Family * Travel * Food

Tips to Make the Transition from High School to College Student

Congratulations! You've made it through high school, and now it's time for the next step: college. For many students, this is an exciting and challenging transition. College life is different from high school life in many ways, and one of the biggest changes is living in a dorm. In this blog post, we'll give you some tips on how to prepare for this transition and make the most of your college experience.

Start Packing Early

One of the first things you should do when preparing for college is start packing early. Don't wait until the last minute to start packing your bags. Make a list of everything you'll need for your dorm room and start shopping for these items. Keep in mind that most dorm rooms are small, so you'll need to be strategic about what you bring. Some essential items to consider include bedding, towels, toiletries, a mini-fridge, and a microwave. Check with your college to see if there are any restrictions on what you can bring, as some colleges prohibit certain items like hot plates.

Connect with Roommates

Living in a dorm means you'll be sharing your living space with other students. It's essential to connect with your roommates before you move in. Consider reaching out to them over social media or email to introduce yourself and start getting to know each other. Discussing things like sleeping habits, study habits, and guest policies can help you establish some ground rules and avoid any potential conflicts. 

Learn about Dorm Life

Living in a dorm is different from living at home or in an apartment. You'll be sharing common areas like the bathroom and kitchen, and you'll need to be considerate of your neighbors. Take some time to learn about dorm life before you move in. Read up on your college's policies on things like quiet hours and guest policies. You may also want to find out if there are any events or activities planned for move-in day, as this can be a great opportunity to meet other students and get involved in campus life.

Develop Time Management Skills

College can be a busy and demanding time, so it's essential to develop good time management skills early on. Start by setting a schedule for yourself, including time for studying, attending classes, and socializing. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of important dates like exams and assignments. You may also want to consider finding a part-time job or volunteering to help you stay organized and manage your time effectively.

Be Open-Minded

College is a time for exploration and growth, so it's important to be open-minded and willing to try new things. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and explore different areas of interest. Consider joining a club or organization that aligns with your interests or trying out a new sport or activity. This can be a great way to meet new people and make connections on campus.

Take Care of Yourself

Finally, it's essential to take care of yourself as you transition to college life. This means taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise. You may also want to consider seeking out resources like counseling services or support groups to help you manage any stress or anxiety you may be experiencing.

The transition from high school to college can be challenging, but it's also an exciting time of growth and exploration. By following these tips, you can prepare for the transition to college and living in a dorm, and make the most of your college experience. Remember to be open-minded, stay organized, and take care of yourself, and you'll be well on your way to success in college and beyond. Good luck!

SHARE:

The Pros and Cons of Student Loans

This is the time of year where many students have returned to school, whether it's grade school or college. I remember like it was yesterday when my daughters were in high school. They both were high-achieving students with bright futures ahead. They participated in so many school activities ranging from sports, clubs and community service. Those activities were very important when it came to the college application process. Colleges look for well-rounded students who do more than just get good grades. 


If you have a high schooler, you are most likely in touch with the guidance office along with the college coordinator. They are vital in helping your student understand what goals they have to reach to get to applying for college. In my years of volunteering at the high school. I learned that so many students did not take advantage of the resources that their school was offering. It's a shame, because those staff members have so many helpful tools and advice. 

Many parents often stress over saving money for college. It is not something that every family is able to do. Of course, college is not for everyone. Some students end up entering the working world since college didn't seem like it was a possibility. This is why I will again encourage parents to have their student meet with the college coordinator from their school. They have resources that you didn't know existed. They can assist with applying for scholarships as well as student loans. Is the process easy? No, it's not. It does take some real effort, but you would be surprised by how many people qualify for student loans. You can learn more here


Taking out a student loan is a huge responsibility, because obviously it has to be paid back. Student loan debt is something so many adults incur, but the end reward will be well worth it as long as you have a game plan in place. Going into college with a career goal in mind is key. If your student successfully makes it through to obtain their college diploma, they will be able to compete in the job market. Don't think that parent ends when your kid goes off to college, because they still can use your guidance to maneuver through the stages to independent adulthood. 

It is so important to give our kids the gift of financial literacy. Teach them about credit, saving money and investing early on. This will make applying for and paying back a student loan a bit easier. We have a handful of years to go with my youngest in regards to applying for a loan, but thankfully his big sisters and dad have been through the process a number of times. If you are currently dealing with your high school student or adult child looking at taking out a loan, be sure you are there to support them. Believe me, that little bit of support goes a long way. 
SHARE:

Why Should Parents Save Money for Their Children?

Although your children might still be very young, time with them seems to pass quickly. It may feel like no time has passed, yet soon they will reach their next birthdays, milestones, and, eventually, adulthood. Putting money aside for your child, no matter how small an amount, can help them to make a good start in independent living. In addition to this, the earlier you start a savings account, the more time it will have to accrue interest on top of the amounts that you deposit.


Education

While your child’s mandatory schooling years may not come at a cost, higher education usually involves student loans, or upfront payments, unless your child is eligible for a scholarship. Something like a master's degree in speech language pathology could possibly help your child to advance in their career, but may not be something they would consider without a form of financial backing. Putting money away each week or month, even when they are a baby, can help to contribute towards tuition fees, as well as any other materials they might need to complete their course. Even if your child doesn’t want to gain a higher education, there may be other types of education they wish to pursue, or even tools they might need to gain employment in a certain career.


First Car

When your child reaches a certain age, they may want some level of independence while still living within the family home. Being able to pay for driver’s education, as well as a cheap first car, may be difficult to achieve, especially if your child has many school commitments that prevent them from taking on more hours at a part-time job. Lessons could be taken over an extended period of time, or in a single, intensive course. Having some money put aside can help your child to gain this extra freedom. Of course, they will still have to find the money for gas for the car, but at least you can rest assured that you have helped them along the way.


First Home

Your child buying their very first home may be decades away, but that doesn’t mean it is something that shouldn’t be thought about. The down payment for a home can vary, depending on where you live, as well as the average house price at the time, and even due to the income you have. This can be very difficult for anyone, so you may want to try to ease the burden on your child as much as possible. If they have even a percentage of the money towards the down payment of their home, this can cut down on the length of time it will take to save up for the rest of the amount.

Putting money aside during the early years doesn’t mean your child needs to go without in the present. By figuring out how much you can feasibly put aside each month, a little nest egg can be built up over the years which will make your child’s transition to adulthood that little bit easier.
SHARE:

Getting Ready For Graduation Season With Basic Invite

It is so hard to believe that we will soon enter the month of April. I mean really, where did the time go? We just celebrated our son's 13th birthday and are still working through our feelings on that one! In just another couple months, our younger daughter will hit another big milestone in her life. She will be walking across the stage to accept her diploma for her grad school program. And guess what? Later this year in December, my older daughter will be doing the very same thing herself! It's unreal thinking about having two of your children completing grad school and moving into the next stages of their adult lives. 

Today's conversation is sponsored by Basic Invite

We have such big milestones to start planning for and celebrating. Like us, many families are getting ready to have new graduates in their household whether it's high school or college. While graduations might be a little different this time around, the celebrations will still go on. Both of my daughters have been trying to find the right photographer to capture images so they can make graduation invitations and announcements.  We have spoken to other families who are planning to opt out of a large party, and are choosing a small dinner at a local restaurant. This is definitely the route that we are taking given the current climate around the world. 


I have been browsing Basic Invite to check out their selection of personalized graduation invites. One great feature that they offer is almost unlimited colors with instant previews online. Once you select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, the invite is sure to be exactly how you want it! This is what sets Basic Invite apart from almost any other online stationery company. You can also request custom samples to make sure you are happy with the paper quality and colors before you are ready to have your final order printed. 


Basic Invite has over 40 different envelope colors to choose from. That's a lot compared to most places that tend to only offer white. All of the envelopes are peel and seal so they can be closed quickly and securely. They also offer an address capturing service that allows customers to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their friends and family’s addresses. The addresses are stored in the customer’s account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders. A great place to start is with their open house invitation templates

Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 

If you are planning graduation festivities, a baby shower, birthday party or wedding, be sure to keep Basic Invite in mind for your custom invitations and announcements. I better get on the ball right now since there is still time! Thank you for stopping by today. 
SHARE:

Top Tips To Encourage Higher Education: Guiding Creative Minds

Raising a child with a mind bent on creativity can be challenging, although it can also enrich parents' experience. As a parent, there's absolutely no doubt that you want only the best for your child. Ensuring they can reach their full creative and intellectual capacity will have you on a slightly different journey than parents of right-brained kids. 

Before you start searching for educational institutions for your young adult, it is critical to understand that creativity is more of a unique skill than an inborn trait. The following tips will help you guide your creative child on a path that will ensure they can develop and strengthen their skills over time to reach success. 

Make Decisions Together
Attempting to box up a creative youngster is never a great approach, especially when making important decisions. Instead of keeping your child in a restricting box and making decisions for them, you should make an effort to make decisions together. Such choices to include your child in are decisions such as which best middle schools in Utah they will attend will instill excitement and motivation as they can feel apart of the decision. Unfortunately, making these critical decisions on your own means that you will be risking a potentially adverse reaction.

When selecting an educational institute together, you should focus on candidate options that encourage creative minds and help them grow. All schools are not created equal, so a school that will bring out the best for an intellectual mind will not be able to foster the same results for creative minds. Therefore, it is vital to discuss school offerings and evaluate school sites to make the best decision. 

Encourage Creativity As Education And Recreation
Countless parents of creatives make the fundamental mistake of encouraging creativity only as a recreational activity, which can discourage your teen. It is a great idea to instill a love for learning creatively early on. Limiting screen time and providing art and other creative supplies for your youngster is a suitable way to ensure they can reach their full potential. Your child should feel that creativity can be utilized to learn and grow rather than restricting such activities as a mere hobby they enjoy. 

Offer Suitable Career Path Options
Creative careers are not restricted to creating art, as there are near countless opportunities for creative minds. The best way to encourage and motivate your youngster towards a successful career path is to educate them regarding their options. Therefore, making an effort to evaluate your take on your child's potential career skills and interests and applying them to various career fields can help your youngster determine a suitable path. 

You may find that your child showcases strong writing skills, or perhaps they are interested in the world of marketing. You can find career paths by researching the highest paying careers for creative minds and evaluating the options alongside your child. As mentioned above, it is essential to make these decisions together. Various fields offer creatives opportunities, and some of the higher paying paths include the tech industry, which means software development, user design, and even site design are all options for your creative young adult. 


Stress The Importance Of Discipline
Intellectual youngsters are generally inclined to note the importance of discipline, structured routine, and ongoing educational development. However, creative minds are significantly different. You may find that your youngsters' creative inclinations seem to forge many character elements that initially appear to be challenging. Young creative often battles to find direction and stick to their planned path. General discipline and following of routine are other general challenges that creative minds face. 

Instead of shunning such challenges and discouraging your child as a direct result, it is best to instill and stress just how important discipline is. You should also make efforts to assist your youngster in forging a structured routine that will help them outline details of their daily schedule when they are pursuing their career. Helping your child develop and strengthen essential career skills is undeniably vital.

Help Your Child Understand Failure
Navigating the professional world as a creative can often be frustrating as creatives face ongoing failure and rejection for several reasons. Instead of building your child's enthusiasm in a way that makes them genuinely believe they will not fail, you should educate your child to understand failure. Your youngster must be prepared to face both failure and potential rejection in a way that will have them using their experience to their advantage instead of giving up. 

Understanding failure is critical to being prepared for a career as a creative mind. Ensuring your child grasps that failure can be beneficial and useful will serve as an exceedingly valuable life skill rather than just a career skill. You can educate your child on failure with the help of autobiographies and real-life stories of successful individuals who have faced and overcome failure and rejection in their earlier years.

Provide And Nurture Creative Freedom
Your creative youngster needs an environment that hosts no or little restricting boundaries. Encouraging higher education also means giving your child the tools they need to succeed. One of which is a creatively freeing environment that will help them develop their strengths and realize their capabilities.

You can make a few environmental changes include a space to be creative, relevant, and suitable supplies to help nurture their skills and room to create without limits or corrections. Instead of correcting your child immediately, you should give them time to evaluate their creations and identify their mistakes. Judging creativity is a reasonably challenging situation, which is why it can be demotivating for parents to offer critique instead of constructive criticism. Giving your child the tools to succeed is not restricted to physical tools, as you will need to foster a sense of self-critique, self-awareness, and other traits that will serve them well along their career path. Because every child learns and grows differently, you should also account for your youngsters' individual needs and preferences when creating a suitably freeing environment for them.
SHARE:

Our New College Graduate, Briahnna - Go Gamecocks!

This past Saturday, our younger daughter Briahnna graduated from the University of South Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Leadership Distinction in Diversity and Social Advocacy, and minors in Spanish and General Education. It feels like her four years in college went by super fast! 



Her graduation ceremony was one of the best we ever attended. Despite the packed venue, things ran smoothly and was over in just 2 hours. It was neat seeing her photo pop up on the big screen! There was even a special moment honoring Phylicia Rashad becoming a Doctor of Fine Arts. She is even more beautiful in person!  






We are one proud family! Briahnna will continue her graduate studies at the University of South Carolina. Go Gamecocks!

 photo 7636c3fb-e8d9-4b07-af6b-f1ca33a15bfe_zps9lbkp4mn.png
SHARE:

Four Reasons Teaching Can Be A Great Career Change For Moms

If you're a mom who has chosen to stay at home with the kids during the early years, it can be quite tempting to consider retraining so you can have a new and better career once you do return to work.

The availability of online degrees that can allow you to study from home, full or part time, has made it very easy for moms who want to find a new career path to get qualified while they're at home with the family, but what career should you choose? With anything from accounting or an MBA, nursing or hospitality management available from online colleges like the University of Cincinnati, you really do have a wealth of options.


Here, we take a look at why a really good choice can be getting an online masters in education and becoming a teacher:

Match Schedules with Your Kids

In most jobs, it can be hard to find a good time to do things like take vacations as a family, as getting time off work during school vacations can be something of a battle – everyone wants it!

However, as a teacher, your schedule both on a day to day basis and when it comes to vacations will be fairly similar to your school age kids, making arranging family time much easier.

Learn to Teach Your Own Kids in New and Interesting Ways

Not all learning happens in the school environment, and as a parent you are sure to want to be able to teach your children interesting things and get them excited about learning. As you study for a masters in education, you'll gain some great insight into how kids learn, and be able to use this at home as well as in the classroom.

Use Your Existing Knowledge

Depending on what age group you want to teach, there is demand for all kinds of specialisms. This means that whatever your existing background and first degree are in, you can use that knowledge combined with what you learn in doing your masters in education online to become a specialist teacher in your original field, for instance science, IT, language or even things like art and music.

This means that while you are retraining, you are not losing the benefits of your past studies or experience.

Make a Difference to Children

As moms, we tend to empathize a lot with children and want to help and nurture them – even the ones who aren't our own! As a good teacher, you can inspire and motivate children, help those with difficulties at school, and become an important role model for them. Not all kids have good people to look up to and teach them, and so this is something you can take on as a teacher.

If you are looking for a career change that is rewarding, interesting and also has some practical benefits now that you have started a family, then teaching can be the perfect choice, and getting qualified has never been easier!
 photo 7636c3fb-e8d9-4b07-af6b-f1ca33a15bfe_zps9lbkp4mn.png
SHARE:

4 Tips for Mom Nurses Trying to get into Anesthesia School

Many moms work in the medical field and they want to earn more money per hour so they can either work fewer hours for the same pay or earn more overall. Anesthesia certification offers them exactly this opportunity, but first, you have to get into the anesthesia program. Here are four tips for mom nurses applying for anesthesia school.

Meet and Exceed the Minimum Academic Requirements

If you barely completed some of the classes that are considered prerequisites for nurse anesthesiology, consider retaking the prerequisite classes again before you apply for the nursing anesthesiology program. First, it ensures that you know what you need to know to succeed in the program. Second, it could boost your GPA, making you eligible for admission. If your prior BSN was years ago, retaking the prerequisites and getting good grades now will demonstrate to the nurse anesthesiology program that you’ve got your academic act together now. In fact, you may want to take courses like statistics now so that you don’t have to take it as part of the CRNA program. If you’re balking at going back to take refresher classes, remember that you’ll be required to enroll in CRNA CEU or take some suitable continuing education units regularly to maintain your certification.

You’ll stand out ahead of the pack if you’ve taken master’s level nursing classes on your own prior to applying to a nurse anesthesiology program. If that’s not an option, go above and beyond the minimum continuing education standards as a BSN.

The Right Type of Experience

Anesthesia programs typically want people who have on the job experience related to the profession. One year of experience in critical care nursing is a minimum, but two years puts you at the top of the list. This experience prepares you for the clinical portion of the anesthesia program. Yes, a few programs will take you if your primary experience is in pediatrics or neonatal care. At a minimum, you’re making professional contacts with people likely to hire you as a nurse anesthetist later.

Where possible, job shadow a CRNA several times. This gives you a good understanding of what the job entails, so you don’t apply for the program and then drop out because it isn’t what you expected.

photo credit
The Right Certifications

Some nurse anesthesiologist programs require you to have a CCRN certification; a few have even waived the GRE requirement if you have the CCRN certification. Nearly all programs give preference to those who possess it. It demonstrates your knowledge of critical care nursing. If you don’t have two years of experience in critical care, holding the certification may make the difference between admitted and not.

Understand Your Options

Don’t rush through your application to the top ten anesthesiology programs. Consider both online and in-person classes before you sign up for a nurse anesthesiology program., and select one that fits your budget and your intentions. Always verify that the anesthesiology program is accredited and would issue a credential that lets you work as a nurse anesthesiologist in the state you want to work in.

Also, research your options for earning CRNA CEU through programs like Valley Anesthesia so that you know where you can take the necessary continuing credit classes well before they come due.

Getting accepted in anesthesiology school is definitely possible if you are ready to do the extra work and gain the qualifications you will need to expedite the process.
 photo 7636c3fb-e8d9-4b07-af6b-f1ca33a15bfe_zps9lbkp4mn.png
SHARE:

Why Care And Nursing Work Is Good For A Parent

Parents know and understand that simply being a parent is a full-time job in and of itself, so pointing out how another job such as nursing would be fitting may seem a bit odd, perhaps asking too much. Becoming a nurse is difficult, and requires study and an eventual qualification. For parents looking for a job that provides a nice paycheck, there are some important points to consider when it comes to training and being a nurse.

image credit
Being a nurse requires being able to care compassionately for people who are complete strangers. If you are a parent, you probably have a higher amount of compassion and empathy for others simply because you have children you care for. You know what it means to take care of someone who needs help because he or she cannot help him or herself. You learn from your child what it is you need to do as they grow up, and it is not only hard work, it is really rewarding work. As you grew as a parent, you probably were not thinking of all the skills you were learning, like communication and understanding non-verbal cues, planning, supervising, and critical thinking. Yet all of these skills are necessary in dealing with patients as a nurse as well, so the gap between parenthood and nursing should seem a bit smaller now.
image credit
What is it that would be expected of you should you become a nurse? Let's look at what nurses working with children do as an example; especially since it may be a job you would be interested in doing. Nurses who have become Nurse Practitioners (NP) by passing their classes and the test can treat common illnesses, order medical tests, do some tests and procedures, write prescriptions, answer questions about health problems, and specialize in and manage chronic illnesses, along with so much more. Nurses have such a huge impact on family life, and often the nurse is the one who sees the patient for a longer amount of time than the doctor, so developing a relationship with patients is a gift nurses have that can come from parental experience.

There is always the issue of when you would go to school; are there even any schools nearby that offer a nursing degree? Is there anywhere that is flexible to be there for a parent trying to gain a degree? The good news is that there are educational establishments that offer online courses, such as Maryville's master of science in nursing. The flexibility of these courses means that even those of you raising children on your own have a way to find a good fit for your schedules, as hectic as they may be. So you can continue working your side job to raise your child and take your classes online while your child is at school or asleep, and when you get your degree you can decide on working hours that suit you.

There are different nursing degrees you can go for that can also decide when and where you work because the degrees themselves focus on different patients. As far as ideas for places to think of working at, being a school nurse means you can be close to your kid while you can also be a home care nurse to look after the elderly. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) require the least amount of training compared to Registered Nurses (RN) who need to pass a two-year program. Nurse Practitioners (NP) require even more training with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) being the minimum degree required to be an NP. You can learn more about nurse practitioner programs at GMercyU, and once you receive your degree it is an option to then focus on different concentrations, such as being a Certified Family NP (CFNP) or a Certified Pediatric NP (CPNP). Parents will find they will most likely relate to the CPNP since this certificate focuses on kid's health. Both of these concentrations would allow a working parent to find a job outside of a hospital easily if it is more doable for the parent to get the job done during the day instead of at night.

Downsides? Of course, there are some; especially given the hours you may be studying and working while your child is sleeping or going to school. Another mom talks about her love for her work but also feels worried over how her daughter is unable to attend sports activities because she helps so much with her two youngest daughters. She appreciates it greatly, but this is still a big sacrifice. However, she also feels that nursing has taught her to be a better mother as well as the reverse being true. Her family understands that you cannot take anything for granted, a lesson she has learned from this job as well.

As a parent, and single parent especially, this choice is very difficult to make, but there are some great pros to come out of having this career that go even beyond the higher salary. However, it is a decision that is truly up to you, so consider all the elements carefully.
SHARE:

Big Accomplishments In The Ismail Household

December has been the busiest month for our family and it has nothing to do with the holiday season. Both my older daughter Chardonnay and my husband Dwayne graduated from college within days of each other (Dec 9th & 12th). Let me tell you, it's no easy task pulling off two graduations so close together. We had a celebration for both of them in our home that Sunday in between the actual ceremonies. I'm happy to say that we got through it all with minimal stress and everything came together beautifully.

Chardonnay graduated Magna Cum Laude with Leadership Distinction from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications. She was able to graduate a semester early because she had all of the credits she needed. This was her dream since she was 5 years old to become a Gamecock and go to the University of South Carolina. Her strong work ethic and will took her all the way! She plans to continue her education to obtain her graduate degree.

The graduate with her very proud parents. 

We are truly a Gamecock family 

My husband Dwayne, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Wesleyan University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He also gave the Invocation (prayer) for the ceremony. The whole ceremony from beginning to end was outstanding and even little William shed some tears. This was such a challenge for Dwayne to work full time, take care of his family, having the responsibility of being his mother's caregiver, as well as attend classes. By God's Grace and his determination, he made it through. Dwayne is a great example to anyone (especially working adults with families) that you can do it!

This isn't a great quality photo, but I was able to grab a video clip and screen captured this photo of Dwayne saying the prayer. I had to hold myself together to keep the phone still. Truly an inspirational and memorable moment. What a blessing! 

It was SO chilly when it was time to take photos! This is why we all had jackets on.

These two buddies were SO happy to be reunited after the ceremony. William is his father's number one fan. 
This has been such a wonderful time of celebration for our family. None of this could have been possible without faith and teamwork. Go Dwayne and Chardonnay! 🙌
SHARE:

Brain Food: Tips For Studying

The moments are very crucial at the time of studying. Your brain is considered as a king of your body and sometimes does not show stability when the pressure of failure is somewhat on the higher side. Recently, research has proven that over-thinking on the respective subject will lead you nowhere and you will be left empty-handed. Instead of stressing, there are other methods that can help you find a way out as suggested by the experts. If college classes or school is an issue, you can get some paper writing help which would be an ideal to reform your study material and give your brain a break. With the right guidance, you can get back on track. Below are some of the precautions and actions you need to consider in terms of achieving big and overcoming the stress. 

The Consumption of Healthy Food

It has been noticed that when the time crunch of studying comes along, 80% of students give up their regular diet in order to cope up with their studies. That is the biggest mistake they commit. Always remember consuming appropriate food is the only way out and the food is your best buddy during the this time. For stimulating the proper functionality of your body, you need to consume more of the food that contains high in protein, vitamin and minerals as well. For example, the quantity of food like eggs, fish, chicken or meat are very rich in protein. Mornings can always be started with fruits like apple, guava and fresh oranges with an energetic glass of fresh juice. Always keep space for the rich food during the lunchtime, as studies show that the level of heat of the sun is on the higher side and whatever the amount of food gets consumed during this time gets easily digested. As soon the night arrives,  make it habit of consuming small meals because during the night the power of our immune system is somewhat on the lower side. The less you eat, the better you will feel for your next day. Make sure that you consume at least 3 liters of water a day as the water is the best source of minerals for the human body. 


Have An Organized Agenda 

Eating nutritional food will help you meet your goal of success. Instead of being in the stage of panic, all you have to do is take some time out to build an appropriate timetable for your respective studies. This will help you to focus and have more positive energy towards your studies. Students who prepare well-planned and well-organized form of structure in regards to their studies are set up for success.

A Consultation 

Recent studies show that the human race is not able to utilize the brain power at the utmost. Even one of the greatest scientists of history, Albert Einstein used only 6% of his brain during his lifetime. This proves that we do carry the capability, but aren’t always aware how and when to implement it. One of the best things students need to implement is getting the session of consultation with a counselor, as it will help them a lot truly recognize of their capability and they will learn skills to kill the negative vibes. Positivity leads to success. Getting some extra help won’t hurt.

Getting Appropriate Sleep 

A human mind is just not made of nerves; in fact, the hidden things reside inside somewhere that we are not able to recognize. The power of thinking, sense of feeling, and ability to choose between right and wrong go hand-in-hand with the amount of sleep you get. To improve memory and to increase brain function in the healthier way all you need to do is take enough sleep, around 6 to 8 hours each night. We know you might be thinking how I am going to do that as l have to memorize the entire syllabus? Don’t worry, if you get the appropriate amount of sleep, you would not be forcing or pushing your mind to store the entire syllabus in your mind. In fact, things will work in more accurate and sharp manner because of the enough sleep. 

Heal With Music

Music is the most authentic and best way to shift your brain from stress to relief. Music is the best mind diet recommended by the expert. Not only moments of relaxation, but the power of regaining positive energy are some of its advantages you can take.


SHARE:

How Having Kids Changes Your Taxes

Having a child changes everything. Your relationship with your partner, your work schedule, your sleeping patterns—there are few things a new baby doesn’t have an effect on. Many parents are prepared for the sleepless nights, the need to switch to the minivan, and the decrease in social hours with friends, but have you thought about how your new little bundle of joy will affect your taxes? While you often hear how expensive it can be to raise a child, there are also numerous tax breaks and credits to take advantage of. Keep the following facets of the tax system in mind and give your finances the boost they need, from your little one’s birth to their college days.

Use Exemptions to Your Favor

After having a child, you’re allowed to claim them as a dependent on your taxes to receive an extra exemption. This can help reduce your AGI, or adjusted gross income. The government uses your AGI to determine how much you owe, therefore, the lower your income (after exemptions), the lower your tax bill. There are limitations to this, but most can look to save thousands of dollars. Siphon those saved dollars into a college savings account and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in paying for your child’s upcoming educational career.

In the Case of Adoption

Perhaps you’re adopting a child. This process is not an inexpensive one, but the IRS recognizes these costly expenses by offering the opportunity to claim these expenses on your income taxes. Last year, any adoptions completed in 2015 allowed a federal adoption tax credit of up to a $13,400 per child. The amount you receive depends on your income. If you and your spouse make less than $291,919, you’re eligible. However, there are limitations. Because this is a tax credit, it isn’t refundable. That means you must owe the federal government some type of income tax, and you won’t be paid out the extra money left over, if any. The adopted child cannot be a stepchild, and they must be under the age of 18 or unable to take care of themselves to qualify.

Child Tax Credit

This refundable credit is designed to reduce the taxes you’re liable for, and can be awarded in amounts up to $1,000 per child. The amount of the credit awarded depends on income and the number of children living in your home. If you claim singly or as the head of the household, you’re ineligible for this credit if you make above $75,000. If you’re married, filing jointly, you must make less than $110,000 to qualify. If you’re confused about what will best work in your financial favor, speak with a professional who can help you determine your filing status.

When it Comes to College

If your child is already in college, take advantage of the American Opportunity Credit. This credit covers certain expenses associated with the first four years of college. There are regulations about how and who qualifies for this tax credit: your child must be in pursuit of a credential or a degree, and must be enrolled as a half-time student at least for tax year. They must also have no felony drug convictions on their record. For each student, the maximum credit you can procure annually is $2,500.

You should also keep the Lifetime Learning Credit in mind. This can help cover undergraduate costs for a student that does not qualify for the American Opportunity Credit, whether that be because they have a limited course load (are enrolled in school less than half-time status) or they’ve already completed their first four years of college credit. This credit can cover expenses including tuition and enrollment fees, along with books and course materials.
Child Care Credit

If you work full time and you must enroll your child in day care, most of those expenses are deductible on your income taxes. This is a nonrefundable tax credit. In order to qualify for the Child Care Credit, you must show proof of payment to a licensed childcare provider while you’re working or in search of employment. The child must be under 13 years old, and you cannot claim this credit if you’re married, but filing separately. This credit can award more than $3,000 per child per year.

The ins and outs of the tax process become more convoluted after having a child. If you’re unsure about which credits and exemptions you qualify for, don’t be afraid to talk with a professional to discover how you can get on the right financial foot- there are probably more than you think!

SHARE:

College Commuter Student's Perspective

Today's conversation is sponsored by the Michelin 

There is so much to think about when you are preparing to send your young adult children to college. Whether they are out of the state, in-state or local, there is a lot of planning involved. Both of our daughters attend college locally at the University of South Carolina, and commute back and forth. It was a united family decision that they both live at home at least for the first two years of college. It has been about 3 years now since my older daughter, Chardonnay started at USC and it has worked out with the commuting aside from the complaints of early wake-up times, traffic, or simply feelings of 'not wanting to drive today'. I've shared those feelings of not wanting to drive for many years (carpool pick-ups/drop-offs, sports, after-school activities, and more).


I asked Chardonnay to give me her personal list of pros and cons of living on campus vs off and here is what she came up with.

Pros of living on campus:
• Easy access to everything on campus, easier to get involved
• Easier to make friends because you have roommate, suitemates, people on your hall
• You can wake up 30 minutes before class starts and still be on time
• Don’t have to deal with traffic

Cons of living on campus:
• Might not have a car, so you might feel as if you’re stuck on campus
• More expensive to live on campus (cost of housing, meal plan, etc.)
• Limited meal options because of meal plans
• Not much privacy
• Homesickness

Pros of living off campus:
• More privacy and independence (depending on where you live)
• Home-cooked meals

Cons of living off campus:
• Have to get up much earlier to get to campus on time
• You can feel disconnected from campus
• Not as easy to make friends
• Spend more on gas
• Feeling of missing out

As a parent, I think that being there for your new college student both emotionally and physically are key to helping them make that transition. There were so many adjustments to be made during the first full year. One of them is when you decide to let you student have their own car. I'm sure my daughter must have been sick to death of me nagging about driver safety. An 18 year-old may think they know everything, but they have so much to learn when it comes to being responsible for their own car.

My husband had to go through so many details in regards to fueling up the vehicle, when you need an oil change or service, and using common sense to determine if there might be an issue with the tires or brakes. She has experienced a couple of minor fender benders, but seems to finally have a handle on being cautious and responsible when behind the wheel of a car. She never gets a single mile over the recommended oil change time, and gets her tires checked regularly. I guess on the perks of living at home is she can get assistance right away if there is any issue with the car.

Are you a parent of a college student or have a high school senior preparing for their next journey? You can share your stories or moments on social media using the #BeThereMoments hashtag and check out the stories on the Be There Moments website by Michelin. As parents, it is so important for us to simply be there for our college kids, don't you think?
SHARE:

Graduation Gifts Ideas for the Super Hero in Your Family

Today's conversation is sponsored by Cross & Marvel. All opinions are my own.

It's college graduation season and we have so many graduates in our family this year. We have several cousins graduating from all over the country. We also have two very important soon-to-be graduates living under my roof. Both my older daughter and my husband will graduate from college this year. As a matter of fact, their ceremonies are three days apart! Aside from all of the planning that goes into any type of celebration, figuring out what to gift your favorite graduate can be a difficult task. There are so many very typical gifts you can give, but I believe in giving something thoughtful and memorable.

I recall more than 20 years ago when I first became a mother, an old friend of mine purchased a Cross pen as a gift for Mother's Day. It's not necessarily a gift you might expect for that occasion, but it really meant a lot and reminded me of the fact that I was a brand new mom. It came in a blue leather case and the pen had sea shells etched on its shaft. To this day, I still have that pen. I've purchased ink refills over the years and it has always been a special keepsake for me.

This story gets me to thinking about my daughter and husband, and their upcoming celebrations. They have both worked so hard in college to earn their degrees and I want to honor them with a timeless gift. Cross has come out with its Marvel Super Hero Special Edition Collection line of writing instruments, so you can mark epic moments with larger-than-life writing instruments featuring Captain America, Spider-Man and Iron Man. These striking collectibles are designed to inspire Marvel fans of all sizes.

In the Cross Century® II Marvel Collection, heroic design meets legendary performance in three stunning luxury collectibles. Also, the Cross Tech2™ Marvel Multifunction Collection features dual-powered pens that flip to transform from a pen to stylus in a flash. And last, but certainly not least, there's the Cross Classic Century® Collection. Perhaps the most well-known pen, the Cross Classic Century® is an icon of American design and innovation.

Each of these pens offers the superior quality you expect from the Cross brand. How cool would it be to gift your real-life super hero with such a unique item? Think of all the documents they will have to sign as they go out into the world looking for new opportunities and ventures. The Marvel Super Hero Special Edition Collection pens let your loved one channel some of the most popular super heroes: Spider-Man, Iron Man and Captain America.

Check out the the Cross Tech2™ Marvel  Multifunction Pen in the Captain America design:

This pen is absolutely perfect for your college graduate. It has a beautiful finish and writes like a dream. The stylus is a plus since we are living in a touchscreen world. It is compatible with most touchscreens so your graduate can go from writing on paper and switching over to their smartphone or tablet in an instant.

This pen comes in a Marvel themed gift box and has a lifetime mechanical guarantee. My husband was all smiles when he was gifted this pen. My personal Super Hero deserves this amazing pen!

You can't go wrong with the specially formulated Cross ink that flows flawlessly for a superior writing experience. This pen includes one black medium ballpoint tip and retails for $45.

Another favorite is the Cross Classic Century® Medalist ballpoint pen. This exquisite writing instrument captures the classic style of Cross pens. The two-tone finish adds such elegance and sophistication. This is a pen that you will keep for a lifetime. It writes so smooth and you can refill the ink in your choice of color or point. I can see my daughter signing big contracts with this beauty.

The Classic Century® Medalist is a classic that offers the patented twist-action barrel as well as a lifetime mechanical guarantee. It comes in a premium gift box ready for gifting to that special person. Any college grad would love this piece. It retails for $65.

Any of these fine writing instruments would make an outstanding gift for your favorite super hero—your college graduate. You can find the pens at Cross.com. Do you have a future college graduate in your life? If so, which pen would you love to gift them?
SHARE:

College Graduation Is Almost Here #EarnItFrameIt

I can't believe how quickly time has been creeping by since my older daughter started college. It seem like just a few years ago, she was in kindergarten. Chardonnay has had such an amazing school career and she graduates college this year! I go back to her first birthday and recall her reciting the entire alphabet for our guests. It's as if she was born a genius.


She has accomplished so much, and I remember all of her elementary/middle school teachers making it a point of staying in touch with our family to see what she does with all of her talents. She was always one of the top 5% academically at all of her schools. She excelled in her many extracurricular activities including going all the way to black belt status in karate. All of the years of dedication, practice, and training paid off. When Chardonnay goes to her little brother's karate belt tests, the instructor always brags about her to the other parents at the studio. He always shows how proud he is of his past student.


Chardonnay has had great success as a leader in so many areas over the years. She did everything from student government, assignment at AustralianWritings, broadcast journalism, athletics, piano, Spanish club and Honors Society, and the list really does go on. She has always put her heart and soul into everything she is involved with. Her organization skills would put anyone to shame.

Aside from being a high achiever, she has a good and sweet heart. She is loved by so many people and she gives a lot of her time back to our community. Being a volunteer has been a big part of her life. She is so willing to help others in need and is currently working with a local organization in fundraising efforts to make repairs to their facility. It breaks her heart to ever see people suffering or lacking basic needs.

I have been in planning-mode as far as graduation goes. I really want her to have a grand celebration and nice graduation gifts for all of her hard work. There has been so much to do between setting up for photos, ordering announcements, so many other countless details. One graduation gift idea that sometimes gets overlooked is a college diploma frame. I'm not talking just any diploma frame, but a customized one to protect that hard-earned diploma. When so much hard work is put into earning a diploma, you should want to show it off with pride. There was a recent survey that showed 70% of people did not frame their diploma(s).

How gorgeous is this frame?
Church Hill Classics is a professional framing company that helps graduates and families preserve and showcase those hard-earned diplomas with officially licensed frames. With all of their diploma frames handcrafted in the USA, Church Hill Classics offers an extensive selection of custom frame styles for more than 1,500 colleges and universities. I was so pleased to find a nice selection of University of South Carolina diploma frames for Chardonnay. I was so impressed with how fancy some of the frames were. Many professionals hang up their college diplomas in their office and I'm sure my daughter will do the same. You are not only able to choose the layout you want, but can customize your colors, frame styles and even the protective outer glass to your specifications.

Church Hill Classics is celebrating its 25th anniversary! As part of the celebration, they’re offering 25 winners the chance to win a $100 eGift card. You can enter once per day, starting now! Each week, five winners will be notified by email and posted on Facebook. Sweepstakes ends April 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM EST. Total of 25 winners. Visit this link for more information and to enter.

Church Hill Classics offers some of the best college graduation gifts that are sure to be treasured for many years to come. Follow Church Hill Classics on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates.

This is a sponsored post. Product was provided and all opinions are my own as always. 
SHARE:
Blogger Template Created For Mom Files All Rights Reserved