TIP OF THE WEEK

Tips for working adults returning to college

Most working professionals want to advance their skills, land that promotion and get a raise. However, some 36 million adults face a significant barrier to achieving their goals and aspirations: They still need to complete a significant amount of coursework in order to earn a college degree.

While many of these adults have completed at least some higher education classes, the demands of family life and maintaining a career, along with a lack of financial resources, can both be forces that derail these plans.

Fortunately, the pathways to earning a college degree are evolving, which means a working professional now has more affordable and efficient means to finish the coursework. With a smart strategy, a busy working professional can make that dream of earning a diploma into a reality.

Define your goals. Some people know exactly what they want from life and how a college degree will help them fulfill their goals. Others may have more general ambitions related to finishing the degree, but they may need to take time to create a more detailed plan. In either case, before choosing a higher education program, it’s important to take time to inventory skills and career experiences.

Consider your time and explore your financial options. For a working adult, using traditional means to earn a degree isn’t always best-suited to the realities of life — not to mention finances. It’s important to take time to research your options, because there may be more flexible and affordable paths to choose from.

Get organized. Working toward a degree can be an intense experience for anyone, which is why it’s important to create the right environment to focus and study. Start by setting up a study station. Ideally, this is a desk or table that’s clean, well-lit and organized with plenty of supplies on hand, and a comfortable chair.

Get support. With the demands of school and work, now is an appropriate time to seek help from family and friends. Talk to your partner, parents or siblings about taking on child care duties a few days or evenings a week so you can work without interruption.

Keep it in balance. When life gets this hectic, especially when it’s consumed with family, work and school, it’s easy to burn the candle at both ends, leaving you feeling overextended and burned out. This is why it’s important to schedule some down time. Having a break to look forward to can be a powerful motivational tool.

— Brandpoint

NUMBER TO KNOW

125

Delivery giant UPS recently announced that it will purchase 125 of Tesla’s new all-electric semi-trucks, which are set to begin production in 2019.

TECH TALK

Google Chrome to block annoying ads

Google recently announced the its Chrome system will begin to automatically block internet ads that can become annoying to certain users. On Feb. 15, 2018, Chrome will start blocking ads that autoplay sound and ads that force users to wait several seconds before a browser page loads.

According to Google, Chrome will remove all ads from sites that continually violate the Better Ads Standards for more than 30 days.

THE LIST

According to Forbes, America’s top charities (in donations received) for 2017 are:

1. United Way Worldwide ($3.54 billion)
2. Task Force for Global Health ($2.67 billion)
3. Feeding America ($2.38 billion)
4. Salvation Army ($1.88 billion)
5. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ($1.37 billion)
6. Food for the Poor ($1.2 billion)
7. Habitat for Humanity International ($1.17 billion)
8. Direct Relief ($1.1 billion)
9. YMCA of the USA ($1.04 billion)
10. Americares Foundation ($970 million)

— More Content Now