ATA Blog

As mentioned in some of our other blogs, college can be stressful, but you already knew that. Instead of getting worked up and stressing out, take some time out of your week to get your mind off of things. Fall is the perfect season to be outdoors, get fresh air and have fun before the cold hits. Autumn always seems to fly by fast, so be sure to take full advantage before the year is over.

Below is a list including many kid family activities!

Go to an Apple Orchard
Apple orchards are great for a weekend to-do. Visit one or both of these local apple orchards.
Hidden Hallow Orchard
Huber’s Farm

Then Bake an Apple Inspired Recipe
Check out some of our favorites here. It’s fun to be able to go picking and then use those in a new recipe!

Pumpkin Patch/Hayride
Huber’s Farm is also a great place to pick pumpkins and go on a hayride! It may be a tradition, or a soon to be new one.

Watch a Local Football Game
And what better city then right here in Louisville?! Visit a Friday night game at your local high school, or click here for the Louisville Cardinal’s schedule!

Picnic in the Park
I’m sure you know of many parks around town, and those can be the same parks to pack a fun lunch and have a picnic. You’ll be surrounded by the beautiful fall colors and leaves all around you!

Hike
When deciding on a place to have a picnic, look into some state parks around with some amazing hiking spots. That way you can take a hike before eating and make it a full day of fall fun.

Go to a Haunted House
You’re never too old to go to a haunted house. It’s part of the fall festivities and something to do to get your mind off things.

Tour a Winery
This one isn’t so kid friendly, but at times you also may need time just for yourself as well. There are plenty of wineries nearby, learn something new and try new flavors!

Make a Study Plan– Your time is precious and time should never be wasted. Therefore we suggest creating a study plan to organize your time and thoughts before diving in. A study plan outlines study times and learning goals. Create a schedule to block off time frames that best fit you because we all know not everyone is the same (especially when it comes to studying).

Regular Study Breaks– Don’t try to cram everything in, in a half hour or less. It’s very hard to maintain a certain level of concentration without giving yourself time to recover. No one expects you to be able to remember everything you need to know in one sit down which is why planning (making a study plan) and allowing yourself breaks WILL give you time to breathe.

Test Yourself– Many college students have test anxiety. It is not uncommon to forget test information simply from walking into the classroom; that’s why testing yourself beforehand will successfully show improvement. There are many quiz generators online that allow you to create the test and answers. You can also create flash cards with a question on the front and the answer on the back. Keep track of the ones you miss and just be sure to spend more time to those specifically.

Collaborate with Study Partners– It can be hard to concentrate on your own. Getting involved in a study group, whether that be in person or a group message, can help when you need some clarification. It’s hard to get absolutely every word written down from the professor and that makes having a study group even more valuable. Bounce off of others’ notes, say things out loud, and test one another on certain information.

Switch up the Scene– Although some people will swear by the library, or the same place you studied last time, it is actually proven to be more effective when you switch up your study location. Try the new coffee shop down the road, a new spot on campus, or a different friends place.

8 Tips to Balance College & a Full Time Job

1. Time Management
We’ve all heard it before and it may be a bit cliché, but managing your time is and will continue to be the most beneficial thing. I am IN LOVE with planners and notebooks for the simple fact of being organized and keeping all my to-do tasks in one place. It really is a life saver to write everything out and not try to keep it all inside your brain.

2. Support System
Your support system can range from family and friends to a manager, peers, or even a mentor. Make sure they are on board with you going to college and that they support your decision. It’s hard to have doubters, but the right support system can help you get through anything.

3. Make Your Manager Aware
Keeping your manager in the loop of your new schedule and new duties will allow yourself to feel less stressed. When your boss or manager knows why you’re on edge or maybe a little late, they are more likely to cut you some slack. It of course isn’t ok to always be late, but if a class lets out 5-10 minutes pass the actual time you won’t feel as rushed knowing that they will know why.

4. Double Up On Work
If it’s ever at all possible bringing school work to work take full advantage. Whether that just means studying for a big exam during your break or jotting down some math problems that need to be finished will help balance out your schedule. This tip can tie in with time management, but it deserved its own category because that is how important it is!

5. Take Time For Yourself
Balancing a full work schedule and a full class schedule will definitely take its toll on your personal life. Learning to schedule in days to treat yourself at times throughout the week will help your overall well being. Hanging out with the people you care about most will continuously remind you that what you’re doing is the right thing.

6. Take Night Classes
Night classes are a great option if you have that 9-5 job. Even if you are scheduled different hours each week night classes can also be a great go to so you have all day to get things accomplished. It’s nice to be able to get homework done before midnight.

7. Work In A Field Related To Your Major
If you need that full time job to help you get through college, then maybe finding a job in the same field can help you along the way. I know many people who took janitor positions at a hospital for the simple fact that they one day wanted to be a medical assistant. It wasn’t ideal, but it helped them network and learn the ins and outs of everyday hospital routine.

8. Be Focused
Don’t ever forget the reason you are attending college. Focus on your future goals and aspirations and that will ultimately help you make it through to the end. It’s easy to get discouraged along the way when so many things are stressing you out, but once you remember the main reason or reasons as to why you started, it will bring you full circle.

Medical coding is a high demand profession that is expected to increase by 21% by 2020, according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The BLS forsees this industry as having a faster growth rate on average than all other occupations.  Medical Coding is a great career choice for someone who wants to work behind the scenes on the business side of healthcare, instead of hands-on with patient care.

Both of our medical coding programs prepare students for their AAPC certification. You can find helpful information about the average salaries of AAPC certified medical coders by clicking here to learn more.

With the increasing population of the United States, as well as the age of the Baby Boomers assures that the medical industry will continue to grow, thus added demand for properly trained medical coding professionals.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits in a career in medical coding or have questions about our medical coding program, please give us a call today.

Click here to learn more about our Medical Coding Program.

I’ll never forget when my 44 year old single mother of two told me that she was going to start college. I remember questioning that and quickly passing it off. She had a number of motivations: it would afford her advancement opportunities at work, it was a goal she had always put off, it would create a social outlet where she could meet and interact with people and it would set a good example for her boys. Despite all of those, after her gap in schooling (and at this point in her life), she didn’t seem to be acting with a lot common sense to me. She would probably tell you I say that about most everything she does.

Fast forward five years, my mom now has associates and bachelor degrees under her belt. After completing her associates she had fulfilled her initial motivation – career advancement. She proved that she did know what she was doing, much to my surprise. However, the most powerful and meaningful work was being done unbeknownst to both of us: her self confidence was now soaring. Completing classes, getting good grades, putting educated thoughts together, successfully interacting with classmates – all of these things brought my mom’s confidence, self worth, and social skills to places they hadn’t been in 25 years. She kept going – classes, good grades and knowledge became her life-blood; I got to witness first hand as my 40 something year old mother blossomed into new person.

Graduation is just around the corner for many of you this coming May and I know many of our nurses just participated in a Pinning Ceremony – achieving their initial goals of coming to ATA. As we reflect, congratulate and bid farewell to some I want to remind our current (and future) students the power completing goals can have in our lives. I enjoy telling my mom’s story to new students I meet with; I see so many people each day who step foot in here dejected by current work situations, unsure of their availability to balance school around family and convinced that it has been too long since they were in school last. Take the leap – just do it – aside from any money or promotion, you’ll be amazed what fulfilling this goal will do in your life personally and the impact it will have on your children and family. In the least, prove that snotty headed teenager that he’s wrong!

-Matt Sherfield

ATA College Admissions Representative