I’m sitting in the movie theater, watching “The Muppets” with my 5-year-old son, and I realize that amid the references to past decades, musical numbers, and appearance of favorites like Animal and Beaker, a comeback story like this can apply to going back to college, too.

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Before you say “mahna mahna,” check out these four ways “The Muppets” might inspire you to get on the path to a new career.

1. It’s not too late to do it.

Fozzie Bear’s eyebrows are graying, and a robot from the ’80s drives them around the country. It may seem like The Muppets are past their prime (it is, after all, their first new movie in 12 years), but they don’t let changes in technology or pop culture get them down in their quest to save their old theater. If you’re concerned you’re too out of date to go back to school, it doesn’t have to be that way.

2. Don’t let no stop you.

From TV executives to baddie Tex Richman, who plans to buy the theater and tear it down, there’s plenty of reasons for the Kermit and the Muppets to give up. It’s the same for you – people may make comments that could put holes in your college or career dreams, but don’t let them affect your decision.

3. Have your support team.

New Muppet Walter and humans Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) are huge fans on the Muppets, convincing them to get together again. The Muppets also enlisted the help of old and new friends, with Neil Patrick Harris, Selena Gomez, Whoopie Goldberg, and other celebrities supporting the furry cast during the telethon. Find your own support team who can encourage you along the way as you head back to school to learn more about your field or a new career.

4. If a Muppet can do it, so can you…

Miss Piggy as a high-profile fashion editor; Gonzo as the owner of a successful plumbing company … OK, if a Muppet can have a new or second career, what’s stopping you?

-Lori Johnston

If you’re still working on your Thanksgiving Day menu or want to see what the experts are making, sure, you could turn on Food Network and see Bobby Flay, Alton Brown, and those Iron Chefs whip up their own traditional and untraditional menu items.

But there’s expertise shared daily with students at culinary institutes, which may be a career field you’re considering, that you can use when preparing for the holiday. Chef instructors shared their favorite recipes for a memorable Thanksgiving meal.

Turkey Breast Stuffed with Sausage, Fennel, and Golden Raisins

From Robert Brener, associate professor at Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte, N.C., campus)

Ingredients

• 4 green onions
• 3/4 pound Italian sweet sausages, casings removed
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 slices of bread crusts removed and cubed
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 3-pound boneless whole turkey breast butterflied & pounded to a half-inch thickness.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups chicken stock
• Flour as needed to thicken pan sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Finely chop onions and mix with, sausage, raisins, bread, eggs, and cream, season with salt and pepper.

3. Place turkey on work surface, skin side down.

4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5. Spoon sausage mixture in row down center of breast.

6. Starting at 1 long side, roll up turkey breast to enclose filling.

7. Tie with kitchen string at 1-inch intervals to hold shape.

8. Brush oil all over turkey.

9. Season with salt, pepper.

10. Roast until thermometer inserted into filling registers 165°F.

11. Remove turkey and allow to rest under loosely tented foil.

Sweet Potato Hash

From Chef Jim Gallivan, department chair, culinary arts, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 ½ cups green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups yellow onions, chopped
• 1 ½ cups sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into ½” cubes
• 5 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup cooked corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• ½ lime, juiced
• Sea salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. Sauté bell pepper, garlic, and onions in 1 tablespoon olive oil until soft.

2. Add sweet potato and stock and simmer until potato is soft.

3. Drain, keeping the stock for future use.

4. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, corn, lime, and cilantro. (Use your gloved hands to avoid breaking up the sweet potato.)

5. Season to taste.

6. Serve at room temperature. Serves 6.

Fresh Cranberry Relish

From the Culinary Institute of America (see this recipe being prepared). The CIA’s main campus is in Hyde Park, N.Y., and it has additional locations in St. Helena, Calif., San Antonio, and Singapore.

Ingredients

• 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec
• 2 to 3 tablespoons orange marmalade

Directions

1. If using fresh cranberries, wash, pick through, and dry them thoroughly.

2. In a medium saucepan, mix 1/3 cup of sugar with the cranberries and the remaining ingredients.

3. Taste to adjust sweetness and add more sugar if desired.

4. Place over medium-high heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the berries pop.

Serve hot or cold. Makes 6 servings.

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

Adapted from the Culinary Institute of America’s The New Book of Soups (2009, Lebhar Friedman). See this recipe being prepared.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups diced onion
• 1/3 cup diced carrot
• 1/2 cup diced celery root
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 to 4 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups cubed butternut squash
• 1 cup sliced tart apple
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper, or as needed
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 cup crème fraîche for garnish (optional)
• 8 small pumpkins (about a pound each) or one large pumpkin
• Directions
• 1. Heat the butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, ginger, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is tender and translucent, 5 to 6 minutes.
• 2. Add the broth, squash, and apple. Bring the broth to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until the squash is tender enough to mash easily with a fork, about 20 minutes.
• 3. While the soup is cooking, wash the pumpkins with mild soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry. Carve a lid off the tops and remove the seeds from inside.
• 4. Purée the soup using a handheld blender directly in the pot, with a sieve or a food mill, or in a countertop blender food processor. Return it to the soup pot if necessary. Return the soup to a simmer over medium-low heat.
• 5. Season the soup as needed with salt, pepper, and orange zest.
• 6. You can serve the soup in heated bowls topped with a dollop of crème fraîche if desired.
• 7. Or, to serve the soup in pumpkins, place each pumpkin onto a plate and fill them with soup topped with a dollop of crème fraîche if desired. If serving the soup in one large pumpkin, place the lid back on top to keep the soup warm. You can also offer the crème fraîche in a separate bowl on the buffet.
• Makes 8 servings.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

From Chef Jim Gallivan, department chair, culinary arts, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta

Ingredients

• Crust
• 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup water
• Cheesecake
• 18 oz. low-fat cream cheese
• 1 ¼ cup fructose
• 1/3 cup skim milk
• 4 tablespoons cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons nutmeg
• 2 ½ teaspoon cloves
• 6 sheets* gelatin
• 4 cups pumpkin, canned

* Can use equivalent plain packaged gelatin

Directions

1. Combine water and graham cracker crumbs

2. Press into a 10 in. cake pan and set aside.

3. Cream together the cream cheese and fructose.

4. Combine pumpkin and spices and mix well.

5. Fold the pumpkin mixture into the cream cheese mixture.

6. Soften gelatin in warm milk.

7. Quickly fold into the cheese mixture.

8. Pour into prepared pan and refrigerate overnight.

Serves 8-16 (depending on serving size).

Students give back as part of their Thanksgiving tradition.

Although the Thanksgiving holiday arrives at a time of the year when students are finishing up projects and major papers, or needing to study for finals, it’s amazing to see adult students take time of their hectic schedules to help those in need.

For example, graduate students at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business in Winter Park, Fla., hope to collect more than 600 toys in November and December during their second annual holiday toy drive. The toys collected will go to three organizations – Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, Florida Hospital, and Give Kids the World.

Jesse Merrell, an MBA student and working professional, shares why it’s important that students focus on the needy during the holidays: “The holidays are usually full of celebration and family gatherings; yet, several students in the MBA class have personal connections to this cause, either having spent a holiday in the hospital or having a family member absent (in the hospital) for an extended period of time. The uncertainty and stress disrupts the entire family’s spirits.”

The students want to help alleviate the pain and provide hope by bringing joy to children, especially since adult students often have little ones, too. She adds: “We are grateful for the opportunity to give a little of ourselves to make a difference.”

That’s just one example of college students, from traditional freshman to adult students pursuing associates to doctorate degrees, giving back. Other schools, such as Arcadia University, a private school offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in metropolitan Philadelphia, are holding fundraising dinners to fight hunger and homelessness. Some schools are participating in Thanksgiving food drives, such as Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisc.

If you’re looking at attending a college next semester or year, take a look at the activities students participate in around the holidays, and you’ll get a good idea of how students support their own or help others in need in the community.

And if you are a current student, tell us what your school community is doing to give back this holiday season.

-Lori Johnston

Take a look at the college degree held by Ginni Rometty, who will take over as IBM’s first-ever female CEO and president on Jan. 2, 2012, and you’ll see someone who committed in college to a career in technology. She earned her bachelor’s of science degree with high honors in computer science and electrical engineering from Northwestern University.

Technology is a job sector where more women are needed, and Rometty’s promotion reflects that companies are seeking female leaders with technical experience.

If you’re interested in working in the technology industry, don’t be intimidated by pursuing fields such as computer science while browsing college websites and course catalogs. While the technology field needs people in all types of roles, from human resources to public relations, leaders like Rometty reveal that focusing on science and technology from the onset can be rewarding.

But females are discouraged from technical education pursuits, Caroline Simard, vice president of research at the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, recently told the New York Times. She said:

“Research shows that the majority of people have an implicit bias that associates science and technology with gender, so from a very young age, girls are not encouraged to pursue these careers. Women like Ginni Rometty are a powerful antidote against the stereotype.”

While IBM is a top global company, there are small- and mid-sized technology firms in your own town that need leaders, and by focusing on a technical education in computer science, software engineering, or other tech fields, you could position yourself to take on a leadership role and further help break the glass ceiling.

-Lori Johnston

If you’re a dad or mom back in school – or considering going to college – beware that little eyes may be watching you.

You may be hearing your kids ask when you’re going to get off the computer or home from class because they’re missing time with you. But those sacrifices you are making by investing in your education also can provide valuable lessons for them, too.

One of my mom friends, who is seeking her bachelor’s degree online, recently shared over coffee that her sons were connecting her college experience to their own lives. So with insight from adult learners, here are three things your education can do for your kids.

1. Demonstrate commitment.

My mom friend, Shari King, was talking to one of her sons recently about signing up for football and trying to emphasize that he needed to be committed to the practices and games throughout the season. He told her: It’s like you are committed to school, right? In that one conversation, Shari recognized that the long hours she’s putting in can be beneficial in helping modeling commitment to her kids.

2. Provide for their future.

Investing in a college degree – even when there are babies in the house – can pay off by putting you in the position to head back to work when they are in school. With an extra paycheck coming in, that will help pay for everything from back to school clothes to saving for college for them.

3. Create an environment that embraces homework.

As your kids see you doing your college course work, they may be more likely to focus on their homework too. Also, with you being in a school frame of mind and in homework mode yourself, it may make it easier for you to help them with their schoolwork after they get off the bus or home from daycare.

See, there are many benefits to going back to school as a non-traditional student, especially as your family sees the time and energy you’re putting into getting that degree!

Being an adult student can be stressful.

We’ve all felt it – those nervous butterflies before a big test, that sense of panic when deadlines creep up, the feeling of dread when you look at your calendar and empty spaces are nowhere to be found. Anxiety is a common part of the human experience, and most of us have to deal with it at some point in life.

But sometimes, especially when you’re embarking on something new – like going back to school – the anxiety becomes more than you can handle. Before you throw in the towel, try these tips and techniques to overcome academic anxiety and get back to functioning at full capacity.

>> Practice deep breathing.
It sounds simple enough, but when you’re feeling panicky, breathing is often the furthest thing from your mind. You need to make a conscious effort to slow down. Breathe deeply through your nose to the count of three, then exhale through your mouth to the count of three. Focus on the image of inflating and deflating a balloon as you breathe. This kind of deep breathing can help you stop your racing thoughts so that you can get calm enough to take action.

>> Break down big projects.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you look at everything you have to do as one big chunk. Instead, step away from the big picture and break down giant projects into more manageable tasks. If you have a major research paper due next month, for example, try not to let yourself get intimidated by the magnitude of the assignment. Make a list of smaller pieces of the project, such as brainstorming, finding references, creating an outline, writing a first draft, etc. Set deadlines for each task so you can check each one off when it’s done, giving you more accountability and an increased sense of accomplishment along the way.

>> Just do one thing.
Even if you’ve outlined a series of manageable tasks, however, you might still feel like there are too many to handle. Again, this is the trap of looking at everything you have going on and getting overwhelmed instead of taking action. This is where the “just do one thing” principle comes into play. Look at your to-do list and choose one thing to get started on – whatever intimidates you the least. Once you start working, you might find yourself actually getting into a groove and accomplishing more than you thought you would.

>> Celebrate every success.
It’s also possible that you’ll do that one thing and then feel completely spent. That’s OK, too. The key is not to beat yourself up about what you didn’t get done, but to acknowledge and celebrate what you were able to accomplish – no matter how small. Any studying or outlining or writing you get done now is one less thing you have to do later, so give yourself a pat on the back for your hard work. And remember that success begets success, which means that all your small successes add up and can help lift the anxiety that’s weighing you down.

>> Take a break.
Sometimes you’ll find yourself staring at your textbook or computer screen, eyes glazed over, totally unable to focus on the task at hand. If the words have been swimming in front of you for more than five or 10 minutes, it’s time to switch gears and employ the “come back to it” principle. Maybe you’re writing a paper and you just can’t seem to get the wording right, or you’re studying for an exam and the concepts aren’t sinking in. Take a brisk walk if you’re able to, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes. A change of scenery – not to mention a chance to get your blood flowing and clear your head – can do a world of good.

Anxiety happens to the best of us. And when you’re juggling work and school and family responsibilities, it can feel overwhelming. The next time you get stuck, try these tips to reduce academic anxiety so that you can enjoy your life – and start living it to the fullest.

-\-Robyn Tellefsen

Once upon a time, college was for kids – well, 18- to 22-year-old kids, anyway. But the times, they are a-changin’. While a traditional college education hasn’t gone out of fashion, the numbers suggest that the more (ahem) mature set is taking the college classroom by storm.

Take a look at these figures from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Between 2000 and 2009, enrollment of students under age 25 increased by 27 percent. But during the same period, enrollment of students 25 and over rose 43 percent. And the pattern is expected to continue. From 2010 to 2019, NCES projects a 9 percent rise in enrollments of students under 25, and a 23 percent rise in enrollments of students 25 and over.

Trend-wise, it’s clear that adult students are the ones to watch. But the view may be a bit different than what we’re used to. Check out some of the major differences between the stereotypical college student and today’s college student:

Old-school idea: “Animal House”-like frats
Today: Head of a household

If you’ve seen the classic comedy “Animal House,” you might think college is all about drinking and toga parties. While partying is still alive and well on campus, today’s college students are less concerned with hooking up and more concerned with providing for their families. It’s a whole different focus when you have people depending on you to take care of them, rather than just living for yourself and your buddies. Adult students are still making friends and having fun, but today’s college campus is tempered with a little more reality than in days of old.

Old-school idea: All-nighters
Today: Study on your lunch break

Sure, Org Chem requires hours of study and prep time outside of class, but adult students don’t have the luxury of making late-night pizza runs and staying up ‘til dawn. Have you ever tried to pull an all-nighter when you have to get up for work the next day?! Many of today’s college students are juggling a family as well as a job, meaning studying has to fit into an already jam-packed schedule. So busy adults find ways to study in the in-between times – on their lunch break, while sitting on the sidelines at soccer practice, while the kids are doing their homework, etc. It’s amazing how much you can get done with a little self-discipline and a few small chunks of time.

Old-school idea: Undeclared majors
Today: Career-minded professionals

Traditional college students may have all the time in the world to test the waters, change majors, and stretch out their degree program, but adult students don’t necessarily have that cushion. The plus side is that adult students know exactly what they want – they know what they’ve gone back to school to achieve, and they’re focused on achieving it. It’s less flight of fancy and more focus on end results. With that kind of single-mindedness and determination, adult students are uniquely poised for success in their academic endeavors.

If you’re contemplating a return to the classroom as an adult, you’ll be in good company. And you can still count on a good time – even without the wild parties!

-Robyn Tellefsen

Site Offers its First Discount on College Tuition

Groupon keeps reminding me about two purchases I’ve made – two-for-one movie tickets from Fandango and a half-off deal for a photo album that I haven’t gotten around to creating. It’s also helped me take part in unique events, such as a barbecue lunch with the Neelys from Food Network and a symphony performance under the stars.

The other day, a Groupon deal showed me that the trendy site has the potential to remind some folks of their dream to finish their degree or go back to school to pursue a new career or get advanced education.

Groupon was offering more than 50 percent off a $2,232 graduate-level introductory teaching course at National Louis University in Chicago (the Groupon price was $950).

Surprise – a school actually lowered a price for students! In these days of bargain hunting and discount seeking, it seems that a college education is one of the few places where individuals seem resigned to pay higher and higher prices. I’ve seen friends invest in starting a master’s degree, only to find they can’t afford to continue the program or can’t juggle it with jobs and family (and refunds aren’t available for those courses).

The idea of purchasing something like education on Groupon may be a bit “out there,” and maybe the school only did it for publicity, but it is refreshing to see a school willing and able to lower its price on a course.

It got a lot of attention because it’s the first time the “deal is on” coupon site has offered a deal on tuition that counts for academic credit. The school says 18 individuals purchased the Groupon.

Dr. Nivine Megahed, president of National Louis University, said in a press release: “This deal will give participating students a chance to take one course and see if they are ready to make the time and financial commitment to follow through with the entire graduate program.”

Students need an undergraduate degree to be involved in the 10-week course, which counts toward three credit hours, of a 36-hour master’s degree from the school.

University officials told the AP that many of its students – the average age is 34 – are part of Groupon’s target demographics. So adult learners could be seeing more of this, via Groupon, or from other coupon sites. It could be a bonus for students already in pursuit of a certain degree, or it could be just the thing, even if you don’t get that deal, to make you reconsider college.

What do you think? Would you ever buy a Groupon for school?

-Lori Johnston

Sorry, Penelope Trunk, We Disagree

Let me preface this post by saying that I think Penelope Trunk is pretty cool. She’s the founder of Brazen Careerist and two other startups, and her career advice is always fresh and fun – if not a bit irreverent. But in one of her recent posts, she basically says that graduate degrees in the humanities are useless. Here’s why she’s wrong:

>> Employers still look for graduate degrees when hiring.
Even if a graduate degree is not required for entry into a particular field, many employers still say that, given the choice between a candidate with a master’s degree and one without, they’ll hire the one with the degree. A recent New York Times article confirms this notion, calling the master’s degree a “sorting mechanism.” Plus, plenty of non-science professions (e.g., teaching, clergy, psychology) do require graduate degrees just to get in the door, and that trend will continue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers that require first professional or master’s degrees are expected to grow by about 18 percent each; those that only require on-the-job training are expected to grow by 8 percent each.

>> Graduate degrees can get you promoted.
Trunk’s post seems to be directed at students who have never worked a day in the real world, but one doesn’t need to get a graduate degree in a vacuum. Many students go to grad school while they’re working – with the blessing (and even the tuition assistance) of their employer. When grad school is directly applicable to your field and can help you do better on the job, everyone benefits. Workers who are committed to self-improvement will always be in greater demand than those who are resting on the laurels of old accomplishments.

>> You can make more money with a graduate degree.
In a conversation about making a living with graduate education, it would be shortsighted not to mention the salary potential of advanced degrees. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2008, the median annual earnings of young adults with a master’s degree or higher was $55,000. That’s 20 percent more than bachelor’s degree holders earned ($46,000). And for those who say you have to take grad school debt into account, remember that there are lots of ways to do grad school on the cheap (fellowships, scholarships, teacher assistantships, etc.).

>> You do need a graduate degree in order to teach.
Teaching jobs may not be easy to come by these days – especially at the college level – but they are out there. And you can’t get in without an advanced degree. Maximize your employability by choosing your school and program wisely, and making good connections once you’re there. Given a choice between two grad schools, go with the one that has the best reputation in your field, one with a high employment rate for graduates of your program.

>> Education is never a waste of time.
Even if none of the above points were true, and grad school didn’t enhance career prospects, I’d still make the case that education is valuable for its own sake. Grad school gives you an opportunity to focus your attention and delve deeply into a topic, to do research and consider new possibilities, and to gain philosophical understanding. Not only are these kinds of activities helpful in your career, they make a difference in your life as a whole. And we are whole people, not career robots. Anything you can do to challenge yourself and broaden your perspective – including grad school – is inherently worthwhile.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to grad school. While there are certainly “wrong” reasons to go to grad school, there are plenty of “right” reasons, too. Be selective in your search, and you’ll be amazed at the doors that a graduate degree can open.

-Robyn Tellefsen

It’s so hard to tell what’s for real these days. If you’re going to spend money on a diamond, you want to make sure you don’t leave the store with cubic zirconia. If you’re purchasing a rare autograph, you don’t want to drop cash for a fraud. And if you’re paying good money for a college education, it’s important that it be worth more than the paper your diploma is printed on. So how do you know if your school is the real deal and not a diploma mill? Here are a few red flags to look out for.

>> It’s not accredited. In the U.S., accreditation is the main way we can tell that a school or program is up to snuff. Accreditation basically means the school or program has completed a rigorous process of self-examination and peer review. If the school you’re attending hasn’t been accredited, that means there’s no authority figure double-checking the quality of the education you’re getting. You’re basically out there on your own – and the neighborhood may not be the greatest. (Note: Just because a school is not accredited does not mean the school is a diploma mill. There are legitimate institutions out there that are not accredited, or are not yet accredited – just be very careful if you go this route. No accreditation means no federal or state financial aid, among other things.)

>> It’s accredited by an unrecognized (or even fake) accrediting agency. Unless you’re paying really close attention, you probably have no idea which accrediting agencies are legit and which ones are counterfeit. There’s an easy way to tell which ones are on the up and up – just check this list of organizations that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If your school is accredited by an organization that’s not on this list – or worse, one that has an eerily similar name – the accreditation might be meaningless.

>> It’s accredited by a foreign accrediting agency. USDE and CHEA do not recognize foreign accrediting agencies, so if your school’s endorsement comes from Dubai Degrees R Us, beware. A foreign diploma mill might claim to be operating under the approval of the education ministry of its country when in fact it has never been officially reviewed or sanctioned. You don’t have to stay in the U.S. to get a nationally recognized degree, though – approved accrediting agencies (like AACSB International –The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accredit foreign institutions, too.

There are other ways to spot a diploma mill – degrees based on life experience, super-short programs, flat-fee degrees – but lack of proper accreditation is a solid indicator that something is amiss or that you need to tread very carefully. You can go the unaccredited route if you really want to, but there’s a lot at stake: financial aid, academic credit transfer, tuition assistance from your employer, eligibility to apply for professional licensure… Why not save yourself the headache (and wasted time and money) by choosing a properly accredited program from the get-go?

-Robyn Tellefsen