Archive for June, 2008
Posted by Nicole Acosta on June 29th, 2008
One goal is to help yourself become aware of how you use your time
as one resource in organizing, prioritizing, and succeeding in your studies
in the context of competing activities of friends, work, family, etc.
Strategies on using time:
Develop criteria for adjusting your schedule
to meet both your academic and non-academic needs
Effective aids:
- “To Do” list
Write down things you have to do, then decide what to do at the moment, what to schedule for later, what to get someone else to do, and what to put off for a later time period
- Daily/weekly planner
Write down appointments, classes, and meetings on a chronological log book or chart.
If you are more visual, sketch out your schedule
First thing in the morning, check what’s ahead for the day
always go to sleep knowing you’re prepared for tomorrow
- Long term planner
Use a monthly chart so that you can plan ahead.
Long term planners will also serve as a reminder to constructively plan time for yourself
Posted by Jen Zeman on June 29th, 2008
Online degrees from accredited colleges and universities offer higher education opportunities for those who might otherwise miss out. The classes are extremely convenient since you can complete the coursework based on your schedule; there is no commute to a classroom for a three-hour sit-down lecture at a specific time each week. However, do not fall into the trap of confusing convenient with “easyâ€. Online courses are very challenging as you will have specific requirements due usually daily and weekly.  For example, you may be required to post responses daily to a specific forum your professor posts in addition to lengthy written assignments that are due that week. So, while you may not be “sitting†in a classroom three hours a week, you more than make up for that with work assignments scheduled with online courses.
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With that said, online degrees don’t appear to be for everyone out there. Online degrees are ideal if you are disciplined, hard-working, and very organized. If you have a difficult time completing work without the structure of physically meeting in a classroom (to be accountable for your work) or are easily distracted by other responsibilities going on outside of work and school, you will struggle. But it’s not hopeless! Work on your time management skills and prioritize your responsibilities and you can be quite successful with an online degree.
My next post will discuss the appropriate time management skills and responsibilities prioritization needed to help you succeed in achieving your online degree. Â
Posted by J.M. Striegel on June 27th, 2008
Despite the fact that more colleges are adding online certification courses and degree programs every week, there are still a few people that question if an online student is a “real” college student. Fear not, your tuition, books, and student account fees will quickly silence any doubts you or your loved ones may have about the reality of online education. If the receipts aren’t enough to impress them, watching you achieve your educational goals and improve your earning potential will definitely make them reconsider their position.
Online education has quickly become a well known and respected option for a student’s higher education needs. Pursuing an online degree works for the student who needs to negotiate study and class time between working and having a family and it is tailor made for the student who doesn’t live near the school of his/her choice and enjoys independent study.
As a “real” college student, you are eligible for scholarships, grants, and loans. You can check out books from the school library (some have home delivery available), have access to subscription research services, and receive discounts for everything from educational software to automobiles and technology. Don’t be afraid to ask what services are offered for free and at a discount or reduced price to students both on campus and within your community. Yes, flash that student i.d. card and you can save on your groceries, tickets to movies and concerts, and public transportation, just to name a few.
Keep in mind that some schools do not differentiate the student account fees between traditional and online students. You may have access to gyms, pools, clubs and organizations, and other services that you’ve paid for and can use right alongside the “traditional” student. Whether or not you are within close proximity to use these services, you’ll want to be aware of the charges so you can take full advantage of the facilities and opportunities that are available to you.
Remember, choosing an online education does not diminish your educational accomplishments or validity as a student. Online education is simply another option for pursuing your dreams and goals. Upon completion of your chosen program, you will have earned a legitimate, tangible, frame-worthy degree or certificate that does not differentiate between your status as an online or traditional student. That, my friend, is as “real” as it gets.
J.M. Striegel
Posted by Dan on June 27th, 2008
Halo, Grand Theft Auto, and Super Mario have made the video game industry a multi billion dollar industry and now universities are reaching out to students by offering online video game degree programs. There is no doubt that video games are big business, and with the industry growing by 15% or more each year, more and more students are seeking a degree in game design and software development.
Online programs are becoming increasingly more popular and schools such a DeVry University offer one of the industries only online Game Design degree programs. More and more students are spending more time playing video game than watching television or surfing the net and it makes sense to offer degree programs in fields of study that are in demand and popular. As more students enroll in online video game degree programs, more universities will begin to adapt their curriculum.
So while playing hours of video games may not help your chances at achieveing a career in the video game industry, earning a degree program from an accredited online school opens the door to the potential to design the next Gears of War or Madden video game.
Posted by katiejekel on June 25th, 2008
Online degrees are great for people who have jobs or families to juggle. I have already completed 10 hours towards my online master’s degree and I am enrolled in 9 this summer alone. What I am finding difficult is managing my time. A lot of people love the freedom of online classes because they decide what to do and when. Staying on top of things can sometimes be forgotten. When I took my first ten hours, it was before I had children. Now that I have two under two, I really need to balance work, family and my classes. Here are five steps that I find helpful.
1) Read the syllabus: This will explain what the expectations are for the class and will provide a schedule of when things are due. If there is no real schedule, you need to set one for yourself.
2) Email your professor: Introduce yourself and explain your situation. For example, my son battles chronic breathing problems and sometimes his needs need to be met before my school work. Because my professors know this beforehand, they are more apt to be flexible with due dates. In fact, they will begin to see you as human. One of my professors has a son who also has chronic breathing problems and, now, he is able to relate to me.
3) Buy a planner: Think high school. High schools around the country require planners for students and for good reason-they keep your organized. Write down reading assignments and due dates.
4)Visit class every night, even if it is not required: Look at what is going on in classroom discussion boards and just visiting the site will remind you of the work you need to do.
5) Study every day: I know it seems daunting to devote 8 hours a day to school. That is why you are looking at online school as opposed to traditional school, but if you devote time every day (before work, after work, when the kids are napping) then you won’t be faced with a huge reading assignment or project at the last minute. I always study when my kids nap.
Posted by admin on June 24th, 2008
Earning your degree online takes anywhere from 12-36 months based on the degree and program you are pursuing, but for people that want to make a quick career change or garner expertise in a few months in another industry, an online diploma or certificate program can be a great alternative.
Online diploma and certificate programs can range from one month to six months in length and be significantly cheaper than a full online degree program. Penn Foster is the premier online school where you can earn a diploma in 2-8 weeks in fields such as appliance repair, bookkeeping, medical assistant, floral design, programming, IT, plumber, locksmith, teacher aid, web design and more.
Online certificates can be earned in business, health care, IT, accounting, project management, and automotive technician. These programs are offered at University of Phoenix, Keller School of Management, Universal Technical Institute, and Kaplan University.
When looking to change careers or get ahead in your current career, an online diploma or certificate is a great alternative to a taking a complete degree program.
Posted by erich on June 19th, 2008
Furthering your education has so many great opportunities for you to explore, don’t waste time working at a low income job that isn’t right for you. Get a higher education such as an accredited degree from an online school and open up more possibilities to improve your employment status. Getting a degree online can be done at your own pace and is cheaper than choosing an on-campus education option. By furthering your education and getting a degree online, you can work on obtaining that degree at the times convenient for you. Also by earning the degree online, you will save money on tuition, save money on gas driving to and from classes, and still be able to work full-time. Better job opportunities and a higher education are awaiting you in your future, make it a reality today!
Posted by admin on June 19th, 2008
Just like Jim Cramer says in his daily television show, “pick the best stock in the industry,” the same is true for online colleges. There are hundreds of online universities from state run colleges (UMASS Online) to Ivy leagues (Ecornell Online) offering online degrees and certificates from the comfort of your living room. University of Phoenix is the oldest online university and most renowned boasting over 280,000 students which has been educating students since 1976 and now offers over 170 US and Canadian campus locations.
University of Phoenix even has the benefit that NBA Star Shaquille O’neil graduated from the university with an MBA degree while taking classes online as well as at the West Los Angeles campus before he was traded from LA to Miami.
With over 100 degree programs from Associates to PhD degrees, students can find the degree they want to earn and take classes on their time. In the end, you can take classes at any university or online college but what you learn and your education will be based on the time and effort you put into your classes, assignments, and exams.
Posted by glen on June 17th, 2008
June 17th - Ashford University Online is now offering their new Bachelor’s in Public Relations and Marketing Degree. This degree can help explore the many ways in which marketing and public relations shape our modern business world.
A Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing is a perfect fit if you are interested in pursuing professional careers in marketing, sales, advertising, corporate communications, events planning, or public relations. By completing this degree program you will find out how the best marketing professionals succeed in capturing potential customers’ attention, addressing their needs, and securing their business – all available via an online degree program through Ashford University.
In today’s turbulent job market, Public Relations and Marketing are two fields that complement each other well and will always be in demand. By choosing this degree or a similar concentration you are setting yourself up for success regardless of what the market throws at you.
Posted by Dan on June 16th, 2008
In today’s technology driven world, The internet continues to influence traditional industries such as newspapers, retail stores, television stations, and even colleges. Over the past year, more and more traditional schools such as Boston University and Northeastern University adding online degree programs to their current course offerings to attract new potential students.
Bryant and Stratton College is a new school added to AchieveYourCareer recently that shares a strong tradition with its campus brand by offering several online degree programs for a new generation of students. Bryant and Stratton Online offers a compelling list of online associate degree programs with a wide variety of concentrations for those interested in futhering their career.
Bryant and Stratton’s programs focus on areas of study that target some of today’s most prospering career tracks such as IT Management and Medical Administration. By earning a college degree online with Bryant and Stratton, students are free to continue their daily routines and create a custom learning program that fits their schedules.
Digital distribution has replaced traditional CD sales, NetFlix has replaced the local video store, and online education is poised to disrupt the current college marketplace with more nationally branded traditional schools such as Bryant and Stratton offering degree programs exclusively online and at a fraction of the cost. It is not a matter of if this will happen, but a matter of when.
