Ten Tips On Earning An Online College Degree While Keeping A Full-Time Job

Earning a college degree while keeping a full-time job can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Here are some tips to help you make it easier to accomplish.

1.) Realize that education makes you a more valuable employee – so ask if there is funding through your job to help pay for your degree.

2.) Discuss scholarships and grants with your financial advisor. Have him or her direct you to web sites where you can find more scholarship and grant opportunities.

3.) Cut the time needed to get your degree by seeing if previously earned college credits can be transferred to your new school.

4.) Ask for life experience credit. If you have relevant knowledge from job experience, professional development, independent study, or volunteer work, you may be able to submit a portfolio of your knowledge, or take CLEP examinations (College-Level Examination Program) and receive life experience credits toward your degree.

5.) Make sure you are comfortable with the online classroom technology - and have a place to get some help if you aren’t. Take an introductory class in online education if it is offered.

6.) Schedule time to do a good job on your classes, the same way you would make time for anything else that is important. Be organized and stick to your schedule.

7.) Dedicate a space at home for your school things. Keep your folders and books together where you can easily find them. Have a calendar with important school deadlines on it so you don’t miss a test or assignment.

8.) Get your books early and get a head start. Find a study partner in each class. You can communicate by phone, email, or chat even if you are many miles apart.

9.) Realize that using search engines is different in college. Most of the deeper knowledge is on databases. To access these, use your normal search engine but type the word “database” after your keyword (for example ” nursing database” or “Shakespeare database”).

10.) Let some responsibilities slide. Getting an education takes time and effort. Take out food can relieve the stress and hassle that comes with cooking. Other ways that you can minimize you responsibilities outside of work and school will help immensely.