Page 8 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - March '25

Page 8, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Common Mistakes Students Make When Applying To College

By Peggy Forgan, M.Ed., with clear deadlines and allocate time to review each burnout and make it harder to tailor each application. A
College Planner application component—essays, transcripts, and balanced approach is essential—apply to a mix of reach
Applying to college can recommendations. schools, match schools, and safety schools. Focus on
be a stressful process but Another common mistake is underestimating the quality over quantity by investing time and effort into
avoiding a few common importance of college essays. Many students mistakenly each application to ensure it’s the best representation
mistakes can make a big treat the essay as an afterthought, focusing more on of your abilities and fit with the school. By avoiding
difference in a student’s their test scores and GPA. However, the essay is a key these common mistakes, you’ll increase your chances
best chances of success. part of the application, offering a chance to showcase of submitting a standout application.
One of the most frequent your personality, values, and uniqueness. A generic or Class 101 North Palm Beach is holding a free information
mistakes is waiting until poorly written essay can fail to set you apart from other session on March 15 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss how to stay ahead
the last minute to submit applicants. Take the time to reflect on your personal of the college application process. Donuts and coffee will
applications or gather experiences and how they align with the school’s values. be served, and door prizes will be given.
necessary documents. Procrastination increases the risk Your essay should be authentic and show who you are To register call or text Peggy Forgan at (561) 418-
of missing deadlines, submitting incomplete materials, or beyond academics. Don’t forget to revise and seek 7897 or email pforgan@class101.com. Our website is
rushing through tasks. This can lead to errors like typos, feedback to refine it. Class101.com/northpalmbeachfl.
poorly written essays, or incomplete recommendation Applying to a limited number of schools can also limit
letters. To avoid this, start early. Create a timeline your options; while applying to too many can lead to
Tampa General Pulmonologist Suggests Sleeping On It

According to a recent study published online in The study used brain scans to determine participants’ brain • Exercise on a regular basis, ideally in the morning hours.
Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy age. Results suggested that poor sleep was linked to nearly • Do not drink caffeine in the afternoon.
of Neurology, early middle-aged adults who have poor three years of additional brain aging as early as middle age. • Create and maintain a sleep preparation routine,
sleep quality, including difficulty falling or staying Overall, the study highlighted the importance of tackling relaxing at least 45 minutes to an hour before going to bed.
asleep, showed more signs of poor brain health in late sleep problems earlier in life to maintain brain health. Avoid working on projects that require complex decision
middle age. Dr. Luis Peña-Hernández, a pulmonologist with the making or involve stressful tasks during this time.
Although the study does not prove that poor sleep Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Pulmonary Care & Sleep • Avoid drinking an excessive amount of fluid before
accelerates brain aging, it does show an association between Institute (PCSI), agrees bedtime to minimize the need to use the bathroom in the
poor sleep quality and signs of brain aging. Previous research that sleep is important. middle of the night.
links sleep problems to issues with thinking and memory “Sleep quality is a huge Dr. Peña notes that sleeping pills should be used only
later in life, increasing the risk for dementia. determinant of overall as a last resort. “Avoid them, if at all possible,” he said.
well-being and quality of “Medications do not provide a permanent solution to
sleep problems. In general, they alter the architecture
life,” he said.
Medicare Corner If you’re looking to and quality of normal sleep and leave you groggy in the
get your sleep back on
morning.”
With Kathy O schedule, Dr. Peña suggests When is it a good time to consider seeing a sleep
specialist? “Anytime you have a recurrent problem
taking these steps:
falling or staying asleep, or you experience daytime
• Keep all electronics
outside of the bedroom, sleepiness,” said Dr. Peña. “Also, if you exhibit any
So many commercials including mobile phones, abnormal behaviors like sleepwalking or restless legs,
offering money for food, tablets and laptops. Dr. Luis Peña-Hernández among others, it’s important to see a specialist.”
utilities and flex cards – • Avoid watching TV, Dr. Peña and his colleagues at TGH PCSI evaluate and
is it too good to be true? working on a laptop or browsing on your phone in bed address sleep disorders that can negatively affect your
We all see those before bedtime. Electronics will interfere with the quality quality of life and overall health. “We can determine if a
commercials promising of your sleep and may contribute to developing insomnia. sleep study at home or a test in the sleep lab would help,
everything but the • Avoid eating large meals and consuming alcoholic and then recommend a proper plan of care depending on
kitchen sink. These beverages at least three hours before bedtime. the patient’s specific needs.”
ads are designed to • Keep the room as dark as possible and the temperature For more information about the sleep health services
prompt you to call and on the cooler side. offered by the TGH Pulmonary Care & Sleep Institute,
most likely you will be • Wear comfortable, loose sleepwear. please call (561) 739-4TGH (4844) or visit TGHPCSI.com.
disappointed, and they
will try to enroll you in a plan that was not the advertised
plan. Usually, the advertised plans with free benefits are
for people who are dual enrollees, enrolled in Medicare
and their state Medicaid program.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that
provides health coverage to individuals and families with
limited income and resources. How do I qualify? You
must live in Florida and meet certain rules, such as having
limited income and savings per the Medicaid limits. The
website to apply is https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com
and all the information you need is on their site.
Medicaid is either partial or full benefits. If you do
not qualify after applying, you may be eligible for LIS
(low- income subsidy) to assist with cost of medications.
If I Don’t Qualify For Medicaid – What Can I Do?
It’s important to have a dedicated agent that you can
speak with consistently to answer your questions, not
random agents in a call center. It’s not too late to review
your Medicare coverage. There is an open enrollment
period through Mar 31 for Advantage Plan members and
many special enrollment periods that allow you to make
changes to your Medicare coverage now.
I specialize in supplements, Advantage Plans,
prescription drug plans and those dual plans and I am
happy to help you review your coverage.
If you have Medicare topic suggestions, email me
at czak82@aol.com.
I speak Medicare: Supplement, Drug Plan and
Advantage Plan.
For your free Medicare Plan review please call me.
Kathy Olejniczak, agent, at (561) 835-5413 or cell/text
(561) 212-7640.