Adults Going Back to School - Is it Worth It? By Linda S Pogue

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.

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Online MBA - 3 Reasons Why You Should Consider It By Rebeca Stevens

On-line learning has become a popular and respectable avenue for obtaining a business degree. As lives become busier and busier, the flexibility of attending on-line courses from the comfort of your home or office is a necessity for many as opposed to a luxury. If returning to a brick and mortar university is out of the question because of the demands of your job or family responsibilities, then taking on-line classes is an excellent idea.

You will be required to fill out an application for an on-line business school just as you would for any other kind of degree. Once you have been accepted into the on-line program, you will then coordinate the payment arrangements and will be sent an on-line syllabus for the course. Then, the course begins from the comfort of your home.

High Standards of Learning

An on-line school expects the same high standards from its students as do the traditional schools in the offline world. It is important that as a student you view virtual learning in the same regard as you would a classroom in a college or university. To get what you want from the on-line business program, you must be committed, hardworking, and have the drive to succeed.

An on-line business program will more than likely mean that as a student, you will be completing weekly assignments and writing tests on a consistent basis. It is important that you constantly kept abreast of the lessons that you are learning for the week. Knowing the course material is essential to your continued success in the on-line program!

Areas of Study for an On-line Business Degree

There is a number of business degrees that you can earn on-line. You can earn a basic certificate or diploma in business, all the way up to a MBA. The education you presently have and the career goals that you wish to obtain play a determining role in the on-line business program you will select.

Choosing a college on-line for your business degree will not limit you in terms of the area in which you wish to concentrate. You can choose from finance, marketing and communication, accounting, administration or management. The decision is up to you. There are plenty of on-line business programs that will allow their students to concentrate their studies in a particular field of business. For example, you might choose to study e-commerce, entrepreneurship, health care management, international business, or information technology management.

Accreditation of an On-line Business Program

Accreditation of the on-line school of your choice should always be a top priority. Not all on-line business schools are accredited, and you should do your homework before you commit yourself to any one institution. Be aware that accreditation is not formally regulated for on-line schools. Choose a school that has been accredited by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education.

Get your business career heading in the right direction by learning about on-line business degrees today.

My name is Rebecca Stevens and I am the resident blogger for Online Degree Center. Online Degree Center matches students with the online college or university that meets their needs.

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The Seven C's of Successful Scholarship Or College Entrance Essays By Ben Carlsen

Getting that scholarship or "acing" that college entrance essay will change your life. However, writing a scholarship or college admission essay can be a traumatic and difficult experience or a challenging and fulfilling one. Here are seven tips which will help you be successful.

JUST GET STARTED

Writing a winning essay is not all that difficult, but it does take time. Like anything, getting started is the toughest part. As in Toastmasters speeches, you're "Breaking the Ice," by introducing yourself to your audience. In this case your audience is readers not listeners so you will have to be even more creative. You won't have the advantage of eye contact, expressions and gestures. So you must make yourself stand out on paper!

THE 7 C's

Based on experience conducting Scholarship Workshops for graduating high school students, I developed a model to help participants focus on the essentials of the essay process. There are 7 C's to remember and practice in your essay preparation and development. These are: Conformance, Competence, Completeness, Clarity, Construction, Content, and Convincing. Your essay, in order to stand out from the others will need to include these:

1) CONFORMANCE - Of course you want your essay to reflect your individuality, but you must abide by the rules. This means precisely following the requirements and guidelines provided on the application form. Typical requirements include: minimum and/or maximum number of words, format, font size, margins, double or single spacing, etc.

2) COMPETENCE - You must demonstrate you're capable of doing college level work. Your essay will provide the reviewers with evidence of your writing ability, creativity, and thought processes. It will be substantial evidence of your ability to perform at an acceptable or superior level.

3) CLARITY - Thoughts, premises, ideas, positions, and so forth, must be clearly expressed. Ambiguity or confusion must not be demonstrated. Rather, it is clear thinking, and logic which will be rewarded. Be sure to say exactly what you mean, and make certain it will be understood.

4) CONSTRUCTION - The essay should observe all conventions of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. One simple mistake may disqualify you, or at least cast suspicion on your abilities. Be sure to proofread, revise, and correct your essay before submitting it. "Spell check" will not catch grammar errors, incorrect terminology, or even some spelling errors. So use it, but don't rely on it. After your thorough proofreading, ask trusted friends, family or colleagues help you identify and correct errors.

5) CONTENT - Essays should follow the standard protocol of: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Remember, the body is only supportive or explanatory. Extraneous facts, opinions or positions have no place in your final product. Your content should be substantive.

6) COMPLETENESS - Be certain to include everything of critical importance. Aside from completeness of facts and information make certain that you have not missed key elements that will assist the reader in following your "story." Again, have trusted friends, family or colleagues critically review your writing and make recommendations.

7) CONVINCING - Your paper should be convincing. It should reflect you; your goals passions and uniqueness. You will need an "angle" something that will grab the reader's attention, and make them interested in finding out more. One important consideration is to develop a great introduction, and a great closing. Your essay will stand out from the pack and gain favorable consideration if you are able to accomplish this.

The memorable introduction and closing are a must. Sometimes it's difficult to express your passion, excitement or other strong emotion on paper. Remember, your essay is akin to painting a picture - a picture that will capture the observer's attention, interest, and emotions and convince him of your sincerity.

WRITE YOUR ESSAY

Now get started. And, make it exceptional. You deserve that scholarship or entrance to that college. And now you have the tools to make it happen.

Ben A. Carlsen, Ed.D, MBA, is an experienced CEO and manager. Dr. Carlsen has over 30 years experience in management, consulting, and teaching. Currently the Head of the Business Department at Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL., he was Chairman of the Los Angeles County Productivity Managers Network and President of the Association for Systems Management (So. Calif. Chapter). Additional information can be obtained at http://drben.info

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