| How to Get a Second Bachelor's Degree Posted: 01 Jul 2016 05:00 PM PDT If you're still in college, getting a second bachelor's degree could be as easy as picking up a second major.[1] If you've already graduated from college, it's a bit trickier. Getting a second bachelor's degree can be an important step in retooling your career or deepening your knowledge about a particular subject. There are challenges involved, however, including constraints on time, money, and enrollment policies. Before beginning a second bachelor's degree program, research which institutions and courses of study are right with you. If you enroll in a program, stay aware of policies by contacting advisors so that you can complete your degree as efficiently as possible. EditDeciding on a Plan of Study - Consider whether or not a second bachelor's degree is the right plan for you.[2] For many careers and goals, having just a single bachelor's degree is sufficient. Those interested in more advanced study in a particular field might consider entering a graduate school program instead of earning a second bachelor's degree, since graduate degrees can open additional career possibilities and provide more substantial qualifications if you want to work in a particular field.
- Second bachelor's degrees make the most sense if a career change or other factor requires you to acquire a body of knowledge in a substantially different field.[3]
- Some potential employers or others who review your credentials might see earning a second bachelor's degree as showing a lack of commitment, so be prepared to explain your reason for earning one if you decide it is the best plan for you.
- Many graduate programs don't necessarily require an undergraduate degree in the same field as a prerequisite for admission. For instance, you may be able to enter a graduate program in Sociology even if your undergraduate degree is in Anthropology, or a program in English if your bachelor's degree is in Computer Science. With this in mind, consider whether a graduate program or a second bachelor's degree is the best option for your plans. You can contact the graduate coordinator of the program you're interested in for details.
- Choose the right field of study based on your career plans and an institution's admissions requirements. Many programs will only consider admitting second bachelor's degree students if their intended field of study is substantially different from their first bachelor's degree.[4][5][6] For instance, if you already have a bachelor's degree in biology, some institutions will not admit you if you want to earn a second bachelor's degree in microbiology. However, the same institution might consider admitting you if you want to earn a second bachelor's degree in computer science.
- Generally, the intention of most colleges and universities is to award first bachelor's degrees to students.[7]
- Determine how you would fund a second bachelor's degree program. While you may be able to find some financial aid as a second bachelor's degree student, many loans, grants, and scholarships are only available to first bachelor's degree students. When selecting a school and program, or deciding to get a second bachelor's degree at all, make sure to consider the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, living expenses, etc.).
- You can find information about costs of attendance at a particular college or university via its admissions website.
- Private loans may be available to fund a second bachelor's degree program, but can have high interest rates.
- Contact an institution's financial aid office about particular sources of funding that might be available to you as a second bachelor's degree student.
EditApplying for Admission - Choose an institution or program you are permitted to enroll in. Some institutions or particular programs limit the number of second bachelor's degree students they admit, or will not accept them at all.[8][9] This is more frequently the case for high-demand courses of study or at campuses where student enrollment is at or above capacity.[10][11] If this is the case for you, either look for a different institution to study the same subject at, or choose a different program of study at the same institution.
- You can search for colleges and universities in a particular area using online databases.[12][13][14] Then, check the admissions website for an institution you are interested in to see if it admits students seeking a second bachelor's degree.
- Meet admissions requirements. Each college or university will consider specific criteria when determining which applicants to admit. Matching these criteria does not guarantee admission, but increases your chances of being accepted. For applicants seeking a second bachelor's degree, common admissions requirements include:[15][16]
- Completion of a four-year college course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. Most colleges and universities require your first bachelor's degree to have been awarded by a regionally accredited institution.
- Previous good standing at the last college or university you attended.
- A good GPA. Many institutions require second bachelor's degree applicants to have maintained a GPA above a certain threshold, particularly if the intended concentration is in a high-demand field.
- If you are an international student, there may be additional admissions requirements for you, such as certifying language competency or showing proof of accreditation for your previous bachelor's degree.[17][18]
- Complete the application for admission. Depending on the college or university you are applying to, there may be a special application for second bachelor's degree students. Other colleges and universities will have only one application for all students.[19][20][21] Check the admissions website for a college or university you are thinking about applying to for details on the application process.
- Most institutions have application fees, including for those seeking a second bachelor's degree.[22][23]
- You may have to submit special documents as part of your application, including transcripts and/or proof of your previous degree, a statement of purpose or admissions essay, etc.
- If you are seeking a second bachelor's degree at the same institution which awarded your first one, you may be asked to complete an application for readmission instead.[24]
EditCompleting Your Degree - Meet with an advisor. After you are admitted, you should meet with the academic advisor for your program of study.[25][26] He or she can help you figure out which courses to take to complete your program, how to declare your major, and make you aware of any other requirements you need to complete at your college or university.
- Complete your course of study. Once admitted and enrolled, you should begin taking courses and completing other requirements necessary to get your second bachelor's degree. Depending on your institution and program, you may or may not be able to apply courses taken for your first bachelor's degree for credit toward your second one.[27]
- Even if you received your first bachelor's degree from the same institution you are attending to earn your second one, you may not be able to get credit for previous courses taken, since institutional and program requirements can vary.[28]
- Institutions that allow you to transfer credits from a previous degree program may still require you to take at least a certain number of credit hours for your second degree program.
- As a second bachelor's degree student, you may also be required to maintain a certain GPA.[29]
- Graduate. Once you complete all institutional and program requirements for your second bachelor's degree, you can apply for graduation and officially receive your degree.
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| How to Deal with Painful Ovulation Posted: 01 Jul 2016 09:00 AM PDT When you ovulate, your ovary releases an egg, along with follicular fluid and blood. For many women, normal ovulation produces no symptoms at all, but some women regularly experience pain and discomfort when they ovulate. These symptoms are sometimes called "mittelschmerz," from the German words for "middle" (because ovulation occurs at the midpoint of your menstrual cycle) and "pain." Here you can find out how to identify and cope with painful ovulation. EditIdentifying Painful Ovulation - Understand your menstrual cycle. Your menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of one menstrual period (this is "day one" of your cycle) to the first day of the next menstrual period. A typical cycle lasts 28 days, but if you chart your menstrual periods on a calendar, you may notice that your own cycle is longer or shorter. During the first half of your menstrual cycle (before ovulation), you menstruate, your uterine lining thickens again, and hormones begin working to trigger ovulation. During the second half of your menstrual cycle (after ovulation), an egg is either fertilized, or the body prepares to shed the uterine lining again.
- Your own menstrual cycle may vary by a few days each month, and this is not something to worry about.
- However, if your menstrual cycle varies significantly (by a week or more over a period of several months), it is best to see your doctor.
- Although there are many non-concerning causes for variable periods, there are some that can be helped with treatment (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, where periods come infrequently due to hormone imbalance), so a doctor's advice is always best if you are in doubt.
- Know when you ovulate. Ovulation usually occurs at the midpoint of your menstrual cycle — for women with a typical 28-day cycle, then, ovulation occurs around Day 14. If you think you may be experiencing painful ovulation, charting your cycles for a few months can help you confirm the timing.
- The second half of the menstrual cycle (after ovulation) tends to be consistent among women at 14 days (14 days before your next period begins). Therefore, if you happen to have notably longer or shorter intervals between periods (as compared to the average of 28 days), know that ovulation can be calculated by charting 14 days prior to the start of each period.
- Understand that ovulation is when the egg is released by the ovary. It entails rupturing the membrane of the ovary at the location where the egg exits, which can be accompanied by bleeding and a pressure sensation. For many women, this goes unnoticed; however, for some, the blood in the abdominal cavity and pressure against the ovarian membrane can be a notable source of discomfort.
- Note your symptoms. If you are experiencing lower-abdominal or pelvic pain or pressure around the midpoint of your menstrual cycle, and if this pain disappears within a day and does not reappear until you ovulate again, you probably have painful ovulation. (It could be pain from other internal organs, but pain with this specific pattern that repeats most cycles is most often from ovulation.)
- You may notice that the pain seems to be on only one side of your abdomen at a time. This is because ovulation occurs only on one side or the other, and this varies with each menstrual cycle (it does not alternate, but switches at random).
- Pain during ovulation may sometimes be accompanied by minor vaginal bleeding; you may also experience some nausea.
- The pain from ovulation tends to last anywhere from a few hours to two to three days.
- Approximately 20% of women experience pain mid-cycle with ovulation. In most cases, it is relatively mild, but in some cases it can be severe and unbearable.
- Follow up with your doctor. As long as the symptoms are not severe, painful ovulation is probably harmless. Nevertheless, it's important to see your doctor and rule out other possible causes of your pain (such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or if the pain is worse in any particular episode it may be a more severe and urgent condition such as appendicitis).
EditTreating Painful Ovulation - Wait it out. If your symptoms are minor, or if they tend to disappear quickly (some women experience pain for only a few minutes), you probably don't need to do anything at all.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Basic pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen should help relieve your symptoms. Follow the instructions on the label, and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
- Note that different women find different over-the-counter pain medications to be more effective than others, and this varies from woman to woman. If you find that one does not work particularly well, do not hesitate to try another, as you may find greater success in trying another type of medication.
- Anti-inflammatory pain medications (such as ibuprofen and/or naproxen) are known to be troublesome for people who have been diagnosed with kidney or stomach problems. If you fall into either of these categories, consult your doctor prior to use. Or, if you notice symptoms of upset stomach after starting the medication, consult your physician for further advice.
- Use heat. Some women report that a heating pad alleviates their symptoms. Apply the heating pad to the lower abdomen, and repeat as necessary. [1]
- The reason heat works so well is that it enhances blood flow to the area of pain, relaxes muscles, and eases cramps. [2]
- Some women also report that a cold pack or cold compress can help to alleviate pain, so you can try both heat and cold and see what works best for you.
- Take a bath. A warm or hot bath may work like a heating pad does to relax you and relieve your symptoms. [3]
- Consider taking birth control pills. If your symptoms are very bothersome, you can try hormonal contraceptive pills. Prescription birth control pills prevent pregnancy, in part, by stopping ovulation. If you begin taking hormonal birth control pills, you will no longer ovulate, and your painful ovulation will therefore disappear.
- Note that birth control pills are the only effective way to prevent ovulatory pain, as they halt ovulation altogether (by suppressing your natural hormones and therefore preventing ovulation).
- Birth control pills are therefore the most effective mode of treatment for painful ovulation, if home remedies (such as heat or cold) and over-the-counter medications are insufficient.
- See your doctor to discuss the pros and cons of birth control pills and whether they are the right choice for you. You may also wish to chart your menstrual cycle over a few months time and bring this in to your doctor so that he or she can have a clearer picture of what's going, and perhaps come up with a more specific diagnosis.
- Watch for symptoms of a more serious problem. For many women, painful ovulation is a bothersome but normal part of the menstrual cycle. Serious symptoms, though, are not normal. If your pain lasts longer than two or three days, or if you experience any of the following symptoms along with the usual mid-cycle pain, seek medical treatment immediately:
- Fever
- Painful urination
- Redness or inflammation of the skin on your abdomen or pelvis
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Abdominal swelling
- Charting your menstrual cycle can be helpful for a number of reasons. It will help you confirm that your pain is happening with ovulation, but it will also show you when your menstrual periods are due and help you to understand when your fertility is highest. In addition, if you have "mittelschmerz" or any other menstrual, reproductive, or sexual difficulties, an accurate charting of your menstrual cycle can help your doctor diagnose and treat you.
- You may notice that the pain shifts, from month to month, from one side of your lower abdomen to the other. This is because ovulation switches from ovary to ovary with each new cycle (although it does not alternate each month, but rather is random as to which ovary ovulates each month).
- Some women who never experienced symptoms during their teens or twenties begin noticing the symptoms of painful ovulation in their thirties. As long as the symptoms are mild and not accompanied by any of the warning signs listed above, this is not cause for concern.
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| How to Hold a Chinchilla Posted: 01 Jul 2016 01:00 AM PDT Rabbits, gerbils and hamsters may be more common choices, but chinchillas make great pets, too. Like rabbits, gerbils and hamsters, chinchillas are rodents with soft fur and a tail of medium length. They originate from South America.[1] Your chinchilla will learn to be comfortable with you if you handle it from an early age. Hold your chinchilla confidently to keep your pet secure. EditAllowing Your Chinchilla to Get Used to You - Give it time. If your pet is new to you, get him settled into his new cage. Give him a few days to adjust to the household. When you are ready to introduce yourself, make sure to wash your hands. You want to make sure that your hands smell like you, rather than whatever you've just been touching or eating.
- Let your chinchilla get used to you. Use food to introduce yourself in a friendly manner to your chinchilla. Hold a chinchilla treat (timothy hay, greens or a piece of cactus fruit) in the palm of your hand, keeping your hand flat. Your chinchilla will come to investigate. Let him sniff your hand and pick up the treat on his own.[2]
- Once he is comfortable eating food out of your hand, hold the food with your fingers. Hand feed your chinchilla once for a few days, until he is comfortable.
EditApproaching Your Chinchilla - Approach your chinchilla slowly. Chinchillas can be rather skittish so make your approach as slow and stress-free as possible. They don't usually bite, but they can by shy.[3]
- Talk soothingly to your chinchilla and calmly stroke him. Chinchillas like to sleep most of the day and are more active in the evening. This is why they prefer a calm environment during the day.[4]
- Remember, a chinchilla is a rodent, a prey animal. This means it will run and hide to protect itself. If your chinchilla runs away from you, don't chase him.[5] Chasing him will only make him more fearful.
EditHolding and Picking Up Your Chinchilla - Hold your chinchilla with a towel. Consider using leather gloves or a towel when you first pick up your pet or if you have a wriggly chinchilla. This will protect your hands if he tries to bite. Keep holding the chinchilla in a towel in your lap and pet him for short periods of time. Short, successful restraint attempts will help the bonding process.[6]
- Holding your chinchilla in a towel will also prevent scruffing or loss of fur. Make sure it's a lightweight blanket or towel. Don't leave it on too long or your chinchilla may overheat.[7]
- Place your hands gently around your chinchilla's chest. You want to have your palms under his belly, with your fingers extending up towards his back. As you lift, shift one of your hands so that it is supporting his hind legs and hindquarters.[8]
- If you have to, you can briefly pick up your chinchilla by the base of his tail where it meets the body. Do not dangle him. Immediately place him on your other forearm to avoid injury.[9][10][11]
- Lift your chinchilla towards your torso. Hold him secure between your chest and your hands. Make sure that one of your hands continues to support his feet and bottom. If you grab his fur, you may leave a bald patch that will take months to regrow.[12][13]
- Some chinchillas like to have support under their front paws that allow them to sit upright.
- Slowly place your chinchilla in his cage. When you're done holding him, gently lower your body towards the opening of the cage. Make sure you don't squish him in the process. Carefully extend him toward the cage door and place him inside. You should still support his rear and legs while you're doing this.
- Do not chase or corner your chinchilla. He will feel threatened and may bite.
- Always be prepared to prevent your chinchilla from jumping out if your hands. Stay low to the ground or near a soft landing place to prevent injury.
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