The Fastest and Most Affordable Path to a College Degree — Regardless of Your Major

It’s no secret that the cost of education continues to increase year after year. Education Data Initiative reported in January 2022,” The average price of college tuition & fees at public 4-year institutions has risen 179.2% over the last 20 years for an average annual increase of 9.0%.” In most cases, wages haven’t kept pace with the cost of higher ed, so what can a prospective college student do to offset some of this cost? I want to share what I’ve learned that may help you save $10,000 to $40,000 or more!

 

Years ago, I found similarities in university degree programs, on-campus or online; most programs require several general education courses. These courses may account for up to 2 years of a 4-year degree. While that number may be smaller in programs such as medicine and engineering, tuition for these courses costs no less than those in the major area of study.

 

General education courses are required for most undergraduate degree programs. They do not change based on the major. While there are literally hundreds of college majors, most need the same general education courses. You should consult your school to determine what they require.

 

I’ve taken advantage of programs offering a cost-effective solution to this coursework for my children and grandchildren. They did not need to sacrifice the quality or transferability of these courses as they navigated their program, and we’ve saved thousands of dollars literally in the process.

 

Here are some examples of general education courses:

  • Music
  • Art
  • Philosophy
  • English Composition
  • English Literature
  • Foreign Language
  • Western Civilization
  • US History
  • Math
  • Statistics
  • Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Public Speaking
  • Psychology
  • World Religions
  • Anthropology

 

Distance Learning System offers a program you may want to consider. They provide 100% online courses that are recognized by the American Council on Education and accepted by over 30 of their top-tier university partners. These online courses cost less than half the national average and are completed online in about half the time of traditional college courses. My position has always been, why pay more for the same thing? My answer has always been that I shouldn’t.

 

If you can save 60% to 80% on the first two years of your 4-year degree and receive the same quality education, why not take advantage of the opportunity? These programs are open to high school students preparing for college or working adults interested in fast-tracking their career and income potential. Good luck in your quest for higher education.

 

Written By: Dave Christy

It’s Never Too Late to Be On Time

You may take issue with the title of this message, and in most cases, I would agree; however, in the context of when to start college, nothing could be more true.

Most people would agree that the best time to begin college training would be immediately after high school. A marketing services firm tells us that more than 47% of students attending colleges or universities in the US are older than 25. Another interesting statistic is the percentage of non-traditional students in the US, which is 74% says NCES (National Center for Education Statistics). So, if you’ve been out of school for several years or the job market has forced you to retrain and upgrade your professional skills at any age, you are not alone!

Our office receives calls from prospective students of all ages, some even approaching retirement. A lady in Roanoke, Virginia, once told me her dream was to earn her RN. She had been an LPN most of her life and always wanted to earn that title. She enrolled, completed her program, earned her RN, and called me to brag a bit. She was incredible.

Online education has exploded over the last few years. It offers flexibility, especially for non-traditional adult students. Self-paced, online programs allow the student to continue working and raising a family.

If you find yourself in a position that requires additional education, you are not alone. There are unprecedented opportunities in today’s job market. Ever thought about becoming an RN? There are tens of thousands of RN positions open across the country. Have you dreamed about flying? Major airlines are scrambling to find more pilots. The USBLS says there will be over 14,500 openings for pilots over the next few years. These high-paying positions are just waiting for you to complete your academic training to secure higher pay, better benefits, and job security.

There has never been a better time to pursue higher education, regardless of age. So, you see, “On time” is relative, and it never is too late to be on time. Distance Learning Systems is a great place to start your journey. With over 30 university partnerships across the nation, Distance Learning Systems can save you time and money in pursuing your degree. DLSI will start you on the road to your choice of over 450 online degree programs that truly are life-changing. You should call them today; you’ll be right on time!

 

Written by Dave Christy

What I Wish I Would Have Known Before College

There is no step by step guide to survive school while pursuing a higher education degree. Many people describe college as some of the best years of their lives. However, higher education is a dramatic lifestyle change that can be hard to adapt to for many students. As a recent graduate reflecting on my college years, there are a few things I wish I had realized before I entered college. Here are a few things I wish I would’ve known, including stress, studying and money management.

In high school I was a three sport athlete, a member of the National Honor Society, the secretary for the student council and part of many other committees. I balanced these activities very well and loved every minute of it. However, the set schedule I was used to changed when I came to college. You are in charge of managing your schedule. No one is there to guide you along. This can be a major change of pace for many people. So my tip to you is to set a schedule. Sit down and plan out your week. Designate times to do assignments, tests and to study. Stick to your routine. Your grades will thank you.

If you had poor study habits in high school, it’s time to make a change. Students are often shocked by how much effort they must put into their classes. Even though students are often told how much time and effort they will have to put into their classes, they are typically stunned when they are actually expected to do it. If you’re really struggling, reach out to your advisor for helpful tips on how to manage your course work. They may also have resources available to you to make studying easier or more enjoyable! Don’t take on more than you can handle. Some students can handle four courses at a time while others may only be able to focus on one. Wherever you fall on this spectrum, that’s okay! Progress isn’t linear. Lastly, ask friends and loved ones what worked for them or look up studying tips online. If one method fails, don’t give up! Everyone is different, you just need to find your niche.

In all honesty, college was the most stressful time of my life. When my routine was no longer existent, I found that I had to discover new ways to manage stress and anxiety. It wasn’t until my junior year that I was able to find ways to manage that stress that worked for me. I found that what worked for me didn’t necessarily work for my friends. I had always been an extremely active person, so I naturally gravitated towards fitness to take my mind off of whatever I was stressed about. Going to the gym at the end of the day helped me relax and refocus. Other stress relievers can be painting, reading a book or even just watching a movie or tv for a little while. Find a healthy coping mechanism and make sure to incorporate it into your new routine.

Last but not least, money. Money can be a huge concern while earning your degree, and managing it can be difficult. My advice would be to set a budget or allowance for yourself. You can make it weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. Factor in the cost of your loans, along with other expenses such as books and materials. When I made my budget, I also included money for food, extracurriculars along with how much money I would put into savings. I really stress putting money aside for savings. When my senior year rolled around, I was able to pay off my whole first semester with what money I had put aside which saved me the stress of paying more interest on my loan. Every bit counts, save what you can, when you can.

For many students, college is a whole new world and what comes along with it can be stressful and overwhelming. Finding what works for you during this time is extremely important. Sometimes, though, a little guidance can be helpful — take it from people who learned the hard way.

Five Important Medical Professionals In Hospitals

A hospital is an ideal workplace for medical professionals. Many hospitals employ people who chose a career in the medical field. You can find different types of medical professionals working in a hospital. Each professional plays an important role in the workforce. Their duties and responsibilities are useful for achieving the institution’s overall goal. Here are the top five medical professionals working in a hospital. These five medical professionals are crucial in providing health related service to the public.

Doctors
Doctors are key personalities in a medical institution. They lead the team in providing health service to patients. Doctors are experts in helping people treat and managed medical illnesses. They are the most reliable person’s to consult with about treating a particular medical condition. Physicians know the right medical treatment for a specific disorder.

Nurses
Nurses are also one of the most important employees in a hospital. They usually handle the daily task of monitoring the medical condition of patients. Nurses are also responsible for providing the basic medical treatment to patients like the administration of medicines.

Medical Technologist
MTs usually stay in a hospital’s laboratory. They handle the task of analyzing, checking and interpreting a patient’s specimen. MTs provide the right medical information needed by doctors to analyze and determine a particular medical condition.

Physical Therapist
Physical therapist are responsible for helping patients recover from a disability. PTs usually handle treatment session aim to help people stand, walk and use their body again. Patients recovering from walking disabilities need the service of a Physical therapist.

Pharmacist
Pharmaceutical products are important entities in many medical treatments. Pharmacists are responsible for securing and managing medicines and drugs needed by patients. They usually are in charge for monitoring the supply of important medicine in the hospital. Many medical institutions employ pharmacists to help them manage their supply of medicines.

Five Misconceptions About RN Classes And The Truth You Should Now

A student pursuing a career as a Registered Nurse must enroll in major nursing subjects. These RN classes are the foundation of a student’s medical skills and knowledge. Passing these RN classes is one of the requirements for a nursing career. However, many people still have misconceptions about these types of classes. Most students who failed in RN classes neglect verifying the information they got and continue believing in hear-says and rumors.

Below are Five Misconceptions about RN Classes, and the truth:

Students don’t need to study to pass RN classes.
In contrast, some nursing subjects are complicated and involve difficult topics to cope up. Students must develop good study habits to help them adjust with tough lessons.

RN classes are useless in the workforce.
Many of the principles and nursing procedures learned in RN classes are important in the daily task of a nursing professional. The skills and knowledge acquired in these type of classes is useful in a medical work environment.

Professors in RN classes don’t have actual experience in hospitals.
The Professor and teachers in RN classes spend most of their time in classrooms. They choose a different career which is focused on teaching. But still, many of them have prior work experience in hospitals and other related work environment.

RN classes are simple and students can still purse a career without them.
If a student wants to pursue a career in the field of nursing, enrolling RN classes is a major requirement. Many students believe that RN classes are simple and are not really important for a career. But the truth is they are wrong. More and more hospitals are requiring the majority (usually 65% of nursing staff) to be RNs. By 2020, that number is expected to rise to more than 80%.

RN classes only happen in school campuses and classrooms.
The internet has provided a new mode of conducting RN classes. Students can now participate and attend RN classes even if they are not physically present in campuses and traditional classrooms.

The Role of RNs In Hospitals

Hospitals and other medical institutions employ different kinds of medical professionals. Every employee has an important role in the medical workforce. These medical professionals are needed to achieve the medical and institutional goals of hospitals. Most of the patient care duties in hospitals are assigned to RN’s. These types of medical professionals are responsible for assisting patients in their basic medical needs. An RN plays a key role in Hospitals and medical institutions. Without them, the specific medical goal for a patient will not be realized.

They are the front liners in providing medial service to patients.
One of the most visible employees in hospitals are RN. You see them In important areas of the hospitals like the E.R. And operating room. You also see RNs checking bed ridden patients. RNs are the front runners in medical servicing. RNs spend most of their time interacting with patients. An RN is primarily responsible for assisting patients with their needs. The duties of administering medicines to patients are also assigned to RNs.

RNs keep the work place active.
Try to visit a hospital and observe the kind of workplace it has.  Often times, you see a nurse rushing in back and forth. RNs hold many functions in hospitals. They perform both medical and clerical duties which are needed to provide efficient medical service to patients. RNs do keep the working pace active in hospitals and other medical institutions.

RNs collaborate with other medical professionals in managing disorders and illnesses.
An RN usually works hand in hand with other medical professionals like doctors in managing and treating various medical conditions. Doctors hand over medical orders and instructions to RNs. In relation, An RN informs and updates the doctor about the current medical condition of a patient.

Why Choose Distance Learning System

Choosing the right educational institution is not easy. Students find it difficult to find the best institution that can provide the best online education they need. One renowned educational institution for providing good quality online learning program is Distance learning System. Their service include Online Learning Programs, Blended Learning Program and a variation of Supplemental Courses. Distance Learning System was established in 1999 and is considered to be America’s number one educational publishing company providing test preparation services and products. They also pioneered in offering customized educational solutions to distance learning programs for students with busy schedules.

High Quality Education
As experts in offering educational services to students, DLSI has been a venue for high quality online education programs. Students will acquire the right learning and knowledge that they need in their career. Distance learning system offers a list of highly qualified tutors and instructors that can help a student prepare for a board exam.

Convenience
DLSI is one of the first online educational institutions offering distance education program thru the internet. Students seeking online education can rely on DLSI. Distance learning System allows students with busy schedules to participate in online classes that can be attended from any location. DLSI offers students an opportunity to be educated right in the comfort of their homes.

Best Preparation for Board Exams
Preparing for difficult board exams is tough. Many people failed in these types of exams because they weren’t able to acquire the best and effective preparation for it. DLSI offers the best preparation for difficult board exams. DLSI adapt effective review strategies to ensure a passing grade in these type of exams. The current DLSI national Passing rate is 98%. Many individuals acquired their professional licensed like RN’s and LpNs thru the help of Distance learning System. Now, If you’re searching for the right review center for a board exam, then DLSI is your perfect match.

Three Commendable Character Traits When Pursing A Nursing Education

Taking up a nursing course in college is a wise choice. A degree in nursing will qualify a person to a position in the medical industry. Students earning a nursing education will eventually be part of a highly skilled workforce. However, finishing a nursing course is not easy. A student must overcome both personal and academic challenges. If a person manages to finish his or her nursing education, one will acquire boundless employment opportunities.

The challenges a student will be facing when earning the degree are not simple. Some nursing students may find these challenges too overwhelming, causing them to feel disappointed and frustrated. Although these challenges may be tough to overcome, it doesn’t mean that a student can’t outdo such challenges. Here are four great character traits a student should possess to overcome the academic and personal obstacles when pursuing a nursing education.

Good Time Management
A student earning a nursing education should be able to handle and manage busy academic classes. Nursing classes may consume most of the available time a student has. He or she should be able to cope up with this busy academic schedule. He or she be able to create a time table allocated for studying.

Excellent Study Habits
Many of the lessons and topics tackled in the nursing classroom cannot be achieved in one single lecture. A student must develop a good study habit. He or she should be able to spend time in fully understanding some of the most complicated nursing principles.

Willingness to Learn More Nursing Related Knowledge
A student’s interest and attitude towards his or her course is a big factor towards attaining an educational goal. A student who has a positive attitude and high interest towards learning the lessons and principles has a greater chance of obtaining that life changing nursing degree.

Two Important Facts About ASN Programs

One of the most important branch of science in the world is the field of medicine. It’s an important industry that deals with human biology and diseases. One very exiting career in this field is a nursing career. A Nursing professional holds an important role in the medical field. They are one of the main workforce in this type of industry. There are two types of tertiary education that a student can take to qualify for a nursing career. One is a bachelor’s degree (BSN) and the other one is the Associate of science in Nursing (ASN).

An associate of science in nursing (ASN) grants a student to get a career as a nursing professional. This type of educational program is often the most practical and convenient way to earn a degree in nursing. Here are two facts that you want to know about Associate of science in nursing degree programs.

How long does it take to finish an ASN program?
A student consume lesser time for earning ASN degree than a BSN degree. Students taking up a degree in ASN can finish the whole course in just two-three years.  An ASN degree is the fastest way towards the qualification for a nursing profession. Some nursing schools can offer a shorter time period for an ASN degree than other colleges and universities.

ASN programs are now offered in online schools
The advancement of internet help developed a modern approach in education. Online schools are now available to provide students advantageous alternative means of acquiring tertiary education. A student can now earn an ASN degree from credited online schools. These online nursing schools awards a student creditable ASN degree without actually attending regular classes conducted in school campuses. Students can get a formal education right from their homes.

Three Desirable Traits LPN’s Should Possess

The healthcare industry maintains a high quality of service to patients. Strict quality control and continuous skills enhancement for healthcare professionals is required. A professional in this field like a LPN should meet these standards to keep them employed in the workforce. LPN’s hold an important role in providing health service to patience. They work hand in hand to other healthcare professionals to deliver outstanding medical service to patients.

As an LPN, it’s best that you avoid any mistakes when conducting your job. Your career and licensed is at stake every time you break a particular rule. Worst some patients can legally sue you if they suffered a bad experience from your care. It’s ideal that you maintain desirable characteristics to keep you away from this negative situations. Here are three traits a LPN should possess.

Strictly follow rules, instructions and orders
Orders and instructions from doctors should be carried out efficiently. A LPN should see to it that he or she is carefully following the medical orders given by the doctors. Following the official instruction of the attending physician must be implemented especially in delicate medical cases.

Sincerity to provide healthcare service to patients
LPN’s with a positive attitude towards his or her work are more likely to succeed in this kind of profession. They focus on helping a patient resolve a medical condition or illness rather than anything else while at work. Prioritizing your concern towards a patient will help you avoid committing mistakes in the work area.

Has an open mind to skills and knowledge enhancement programs
The field of medicine is a branch in science that is experiencing frequent development and progress. Newer medical techniques are discovered everyday which help improve deliver effective treatment to illnesses. As an LPN you should be able to accept that you need to undergo occasional skills enhancement programs. Education is a continuous process in a LPN career.