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4 Reasons Why Online Education is a Win for Busy Moms

May 18, 2023 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment




Thanks to Markerly and Concordia University Wisconsin for partnering with me on today’s post. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

I often joke about how my master’s degree that I earned by the time I was 23 is now serving as extremely expensive artwork on my wall.

It’s funny because it’s true.

I’m working in an entirely different field than what I have professional training in, and because I consider myself to be quite teachable, so far it has worked out. But there have been many moments when I have longed for a business class or a marketing class I could take online to give me some additional grounding in the subject matter. I also often remind myself that even if I had earned a marketing degree in undergrad or grad school, by now that information would be totally irrelevant since I graduated before social media was a thing. Basically, learning is a lifetime thing, friends.

Online education, as it turns out, is a sensible choice for me if I’d like to develop new skills or just stay current in a field. It’s a fantastic choice for many busy moms out there, like me, who might be thinking of switching careers or who want to enhance their resume with more education before returning to the work force after taking a break to be with the little ones.

If you are thinking about pursuing education for yourself right now, but you feel overwhelmed at the thought of enrolling in your nearest college or university, here are some reasons to consider trying online options.  reasons to pursue online education

1. Convenience

The importance of convenience simply cannot be overstated for moms with young ones at home. In this season of life, we get to do things for ourselves in little scraps of time throughout the day, or very early in the morning (that’s what I go for) or late at night. Or all of the above. An online education, such as what is offered at Concordia University Wisconsin, offers classes that meet asynchronously. This means that you have assignments to complete every week by certain times, but you aren’t required to sit down in front of the computer at a specific time on a specific day. You have the freedom and flexibility to get your work done at the time that works for you.

2. Minimal “Life” Interruption

Since you are taking classes on your computer and at your convenience, your life will experience fewer disruptions. You aren’t going to have to miss important family events for class, for example. You also aren’t going to have to hire a sitter to go to class, or leave work early (if you are already working outside of the home) to attend a lecture. Of course advance planning is going to be requried to get all of your work done in a timely fashion, but with proper planning, the inconvenience to other components of your life will be quite small, which is awesome.

3. Costs Often Lower

When compared with the expenses of enrolling in a more traditional college setting, online courses can often be less expensive. Even if tuition is comparable to your local university, consider additional expenses that you won’t incur with an online option, such as commuting, course materials, and even free course offerings (Concordia Univeristy Wisconsin has many free courses. I recently took one on social media!).

4. So Many Choices

Whether you want to learn a few new tidbits for the fun of it, stay up-to-date in your current field, enhance your educational foundation with a higher degree, or go all out and pursue a doctorate in a completely different area than what you’ve studied before, you can do it all online. Online courses do not mean limited selection!

I know that feeling of being beyond pressed for time,I really do. But if you have a desire to enhance your educational skill set, don’t let yourself believe that this dream has to wait. You may not be able to puruse it as quickly as you could when you were younger and didn’t have all these adult responsibilities, but you definitely CAN take a step toward your dreams right now. In this season of life, many things really dohave to wait, but education doesn’t need to be one of them, thanks to online programs like what is offered at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Filed Under: Fun Things To Do · Tagged: concordia university, online education, online education busy moms

EmbarK Online: Our Favorite Online Learning Program Now 50% Off

February 10, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

This post brought to you by K12, the leader in online education for grades K-12. All opinions are 100% mine.

For the last two weeks, every evening after our 21 month old goes to bed, My 4 1/2 year old and I climb into my bed, open up the laptop, and log into EmbarK¹² Online and "play games." Only these are all learning games, perfect for young children ages 3-6. 

EmbarK Online coupon photo EmbarKonlinecoupon_zpsa77807b8.jpg

Last week I witnessed Darah reading her very first book. It happened on EmbarK¹² Online and I'm not ashamed to tell you that I shed a few tears as I watched her work through each page (or in this case, screen). When she finished, she turned to look at me and was positively beaming. It is one of those childhood moments of hers that I will remember forever. 

EmbarK12 Online – Over 830 interactive activities to engage your preschooler.

When I agreed to review this online learning system, I expected to enjoy it, but I didn't expect to absolutely LOVE it. But I really do. The huge variety of activities and the various levels of difficulty make it easy to customize what your child is working on based on their skill and comprehension level in each area. For Darah, she's more advanced in a few areas, and in others, needs to be working on the introductory lessons for now. Switching up the levels is seamless, which I really like! 

EmbarK Online Responsive Design photo EmbarKonlineresponsivedesign_zps8cbac42b.jpg

I also really appreciate the responsive design of the program. Darah doesn't have great mouse skills yet, but she sure knows how to operate a tablet. Our laptop has a responsive screen, and that makes it really easy for her to press and swipe and move herself through the activities. 

Darah requests to get to "play some of those fun games" with me every single night. Watching her do a little math, a little science, and a little reading before bed each night is something I'm totally on board with. EmbarK¹² Online makes it easy and fun. Check out this helpful video to learn a little bit more about the program. 

50% Off Coupon

I'm thrilled to get to share with you a 50% off coupon for EmbarK¹² Online. This code brings the 12 month subsription price down to just $29.50 (regularly $59). If your child likes to play on the computer and if you are looking for some supplemental learning material, I definitely think EmbarK¹² Online is a fantastic choice. And I think $29.50 is a fantastic price for over 830 online, interactive, FUN activities! 🙂 

Kindergarten readiness programs by K12. Try a sample activity today.

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Filed Under: General · Tagged: coupon, embark online, embark12 online, embark12 online coupon, embark12 online review, learning games for kids, online education, online learning games, online school, review

Earning an MBA Without Quitting Your Day Job To Get It

June 11, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Time to share another little-known fact about me! Did you know that I am a college faculty member? It’s true! I teach a course on world religions (so that Master’s Degree in Theological Studies really does get put to work!).

But I don’t report to a local university a few times each week. In fact, I don’t even have to report to an online class at any specific time of day. I do most of my grading around 5am every day, in my pj’s, while Darah is sleeping. If she wakes up early (as often happens), Tim takes the early morning shift with her while I grade papers and respond to discussion questions about different religions and how they interface with each other in our shrinking world.

As a faculty member in this type of environment, I have to say that I really appreciate this approach to education. I can make teaching fit into my life. I know that the students are in similar situations. Most of my students are trying to balance part-time or even full-time jobs, family commitments, and getting an advanced education so that they can improve their career prospects. Going back to school is hard work no matter how you decide to do it, but the online learning environment provides the flexibility that so many people need so that they can earn a degree without quitting their jobs (as going without an income is not at all possible for so many people).

Perhaps you have a great idea and an entrepreneurial spirit. You’ve always dreamed of starting your own business. Have you considered going for an MBA? Such a move can really help you create a solid business plan to help ensure that your great idea can actually turn into a viable business. I think so often people have AMAZING ideas, but their businesses never get off the ground because a great idea is not enough to keep a business going, unfortunately.

Fortunately, there are so many fantastic programs that can be taken online, or that meet regularly but are designed for someone who has other commitments, such as work or family obligations. For example, this Colorado Business Schooloffers everything from an accelerated full-time program that you can complete in 11 months (wow!) to all sorts of part-time options.If you have the time and want to go full-speed ahead, then those options definitely exist. But I want to make sure that those of you out there who are daydreaming of earning a degree understand that you really can go back to school for an MBA, or for most any other degree and find a program that fits your needs and that fits into your busy life. I know this for a fact since I teach in such an environment, and experience the benefits of an education that is rigorous, but can bend and flex depending on your needs. Don’t let a lack of time be a barrier for you!

What about you? Are you in school? Thinking about going back? I’d love to hear!

Disclosure: I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Filed Under: General · Tagged: business administration school, business school, business schools, colleges in colorado, colorado business, colorado business school, online education, online education classes, online education college, online education degrees

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Welcome!


Grab your beverage of choice (mine is iced coffee) and let's hang out for a spell! I'm Tiffany, and I've rambunctious little girls and a fierce desire to share any tip and trick I can find to make lives with little ones a bit less hectic and a lot more fun. [Read more...]

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