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For me, Reflections are one of the most uncomfortable things to write because I tend to overthink. Same as most humans, I would like to leave a favorable impression with my professor and classmates. I also tend to be very blunt, and sometimes the two just don’t coexist. Hopefully, I didn’t oversell this reflection with that last bit, because I really don’t have anything controversial to say about Dr. Wetzl’s Writing II class.

I used to love writing prior to the death of my husband. I used to love reading as well, but after the trauma of my sudden loss it was extremely hard to focus. I would read and re-read the same page, and not absorb a word of it. As someone who used to read a minimum of two novels a week, it was very frustrating. Now that I am four years out (and remarried), I am finding joy in reading again, so I am optimistic the joy in writing will show up at some point, as well.

I often struggle with anxiety and indecision when writing now, lacking a clear voice or vision. I find it difficult to write things on a timeline, as I wait for the flow of words to direct me. I understand that is not how the writing process works in college, but I am crippled by it all the same. Occasionally, the genie pops out of the bottle, and I can pull together a fairly decent paper. Typically, I just procrastinate until I am up against the wall of a deadline, then panic-write.

Three times, I have taken College Writing II, and two times, I have Withdrawn. My first two aborted attempts were with professors who had more of an interest in creative writing, but not the process of writing APA, which I desperately needed to learn for my Psychology Writing Intensive this Fall (which I also withdrew from in the Spring Semester due to being clueless when it came to APA). I almost dropped a Forensic Psychology class this Summer because the syllabus said if you didn’t know how to write in APA, you would have a rough time passing the class. My professor reassured me that she would go easy on me so I wouldn’t drop the class. Dr. Wetzl taught me enough APA right off the bat that I have received high marks on my Forensic Psych writing assignments. I’m afraid Dr. Tabak will find me disingenuous now!  I hope not, seeing as how I will have her for the Writing Intensive.

My friend (Melissa Whiddon) had told me that I NEEDED to take Writing II with Dr. Wetzl, and she was right. Dr. Wetzl has explained the APA style of writing in a way that I finally grasped (mostly…). When I found out that my daughter’s friend had another professor for Writing I this Fall, I encouraged her to switch to Dr. Wetzl’s class because I feel having the ability to teach without being condescending is a gift. For a student to be able to say to their professor, “I’m not sure, can you explain that again?”, and the professor patiently explain it instead of treating them like an idiot, now that is a thing of beauty.

I enjoyed the discussions on Putnam’s book, and I have a confession to make – I actually had purchased Putnam’s earlier book, Bowling Alone, after a recommendation from a classmate in my Intersession class on Stress & Coping. I had never heard of the man before this Summer, and now I’m doubling down on Putnam! I will be thinking about some of the people profiled in Our Kids for a long time to come.

As far as “What else should we have covered?”, I have no idea. I feel we covered a lot in this class, and in a short time, too!

I will utilize the knowledge I gained in this class for quite a long time. As a Psych major, I will be required to write often in APA, especially in grad school. Afterwards, not so much, according to my psychologist friends (unless I decide to become a researcher). I am also more comfortable using the online writing lab, which is a valuable resource I was a little ashamed to use up until this class. I will use it in the future, although I regretfully did not use it for Essay 3 because of the procrastination factor.

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Overcoming Obstacles to Success for Student Parents by Karen Fritz

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Overcoming Obstacles to Success for Student Parents by Karen Fritz

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“Nontraditional” is a label applied to undergraduate college students who do not fit the model of a traditional full-time student between the ages of 18 to 24 years. However, there is a broad spectrum of issues that further complicate the journey to a degree for many nontraditional students. Working class and lower-middle class students find many obstacles when trying to obtain a college degree – location, transportation, and affordability, to name a few. Add in being a single parent, and they have a whole other batch of additional obstacles to overcome – childcare while attending class, fitting in study time, and affording to provide for their children’s short-term needs while working to provide a better life for them in the long run. Nontraditional single student parents are often an amalgamation of parent, student, and employee; without adequate supports, the stress of filling these roles can lead to a significant number of them dropping out within their first year. What are the obstacles impacting student parents’ success in higher education, and how can they be overcome? I hypothesize that parent students can succeed in higher education with adequate supports in financial aid, inclusive campus organizations, and childcare.

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- It can be done! Organize yourself and set new expectations for things that have little impact at the moment (cleaning, home cooked meals etc.) Concentrate on things that are meaningful and empowering.

- Try to find universities that are are better for non-traditional students. Online courses or hybrid courses are best.

- Make friends to help w/kids, talk w/instructors, schedule & balance your life 💖

- You are making the best choice ever break the cycle and the glass ceiling.

- Find a strong support system. Ignore the days you want to give up, they are not as important as the reason you started. Take full advantage of the opportunities that present themselves and also, its college have fun. Forget that your classmates are younger and enjoy what they have to teach you as well.

- Don’t give up. It may be hard but it’s so worth it. Never forget your children are watching and will take notice of your hard work.

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No Clubs for Nontraditionals by Karen Fritz

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No Clubs for Nontraditionals by Karen Fritz

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I was hoping to include a link for a Nontraditional Student Organization at Kent State where students would be able to find support among others in the same situation. Unfortunately, no such clubs exist at either the Trumbull or Main campuses. If you are into BDSM, Furries, ukeleles, or knitting, Kent has a club for you among their hundreds of offerings. If you don't fit the demographic of a traditional college student, you're on your own. I feel there are enough potential benefits for nontraditional students to start a group to provide support to one another. I believe that benefits such as playgroups, study groups, mentorship, or just knowing that you aren't alone in this endeavor would outweigh the inconveniences associated with participation in such a group.

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KSU shared this resource from the U of A, but I find it a little sad that they do not offer one of their own. That being said, there are some national scholarships listed, as well as Summit County resources which could be helpful to any single mother (unfortunately the scholarships are limited to women).

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Re-imagining Education for Single Parents

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Re-imagining Education for Single Parents

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Some data and discussion on the changing face of nontraditional undergraduate education.

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The rising trend of the "nontraditional" college student

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College is challenging. Parenting is challenging. Those who succeed at doing both at the same time tend to have help from strong family and friend support networks. Research now available highlights the role of social support and stress in the physical health of college students who are also parents.

Nearly 5 million undergraduate students are also parents in the United States. Of those student parents, only 26 percent earn their degree within six years. Many of the others leave university for lower paying jobs. Some reasons for leaving college early include not having a strong enough support system including friends and family that can pitch in and help when the student parent needs to stay late on campus or when a child is sick. Others cannot overcome the financial burden of paying for college while raising a child. Many student parents work extra jobs when they are not in class to make ends meet. Many suffer from significant stress that is compounded by juggling two major life transitions at once: becoming a college student and becoming a new parent.

Drs. Eve Gerrard and Ron Roberts found that some student parents question why they are putting themselves and their families through this stress and whether a college degree is really worth it. Since being a student parent often means not doing either role to the best of their abilities, some student parents wonder whether the sacrifices they are making to their education and their children will pay off in the end.

As communication scientists, we recognize the importance of a strong social support network in handling and overcoming challenges in any life stage, but especially when attending college while raising young children. Social network members like family, friends, and others who care can offer instrumental support like parenting advice or study tips. They can also offer tangible support like tuition money or a place to stay. When people receive enough good support, they are better off physically, mentally, and socially.

In a recent study from the Family Communication and Relationships Lab published in Health Communication, my colleague, Dr. Kristina Scharp, and I set out to discover how the costs of seeking support influence the health of undergraduate student parents. Costs of seeking support can be both intrapersonal and interpersonal and occur when people feel stigmatized or distressed about asking for help. It is easy to imagine a new parent who wants to appear confident and like they have they have everything under control may not want to ask for help. Having to ask for help may be intrapersonally costly if it lowers the person's self-esteem or makes them worry about their ability to solve problems. Interpersonal support costs happen when the person thinks they will looks weak or incompetent to others, or they worry about how others will react to their request for help. For example, if new parents believe they should be able to handle the stress of a new baby and should naturally know how to be "good parents," they may fear that others will look down on them for needing help. We found that the higher the costs student parents reported they felt, the worse their physical health. Student parents who perceived high costs to seeking support had more headaches, slept less, and exercised less than parents who reported lower costs.

Second, we wanted to understand how the amount of support a student parent desired influenced his/her physical health. People differ in how much support they want from their networks. Here we examined a type of support that relies on communication: social presence support. Social presence support captures the amount of support a person believes they have available to them. When a sibling tells a new parent "I am here for you if you need anything," they are providing social presence support. Social presence support is about knowing support is available if needed, not about how much is actually given. Social presence was not directly associated with poor physical health in our study, but it was linked to parenting stress suggesting that desiring more social presence support than a student parent is getting contributes to higher parenting stress.

Finally, we tested whether college-based stress and parenting-based stress negatively influenced the physical health of student parents. Like we expected, the student parents in our study who experienced high levels of parenting and academic stress had worse health outcomes. For example, these parents were sleeping and exercising less than their peers who did not experience such high stress.

The major takeaway from our study is that friends and family can make a significant difference in the lives of college students who are also parents. Student parents who feel supported and are not afraid to ask for help are less stressed and in better physical health. Friends and family can remind student parents often that they are there for them and that it is normal to not have everything under control and figured out all the time. Friends and family can explicitly say that the student parent is not expected to be a perfect parent or raise his/her children on her/his own. As the saying goes, it takes a village. This is especially true when raising a child and earning a college degree.

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The Challenges of Parenting While in College

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College is hard. Parenting is hard. Doing both at the same time could be bad for your health. New research links social support and health for undergraduate student parents.

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A little inspirational music to keep in mind!

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Music video by Mandisa performing Overcomer. (C) 2013 Sparrow Records

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Scholarships can help reduce the financial burden felt by single parents, and can be a game-changer in terms of affordability.

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Single parents made up more than 15% of the undergraduate population in US colleges and universities as of 2012. According to the American Council on Education, more than half of this demographic were first generation college students and in the low-income bracket. Though students who are single parents may be fighting a seemingly uphill battle to fund their college experience, there are significant rewards in higher education.

BLS data shows that graduates with a college degree, even those with just some college but no degree, make more than people with only a high school diploma. So, low income single parents stand to benefit financially in the long term from obtaining a college degree, but most do not have the funds to enroll. Many find financial assistance through scholarships and grants specifically created for their demographic. After all, it is always advisable for single moms and dads to maximize "free money" through scholarships and grants.

Scholarships

Scholarships are financial aid that are awarded based on the merit and academic achievement of the student applicant. Anyone can apply for scholarships, as they are offered according to individual merit and not necessarily financial need. There are scholarships available to students within a broad range of income levels, education levels, majors, talents, fields of interest and ethnicity. A variety of scholarships are offered nationally through federal funding but also through individual schools, cultural organizations and private/corporate sponsors. Unlike student loans, scholarships are gifts that typically do not require repayment after graduation.

Though criteria and eligibility vary from case to case, the scholarship application process generally includes some universal requirements. Students will likely be required to submit transcripts to determine current GPA and recent academic performance, as well as letters of recommendation in addition to filling out the formal application. Though scholarships are not based exclusively on financial need, many donors ask that applicants complete the FAFSA and may require additional income-related documentation. Those applying for an especially inclusive and/or competitive scholarship may be asked to attend a personal interview at the school or lending organization. Some scholarships require an essay or other personalized communication from you, indicating your intentions for your academic and/or professional future as well as personal insight into your reason for applying.

Start looking as early as possible. Scholarship application deadlines for the upcoming semester tend to be months in advance. It is never too early to start researching available scholarships and preparing your application materials well before the due date.

Follow instructions carefully. Whether you are naturally inclined to be detail-oriented or not, now is the time to make sure you've followed the exact instructions to the letter. This process is intended to demonstrate your ability to be disciplined in your approach; assume those reviewing your application will reject your application simply for skipping a step.

Personalize your materials. Especially in your essay, if applicable, always tailor your materials to the scholarship and opportunity you are applying to. Generic, uninspired 'form letter' essays are a sure-fire way to get your application tossed aside on the spot.

Use optional materials to your advantage. If you have the option to include additional materials such as reference letters or recommendations, for example, use this opportunity! The extra information included in your application may improve your chances over another applicant who opted out.

Check your online profiles. It is common today for those reviewing your application to search for you online and potentially view any profiles or social media accounts you keep current. Search for yourself first so that you can make sure your online presence is professional and presentable for a scholarship review board audience.

Additional Application Resources

Where to Find Scholarships

There are numerous places to look for scholarships, ranging from widely-known to unexpected sources. Below are just some examples of how and where to find the scholarships that are right for you:

Your College or University

While this may be the most obvious place to start your search, you may be surprised at how many scholarship opportunities are available. Consider contacting the financial aid office in addition to exploring school scholarships online or in-person, and make sure to explore both federal and school-sponsored options.

Foundations

Many non-profit and organizations are devoted solely to providing college scholarships and supporting higher education efforts. Though criteria may vary, foundational funding exists at both local and national levels for eligible college-bound students.

Local Community Organizations

Many local organizations and/or local branches of national organizations provide scholarship information to students in their community. Examples may include charity organizations, community recreation centers and civic/municipal government websites.

Religious Organizations

Your local church, mosque or synagogue may have community-sponsored or private scholarship opportunities for students within their congregation and/or studying in a major related to ministry, divinity or religious studies.

Local Employers

Many local business and/or corporations offer scholarships to students attending college in the area. Check with your employer, if applicable, or your parent(s) employer for current sponsorship opportunities.

Scholarships are vital option for single mothers and single fathers who need help covering the cost of earning their college degree. All of the following scholarships are offered annually on an ongoing basis, though students should consult the website of each individual scholarship for the latest information.

Altrusa's Olive Gillespie Scholarship

The Frances M. Dunn Memorial Scholarship

The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Award

The Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship

Scholarships for Single Mothers & Fathers

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

The BYU Marriott School Single Parent Scholarship

The Downer-Bennett Scholarship

The Kentucky Colonel's Better Life Scholarship

The LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship

The ANSWER Endowment Scholarship

The Kathryn Kyriopoulos Colemere Endowed Scholarship

The Peggy A. Stock Presidential Scholarship

The Steven K. Wright Scholarship

The Rodney and Patricia Westveer Scholarship

The Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects Endowed Scholarship

Scholarships for the Children of Single Parents

The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship

The Naomi Scholarship

White Collar Defense Diversity Scholarship

The Armstrong Family Foundation Scholarship

The Leon and Ida Finkelstein Memorial Scholarship

The Emporia State University Single Parents with Children Scholarship

The Coplon Donohue Single Parent Scholarship

The Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship

Grants

Grants are one of the largest sources of financial aid in higher education for single parents. Grants, sometimes referred to as "gift aid," are different than scholarships in several ways. Unlike scholarships, grants do not have to be repaid and are need-based rather than merit-based. There are numerous types of grants, from federal, local/regional and private sources, all aimed at providing financial aid to single parents. Some of the most common options include:

Pell Grants

The federal Pell Grant program provides financial aid on the basis of need to low-income undergraduate students and select graduate students at over 5,000 participating colleges and universities. Students can apply by completing the FAFSA, which determines eligibility according to the student's expected family contribution (EFC), the cost of attendance, their enrollment status (FT or PT) and the length of student enrollment (for a full academic year or less). For 2010-2020, the maximum Pell Grant award was $6,195, though awards always vary depending on FAFSA information. Awards are delivered annually, possibly in multiple disbursements; students can receive the Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or FSEOG, is a need-based grant that is administered by the financial aid office at participating colleges and universities, and is limited to the funds available at each individual institution from federal financial aid each year. Students apply for the FSEOG by completing the FAFSA; students with great enough financial need to be eligible for both the Pell Grant and the FSEOG will receive the FSEOG first, then the FAFSA will determine the potential amount of the remaining Pell Grant award. Students may receive between $100 and $4,000 for the academic year, though they should contact individual schools for details about this program. Schools are limited to one annual lump sum of federal funds for FSEOG-eligible students.

Individual State and School Grants

In addition to federal grants, individual states and schools can provide extra financial aid for single parents. State-based grants are typically limited to state residents paying in-state tuition costs. Most states offer at least one state-specific grant, through state education agencies, non-profit organizations and/or tuition exchange programs. For example, student-residents of California, one of the country's largest providers of state-based aid, may be eligible for Cal Grant Programs to fund their education. School-based grants may also be a possibility. While many schools offer scholarships based on merit, need-based grants funded by the institution itself tend to be less common, though they do exist.

Private Grants

Private grants for higher education are offered by a variety of companies, businesses and nonprofit organizations. Though it may take some research to find them and they may only offer moderate funds, every little bit contributes to make a college education possible for single moms. Private grants are need based, unlike merit based scholarships, and are awarded according to the policies of the giving institution or foundation. Students may apply for unlimited private grants from numerous sources, provided they meet eligibility requirements. An example of a private grant offering funding and support for single-parents includes:

Additional Resources for Single Mothers and Fathers

This project under the Institute for Women's Policy Research aims to improve the post-secondary education experience for single parents and build awareness of public education programs.

The Office of Head Start (OHS) provides support in the emotional, social and mental development of students from birth to age 5. Services include nutritional, social, health and educational programs. Single parents from low-income families should seek aid from their local OHS office.

Single parent programs generally offer academic advising, career counseling, financial aid guidance, educational workshops and other relevant services. Check-in with your school's academic counselor to find out about local single parent programs.

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Scholarships for Single Mothers and Fathers | Best Colleges

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Single parents made up more than 15% of the undergraduate population in US colleges and universities as of 2012. According to the American Council on Education, more than half of this demographic were first generation college students and in the low-income bracket.

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Kent State University Main Campus has a childcare option that can be pricey, but they do accept vouchers from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, as well as offer assistance through the Robin McManus Scholarship Fund for Young Children.

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The Child Development Center is an early years laboratory school on the campus of Kent State University, with a long tradition of professional and pedagogical excellence.

Since 1972, we have played a central role in the education and care of young children in the Kent State community, in the preparation of teachers, and in the generation of knowledge through research. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we provide innovative programs for toddler, preschool, and kindergarten age children, and we also serve as a professional development and research center for the College of Education, Health and Human Services and beyond.

We welcome the children of Kent State students, faculty, staff, and members of the greater Kent community. We value the deep relationships that form when children, families, and teachers work to create an environment for learning together.

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The Child Development Center is an early years laboratory school on the campus of Kent State University, with a long tradition of professional and pedagogical excellence. Since 1972, we have played a central role in the education and care of young children in the Kent State community, in the preparation of teachers, and in the generation of knowledge through research.