| WEEKLY RANDOM THOUGHTS |
| College from Home By Coleen Mitchell For years if you have ever watched the "Late" shows on T.V. you have seen the ads for learning at home. These ads boasted different training certificates from the comfort of your home. Iam sure I am not the only one that was skeptical about the legitimacy of these schools. Computers though have offered a new medium for which accredited colleges can offer courses that can be taken from the comfort of your home. Distance Learning is the term used for this type of education. The programs vary with each Institution, some requiring up to 3 visits to the campus, others none. Research is still required before embarking with any of these institutions. Be sure to check that the program is accredited, what the Campus requirements are, and what the time requirement will be. The ability to utilize e-mail, upload plug-ins and learning new software programs are usually a requirement, as well. Before commiting to this type of education a self assessment is also needed. Qualities desirable for success in this medium of education is; organization, the ability to work independently, and "Quiet Time" at home. I would also recommend starting slow taking just one course at first and then building up gradually. Financing can also be expensive when re-entering school. With the demands of family and financial responsibility, where can you come up with the money? Loans, some grants, employer tuition reimbursement, and tax incentives are just a few ways to make the Adult Back-to-School experience affordable. Below is a great link that can give you ideas on not only how to finance this undertaking, but also how to filter out "Degree Mills", If Distance Learning is right for you, and other valuable information. I highly recommend taking a few minutes to check out this site. In this highly competative world we live in, continuing education is a reality that must be recognized in order to remain "On the cutting edge". Distance learning offers an opportunity to some who could not take advantage of other higher education mediums. Finally, do not become discouraged at how far away that degree may seem from your grasp. With every journey we have to start with the first step. Good luck. Link- Back to School.com |