Month: January 2019

2019-01-10T16:51:49

(BPT) – Many students juggle work and family, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, which found that 62 percent of students work full- or part-time, and 29 percent have at least one dependent. Today’s college students are just as likely to be moms and dads themselves, full-time and part-time employees or members of the U.S. armed forces. Needing flexibility and variety in course offerings, more students are turning to online learning to design a path that fits their lifestyle.

As a result, online learning is seeing significant growth. A recent study found more than 6 million students take online courses across the U.S., and that number continues to rise. For example, at ASU Online, programs have grown significantly, with a 60 percent increase in freshman enrollment since fall 2016 to more than 35,000 students in over 175 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The following are some things you might not know about online learning:

1. Each learner is unique

“We work diligently to lay the right groundwork for each student at a personal and individual level because we know there is no silver bullet to student success,” said Leah Lommel, chief operating officer of ASU Online. “Each learner is unique — what works for one may not work for another. This reality requires a tireless commitment to innovation on the part of higher education.”

2. Higher education leads to career success

Access to higher education remains the best pathway to career success, directly impacting employment opportunities and wages. The Center on Education and the Workforce found that bachelor’s degree holders earn 31 percent more than workers with an associate’s degree and 74 percent more than those with a high school diploma. Further, emerging technologies and the changing nature of industries have created a demand for new types of skilled workers.

3. Flexibility is key

Higher ed programs need to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to study during the hours — or minutes — that fit their schedules. With online programs, students can gain practical knowledge throughout their program that can be immediately applied on the job, making them even more valuable in their current roles. As online programs continue to expand, students are more closely able to map coursework to their desired field of work.

4. Support structure is essential

Universities are discovering that online learning can be just as effective as face-to-face learning. However, support and guidance are essential to success. From strong faculty support to success coaches and career advisors, universities providing high-touch student services throughout a student’s journey see the best outcomes.

For students stepping back into school after many years, support and encouragement are key. Coaches are a lifeline as students juggle life with studying and coursework. Coaches offer support, help students overcome obstacles and connect them to other campus resources.

Online learning allows universities to meet students where they are, academically and personally. Today’s student is approaching education from a new standpoint, with different requirements and needs. The power of innovation in online learning means that each student can complete a degree in a way that was simply not possible before.

Interested in learning more? Check out https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs.

2019-01-10T14:19:00

(BPT) – Nearly 1 in 3 people approaching retirement age (28 percent) think they’re more likely to learn Bigfoot is real than to save enough to retire comfortably, according to a recent survey from AARP and the Ad Council. This year, make your retirement savings goal a reality! Visit AceYourRetirement.org today for a personalized action plan that can help you get your retirement savings on track.

2019-01-10T16:22:06

(BPT) – There are those who meticulously decorate dozens of petit fours for a dinner party, set up a photo station and even offer a gift bag. And there are those who may want to do all of that, but don’t have the time or the creative flair. But that doesn’t mean their party can’t have that “homemade” charm. All it takes is a little help and savvy know-how, and your celebrations can have the same love and care as if you DIYed them.

Here are some ways for you to make it look like a pro-DIYer was behind your party.

Semi-homemade hors d’oeuvres. Combine pre-made phyllo cups with already-prepared deli items like tuna or chicken salad, chicken curry, barbecued beef or pork or anything else that appeals to your palate. Or fill them with cheese like cubed brie or gruyere and pop them in the oven until the cheese is bubbly, or use ready-made pie filling to make a sweet treat. You can even raid your pantry and fill them with what you already have on hand. They’re elegant and easy, a perfect combination!

Know when to outsource. Cooking dinner or heavy hors d’oeuvres for a crowd can be time-consuming, but not everyone can use that time to prep for a party. The busy host or hostess knows the secret sauce of entertaining is knowing when and what duties to outsource. Dessert is one easy option and a big time-saver. Even catering in your whole party becomes affordable when you factor in the cost of ingredients and the time you’ll spend prepping, cooking and cleaning up. Many grocery stores will even deliver a party to your door, hot, assembled and ready to go.

Hire a cleaning service. Kids and pets — and let’s face it, ourselves from time-to-time — tend to leave a swath of dirt, debris and clutter in their wake on the best of days, but when company is on the way the mess seems to get magnified into epic proportions. Lucky for us, there are services like Merry Maids, which offers a variety of customizable cleaning services — from light housekeeping to disposing of those takeout boxes that have been in your fridge since the Clinton administration, to a deep clean of your entire house top-to-bottom. Even though 53 percent of women and 44 percent of men claim to enjoy cleaning — according to research Merry Maids recently conducted — a majority (72 percent) would “happily outsource their house cleaning to a service if they could.” This is likely because two-thirds of them (68 percent) also agree that having a cleaning service alleviates stress, and there is already enough of that going around.

Give homemade gifts. (Just not made in your home.) Etsy is one great site for finding creative gifts you may not have even known existed. It specializes in handcrafted, vintage and unique items, many that have been homemade. No one said they had to be made in your home. If you’re feeling creative, you can use Etsy and other online sites to find easy ways to personalize or DIY gifts you already have. One option is to make custom labels, which you can find on Etsy, for craft beer or wine to give as gifts. Or take something as simple as a candle and customize it to make it that much more meaningful.

Don’t even think about making dough. Ready-made pie crusts make baking a pie child’s play. One super easy recipe that will take you literally five minutes to assemble: Line a pie plate with one of the crusts. Mix 5 cups thawed or fresh blueberries with 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca and 1 tablespoon lemon juice, pop the mixture into the crust, top it all with the second crust and cut four slits in it. Fancy it up by brushing the top crust with milk and sprinkling a little sugar on it. Bake according to the directions on the pie crust box and boom, you’ve got pie. (Secret tip: You can buy pie filling ready made in a can, too.)

With everyone’s lives being so hectic these days between work, getting the kids to school and their various activities, and finding a few minutes to connect with your loved ones on any given day, entertaining can kick stress up a notch. But celebrating with family and friends should be fun and relaxing, right? Give yourself a break and use these easy tricks to add a personalized, DIY air, just without the added stress.

2019-01-09T14:01:01

(BPT) – While you may not need more reasons to visit Hawaii beyond its natural beauty and pristine beaches, the islands also celebrate unique cultural events to make any vacation truly memorable. The melting pot of cultures in the Aloha State make Hawaii different than any other place on earth. Planning your 2019 visit around one of these five festivals from March through July will make your trip even more special.

Honolulu Festival, March 8-10: Free and open to the public, this festival celebrates the mutual understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the Hawaiian people and the Pacific Rim. Enjoy dance performances and traditional art demonstrations from Japan, Australia, Tahiti, the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea and Hawaii. The festival finale is a spectacular parade. For your visit, stay at the Sheraton Waikiki; The Royal Hawaiian; Westin Moana Surfrider; Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; The Laylow, Autograph Collection; or Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach.

Merrie Monarch Festival, April 25-27: The premier hula festival in the world, the Merrie Monarch is dedicated to the memory of arts patron King David Kalakaua (1836-1891), who famously said: “Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.” In addition to the Hawaiian arts fair, music, craft demonstrations, hula shows and grand parade, the festival culminates in an amazing hula competition. Where to stay: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Westin Hapuna Beach Resort or Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

East Maui Taro Festival, April 13: Named for the most revered plant in Hawaiian culture (known in Hawaiian as Kalo), this festival celebrates Taro, believed to have the greatest life force of all foods, and which represents the origin of the Hawaiian people. The festival features a farmer’s market, hula dancing, arts and crafts, plus an array of traditional cultural demonstrations such as poi pounding and lauhala weaving. Stay at: Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui; Residence Inn – Maui Wailea; or Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport.

May Day, May 1: The popular phrase, “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii,” celebrates the most colorful time of year on the islands. While the special day is enjoyed statewide, the largest festivities are held on Oahu. Celebrations include lei-making and giving, plus, of course, hula dancing. Schools from preschool to high school hold special programs featuring “May Day Courts,” with their own princesses and princes representing each island. To experience the largest celebrations on Oahu, stay at: Sheraton Waikiki; The Royal Hawaiian; Westin Moana Surfrider; Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; The Laylow, Autograph Collection; or Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach.

Koloa Plantation Days Festival, July: Held on Kauai in July, the Koloa Plantation Days festival celebrates the ethnic groups that came to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations (and the Hawaiians who welcomed them) with a parade, craft and food booths, a rodeo, ukulele contest and family fun run during this 10-day festival. Where to stay: Sheraton Kauai Resort; Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection; or Kauai Marriott Resort.

Your trip to the Aloha State can be designed just for you, your special someone or your family, and centered around one of these unique cultural events for an unforgettable visit. To help plan your adventure in Hawaii that’s tailored to suit your budget, lifestyle and festival destination, contact Marriott International – Hawaii.

2019-01-09T10:25:00

(BPT) – If you find it challenging to understand the convoluted and sometimes conflicting information regarding your healthcare, you’re not alone.

Because the U.S. healthcare system is so complex, sometimes it can be a struggle for patients and even doctors to have clear, transparent information about the costs of medications and how they are covered by insurance.

Part of the problem is that doctors have had a near impossible job of knowing the costs of the thousands of drugs they prescribe given the many different insurance plans that cover their patients, with each charging different amounts for these medications. That’s been frustrating both for patients trying to take personal and financial ownership of their health, and for the busy doctors trying to help them.

Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue. More than 85 percent of physicians now use electronic health record (EHR) technology, which makes it possible to utilize new tools and digital platforms that provide your doctor drug and plan coverage information right in the exam room, as well as options for lower-cost alternative medications. This helps guarantee that you’re getting the right medication at the best price, as well as know in advance if the medication requires prior authorization (PA). This avoids the frustration of going to fill your prescription at the pharmacy only to learn that it’s either not covered or needs a PA.

This is just one of the many ways technology is changing healthcare. The availability and popularity of health and wellness tech tools has exploded in recent years, with wearable devices and apps providing personalized health information such as heart rate, blood pressure and sleep patterns, as well as medication, hydration and exercise reminders.

“High-tech tools gives doctors transparency into a patient prescription plan, allowing them to better monitor their patients’ conditions and make better treatment decisions, while also enabling patients to be much more knowledgeable about their health and more engaged in what they need to do to stay healthy,” said Dr. Lynne Nowak, chief physician experience officer at Express Scripts. “Technology can help make healthcare more of a partnership between the patient and the physician.”

Even when physicians are not using the latest technologies, their patients often have access to personalized treatment information right from their smartphones. One such app available through Express Scripts provides individual information so you can learn about the medications you’re being prescribed and any existing safety issues, whether you need a prior authorization, what the out-of-pocket costs of the treatment will be, which pharmacies offer the best price and whether there are alternatives or generics available that would cost less. With this information in hand, you can discuss the options with your doctor and leave the office with a prescription you know you’ll be able to fill at a price you can afford.

2019-01-09T08:01:00

(BPT) – You may have been thinking about going to college, either for the first time or to pick up where you left off. Perhaps you watched one person after another start taking online classes and thought to yourself, “Can I really take that on right now?” The next thing you know, you’re congratulating yet another person on finishing their degree and at that moment realizing, “Wow, I could be finished by now, too.”

The reality is, there will never be a perfect time to pursue college, and it’s certainly not a simple decision, but that doesn’t mean that earning your degree online is beyond your reach. For working adults who need the flexibility to find a program that fits into an already hectic lifestyle, online programs provide an ideal path. However, heading back to school takes organization, balancing life’s existing responsibilities — kids, work, spouse — and, most importantly, patience and support from those around you.

There are many roadblocks prospective students face when considering next steps in their career and education. The following points will help you overcome obstacles, debunk common myths about online learning and help you make an informed decision about finally earning your degree:

Roadblock #1: “I’m not sure pursuing my degree online is credible.” While perceptions around the credibility of online college are positively changing, occasionally some people are still unsure about the credibility of online offerings.

Overcoming It: Start with research. With growing adoption of online programs, there are now more options when looking for a credible, highly ranked program. Programs like ASU Online are consistently recognized by industry leaders, with U.S. News and World Report ranking ASU No. 4 in bachelor’s programs and naming it the most innovative school in the nation for the fourth year in a row.

“Early on, we saw the shifting dynamics of students and the need to provide access to education through multiple pathways, including online learning,” said Nancy Cervasio, Senior Director of Student Success for EdPlus at ASU. “The needs of today’s students are evolving, and online learning is evidence of our commitment to provide access to education.”

Roadblock #2: “I just don’t have time to make that kind of commitment.” Many adults feel they don’t have the time to spend going back to school.

Overcoming It: Trying to juggle the perfect work-life balance in between college courses can sometimes be a challenge. However, online degree programs are designed for busy students who need to build their coursework around their schedules. Look for a program that offers student support through a success coach from the start. Part personal advisor and part cheerleader, success coaches focus on supporting online students as they work to achieve their goals. From helping students adjust to life as an online student to offering success strategies and time management tips, success coaches are available to help guide students throughout their academic journey.

“It’s helping someone see the big picture,” says ASU Online success coach Kissa Powell. “We’re encouraged to do everything we can to help our students. What I really love is that our students are so enthusiastic about being in school. They are receptive when I tell them that although things may seem difficult right now, we can get where they want to go together — I’m going to empower them to get to that point.”

Roadblock #3: “I feel like I’m not moving forward in my career, even though I’ve been working toward a promotion. How do I get to the next step in my journey?” Concerns about career stagnation and apprehension about the future can be common.

Overcoming It: For those who are currently juggling a career, it’s especially important to have simple, flexible pathways to help you reach your goals. Regardless of your industry, pursuing a degree can help put you on the path to greater success.

Browsing available online degree programs can be a helpful place to start. Whether you’re looking to complete your MBA or earn a degree in Integrative Health, there are a variety of options that can help you map a path to reach your career goals.

As you complete your coursework, many online programs offer career advisors to support students with resume assistance, interview preparation, career advising and even online chats with career professionals. Many students have remarked that once they took the plunge and pursued a degree, they were finally able to reach the next step in their career.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your skills or earn a new title at work, a degree can serve as a launching pad. Online learning can help you find flexible and personalized pathways to realizing your education goals.

2019-01-08T16:15:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re expecting your first child or you’ve been around the baby block a few times before, there are always a lot of questions when preparing for parenthood. Feeding often tops the list, leaving moms puzzled at which are the best ways to nourish their little ones.

Experts agree that breast milk and/or formula should be the primary sources of nutrition for infants 6 months and younger. While 92 percent of mothers plan on breastfeeding, more than two-thirds of them rely on using infant formula, according to the new “Feeding Realities” survey by Perrigo Nutrition.

Infant formula is used for a variety of reasons, including by mothers who have trouble breastfeeding, limited milk supply or opt to by personal choice. There are a wide variety of formulas available, but that doesn’t make formula feeding intuitive. The survey results uncovered common mistakes and misconceptions moms of babies and toddlers have about formula feeding.

Using more water than necessary

On formula containers there are specific measurements that typically call for mixing powder and water, yet an alarming 21 percent of moms say they have used more water than required by the instructions when preparing formula. Nearly half stated their primary reason was to help save money or make formula last longer.

“Many new moms have the misconception that diluting formula with water will help save money or make it easier for baby to digest,” says Dr. Jennifer Gardner, family physician and co-author of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year. “Diluting critical nutrients in formula at a time of rapid growth can be dangerous for their baby. No cost savings is worth the risk of poor health and infant mortality. Parents should always follow preparation instructions on the product label and consult with their pediatrician to talk through infant-feeding options.”

Microwave bottle preparation

Bottle preparation often causes confusion for moms. When warming infant formula, half of moms said they always or sometimes use the microwave to make a bottle. The problem is microwaving formula bottles can affect ingredients and cause hot spots that might burn a baby’s mouth.

What many parents don’t realize is formula does not need to be warmed before it is given to baby. If your child happens to prefer a warm bottle, place it under warm running water and make sure that water isn’t getting into the bottle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before feeding, test the temperature of the bottle by putting a few drops on the back of your hand to ensure it’s not too hot.

Reusing and storing formula

If baby doesn’t finish a bottle, it’s tempting to put it in the fridge for later, but this can be a mistake. The survey found 51 percent of moms have thrown a partially used infant formula bottle back in the fridge to use for the next feeding time. This is dangerous because bacteria can grow and the nutritional profile of the formula can diminish.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), formula not fed to baby can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours if you are making it ahead of time. However, once you feed a bottle to baby, you must discard the remaining contents after one hour from the start of that feeding.

Store-brand formula confusion

According to the survey, 20 percent of moms worried about what formula to purchase in the first few months of their baby’s life. Babies can be expensive, but one way to stretch budgets without sacrificing quality is to use store-brand formulas that meet the same FDA standards as nationally advertised brands. All formula brands — including store brands — offer complete nutrition for infants. Learn more at www.storebrandformula.com.

“New moms can feel confident that store-brand formula will provide complete nutrition for baby just like any brand-name formula,” says Gardner. “All infant formulas are required to meet the same FDA standards, which means store-brand formula has the same quality as other brand names but costs less. More importantly, there’s no need for parents to take unnecessary risks such as diluting formula to save money when they can trust that store-brand formula is a high-quality and affordable option.”