app is available for free, but to access all of the available courses you’ll need to subscribe to a monthly plan. You can download the app from the Google Play store or iTunes App Store.

Stop, Breathe & Think

As the name suggests, this mindfulness app encourages you to breathe and think by giving you a handy timer for mediations and breathing exercises while a soothing soundtrack plays in the background. What’s really unique about this app is that it tailors each session to you by letting you check in and answer questions about your physical and mental health to decide which meditation or yoga session would work best for you.

There’s a wide selection of sessions—from forgiveness to short stories and acupuncture videos that help you focus on living more in the present. This beginners mindfulness app has a guide on mediation for those who need more help getting into mediation as well. At the end of the week, you get a review of what your week was like, based on the moods you checked in before each session.

You can enjoy using this app for free but for full benefits, sign up for a monthly subscription. The app is available on Google Play store or iTunes App Store.

10% Happier

This app is one of the most helpful mindfulness apps available for first time meditators. It’s based on the popular bestselling book by Tv Host Dan Harris with the same name and provides practical exercises you can follow, as well as sessions and talks by world-famous scientists, writers and psychologists. This app gives you the chance to communicate with a real-life coach if guided sessions simply aren’t doing it for you.

10% Happier takes a no-nonsense approach with its guided sessions on mindfulness, which is great for people who prefer a practical approach. The sessions and talks cover a range of topics including the benefits of practice on your brain and mind, mindful eating, and learning to be kind.

Take advantage of a 7-day free trial period after which you will have to pay for a yearly subscription if you decide it’s the best mindfulness app for you. The app is available on Google Play store or iTunes App Store.

Insight Timer

What’s really special about this mindfulness app is that it’s more like a community or social network of meditators from all around the world. Insight Timer gives you information on how many people are currently mediating with you around the world and even gives you the option of inviting friends to meditate as well. Because you’re so connected to other like-minded people there are group discussions on meditation and mindfulness where users can share ideas, ask questions and learn from each other.

This app offers a wide range of guided meditation sessions—from sessions on self-love to overcoming addictions. You can also time sessions and choose soothing background sounds.

Insight Timer is free to download but you’ll need a premium subscription for access to more courses and content. Because of the wide range of users, there’s a lot of content that can be overwhelming for beginners. The app is available on Google Play store or iTunes App Store.

Which app will you try? Have you ever tried mindfulness or meditation practice? Let us know in the comments!

stressed African American woman sitting in front of laptop at work

April 3, 2019April 2, 2019

How to Deal with Stress: Doctor’s Advice

With the crazy world that we live in and the hustle and bustle of each day, getting stressed out is not exactly a strange experience. Still, some level of stress has in fact been proven to be healthy! A little anxiety ...

Just like every other thing in the world, if stress goes unchecked or is too frequent, there can be frightening consequences. Your body could experience a decline in the central nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular and neuroendocrine.

And honestly, what is scarier than a trip to the emergency room? Doctors and scientists have gone out of their way to discuss tips for dealing with stress—so you can avoid health scares and feel your absolute best.

How to Deal with Stress in a Healthy Way

Beat Stress with Exercise

Hitting the gym or going for a walk comes first on our list because it’s one of the most fantastic ways to get your body and mind relaxed. Ironically, most of us who would love to experience these exercising benefits hardly ever find the time to make it happen!

Dr. Edward Group, Founder of Global Healing Center, stated that exercise helps you to feel stronger and better energized. It emits neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine which leaves you strong and feeling good thereby curbing stress.

Get in a regular sweat session at home with free YouTube workouts, DVDs, or other options. Doctor’s orders!

Fight Mental Overload with Meditation

Cutting off every distraction and finding that peaceful space to meditate and pray can be all you need to deal with stress. Research shows that it helps your body relax and keeps your mind focused. What’s more, meditating and mindful prayer help you get rid of negative emotions which could contribute to physical stress.

Meditation is so potent that the American Psychological Association recommends it to individuals, adding that it assists in generating self-compassion, forgiveness and other instant benefits.

Experience Renewal with Muscle Relaxation

With stress comes the feeling of tension and uneasiness. For this reason, taking actions to relax your muscles can help you get over such stress and exhaustion. To experience deep relaxation in your body, try:

enjoy a massage
stretch with a foam roller
take a hot shower
soak in a hot bath with Epsom sales

Gain a New Outlook when You Change Your Attitude

Stress usually originates from demands for your time and energy that you find difficult to handle. The most logical way to get out of stress is to avoid the situation that got you worked up in the first place. Easier said than done, right?

Maybe not. If your job gets you stressed to the point that Sunday afternoons are full of intense dread of Monday morning, consider updating your resume with a professional and start looking for something new.

Also, don’t work yourself up over circumstances that you can’t change. Focus on things you can control: your attitude, your time, and your thoughts.

Diva, daily living can be so crazy that it’s no wonder stress pops up every now and then. If your stress is ongoing, or leading to physical ailments, please visit your doctor.

If you’re looking for a simple way to enhance your productivity, get organized, and feel less overwhelmed by all your to-dos, download the Back to School Divas Planner! This beautiful free template includes weekly schedules, assignment lists, grocery lists and more.

group of young people around a laptop smiling and talking about work

March 27, 2019March 26, 2019

How to Apply for Internships in Grad School

Grad school internships should never be an afterthought. This is how you’ll often get your “foot in the door”, after all. Knowing how to go about applying for your ideal internships will help to ensure that you l...

Finding the Right Internship Opportunities

Before applying for an internship, you first need to learn how to find good internship opportunities. There are many streams that can help you achieve this.

Ask Your Teacher or Professor

Your teacher or professor will know about the available opportunities in your field because many times, companies will directly contact colleges about available internship opportunities.

Google Search on Intern-Specific Sites

There are plenty of sites online that are specifically dedicated to announcing internship opportunities in different fields. Sites such as LinkedIn, Wayup and YouTern can help you get started in finding the right type of internship for you.

General Google Search

A general Google search for internships in your field will help you identify what the opportunities are and where they are. Putting in your nearest town or city is also ideal when doing this.

Now that you’re clear on how to find an internship, let’s have a look at the steps it will take to apply for one.

Steps to Apply for an Internship

Identify the Internship

This first point has to do with your specific field. I’d also encourage you to be open-minded here. For instance, if you studied journalism and would like to be a magazine editor one day, if there’s an internship available for the Beauty Section of Elle magazine, there is certainly no problem in applying for one.

Although the “Beauty” section may not be something you’d ideally want to do, it is still helping you to get your “foot in the door”. Applying for this internship will also help you to broaden your mind as to what the other opportunities may be in your field that you may not have considered before.

Prepare Your Resume

If you’ve been in school your whole life or haven’t really had the opportunity to work in your field of study, don’t stress. This is an internship, after all.

All your prospective boss wants to know is what your background and interests are. To make sure that your resume is as professional as it can be, make sure that you do the following:

Include your school courses and extracurricular activities
Mention any volunteer work you’ve done in your past
Of course, if you have prior work experience, include that too
Try to be as concise and as internship-related as possible
Don’t forget to include contactable references

(Want a professional resume review by Lorraine, Founder of BacktoSchoolDivas.com? Book her now! You’ll receive a one-on-one call with Lorraine to review your goals and your experience. Your $25 review fee will be put toward any revisions you order.)

Write your Cover Letter

A resume is concise and briefly points out all the school and work experience you have had. A cover letter, on the other hand, is more personal. It highlights why you are the ideal candidate for this internship.

Try not to replicate the information from your resume here. Instead, highlight what drew you to that specific internship, what skills you have, and how that has prepared you for the internship.

Prepare for the Interview

Once you’ve applied for the internship/s (make sure that you apply to many. You want to cast the net as wide as possible) and get a call for an interview, you’ll need to prepare yourself for that big day.

Prep yourself by getting a professional outfit, practicing generic questions (such as: Tell us about yourself. Why should we choose you? What are your strengths and weaknesses?) and also make sure that you arrive early for the interview to avoid any chances of bad traffic getting in your way.

An internship will help you to take a step in the right direction of your career aspirations. Following these tips will help to ensure that you identify the right internship for you, and you know exactly how the process will unfold.

Keep track of your graduate school internship process and so much more with the official Back to School Divas planner download! You’ll get free templates for weekly planning, goal setting, meal planning, grocery lists, and so much more.

confident woman at an interview in a modern office

March 21, 2019March 20, 2019

Top Resume Tips From a Professional Resume Writer

Looking for a new job? You already know the importance of a strong resume. But what makes a resume “strong” in the first place? Today’s job hunters face new cha...

Looking for a new job? You already know the importance of a strong resume. But what makes a resume “strong” in the first place?

Today’s job hunters face new challenges. Online job boards and digital recruitment services make it easy to apply to several jobs at once. Just attach your resume and you’re done! Right?

Have your resume reviewed by Back to School Divas Founder Lorraine! Book a one-on-one review for $25 and she’ll put that money toward the cost of any revisions you purchase.

Resume Tips for College Students

Once you hit “Send”, your application goes out into the world wide web darkness. Your main source of light is your resume. But it’s not a simple as having the right experience reflected. You have to consider:

SEO keyword matches
Easy-to-download file formats
Headers, headlines and file names

These digital components can make or break your visibility in a candidate pool online.

So, how can you improve your resume and give yourself a better opportunity to land an interview?

We asked a professional Resume Writer for advice.

Briana is a Resume Writer with 3 years experience crafting resumes for the web. “In the last six months,” she says, “I have worked on six resumes, and four out of six have gotten the job.”

What did she have to say about crafting standout resumes? Read on to find out.

What makes a good resume?

“Be precise, and as informative in “short, sweet and to the point” form as you can. Applying words directly related to the job posting you are applying for, and include competencies that show you understand your work and are eager to learn more.”

What’s the best formatting or outline for a good resume?

“Bullet points. Much easier to read and understand the full story behind your experience and skill level.”

What are the most important things to include for each job you’ve been at?

“Recognition for doing your job efficiently, keywords from that job that match the one you’re now applying for and length of time spent at each job/where you worked.”

Describe your process for turning an “ok” resume into a “great” one, in as much detail as you can.

The first step to making an “ok” resume into a “BOMB” resume is vocabulary. For example, if someone says “3 years in retail” on their resume the simple fix for this to make it sound better (and have it relate to almost any job you apply for) is “3 years of experience in customer satisfaction in a retail environment utilizing first in-first out order”.

This tells the recruiter that you not only have 3 years of experience, BUT you approached each customer as if they were the only item on your agenda for that day (first in-first out order). Tweaking your wording and using the bullet point method will help the interviewer understand that you have experience, great communication skills and are well-articulated.

Keep this advice in mind as you update your resume and give yourself a head start on the online job hunt!

Want to really step up your resume game?

Have your resume reviewed by Back to School Divas Founder Lorraine!

For $25 you can have your resume reviewed in an open, one-on-one meeting with Lorraine. She’ll even put that money toward any revisions you purchase!

Ready to get started? Book a one-on-one now!

Back to School Tips

March 14, 2019March 5, 2019

Is Western Governors University Right for You: Pros & Cons

Considering online university? There are many digital colleges to choose from. At Back to School Divas, we want to help you make the right choice for you and your family. Today...

Considering online university? There are many digital colleges to choose from. At Back to School Divas, we want to help you make the right choice for you and your family.

Today we’re breaking down Western Governors University (WGU).

WGU Reviews

One of the best ways to judge an institution is through online student reviews. According to Grad Reports, WGU is a highly recommended university with 4 out of 5 Star ratings from current and past students.

WGU Programs

WGU has 4 online colleges available with more than 60 degree programs between them.

These colleges all offer accredited degree programs in the specified fields.

See a program you’re interested in? Now that you know WGU offers programs that fit your needs, let’s break down pros and cons of attending this online college.

Pros of Attending WGU

Online Programs are Convenient

Online classes are simply convenient, especially for the modern mom who has a number of things on her to-do list. You’ll be able to receive all your course material, assignments and test dates all online so that you’re able to plan ahead.

Course Mentors Available for Assistance

Many people may shy away from online courses because they’re under the impression that they won’t be able to get the support they would get from traditional classes. Well, with WGU, you’ll have course mentors and relevant professor available for consultation when you need them. Like all online college, there are also online group discussion platforms that allow you to engage with your peers.

A New Program Starts Each Month

This is, perhaps, one of the best advantageous to heading to WGU. All the WGU programs have start dates on the first of every month, all year long. This means that you don’t have to wait until spring or fall semester to start your program.

Low Tuition

College student loans debt is at an all-time high and any institution that offers more affordable courses is worth mentioning. Their site explains that “we’re about half the cost of most other online universities”. Sounds like a win.

Cons of Attending WGU

Not Ideal if You Need Face-to-Face Learning

Not everyone is crazy about online courses. Some people need face-to-face time with their lecturers and peers. If that describes you, and you and have the time to attend classes multiple a week, then WGU might not your best pick. You may consider other online universities that also offer on-campus learning including Strayer University.

You’ll Need a Serious Amount of Self-Motivation

One of the best parts about the institution is its “Competency-based education”. This means that there is a strong focus on measuring learning rather than time. For instance, if you’re able to put in the hours, then you can complete your degree program at a much shorter time frame than someone who isn’t able to put in the same amount of time. This, however, also means that you’ll need to be self-disciplined and motivated as you are the one who will ultimately decide when you complete your degree. The same runs true for any college you attend!

Know someone who wants to learn more about online colleges? Share this post with your friends and tell us how you chose your school!

smiling woman outdoors putting cash into wallet

March 7, 2019March 3, 2019

20 Scholarships for Single Moms

Going back to school could be the single best choice you make for your family as a working mom. If you’re a single mother trying to earn her degree, it may seem like the odds are doubled against you. How are you supposed to manage your kids, wor...

How are you supposed to manage your kids, work, tuition fees, and everything else in-between?

Single Mothers Are At A Financial Disadvantage

Recent studies revealed that 1 in 4 children are being raised without a father and what’s even more disheartening is that “the median income for families led by a single mother in 2016 was about $35,400, well below the $85,300 median for married couples.”

Going back to school as a single mom will no doubt have a profound effect on you and your kids’ lives.

To help you make it happen, we’ve put together a list of 20 scholarships for single moms in 2019 that will allow you to finally head back to school and get that degree.

20 Scholarships for Single Moms 2019

Ann and Peter Ziegler Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

If you’re majoring in Liberal Arts, this could be the scholarship for you. You’ll need to transfer to a four-year institution, have a 3.0 GPA, and preference is given to single mothers. For further details, click the link above or directly contact the scholarship committee at 505-224-3090.

Single Parent Scholarship Fund

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

Single mothers who are residents of Arkansas or Bowie County in Texas can apply for this scholarship. You’ll need a minimum 2.0 GPA and also demonstrate financial need.

Steven K. Wright Scholarship

Amount: $500

Deadline: January 31, 2020

This scholarship was started in 1994 and is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. You’ll need a minimum of 3.0 GPA and preference is given to non-traditional students or single parents. You can email the scholarship committee for further details at: finaid@westminstercollege.edu.

Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

The Beatrice F. Kroesche Foundation created this scholarship in 2001. Preference is given to single mothers and hearing and/or visually challenged female students. You’ll need a minimum GPA of 3.0. Check the website for more details, and discover other scholarships available at The University of Utah.

Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: May 12, 2019

Rhode Island students who come from low-income households and are also single parents can apply for this scholarship. A particular preference is given to previously incarcerated parents, as well as those who are currently or were previously receiving state aid. Contact their scholarship committee at info@rifoundation.orgfor more details.

EFWA Scholarships

Amount: $1,000 – $16,000

Deadline: April 30, 2019

If you’re pursuing an accounting degree, the EFWA scholarships may help you with your tuition. You’ll need to demonstrate financial need and have an aptitude for accounting and business. These scholarships are open to women in general, however, there’s a strong preference for women who are the primary financial supports of their households.

LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship

Amount: $750

Deadline: March 21, 2019

You’ll need a minimum GPA of 2.35 to qualify for this scholarship. The LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship is geared at single parents who are pursuing a career in finance, business, or banking.

Bethel Foundation Grace Scholarship Fund

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: Varies

The best part about this scholarship fund is the fact that you can reapply each semester, as the funds pay out every semester. You can be either a full time or a part-time student to qualify. You’ll need to be a single parent with the sole custody of at least one minor and be a US citizen.

Capture the Dream, Inc. Single Parent Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: June 30, 2019

College undergrad students and graduating high school seniors can apply for this scholarship fund. You’ll need to demonstrate financial need, be a Bay Area resident, and also be the legal parent or guardian of at least one minor child.

Ford Opportunity Program

Amount: Varies

Deadline: March each year

Single parents can take advantage of this scholarship program provided by Ford. You’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. You’ll also need to be an Oregon or Siskiyou County in California resident.

Frances M. Dunn Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500

Deadline: Varies

You’ll need a minimum GPA of 2.5 to qualify for this scholarship. Single mothers can check out the website page or directly contact the scholarship committee at 605-394-2511.

Michael S. and Jeffrey C. Hagler Scholarship Fund

Amount: Varies

Deadline: April 01, 2019

If you’re planning to head to the College of Western Idaho or Boise State University, then take advantage of this scholarship fund. You’ll need to be at least 24 years old and demonstrate financial need. You can email the committee directly at edavis@idcomfdn.org.

The Silver Shield Foundation

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

This foundation is aimed at the children of firefighters and police officers killed in duty. The amount varies due to the fact that they look at your specific needs to determine how much they will allocate to your tuition fees. If your parent was a firefighter or police officer and died in the line of duty, be sure to check out their site for more details on how to apply.

Calvert Family Endowed Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: January 31, 2020

You’ll need a minimum 2.5 GPA to qualify for this scholarship focusing on either married or single parents.

Deanna Forbush Endowed Scholarship

Amount: $600

Deadline: January 31, 2020

If you have strong academic records and are a single mother,this scholarship could be a great choice. You can also directly contact the scholarship committee at finaid@westminstercollege.edu.

Dr. Dean K. and Helen S. Christensen Endowed Scholarship

Amount: $1,800

Deadline: January 31, 2020

Female nursing students who are also single parents can take advantage of this scholarship fund. You’ll need a GPA of at least 2.5 and be a full-time nursing student.

Katherine A. Ellis Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: January 31, 2020

Female accounting students can take advantage of this scholarship. More preference is given to single mothers who can also demonstrate financial need. You can contact the scholarship committee for more details: finaid@westminstercollege.edu.

Park Foundation

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: June 01, 2019

Single parents, both male and female, can take advantage of this scholarship fund. You’ll need a minimum GPA of 3.0 and also be able to demonstrate financial need. The scholarship committee can be directly contacted at: scholarships@TC3.edu.

Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: August 01, 2020

You’ll need to be a single mother with a minor child or children to qualify for this scholarship fund. You’ll also need to be from a low-income household.

Frank Kennedy Vernoy Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: January 31, 2020

You’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA and be from a low-income household to apply for this scholarship.

Want even more scholarships? Check out our big list of 50 opportunities here!

Managing school, your kids, and work can be hard. It’s even harder when you’re a single parent. Be sure to check out all these scholarship opportunities to ensure that you’re able to get the funding you need to head back to school and provide a better life for you and your kids.

If you’re looking for support on your back to school journey, be sure to join the Back to School Divas Facebook Group, where hundreds of women share stories, tips, and insights.

Back to School Tips

February 28, 2019February 27, 2019

Should I Switch Majors?

So, you’re a year or two into your college journey and you’re starting to feel like, maybe, you made the wrong choice about your major. Courses in your major don’t excite...

So, you’re a year or two into your college journey and you’re starting to feel like, maybe, you made the wrong choice about your major.

Courses in your major don’t excite you. Honestly, you’re not even sure you want to pursue a career in the same field you did when you registered.

What do you do?

Should You Switch Majors?

Making the choice to switch majors in college can be tough. You don’t want to lose credits you’ve worked hard for or — even worse — increase the weight of your student debt.

To be sure you’re making the right choice, first ask yourself the following:

What’s making me want to switch my current major?
How can I improve my experience in my current major? Do I need help through tough courses? Is it my professors?
What new major or career path interests me now? Why?

Once you have a deep understanding of what’s causing you to seek change, you can determine if you truly want to continue with the process.

How to Change Majors: First Steps

If you’re considering starting a new graduation track, the first thing you’ll want to do is schedule some time with your College Advisor. Your Advisor’s top priority is helping you succeed, and with their wealth of knowledge and experience, they’re a great option for advice.

In general, students in their first 2 years of college (or first 60 credits) will have a less-risky route to changing majors. That’s because those first credits are made up of your “basic” courses. The courses that set the foundation for your future degree are usually easily applicable to almost any track you choose.

The further into your current track you are, the more challenging it may be to switch without some penalties. That’s why switching majors in your junior year of college can be a risk — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.

How to Work With Your Advisor to Change Majors

Ready to start the process? Schedule some time with your College Advisor. Come prepared for an in-depth discussion:

Bring your college transcript and current course list
Bring the course list for your desired new major
Write down your questions ahead of time

At the time you schedule your meeting, request a Degree Audit or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). This will help you and your Advisor get a full-picture view of your credits, certifications, life experience, and extracurriculars. Together, you can determine if your desired switch and your previous experience are a good match.

Remember that when it comes to changing majors, you’re not alone. Up to 50% of college students will switch majors at least once in their college journey (that number is highest in STEM-related fields.)

With help from your Advisor and a lot of self-searching, we’re confident you’ll make a great choice.

Switching majors, choosing majors, and surviving your adult college experience is what we know best! Join the Back to School Divas Facebook Group to share stories, ask questions, and connect with women who share your experiences.

Ready to switch majors? Get organized and on track with our FREE Back to School Divas planner template. Grab the link when you sign up for our email list.

February 20, 2019February 20, 2019

Is Strayer University For You: Pros & Cons

When it comes to online universities, Strayer University has been making waves. With a spokesperson like Queen Latifah, and commercials airing all the time, it’s hard not to notice them! Read more

When it comes to online universities, Strayer University has been making waves. With a spokesperson like Queen Latifah, and commercials airing all the time, it’s hard not to notice them!

If you’re considering attending one of Strayer University’s online programs, you’ll want to get informed on what the school offers, the tuition prices, and what other students have to say about it.

We’ve got you covered.

We’re here to breakdown the pros and cons of attending Strayer University, so you can determine for yourself what’s best for you.

Strayer University: The Good Stuff

Affordable Tuition and Financial Aid Opportunities

Strayer cites it’s base price per course as $1465. Unlike many schools, Strayer prices per course, rather than per hour. This flat rate doesn’t include fees like lab fees or administrator fees, however.

This rate compares well to some other popular online university tuition fees:

Strayer University: $1,465 per course
University of Phoenix: $1,195 per course
Capella University: $1,062-$2,460 per quarter

When you apply to attend Strayer, a Financial Advisor will walk you through the process of applying for aid. You’ll learn how much you could qualify for, as well as final dues before you start the semester.

PS: You can explore 2019 scholarships you can apply for right now here.

Variety of Online Programs

With options for Certificates, Associate, Graduate and Master’s degrees, Strayer University is competitive in the online college space.

Associates:

Arts in Accounting
Arts in Information Systems
Arts in Acquisition and Contract Management
Arts in Marketing
Arts in Business Administration
Arts in Information Technology

Bachelors:

Science in Accounting
Science in Information Systems
Business Administration
Science in Information Technology
Science in Criminal Justice
Applied Science in Management

Masters:

Education
Science in Health Services Administration
Science in Accounting
Science in Information Systems
Public Administration
Science in Management
Business Administration
Science in Information Assurance
Human Resource Management

Earn Credit For Your Experience

Strayer University takes into account the rich life you’ve already lived. They may accept credit from your previous work and life experience, education and equivalency exams. You can also receive credit for military training and experience.

Good Reputation and High Retention

Compared to some other popular online university’s Strayer University has a positive reputation in the community. You’ll have access to resources including advisors, career development services, and technical support. The retention rate is also reported to be higher than average for online colleges.

Strayer University: The Challenges

Larger Class Sizes

One benefit of online college is the ability to train at your own pace, in a more efficient manner. However, for a popular school like Strayer University, that may not always be the case. Comparison Shop has reported larger-than-average class sizes, which can make it difficult to connect with professors and get the one-on-one help you need.

Difficulty With Financial Aid Department

Some students report challenges communicating with the FA department at Strayer. While there may not be a solid reason for that, many online colleges report these types of concerns.

Is Strayer University a top pick for you, or do you have another school in mind? Let us know in the comments below! You can also check out our review of Phoenix University here!