7 Ways For Adult Students to Stay Healthy

marybabysteps — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:39:39 -0400

I was watching an episode of The Doctors this morning on TV, and they were answering a father's question about whether it was safe for his daughter, a college freshman, to take caffeine pills to help her stay awake during the stressful time of midterms and finals. This led to a discussion on why students shouldn't pull all nighters and how it's bad for their health. I got to thinking about the time I spent working with students at the community college and realized that, more often, it was the adults who were most deprived of sleep throughout the entire semester.

Many non-traditional students are working to support their families while taking classes or are taking care of children or a loved-one. Their time is very limited. I saw students go straight to class after working an 8-hour night shift. While I know that we often must do what we have to do in order to reach our goals and to move ahead in life, I would recommend trying not to sacrifice sleep when pursuing your studies. Here are some ways to stay healthy when time is short and your to-do list is long.

Get Regular Sleep

You knew I would say this, right? But it's the most obvious given the topic at hand. As Travis mentioned on The Doctors, no one can retain information if they're suffering from sleep deprivation. It's just a physiological impossibility. Your brain needs sleep to function optimally, so don't fight it.

Build In Study Time

Like I've said before, it's a really good idea to build study time into your day. You can do this by scheduling an open space between classes. This way, you're already on campus. It's a convenient time ,away from the distractions of home, to just sit down and bang out some studying. Maybe you can have your lunch during this time also.

Eat Well

Speaking of lunch, don't forget to eat a balanced diet. Actually, don't forget to eat at all. I used to see students all the time who would tell me that they didn't have time to eat. Bad idea. Depriving your body of nutrients is like not fueling up your car, it just won't go without putting something into it. Bring along some healthy (or at least relatively healthy) snacks from home that are portable and can be eaten on the go. Bringing your own snacks saves you both money and time.

Socialize

Yes, seriously, socialize. I know you barely have time to breathe. I get it. I do. I also get the burn-out that comes from not doing anything for yourself. A good way to combine study with socializing is to start a study group. Maybe there are some other non-traditional aged students in your toughest class. You could get together to study and talk about the things you all are going through while pursuing your degree. If there aren't other non-trads in your class, start a conversation with some of the younger students near you. Once you get to know a small group, it might be nice to invite them over to your house for a study session. Many students haven't had a home-cooked meal since leaving for school and might appreciate just hanging out in a family atmosphere. And it could help a bit with inter-generational relations. Norma writes more about this at her blog, Back 2 School Moms.

Drink Your Water

Yes, it's okay to drink some coffee when you're feeling drowsy, but don't forget to stay hydrated throughout the day with water. We all know it's good for our health, but it's particularly important to stay hydrated in periods of stress and when you're on the go a lot, which is when most of us forget something like this that's so simple.

Know Your Best Time of Day

We all have a certain time of day when we're most energetic. Some of us are early birds, while others are night owls. Use that peak time to your advantage. If you're an early riser, get up before your usual wake-up call. This will allow you to sneak in some extra studying, or even some time for yourself. Remember that little thing called burn-out that I mentioned? You may also want to schedule the bulk of your classes early, when you're most refreshed and alert. Same goes for you night owls. Night classes work great for people like you because they're often offered only once a week. This kind of schedule can sometimes free up time for other commitments. If you don't think your attention span can handle three hours of class, however, you may want to reconsider.

Vent

Yep, sometimes you just have to let it all out. I know college isn't easy. There are so many dynamics involved in adding college to your current lifestyle, it's bound to cause you some aggravation. Your family may not be giving you the support you need. Your hectic lifestyle may be getting to you. Any number of things may send you reeling. Don't keep it inside! Talk to your family about your concerns or talk to an academic adviser. You never know what kinds of solutions you'll come up with by working together and letting it out. You're only human. Don't try to go it alone.

I hope these suggestions help. You can always feel free to ask me any questions you may have about dealing with stress and staying healthy. I'm happy to offer assistance. Remember, if you're not taking care of yourself, you're no good to your studies or to the people around you. Be good to yourself.

What You Need To Know About Accreditation

marybabysteps — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:18:58 -0400

If you're thinking about going to college as an adult, chances are that you have lots of questions. One of the biggest questions on your mind may be how to tell if a school is legitimate. You've probably heard of diploma mills, those online programs that are just out to get your money and don't offer a legitimate degree. They do exist and plenty of innocent people fall for their scams.

Accreditation

To be sure that your school is official, you'll want to look into its accreditation. Accreditation simply means that the school has been thoroughly examined and recommended by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. There are six such accrediting agencies that are the most recognized. This article from Distance-Education.org goes into further detail on accrediting bodies. What's important to know is that these agencies verify everything from individual programs, financial aid, advising, tutoring, and admissions to make sure that schools receiving their seal of approval are meeting the needs of their students.

The Process

When I was a community college academic adviser, my school went through an accreditation evaluation by The Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. The professionals who made up this group were people with years of experience in academia. They spent an entire week at our school, speaking with students, faculty, and staff and covered each department and service with a fine tooth comb. At the end of the week, we were given a brief on the committee's findings. I can assre you that any school with accreditation from a legitimate source is providing a recognizable degree.

Where To Start

As a place to start, you can check the Department of Education's database of accredited institutions to see if your school of interest is listed. There is a disclaimer on the stie saying that students must do their own due diligence in researching schools, as situations may change or a school may have missed making the list. Just be sure to ask questinos of admissions representatives about accreditation, then research the accrediting body they've provided. If they aren't able to give you a straight answer or stumble in any way, beware. The Distance-Education.org article I mentioned earlier gives a very thorough list of fake accreditation agencies as well as a list of legitimate ones. Be sure to check it out. You can also check this directory from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for specific program accrediting agiencies, though it's quite thorough and involved.

Good luck in your search for the college or university that best meets your needs. Don't let the issue of accreditation overwhelm you. Simply by asking questions, doing some research, and following your instincts, you'll be able to find a school that works for you. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions!

Never Too Late For College

7 Ways For Adult Students to Stay Healthy

What You Need To Know About Accreditation