Karen’s Opinion

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ashworth College. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a young mother, I often questioned my purpose on earth. Overwhelming demands of my time stressed me to wonder what on earth I was doing. Now that my kids are grown, I feel somewhat confident, because my kids tell me I was a great mom. During that stressful time, I found that when I did something for myself, I felt better about my situation as a whole. I found time to take interior design courses that not only helped me in our business but made me feel like an adult with purpose.

Thirty years later, it seems easier to get an education or even take courses towards an Online degree. There are so many subjects to study that most anyone can find something of interest. Just think what a good example is set when your children see you reading and studying. They see that a mind is valuable and will want to set their own goals as high as you have.

A great example of schools that go out of their way to make education possible for everyone is Ashworth College. They offer the flexibility of studying at home while you care for your kids. They are affordable and offer payment plans. They offer more than 100+ nationally accredited career diplomas. That means they have something for you!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

I can’t get out of my head the thoughts of my friends who have lost their jobs. I know that, mentally, they are struggling to hold on to the faith that things will work out. One positive aspect of the change in our lives is that some of us are taking the jump that we always said we would take but seemed to never find the time.

Taking time to add to a degree is something we know we should do and now the opportunity is even better with the availability of online resources from USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC. A Master of Arts in Teaching degree will put your resume at the top of the stack when searching for the job of your dreams. Reading over the program information at USC Rossier School of Education’s website accentuates the reasons for earning your degree online.

• Groundbreaking tuition reimbursement program

• First cohort of the MAT@USC graduate in May

The USC Trojan family is one of pride. Their a 100-year history of educating teachers to be agents of change is making a difference in not only lives of teachers but the lives of students as well.

Is it time for you to accentuate your position in your field?

I admire those who have chosen the path of homeschooling. Homeschooling is a tough undertaking and is not for the faint of heart. I used to think that those who taught their children at home did it because they were lazy. They simply shoved a book in front of their child and they expected that child to learn. I was so wrong. People who homeschool put so much time and effort into choosing the curriculum that is best for their family. Whether they choose an online curriculum or join a local co-op of other families who homeschool, they put a lot of thought into what information they are using to educate their child.

From reading the blogs of friends who homeschool, I have gained so much respect for their effort. It seems to me that everything they do becomes a chance to teach their children. They visit historical landmarks, museums and zoos. They are very involved in everything they study. I want to go to school all over again and be taught at home. I would be one of three million children who are being taught at home.

There are many reasons for choosing to homeschool. Whatever reasons each family has used to reach their decision, I wish them success.

If there is one thing I have learned from having two adult children, it is that college is expensive and I am not just talking about books and tuition fees. Most students find it difficult to hold down a job and do well in their studies. That means they have to watch where what little money they have goes. We hear the jokes about eating Ramen noodle soup 7 days a week and counting the number of squares of toilet paper used. It would be more funny if it weren’t true. Being a college student is rough.

Sears is stepping up to the plate to make it easier for parents and grandparents to help their struggling students out. By offering reload-able gift cards, available for purchase in their stores, Sears makes it convenient to add funds online to a students gift card. The student is then able to buy needed supplies such as toiletries and Ramen noodles at Sears and Kmart. You will be amazed at all the dorm room supplies available at sears.com/campus. If you are new to the college experience or simply want to be in the know about what college kids need these days to make their college experience successful check out Sears CampusReady at http://www.facebook.com/campusready. I had a great time designing my dorm room at CampusReady on Facebook!

I just have a problem with eating all that Ramen Noodle soup! LOL