Tips for Saving Money on College Text Books

College text books are expensive!  It is not unusual for me to spend upwards of $500 on text books in just one full-time semester.  Fortunately, there are ways of reducing that bill, if you are willing to do some research and footwork.  Here are some great tips for saving money on college text books:

Used books.  Most college books stores allow you the option of purchasing your textbooks either new or used.  There’s no reason not to buy used and save some money.  Just be sure to shop early, because many times, the used books sell out before the new ones do.

Ebooks.  If you have an eReader like Nook or Kindle, then you should consider getting ebooks send straight to your device.  Barnes & Noble has partnered with a number of college bookstores to offer ebooks that cost only a fraction of their paper-book counterparts.

Discount online booksellers.  There are some great online booksellers where you may be able to find your textbooks for deeply discounted rates.  Better yet, try an online seller that specializes in college text books, like textbookx.com (as seen on my home page) for the best selection and lowest prices.

Rental books.  It is becoming more common these days for college books stores to offer book rentals, in addition to their new and used options.  When you rent a book, you pay a fraction of what the book would cost to purchase, new or used, and you authorize the bookstore to debit your bank account for the remainder of the purchase price if you don’t bring the rental back by a certain date (after the semester ends, of course).  You must be extra careful handling rented books, because they must be in good condition when you return them, if you don’t want to end up paying that extra fee.

Ask other students.  Ask around, or post on college bulletin boards, to find other students who have taken the courses you are entering, and who are willing to lend you their books for a small fee.  You may even get lucky enough to find students who will let you borrow their books for free.

Let’s face it: money is tight when you’re a college student, especially considering the fact that many of today’s college students must work odd or part-time jobs, while financially supporting a family.  There are several routes you can take when it comes to saving money on your college text books.  Try one, or a combination (or all!) of the tips on this list to trim your textbook bill down as much as possible.  And don’t forget to sell your books back to the bookstore at the end of each semester!

Why YMCA Gym Memberships are Great for Single Parents Returning to School

After a tough divorce, I moved my two boys to a new state for a fresh start.  It was a rocky move, to say the least.  I had to scramble to find employment, get everything aligned for returning to school, and find suitable and affordable childcare . . . which was a scary prospect, considering I was nearly flat broke.  The apartment we moved into happened to be right across from the YMCA and, although there is no YMCA in the small town we’d moved from, I was familiar with what the Y stands for and thrilled to find one so close to us.  Little did I know then how very much the Y would come to mean to me and my family.  I’m so impressed with the YMCA that I want to share this message with all you single parents who are not only juggling work and childcare, but also your own education.  Read on to find out all that the YMCA can do for you and your family.

Stress relief.  First off, it goes without saying that exercise is a great stress-reliever (and I think all single parents would attest to a need for stress relief).  If I hadn’t gotten into a physical fitness routine during my family’s rough transition period, I probably would’ve had a nervous breakdown.  No joke.

Cost.  Simply put, YMCA gym memberships are the cheapest you will find – anywhere.  Even more, all of their programs are less expensive than any of the alternatives.

Financial assistance.  Sometimes even the minimal cost of a YMCA membership might seem like to much when you are a single parent returning to school.  Fortunately, the YMCA has a sliding fee schedule, based on your income.  Like I said, when I first joined the YMCA I was nearly broke . . . but my children and I were able to get a family membership for next to nothing with the help of the YMCA financial assistance program.

Facility.  I usually agree with the adage that, “you get what you pay for,” but the YMCA is definitely an exception to that rule.  I’ve been to many gyms, and have honestly never seen other gyms with such expansive and comprehensive facilities as those in the YMCA family.  What’s so great is that YMCA gym memberships provide you with access to all of these great facilities.  You don’t even have to use the “fitness room” to get fit at the Y.  There is a running track, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gymnasium, and more at the Y.  Single parents will especially love the swim park-like kiddie pool, full of water-spurting amusements and water slides that will keep the kids entertained for hours.

Programs.  There’s no question that if you are a single parent who is returning to school, you will be on a tight budget, and you will need childcare.  The YMCA offers summer daycare and camp programs, after-school care, and a variety of lessons including everything from hip hop dance to basketball.  The great thing about these programs is that your financial assistance actually goes toward the cost of all of them!  Believe me when I say that I really shopped around to find the best and least expensive childcare when I was making my plans for returning to school, and no other place came close to the Y in terms of quality and cost.

I did not get anything from the YMCA for writing this article, and I can guarantee you that I am not in cahoots with the Y to promote them in any way.  I really just love the Y, and I love helping other single parents in every way I can . . . because I’ve been there (and still am), and nothing makes me happier than seeing others who face the same challenges I have do well.  Simply put, the YMCA was an invaluable tool during my time of returning to school, and it is very near and dear to my heart.  I know it can be the same for you.

Why Online College Courses are Great for Single Parents

If you are a single parent who is planning a return to college, then you need to know that there are some great ways for you to earn those credits without throwing all of your other responsibilities off track.  One of the best things you can do as a single parent returning to college is to take online courses.  Here are some compelling reasons why online college courses are great for single parents:

The online classroom.  When you “attend” class in an online program, you are really just sitting at your computer.  No one can see you, so you don’t have to worry about what you are wearing or what your house looks like with toys all over the floor.  You can eat whatever you like right in the middle of a lesson, and can have piping hot coffee in your hand.  If you prefer music while studying – or even the television – no problem!  Kids running around, making noise, and asking for breakfast?  Again – no problem!  Just get up from your computer and do whatever you have to do.  There really is no other classroom quite like the online classroom.

Money savings.  Generally speaking, online college courses are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts.  In addition to the savings on course fees, you also don’t have to spend money on gas, vending machine snacks in between classes, or lunches.  If you have young children who must stay with a baby sitter while you are away, then taking online courses can save you a huge sum of money in baby sitting fees alone, as you can go to class while tending to your parental duties on the homefront.

Convenient scheduling.  As a single parent, you have a lot on your plate, and are privy to a lot of circumstances that are sometimes out of your control.  For example, consider your children’s sick days, school conferences, and well child exams.  Can you afford to miss class every time your parental priorities intervene with your schedule?  Not to mention those field trips and class parties that you just hate to miss out on.  When you take online courses, you have the luxury of attending school at your own convenience.  For many single parents, that means logging on in the morning, before the kids get up, and at night, once the kids have settled into bed.  Whatever your schedule is, though, online courses are a convenient way to go to college while maintaining what’s most important – your family bonds.

As you can see, there are some great reasons to consider taking online courses when you enroll in your next semester of college.  You truly can do it all, and online courses can be a great tool for helping you accomplish that.

Raising Children and Going to College – A Survival Guide

Raising children is not easy.  Neither is being a college student.  Put those two things together and you have the makings of a meltdown, if you are not careful.  Fortunately, there is hope for those who want to have it all, and who want to stay sane in the process.  Attending college as a parent requires a varietal skill set, and if you are determined to pull off this amazing feat, you are going to have to learn how to integrate a multitude of roles and functions into one, smooth operation.  That’s why I put together this survival guide for raising children and going to college.   Here’s what you need to know to be successful at returning  to school as a parent.

Money.  There are two parts to this: you will have to make money to help support your family (especially if you are a single parent), and you will have to find the money to pay for college.  Be prepared to do whatever it takes to make money – second (and third) jobs, side work, selling your bodily fluids . . . whatever it takes.  When it comes to funding your college education, look for scholarships and grants that you won’t have to pay back.  Begin by filling out the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA), then search the Internet for scholarships and grants and visit your local library, where you should ask to be led to the college funding section.  There you can find a multitude of local free money sources to help you go back to school – some of which will actually give you bonus points for raising children in the process.

Childcare.  Finding reliable, inexpensive childcare may seem like an impossibility, but believe me, it is out there.  Again, it comes to knowing where to look and what to look for.  Your local government’s social services department will be able to provide you with a comprehensive list of childcare providers, as well as sources for childcare financial assistance.

The balancing act.  Nobody is perfect . . . and no college student will be the perfect parent (and vice versa).  What you need to realize is that you are attempting a very delicate balancing act, and that you must take care of yourself mentally, emotionally and physically if you and your family are to get through this in one piece.  Take specific measures to nourish and replenish your reserves to ensure your best chances of coming out on top.  This means eating right, sleeping right (when you have the time!), taking a break to recharge when necessary, having enough down time to balance the hustle and bustle of your routine, and most importantly, spending plenty of time with your family!

If you plan on raising children and going to college at the same time, then you need to prepare yourself that you are in for a real challenge – but a real challenge with a huge payoff.  Take care of all of your practical needs and you will achieve your goal of being a college graduate, with your children there to celebrate.

Meditation Techniques for Stress Treatment

Meditation is not just for those “new age” people who wear tie-dye and attend 5am yoga classes.  No, these days, even type-A corporate types are acknowledging the therapeutic powers of meditation.  In today’s fast-paced world, we need every tool we can to combat stress and its negative effects.  For that reason, we all owe it to ourselves to at least consider meditation as a viable option.  If you are not sure about what meditation can do for you, then it’s a great idea for you to try it out yourself, from the comfort of your own home.  Here are some great meditation techniques for stress relief:

Finding a quiet place.  Any good meditation must start with the right environment.  The place you choose to meditate should be quiet, comfortable, and free of distractions.  You don’t need any special furniture, or equipment.  You just need to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world for a little while.

Simple breathing meditation.  This technique is perfect for beginners, as it is a great way to learn how to get into the meditative mindset.  Either sit Indian-style or lay down – whichever you prefer – and practice deep breathing.  Close your eyes first, and then inhale as you concentrate on pulling air into the very base of your lungs.  It helps if you visualize the air entering your body and filling your lungs from the bottom up.  Consciously moving your diaphragm down as you breathe also helps you get the feel for this guttural type of breathing.  Once you’ve taken in a slow breath and are sure you’ve filled your lungs to capacity, hold for just a couple of seconds (or as long as you are comfortable holding without straining), and then breathe out very slowly, being sure to dispel as much air as possible.   Pulling your diaphragm up into your body helps clear your lungs fully.  Concentrate only on your breathing and you will notice a change in the way your body feels.  This is your foot in the door to the world of meditation.

Seeing the body.  After you have mastered the deep breathing technique, you can work on learning to “see” the inside of your body with your eyes closed.  Choose a color, and then – beginning at your toes and working your way up – imagine lighting up each portion of your body, one at a time, with that color.  Different people report different things, but this practice should result in some sort of feeling in the part of the body you are envisioning – usually a warmth, tingling, or just a general awareness of that body part.

Following the mind’s path.  After deep breathing and acknowledging each part of your body, you should begin to feel as though you are sinking into your environment, or “floating” in some way.  That means you have set the stage for either guided or free meditation.  If you do not have a guided meditation to follow, then you may opt to just follow wherever your mind takes you.  Just observe, acknowledge, and then release any thoughts that cross your mind.  Do not judge.  The point is to open yourself up to your subconscious so you can receive its communications.

By following these meditation techniques, you can greatly reduce your stress and improve your overall health and well being.  And this is just the beginning.  Meditation is not easy to learn, but it definitely deserves your time and effort, because the payoff is so great.  Try taking a beginner’s meditation course to really broaden your meditation horizons.  There is much more to meditation than you can even imagine, so hold on tight.  You are in for a wonderful adventure.

Support for Single Parents Going Back to School

As a single parent, you have a lot on your plate, even when it comes to just fulfilling your most basic obligations.  After all, supporting a family financially and being completely responsible for raising children is like two full time jobs in one.  So, how do you add going to college to your regimen without going insane in the process?  Fortunately, there are many single parents doing exactly what you have set your mind to do, and they are making it through successfully.  There is plenty of support for single parents out there, to help you through this journey of going back to school.

Emotional support.  The most obvious place you can go for emotional support is a group of people who are going through the same challenges associated with being a single parent and a college student.  Look first to your closest friends and family members, who may be willing to lend an ear and offer a shoulder to cry (or scream) on.  Search your local print and Internet classified ads for support group meeting announcements.  You should definitely also sign up for a free(!) membership to Meetup.com – a website dedicated to helping you find any kind of group you may be interested in joining.

Financial support.  Chances are if you are juggling returning to school with being a single parent, your purse strings must be pretty tight.  Apply for financial support with your local government’s social services department to  qualify for money to help with food, rent, utilities, health care, childcare and more.

Mental support.  No one said that the task of going back to school as a single parent would be easy.  As a matter of fact, it’s downright hard – no way around it.  There’s so much to know that sometimes your head my feel like it is spinning.  Fortunately, there are foundations there to help single parents just like you.  Programs by institutions like the YMCA, Parenting With Dignity, and Parents Without Partners offer a wide array of programs designed to educate, inform, and train you in parenting, life skills and more, arming you with the knowledge you need to be able to earn your college degree as a single parent.

There is no shortage of support for single parents who are returning to school.  Take advantage of these resources to ensure your best chances of meeting this challenge head-on, and coming out on top.

Speed Reading Tips for College Students

As a single parent and a full time college student, I had to find creative and effective ways to manage my time.  At the top of my time management priorities was figuring out how to trim down the time it took to perform everyday tasks.  When I took an Early American Lit class, it became very apparent to me that I simply had to learn how to read faster, or else drop the course.  That’s when I began researching speed reading.  Through my research, I was able to improve upon my reading time by over 250 percent!  Want to know how?  Here are some speed reading tips for college students:

Read early, and prioritize.  Studies show that your mind is sharpest (and best at things like speed reading), in the early hours of the day, before you have a million other things to think about.  Set your reading aside for first thing in the morning.  Also, read what’s most important first.  Again, studies show that your mind absorbs more at the beginning than at the end of a reading session.

Choose the right environment.  You should be able to get in “the zone,” so to speak.  That means your environment should be conducive to uninterrupted concentration.  Speed reading happens most naturally when you are able to get on a roll – and that means being thoroughly engrained in what you are reading – without any distractions.

Familiarize yourself with the material.  Many people don’t understand that speed reading is about much more than just opening a book and quickly skimming through pages.  It is actually a process – a way of training your mind to think and act differently – and it involves ample preparation.  Before you attempt to speed read a book, you first need to familiarize yourself with the structure and organization of the book.  This means you need to examine the book’s table of contents, chapter headings, outline, synopsis, etc., so that your subconscious mind knows how to identify and make sense of the rapid flow of information it is taking in.

Form questions to answer as you read.  Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the structure and organization of what you will be reading, form questions in your mind that you intend to answer as you read.  Subconsciously, you will be making sense of everything you read as you go, because your brain will be affixed on the task of answering the questions you have formulated from what you already know will be in the text.

Scroll along.  Use either your finger or a pointed object to scroll along the lines as you read them.  Not only will this keep you on point, but it also serves to reinforce the words as you read them.

Use your resources.  There are a number of great speed reading books, online courses, and classes out there to help you develop your speed reading skills.  A great one that worked for me was Speed Reader X – but each program on the market is unique, so research several to find one (or more) that is best suited to your preferences.

Anyone can learn to speed read.  It is not a magic trick, or a secret formula.  It is really just a matter of learning some simple techniques, and then applying them in the right circumstances.  Try these methods to improve your reading speed, and remember that you’ll get better with practice.

How Work From Home Opportunities Can Help Single Moms

When I was young and newly married, it was my fantasy to be a stay at home mom and housewife, while my husband went off to work to bring home the bacon.  My mom had done the same thing, as had my mother in law, so both my husband and I agreed that that was the kind of home life we wanted for our own family.  And it worked . . . for a while.  I spent my days playing with our oldest son, taking him for walks, making homemade baby food, cleaning the house to perfection, and cooking hot dinners that we’d all sit down to when daddy got home from work.  Little did I know that in just a matter of a few years, I would find myself taking care of two children, cleaning the house, cooking hot meals . . . and working full time to support my own, one-parent household.  That’s right, like so many other marriages today, mine didn’t make it.  But that didn’t mean I was ready to give up my dream of being a stay at home mom.  I was determined to stay at home, and my dedication to this priority is what led to my freelance writing career.  If you, too, are a single parent, wondering how you might benefit from working from home, consider the following:

Flexible scheduling.  Most work from home opportunities allow you to set your own schedule.  That means you can work in the morning, before the kids wake up, after you tuck the kids into bed at night, during the day while the kids are at school . . . basically, you can work when you don’t have to care for your kids, and you can care for your kids when they need you.

Missed days.  One complaint I hear from single mothers who work outside of the home is that any time they have to miss work due to child sickness, doctor’s appointments, field trips or any other child-related circumstances, they are worried about paying consequences on the job.  That’s horrible and unfair, but it’s a reality – and one you don’t have to deal with when you set your own work schedule, from home.

Being around. The thing I like most about working from home is that I’m always here with my children.  Sure, it can get stressful (okay, sometimes I feel like pulling my hair out), and I’ve had to set some clear ground rules and designate a private, mommy-only work area, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  At the end of the day, I go to bed knowing that I am spending most of my time with my children, and not at an office.

Of course, it wasn’t easy, and it took a lot of trial and error to find my right fit, but the important thing is I stayed positive and was able to see the bigger picture: that all the hard work would eventually pay off.  I know that if you are determined, persistent, and (most of all) patient, you can find a work from home opportunity that works for you, and that enables you to make the most of the time you have with your children, while they are still children.

How Meditation Can Help You Get Through College

As a college student, you are no stranger to deadlines and pressure.  You are also no stranger to hard work, and also to the effects of stress.  Fortunately, there is a safe, easy, and practical way for you to counter the day to day challenges that college can bring.  It’s called meditation.  You may think that meditation should be reserved for those who wear yoga pants and pray to a Buddha statue, but you should definitely reconsider.  Meditation can be an invaluable tool for making the most out of your college years (and getting through them without having an emotional meltdown).  Need convincing?  Here are the ways in which meditation can help you get through college:

Stress relief.  One of the top reasons people take up meditation in the first place is for the treatment of stress.  Stress can wreak havoc on our lives in a multitude of ways, and can even manifest itself physically, in the form of illness.  Everyone knows that college is stressful.  Combat that stress by practicing some simple meditation techniques.

Getting to know your Self.  College can be a time of great uncertainty.  After all, you have a lot of different influences come at you all at once, and it can be confusing – not to mention stress-inducing.  When you learn meditation, you learn how to quiet your mind and “listen” to you inner-most self.  Nothing can make you feel stronger and more capable of getting through some of the challenges college presents to you than knowing who you are, what you need/want, and what you truly stand for.

Broadening your horizons.  You’re in college to learn, right?  Of course you also want that degree, but most people would agree that a huge part of the college experience is the experience, itself.  So, what comprises the college experience?  Meeting new people, learning new things, and opening yourself up to things you’ve never tried before, for starters.  All of these things comprise broadening your horizons and learning more about yourself.  Meditation is a great compliment to the college experience repertoire.

Going to college is the experience of a lifetime, and its benefits also last a lifetime.  One of the best ways you can ensure the best college experience possible is to manage your stress effectively and take every available opportunity to learn more about yourself so that when you leave campus, you are a new and better version of your pre-college self.  Practicing meditation can not only help you get through college, but get through it in a rich way.

Grants for College for Single Parents: How to Find Free Money

If you are a single parent returning to school, be prepared to face some serious stress.  In addition to raising your children, supporting your family financially and keeping up your grades, you must also figure out how you are going to pay for college.  After all, it’s not likely that you have tens of thousands of dollars of free money just lying around (and if you do, can I borrow some?).  There is no simple or easy way to fulfill your dream of pursuing a college education while raising kids on your own, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible – and it certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t find ways to make funding your college education easier.  If you really want to know how to find free money, then you need to read up on grants for college for single parents.  This information should help:

What are college grants?  Basically, grants are monies given away for free.  That’s right – free.  All you have to do is ask for the money, and then qualify for it.  Fortunately, when it comes to grants for college, qualifying is easy.  Many people qualify to receive grants in some form or another, so it’s really just a matter of knowing where to go to find the right grants for you.

Who qualifies for grants?  Many college grant programs are need-based, meaning you must prove that you are financially disadvantaged.  There are also grants based on your race, your gender, your major, your military affiliation, your academic achievement, and much, much more.

Can single parents qualify for special grants?  Although it may be difficult to find college grants based solely on your single parent status, there are many grant programs designed to meet needs that are relevant to those of single parents.  If you are open minded and resourceful, you can find a variety of college grants for single parents (even if they aren’t labeled as such).

Where do you find grants for college?  Your first step should be to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Federal grants are relatively simple to apply for and qualify for.  You can even file online by visiting the fafsa.ed.gov site.  Aside from the FAFSA, you can also find privately-funded college grants through organizations, institutions, corporations, associations, and the like.  Also, try your state government, your employer, and your college, itself.  The Internet is the best place you can go to find grants of all types, based on these parameters.

As you can see, you have your work cut out for you when it comes to finding grants for college for single parents.  However, I can guarantee you that all of your hard work will pay off.  The grants are out there.  I hope these suggestions help you find them.