Self-Care | Motivational Video

What are the things you do for your self-care? How do you make time for self-care? On a scale of 1-10, how important do you feel self-care is important to your well being? For me self care is very important, it is something that I put on my ...

Read more

What are the things you do for your self-care?

How do you make time for self-care?

On a scale of 1-10, how important do you feel self-care is important to your well being?

For me self care is very important, it is something that I put on my schedule.

In this video, we will be talking about some tips on how you can do self-care.

Going back to school and need support?

Join the Back to School Divas FB Community
http://bit.ly/2q40BUH

Get Featured in the BTSD Blog
http://bit.ly/BTSDFeaturedDiva

Read more about this month’s featured Divas
http://bit.ly/DivaSpotlight

Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/backtoschooldivas/

Follow Us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/backtoschooldivas

Get the ‘Everything You Need to Pass Your College Papers’ FREE Download
http://bit.ly/3boIS0O

Coping with Depression

Divas, I know some of you are being too hard on yourself. Maybe some of you are feeling depressed right now because you are working full time, going to school, taking care of kids, etc., Let's talk about how you can deal and cope with depressio...

Read more

Divas, I know some of you are being too hard on yourself.

Maybe some of you are feeling depressed right now because you are working full time, going to school, taking care of kids, etc.,

Let’s talk about how you can deal and cope with depression while reaching your goals 😘❤️

Going back to school and need support?

Join the Back to School Divas FB Community
http://bit.ly/2q40BUH

Get Featured in the BTSD Blog
http://bit.ly/BTSDFeaturedDiva

Read more about this month’s featured Divas
http://bit.ly/DivaSpotlight

Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/backtoschooldivas/

Follow Us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/backtoschooldivas

Get the ‘Everything You Need to Pass Your College Papers’ FREE Download
http://bit.ly/3boIS0O

Stop Being Hard On Yourself

Stop being so hard on yourself, Divas‼️  Don't get down, don't stress yourself out, stop beating yourself. Be happy with your accomplishments and have the courage to take a leap of faith. Lift and hold yourself up! Celebrate the journey at...

Read more

Stop being so hard on yourself, Divas‼️  Don’t get down, don’t stress yourself out, stop beating yourself.

Be happy with your accomplishments and have the courage to take a leap of faith. Lift and hold yourself up!

Celebrate the journey at EVERY step no matter the outcome! If you want

Going back to school and need support?

Join the Back to School Divas FB Community
http://bit.ly/2q40BUH

Get Featured in the BTSD Blog
http://bit.ly/BTSDFeaturedDiva

Read more about this month’s featured Divas
http://bit.ly/DivaSpotlight

Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/backtoschooldivas/

Follow Us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/backtoschooldivas

Get the ‘Everything You Need to Pass Your College Papers’ FREE Download
http://bit.ly/3boIS0O

PLANNING FOR 2021 | What Keeps Me Motivated

One of the things that motivated me the most is thinking about building a better life with my children when I went back to school. There was a time when I was about to give up and all I did was to think about all the sacrifices I made. How about y...

Read more

One of the things that motivated me the most is thinking about building a better life with my children when I went back to school. There was a time when I was about to give up and all I did was to think about all the sacrifices I made.

How about you divas, what keeps you moving through this journey?

Going back to school and need support?

Join the Back to School Divas FB Community
http://bit.ly/2q40BUH

Get Featured in the BTSD Blog
http://bit.ly/BTSDFeaturedDiva

Read more about this month’s featured Divas
http://bit.ly/DivaSpotlight

Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/backtoschooldivas/

Follow Us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/backtoschooldivas

Get the ‘Everything You Need to Pass Your College Papers’ FREE Download
http://bit.ly/3boIS0O

Women Coping with Adult ADHD in College

ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is an extremely common neurodevelopmental disorder that is typically diagnosed in childhood. However, ADHD can be diagnosed in adults, too. Because ADHD can make it hard to focus, it ca...

Read more

ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is an extremely common neurodevelopmental disorder that is typically diagnosed in childhood. However, ADHD can be diagnosed in adults, too.

Because ADHD can make it hard to focus, it can have an impact on your college career. With so much of your day-to-day schedule determined by you, you want access to the best tools for success.

Watch this video to learn how you can cope up with ADHD in College.

Going back to school and need support?

Join the Back to School Divas FB Community
http://bit.ly/2q40BUH

Get Featured in the BTSD Blog
http://bit.ly/BTSDFeaturedDiva

Read more about this month’s featured Divas
http://bit.ly/DivaSpotlight

Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/backtoschooldivas/

Follow Us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/backtoschooldivas

Get the ‘Everything You Need to Pass Your College Papers’ FREE Download
http://bit.ly/3boIS0O

How this woman makes $140K a year with JUST a 2 year Degree

How THIS woman makes $140K A Year WITH a 2 year Degree

You thought going back to school would be a step toward a bigger paycheck, but you found out that the idea wasn’t all it was hyped up to be? You’ve got mountains of student debt and...

Read more

How THIS woman makes $140K A Year WITH a 2 year Degree

You thought going back to school would be a step toward a bigger paycheck, but you found out that the idea wasn’t all it was hyped up to be? You’ve got mountains of student debt and degree after degree and you haven’t even cracked 6 figures yet?

 

As costs of a college education rise and salaries seem to stagnate, many women are realizing that going to school longer for the traditional 4-year degree doesn’t necessarily help them bring in the big bucks. In some cases, it only helps them get into more debt.

 

LendEdu analyzed a College Pulse survey of 7,000 college students from nearly 1,000 colleges and universities and found that students, on average, expect to earn $60,000 in their first job out of college.

 

But a recent survey from LendEdu shows actual salaries are closer to $50,000.

 

Yet, there is hope for those who are looking to follow a less traditional route.

 

Read the interview below to learn how Neece Lewis, age 32, was able to turn a 2-year degree in Industrial Systems Technology into a $140K a year job in Nuclear Power.

 

Back to School Divas: Nuclear Power is such a non-traditional field for women. What made you decide to go in that direction?
Neece Lewis: Lol! I get that question more than you know but truth be told…I wanted to try something different. I found no interest in the conventional jobs that were for women.

I loved math but didn’t want to be behind a desk. I loved figuring out things and how they work but absolutely hated the idea of sitting behind a screen all day. So, I actually started off as a mechanic and all of these men thought I was a joke with my nails and hair but I was good… damn good…

Later I had the opportunity to work in the nuclear field. In this field, they usually promote within and I passed every test I sat down to take. So, now I’m here as a Nuclear System Operator and I absolutely love it…

What program did you attend?
I went to a local community college named Wallace Community College (WCC)…I majored in Industrial Systems Technology.
But nuclear power can be so broad that anything in science, technology, engineering, or maintenance can get you a foot through the door.

How old were you when you started the program?
I was 26 when I returned to school (32 now). I graduated when I was 32.

I was the same age when I graduated! What is the best way to get into the field of Nuclear Power?
Experience or a certification/degree that relates to technology, engineering, maintenance, or engineering. They need more women as they are currently trying to make this field more diverse. So, being a woman gets you a leg up.

How is work-life balance?
Ehhh… I personally love it. I do work shift work which I know a lot of people don’t like but my regular work schedule consists of me working only 14-16 days a month (either days or nights…12 hr shifts)…but they give us ample amount of vacation days where I can reduce that if I’d like to and we have extra help on shift if you should have to leave for any emergencies…

Do you have children also?
Yes. Two (a daughter-7, a son-10)

Awwww, how old were they when you started the program?
Lol!! My daughter was 2 and my son was 5.

Oh, wow! Was it hard to manage them and the Industrial Systems Technology program as well?
Yes! I can’t lie. I was a single parent and had no help from their bio fathers. The program work, itself, was pretty easy and it consisted of a lot of hands-on work. Juggling that, working, and my kids is what made it hard. I also received a scholarship that would pay me 11$/hr at 20 hours a week but it wasn’t enough to care for my children so I ended up having to work 2 jobs and go to school.

There are a lot of companies that are invested in these types of programs at community colleges because this field is needed. They paid for all my tuition and school supplies/tools…and when I graduated, they gave me a full-time job with beginning pay at 26$/hr! So it was worth it in the end.

It sounds like it! Do you know if any of those companies specifically?
I don’t…it usually depends on the school so, the admissions department would be a great place to ask for all that info

Anything else you want to add that you think other women might need to know?
There are a lot of unconventional jobs that we can be awesome at. Women are needed! We tend to have a gift of attention to detail! We are more than teachers, social workers, and nurses. We are engineers, we are doctors…we are important. These other industries need us.

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I’m sure this will help many of our readers!
Thank you ❤️

 

Follow Back to School Divas via Facebook or click here to join the Back to School Divas FB Group to get advice on all of your degree questions in real-time!

 

Do you have a high earning degree? Tell us about it in the comments!

Woman listening to headphones on a commute

10 Best Audiobooks & Podcasts to Get Motivated

Woman listening to headphones on a commute

Daily life and daily routines can simply wear you down. And when you have one of those days when nothing goes right, you tend to feel even worse. No matter if you have an argument with a friend, if your teenager has a bad day, or if ...

Read more

Daily life and daily routines can simply wear you down. And when you have one of those days when nothing goes right, you tend to feel even worse. No matter if you have an argument with a friend, if your teenager has a bad day, or if your boss just took the day to criticize your work.

 

The reality is that we all have days like these. And when we have them, the best thing you can do is to motivate yourself. But how?

 

One of the best things you can do is to listen to an inspirational and motivational audiobook or podcast. While there are a lot of great options out there, we hand-selected the 10 best audiobooks and podcasts to get motivated.

 

#1:  The 10X Rule By Grant Cardone

When you are feeling down and you need that extra push to motivate you, you can be sure that The 10X Rule will do it. This audiobook is meant for people who like to think for themselves and question their own decisions and actions as a way to improve.

 

#2:  The 12 Week Year By Bruan P. Moran

This is another amazing audiobook that we are sure is going to motivate you even on your worst days. The main goal of this audiobook is to teach you how to stay focused on your actions.

 

According to the author, “execution is the single greatest market differentiator.” and it’s what makes the difference between people who accomplish their goals and the ones that don’t.

 

#3:  Changeability By Kathryn Bryant And Julian Illman

This weekly podcast is really something. In their weekly podcasts, the hosts provide techniques, tools, and interviews to help you make positive changes in your own life. From setting goals to improving mind management, improving physical health, are just some of the topics covered.

 

#4:  Rich Dad Poor Dad By Robert T. Kiyosaki

This is probably one of the most popular books of the last decade. And you can now have it as an audiobook and we are certain that you’re going to love it.

While this audiobook is more related to thinking about money from a different perspective, the reality is that you can get the motivation you need if you stop working for the money, as the author says.

 

#5:  The School of Greatness

Lewis Howes, a former pro athlete, is the host of this motivational podcast. As you know, athletes, especially pro athletes, need to develop motivational thinking on their own. In fact, many professional sports already include professional motivators to help athletes reach better performance.

In this podcast, you will be able to take Lewis knowledge, techniques, tips, and even personal stories to improve your own life in many different aspects.

 

#6:  Living With A Seal By Jesse Itzler

Before you go ahead and get this audiobook, it is worth to mention that it has a lot of f’words all over the place. However, we believe that the result and what you get from this audiobook can really be motivational.

As you know, Seals need to go through a hard training, both physical and mental, in order to become Seals. With this audiobook, you will understand and realize that you can do a lot more and a lot better than what you currently do. All you need is the right motivator and this is what you get from this amazing audiobook.

 

#7: The Brendon Show

When you are looking for motivation in your life, then you should consider this podcast. The author is a personal development coach and a motivational speaker. What we like about this podcast is that Brendon, the host, speaks about his personal experiences and what he learned from each one of them.

 

#8: Invisibilia

Hosted by Alix Spiegel, Lulu Miller, and Hanna Rosin, this podcast is a bit different from all the others in this list. The reality is that it discusses some invisible concepts that tend to control your beliefs, behaviors, emotions, assumptions, and even cultural norms.

In this podcast, the hosts interview innovative thinkers who tend to look at problems from a completely different perspective. Ultimately, they end up motivating you by teaching more about these invisible forces and how you can prevent them from affecting you.

 

#9:  Goals! How To Get Everything You Want Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible By Brian Tracy

This audiobook is definitely a hit in what comes to motivation. No matter what you think you want to become or where you think you’re going to be in the future, you need to have goals. Written goals. And you need to work to reach these goals.

 

#10:  Good Life Project

Jonathon Fields is the host of this podcast and his goal is to help you live a more connected, meaningful, and vital life. While the host speaks about a wide variety of topics, the main thing to retain is the actionable advice they all offer. And you can be sure they can be incredibly motivating.

 

Want even more motivation? Join the Back to School Divas Facebook Group to connect with real women on their college journey! Their stories will inspire and motivate you.

stressed African American woman sitting in front of laptop at work

How to Deal with Stress: Doctor’s Advice

stressed African American woman sitting in front of laptop at work

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 ...

Read more

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 inspires drive and enhances your natural abilities to handle tasks and deliver results.

 

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.

 

Miss J clutching neck and saying "oooo child"

 

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.

 

young woman completing application to online college

Is the University of Phoenix Right for You: Pros & Cons

young woman completing application to online college

Earning your degree as a working mom or wife has never been easier. Don’t get me wrong, you’re still going to need to put in a whole lot of time and energy into earning that degree, but a little thing called “technology” has made the process ...

Read more

Earning your degree as a working mom or wife has never been easier. Don’t get me wrong, you’re still going to need to put in a whole lot of time and energy into earning that degree, but a little thing called “technology” has made the process so much more achievable.

 

Online classes have been a great savior for many working moms and one of the best institutions to offer a variety of online programs is the University of Phoenix.

 

University of Phoenix is the largest private University in the United States. Students can apply for any of its many online programs or simply do things the old-fashioned way by attending classes at select campus locations. Since you’re a working mom with tons on your to-do list, you’re probably leaning more towards the earlier option.

 

What Programs are Available?

The University of Phoenix offers students a variety of courses at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree level. Check out their degree programs if your career aspirations are in any of the following fields.

 

  • Business & Management
  • Teacher Education
  • Social Science
  • Information Technology
  • Accounting & Finance

 

Before settling on the institution, you want to weigh up your pros and cons.

 

 

Pros of Attending The University of Phoenix

 

The Convenience Factor

Online programs make it possible to keep up with all your personal commitments. If you have PTA meetings on Fridays, work presentations on Wednesdays, and your kid’s soccer matches on Thursdays, you can still attend all of these events while also furthering your studies.

You can plan ahead of time as you’ll receive all your course material, assignments, and due dates at the beginning of the course. This convenience will allow you to know when to dedicate time to studying and when you can focus on the other tasks on your long to-do list.

 

It Doesn’t Matter When You Log On

You can access your online study material at your own convenience and then, when it suits you, join the student discussion forums that will be available for your class. When you join these forums, you can leave a comment that can be read by other students or read through any of the previous discussions. All this is, of course, possible without everyone being online at the same time.

You are also able to set up appointments or phone calls with relevant faculty members as needed.

 

Tuition Guarantee

It is common knowledge that furthering your studies can be quite costly. The worst part is that tuition goes up every year … except at the University of Phoenix. They have a “tuition guarantee” that will lock your tuition from your program’s start to finish.

This means that if you take a little longer to complete your program, you won’t be affected by increasing tuition. Your tuition will be locked in the moment you register to the University.

This is a great argument to pitch your boss if you’re interested in tuition reimbursement from your employer.

 

Easily Transfer or Earn Credits

If you’re a transfer from another regionally accredited community college, you can easily transfer those credits to your degree program at the University.

If you don’t have credit, don’t worry about it. There are several avenues that you can use to earn credits.

 

Cons of Attending The University of Phoenix

 

Some Degrees Require Hands-on Programs

Not all online programs are made for every career path. For instance, if you would like to be a nurse, then you need clinical experience before you can qualify to work with patients. Because of this, The University of Phoenix gears their nursing program towards registered nurses who are interesting in furthering their studies.

 

“Team Learning” Component for Each Class

This can be both a pro and a con. learning to collaborate and work in a team will provide you with the necessary skills required to help you work better with your colleagues. But, if any of your team members are slacking, this will affect your grade.

 

Choosing to go back to school is a great step in helping you achieving your career aspirations. The University of Phoenix might just be the perfect place to get that ball rolling.

 

If you would like more information, join the Back to School Divas Facebook group! Meet real women who have attended the University and other online colleges you may be interested in.