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.

Regarding Credit by Examination

Credit By Examination has become common practice in most colleges and universities. A student usually earns at least one-third of credits required for their chosen degree. These examinations are available in many subject areas like that with university courses.

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) is an example of a credit exam. Dantes exam offers free tests for military members and also offer discounts for veterans as well. A Dantes exam is conducted on military bases, embassies and even inside military camps.

These exams come in the form of a transcript system through JST or CCAF. Using transcripts simplify their enrollment process. Students are first encouraged to check the college of their choice to make sure they meet certain requirements. There are 3 types of credit by examination:  College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and Excelsior College Examinations (ECE).

CLEP is the most popular of the three. With CLEP, students will receive credit for a fraction of the degree cost. Instituted by the College Board, it offers help to almost three thousand universities. The DSST is more extensive. It is a series of examinations comparable to that of an end-of-course exam. Business Law and Physical Geography are regular subjects in DSST. Students can ask for reimbursements with DSST, particularly with military members, by using their GI Bill.

ECE offers distance learning and online education to veterans and military personnel. ECE offers objective, multiple-choice exams to aspiring students, but also emphasize the application of military concepts and skills. Students who attend military schools are given equal opportunities like that of regular students. They no longer need to find ways to get an entry pass in military schools. Going through DANTES is the right choice for them.  All they need to do is study, and attend to their credits later.

Effective Strategies For Passing A Credit By Exam Test

A credit by exam test awards a student transferable college units which are useful in shortening the time consumed in earning a college degree. Many students take credit by exam tests to help them reduce the cost in their college education. However, a student must successfully pass the exam to gain the needed college credits. These type of test are usually difficult to pass. It’s ideal that a student implement strategies to ensure a passing grade in these type of exams.

Here’s a list of effective strategies that a student can adapt to help them prepare for the exam and acquire a passing grade in the test:

Exposure In Subjects, Principles, And Facts
Acquired knowledge in specific subjects that are included in credit by exam tests is not simple. Some of the subjects and lesson included are not tackled in high school classes. However it doesn’t mean a student wont be able to acquire those lesson somewhere else. Students can acquire related knowledge thru their work. Exposure in subjects included in credit by exam tests are often acquired in the work force. Applying as an on the job trainee in a particular industry will grant students advanced knowledge in related subjects. These can be a good preparation for a credit by exam test.

The Power of Review Centers
Enrolling in review classes that aim to prepare students for a credit by exam test is very effective. There are institutions that offer these kinds of review classes for students. Review centers have the right resources that can help students acquire a passing score in the test. Most of the time, review centers have pre-test and review materials that are very useful in preparing the capability of students to pass the credit by test. Review classes are powerful tools that students should take before taking a credit by exam test.

Eight Important Things To Know About Distance Education

An alternative means for acquiring academic qualification is thru Distance Education. This method of education is different from the traditional classroom base education. A distance education program grants student’s opportunity to be educated without being physically present in regular classrooms. A lot of Universities and Colleges offer this kind of program to meet the needs of students who cannot attend regular campus classes. This kind of program allows students to be educated in a particular institution even if they are living miles away. Students in a distance education program don’t have to travel in a different location to acquire the education that they need.

A Distance education program is very beneficial to students who are currently employed in the workforce. This kind of program is also advantageous to hands-on parents who are busy attending to their kids. Although, the popularity of distance education rose in the recent years, many people are still unaware that such an educational program exists. The distance education program is an ideal option to consider during a student’s decision. The public should know about the existence of distance education program. Not only does it give educational opportunity to more people, but it also brings high quality education to households all over the  world. Distance education programs give chance to students who don’t have the time and resources to get a formal education in traditional campus setting.

Below are eight facts about distance education programs:

  1. Distance Education Has Been Existing For Quite A long Time.
  2. The Internet Allowed Distance Education To Be More Efficient.
  3. It Is Cheaper Compared To Traditional Method Of Education.
  4. It Provides The Best Opportunity For Students With Busy Schedules.
  5. Anyone Can Enroll In A Distance Education.
  6. Location Is Not Important.
  7. The Quality OF Education Is Equal To Regular Or Traditional Method Of Education.
  8. The Degree Earned Is Valid And Accepted.

Five Things You Should Know About College Level Examination Program

Students who want to earn college credits have the option to take the College Level Examination Program. This is a type of exam wherein the student’s knowledge are assessed. Students who pass the college examination program test is awarded college credits which is transferable and accepted to a lot of colleges and universities.

How Many Subjects are Covered in a College Level Examination Program Test?
This type of assessment test covers thirty three exams in five subject areas which can be credited in a college general education course. A student who is able to pass all 36 subjects will be granted college credits that are useful to many college degree courses.

What’s the Passing Score for This Kind of Exam?
The minimum qualifying score for a student to earn a passing grade is typically 75%. The minimum qualifying score accepted by a particular college or university depends on the institution’s own standards.

How Long Does It Take To Finish The Exam?
Normally it would take 90 minutes to finish each test in a College Level Examination Program. The time consumed in taking the test will depend on the number of subjects you want to take.

How Much Is The Cost For Taking The Exam?
A standard payment of $80 per exam is required. The total cost for the entire exam will depend on the number of tests the student will be taking. The more exams a student will be taking, the more cost he or she needs to pay.

Why Should A Student Take A College Level Examination Program Test?
Passing the College Level Examination Program grants a student college credit in a fraction of the cost and time. A student can save time and money for earning required college credits. Earning credits in this type of exam is practical and cost efficient.

Three Effective Strategies to Pass CLEP Exams

CLEP Exams grant a student transferable college credits. Taking a CLEP Exam is an ideal way to earn advance units in college. CLEP exams are advantageous to students. It’s quite easy to apply and take the exam. But, for some, passing the CLEP exam is a little bit difficult. Not all CLEP exam takers will successfully earn the much needed college credits.

The CLEP exam assess a student’s knowledge in thirty six subject areas. It is equivalent to the final exam given in a regular college class. Normally, a student should acquire a score of 50 to 60 out of 80 items. Attaining this score is difficult especially for students with low to average knowledge and capability. It’s best that a student adapts effective techniques that will ensure a passing score in the exam.

Below are three Useful and effective strategies to help students pass the CLEP Test:

Self-Review
A student can prepare for a CLEP exam by undergoing in self-review and studying. Students can acquire useful reading materials about the subject. Students should be able to familiarize terms and principles related to the subject. It’s advisable that a student create a schedule and a lot a time for studying and reviewing.

Tutoring
Another effective strategy to ensure a passing score in the CLEP exam is thru participating in tutorial classes. There are several institutions that offer this kind service to students. Some institutions also offer online tutorial classes for CLEP exams.

Review Materials
Students can also acquire CLEP review materials that are available in bookstores.  CLEP reviewers are similar to the actual test materials in a CLEP exam. Reviewers often help students prepare for the test. It can also increase the chances of students to earn high scores in the actual test result.

Simple Facts You Want to Know About Distance Learning

Distance education or distance learning is a means of acquiring formal education and learning without physically attending regular classes in school campuses. This type of learning is not really new. In fact, the first distance education course started in 1840 by Sir Isaac Pitman.  It eventually evolved as new forms of communications developed. The internet allowed a more efficient means to deliver instruction materials to students taking a distance education program.

The advancement of the internet made distance education more popular. More and more students acquire a formal education thru this type of learning. Here are some facts that you want to about distance education programs.

It’s a practical and convenient mode of education
Students enrolling in distance education programs often choose this type learning because it’s practical. It’s also the most convenient way of acquiring a formal education. Students can save time, money, and energy from acquiring formal education, if they attend online classes right in their homes. A student taking the traditional method of education must take daily trips to a school campus to attend scheduled classes. And if the student must miss class for some reason, there is no alternative to reschedule the lecture, unlike online classes where the lectures are often recorded and made available for later viewing.

Credits earned are valid and transferable
Many hesitant students do have this thinking that the credits or the degree earned in online school is not recognized by an education board. However, legitimate online schools do grant a student transferable credits which are transferable in many colleges and universities. A degree earned with an online school is also recognized and accepted by many employers and companies.

Provide an educational opportunity to people who can’t attend traditional classes
Students who are not capable of physically attending regular classes in school campuses will still have an opportunity to finish an educational course.  This is very useful to students who are busy working in the workforce and full time parents.

How to Prepare and Pass a Credit by Exam

One of the popular means to gain college credits is thru taking credit by exam test. These type of examinations awards a student transferable credit to many colleges and universities. One widely used credit by exam test is the CLEP exam or College Level Examination Program test. Once a student passes this kind of exam he or she will be given college credit that can be used in his or her chosen college degree.

A person should be able to pass this kind of exam in order to acquire the college credits that he or she needs. These types of examinations can be challenging and passing it can be difficult. It’s appropriate to prepare in advance before taking the actual test. Preparing ahead of time will improve your chances of passing the exam and getting those transferable college credits. Here are some tips on how to prepare yourself for a credit by exam test.

Do Self Review
Conducting self-review and studying can prepare you for these type of exams. Create an outline of the subjects that will be included in these exams. This will help you identify which subjects you will be studying and reviewing. Use it to guide you on your self-review.

Join in a Tutorial Class
Fortunately, there are institutions that offer tutorial classes for CLEP exams. This can be a great help in achieving your goal of passing credit by exam tests and earning college credits. These Institutions often have effective tutorial programs that will ensure a passing grade. Enrolling in tutorial classes like this is the best preparation for a CLEP exam.

Acquire Review Materials
You can also buy review materials that will help you prepare for the credit by exam test. These review materials are often similar to the actual test material for the CLEP exam. However the questions in the review material is not the same as on the actual CLEP exam.

Fast Track College Degree: Earning College Credits Thru Examinations

Earning a college degree is very important for a professional career. An individual will gain an advantage if he or she has the educational qualification. However, in reality, the probability of earning a college degree can be very low. The cost for a formal educational in a university can be very expensive for an average income earner. Earning a college degree can consume a person’s time and financial resources.

Yet, a working student who is eager to pursue a college degree can find the right solution to these problems. A person can adapt strategies and methods to lessen the time and money consumed for a college degree. A very popular method of decreasing the time-spent for a college education is thru earning credits by taking examination.

Three Popular Credit by Exam Types

There are 3 top credit by examination testing programs in America. These type of test provide transferable credits to hundreds of universities and colleges all over the country. The CLEP and DSST test are the most widely used examination programs that grants a person 60 transferable college credits. Some schools and university also offer their own sets of credit by exam testing program.

Dantes Credit by examination program was originated by United States Department of Defense. Also known as the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (Dantes) program, is an extensive series of examinations to assess a person’s knowledge to 38 college subjects. The Dantes Exam is comparable to the final examinations given in these 38 undergraduate college courses.

Earning credit thru examination program will cut the time spent in attending classes. These type of examination programs grant a student to earn college credits without attending regular classes. People who want to save time and money for earning credits in regular courses can adapt to this type of method.

Everything you need to know about Credit by examination

Credit by Examination grants students to have credits towards earning an associate, bachelor’s degree in college. Students take specific type of examinations that are needed in their chosen field of study. These type examinations test a student’s knowledge about the particular subject of choice. Testing sites all around America sponsor Advanced Placement (AP) exams and the College Level Examination Program or CLEP that are conducted several times within the year.

A lot of college schools accepts the credits earned by the Credit by Examination program as transfer credits. Many adult students opt to take Advanced Placement Courses such as a credit by exam to save time in earning a four-year degree. A lot students earn a maximum of 40 credits included in a degree program through this type of testing.

Who is qualified to take these type of examination?

Adult student employees often take this type of exam. High school students can also take this test and earn college credit to prepare them from general education requirements that can be transferred to many colleges and universities around the country. Individuals who are not currently enrolled in any school has also the chance to take this kind of exam. This is a great opportunity for people to make up the credits lost while he or she was not enrolled.

How can person benefit from a credit by exam?

One noticeable advantage of these Advanced Placement Courses is it allows students to saves thousands of dollars from earning a college degree. It also save a student time to finish a degree program. These type examinations also aid adult post graduate students who have already earned a degree with their career growth. They can get continuous educational credits for a graduate degree that are often times basic requirement in position appraisal and employment promotions.