Tag: College Degree

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.

College Degree through Credit by Examination

Undergraduate students can acquire a degree by getting credit by examination without formally enrolling in a certain school for the course. But first, a student must be eligible to take the exam. The student must visit the office of the registrar to complete the Academic Requirements Committee petition. Next is to gain the approval of the faculty and department to schedule your examination. It is similar to the CLEP program which can be an option for a student who wants credits. These are standardized test process first established by the Department of Defense. A similar option is offered at Excelsior College, Thomas Edison State College and a handful of other schools as well as other Online Programs that offer their own exams which enrolled students and others can take for credit.

These options are very popular among students who want to bypass the standard course by passing the exam and just pay around $ 100; allowing the students to save hundreds or thousands of dollars which they can use on their other needs. Though it’s a practical way to earn credit, there’s no assurance that you will pass the exam. It will test your knowledge about certain subjects, so you must be prepared and be well equipped before taking the exam.

Other credit by exam programs are only accepted by specific schools, not all. CLEP is the only widely accepted program by universities. Make sure that the program you are taking is accepted by the university you are planning to enroll. These exams can only be suitable for certain types of students. There are students who prefer having formal classes, for they learn more if they interact with the professors and classmates. It’s advisable to think well and consider your abilities and knowledge about the subjects before applying for the exam.

The Secret to College: Credit By Exam

For most scholars, the path to earning credit typically involves several weeks of paying attention to lessons, writing down notes, finishing projects and passing a mid-term and final examination. But if you could generate that credit in less time and at a portion of the cost of getting an official course, would you be interested? There would be no projects to finish and no lessons or classes to attend, just an examination to pass. Students looking for a more efficient model to generate a degree should consider credit by exam programs, which have become well-known among those who want to speed up their pace and save money.

“Credit-by-exam programs have been used for years and keep growing today because they offer real value to students and allow them to finish degree requirements more efficiently than getting traditional programs,” mentioned Marc Singer, vice provost of the Center for the Assessment of Learning at Thomas Edison State College, which recently arranged several of its credit by exam programs with open programs to create new routes for students to generate credit. Nearly 3,000 universities in the U.S. accept credit by exam as transfer credit. The programs allow students to get credit by passing a single examination and tend to be an excellent fit for independent students, students who possess college-level knowledge and students who are excellent test takers.

Credit by exam programs is not for everyone, especially students who choose an organized environment and getting a lecturer and other students. Deciding to get college credit by preparing for an examination that covers a semester’s worth of content means you have to be self-motivated and regimented. This approach attracts many busy adult students who have competitive demands on their time and who want to work individually. Two of the most well-known credit-by-exam programs in the U.S. are the College Level Examination Program (CLEP exams) and DSST examinations. “Students considering credit-by-exam programs should talk with their academic consultant to make sure credits from the examination they are planning to take can be passed to satisfy a requirement in their degree program,” said Singer.

Passing the College Level Examination Program

As the economy tightens up everyone’s straps, it becomes more important for you to find a way to get noticed, head and shoulders, above your competitors in the job market. For some individuals, this means putting on a snappy outfit, practicing their smile and handshake, or writing the perfect resume. You know that when it comes to getting the job you really want, it’s about the quality you bring to the company as an employee and an individual. Education is the best, most comprehensive direction to developing the skills for which companies are searching. Getting ready for your academic and working future begins as early as high school, with AP or advanced placement tests offered by schools for college credit.

 

High School Students can take AP exams to speed up their graduation from high school. The trouble is, they are difficult. What is the solution to this problem? Research and take AP practice tests! There are a lot of sources where you can take AP practice tests for free. If you plan to get a passing grade on your AP test, you absolutely have to take AP practice tests to find where your strong and weak points are, and know what to review.

Speaking of getting college credit quick and simple, there is a little known benefit you can get in college that will save your funds and accelerate your graduation: CLEP exams. Known as the College Level Examination Program, CLEP exams are for particular credits at colleges and universities. By taking specific CLEP exams, you are offered credits to the programs those exams cover. Basically, you are revealing, “I know all these things already. I do not need to take the course, and here is the evidence. Just give me the course credits so I can proceed!”. Unfortunately, CLEPs are quite hard. After all, each one includes an entire term of excessive college-level study. That’s why, as with AP assessments; you should take College Level Examination Program practice exams before you ever take an actual CLEP. Practice test options are offered on the Internet as well as at review facilities, and at local book stores. It’s simple to research for a CLEP examination if you simply keep an eye out.

CLEP Exams and College Credit

Some people like to answer the concerns for which they are certain of excellent or bad with regards to educational proficiency. One of the CLEP exams benefit is degree completion in a shorter period.  Because passing a CLEP exam can credit toward common information programs if you take automated examinations. One type of CLEP exams help is an on the internet practice test of multiple-choice, so this way you feel assured and ready.

You have to know those information holes you need for the CLEP exams to become acquainted with the test structure as well as the content. New CLEP exams study guide can help you understand the various questions in the test. Here, an essential thing to consider is that learners should not take the CLEP exams lightly, as they have by downloading test books to be able to get ready for the actual test. CLEP exams are an excellent way to get college credit as CLEP study guides problems demanding knowledge of ideas and expertise application. CLEP College Stage Examination System allows learners to generate credit through demonstrating college level information and they do not have to work around their time-table to get it done.

Due to the potential waiting period to get a score, it is recommended that learners take planning by providing more time of preparation to areas where they have a hard time with. This is one of the very popular ways for home school learners to get and be in a better position to get their college credit and save for the future. More learners are using non-traditional ways of finishing college degrees, such as on the internet applications, separate research, on the internet degree applications, method for learners to quickly and reasonably generate school credit without actually requiring taking the school course. They are called “CLEP Exams,” and they allow you to get common test taking techniques in mind to be able to be successful on your CLEP test.

Distance Education and Getting a College Degree

The benefit of distance education programs, perhaps the biggest and the one that has the most effect on people is budget. Different people enroll in distance education programs for different reasons, but the greatest objective is the same: to generate a college degree to help enhance their personal and professional lives. And if it comes to a price tag lower than a degree in the educational setting, then who can complain? The actual training and costs for programs on the internet cannot be much less costly than conventional school applications. Although educational institutions can pay a little less for their distance education or online degree, the difference may not be important. This is especially true for educational institutions that have already recognized themselves in distance learning.

However, the improving competitors between institutions and universities and colleges to entice the growing group of on the internet learners at the turn could drive the cost of web based programs down, making them even more cost-effective for learners. Learning the primary reason for studying applications online is usually less costly because they allow learners to sustain a job and go to school simultaneously. Many on the internet learners are full-time professionals with serious careers.

Juggling school with a full-time job is much easier with the online degrees and provides the versatility to study from anywhere, just adhere to the program and work at your own speed. This is a far cry from the programs normal educational setting adhere to. This on the internet programs means learners can continue to work to their full-time job and get the same wage they were before they start studying; guaranteeing that the learning they do will not cause major upheavals in their financial life. Another thing is, being employed while participating college is that you can be able to get economical aid from your company. Many companies are willing to invest in their bright and promising workers. If you are able to persuade companies that the abilities and training obtained by your degree on the internet can benefit, then they may accept to finance part or all of your education and learning.