African American nurse smiling at elderly patient in hospital bed

How Registered Nurses Can Balance Work and School Like Superheroes

A registered nurse’s daily schedule is not easy, and now you want to head back to school? How on earth are you going to manage? Balancing nursing school with work and family is a big commitment. You’ll have to find the time to attend...

A registered nurse’s daily schedule is not easy, and now you want to head back to school? How on earth are you going to manage?

Balancing nursing school with work and family is a big commitment. You’ll have to find the time to attend classes, do your research, submit assignments, and stay focused on your work. Before you think this is a task that only a select few superheroes can achieve, know that many women before you have come out on the other side. You just need the right tools in hand.

Let’s have a look at how you can better manage your work, school, and home lives as a working nurse.

1. Communicate With Your Family and Work

Communicating with your family about your desire to go back to school is very important, especially in the early stages. You’ll need to make it clear to your partner what going back to school will mean to you so that you two can figure out a way to re-evaluate your responsibilities, and you’ll have time to concentrate on your studies.

Let the kids know to expect some changes in the house as well. If they are older, they can take on more responsibilities to help lessen the load. Consider assigning daily chores and tasks and keeping them all in a central place. This is a great time to structure personal responsibility, and help outsource to-do’s around the house while you adjust to your new schedule.

Finally, it could be beneficial to let your workplace know about your schedule changes and updates. Your job may be able to assist you financially with your return to school.

2. Understand Your Peak Study Periods

There are certain times of the day where you’re simply more productive. It may be in the early hours of the morning before the kids wake up, or late at night while everyone’s asleep and it’s super quiet.

Once you understand your circadian rhythm, you’ll be able to use it to your advantage. Schedule your studying times around this time so that you get the most out of your sessions.

3. Consider a Support System

Of course, you can always turn to close family and friends to give you that motivational speech you may need when you feel like giving up, but consider a support system from people who know exactly what you’re going through – your classmates.

You may be surprised to find out that there are plenty of other mothers in your class. Make friends. Share tips and even share babysitting recommendations.

Knowing that you’re not alone and there are plenty of other mothers out there in similar shoes who can help to give you that boost you need from time to time.

4. Look into Part-time Programs

If you’re a registered nurse and have a family, you are more than likely already spread thin. Adding school work to this equation is, without a doubt, not going to be easy.

One option you should definitely consider is part-time programs. Although they may take a little longer to complete, it might be what you need to keep sane as less of your time will be required each week. This is the principle of many online schools today—including one of the most popular, University of Phoenix.

In the Back to School Divas Facebook group, we’ve got members from around the country who are working mothers going back to school. We asked for their tips to help you power through:

LaTonya Grant said, “I work at the states mental health inpatient hospital…Stress is an understatement…I work two 16 hour shifts and one 8 hour each week…Plus school…Praying…Relaxing…And exercising helps me with my stress.”

Chanda Delia Wilson added “I worked as a contract nurse through the state and federal. I did this so I can make my own schedule.”

Bottom line: you’re not alone.

To get even further, and stay organized in the process, be sure to download the free Back to School Divas planner. This free resource includes templates for goal setting schedules, meal planning, grocery lists, and more.

2019 planner with checklist for goals, plans, and actions

December 27, 2018December 27, 2018

How to Set Resolutions For School, Work & Family That Stick: Make 2019 Your Year!

We all want to set resolutions and kick butt when the new year comes around. The end of the year is a time when most of us reflect on what we've accomplished, and start to think about what we’d like to achieve in the following year. Se...

We all want to set resolutions and kick butt when the new year comes around. The end of the year is a time when most of us reflect on what we’ve accomplished, and start to think about what we’d like to achieve in the following year.

Setting New Year’s resolutions is something human beings have been doing for over four thousand years! Although we’ve been doing it for a while, it doesn’t mean we’ve managed to get the hang of it.

How many times have you set the resolution of eating healthier in the new year and a month or two later, found yourself at the nearest fast food restaurant after work? How many times have you promised yourself to start that side hustle you’ve been dreaming about, only to get to the end of the year with no progress made?

The truth is, setting resolutions that stick doesn’t come naturally to many people. In fact, most people need a little help. If you’re tired of not accomplishing your new year’s resolutions and want to finally set resolutions that stick, you’ve come to the right page.

Start by Setting Small, Achievable Goals

Setting small, achievable goals will help to ensure that you reach your target and stay motivated to keep going. For instance, if you’d like to get fit, aim for 3 to 4 gym sessions a week. For an unfit person who hardly goes to the gym, this is much more achievable than aiming to the gym 6 to 7 days a week.

Share your 2019 Goals with Others

Speaking to your close family and friends about your resolutions will help to keep you motivated and focused because you won’t want to let them down. If you’re planning on quitting smoking, joining a support group can help you be around others who are going through similar struggles and help give you the strength that you’ll need to keep going.

Be open to sharing your resolutions as you never know where you can find strength that will motivate you to strive harder.

Take it One Day at a Time

You’re not going to achieve your resolutions overnight. Remember that whatever unhealthy habit you’re trying to kick developed over a long period of time and being patient with yourself is the only way you’re going to change it.

For instance, if you’re trying to eat healthier, you can start by aiming to drink more water, instead of cutting out all the unhealthy foods from your diet in one go. Once you’re comfortable with drinking lots of water daily, you can then start by cutting out unhealthy carbs and replacing them with whole grains, for example.

You can aim to cut out one unhealthy habit per month or per week and slowly, you’ll begin to develop that healthier lifestyle you’ve always wanted.

Reward Yourself

Giving yourself small rewards is a great way to encourage yourself to keep going, especially during the difficult days. Your rewards don’t have to be grand at all, they just need to be small things that will put a smile on your face as you reach your milestones. Reward yourself with a trip to the movies, going to a comedy special, or just a simple massage or bubble bath when you’ve achieved what you want.

There is no better time to start setting your new year’s resolutions than right now. Sit and think about them carefully. Decide on what you really want to achieve in the new year and then apply the above.

Want to learn even more tips and tricks on becoming your best self on your back to school journey and beyond? Join our email list and become a member of our Back to School Divas Facebook group!

Beautiful girl with Christmas gifts isolated white background

December 20, 2018December 20, 2018

Gift Guide for Moms Going Back to School

Searching for the perfect gift for mom going back to school? We put together a few of our favorite options into our first-ever gift guide for moms going back to school to resume pursuing their academic dreams. While the list may not incl...

While the list may not include a whole village or breakfast with giraffes (looking at you Goop), it does have a selection of gifts for moms going back to school.

Let’s dive right into the gift guide!

Canon PIXMA MX490 Wireless Office All-in-One Inkjet Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine

Reliable, multipurpose and affordable. These three traits best define the Canon PIXMA MX490. This affordable, multipurpose printer combo is the perfect addition to this gift guide for busy moms going back to school.

Whether they have to print out quick assignments for themselves or their kids, or if their goal is to print out grocery lists, budget sheets, and electronic receipts, this powerhouse of a printer would be able to serve those needs.

The best part is that it doesn’t break the bank at $55. Practical and effective, it is easily one of the best gifts for moms who’d appreciate functionality and ease of use. Do them a favor and save them a lot of trips to the local store or the library for pricey prints!

YOREPEK Water Resistant Backpack with USB Charging Port

Moms transitioning back to student life need a few back-to-school staples to start their schooling in the right way.

A backpack is one of those staples.

Having a large backpack goes a long way to hold notebooks, laptops, and a few snacks andstaples for their kids while they juggle their own school and kids needs every day.

This YORPEK Water Resistant Backpacknot only fulfills those requirements but also comes with an additional set of handy features: a water-resistant design helps moms steer clear of unwanted spills, and a USB charging port ensures their devices do not run out of juice during their hectic day.

With a variety of both bright and muted colors to choose from, the bag is originally available at $50.99.

Robrasim Leather Journal/Refillable Travelers Notebook

With an old-school notebook, moms can focus on the task of writing and studying. Some research even suggests that writing things down in an analog style promotes better retention (perfect for long study sessions before a test!)

The Refillable Traveler’s Notebook by Robrasimdoes not only serve that purpose but does so beautifully while being clad in a luxurious, handmade leather finish. It comes with the feature of being refillable, so if it runs out of paper, it can be replaced very easily without having to do away with the whole journal.

The journal fits inside most bags easily, which also makes it easy to carry. At $18.95, it is nothing short of a bargain.

Beats PowerBeats 3 Wireless Headphones – Neighborhood Collection

There are only a few things out there that could help motivate people during work or study as much as music. This benefit is especially crucial for moms who have to focus on doing their work as fast as possible during the limited time they have.

A nice pair of headphones can bring the beauty of music to a busy mom. The Beats PowerBeats 3 Wireless Headphonesare the perfect gift choice for just that purpose.

Available in a variety of colors, these wireless headphones are a sturdy build and provide amazing sound quality. What makes them one of the great gifts for moms are their ability to be charged for only 5 minutes for one hour of playback. When fully charged, they can run for up to 12 hours.

As if these qualities were not enough, the headphones are also sweat and water resistant, so moms can count on them to be as tough as them. At a discounted price of $99.99, these headphones are perfect for those who appreciate their music.

Zimtown Nature Bamboo Folding Lapdesk

The Zimtown Nature Bamboo Folding Lapdeskturns any bed or chair into a productive yet comfortable desk setup. It’s the perfect present for a mom who also has to study every day.

With an adjustable elevated platform for the laptop and a side space to keep their phone, this lap desk makes for a fantastic stand that could help a mom work right from their safe space.

At $24.98, it is available for practically nothing as compared to what it brings to the table (pun intended).

Find Even More Ideas About Gifts for Moms

With all of these presents in the gift guide, you can make life easier for many moms out there who value comfort and productivity throughout their day.

Share this list with your friends on Facebook and help them find great gifts for moms going back to school!

To learn more managing the holidays as a mom going back to school, join the BackToSchoolDivas community today.

group of friends having dinner together in a holiday setting

December 18, 2018

How To Juggle Family, Friends and School With Holiday Priorities

Having holiday cheer is always one of your holiday priorities, but how many times does the stress of the season leave you feeling than "in the spirit?" Rather than stressing about all the things you have to do, spend time this holiday se...

Having holiday cheer is always one of your holiday priorities, but how many times does the stress of the season leave you feeling than “in the spirit?”

Rather than stressing about all the things you have to do, spend time this holiday season doing things you care about with people you love (and still get things done!)

Here are some of our best tips for juggling family, friends and school with your holiday priorities.

Set Priorities.

Do your best to remain focused on your end goals. Make a list of what matters most to you (family, travel, earning a 4.0 GPA, health & fitness) and keep it handy when you have to choose whether or not to add another holiday cocktail party to your holiday priorities agenda.

Ask For Help.

The American Psychological Association noted in a poll that 25% of Americans reported being “extremely stressed” during the holidays. 69% of those participants noted a “lack of time” as being the culprit. Help curb stress by asking for help when you need it. Stressing over hosting the annual holiday party? Ask a friend or two to help decorate or bring food. Struggling with your workload? Ask a coworker to help cover some of your projects. Make your mental health one of your holiday priorities by asking for help when you need it.

Be Proactive.

Life’s full of craziness (like unexpected overnight guests), but when it comes to things like deadlines, appointments, and expectations, think ahead. Don’t let small things turn into big, scary stuff due to procrastination.

Get Enough Sleep.

“Easier said than done,” you might think. When there’s family, friends, and plenty of eggnog involved, it’s easy to start feeling like you’re running on empty by the time real life strikes. Make rest one of your holiday priorities by setting a bedtime for yourself and sticking to it.

Be Ok Saying No.

For some, this is one of the hardest holiday priorities to put into practice. When another coworker or friend invites you for a White Elephant, don’t feel the need to say “yes” right away. Take a moment to consider if you have the time, the energy, and the funds to attend. If the answer is “no,” you can say it. Try “oh man, I already have something planned!” If you’d rather be more honest, say “I can’t make it.” No hurt feelings for them, no anxiety for you.

Leave Yourself Room for Error.

No one’s perfect. No matter how much you plan, things can always get a little wild during the holidays. Cut yourself some slack and self-care one of your holiday priorities. Even just a few hours a week can make all the difference to your sanity. Try to be fully present in your moments to recharge (AKA Netflix bingeing doesn’t count.) Get lost instead in an activity that promotes full presence, like doing a crossword puzzle, taking a walk, or cooking a healthy, delicious meal.

Make time for others and take care of yourself with these tips! To learn even more about holiday priorities from other Divas like you, join the Back to School Divas Facebook group!

October 20, 2018November 2, 2018

New Mom Tried “The 10-3-2-1-0 Formula” For A Week And This is What Happened

Author and Business Consultant Bedros Keuilian created a system to help you sleep better, wake up earlier, get more done,...

New Mom Tried “The 10-3-2-1-0 Formula” For A Week And This is What Happened

Author and Business Consultant Bedros Keuilian created a system to help you sleep better, wake up earlier, get more done, and feel great doing it. It’s called the 10-3-2-1-0 formula!

We all want to “wake up early and get stuff done!” But with busy schedules, classes, kids, and showering, all you want to do is squeeze every last minute out of your sleep. Hello, snooze button! This method promises better sleep and improved focus.

What Is The 10-3-2-1-0 Formula?

The 10-3-2-1-0 formula breaks down like this:

10 hours before bed – No more caffeine.
3 hours before bed – No more food or alcohol.
2 hours before bed – No more work.
1 hour before bed – No more screen time (turn off all phones, TVs and computers).
0 – The number of times you will hit the snooze button in the morning.

Keuilian uses science to back up his claims. Caffeine takes longer than you might expect to leave your system (about 10 hours.) That residual caffeine lives in your system and can make it hard to unwind. Eating large meals, spicy foods, and drinking alcohol can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep all night—even though having a glass of wine in the evening may seem to make it easy. Plus, working, thinking about work, and staring at screens can keep your brain active when it’s time to turn the lights out.

This method is designed to help power down your brain so you can wake up refreshed.

Sounds interesting, right? We wanted to put this formula to the test, so we enlisted a real mom to try it out for 7 days. Would it live up to the hype?

A New Mom’s Experience with 10-3-2-1-0

New Mom Briana Scott is a Wife, Full-Time Employee, Part-Time Online Student, and Mama to 1-year-old baby girl. With so many roles and responsibilities, she was excited to try a simple method designed to help her feel better and get more done!

Briana tried the 10-3-2-1-0 formula for 7 days and reported back on her experience.

What was the first day like?

Rough! It was definitely an adjustment. Usually with the caffeine side of things, I drink a Grande size drink from Starbucks around 7 AM! To go without it, on most days, was difficult and made it hard to stay awake for homework after work. Because I have a couple classes and a full-time job to prepare for every night, I never got to bed at a decent time throughout this experiment.

How was the last day in comparison (easier, harder, did you want to quit?)

It was easier than the first day for sure, but it was something I had to keep remembering to do. So, it was almost like adding to the list of things in my day to be aware of. It was a great experiment, though, and would do it again when I’m off track.

What were some challenges you faced in doing the method each day?

Staying on top of it. There was a day or two that I forgot what I was doing with this. Again, that’s only because I had a few other things going on.

Did you notice any benefits in your work, school, or personal life?

I did! Whoop, whoop! The nights that I made myself follow the sleep part of this routine, I woke up the next day on time, refreshed and alert! I loved this result!

Does this method fit your lifestyle? Would you keep it up?

It does and it doesn’t! It holds me accountable for making sure I get the rest/relaxation I need as a parent, student, wife and full-time employee. If I can stick to something like this, I would be well-balanced all the time.

Will you try the 10-3-2-1-0 formula? Have your discovered a “secret recipe” for better sleep? Let us know in the comments!

group of working women looking at computer screen and smiling during a meeting

October 20, 2018October 29, 2018

Will Your Full-Time Job Pay For You To Go Back To School?

You have big dreams for your career. You want the corner office, the flexible hours, and definitely the pay increase. You’ve been working hard but y...

Will Your Full-Time Job Pay For You To Go Back To School?

You have big dreams for your career. You want the corner office, the flexible hours, and definitely the pay increase. You’ve been working hard but you know there’s one way to really give your career the boost it needs – going back to school.

Going back to school for working moms is possible. Sure, you’ll have to juggle work, school, taking care of the family, and that foreign concept called “having a social life”, but you don’t mind because you know it’ll all be worth it. And the best part? You may not even need to pay a cent.

There are many institutions in place that are dedicated to helping women and mothers further their studies. Some of them are grants and scholarships for moms. Some of them may even be right under your nose.

Your Job May Pay for Your College Degree

This one totally makes sense because educated and skilled employees are very valuable to a company. So how do you go about getting your tuition and other fees paid for? Well, you have to have a plan in place,of course.

When to Ask

Timing is everything. It wouldn’t make sense to ask the company to fund your schooling if you’re experiencing a bit of a slow financial period. It would also not make further sense if you are busy drowning in paperwork and have missed a few deadlines recently. Basically, you want to ask when you and your boss are both in a good space. Patience is a bit difficult sometimes but trust us on this one.

How to Ask

Speaking to HR about the company’s policy on training or education is the perfect place to start as you have to know what’s possible. Many businesses are willing to fund short courses, training or sometimes even full on degrees, as this means that their employee will come back to apply these newfound expertise into the company.

After HR has told you that it’s possible to go back to school, it is now time to convince management to pay up.

The best approach here is to highlight the benefits to the company of you going back to school. Mention the skills you’ll develop and the knowledge you will bring back to your work, after taking the particular course that you’re aiming for.

What to Expect

You may get a “yes”, “no” or “maybe”. You may even get back a “we’ll think about it”. As frustrating as it may be, you have to remember that they are not obliged to take you to school. If you get a positive response – Great! All the bBest! We’re rooting for you!

If not, don’t despair as there are alternative ways to make sure that you get the education you want.

Grants and Scholarships for Moms

There are plenty of grants and scholarships that can help you go back to school. Some are designed for womenand others for mothers, specifically. Opting for this route makes financial sense as you are not required to pay them back. It is worth mentioning though that you’re unlikely to get full funding through one grant or scholarship so applying to as many as possible should be the way to go about it!.

Can you think of other ways that working moms can get funding to go back to school? Share your thoughts in the comments section as we’d love to hear some of your ideas.And for even more money-saving tips, sign up for our newsletter!

October 20, 2018October 29, 2018

How To Go Back To School As A New Mom

It’s true what they say: it is NEVER too late to return to school as a new mom. Between feedings, changings and excitement over your little one, being a mom going back ...

How To Go Back To School As A New Mom

It’s true what they say: it is NEVER too late to return to school as a new mom. Between feedings, changings and excitement over your little one, being a mom going back to school may be the last thing in your mind. But whether you’re in the middle of pursuing your degree or you want to take the time to elevate your new family’s future. Getting started is the first step.

Focus On What Matters Most

Becoming a mom has a powerful effect on your mindset. You want to do everything you can to improve your life and your child’s, and going back to school is a great way to do that! It will be more important now than ever to allow yourself to take a break by allowing others to help in caring for your new baby.

To get started on the right foot, be sure to:

Outline Your Goals: Keep them realistic, attainable and pertinent to your future career. Articulate your goals to friends and family who support you. Find a study partner who is on a similar track.
Evaluate Your Lifestyle: Choose the college environment that’s best for you and suits your learning needs and style.
Find Help: Locate an advisor to help you devise your course of study and to keep you on track.

Create A New School-Friendly Lifestyle

Once you’ve decided exactly how you want to go back to school as a new mom, experiment and discover a new way of life that allows all your needs to be met.

Set yourself up for back-to-school success by:

Choosing course times and styles that are convenient for you
Build a support system by enlisting your partner, an older child, trusted friend, or a babysitter to watch and care for your newborn while you study
Create a reasonable timeline for completing school (3 years, 4 years, any breaks) and share with your loved ones! Not only can they better understand why and how things are changing around the house, they can serve as your accountability partners.
Remember to make yourself a priority in the household as well. Schedule time away from everything to do an activity you love, care for your body by going to the gym, or relaxing in any way you like.

When you’re going through a big life change, finding a community of like-minded women who share your challenges is crucial! Sharing your jouenry as a new mother going back to school and knowing there are others going through a similar challenge can keep us on track and hold us accountable to completing what we set out to do.

The Back to School Divas Facebook group is a great place to explore! There are hundreds of women like you sharing inspiration, challenges, and friendship there.