Non-Traditional Students

A Note Taking Dream: Microsoft OneNote

2011-04-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

A Note Taking Dream: Microsoft OneNote
By Linda S Pogue

Recently, I was priviledged to learn how to use Microsoft OneNote. There are so many ways to keep notes and information in this software that I would recommend it to my students and fellow learners without reservation. You can set up a notes page for each class. In each class section, you can pull in information from Web pages (with reference information), add files needed for that class, such as assignment instructions, and save images from cameras or the Web for use in papers. You can set up a separate tab for each assignment, where you can keep record of the resources you used for papers, among other pertinent information.

If you take face-to-face classes and have a laptop, you can type lecture notes right into the course section. Each entry is dated, and gives you the opportunity to add any files to it that you need. Did the instructor send you a spreadsheet to review for a finance class? Save it to the course section and have it handy when you need it. You won't have to search your hard drive to figure out where you saved it.

I wish I had had this software and a laptop when I was taking face-to-face classes. It would have made taking notes so much easier. For my online classes, it would have make it easier to keep up with my schedule and when assignments were due. If you are looking for software to help you manage your college courses, I highly recommend OneNote.

Does Your Online Instructor Have Virtual Office Hours?

2011-04-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Does Your Online Instructor Have Virtual Office Hours?

By Linda S Pogue

Many online instructors now have virtual office hours. These are times set aside several times during the week when students can contact the instructor either through the online course room chat room, though Internet Messaging, or by texting. Online students sometimes need to discuss homework assignments or questions about the material in the course with the instructor. However, before contacting your instructor, there are a few things to keep in mind.

The instructor cannot see your computer screen. I can't tell you how many times a student called with a question and we were looking at different information on our screens. I have learned to ask, what are you looking at before answering their question. Before asking your question, give the instructor some background information. Exactly what were you doing when the issue arose? Which page or screen on the online course room are you looking at? If you are using software, what tabs or buttons have you clicked, what were you trying to do, what happened, and what specifically are you looking at when you call.

Remember that instructors are not online 24/7. If there are virtual hours posted, then you should call or contact the instructor during those times. If you can't, try emailing your question and requesting a virtual appointment. When doing this, it is helpful for you to offer several times and/or dates you will be available, so that the instructor can fit the appointment in with times available.
Don't wait until the day the assignment it due to contact your instructor. Some will give you an extention, but most will not. And you may not be able to get the information you need in time to get the assignment turned in on time. You are in college, and will be held to a high standard of personal responsibility.

Getting the help you need is your responsibility. Everyone has different learning styles and learns at a different rate than everyone else. If you take a while to learn something new, make sure you give yourself the extra time you need. Take advantage of your online instructor's virtual office hours when you need help.

Nontraditional Students and the Freshman 15 - Keeping Your Health and Sanity When Attending College

2011-04-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

Nontraditional Students and the Freshman 15 - Keeping Your Health and Sanity When Attending College

By Linda S Pogue

As nontraditional students, keeping your health and sanity is a must. Every college student learns about the dreaded 'freshman 15.' What no one talks about is how much more likely gaining 15 pounds or more is for those of us who are no longer in our twenties. As we age, our metabolism slows down, making it easier than ever to bring home the freshman 15 and some of his brothers. Once they move in, it is difficult to get them to leave. Spending hours everyday in front of a computer, sitting in classes, or reading books adds to the problem.

There are several ways to help prevent weight gain while attending college.

Walk to your classes. It is very tempting to drive from one campus building to the next, or jump on the campus bus, but unless the next class is too far away to get to in the length of time between classes, walking will give you some exercise. The fresh air will help you think better when you get to the next class, too.

Sign up or join the campus fitness center. Spend at least 30 minutes three times a week using the campus exercise equipment. If you have never used it before, be sure to talk with the fitness center monitor for instructions on using equipment. Also, you might check in with your doctor or the campus nurse to make sure you are healthy enough to exercise.

Take advantage of the campus swimming pool. Swimming is a good all-body workout, and can help you avoid adding those extra pounds, or even help you get rid of a few.

Drink water instead of soda from the machines. Water is calorie free, required for health, and can be carried from home or purchased at the campus bookstore. Don't substitute juices for soda. Most juice has as many or more calories as soda.

Ride a stationery bike while reading your textbooks. Since you don't have to watch where you are going, you can give your attention to what you are learning.

Form a walking group or yoga group with like-minded students. Whether it is because misery loves company, or because it gives you someone to talk to while exercising, a supportive group can help motivate you to stay with your fitness routine.

The most important things you can do for keeping your health and sanity when attending college is to eat right and get enough rest. Take a good multi-vitamin to help you maintain the schedule most college students endure. Many doctors recommend taking extra vitamin C during cold and flu season. This is sound advice for college students, since you will come into contact with a large number of people on campus. Getting enough rest will also help keep your immune system operating at peak capacity.

The freshman 15 is not a foregone conclusion. With the right diet and exercise choices, you can prevent those 15 pounds, feel better, and cope better with the hectic schedule imposed on college students. Get away from the computer. Put the book down. Get outside and get some fresh air. Your body and brain will thank you for it.

Nontraditional students have very specific needs. For helpful information for nontraditional students, visit Student Again.

Knowing Your Personal Learning Style Helps You Learn Faster and Better

2011-04-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Having difficulties learning the material presented in your classes? It could be that you are studying in an inappropriate way for your personal learning style. I spent countless hours studying in ways that did not match my learning style, which means I did not do as well on my tests and exams as I would have, had I studied in a way that was more appropriate for my learning style.

I am primarily a visual learner, which means I more easily retain what I see than what I hear. By learning my personal learning style, I was able to adjust my study habits to be more productive and helpful for my learning goals. Do you know your learning style? The North Caroline State University has a free online learning styles test you can take. You need to enter a name in the first textbox, answer the questions, then go to the results. Your results will be processed and displayed. Print these out, so that you can refer to them when you go to the page that explains what the results mean. To discover your own learning style, visit http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

Tips to Make Online Learning Easy for You

2011-04-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

Tips to Make Online Learning Easy for You

A Guest Post By Sunu Philip

Can't you not access a university physically, are you too busy taking care of the kids or are just looking to get some extra degree, then online education is your forte. Online education makes it possible for you to fulfill your obligations as well as get some advanced degrees and diplomas. These additional qualifications will aid you in your career or business growth. There are many online short courses and hobby related courses to get an extra qualification in your field of expertise or interest.

Most people complain that online courses are more difficult because you have to learn everything by yourself. And when you get stuck, you may not be able to get help on time or reach your online instructor quickly. These are rather true as well. But with proper planning and scheduling, you can successfully complete any online or distance education program.

In this article, you will learn a few tricks that will help make your online learning easier and less tasking.

1. Having a positive mindset is very important.
As you are on your own you to need to motivate yourself to get it going. Family and work obligations might put in extra pressure on you, but possessing an optimistic attitude will help you in moving forward.

2. Concentrate and focus on your work at hand.
Focusing is very important as time spent should be well worth it. Concentrated effort brings in more results. When you are studying online, don't get easily distracted by chatting, Facebook activities, online games etc.

3. Schedule a Proper Time for Study and Classes
Just like most courses in school, you have to schedule and make time for study and classes. The beauty of online classes is in the ease of access and its flexibility; you can easily access materials at any time and study. However, until you make out specific periods, odds are that you would soon be swamped with the workload. So, schedule about 3-4 hours a day for your classes. It is way better and easier than being in class 8am-2pm.

4. Avoid Procrastinating
The temptation to postpone things and assume that you can finish an assignment or test later is really huge in the case of online learning. To avoid piling up your work, download all the necessary study materials and then some. Spend time with the materials and consistently read through the materials. Create an assignments and tests time table based on your syllabus requirements and adhere to that.

5. Join Communities
If you want to really make progress, then you need to join study communities and message boards. It doesn't help to think that you can go it all alone. Look for related forums, educational forums, join them and ask questions. If you can help, please do so as well. Your contribution to the community will give you credibility and make fellow students open up. This will further help you in getting answers or clarifications for yourself. Also there are many online study groups. Join some related to your subject.

6. Ask Questions in Class
If you have weekly video conferencing among all classmates and the lecturer, be sure to ask questions. Most times, people log on to video conferences just to hear the professor talk and without adequate preparation. Doing that won't help you grasp what you're learning or make your learning easier and faster. So, always log on to the conference prepared to the teeth. Also, get the professor's phone number and email in case you need clarifications or need to ask questions. This alone can save you a lot of stress and time.

If you use these tips, odds are that you will find online learning a lot easier than most people.

For more information on available online courses, Visit our portal of online education and distance learning courses.

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Nontraditional College Students Who Home School Their Children

2011-04-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

Nontraditional College Students and Their Children

By Linda Pogue

Going to college when you have children at home is difficult at best, but when the nontraditional student parent is also a home schooling parent, it is doubly difficult, especially if they also work. This was brought home to me recently when a friend decided to go back to college after a few years away. She decided it was time to complete her degree. Changing her degree program makes this a bit more difficult, since some of the subjects she had already taken do not apply to the new degree program. At the same time,she is trying to help her husband build a home business and home school her three children. Is she a brave soul or crazy?

She is much braver than I am. I did not attend college until after my children were grown. I saw the difficulties both my siblings had going to college while their children were young, and decided I would wait. Is she crazy? No, I don't think so. In today's economic climate, having a college degree is almost mandatory for a good job. She wants to help provide for her family and wants the best for her children, just as all good parents do. At the same time, it won't be easy.

She has to schedule time to teach her children, as well as work on her own school assignments, in addition to family and household chores. Thankfully, her husband works from home and is able to be more help than he would if he were working somewhere else. They can share the tasks of teaching and grading children's school work to give her more time. She also sits at the table doing her homework while the kids do their homework. That way, she has time to work on her own assignments, while being there to help the kids, if they need it.

She can also use what she is learning to add to her children's education. When she is studying science, she can demonstrate and explain the principles she is learning to the children. For instance, she can do a topical unit study for the kids on climate and weather patterns while she is studying the same thing for her Earth science class.

Nontraditional college students who home school have resources available to them that other home school parents may not have. They have instructors who may be willing to answer questions and may even be willing to talk with the children. They have the college library for resources. If the college has a school of education, there will be lots of excellent information on teaching specific subjects to children. Going to college online would give more time to work on assignments and work with the children, too, since there would be no lost time in commuting to and from the college campus.

How Can An Online Tutor Help You?

2011-04-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

How Can An Online Tutor Help You?

A Guest Post By Harvey Burton

The education industry is realizing that there are various ways in which it can help people learn better than ever before, and one of those ways is distance learning. Distance learning has become extremely popular with many individuals who want to continue their academic pursuits but who cannot afford the necessary time it takes to travel long distances to attend the specific schools which have their desired courses. Education online is also being used to help students who are struggling in their coursework to receive online help in a very timely and effective manner. This kind of online learning is far better than getting tutor to come to your home because the student can decide the time that is best for learning.

There are various benefits of an online tutor. But before you start to think about how a such tutor for math or any other subject can help you, take a look at some of the ways in which this type of tutor can support you in your academic life.

There are various tutoring services which are offered by online tutoring sites. There is one tutoring service done through online in which the tutor and student work together simultaneously on a whiteboard over the computer while speaking with each other by telephone. During these tutoring sessions, the tutor and student discuss material and solve problems together from given chapters from the student's textbook. This form of tutoring is similar to an in-home tutor except for the fact that the tutor and the student need not be present in the same location. Choosing an online teacher has the great benefit for the student of being able to work with high quality tutors from any part of the country and being able to tap into the best tutoring talent out there. Another great benefit of working with an online educator is that the student can feel at ease knowing that they can continue working with their tutor even if they move or their tutor moves out of town.

Online teacher help is also available via the email. Using the online email tutoring service, students can send problems that they are having a very difficult time solving to their online tutor, the detailed solutions to be emailed back to the student in a timely manner for the student to learn from. An online teacher can also email to the student specific points and important concepts from the text to be reviewed by the student to increase their learning curve.

Some online teaching sites or distance learning sites also have a special section for those students who want help with their homework. Homework help online can be provided in the form of email help or live tutoring through online help. Those who subscribe to such a service find that they do not have trouble in completing and understanding their homework. Every time they get stuck with a math problem, they can get homework help and check out what the solution is.

Some of the online tutor sites also provide phone help to students. With phone help, the tutor and student work together over the telephone, the tutor walking the student through difficult problems and concepts which are causing them great frustration. This additional service is great because there are times when a quick two-way conversation can clarify difficult concepts that may not be so clear otherwise. http://interactivemathtutor.com

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How to Avoid Diploma Mills and Find Accredited Online Colleges and Universities

2011-04-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

How to Avoid Diploma Mills and Find Accredited Online Colleges and Universities

A Guest Post By Michael L. Moss

As the job market grows more and more competitive, employers are looking to find applicants who possess a minimum of a college degree. Other more specialized jobs require a master's education and certification from an accredited institution. Unfortunately, with the rising cost of tuition and the time constraints that come with being a conventional student, pursuing this type of degree may be financially and physically impossible. However, many prospective students are turning to online colleges and universities as a way to earn a degree in a timely and convenient manner. This in turn has also created a large market for profit based online universities, which has also fostered an environment for scams.

While traditional universities try to sell students on the myth of prestige and campus life, there is technically little to no difference in the education amassed at a university. The quality of the courses are the same, gleaning information from the same textbooks and curriculum. Research has shown that graduates from these colleges are as well trained and effective in the workforce as their traditionally schooled counterparts. Yet many online colleges are pure scams, with no academic standards or accountability.

The key to differentiating between proper and scam online colleges comes down to accreditation. Accredited schools will have more money at their disposal for instructional and technological advancements. They will have standards as to the quality of student admitted. They will have limits on the size of enrollment and the number of students per class. While it is difficult for an individual to decipher this particular data, many regulatory bureaus have been set up for this purpose, certifying and accrediting schools that meet these standards. Before you enroll, it is critical you research whether the college has been independently reviewed by a local or federal accreditation board. Many schools will claim to be accredited simply as a sales tactic. Not only will an independent review board give a school accreditation, but will grade the college in comparison to both conventional universities and online universities.

My Colleges and Careers helps students connect with the best Online Colleges available to earn their college degree and embark on a rewarding career! A powerful resource for individuals who have full-time jobs, family responsibilities, My Colleges and Careers connects people with the best online colleges and universities.

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Online College Could Be The Solution To Your Education Dilemmas!

2011-04-05T19:02:00.000-07:00

Online College Could Be The Solution To Your Education Dilemmas!

A Guest Post By Whitney Goldbach

Online college options are more abundant than ever before. Many students return to college after beginning their careers to gain an advanced degree, and an online school is an excellent avenue for just such a case. Others begin their careers right out of high school, and instead choose to finish college after entering adulthood and working life, and again, online education is a convenient way to approach the journey.

After earning an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree, most students will locate work relevant to their field of study. They begin their careers with the intention of pursuing daily responsibilities geared around arts, teaching, management, and more. Oftentimes, once a career is in motion, many of these careerists recognize that their value as an employee can truly advance with incremental degrees.

At this point in the student's career, it is often very difficult, if not downright impossible to simply quit a job to pursue full-time school hours. The timing of professional job placement often coincides with marriages and children, meaning many of these students are not only supporting themselves, but their families. This is where online college prevails.

Online schools offer students with existing jobs, incomes, and families a way to manage all of those things while still pursuing an advanced degree. Online schooling promotes flexible scheduling and a learning pace that is completely personalized. For both of these reasons, online college is a widely popular option for many working adults.

On the other side of things, there are working adults who've not yet earned a degree. Often is the case where some credits have been earned, but for one reason or another, the student did not complete the coursework for a degree. Many students move away from their hometowns, while others simply choose to enter the workforce. Whichever the case, these students often find themselves seeking to finally fulfill that degree, but with a full-time work schedule cannot afford to go back to school full-time.

Again, online school comes to the rescue. With night classes, weekend classes, and even completely autonomous study work, scheduling is a breeze. Online college also allows both full-time and part-time enrollment, meaning students can work at their own pace toward degree fulfillment. As many accredited colleges, online schools will sometimes accept previously earned credits - which ones are dependent on study work and degree sought. Check with your admissions office for clarification.

So whether you're a full-time worker seeking to climb a few rungs up the corporate ladder with a higher-level degree, or simply looking to finish what you've started, finding an online school is a great place to start. Online college offers working adults an excellent opportunity to maximize their time and still earn their degrees. Online school promotes healthy learning paces, which minimizes the stress that comes with going back to school. Online college is affordable; from grants, scholarships and loans, there are many options for financial aid out there.

Remember this: every good education is backed by solid homework. So, when you decide to finally make that move to pursue an online education, be sure to research different online colleges and universities to gain an understanding of what you're looking for, and what you're not.

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Three Reasons the College Catalog is Your Friend

2011-04-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

Three Reasons the College Catalog is Your Friend

By Linda Pogue

When going to college, it is important to get a copy of the college catalog, even if it is only an electronic copy, of the college catalog that is current when you begin classes. If the only copy you can get is an electronic copy, at the very least, save it to your hard drive. It is a good idea to make a backup on another drive and maybe even print it out. There are several reasons for this.

Your degree program's specific requirements will be listed. One idea is to put a pencil mark beside each class as you complete it. This will give you a visual record of what you have accomplished and what you still need to take.
Degree program specific requirements change often. If your degree requirements change while you are continuously enrolled in the program, the college should honor the original contract(i.e. catalog) from when you enrolled. Sometimes, this means you will take a substitution course for a course that is no longer offered in your degree program, but it will make completing your degree a stationary target, as opposed to a moving target that can't be accomplished.
You can plan ahead. By checking out which courses you have to take, then making a list and noting which courses have pre-requisites and co-requisites, you can plan your schedule. Most college catalogs will also tell when courses will be offered, such as Fall of even years. This lets you know that if you don't take the pre-requisite by spring of the odd year preceeding the course you need, you won't be able to take it until the fall two years later. If you are confused (and it is easy to get confused about this), be sure to see your academic advisor early, rather than late.

Keep you college catalog the entire time you are in college, because it is a legal contract with the school detailing what you have to do to graduate. You catalog is your friend, because you not only have degree specific information, you have contact information such as addresses and phone numbers, and information about each instructor, too. It's not a bad idea to have two copies, one to carry with you, and one to keep at home. Reading the college catalog tells you about college expectations of student conduct, as well as general information about the college itself.

If you have not yet enrolled in college, be sure to obtain and read through the college catalog before signing up. The catalog will tell you what is expected of you as a student, what courses you can CLEP, how many courses you can transfer into the college toward your degree program, the academic policy to follow if you disagree with a grade, and much, much more. College catalogs should be required reading for all serious college students.

Online College Courses - Why Are Online College Courses So Popular?

2011-04-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

Online College Courses - Why Are Online College Courses So Popular?

A Guest Post By Benjamin Robert Ehinger

Have you ever taken an online college course? Are you thinking about going back to college or going to college for the first time, but are stressed about working your classes around your job? Online college courses are great for students that want to go to college, but need to work a full time job as well. Here are some of the benefits of online college courses.

1. You will save a ton on gas because you will not have to drive to school ever. With the way gas prices are going you will probably be able to save a couple hundred dollars a month compared to having to drive to your local campus to take classes. This is a big deal because the gas prices are probably not coming down anytime soon.

2. You can schedule your classes however you please. Since you are considering online college courses you will be able to schedule your homework, participation, and test times around all your other obligations. This is a great benefit for those that have to work a full time job, have children to raise, or have other obligations. You can use your free time to take classes no matter if it is in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

3. Most online courses are faster than traditional college courses. There is actually a few online colleges that have accelerated programs. These are usually 6 week classes and you can finish a 2 year degree in about 18 months or a 4 year degree in about 3 years. This will save you a ton of money in the long run because you will not be paying for all that time you don't need to be in class.

Discover all the College Courses Offered Online and start on the path to your success here:

Online College Courses

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Testing in Online Classes

2011-04-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

Testing in Online Classes
Linda S Pogue

When taking classes online, different instructors have different ideas on testing. Some instructors may have to follow college rules for testing, while others get to make up their own minds. So, what are the methods of testing in online classes that you may see?
There are basically three methods to online testing:

Proctored exams. When instructors or colleges require proctored exams, you will have to locate an acceptable place to take your exam. Usually, the testing center of a local university or community college is the best place. Contact the testing center to find out what fees you will need to pay and to set up the time you need to take the exams. Your college will send the test to the testing center, or will have some specified way to ensure that you are taking the test there. Unless otherwise instructed by your teacher, the testing center will not allow you to have calculators, purses, backpacks, textbooks, or notes with you during the test.
Online testing. Some online course rooms, such as Blackboard, have the testing function built-in. Instructors can add multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and essay questions to the course. Multiple choice exams, depending on how the instructor sets them up, usually give your grade immediately after completing the exam. Fill-in-the-blank exams may give a grade, but the grade may not be correct. For instance, if the answer was New World, and you typed new world, the computer will count the answer wrong. However, your instructor has the ability to go into each student's exam and review answers that he or she deems to be acceptable, and give those points back to the student. Essay questions must be graded by the instructor before the score appears. Online tests are usually timed to help deter cheating, and may have an online proctor who is logged in and monitoring your computer screen during the test to prevent the student searching the Internet for answers while taking the test. Some will require you to have a Web cam and scan te room with the camera before taking the exam.
Open book testing. Some instructors have open book tests that are basically essay type tests, but these are usually harder than any of the other types of tests.

So, why have proctored exams, online proctors, and Web cams? Educational institutions are very concerned with maintaining the quality of their grading systems. If students cheat, they don't test well on exit exams, which reflects poorly on the university. The quality of the education the student receives is adversely affected, and the college accreditation may be impacted.

Whatever type of testing a college requires, the best way to prepare for exams is to do your assignments, read the material, and review it every week. If you review every week, there is no need to cram all the material the last few days before the exam. You will know enough that it won't take long to study the material you just recently learned in class.

Going Back to College After 30

2011-03-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

Going Back to College After 30

A Guest Post By Arlene Mones

Thinking about going back to college? Well, I have and it is one of the best decisions I ever made. The thought of going back to college can be overwhelming. You may wonder how you are going to afford it, how will I have the time to study, with conflicting thoughts of really wanting to have that degree. A degree in anything, but just to be able to tell your employer you have a degree, to stop hitting the brick wall in your career because you don't have one.

I decided to go back to college after a seven year break from college and in some ways it is so better this time then when I was in school before. In the 90's, I had to search the card catalog if I wanted to find a book in the library and I had to go through several books to make sure that they were relevant and also had to check the copyright dates to make sure the book was not outdated. Today, you can use goggle or use the library database. If I am on campus and I "Google" something on campus, it will let me know if it is a full text article in my university's database, at least this is how it works at the University of West Florida. I can also use the library databases, like Lexus Nexus. These databases also work like Google, I just put in search words in quotation marks, and it does a search for the topic or topics I am looking for. It is great. No more going through the library carrying heavy books, no more disappointment that someone has checked out the book you probably needed. No late fees or worrying how you are going to carry all of these books.

Another pro about going be to school this round is that you can actually email the professor. This still blows my mind. The first time I was in college, 1993, we did not talk or see our professor until next class. If we had questions, there was no emailing the professor, much less expecting an immediate answer like most of the college kids (from the instant generation) expect.

Now to the cons of college, there are a few, but they are not bad enough to make this an excuse. One con is that most of the people in my classes are much younger than me. They do not respect their elders (the professors) like we were brought up to do. They may constantly talk or interrupt the professor, especially in some of the core classes where they are fresh out of high school. Not all of them are like this, but you will see this, do not be shocked.

Another con, if you study better with someone that studying by yourself, try to find someone your own age to study with. The most of the younger students do not like to study with others, they may tell you that they will study with you at first, but they usually say they study better alone.

If you are going to go back to college and you are going to be expected to do group work, make sure you have text messaging on your phone. From my experience, you will not be able to get a hold of anyone under the age of 25 if you do not have text messaging. For some reason they will not answer their phones, but they will text. If you need to talk to them, as crazy as it sounds, text them first on what is about and ask if they can talk, then tell them you are calling them. I would rather talk to someone then text, but this generation likes to text and they usually do not return your voicemails. It you have a major project, if you can't communicate with your group members, do not expect the project to get done.

Now with our technology, we do not have to go to the class room we can take classes online. There are pros and cons to this alone. The pro is that you don't have to quit your day job to go back to school. The cons are that online is more expensive and you will have to allot more time to figuring things out, because the professor is not there, literally there, to tell you what they expect.

If you go online try to find out from an advisor or other students the professor's style. Finding out their styles and what is expected will help you succeed because some online professors are not organized and are not always good at explaining what is expected in the class. Some of them are not good at returning emails and do not want 80 emails if they did explain something well. Call or set up a time to meet with the professor to find out what will be expected in their course. I did this one semester when I had to take all my classes online because of my work schedule. After meeting with one of my professors, I realized that she was a librarian at the school and she was able to assist me if I had any questions.

Overall, I would say that my experience with college this round is much better. I am making better grades because I want it more now. I can use my iPod to record my lectures, instead of worrying if the whole class will look at me as I flip my tape in my tape recorder. I started with one class at a time and eventually decided to take more. Even taking one class will get you closer to your college degree, then not going at all. I was scared at first, but I am glad I did it and I am proud to be a part of "Class of 2011."

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USB Flash Drives

2011-03-26T22:33:00.000-07:00

One of the questions students sometimes ask is, "What size USB drive should I get?"

Today, you can get drives up to 32GB or more, but that is much more memory than you need for college course work. Not only do you not need that much memory, they are much more expensive when you get into the upper memory size ranges. A USB flash drive of 1GB would actually be enough to save all the papers and research you will need for a semester, and maybe for the entire time you are in college. A 1GB drive will hold several complete textbooks, so you are not likely to fill it up with text documents.

That said, if you are in a graphics arts class that uses computerized images, or a CAD class, you might need a larger USB drive to contain all your work.

There are many brands avaiable today. You can sometimes pick up a 1GB or 2GB USB flash drive for $10 or less. For the person who has fashion in mind, you can even purchase USB jewelry, necklaces, watches, and bracelets. Some even come with Swarovski crystals for that extra bit of bling.

One thing you should know about USB flash drives, though, is that they are not reliable for permanent storage. They may last for years, or may last for a few months. You should use them as backups only. Keep another copy of your work on your student drive at school, your home computer, or on SkyDrive in Windows Live Essentials, which can be downloaded from Microsoft.com.

For more information about fashionable memory, visit USB Jewelry.

If you are interested in novelty shape USB flash drives shaped like dogbones, ice cream cones, lipstick, or cars to use as a gag gift for college friends or family, check this site

For a large selection of regular USB flash drives, Click Here.

Success in Higher Education for Adult Students

2010-12-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

Success in Higher Education for Adult Students

A Guest Post By Kelli B Smith

For some adult students, going back to school can be stressful, intimidating, and a down-right chore. But success in higher education is like any other kind of success: you need to create an environment in which you can succeed. After that it's easy. If you haven't set foot inside a classroom for 5, 10, 25, or even 50 years, you might need your memory jogged when it comes to studying. The following study tips can increase your chances for success in higher education.

Tips for Adult Students

1. Take time: It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of returning to, or starting in, higher education. However try not to sign up for the first program that catches your eye. Consider your options, interests, and needs; take the time to find the best fit. Access to higher education is at a historic high; universities, community colleges, technical schools, online programs, and virtual campuses are just some of the options available to you.

2. Study light: Don't fill your dance card all at once. Take a few classes to start with. Adult students won't need an 18 credit-hour load like some of your classmates. You have a life. You have a job, a family, friends, and commitments, all of which will continue to require attention from you. For every three credit hours, plan on studying 6-9 hours per week outside of class.

3. Study fun: When picking your first classes, choose one just for fun. Seriously. Take yoga, take fencing, take underwater basket-weaving; it doesn't matter, as long as it's something you will enjoy. One of the traditional difficulties students face in returning to school is simply getting into the front door, even after registration. Taking a fun class gives you something to look forward to and help you re-establish habits like showing up to class.

4. Make connections: Early in every class, especially the ones you don't like, find something to connect with on a personal level. Find something you like. It could be a character, a theory, a style, a scholar of note, whatever. The important thing is to find something that makes the class personally more meaningful. This will help keep your attention on the class.

5. Study space: Make room for yourself, in time and space. Schedule regular times to study in a regular place. Brush up on study tips and skills; there are many valuable and free resources on the Internet. And turn off the TV. You might think you need the distraction, but that's all it is, a distraction. If you need something to quiet your active mind, try light music and keep your eyes focused on homework.

6. Get involved: Some authors have observed many adult students feel as if they are peripheral to the "normal" activities of their college. However, every campus has support organizations for non-traditional students, offering many resources. Many student organizations could benefit from a more experienced classmate. Not only does research show that there is a correlation between success in higher education and co-curricular activities, but these organizations can also be great resources for study partners, networking, and resume fodder.

There's no doubt that returning to school can be a daunting prospect, but if you keep these tips in mind and ease into your college career, you can find yourself at the head of the class in no time.

Kelli Smith writes about colleges and universities, community colleges, online schools, and career development. She is the senior editor at http://www.CollegesandUniversities.org.

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Is An Online Degree Considered A "Second Rate" Education?

2010-11-27T18:18:00.000-08:00

Is An Online Degree Considered A "Second Rate" Education?

By E Traxler

It was not too long ago that when people spoke of getting an online degree, it was regarded as "an alternative to" the mainstream, traditional classroom-based education. But somehow online college degree programs of yesteryear were regarded as being inferior, second-rate, or inadequate, as compared to their traditional classroom counterparts.

But online degree programs have sure come a long way since the early days of their inception. In fact, they have advanced so much so that even traditional classroom courses are adopting many of the tools and resources to augment their existing resources, that their online counterparts are already relying on as their sole means of operation. Apparently traditional college and universities must agree that these online degree programs are indeed doing something right.

Not only are traditional classrooms starting to morph more into hybrids between traditional classrooms and distance learning courses, but these degree programs are earning academic accreditation from the very same governing bodies that issue accreditation to traditional schools. You know what this means, right? This means that from the government's perspective, the quality of education offered by an online class is equally on par with that offered by a traditional classroom. In other words, in the 21st century today, a degree in accounting from an accredited online university is equally as good as a degree in accounting from a traditional classroom-based university.

So if online degree programs are just as good as their traditional counterparts, then why isn't everyone doing it now? Why don't we see the lecture halls sitting empty while entire college campuses are being abandoned in favor of their online equivalents?

We are seeing that the number of students opting to enroll in online degree programs is on the rise. But it is a matter of lifestyle choice. It is up to you whether you want to get your degree online or in person. It won't make even one iota of a difference in terms of academic standards of excellence in education. You will gain the same knowledge and complete the same course objectives and take the same tests. It really boils down to a question of personal preference.

Even the busiest person can get a degree online. There's no need to allow your hectic lifestyle keep you from getting the education you deserve. Find out more about online degrees and get enrolled in classes today!

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Distance Education Provides Flexibility for Today's World

2010-11-26T16:08:00.000-08:00

Distance Education Provides Flexibility for Today's World

By Troy Childers

People seek educational courses for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you need to learn a new skill for your current employer, or are beginning a new degree program. Maybe you are starting a new hobby, or you want to try something new. You have many choices available to you -- read a book, take a college or university class, enroll in a correspondence course -- and the decision may seem overwhelming.

Traditional educational environments rarely meet the demands of today's modern society, and distance education has become a viable option for numerous students. Why go to class once a week when you can learn in the comfort of your own home? Or the local coffee shop?

A variety of non-traditional learning opportunities are available, each designed to give you the flexibility and convenience you need for your lifestyle. Correspondence courses, online classes, and eLearning modules all have more flexibility than traditional learning environments.

Distance Education: Correspondence Courses

Correspondence courses are one of the oldest forms of distance education. The entire course is mailed to you and your assignments are mailed (or emailed) back to the instructor. You have a certain amount of time to complete the course, but extensions are usually available if you need more time. Typically, you may begin any time and work at your own pace. One added benefit of distance education through a correspondence course is that you won't need a computer to access your class.

Distance Education: Online Classes

Distance education through online classes is now offered through many community centers, colleges, and universities. These courses may be taught through an online classroom, use recorded lectures, or include full interactive coursework accessed through the Internet. Assignments and tests are usually completed online, and there may be an interactive forum with teachers and students. Some courses may need to be completed according to the class schedule, while others are able to be completed at your own pace.

Currently, many degrees and certifications are offered entirely online. Many online programs allow you to work at your own pace and complete your degree in less time than usual. If you are pursuing a degree or industry certification, be sure the online program carries appropriate accreditation.

Online courses are also an excellent option when you need to upgrade your current skills. The flexibility allows you to take only the course you need without having to complete an entire degree program. Many occupational and technical schools provide courses working professionals can use to advance their career or skills.

Distance Education: eLearning Modules

One of the newer options in distance education is called eLearning. Frequently, these classes contain both online and offline components. You may be shipped CDs instead of books, the entire course may be contained on CDs, or the course may be online but not dependant on any specific classroom time or schedule. In other words, eLearning is similar to a correspondence course, but contains interactive CDs or online content.

Flexibility is an option many students need to begin or continue their education. Choosing the best distance education format for your specific needs will help you reach your educational goals without sacrificing your current obligations and lifestyle.

Courses Direct is a leading distance vocational education provider operating all over the world including Australia, New Zealand & United Kingdom. Our aim is to provide quality education to students everywhere at a time and place that is flexible and accessible, meaning it fits with work commitments, budget and lifestyle. Online and Distance Education Correspondence Courses offer convenience for your continuing education.

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The Adult Students' Guide to Success in College

2010-11-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Adult Students' Guide to Success in College

By Linda Aragoni

Heading for college to improve your job skills or train for a new position? You are not alone. First time "nontraditional students" -- those who are not coming directly from high school -- are enrolling in colleges in record numbers.

Most of those students say they have the skills, motivation, and desire to succeed in college. Yet according to the Survey of Entering Student Engagement released in March, 2010, a third of those students had already set themselves up for failure in the first three weeks of their college experience.

You don't have to be one of those college failures. Here are three ways you can increase the likelihood of getting your college diploma.

Deal with deficiencies.

If your placement test or previous academic record shows you are not ready to do college level work in a core subject like English or math, bring your skills up to college level before you tackle other college classes. Taking "Introduction to Accounting" is foolish if you don't have the necessary math skills. Likewise, taking a class in which your term grade depends solely on two essays is foolish if you are deficient in writing.

Instead of waiting until you get to college to begin remedial study, look for alternatives that you can do immediately, such as online tutorials or attending community adult education classes. Such alternatives are cheaper than college courses, and they may be all you need to avoid having to take remedial college classes.

Go to class.

Showing up for class is the first step toward your diploma. If you miss a class early in a term, you may miss directions for something you need to know later.

At least your first term, aim to have only "cast or casket" absences -- those that are unplanned and unavoidable. If attending your daughter's soccer games is a priority for you, don't take a class whose meetings conflict with scheduled games.

Do your homework.

It is imperative that you manage your time so that you get your work done on time. Failure to turn in homework or turning it in late marks you as unmotivated or irresponsible. Those are not descriptions you want instructors to associate with your name.

Many students scramble to get written assignments done, but fail to keep up with reading assignments. As a result, they may find themselves unprepared for final exams. Keep up with required reading right from your first day of class.

Following just these three simple rules will start off on the right foot. If you run into a problem later, you'll find college instructors will be very willing to work with you because you have shown you are serious about your education.

A writing instructor who taught adult college students in online classes for five years, Linda Aragoni continues to support students embarking on college careers through her e-book Grammar Abusers Anonymous which teaches study skills for turning error-riddled papers into grammar exercises. She also offers free essay help in an on-line forum at website, You-Can-Teach-Writing.com. Copyright 2010, Linda G. Aragoni. You may reprint this article provided the whole text, the author's name, the links, and this copyright notice remain intact.

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The Adult College Student's Don't Do List

2010-11-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

The Adult College Student's Don't Do List

By Linda Aragoni

Out-of-school adults are entering college in increasing numbers. If you are one of those students, knowing what not to do can make the difference between between flunking out and graduating.

Here are four tips to help you make the most of your college experience.

1. Don't expect college to be like high school.

Unlike high school teachers, college instructors won't break the work into daily assignments for you. They expect you to read the syllabus and plan your work to meet the class deadlines.

In many classes, your semester grade may depend on one or two assignments. College instructors rarely give a separate grade for homework and class participation, so your course grade will likely be based solely on test grades and papers.

2. Don't expect college to be like your workplace.

Your employer probably hired you because of your aptitude for your job, told you how the job must be done, and trained you to do it. At least for the first week, someone probably checked daily to see how you were getting along and whether you had questions.

In college, your instructors will assume you have skills such as time management, study skills, and academic writing. If you do not have those skills, may find yourself plunged into situations for which you have little or no preparation. You may be a whiz at bookkeeping, for example, but find yourself enrolled in English, history, and sociology.

3. Don't take on too much.

If you have been out of school a few years, you many find it best to ease into a college program by taking just a single course. For starters, take a course in which you have some expertise or interest. That will help learn your way around and gain confidence. Be careful, however, that your grade in the course will not depend heavily on skills you don't have. If your grade in an art course will depend on a term paper and you need remedial writing, don't take the art course until you have dealt with your writing skills deficit.

Then, when you are familiar with the college environment, take a single course in which you expect to have some difficulty. In this way, you will not only have time to adjust to college, but also get one tough class out of the way.

4. Don't hesitate to seek help.

If you see you are having difficulty with an academic subject, make an appointment to see your instructor right away. If you have problems that affect you in more than one class, such as a learning disorder, check the college catalog or ask your advisor to refer you to someone who can help.

If your problem is not academic, you may still be able to get help on campus. Most colleges can direct you to employment services, academic aid, health services, and counseling for personal problems.

With realistic expectations and a willingness to ask for help you'll be off to a good start on your college degree.

A former college writing instructor who taught adult students in online classes for five years, Linda Aragoni helps teachers do a better job teaching expository writing to students at her website, You-Can-Teach-Writing.com. She continues to support students embarking on college careers with essay help in an on-site forum. Copyright 2010, Linda G. Aragoni. You may reprint this article provided the whole text, the author's name, the links, and this copyright notice remain intact.

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10 Best Tips to Help You Pass Your CLEP Test

2010-09-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

10 Best Tips to Help You Pass Your CLEP Test

A Guest Post By Brandon M. Perry

By taking CLEP tests you can save money, save time, and graduate from college fast! CLEP stands for the College-Level Examination Program. By taking a CLEP test you can earn college credit for information and knowledge you already possess. Following are some things we think will help you in your quest for a college education and will certainly save you time and money.

1. Be sure to choose the right CLEP test. CLEP tests are available in 34 different subjects. There is a wide range of subjects that include Information Systems and Computer Applications, Principles of Management, American Government and Human Growth and Development. There is a good chance you are already an expert in some of these subjects.

Make sure that you take a test that is approved by your college of choice. Your chosen CLEP test cannot duplicate any college course work you have already completed.

2. Be sure to check with your college of choice to verify passing scores for the CLEP exams you are taking. CLEP passing scores vary at different colleges and universities. Most CLEP tests award credit with a passing score of 50, although it has been reported that select colleges and universities require a higher passing score.

3. Try and study the most up-to-date CLEP study materials you can find. CLEP administrators regularly add questions to the current tests. Studying books or other materials that are more than a year or two old is not advised, especially in areas that change rapidly such as Computer Science and Business Law. Studying with online material is your best option. Choose an online service that most closely duplicates your actual test experience.

4. Don't look for a letter grade when you complete your CLEP test. A grade of "P" for passing will be assigned, although no grade points will be assigned for credits. This will not affect your GPA. It will just give you credits toward your degree.

5. You can get more than 3 credits for a CLEP test. Most CLEP tests award 3 credits, but there are some that award 6 and even up to 12 college credits. 6 semester hours may be awarded for such tests as American Literature, Social Sciences and History, Biology, and Humanities. 12 semester hour tests include French, German, and Spanish Level II tests which are the equivalent of the first four semesters (or 12 semester hours) of college-level foreign language course work.

6. Your CLEP test score will be kept on file at CLEP for 20 years. Your score report will be sent to the college of your choice when requested. The CLEP website at collegeboard.com has instructions for transcript requests.

7. If you fail a CLEP test you cannot repeat the same test within 6 months of the initial testing date. If you re-take a test of the same name with a passing score it will be cancelled and you will forfeit your test-taking fee.

8. If you take a test and believe that there's no way you can pass, you can cancel the exam. If you decide to cancel the exam you will need to inform the test administrator and your score will be cancelled. You can't cancel your score reporting if you have completed the test and seen your instant score report.

9. Bring a valid photo ID when taking any CLEP exam. CLEP testing centers require two forms of identification. CLEP testing centers require you to show a state-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license and a secondary ID such as a school ID card, credit card, or social security card.

10. Bring proper payment when taking your test. CLEP prefers that a credit card be used, although a check or money order made out to CLEP is sufficient. The CLEP exam fee is $72 and the testing center fee is typically $15-$20.

It is not uncommon for people who access the resources from CLEP to cut 12 months or more from their college graduation date. With some diligent study-time you too can save $1,000's off your tuition, graduate sooner, and be into a career before your fellow classmates. Get started today!

CLEP and DANTES/DSST prep the easy way! Mister Prep provides Flash-based multiple-choice tests with detailed explanations for CLEP and DANTES/DSST test-takers. It's the easiest and most realistic CLEP preparation system on line today. It works like this: Study our material and detailed explanations using our multiple choice practice tests. Sign up with your local testing center and take the test. When you pass you will be awarded with college credits. It's that easy.

Take a look at http://www.misterprep.com for more information and free practice tests.

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5 Ways to Make Better Grades in Higher Education - College Tutors and More

2010-09-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

5 Ways to Make Better Grades in Higher Education - College Tutors and More

A Guest Post By Mark Etinger

Although grades aren't everything, they are the most accurate indicator of your progress in a course. Your grades reflect your level of comprehension for the material you've studied, and if they're low so is your level of understanding. This is extremely problematic in college, as it's a time when you should really be interested in your coursework and be doing all you can to understand it thoroughly. After all, the reason you're in school is so you can apply the material to your prospective career, so it's in your best interest to find the material personally and academically fulfilling.

Here are 5 tips to help you get better grades and find your college courses personally fulfilling.

1) Streamline your note taking. You should think of note taking not so much as detachedly writing down what your hear your professor saying, but actively listening to the lecture so you can easily pinpoint key topics that you can referenced in the future.

2) Bring a unique perspective toward assignments. It's always good to strive for a sense of originality in your work. To really set yourself apart from other students. To do this, you should stay away from recycling old arguments and popular ideas and strive to put a new, imaginative spin on every assignment you complete. As long as you can back up your claims and ideas with solid analysis, then you're sure to make excellent grades.

3) Find someone in every class that you can forge a "study alliance" with. Find someone you find interesting and introduce yourself. Ask about comparing notes/studying, and exchange phone numbers. As they say, sometimes two heads are better than one, so with a study ally you've doubled your intellectual resources for your next exam.

4) Contact college tutors if you need help. There's nothing worse than suffering silently while you fail a course, while college tutors are literally a phone call or few clicks away. College tutors will give your supplemental learning material that's personally tailored to your schedule and academic needs. The golden rule of academics is: if you put in the time, you'll start to see better marks on your exams and assignments. So if you need help putting in the time, college tutors are waiting to help.

5) When registering, choose courses that sincerely interest you. You should be really be excited about the courses you're enrolled in, and intrigued by the material. By taking a course that interests you, doing assignments and studying becomes easier as you are actually eager to learn more about the subject. It's unrealistic to say that every course you take is going to excite you, but you should have a good balance every semester of courses that you have to take, and courses that you actually like.

All in all, hard work, dedication, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge are some of the overarching characteristics that contribute to good grades. If you have those, but need a little extra help molding your study habits and absorbing the material, you should, talk to your professor and look into college tutors.

Newcastle Tutors offers college online tutoring services for university-level math and science courses. Our college tutors provide flexible scheduling and individual attention, ensuring the success of each and every student.

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The Adult College Student's Don't Do List

2010-09-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

The Adult College Student's Don't Do List

A Guest Post By Linda Aragoni

Out-of-school adults are entering college in increasing numbers. If you are one of those students, knowing what not to do can make the difference between between flunking out and graduating.

Here are four tips to help you make the most of your college experience.

1. Don't expect college to be like high school.

Unlike high school teachers, college instructors won't break the work into daily assignments for you. They expect you to read the syllabus and plan your work to meet the class deadlines.

2. Don't expect college to be like your workplace.

3. Don't take on too much.

4. Don't hesitate to seek help.

If your problem is not academic, you may still be able to get help on campus. Most colleges can direct you to employment services, academic aid, health services, and counseling for personal problems.

With realistic expectations and a willingness to ask for help you'll be off to a good start on your college degree.

A former college writing instructor who taught adult students in online classes for five years, Linda Aragoni helps teachers do a better job teaching expository writing to students at her website, You-Can-Teach-Writing.com. She continues to support students embarking on college careers with essay help in an on-site forum. Copyright 2010, Linda G. Aragoni. You may reprint this article provided the whole text, the author's name, the links, and this copyright notice remain intact.

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How to Get More Money When You Sell Your Textbook

2010-09-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

How to Get More Money When You Sell Your Textbook

A Guest Post By Daniel P Cooper

A college education is one of the most important and expensive endeavors a young person can take. There are many costs and expenses that go into a college degree, not the least of those being textbooks. According to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), college textbooks have increased at a rate of 6 percent per year over the past two decades. This is nearly twice the rate of inflation. With increases like this for college textbooks, along with the many other college expenses, students need to find ways to cut back on costs in order to pursue a degree.

Rising textbook costs are one of the most frequent complaints heard by college students. Carlo Checri, a recent graduate from the University of North Texas, stated that "books are always those things you don't think about when you're registering for classes, then when you go to the bookstore, you suddenly realize that you have to spend a lot more money." Mr. Checri's sentiment is felt by a many college students. In fact, numerous community colleges see textbook costs totaling the same amount as semester long classes.

In addition to the high costs of buying books, when asked about reselling them, Checri said, "I've had some luck selling books back, but a lot of the time it wasn't worth the effort since I knew I would be getting back less than half of what I paid anyway." Mr. Checri went on to say that he has tried selling his books back to his library, to friends taking the same classes, and online.

There are several unique ways to try to get more money for selling college textbooks. However, to start, one wants to make sure they are buying their textbooks the cheapest possible way. Finding good deals on textbooks really helps when a student goes to resell them. In a perfect world, students would be able to buy their books, and sell them again for the same price. Several ideas covered here can help move students closer to that "perfect world".

WAYS TO BUY TEXTBOOKS CHEAPER

Procrastination is the most costly part of buying textbooks. As many students will notice, college bookstores typically sell books new and used. The used books are typically much cheaper than buying a book new; however, the used books are always the first to go because of this. If a student waits until the last minute to buy his/her books, chances are, all the used books will have already been sold and the student will end up paying the higher cost of buying new.

Another option for purchasing books is to buy online at sites like Amazon or Half. However, when purchasing books online, students can face similar problem as purchasing from the local book store. Other problems can also arise, such as shipping costs and time frames, and the possibility of lost packages. All this can increase the cost of purchasing books, and also add additional frustration and hassle.

A final option for purchasing books would be on sites like Trade My Text, a free site that allows students to buy, sell, and trade textbooks with each other for free. A site like this allows students to buy their books from classmates who may have just taken the class they need the book for. This can cut down on the cost of purchasing the book and also eliminates the dreads of shipping.

WAYS TO SELL BOOKS FOR MORE

So how do you sell a book for more than the half back "guarantee" of the local book store? There are several ways, many of them similar to the above ways to buy a textbook. In a perfect world, a student would buy a used, $100 book for say $75, use it for the semester, and then resell it for right around $75. In the real world, that same student buys the book for $100 and typically resells it for $50 or less. The way to sell a book for more is to try to accomplish the "perfect world" scenario. Getting a good deal on a book allows a student to turn around and quickly resell it at a price of nearly what they paid. Again, the key to selling for more is purchasing at the right price.

The college bookstore is always a last resort option for selling a book. Chances are that a student won't make much of their money back by selling to the bookstore. The best place to start when selling a book is online. Going to places like Amazon, Half, or Trade My Text can save students time and get them more for their books. Amazon and Half allow students to reach a large viewing group to market their book and although there is a fee, it is not terribly high. Also, with Amazon, there is no fee charged unless a student sells their item. Trade My Text is a unique site that acts as an online market place for students to buy, sell, and trade textbooks among each other at their particular college for free. This is also an effective way to sell a book at the end of the semester.

Using online websites to market books is the most effective way to sell a student's book for the most amount of money. Using several sites can be even more effective than using just one. For example, listing a book on Amazon, Half, and Trade My Text opens a student's book up to many more viewers, and since Trade My Text is free and Amazon only charges if the books is sold, there is no loss in doing this.

In summary, textbooks can be a very expensive part of any college education, but with a few unique and untraditional tactics, saving money on books becomes easy. Keep in mind, the first step to saving money on books, is buying them at the right price. When a book is bought at the right price, selling it for more on the back side becomes easy.

Save money on College Textbooks by buying/selling/trading with local students for free at www.TradeMyText.com!

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Will Going Back To School To Earn An Online Degree Help You Get A Better Job Or Promotion?

2010-08-31T21:07:00.000-07:00

Will Going Back To School To Earn An Online Degree Help You Get A Better Job Or Promotion?

A Guest Post By Derick Sutton

Adults going back to school may feel uncertainty about new challenges and requirements in their lives. They want to complete unfinished college degrees or to advance in their careers. Others are motivated by the need for increased financial worth. Some like the challenge of continual learning and intellectual growth to fulfill personal and work needs. Nontraditional students are adults returning to an online university for a higher education, do not fit into the young, living on campus, college student. Nontraditional students are adults over the age of 25, and have become the new trend in higher education at online universities.

Statistics from the U.S. Education Department's National Center for Education state that college admissions in colleges and universities are expected to climb from 18.2 million in 2007 to 20.6 million in 2018. The most significant growth will be among older students, minorities and women.

Significant changes in an adult's life especially in their career can prompt the need for continuing college education. A few reasons could be being passed over for job promotions because of lack of skills, job requirements have changed, discontent within their company's hierarchy and the possibility of announced layoffs or mergers.

Personal motivation and self improvement is a high motivator for adult learners. Learning about new topics, studies or special interest is a reason for going back to college. Learning new technological skills not only increases their job security but helps them in the home. Learning about social trends could improve their involvement in community activism and volunteer work. The completion of an online degree could revolve around their career and simply be a desire to finish what they started.

Some adult learners begin a new college degree at the retirement stages of their life. Their involvement in new college studies fulfills a need for community engagement and provides the opportunity to stimulate intellectual growth. Others are motivated by a need for change especially with career prospects. Adult students may have decided midlife to transition into new career paths that require additional knowledge and accreditation for them to begin their change.

Nontraditional students have numerous college opportunities especially with the increase in online colleges and online degrees. Add in the potential for financial aid, scholarships, and grants, especially to specific groups such as minorities and women, and going back to school does not have to be an unfulfilled dream.

Many adults, especially during economic downturns, are returning to online universities to complete previous college degrees or to increase their financial worth. The American Council on Education states that higher education colleges and online universities experience a surge in college admissions during these times. Employed and unemployed workers return to school to advance their skills and seek to increase their appeal to their company or potential employers. The increase of online colleges and online degrees are making higher education accessible to returning students especially for those who continue to work and support their families.

Returning to school gives the adult learner a chance to improve their career skills or change career directions. Many returning students do so because of changes in job structure, being passed over for advancement, job requirement changes and possible layoffs or mergers in their company's future. In general, the higher the education a person holds means the higher the salary and better career security.

The potential for salary increase varies with the type of college degree you want depending upon the needs of your career field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with advanced degrees earn more than workers with a high school diploma or GED. The Bureau of Labor employment projections for 2008-2018 show that nearly half of all new jobs and one-third of total job openings will require a postsecondary college degree or award. Also projected is that 14 out of the 30 fastest growing occupations will require a bachelor's degree or higher.

College counselors through assessment services can provide valuable guidance when shopping for online universities and degrees. Be sure to find a personal counselor who can access multiple college searches within college programs such as transfer credits, cost comparisons, and accreditation.

College Equalizer is a revolutionary college search and counseling service that provides you with a personal counselor for your search. With a patented computer system the counselor is able to compare your life experience, such as work and military experience, training, certificates, licenses and others with the transfer requirements and tuition rates of hundreds of accredited colleges and online universities around the country. http://www.collegeequalizer.com

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Nontraditional Students - What Kind of College Degree Do You Need?

2010-08-29T21:25:00.000-07:00

Nontraditional Students - What Kind of College Degree Do You Need?

A Guest Post By Amy Doughten

As an adult nontraditional student, your educational needs are different than a traditional student going to college directly from high school. You may need a degree to advance to the next level in your workplace or to qualify for a particular kind of employment. You may find that your earning potential is limited without a college degree.

The type of degree you consider is closely intertwined with your end goal. Two year (Associate degree) and four year degrees (Bachelor degree) are the most common. Of course, within those two types of degree is an almost infinite variety.

Associate Degree

An Associate degree usually requires two years of college. Associate degrees are typically offered at community colleges, technical and vocational colleges, and some 4-year colleges.

It is vital to understand the different types of Associate degree because the choice you make can affect your future schooling opportunities. There are two main types of Associate Degree: Occupational and Transfer.

Occupational:

If you need a degree for a specific skill, an occupational Associate degree may be a good choice for you. The courses you take will be heavily weighed toward the occupation you are studying; you will take a minimum of traditional general education courses like English and Mathematics.

Although each college is different, generally an occupational Associate degree results in:

Associate Degree of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

ProsYou can be career-ready in two years. There are a significant number of careers where an Associate degree is helpful. Some examples include: interior design, fashion design, auto mechanics, computer networking, computer programming, social work, veterinary technicians and healthcare.

Cons

If you plan on continuing your education to obtain a 4-year degree, be aware that the majority of occupational-related coursework you do will probably not transfer to your selected school. Typically, only the general education coursework you complete will count toward a 4-year degree.

Transfer:

A transfer Associate degree is designed to be the first step toward a 4-year bachelor's degree. Most of the coursework will be in general education areas (English, Mathematics, Sciences) and will correspond to the core classes offered at a 4-year school. This is a great way to enhance your current career by adding a degree to your skillset while you work to obtain your bachelor's degree.

Although each college is different, generally an occupational Associate degree results in:

Associate of Arts (A.A.) Concentration in humanities and social sciences

Associate of Science (A.S.) Concentration in science courses

Pros

This can be a very cost-effective way to get through the first two years of required coursework for your 4-year degree. Tuition at the local community college is usually a fraction of the cost of tuition at a private university. You obtain a degree which can enhance your career prospects and increase your potential earning power.

ConsTypically you will choose a concentration of study. If you later change your mind about the type of 4-year degree you wish to pursue, your two years of coursework may not translate to a full two years of transfer classes.

Talk to your academic advisor to make sure your coursework will transfer to the 4-year college of your choice! Many community colleges have articulation agreements with local state colleges, but not all coursework automatically transfer. If a transfer degree is your goal, save yourself time and money by ensuring your coursework will count at the college of your choice.

Bachelor's Degree

Also referred to as either an undergraduate degree or a 4-year degree, a Bachelor's degree generally takes a minimum of four years to complete. As an adult student, it may take several years to complete the coursework for a Bachelor's degree so be prepared that your 4-year degree might take you 6, 8 or more years to complete. A Bachelor's degree is a prerequisite to a Master's degree (a graduate degree) or a Doctorate.

A Bachelor's degree typically focuses on a specific area of study combined with general educational courses. For example, a Bachelor's degree in psychology is general educational courses, some elective courses, and a heavy concentration in a number of psychology-related courses. This specific area of study is called your Major.

Like the Associate degree, there are different types of Bachelor's degrees. Each college is different, but typically a Bachelor's degree results in:

- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Concentration in humanities and social science.

- Bachelor of Science (B.S). Concentration in scientific and technical fields.

- Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.).

- Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

One Last Note: Degrees versus Certification

A certification isn't a degree in the traditional sense, but it certifies that you have gone through specialized education for some type of trade or skill. For example, you may want to be certified as a massage therapist, beautician, or a truck driver. These skills do not require a traditional college degree. Certifications are typically offered by technical/vocational schools and community colleges.

Amy Doughten is a full-time nontraditional student attending Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read her blog at http://www.backtocollegenow.wordpress.com and follow her progress at http://www.twitter.com/amydoughten.

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Are You Thinking About Pursuing an Online College Education?

2010-08-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

Are You Thinking About Pursuing an Online College Education?

A Guest Post By Vera Baylor

For many people, an online college education is the only way they could pursue a college degree. For others, online degree options present the option of convenience around an already busy life. Online colleges open up a world of possibilities to otherwise nontraditional students like retirees, those who have already entered the workforce and are heading back to school to either earn another diploma or finish courses they've already started taking, those with kids, and more. These are just a few of the situations where an online college education program is not only convenient but often a requirement. These, and others like them, simply wouldn't be able to work in the time around any otherwise full schedule to earn their degree. Does this sound like you?

On the other hand, even traditional students who are fresh out of high school are pursuing an online college education as well. For these students, they may want to enter the workforce straight from high school yet still pursue a college education. Others may have personal commitments at home, such as caring for a sick relative or even small kids to take care of. Still others simply find that the college scene isn't for them and they feel more comfortable learning from the comfort of their own home.

Whatever your situation is, pursuing your college education over the internet is a great step. You will enjoy the same quality education, but can take your courses at a time and in a place that is most convenient for you. There are many different schools from all over the world that now offer online degree programs, so there is a world of opportunity open to you for pursuing your college degree online. Today, just about anyone with some extra time and financial resources can purse a college education with college degree programs available over the internet.

Vera Baylor is a writer and researcher on online college education. You can save time and money by comparing degrees from multiple schools and reading about the options open to you and at Vera's blog: findonlinecolleges.net

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Online Colleges and Universities - A Perfect Fit For Busy Adults

2010-08-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

Online Colleges and Universities - A Perfect Fit For Busy Adults

A Guest Post By Natasha Bright

Today, the typical college student isn't quite so typical. About 40% of all students today fall into the nontraditional category, which means they aren't fresh out of high school and moving out of the house for the first time. Many of these so-called non-traditional students are returning to a degree program after taking a break to either work or raise a family. Still others are making the decision to enter new career fields and want the required educational background to move forward.

Since these non-traditional students are often working adults or adults with serious family responsibilities, a full-time college schedule isn't always possible. One possibility for them, and traditional college students, too, is to take a class from an online college or university program. One definite advantage that online classes offer is the ability to take several classes before they actually have to commit to a degree program.

The economic issues of the day may be one reason that many non-traditional students have chosen to return to school. Although they know they want to improve their employment opportunities, they may not know what direction they want to go in, career wise. Choosing an online school can help guide them in their path, because they can take several different classes that will help them decide what path is right for them.

Another great advantage to an online college is that a student needn't be tied down to someone else's schedule. Online schools allow students to create their own schedule; some classes are completely open ended, while others have certain due dates. Non- traditional students can choose the type of class and schedule that will work the best for them, and they won't have to worry about having to quit their jobs to go to school.

Because many non-traditional students haven't been in a classroom environment for several years, they might be concerned about their academic performance. If they are worried their scholarly skills aren't quite up to snuff, an online class is a good place to hone them. An online class will allow a student to familiarize themselves with college level work without the worry of peer pressure, because they will be able to study at their own pace and in the privacy of their own home.

More and more educators are seeing the real benefits that online education can offer students. At the secondary level, some public schools are even offering a great deal of coursework to their students in an online format. Time will only tell, but it seems that as online education becomes more prevalent, degree holders from online school will be just as common and in the same upper management positions as degree holders from traditional colleges.

The workplace is definitely being transformed by online education. Many employers want to see their workforce as highly educated as possible, and are willing to help them with tuition assistance or other funding for school. Online degree programs are ideal for this, because employees can invest in their employees without worrying about them having to take precious time away from work.

Online college may definitely be the best way for non-traditional students to complete their college degree. Whether they want to complete a previously unfinished degree, or move into a new field altogether, this type of degree program can help them navigate their way through these, and other, choices. The programs offered by online colleges and universities will help students gain new skill sets and knowledge, while helping them gain confidence and abilities that may help them move upward and onward at work.

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Delegation for Non-traditional Students

2010-07-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

Attending college as a non-traditional student is challenging, especially if you have been the homemaker and caregiver to your family. One of the most difficult parts of college for non-traditional students is finding time to study and do homework.

Learn to delegate chores at home to give you the time you need for your studies. Delegation will save you time, and provide the much needed time for homework and study time. Learn to trust your family to do their share, so that you can have time to do the things that will eventually make all your lives better.

When you delegate responsibility for a task to one of your children, always follow up an hour or a day or so later, depending on the job. Make sure the task has been started or completed within a timely fashion. Children are not expert cleaners, so if cleaning is one of the chores you delegate, you may have to make allowances until they get better at it.

Communication is very important. Providing your family members a list of tasks makes it easy for them to remember everything they are expected to do, and the order in which it should be done.

Carefully assess your child’s abilities and skills. Match their skills with the available jobs. Give them the authority to do the job they have been given. If their job is to take out trash and someone is leaving empty cans on the counter, make sure they have the authority to deal with the situation appropriately. Keep the lines open so that you know what is going on, but don't tell them how to do the job and don't ride them about the job. It is, however, a good idea to teach them how to do the job, before assigning it to them.

Make sure they know what to do and how to do it. When you assign a task, give them a time table, so that they will know when you expect them to have the job done.

Let them make the decisions involving their job. If you don't, you are still doing it yourself. Trust them to do the job right, but follow up to make sure they are staying within the rules.

Don't plan for them. Occasionally, check to see if they need help. Either provide them with help, or help them yourself, but don't do the job for them.

In addition to helping you have the time you need to complete your school work, delegating household chores helps your children learn how to be independent in their own homes, someday. Everyone should learn to wash clothes, wash dishes, and keep a house straight. Learning to cook doesn’t hurt, either.

Be consistent in your expectations. Your family needs to know they can depend on you, too.

New Algebra Recommendations

2010-07-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, the books I recommended in my last post for helping college students who struggle with Algebra are no longer available.

One of the main reasons learners have trouble with algebra is that they have poor basic math skills. If you can't multiply and divide easily, don't understand fractions and ratios, and sometimes squareroots, algebra will be a foreign language.

After a long search both online and offline, I have found some books that are excellent choices, and are currently in print. None is over $20 brand new, so these are still a good value.

E-Z Math
by Barron's covers whole numbers, fractions, percentages, beginning algebra, beginning geometry, beginning trigonometry, word problems and probability statistics.
Recommended retail price is $14.99, but you can get it brand new HERE
for $10.19. (Please note, prices may change in the interim.)

A-Plus Notes for Beginning Algebra: Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1
by Rong Yang has a suggested retail price of $19.50, but you can get it HERE
for $13.26. (Please note, prices may change in the interim.)

These are the books I am recommending to high school and college students who need a refresher in basic math and pre-algebra skills.

My experience is that having several algebra books allows you to better understand a topic in math, since each author will describe the topic in slightly different terms.

Non-traditional Students and Trouble with Algebra

2010-02-28T12:45:00.000-08:00

Like most non-traditional college students, I really struggled and had trouble with college algebra. One of the issues I had was that it had not just been too long since taking algebra in high school, it had been too long since I had used much math at all. I discussed this with the introductory algebra teacher, and eventually tried to make the same case for my own students who were having math issues, but the main problem is that colleges will not go back into basic math to help students get to the point that algebra makes sense.

Fortunately, I had homeschooled my son through high school. When he had trouble with algebra, we did a grade level exam and found that he had missed some information from 4th and 6th grade math. Once we went back and addressed those problems, we started with pre-algebra, and he whizzed through all his math courses after that, without much help from mom (since I was not able to do the same work he was doing).

I used his pre-algebra book to relearn fractions, ratios, percentages, review basic multiplication and division, and reacquaint myself with all the stuff you have to learn before doing well with algebra. Because I had worked some with my son while he was learning algebra, my understanding was spotty, but I knew enough to do well on the ACT. I had to pressure my advisor to let me into the introductory algebra class, but will always be grateful I knew myself well enough to insist. I could not have passed algebra without taking the time to work through some pre-algebra work and work through introductory and intermediate algebra.

The textbooks my son used in his high school work, and that I borrowed to help me learn algebra, are available from Amazon.com.

College Outline for Pre-Algebra by Alan Wise

College Outline for Introductory Algebra by Alan Wise

College Outline for Intermediate Algebra by Alan Wise

I like these books, because they don’t expect you to understand or know anything. Alan Wise is thorough in his explanations, and the books are not designed to have an instructor helping you understand the material, unlike many school textbooks. They have the material for the chapter, then a section on worked problems that explain step by step how to do the problems, then a list of what you need to have learned, followed by a few pages of problems for you to try. At the very end of each chapter are the answers to all problems, so that you can check to see if you correctly did the work.

I can’t recommend these books highly enough. They helped me make it through my college algebra courses with an A in both introductory algebra and intermediate algebra, and a B in college algebra. If you are having trouble with algebra, I believe these books will help in your efforts to pass algebra.

Best wishes for your success!

Untraditional Students: Beyond the Comfort Zone

2010-02-24T16:39:00.000-08:00

Every five weeks, I see a new group of students beginning their college careers. Some of these students are traditional students, but most fit into the nontraditional or even untraditional categories. Nontraditional students are usually defined as anyone who has been out of high school for more than six months, or has a family. Untraditional students are usually older adults (meaning out of high school for five or more years), and can be adults returning for second career training.

Some untraditional students may have had college courses before, may even have completed college degrees before, but have been out of college for many years. Even with previous degrees behind them, untraditional students often feel out of place and concerned over their ability to complete the course work. Untraditional students may be in college due to loss of a job and inability to locate comparable work, death of a spouse who supplied the family income, divorce, another life changing event, or may have just decided that it was their turn to get an education. Whatever the reason, untraditional students seem to have strong emotions such as fear of the unknown. They are out of their comfort zone, so to speak, and don't know what to do, how to do it, or even if they can do it.

As an untraditional student who started classes in January 1998 and just never quit going to college, I can relate. One thing to keep in mind when starting something new, however, is something Lou Tice of The Pacific Institute tells his students, "It is OK to be afraid. It is not OK to stay afraid." New experiences can be frightening, but with determination, study, and perseverance, we can make it through the education process to walk across the stage and receive a diploma well earned.

One way Lou Tice recommends to help you do this is to create affirmations. Affirmations are single sentence goals that are always positive and always present tense. "I have accomplished my goal of earning my degree," is a sample affirmation. Make up several affirmations and say them out loud several times every day and you will find that they come true, just because you unconsciously start looking for ways to make them come true. Learning requires students to go beyond their comfort zone. Take a deep breath, settle your nerves, and get started. Come on in--the water is fine.

Scheduling is Everything for Non-Traditional Students

2010-02-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

Guest Blog by Susan Elliott

Non-Traditional Student on Campus

Stepping onto a campus, of any size, after several years absence, or for the first time ever, can be a bit overwhelming. Fear is normal. It is also normal to feel like all the younger students are staring at you, and that you will never fit in. Don’t worry. You don’t have to fit in or be popular, this is not high school. You are in college to learn, fulfill your dreams and start anew. Relax, the chances are you will excel in your new environment.

Scheduling is Everything

Before you ever begin a class you have to create your schedule. Many students find this preparation the most confusing time of their school career. Non-traditional students must consider two things when selecting their class schedules, what else is going on in their life, and can they be reasonably sure that they can make it to their classes.

Children, spouses and work all make big impacts on your schedule. Many classes require a lot of outside studying. Can you commit to the hours needed for class preparation, projects and activities? If not, you better select a different class. Some teachers are more lenient towards non-traditional students, but they will still expect your best efforts. If you can’t give them, don’t bother.

Also, consider you time constraints. Do you have to be somewhere every Thursday, does PTO meet on Mondays? What about driving time, carpool? Does the class you’re considering conflict with any of these things? If so, you may want to choose a different class, or make a commitment determining what things you are going to give up during that particular class time. Don’t make these decisions on impulse. Carefully consider all your options before committing to a class.

Confidence Determines Success

The very first day of class the pressure may seem unbearable. Walk into class with your head held high, and with your most inviting smile on your lips. A smile can actually break the tension in the class. There are many students that are just as scared as you are.

Make eye contact with people. This eye contact may actually help you make friends. A person’s response will also help you to decide if he is a possible partner for any group projects that may be assigned during the class.

Notes are Key

On the first day of class you will always have an A. It is your job to keep it. Properly formulated notes can be the key to keeping high marks. Consider what the teacher is saying. You do not have to record everything he says.

If your teacher is fond of telling pointless stories, don’t take write them into your notes. It is a waste of paper, and it will also waste your studying time. Leafing through pages of notes to find a few lines of pertinent information is never fun. Record things that are related to the class or the things that the teacher says will be on the test.

Develop Your Own Note Taking System

Make use of colored pens, highlighters or computer software to keep track of important information. Programs like Microsoft OneNote are perfect for recording notes and important facts. The OneNote program allows the user to create folders for individual classes, as well as daily pages under a class heading.

Remember, you will succeed as a non-traditional student. Be your biggest cheerleader and keep on trucking!

Windows 7 Video Training

2010-01-06T19:41:00.001-08:00

Wow, it's been a while since I posted here. With teaching at two colleges and attending graduate school full time, I have been stretched a bit thin lately. I promise to do my best to do better in this new year. This post is about the new Windows 7 computers available now.

One of the schools where I teach is now using my Student Again web site to help their students learn computer basics. Today, I added a link to Windows 7 video tutorials collected from YouTube.com and embedded into a web page to make it easier for learners who are buying new computers for school to learn how to use them.

Actually, I was totally impressed with the videos about Windows 7. For a freelance job I have been working, I had to get a Windows 7 computer. So far, it is still in the box, but I can't wait to find time to play with it and see how the new features work. One of my favorite new features is the Snip It tool that comes in the Windows 7 Accessories. Using Snip It, users can instantly create a JPG image of anything on the computer monitor, or the entire screen.

The tutorials I selected for the Windows 7 tutorials provide a solid overview of the operating system and how it works. Depending on where you buy, a Windows 7 system could cost you anywhere from $500 to $1500, depending on the place you purchase it, and the system specifications. If you are buying a new computer for college work, the basic $500 model has more than enough power and resources to fit your needs.

As I learn more about Windows 7, I will let you know what I think of it.

Which Textbooks Do I Need?

2009-09-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

How to Find Textbooks

College students, both traditional and nontraditional, often ask how to find out which textbooks are needed for class. Basically, this depends on the college you are attending. In some colleges, textbooks are paid for with your tuition and are provided to you before classes start. Other colleges have a bookstore where your textbooks will be sold. College bookstore employees can help you locate your textbooks if you have the course number and name of the class, as well as the instructor's name. Different instructors may have a different textbook selected, even if they are teaching the same class. Some college bookstores require you to let them collect your books for you, while others will have notes along each shelf indicating which class the books are for. Another option is to wait until class starts and check for the textbook on the course syllabus.

Buying Textbooks on a Budget

If cash is tight, you have two choices. One, wait until class starts to be sure the instructor is actually going to use the selected textbook. Two, check the bookstore shelves or the online bookstore to find out which textbooks you need, write down the ISBN for the textbooks, and order them online. The ISBN will ensure that you have the correct edition of the textbook. Used books can save you from 1/3 to 1/2 the price. Be sure you review used books carefully, though, to make sure that their is not so much writing or highlighting in them that they are difficult to read.

Optional Textbooks?

Occasionally, a textbook will be marked as optional. Depending on the price and your overall budget, it is a good idea to get optional materials, since they will be at least referenced in the course. However, for optional textbooks, you might consider borrowing the book from the library. If your local or college library does not have the book in question, ask them to get it for you from interlibrary loan.

Sharing Textbooks

Sharing textbooks is not a good idea for hands-on technical type classes. These textbooks may come with software CDs that can only be installed once. It also makes it hard to study or do homework when the other person has the textbook.

Reselling Textbooks

Textbooks are an expensive part of college life, but at the same time are a necessity. Purchasing online can save you money. Reselling the textbook online is also an option and usually gets you more money than the college bookstore will give. Amazon.com, among others, will allow you to sell your used textbook in their marketplace. EBay.com is another option, but textbooks do not sell for as much on EBay.com as they do on Amazon.com.

Visit Student Again for more information needed by nontraditional students.

College Advisors: Friend or Foe?

2009-09-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

For the nontraditional student, college advisors can be your worst nightmare or your best advocate. Unfortunately, many colleges have started hiring advisors for the student body at large, instead of leaving this important task in the hands of those who are much more qualified--the instructors in the degree program. While there are some college advisors who make the effort to understand the degree programs they are advising, many do not. So, how do you ensure that your advisor doesn't hurt your college schedule?

When I first started my undergraduate courses, my advisor (an English professor) told me I did not have to take the required science/math elective. According to him, required courses in my degree program (computer information systems) would take care of that. In the middle of my last semester, I learned he was wrong. I had to decide whether to come back for another semester for one class, or CLEP out of a science class. Thankfully, due to home schooling my son through high school, I had enough background in Biology that with a little (oops, make that a LOT) of study, I was able to CLEP Biology and still graduate when I intended to.

While working as an instructor at a community college, I found that many students were being given bad advising, causing them to take four years to complete a two year degree. The advisors did not know the computer information degree program well enough to know which classes were offered only in even or odd years and in specific semesters (fall or spring). The instructors for the division quickly posted notes to the students to come discuss their schedules with division instructors before signing up for classes to help keep them on track.

How do you prevent this kind of situation? Follow these guidelines:

Study your college catalog. Know what classes you are required to take.

Read the course descriptions in the catalog, and note which have pre-requisites, and which are only taught at specific times, such as spring of odd years.

Create a chart that shows the order in which classes must be taken if they require pre-requisites and refer to it every time you register for classes.

Discuss your chart with your advisor AND one of your instructors. Or discuss it with the division chair or dean. Make sure that you understand the steps you need to take to get to graduation by the date you intend to graduate.

Get your general education courses out of the way as soon as possible, but also make sure that you are taking the first level of pre-requisite courses as early as you are allowed to do so. Some colleges are very strict about taking anything other than general education courses during your first two to four semesters. Others allow you to register for any classes you wish to as long as you have the pre-requisite classes behind you.

Keep your college catalog. This is your binding contract with the college. Even if the required courses change for your program, you should be able to graduate according to the requirements in effect when you start your first college class. You may have to substitute classes if required classes are dropped due to program changes. If that happens, be sure to discuss with the division chair or dean which classes will be appropriate substitutions. It is also your guide to when classes will be offered.

Occasionally, classes are cancelled due to low enrollment. If this happens to a required class you need for graduation, visit with the division chair or dean to find out what your options are. You may be able to complete an independent study for the course under the supervision of one of the instructors. Keep in mind that instructors are not paid for supervising independent studies, so they are doing this only to help you out. Be appreciative and do your work on time to ensure that the instructor in question does not regret taking on this extra work.

Nontraditional students sometimes have trouble identifying steps to succeed in their college careers, because they are unfamiliar with course pre-requisites and scheduling. Essentially, you must become your own advocate, and take responsibility for your own education. The more you know about how college planning works, the better able you are to get your courses in the right order, at the right time.

Ergonomic Pens for Note Taking in College Courses

2009-08-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Taking notes in college courses can be stressful for the nontraditional student. The stress mentioned here is both physical and mental. For many of us, the simple act of using an ink pen or pencil is one we don’t do on a regular basis. When we re-enter the education arena after an extended period of time, hand cramps can result from stress caused by using small muscles in our hands in ways we haven’t used them in a long time. One way to help prevent, or relieve, hand cramps is to use the right writing utensil, an ergonomic pen or pencil.

Years ago, when many of us first started public school, beginning students used a 'fat' pencil. About the second or third grade, we graduated to normal sized number 2 pencils. In recent years, the science of ergonomics has discovered that the larger pencil or pen barrel, especially one with a rubberized grip, is less stressful for the hands.

For students who haven’t used pens and pencils for long periods of time in one sitting, and for students who have arthritic hands, ergonomic pens and pencils are worth the money. The comfort of writing with these pens increases the amount of time that you can take notes without hand cramps. Ergonomic pens for college students, especially nontraditional college students, just makes good sense.
Of all the ergonomic pens available, I have experience with three different ergonomic pens/pencils. The Pilot Dr. Grip, the Paper Mate PhD, and the Pentel R.S.V.P.

Pilot Dr. Grip
- I love the feel of this pen. It is weighted well, and is comfortable to use. The ink is smooth, and ink refills are available. Unfortunately, my experience is that the rubberized section of the barrel starts to break down after six or seven months of use, with small gritty pieces coming off over a period of time.

Paper Mate PhD
- This pen also is weighted well, has refills available, and is comfortable to use. The ink does not skip on the page. The rubberized section of the barrel does not fall apart and stands up well to consistent and long term use. However, after a year of use, the rubberized section gets loose and makes it harder to grip.

Pentel R.S.V.P.
- This is the most economical of the three I have experience with. For $5 to $10 you can pick up a multi-pack in a variety of colors—perfect for visual learners to make notes more memorable. While it is refillable, the price is low enough to purchase a new package, if you can’t find the refills locally. The pens are not weighted as well as the Dr. Grip or the PhD pens, but for an economical ergonomic pen, they are an excellent value. Unlike the other two brands mentioned here, the R.S.V.P. pen comes in a large variety of colors and point styles, including roller ball, ball point, gel, and porous point.

Whether you decide to use one of the above ergonomic pens or choose a different brand and style, an ergonomic pen or pencil will increase your comfort and reduce stress on your hands as you take notes in your courses.

Online Distance Education: Online College Degrees

2009-08-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

There has been a change in the way corporations and even brick and mortar education entities view online college degrees. There was a time when an online degree was considered by almost everyone to be a substandard degree. In the past few years, more and more employers not only embrace and approve of online distance education, they offer to help college students pay for their education through work place grants.

The range of online degree programs available continues to grow. At one time, business courses were the most common online degree programs, but now you can get a degree in education, psychology, business administration, criminal justice and much, much more online. If you are considering pursuing your degree online, research the college of your choice to learn if they provide your chosen program online. If not, there are likely others who do.

The great thing about online colleges is that you don't have to apply only to those within your local area. You could live in Florida and attend an online university in California, or even in another country. However, if you chose to attend an out of country university, make sure that the degree will be acceptable where you plan to work. Out of country college degrees in any field that requires certification will probably not transfer to the U.S., and you will not be able to enter that field without additional study.

Online distance education is not quite at the mainstream level, yet, but most colleges are now including the opportunity to take classes online in their course schedules. Online courses are just as rigorous as face-to-face classes, often more so since students are more dependent on themselves to learn material than on the instructor.

If you are interested in learning more about online distance education, contact the state school or online university in which you are interested and ask for the following information:

What online degree programs do you have?

Are the programs totally online? (Some require at least a few days of face-to-face meetings.)

Are classes asynchronous (no specific time set for classes) or do I have to be online at specific days and times?

What are the eligibility requirements? Do I have to have a high school degree, an ACT, or SAT?

What is the application fee? Will you waive the application fee? (Some do, most won't.)

Are the textbooks included in the tuition? (Usually not, but a very few colleges include textbooks in tuition.)

Are you a Title IV school? (If not, you may not be able to get loans, and will not be able to get Pell Grants.)

As more and more students, choose online distance education, and as more and more colleges offer online degree programs, online degrees are becoming quite acceptable to most employers. The ability to attend college online provides a real opportunity to those who for personal reasons cannot attend a brick and mortar university. The main thing to remember is to do your due diligence and know everything you can learn about the university and course of study you choose before signing the application.

Save Money When Buying College Textbooks

2009-08-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

The next semester is fast approaching, with the need to purchase textbooks. There are several ways students can save money when buying textbooks. Online bookstores often sell used college textbooks. When buying a used textbook, it is important first to know as much as possible about the textbook. The following list of things to know will be helpful, especially to first time students.

You need to know the ISBN (International Standard Book Number). Textbook publishers release new editions of textbooks on a regular schedule. If you purchase the wrong textbook edition, the assignments and projects may not be the same as those the instructor assigns. The ISBN is different for each edition, so this is a must to know.

You need to know if the textbook has a CD or DVD with it. Often, you can find the textbook used at one of the popular online bookstores. If the textbook you need has a CD or other materials that you need, be sure to only purchase the used textbook if the seller specifically states that the ancillary materials are present. In the case of CDs and DVDs, it is best if the seller states that they are unopened. This way you know the original owner has not scratched it beyond use. Also, the CD may have a license that states only the first buyer may use it. It may have a one-time use activation code. Be careful of the descriptions, too. Acceptable usually means that the textbook is written in, highlighted, or is damaged in some way that does not preclude being able to read it. Like new and new descriptions are best.

You need to know the price at the campus bookstore. It does not help you to buy online just to find out that the book sells cheaper at the campus bookstore (though this seldom is the case). What might happen, though, is that the campus bookstore purchases the textbook from the publisher bundled with additional required materials, such as a student version of software used in the textbook. Often the bundled textbook and materials cost less than purchasing a used book and the required materials separately.

When buying college textbooks on the Internet, order your textbooks from online bookstores well before class begins. Most college instructors are not sympathetic when you do not have the textbook you ordered but did not yet receive, especially when the campus bookstore still has copies available.
Do not purchase a used textbook hoping the answers to questions will be written in the book. Quite often, the answers are wrong, which will lower your grade. At any rate, the course does you no good if you do not learn the material. It is difficult to explain to prospective employers why you are not able to do a task if they know you received an A in the class that teaches the task. Using someone else's answers is lazy, unethical, and immoral-and if you are caught doing so, could be grounds for dismissal from the college or university.

If you are interested in buying a used textbook from another student who has just completed the course, be sure you know that the textbook is the same one being used in your class. Even on the same campus, different instructors teaching the same class may use different textbooks. Also, especially in technical classes, the field changes so fast that textbooks seldom last for more than two semesters before being replaced with newer editions or even different textbooks produced by a different publisher.

If you are using Financial Aid to finance your education and purchase your textbooks, you will probably have to purchase your textbooks at the campus bookstore in order to have them in time for the first day of class. Financial Aid refunds are most often given to students far too late to use them to purchase textbooks for the semester in which the refund is received. If you want to purchase textbooks at a lower price, but must use Financial Aid monies, save back a portion of the refund for the following semester's textbooks.

Untraditional Or Nontraditional Student - Attending College With Your Children's Peers

2009-08-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

Due to the economic downturn, many adults are returning to, or attending for the first time, college campuses to earn new credentials. For many untraditional or nontraditional students, going to college with traditional students can be overwhelming, or even down right embarrassing. After all, they are your children's peers, and we are at a time in our lives when we think we should be long beyond college classes. For some, the idea of attending as a first time college student is frightening, for others it is the answer to a lifelong dream.

Older adult learners attending college share some of the same misgivings and fears. What if I can't learn the material fast enough? What if I feel out of place? What if I get lost on campus? These are just some of the fears normal to older students. If we are honest, most of us, as older adults, will admit that we don't learn as quickly or as easily as we once did. The good news is that we can learn it, and once we do, we have the experience to use what we learn. Too often younger students easily learn material, but do not have the life experience to see how that learning can be applied to their lives and livelihoods.

There are some specific strategies that will help you learn. First, find out what kind of learner you are. Are you a visual learner, auditory learner, kinesthetic learner, or a combination of all three? A quick search online for 'free learning style exam' will help you find a test that will give you the answers. Once you know what kind of learner you are, you will be able to focus your learning to your particular learning style, making it much easier to learn the material.

One instructor stated that learning is nothing more than 'repetition, repetition, repetition!' If all else fails, read the material over and over or read it aloud into a recorder and play it back while you are driving, washing dishes, or going to sleep. If you are a visual learner, building a chart or graph will help you visualize the material at test time. Whatever your learning style, knowing it will save you hours of grief when trying to learn class material.

Feeling out of place or fearing getting lost on campus does not only affect older learners. In any new environment, people are uncomfortable until they learn their way around. A day or two before class begins, go to campus, and visit the student services office. Ask if someone can show you around. If not, ask if they have a campus map and can show you where on the map your classes are located. Then walk the campus until you are comfortable that you can locate your classes.

Many instructors find that having older students in the classroom is helpful. It provides a real world context that is otherwise difficult to present to the class as a whole. As long as you are respectful and let the instructor know that you understand he or she is in charge, your views and comments will be welcome. It can even be fun to attend classes with younger students--even with your own children, if they can stand the embarrassment! Some of the best parent-child bonding can be accomplished by learning together.

Some simple steps to help you through your first semester are:

Take your time and learn your way around the campus.
Purchase your textbooks early or buy them online for more savings--the bookstores sometimes run out!
Introduce yourself to your instructors. Most instructors enjoy talking with their students.
Make a list of all your classes, their locations, and their times and dates. Keep it where you can easily refer to it.
Make a chart of all your assignments and due dates for each class so that you don't get lost or confused about when to do which assignment.
If you don't understand an assignment, try to meet with the instructor or professor as soon as class is over for clarification.
If he or she cannot meet with you then, ask for an appointment at a time convenient to you both, but before the assignment is due.
If the instructor talks too fast, ask if you can have a copy of the class lecture notes. If the answer is no, ask another student to take notes for you, or purchase and use a small cassette recorder to capture lectures. Student Services can help you if you have hearing issues or other health issues that impact your learning, but you have to contact them and ask--it isn't automatically offered.
If life happens, contact your instructor immediately. Some instructors are extremely strict about due dates, but most are understanding and will work with you if they understand that you have a real emergency.

Enjoy yourself! Learning can and should be fun!

For more helpful information for adults attending college, visit StudentAgain.com.

Nontraditional Students and the Freshman 15 - Keeping Your Health and Sanity When Attending College

2009-08-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

As nontraditional students, keeping your health and sanity is a must. Every college student learns about the dreaded 'freshman 15.' What no one talks about is how much more likely gaining 15 pounds or more is for those of us who are no longer in our twenties. As we age, our metabolism slows down, making it easier than ever to bring home the freshman 15 and some of his brothers. Once they move in, it is difficult to get them to leave. Spending hours everyday in front of a computer, sitting in classes, or reading books adds to the problem.

There are several ways to help prevent weight gain while attending college.
Walk to your classes. It is very tempting to drive from one campus building to the next, or jump on the campus bus, but unless the next class is too far away to get to in the length of time between classes, walking will give you some exercise. The fresh air will help you think better when you get to the next class, too.
Sign up or join the campus fitness center. Spend at least 30 minutes three times a week using the campus exercise equipment. If you have never used it before, be sure to talk with the fitness center monitor for instructions on using equipment. Also, you might check in with your doctor or the campus nurse to make sure you are healthy enough to exercise.

Take advantage of the campus swimming pool. Swimming is a good all-body workout, and can help you avoid adding those extra pounds, or even help you get rid of a few.
Drink water instead of soda from the machines. Water is calorie free, required for health, and can be carried from home or purchased at the campus bookstore. Don't substitute juices for soda. Most juice has as many or more calories as soda.
Ride a stationery bike while reading your textbooks. Since you don't have to watch where you are going, you can give your attention to what you are learning.
Form a walking group or yoga group with like-minded students. Whether it is because misery loves company, or because it gives you someone to talk to while exercising, a supportive group can help motivate you to stay with your fitness routine.

The most important things you can do for keeping your health and sanity when attending college is to eat right and get enough rest. Take a good multi-vitamin to help you maintain the schedule most college students endure. Many doctors recommend taking extra vitamin C during cold and flu season. This is sound advice for college students, since you will come into contact with a large number of people on campus. Getting enough rest will also help keep your immune system operating at peak capacity.

The freshman 15 is not a foregone conclusion. With the right diet and exercise choices, you can prevent those 15 pounds, feel better, and cope better with the hectic schedule imposed on college students. Get away from the computer. Put the book down. Get outside and get some fresh air. Your body and brain will thank you for it.

Nontraditional students have very specific needs. For helpful information for nontraditional students, visit Student Again.

Buying and Selling Textbooks

2009-08-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Buying and Selling Textbooks at Campus Bookstores

Each semester or quarter, students are required to purchase textbooks for each class. College campuses have bookstores on campus or have affiliations with area bookstores where students are sent to purchase those textbooks. Unfortunately, these bookstores often have higher prices, even on used books, than the prices available at non-college affiliated bookstores. Selling textbooks to campus bookstores is frustrating, since they will seldom offer up to half of the price paid for the book.

Buying and Selling Textbooks Online

So, how does a financially strapped student get the best buy for over priced textbooks? My favorite place to purchase college textbooks is www.amazon.com. I seldom buy a new textbook, unless it is one I plan to keep. Amazon has a Marketplace where students can buy used books, as well as sell textbooks you no longer need. You set the price, and it will usually sell for more than the college bookstore would give you. For those who are concerned with giving credit card information over the Internet, you might purchase a pre-loaded VISA card, available at most banks and many retailers, for the amount you will need, and use that. Buying and selling textbooks online is simple, and your textbooks arrive at your door.

What You Need to Know When Deciding Whether to Attend an Online University

2009-08-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

When I completed my undergraduate degree, I talked with the Chair of my degree program about getting an online college degree (this was in 2001). He knew I was interested in teaching college courses, someday. His response was, "If you go to an online college for your master's, don't come to me for a job."

I was understandably upset, since I had to go to work full-time right out of college, and could not afford the time commitment to attend graduate school full-time in a brick-and-mortar school. After thinking about it for a while, I decided that online graduate school was what I needed. I earned a MS in computer information systems at University of Phoenix. About a year after the MS, I talked with the same Chair about teaching some adjunct classes online. He not only agreed to let me teach for him as an adjunct, when a full-time faculty member quit the week before fall classes started, he called and offered me the full-time teaching position. So, what had changed?

The most important thing that had changed was the attitude of many higher education institutions concerning online colleges. After all, if the online college is accredited by the same body that accredits the university in question, how can they say the online college degree is no good without condemning their own degree programs?

When choosing an online college, it is vital to ensure that they are accredited. Accrediting agencies in the United States include:

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

The Higher Learning Commission

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

If the online college is accredited by one of these Department of Education sanctioned bodies, your degree will be a valid program that will enhance your career opportunities. One caveat: If you plan to teach in higher education and want to teach at a research university, an online education may not get you the opportunity you want. I have been warned about this by other online college graduates, but I have not applied to any of the research universities, so I cannot personally comment on this. I recommend that you contact the Chair or Dean of the department for which you would one day like to teach and ask if an online degree is acceptable for employment in their schools.

Top Online Universities For Distance Learning Programs
By Amit Kothial

Over the past few years, education has undergone a major shift in teaching as well as learning mode. Staring from conventional knowledge-based courses to modern job-oriented courses, education has transformed its facade and now getting popularly known as distance education. In fact today, distance education has achieved new heights and emerging as one of the great way to advance one's qualifications.

Facilitating a student to study from home and set his or her own schedule and pace for learning has made this mode of learning a convenient option. Students from all over the world have started taking up this style of learning so much that it has become an essential part of modern education. Making the best use of modern methods of delivery like video conference, teleconference, and online communications such as, e-mail, chats and pod casts, it is also easily accessible.

These days almost every modern course is available for students through distance learning mode. In fact many working personnel are also opting for distance learning or online education programs. No doubt, if we carefully look at the present scenario the possibilities of obtaining useful knowledge and distance learning degrees are endless but it has become more important to filter those fake institutes and universities that are spread all over. Students must perform initial research to check the authenticity of the diplomas offered from various distance learning universities or else it can hamper student's career, time and effort. However, here are some of the best inline distance learning universities that offer some of best online education programs and learning classes meeting the standards of current education industry:

University of Phoenix- This is one of the best online universities that offer online, on-campus, and hybrid degree programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level. Each degree is a balanced combination of academic theory and practical application. Every online education program is fully accredited and designed in collaboration with academic and industry professionals to ensure quality. Today, University of Phoenix is one of the largest private universities in North America, with nearly 200 convenient locations, as well as internet delivery in most countries around the world. The university is well known for providing best distance learning service and constantly aim to help students balance education and life in a fast changing world.

Argosy University- It is a private university and well known for providing flexible online programs in business, education and psychology. Argosy University has established campuses and supports one of the largest graduate student communities in the United States. Besides this, the university is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. All online lectures are designed to improve student's practical knowledge. The best highlight of various online education programs provided by Argosy University is it facilitates students take the accelerated online classes at their convenience, during the day or night. Moreover, experienced instructors are always available to provide students individualized attention through online class session.

Capella University- Capella University is yet another famous distance learning university that offers online degrees in information technology, business, psychology, public health and human services. As an online university, the greater part of learning takes place via the Internet. Besides this, its online environment is organized into course-rooms, with each course utilizing its own individual component. These course-rooms are built on the Blackboard Learning System software. Every online course offered by Capella University is taught by industry professionals possessing years of teaching experience. United with the flexibility of having all courses and resources available online, selecting Capella University for attaining a online degree can be a very attractive option.

Kaplan University- Kaplan University also offers various online degrees and distance learning programs in finance, international business or sales and marketing. Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), every online degree and certificate programs are taught by experienced instructors. These instructors use hands-on approach to teach and give their students practical exposure with the tools and knowledge of their specific trades. The university also provide interactive learning program that in turn allows students prepare their course schedule as per their convenience.

A degree from a reputed online distance learning university can be regarded as advantage and ambitious students from all the across the globe always crave for it. It not only adds an impressive touch to academic background but also helps student identify his or her core competencies, build new skills, create a portfolio to mark a positive career growth.

Find detailed information on top online distance learning universities providing top online distance learning degree and programs in United States and Canada. Choose the best distance learning programs and universities in your preferred location and earn online degree at the convenience of your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amit_Kothial http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Online-Universities-For-Distance-Learning-Programs&id=2735140

Nontraditional Students: Avoiding Shoulder and Back Paid

2009-08-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

Avoiding shoulder and back pain takes some planning. Heavy textbooks and backpacks are a recipe for shoulder and back pain. Most college instructors expect students to have their textbooks with them in class. On large campuses, where parking is limited and often a long distance from classes, this means you have to carry most of the books you need for the day with you. Unfortunately, this makes it almost impossible to avoid shoulder and back pain, unless you are careful when purchasing bookbags. First, you should never, never use a regular student backpack. While these are the most common method of carrying books, followed by book bags that are similar to laptop bags with handles and shoulder straps, these are the most dangerous to your physical health.

The best answer to this type of shoulder and back pain I have found is to purchase a bookbag/backpack that has wheels and an extention handle. While these rolling backpacks are a pain on stairs, they work well everywhere else, and even dealing the occasional stairs is better than having a constant strain on back and shoulders. The Olympia 19" Rolling Backpack is a good choice, but you can find others that will work just as well in avoiding shoulder and back pain.

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Helping Family Understand Your Choice to go to College

2009-08-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Quite often, family will not understand 1) why you want to go to school at this time in your life; 2) what good it will do you; 3) and what you need from them in terms of support.

Many of us did not have the opportunity to go to college as young adults. Others of us have lost jobs, and found we did not have the skill sets employers require today. Still others just want to learn and have time to do so now that the children are grown and moved away. Our reasons for wanting to go to college are as varied as we are. Sometimes, family members, spouses especially, may see our college learning as threatening. And it is, in some ways. After all, once we go to college, things will change--hopefully for the better, but change they will. We won't be the same people we were. We will have new interests, new acquaintances, new insights, and maybe even a new perspective on life. For some spouses, this promotes a sense of insecurity and uncertainty.

Addressing the possibility of these issues (or even the likelihood), can help our spouses understand and may convince them to support our decisions to go back to school. It is important to let your spouse know that you are doing this for both of you, that your education will make you a more interesting person to be around, and will give you the tools to help create a solid financial foundation for your family.
If all else fails, borrow money go to school, anyway, then two semesters down the road let your spouse know that if you quit now, you won't have the skills needed to make the money to pay back your loans. LOL! Just kidding, there! Being sensitive to your spouse's concerns will help the adjustment process.

Include your spouse as much as possible in your new endeavor. If you have a concert to attend for college credit, ask your spouse to go with you. Make a date night of it and enjoy yourselves. Share your successes, but be careful of taking too many problems to him or her. It might make your efforts seem too much trouble. Ask for help with household chores, if necessary. No one can do everything, and homework and study take a good bit of time.

If you still have children at home, make a study time when you can all work at the dining table to complete homework. Having you there as an example will help them get their own homework done. And you never know, they might be able to help you with your homework, too. Some nontraditional students have reported that their children help them learn how to use presentation software, or even how to save a file on the hard drive. It will give your children a sense of participation if you let them help you when they know something you do not.

Last, let your family know what your study and homework schedule is. If they don't know what you have due, they won't know to leave you alone for the time you need. Ask for volunteers for cooking, cleaning, or mowing the lawn. You might have to eat hotdogs or pizza everytime they cook, but children middle school ages and up can be a great help in finding the time to get your homework done.

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Working while Attending College

2009-08-09T20:37:00.001-07:00

Nontraditional students often don't have the luxury of not working while attending college classes. I have been working the entire time I have taken graduate classes, and learned some things that might be helpful to other nontraditional students.

Organization is crucial. I use Excel to print out calendar pages (click on the button at the top left corner, then click New and locate calendar templates), one for the entire year at a glance, and one with each month on its own page. Work hours, assignments and other tasks I have to accomplish for the month are penciled in as soon as I know about them. These sheets are clipped into a zipping binder, so that I can take them with me everywhere I go.

I also print out an appointment page for each day, and pencil in more details as needed. For instance, my full page monthly calendar may have Week 2 Assignment 3 on it, but the appointment page for the due date will have the page numbers of books I am to read, and specific information about the assignment.

There never seems to be enough time to read everything required for graduate courses. To help with this issue, I carry at least one textbook everywhere I go, spending 10 minutes at the doctor's office, or 15 minutes at lunch, to read a few pages. Highlighting makes a textbook hard for me to read. Instead, I purchase sticky notes. I write the page number in the top right corner in case it falls out of the textbook, and write whatever notes or comments I have on the sticky note. The note is stuck to the page on which I am commenting, with about 1/4 of the bottom edge sticking out of the book like a tab. This makes it easy to find my notations when I am ready to write my papers.

I am visually oriented. When writing papers, I struggle to create an outline. To get past this, I use some inexpensive (about $65 for students--you need to contact Inspiration.com for accurate pricing information) software, Inspiration. You can download a trial version at www.inspiration.com. This software allows me to create a mind map of the topic, using circles with my notes in them. Once I have the overall concept down, I can click one button on the toolbar and Inspiration creates an outline for me. The more detailed the mind map, the more detailed the outline becomes. I plan to use this tool extensively once I begin the dissertation phase of my degree program. Inspiration is the only software I have found that will create the outline for me, so it is one of my most used tools.

Questions and Answers: Online or Face to Face Classes?

2009-08-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted. We have moved from one state to another over the past 8 weeks, all while working teaching online college classes and taking two graduate courses. Not easy!

Today's post concerns deciding on which path to go, online or face to face colleges. There are definite advantages to both, as well as disadvantages.

Advantages of online classes include:

Taking classes on your own schedule, for instance, after the kiddo's are in bed.

Working around other significant events in your life (such as moving across the country!).

Classes can be attended from anywhere, even while traveling across country, as long as the hotel has high speed Internet.

If your computer crashes, you can use a friend's computer or a library computer to attend your class.

Saving gas and time, since you don't have to travel to get to the campus.

Disadvantages of online classes include:

Not having the instructor right there to answer questions

Computer and technology issues.

Have to have a basic knowledge of computers.

Have to be able to teach yourself.

Advantages of face to face classes include:

More personal interaction with other students.

More one on one time with the instructor when you need help.

Don't have to teach yourself.

More structure for scheduling of class time and assignments.

Get away from home and have a specific place to learn.

Disadvantages of face to face classes include:

Have to be in class at a set time and place.

Can't be tardy.

Cost of gasoline and time to attend classes.

Have to schedule work and family around class times.

After reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of each method of taking courses, you need to consider yourself. What are your strengths? Are you able to read material and figure things out without someone explaining things in detail? Do you have the time to attend regular face to face classes? Are the courses or academic program you are interested in offered in the venue you desire?

Each person will come to the answers best for him- or herself. For me, online education was the only way I could attend college, since I worked full-time and was the only breadwinner in my family.

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How To Prepare for the ACT or SAT Exams for Nontraditional Students

2009-05-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

For nontraditional students, preparation for the ACT exam or SAT exam can seem overwhelming. First, realize that these are primarily basic multiple choice exams. The most important thing to remember is to take your time and make sure you understand what the question is asking for before answering. If you are not sure of an answer, or need to think about it, skip it and come back to it if you have time.

The Princeton Review test preparation guides, the Cracking the ACT, 2009 Edition and the Cracking the SAT, 2009 Edition are two of the best preparation guides available.

Taking the ACT or SAT exam is just one of the tasks you need to complete before registering for college courses. For more information on beginning your college journey, visit Adults Going Back to School.

Nontraditional Students and High School Transcripts

2009-05-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, nontraditional students have to supply their high school transcripts when applying for admission to college--even if you graduated high school thirty years ago or more. For some nontraditional students, this is not easy to get. When my husband decided to attend some college classes, the school he where had graduated had closed for a period of ten years, due to low enrollment.

Fortunately, one of the administrative assistants of the school district was able to locate the transcript by going through boxes of old records that had been in a closet for many, many years. This lady, bless her, took the time to find his transcript. If she hadn't, it is possible he would not have been admitted without taking the GED (which was mentioned at one point by a college official).

As soon as you make the decision to be a student again, contact the high school counsellor where you graduated. Give them a long lead time to find the transcript, especially if you graduated before computers and even more time if you graduated before microfiche became popular for keeping records. This will make it more likely the transcript will arrive within the allotted time period. Even if you don't know where you want to attend college classes, most high school administrations would appreciate a heads up that you are planning to go and will be requesting the transcript soon.

As for the transcript contents, don't worry too much if your high school GPA was less than stellar. You just need it to show that you completed high school. Most colleges will require nontraditional students to take the ACT, SAT, or a some kind of placement test to give them an idea where to place you as far as Math and English courses go. They want to make sure they don't put you in an Algebra class if you need to brush up on basic mathematics and pre-algebra, etc.

Going to school and being a student again is stressful enough without worrying about the highschool transcript Just be sure you request it early, then spend your worry time prepping for the ACT or SAT!

Privacy Policy

2009-05-12T23:19:00.000-07:00

This website/blog uses third-party advertising companies to serve ads when visiting this site.

These third parties may collect and use information (but not your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, you can visit Google's Advertising and Privacy page. If you wish to opt out of Advertising companies tracking and tailoring advertisements to your surfing patterns you may do so at Network Advertising Initiative. Google uses the Doubleclick DART cookie to serve ads across it's Adsense network and you can get further information regarding the DART cookie at Doubleclick as well as opt out options at Google's Privacy Center

I respect your privacy and I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while online at this site non-traditional-student.blogspot.com The following discloses how I gather and disseminate information for this Blog.

If I ever I ask for contact information such as name and email address, users who fill this information in may opt-out of these communications at any time. Your personal information will never be sold or given to a third party. (You will never be spammed by me - ever)

Like most blogging platforms I use log files, in this case Statcounter. This stores information such as internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring, exit and visited pages, platform used, date/time stamp, track user’s movement in the whole, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses etc. are not linked to personally identifiable information.

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. This blog doesn't use cookies. However, some of my business partners use cookies on this site (for example - advertisers). I can't access or control these cookies once the advertisers have set them.LinksThis Blog contains links to other sites. Please be aware that I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these other sites. I suggest my users to be aware of this when they leave this blog and to read the privacy statements of each and every site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Blog.

I use outside ad companies to display ads on this blog. These ads may contain cookies and are collected by the advertising companies and I do not have access to this information. I work with the following advertising companies: Google Adsense, LinkShare, PayDotCom. Please check the advertisers websites for respective privacy policies.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Linda at moderator@studentagain.com. This privacy policy was updated May 13, 2009.

Today's Nontraditional Students May Attend Classes with Their Children

2009-05-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

I personally attended classes with both my son-in-law and my daughter. While you might think this would have been awkward, I found it enlightening. I learned so much about these two very much loved people, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Untraditional Or Nontraditional Student - Attending College With Your Children's Peers

by Linda Pogue

Due to the economic downturn, many adults are returning to, or attending for the first time, college campuses to earn new credentials. For many untraditional or nontraditional students, going to college with traditional students can be overwhelming, or even down right embarrassing. After all, they are your childrens peers, and we are at a time in our lives when we think we should be long beyond college classes. For some, the idea of attending as a first time college student is frightening, for others it is the answer to a lifelong dream.

Older adult learners attending college share some of the same misgivings and fears. What if I can't learn the material fast enough? What if I feel out of place? What if I get lost on campus? These are just some of the fears normal to older students. If we are honest, most of us, as older adults, will admit that we don't learn as quickly or as easily as we once did. The good news is that we can learn it, and once we do, we have the experience to use what we learn. Too often younger students easily learn material but do not have the life experience to see how that learning can be applied to their lives and livelihoods.

There are some specific strategies that will help you learn. First, find out what kind of learner you are. Are you a visual learner, auditory learner, kinesthetic learner, or a combination of all three? A quick search online for 'free learning style exam' will help you find a test that will give you the answers. Once you know what kind of learner you are, you will be able to focus your learning to your particular learning style, making it much easier to learn the material.

One instructor stated that learning is nothing more than 'repetition, repetition, repetition!' If all else fails, read the material over and over or read it aloud into a recorder and play it back while you are driving, washing dishes, or going to sleep. If you are a visual learner, building a chart or graph will help you visualize the material at test time. Whatever your learning style, knowing it will save you hours of grief when trying to learn class material.

Feeling out of place or fearing getting lost on campus does not only affect older learners. In any new environment, people are uncomfortable until they learn their way around. A day or two before class begins, go to campus, and visit the student services office. Ask if someone can show you around. If not, ask if they have a campus map and can show you where on the map your classes are located. Then walk the campus until you are comfortable that you can locate your classes.

Many instructors find that having older students in the classroom is helpful. It provides a real world context that is otherwise difficult to present to the class as a whole. As long as you are respectful and let the instructor know that you understand he or she is in charge, your views and comments will be welcome. It can even be fun to attend classes with younger students--even with your own children, if they can stand the embarrassment! Some of the best parent-child bonding can be accomplished by learning together.

Some simple steps to help you through your first semester are:

Take your time and learn your way around the campus.
Purchase your textbooks early or buy them online for more savings--the bookstores sometimes run out!
Introduce yourself to your instructors. Most instructors enjoy talking with their students.
Make a list of all your classes, their locations, and their times and dates. Keep it where you can easily refer to it.
Make a chart of all your assignments and due dates for each class so that you don't get lost or confused about when to do which assignment.
If you don't understand an assignment, try to meet with the instructor or professor as soon as class is over for clarification. If he or she cannot meet with you then, ask for an appointment at a time convenient to you both, but before the assignment is due.
If the instructor talks too fast, ask if you can have a copy of the class lecture notes. If the answer is no, ask another student to take notes for you, or purchase and use a small cassette recorder to capture lectures. Student Services can help you if you have hearing issues or other health issues that impact your learning, but you have to contact them and ask--it isn't automatically offered.
If life happens, contact your instructor immediately. Some instructors are extremely strict about due dates, but most are understanding and will work with you if they understand that you have a real emergency.
Enjoy yourself! Learning can and should be fun!

Adults Going Back to School - Is it Worth It?

2009-03-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

Adults are Going Back to School in Droves
Even before President Obama encouraged (ordered?) all adults to go back to college for more education, adults have been flocking to college campuses in droves. Up 30% to 40% just in the last few years, 'untraditional' nontraditional students are attending college courses for a variety of reasons. Some go to enhance current job skills or to gain skills needed for a promotion. Some go to get skills they need to keep or find new jobs when their jobs are changed or phased out. Some go in response to being laid off or fired. Still others go for personal enrichment. Whatever the reason, campuses across the United States are dealing with swelling numbers of students during a time of shrinking education dollars.

Is Going Back to School Worth It?
The answer to this question is, "It depends." It might even be best answered by asking more questions. Why are you going to college? To gain new skills or qualify for a promotion? If so, be very sure which course of study your employer will find acceptable. Studying botany won't help much if you are a computer salesperson. If you are going to school because you have been laid off or fear being laid off, do you have a plan? How is what you are studying going to help? Are you interested in the field you think will get you a job?

How are you paying for college courses?
Loans may be more difficult to get during tough economic times like these, but it is worth trying--if you can't pay for your school any other way. Loans have to be paid back, and the only way to get loan forgiveness with federally insured loans is to be permanently physically incapacitated or to die--even bankruptcy can't erase student loans. Be sure you don't borrow more than you can realistically pay back. Federal grants are available to those who qualify. Unfortunately, qualifying isn't as easy as it once was. FAFSA.gov is the place to go to learn the most current rules and regulations concerning federally insured loans and federal grants.

Do you know what you want to study, or why you want to study it, if you do?
There is nothing to keep you from changing your mind once you get started. In fact, it is quite common that freshman change their minds after a few general education courses, but you should have some idea where you want to be once the studying and testing is done. It is important to determine why you want to study your chosen field. Is it because your mom or dad were doctors, lawyers, scientists, mathematicians, business managers, etc.? Often, students find they are not interested in subjects their family members studied. Some students have gone through four years of college, earned a degree, then hated the field in which they were qualified to work.
Do you have a plan for after college? What do you intend to do with your new credentials after graduation? Do you plan to start a business or work for a Fortune 500 company? Your ultimate goal should dovetail with your major. Earning a degree in English won't help you much if you plan to be a research chemist. The most important thing to know is what you intend to do in the future. You can always change your mind. It is ok to reassess your life and take a new road, if you decide that is the best direction for you.

More Important Questions
Are you willing to commit to spending the major part of your time for the next four or more years to earn a degree? Students who attend full-time take a minimum of 12 hours, or four courses if you are on the semester system. Twelve hours a week (four courses with three hours of class time each week) will give you another twelve to sixteen hours of homework or study time each week--especially when you get into the science and math courses. Do you have time for 24 or more hours each week to take a full course load? Some college advisors recommend taking five classes each semester. That way, if you find a class you just can't handle, or an instructor you just don't get along with, you have the option to drop one class without affecting your full-time status or your financial aid.

The Most Important Question
Do you want it badly enough to go through weeks, months and years of study to get it? One of my relatives asked me if she should go back to school. One of her sisters and many of her cousins have attended college in their 30's and 40's--many of them earning multiple degrees. My answer was that she should consider her life, consider what she had to give up to go back to school, and consider not just the advantages, but also the disadvantages. She is in her 50's and nearing her personal retirement goal. If she really wants to go, she should go for it. But, if her reason is because everyone else is doing it, she would not stay with it to finish. Then she would have bills she doesn't currently have, and the opportunity to work for many more years before getting to retirement. It has to be her decision. Only she knows what she really wants, if she is happy with her life, and if she is committed enough to make a go of it. How about you? Are you that committed?

For more helps and information concerning adults attending college courses for the first time or returning to college for more education, visit http://www.studentagain.com for basic computer skills tutorials and much more.

The Journey Continues

2009-02-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

The StudentAgain.com Web site will be done, at least the first edition, by the middle of next week. There is more to do than I will have time to get done before the end of the quarter, but this site will stay live. I will continue to update and improve the site even after the capstone course is over, since I have wanted to do this site for quite a long time.

I hope it is a benefit to the students who find it and utilize the links.

Until next time,
Linda

From the Beginning

2009-01-22T13:50:00.000-08:00

In January 1998, I embarked on one of the most frightening and exhiliarating journey of my life: higher education. With one child married (one grandchild), and the other engaged to be married, I decided it was time--it was a leap of faith, in that I was not really sure I could succeed at this new venture. After completing a BS in Computer Information Systems, I started working full-time as a computer programmer. Shortly thereafter, I started on an online masters program. As both a non-traditional face-to-face student and a non-traditional online student, I learned how to navigate the educational highway, so to speak.

This blog will be dedicated to non-traditional students everywhere. Know this, you CAN do this if you want it badly enough. There will be frustrations, fears, accomplishments, successes, and failures, but it is possible to get through them all to the completion of a degree. Over the next few months, I will be posting content that is designed to aid non-traditional students in navigating the higher education system. This blog is not about me. The only reason I told you so much about me is to assure you that I do know what I am writing about. I have been there. I can help you get through it, too.

I will try to update this blog weekly, starting in January 2009. If you have questions you would like answered, you may email moderator@studentagain.com.

The Web site, http://www.studentagain.com/, is not yet officially launched. It will be a site dedicated to non-traditional student concerns, and will offer help files as well as links to other Web sites that would be useful to non-traditional students.

Until later,

Linda