Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • August 25, 2010 �������������� Returning to college? Chase your passion, not a paycheck (ARA) Given current economic conditions, it’s no surprise that many people are considering going back to college either to pursue a more advanced degree in their field or to change fields altogether. ����������������������������� There is a process you can follow to be smart about returning to college. The first thing to do is spend more ������������ time thinking about your interests than you do thinking about money. That sounds counterintuitive, but return�������������������� ing to college has to be about more than chasing a paycheck. It’s been said that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. So finding and fol������������������ lowing your passion is time well spent. Seth Saunders, president of South University in Virginia Beach, offers the following advice. “Enrolling in college should not be a decision entered into lightly. Too often, people begin college only to drop out later. College represents a significant investment in time and money, so start wisely, and conduct a thorough selfassessment.” If you are not sure where your passion would take you, let alone what it may be, then sit down with pen and paper and make a list of the following: things you like to do in your free time, different talents or skills that come easily to you, people you admire, subject areas and classes you enjoyed while growing up, topics you relish reading about, and people you prefer to be around. The answers you provide to these questions will sharpen your focus. For a small fee, you can take the Myers-Briggs Assessment online and have the results analyzed to ensure that your interests are in line with your personality. After you have identified a career path that not only uses some of your strengths but also engages you in the type of activity and thinking that you most enjoy, meet and interview people currently working in that field. In some cases, they may let you shadow someone in their business. As you evaluate your options, consider both the positive and the less attractive aspects of the desired industry. For instance, if you like helping people, you might be inclined toward healthcare, but think about how you will respond to sick or sad people on a daily basis. Finally, it’s important to determine what you are willing to sacrifice in order to return to college. Ask yourself: “Can I devote the time and energy necessary to be a successful college student? Will I set priorities, Thinkstock budget my time and money, and impose discipline in my life?” “It can be overwhelming at first, but once you establish a routine, with ample time to prepare for and attend classes, this new regimen will become second nature, and the organizational skills you gain through higher education will serve you well in your career,” said Saunders. Simplify your back-to-school routine (ARA) As summer winds down, it means fewer backyard barbecues, shorter days, and most of all, kids headed back to school. The transition from summer to school can be daunting for any parent, and each year it seems the to-do list gets longer. Lisa Gurry, one of Working Mother Magazine’s 2009 Moms of the Year, has some ideas to make life a bit more manageable this fall. Back-to-school shopping: Every school requires certain school supplies and most kids love the process of choosing the perfect new backpack or lunch box. Comparison shop early and beat the crowds. Pantry stock-up: Before the school year gets underway, be sure to stock up on all of the essential pantry staples (snacks, desserts, peanut butter and jelly, etc.) so you will be prepared to pack a great lunch at a moment’s notice. Having well-stocked cupboards will help streamline your morning routine and, by planning ahead, you will be able to get the best prices on all your goods. Centralize the essentials: Don’t let things get lost in the shuffle. Turn your home’s coat closet or mud room into a school prep station so everyone knows where to find lunch boxes, backpacks, coats, etc, so when the morning rush to eat, dress, and brush teeth has the household frenzied, you can still make it out the door on time with everything you need for the day. Avoid the jam: If you run late, your kids run late. Before you leave to take your child to school or to after school activities like sports, music or dance classes, use mapping and traffic applications to find the best route to avoid traffic, so your kids aren’t stressing out about missing anything important from the things they enjoy. The back-up plan: Even the most prepared parent hits a snag once in a while. Realizing half-way to school the lunch box is on the kitchen counter or the gym shoes are at a friend’s house can ruin a child’s day. A handy mobile application for making mid-route stops is www. bing.com/maps. This application allows you to use your phone to easily find the closest grocery or chain store to pick up what you need in a hurry and keep you from missing your 9 a.m. meeting at work. Pinnacle Learning Center At the Ramapo Reformed Church 109 West Ramapo Ave., Mahwah Conveniently located just off Route 17 7 AM - 6:30 PM M-F Yr. Round Flexible Hrs. Half and Full Day Pre-School - 2½ - 6 Years Crafts, Music, Spanish, Computers, Science AM & PM Academics. NEW Mommy & Me Program Owner/Director/Teacher Maria Cancelosi NJ State License CPR Trained Affordable - Sibling Discount Register for September 2010 201-512-3313