Monthly Archives: July 2022

Choosing the College Major That Aligns with Your Career Goals

Going to college and earning a degree can be a life-changing experience. You may have been told college is the path to a better life. While this is true, working toward a degree only makes sense if you have a clear vision as to how it will help you reach your future goals. This is where choosing the right major comes into play. Before you decide on a particular major or program, make sure it aligns with your interests, strengths and career goals. There’s a lot to think about before settling on a major, and the process can be overwhelming. A strong vision and plan of your academic path will help you be successful in college and after you graduate. A major is a subject you specialize in when you go to college or university. For example, people interested in becoming a mental health therapist may pursue a psychology major, while those wanting to become a nurse will choose nursing as their major. Once you decide on a major, you will be taking classes that teach you the skills you need to complete your degree and work in a given field. Colleges and universities offer a list of classes you must take and pass to fulfill the requirements of your major and earn your degree. These lists of classes are known as programs. For example, at St. Louis College of Health Careers, we offer a variety of to help you fulfill the requirements of your major and earn your degree. Consider a major that will genuinely interest you. If you’ve always thought about teaching and love interacting with children, perhaps pursuing a degree in elementary education is the right choice for you. Maybe you excel at multitasking and have excellent organizational skills. Why not let your managerial skills shine by becoming a ? Think about the things you’re good at. What’s something that comes easily to you? Maybe you’re good at caring for others or thrive in fast-paced environments. Often, people pursue degrees and occupations that pay well but aren’t a great fit for their abilities or predisposition. For instance, if you want to become a nurse but faint at the sight of blood, you will likely have a difficult time in nursing school. A person who wants to teach but has a fear of public speaking may become anxious and unhappy in their profession. Lastly, consider your career goals, such as salary expectations or your ideal work hours and work environment before deciding if the career you’re thinking about pursuing will be a good fit for you. It’s perfectly normal to have trouble deciding on a major. Sometimes knowing if a given major is the right choice for you requires gaining some first-hand insight. Consider volunteer work in a field you’re interested in to gain some hands-on experience. You can also talk to people working in fields that interest you about their personal experiences. If a particular major or program has caught your eye, think about reaching out to the Student services are an excellent source of information and can offer you plenty of insight and academic advice on the major you’re interested in studying. SLCHC’s academically challenging and hands-on programs provide a gateway into the world of healthcare. When you enroll in SLCHC, you become a member of an of like-minded people looking to grow both personally and professionally. To learn more about our diverse array of programs, call 866-529-2070 or .

How to Mentally Prepare for College

It’s official—you’ve registered for classes, paid your tuition fees and are ready to start college. Pursuing a college degree is an amazing opportunity to grow professionally and personally, but it can also be a challenging experience if you haven’t prepared yourself mentally for what lies ahead. While enrolling in classes and purchasing school supplies is a necessary step, you also need to have a solid game plan for not just surviving college but making the best of this crucial time in your life. The more prepared and organized you are, the easier the transition to college will be. Going to college while juggling other responsibilities can be stressful enough. Establishing unreasonable goals for yourself may be self-sabotaging. You can strive for success and personal growth without setting unreasonable expectations. Accept that transitioning to college may be a bumpy experience and will likely include plenty of ups and downs. Instead of aiming for straight As, set goals that are more realistic and useful. For example, during your first semester of college, focus on finding a pace that’s right for you. You may need to first learn how to navigate a learning platform if you choose to take online classes. Accept that those first few months of college may feel uncomfortable and embrace the transition. As time goes by, you’ll likely settle into your college routine and be able to pursue more ambitious academic goals. Whether you work full-time, have children or both, attending college often requires help and support from others. Things that you could handle by yourself before may need to be delegated to family members and friends. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need time to yourself for studying. Perhaps a parent, spouse or a good friend can help you care for your children, go grocery shopping or cook dinner. If you find yourself struggling mentally or academically, utilize your school’s resources. Schedule a session with a therapist or mentor. Reach out to a professor you trust for guidance or clarification on an assignment or topic you find confusing or unclear. Before you begin college, establish a sustainable routine. Block off a realistic amount of time for schoolwork and make it your top priority. Many people tend to leave schoolwork for the last minute. While procrastination may be tempting, it’ll likely leave you drowning in assignments and negatively affect your academic performance. By dedicating a couple of hours each day to studying, you’ll avoid the stress of having to turn in multiple assignments at the last minute. Dividing your study time equally during the week will give you more free time on the weekends to relax, exercise or spend quality time with your children. If you haven’t established healthy eating habits, starting college may be the ideal time to do so. Studying can take a significant toll on your brain, so make it a priority to nourish your mind with healthful foods. While eating junk food and skipping meals may have worked for you thus far, if you want to stay energized and focused on your studies, you’ll need to incorporate brain-boosting foods into your everyday diet, such as lean meats, yogurt, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables. Avoid skipping meals, even when your schedule is tight, as failure to recharge may cause your energy level to plummet, which can negatively affect your focus and academic performance. Being consistently busy with school and work may cause you to stay up during the night doing things you enjoy, like watching movies, going out with friends or even just browsing social media. While the need to engage in the things you like after a busy day of work and studying is understandable, sacrificing sleep can increase your stress levels and make it unnecessarily difficult to manage multiple responsibilities. Allow your brain to recover from a busy day by getting at least seven hours of sleep. Getting plenty of sleep allows your brain to recharge and serve you well during this busy stage of your life. Students enrolled in our flexible and state-of-the-art to support them throughout their academic journey. To about SLCHC’s educational opportunities, call 866-529-2070.

How to Overcome Distractions While Studying Online

Online learning offers plenty of benefits. Also known as asynchronous learning, studying online allows you to complete schoolwork on your own schedule and at your own pace. These features are especially advantageous if you work full-time or have a family to care for. But the safety and comfort of your home, paired with easy access to your smart device and all the distractions on the internet, can potentially make remote coursework a lot less productive than taking classes in person. If you’re pursuing a college degree from home, it’s important to find ways to avoid various distractions, such as social media or conversations with family members, that can negatively affect your focus and productivity. Overcoming distractions doesn’t happen overnight, but if you establish some ground rules and commit to them, you’ll be able to maintain the focus and self-discipline needed to be academically successful. When you’re studying, writing a paper or taking a test, it’s important to find a quiet and private space that allows you to focus on the task at hand. If you choose to do schoolwork in the living room of your home, chances are you will keep getting distracted by family members or a loud television. If you cannot find a secluded space at home, consider going somewhere conducive to studying. For example, find a cozy coffee shop near you with access to Wi-Fi. You can also book a study room in your local library where you’re guaranteed to be free from disturbances and can focus on schoolwork. If you’re like most people, it’s possible you spend a lot of time on your phone. Many people have become addicted to their phones, engaging in activities like browsing social media and apps, watching videos on YouTube or messaging friends. If your phone use cuts into your limited study time, find a way to eliminate this distraction. You can simply turn off your phone or your phone’s notifications. Consider putting your phone away or moving it to a different room. If you’re studying at a library or coffee shop, leave your phone at home or in your car. Since taking online courses doesn’t require you to show up to a classroom at a fixed time, you’re pretty much free to create your own school schedule. While this comes easily to some, others may have a hard time prioritizing school and devoting time to studying. Establishing a consistent routine will help you limit distractions and increase your overall focus and productivity. You can also create a detailed plan of study which will help you avoid distractions and work more efficiently. For example, give yourself two hours every day to complete schoolwork, followed by an activity you enjoy, such as working out or walking your dog. Knowing you only have two hours to study and turn in any assignments will deter you from wasting precious time scrolling your phone or engaging in other distractions. Incorporating short breaks into your schedule is a crucial aspect of a good study routine. When you’re concentrating on schoolwork and staring at a screen for a prolonged period of time, your brain becomes tired and needs downtime to rest. By going for a short walk, exercising or grabbing a cup of your favorite coffee, you’re giving yourself time to recharge so you can return to your studies feeling refreshed and ready to focus again. At SLCHC, we welcome allows students to experience blended learning by completing a combination of online and in-person courses. Whether you’re interested in becoming a nurse, medical assistant or a physical therapy assistant, we have the right program and curriculum to help you reach your career goal. To learn more, call 866-529-2070 or .

How to Research Colleges and Find the Right School for You

If you’re fed up with low-paying, dead end jobs, you may be thinking about going back to school.  Today’s job market is filled with promising job opportunities, but many of them require a college degree. While pursuing higher education can be a challenging endeavor, research shows it’s often well worth it. For instance, in 2021 people with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of , while high school graduates made an average of $30,000 a year. Having a college degree can open doors to many interesting and financially attractive job opportunities. Luckily, colleges and universities aren’t just reserved for young high school graduates on the brink of adulthood. Anybody, regardless of their age and background, can better themselves by earning a college degree from an accredited institution of their choice. If you’re interested in a college degree, it’s important to understand your motives and consider several factors before making a decision on what, where and how to study. This is the most fundamentally important question you should answer, as it will help you determine if college is truly the right path for you. Going to school requires commitment and can be mentally, physically and financially demanding. If you’ve decided to go to college because of other people’s expectations, you might not find the dedication and perseverance necessary to complete your degree. On the other hand, if your desire to pursue a college degree comes from an intrinsic need to create a better future for yourself and your loved ones, more likely than not, college is the right choice for you. Other than an increase in pay, what else do you want to get out of your college degree? Think carefully about your interests and strengths. If you enjoy serving others, perhaps a career as a . Once you’ve figured out what interests you, research colleges and programs that align with your interests. Consider the post-graduation job outlook of the field you’re interested in studying. For instance, if your plan is to become a , research career outlooks to make sure you won’t have much trouble landing a job after you graduate. You don’t want to pursue a degree with a low employment rate or one that doesn’t offer an attractive salary. You may also want to consider acquiring skills that are projected to be in high demand within the next ten years. For example, employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow . This means getting a degree in nursing will likely help you secure a steady and financially rewarding career in the healthcare field. When researching colleges and universities, consider only those that are accredited. An educational institution that is accredited has undergone a rigorous check by a credible authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation ensures the school you’re considering offers a legitimate education that meets the national standard of excellence. A degree from an unaccredited school might not be accepted by employers, certifying agencies that administer licensing tests or other schools you may want to transfer to in the future. Not every person has the free time and resources to attend in-person classes and experience campus life, especially working adults and those with families. If you have other obligations, going back to school may be a challenging undertaking. Luckily, many colleges offer flexible programs that allow busy students to complete schoolwork at their own pace and at the time of day that works best for them. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend in-person classes, look for programs that offer online courses, evening classes or a combination of both. If you’re thinking about a career in the healthcare field, explore the many accredited programs C has to offer. We provide state-of-the-art courses that combine theory with practice. At SLCHC, we want to make sure students from all walks of life have access to an , academically challenging education that equips them with the knowledge they need to thrive in modern healthcare workplaces. Browse our list of programs or call 866 529-2070 to learn more.