Uncategorized Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Total Testing Education

We’ve talked in the past about the ideal time to earn your degree, and we discussed people under 30 and over 30. Today, we’re going to explore how getting your degree online, fits into your life, and keeps disruption to a minimum, if there’s any disruption at all.

You’re really busy

One of the really big things you notice when you’re in your fifties is that you’re really busy. You have more responsibilities, whether they’re work or volunteering, at home or in the office, you just have less time. As your career progresses, you find that you don’t quite get to leave at 5, often have to be in before 9, and your week is starting on Sunday afternoon. If you’re involved in community work, those meetings and events start to eat up more and more time too. Your family may be grown, but it may still be growing – with grandchildren being a very welcomed feature.

You’re fully budgeted

Another discovery is that your lifestyle has grown into your budget. By this point in your life, you have a pretty stable income and you have designed your lifestyle to fit. You know by now how much you spend on groceries, services and vacations. There’s room for flexibility, but by and large, you have accounted for what comes in.

You don’t want the upheaval

Whereas younger people may see disruptions as an opportunity to change direction, change location or change jobs, older people are more embedded. You’ve got your house, and you like where you live, work is stable and you’re surrounded by your social life and needs. If something comes along that needs to be addressed, the likelihood of upheaval as a solution is probably not on the radar anymore.

But you need your degree

There’s a number of reasons that over 50s find that a degree would help. There is a perception and often a reality that more senior career roles require a college degree. There’s a point in your life when your extensive, on-the-job experience, is no longer keeping you ahead of younger colleagues with higher education. But whether or not you want to go down the degree route, where’s the time and money to do it? Uprooting the comfort, regularity, and safety of your daily life to go back to college, just isn’t an option. If you can’t change your life to fit into a degree program, what’s to do?

Get a degree that fits into your life

As you may have seen in other articles, online and remote learning has changed the face of degree courses. The need to go onto campus for 3 to 4 years is a thing of the past. Programs like Total Testing Education help you complete your degree at home, at your own pace.

You’re Highly Motivated…

You know what a degree means to you, what you want, and what you need. You understand how a degree will broaden your knowledge and open up new opportunities. You have purpose and motivation that other students can only dream about, which will drive you through your degree program.

You want to get it done and move on

You are just visiting the education world for a brief visit, to earn your degree and get back to your real life. You are not in it for the social experience, you want to get in and out as quickly as possible. With programs like Total Testing Education in as little as 10 months, you can complete up to 75 percent of your degree requirements, online.

You’ve got a lot done already

You may think that degree plans are all about learning new stuff, but your previous education and professional experience can count towards your degree, so you’re already on your way. Total Testing Education offers you the opportunity to get started on your bachelor’s degree by completing accelerated NCCRS-credit recommended self study courses. You can earn up to 90 credits through Daemen University-approved, individualized transfer equivalency tests and self-study courses.

And you’ve got Total Testing Education with you all the way

As a working adult, you can work during the day and study at home in the evenings, keeping your college costs low and avoiding slipping into debt. Our professional counselors are there for you to help you understand what you’ve got, what you need, and the best way to get it. If circumstances change, we can help you update your plan and schedule, and you’ll keep studying without missing a beat.

You’re almost there

And when you’ve got those first 90 credits, you can transfer to a partner university and complete your final 30 credits, and earn that degree. You can almost taste it! And we almost forgot to mention that the cost of a degree is a fraction, yes a fraction, of the cost of a traditional degree. Get in touch with us at Total Testing Education , one of our counselors is only a phone call away, they can tell you how you can get started on your degree and how little it costs.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s experimental Household Pulse Survey reports that by October 2022, over 11% of households with school-age children are doing some form of homeschooling. That’s double the number compared to the prior school year.

There are many reasons that parents choose homeschooling, which usually revolves around either the education itself, the educational environment, or the student themselves. By customizing their child’s schooling experience outside of the classroom, parents are successfully turning out highly academic, socially adept, and independent learners. Students that study online during high school develop behaviors, needs, and expectations that may not be met as part of the traditional college experience. While these terms are often used as a veiled (and quite undeserved) accusation of socially challenged kids, this is not so here. The behaviors, needs, and expectations that we’ll look at are overwhelmingly positive, and simply cannot be nurtured by the traditional college education system.

They’re used to a ‘Customized Curriculum’

Just like tailored clothing, homeschoolers get a singularly designed, individually delivered education. So if your son doesn’t like geography – it’s off the curriculum, your daughter is a budding scientist – chemistry, physics, biology – the more the better! The result is an achievement that cannot be reproduced in a classroom setting where one size fits all (even with small alterations) is the best that can be delivered to 20, 50, or even 100 students at once. A student reared on flexibility, choice, and specialization is simply not served in the mass education model. This isn’t about spoiling your teen, it’s about continuing to give them access to education that fits like a glove. Total Testing Education has programs that deliver flexibility and choice – one student at a time – building on student success, rather than trying to patch up a system that wasn’t designed for them.

They’ve developed their own ‘Study Style’

One criticism of homeschoolers is that they lack proper research skills, and can’t identify credible sources and content. In-person college degrees come with a centuries-old model of exposing students to education and developing research, a description ratified by the fact that the higher up the academic echelons you progress, the more research is expected. Two ways to address this problem are to either shoe-horn your child into a new learning style and environment, in the hope they’ll make it; or, choose a degree learning methodology that works with, and enhances the favored styles and skills honed in the home. Programs like those from Total Testing Education work to continue your child’s winning style, not change it. Homeschoolers have consistently been assessed to have superior self-study habits and self-motivation, and to adjust to different teaching styles, add the higher scores on tests such as SATs, and you get a picture of success that needs support, not adjustment. Remote online degrees are a great alternative to traditional college, and you can channel all the energy developing a star pupil, into a program that works with them.

They ‘Favor Flexibility’

Mass education requires a small number of faculty to educate a large number of students. This requires a certain level of ‘group-think’ and ‘group-do.’ For a student who has grown to love learning in one of its most open and fluid forms, to be told when to learn, how to learn, where to learn, how long to learn, and with whom to learn can come as quite a shock. Remote college education like Total Testing Education supports the flexibility of when what and why which is precisely what will bring out the best in homeschoolers. And for those that may need extra time to succeed, or for others who may want to accelerate their degree, flexibility is designed into the program, not just ‘accommodated’ or ‘figured out later.’

They’ll love ‘Total Testing’

We did it! We got through a whole discussion of degrees, college education, and homeschoolers without discussing socialization! That’s because socialization isn’t the issue – it’s all about learning. Traditional college learning may be popular, but it comes at a cost. It actually comes at two costs – first, it’s really expensive, and second, to someone schooled individually to their strengths, college may appear inflexible, rigid and ill-fitting. Take a look at the other, more adaptable and less expensive choice from Total Testing Education.

Don’t go into your next interview unprepared. With all of the resources available to help with interview readiness, it’s a foolish mistake to walk into an interview blindly so we’ve pulled together four tips to help you prepare.

Reduce the Risk

Why do companies invest so much time interviewing candidates? Most people would say ‘it’s to get the best-qualified applicant for the job.’ The answer may seem so obvious that there’s nothing to say, but it isn’t. Next time you are in the office, ask managers you know if they hired the best-qualified candidate for the job. You’ll be surprised how many didn’t. There’s a subtext going on during interviews around corporate culture and fit.

It’s very expensive to hire a new employee, not just the search and interview process, but the onboarding, first few months of underperformance, training, etc. Hiring a new employee is very risky. Have a look at what monster.com has to say. The risk is that the new hire won’t last and they’ll have to go through the process all over again – either because they don’t like you – or you don’t like them.

Take the opportunity during the interview to empathize with the interviewer. Show your ‘us’ side, your ‘team’ side, your personal integrity, and how you are adaptable and empathetic. Come prepared with examples of how you have defused situations, solved interpersonal differences and played for the team. Look back over your Total Testing Education online degree experience, how you have worked with your tutors and study partners to fix hiccups along the way, and how you recovered and continued to grow your relationships. You don’t have to tell them about when you caused a problem and fixed it, they just want to know that interpersonal skills are in your tool kit. If an interviewer feels that you’re a ‘low-risk candidate’ and ‘good enough,’ you may be surprised at what jobs you can land.

Answer Questions Positively

Jeff Herzog, president at FPC National, an executive search and recruiting agency says in this interview.

“Make sure your answers position you as a ‘make it happen’ person, not a ‘let it happen’ person,”

That means you should answer as one who is in control of your career, not someone who blames situations and people for making things happen to you. As a graduate of a self-paced, remote program like Total Testing Education, you’ll have no problem finding examples of how you have actively managed your time, curriculum, and progress, rather than just attending a program run by a faculty.

In response to questions like ‘why are you looking to leave your current job’ Jeff favors…

“I am not in a rush to leave my current company. I’ve accomplished a lot here, but I am keeping an eye open for roles that will afford me the opportunity to diversify my experience and make a real impact.”

over…

“There is no room for growth at my current company and my boss doesn’t allow me to learn new things.”

Have a look at the interview for more advice on answering questions.

Experience, Research, and Plan

Your interviewer wants to see, and you want to demonstrate, that you are the type of person who utilizes all resources at your disposal, can join the dots, and has a plan. During your interview, when you are answering questions, you should be showing your interviewer what you know, what you have found out about their company, and how you can connect what they have asked, with what you know.

Let’s take an example. If the question is ‘why do you want to work in our training division?’ you could say (1) something about your relevant experience like – ‘I have a been developing classroom training at Jones Corp for 3 years, and…(2) now add something you learned about their company – ‘I see that you are specializing in electronic training delivery,’ and… (3) now show them your plan and how you’ll both benefit – ‘I think that by bringing my classroom experience to Jones Corp and mixing it with your electronic delivery methods, that I can add value very quickly, while learning new skills. Again, show them your relevant experience, show them your research, show them your plan, and how you’ll both win.

How to Answer ‘The Salary Question’

If you are an amazing salary negotiator, please don’t read the rest of this section, you can do your magic and squeeze out every last drop. But, if you are like most people who dread the salary question, this is for you.

The salary question is the one that everyone hates. It’s unfair that when you are in a negotiation, the other side asks for your current salary and what you want. That’s affectively your low and high negotiating positions.

Here’s some advice from Matty Rubenstein at Narrativation…

When you’re asked the salary question – don’t panic. Remember that just because you are asked a question, doesn’t mean you have to answer it – especially when it’s unfair. Take a deep breath and smile a knowing smile, the smile that says ‘not only was I expecting the question, but I have a fabulous answer.’

Then take another breath, and take control of the conversation saying (learn this word for word)….’I really don’t like to talk about money, it’s a difficult subject that makes people uncomfortable, me especially. When it comes to money, the only thing worse than feeling underpaid is feeling that you are paying too much. What’s important to me is that whatever is on the table, makes sense for both of us. I really hope that’s how things will pan out, and if not we’ll understand that we’re not on the same page, and still be friends.’

After this, if they are pushy, just smile and say ‘what makes sense for both of us – I’m a win-win kinda person.

Not so long ago, stay-at-home moms had to make a tough decision, give up their dream of a college education in return for their dream family lifestyle. Today that’s all changed for mom, she no longer needs to sacrifice her education, she can have both. Now that remote learning is on the table, we’ll look at some of the reasons why mom may want to reconsider getting her degree, and what online programs may offer in support of both her family and educational dreams.

3 Eye Opening Statistics

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that total employment is projected to grow by 11.9 million jobs in the 10 years from 2020 to 2030. Of those almost 12 million jobs, a staggering 74% of those will require a degree level education, that’s almost 9 million jobs. Since COVID, remote jobs have risen in popularity, and opportunities for stay at home moms continue to increase.
Forbes reports that according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, adults with a bachelor’s degree earn about $2.8 million during their careers, which is about $1.2 million more than those with a high school diploma.
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research has reported that out of the 3.8 million college student-parents, there are approximately 2.7 million mothers.

There’s never been a better reason for mom to get her degree

Mom used to have to choose between her dream of being a homemaker and her dream of a degree. But everything’s changed – not only does she have stay-at-home degree options, but there are also almost a million jobs a year being added every year, and to top it all she can earn over double by getting a degree. Today’s mom has only one choice, how is she going to manage her new opportunity?

What does mom need?

Family Support

The number one thing that mom needs is flexibility. Unlike other students who set their day around their academic schedule, mom has chosen to make her day around her family. It doesn’t mean that she’s going to do it alone; dad is going to have to pitch in, and maybe grandma and grandpa may have to look after the kids sometime. With her troops in place, mom can take on anything!

Flexibility

Anyone with a family knows that plans are wishful thinking at best. Kids aren’t machines and life just never seems to happen between 7 and 10 am and 5 to 8 pm. Mom needs to have the flexibility to reprioritize her day, and follow through on her family and study commitments. That may mean taking a class late at night, turning in a paper a week later than expected, or reducing her degree commitment by a couple of hours a week for a month or two – whatever it takes. She needs flexibility – lots and lots of flexibility.

Convenience

Mom doesn’t have time to get in the car and drive to class… and drive back, day after day. Mom needs to be able to be in her studies whenever she gets a little time.

A financial break

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, most students raising children live in or near poverty. Mom needs to get her degree without an $80,000 price tag.

Guidance and a helping hand

Mom’s taken on so much, and most of us would cave under the pressure of the family alone, but she’s got a degree to study for too. And when things don’t go according to the plan, she needs someone to turn to, to help her adjust her degree plan.

Study Buddies

Mom loves family, mom loves people, whether she’s studying or nurturing, she’s a social type. She needs to be able to interact and meet with her fellow students, even though she’s at home. The COVID pandemic has shown us that relationships can move online and grow quite healthily, and mom expects that she’ll find her fellow students online.

The stars align for mom

Today, mom can choose to complete her college degree through remote online programs like Total Testing Education . With her family’s support behind her, a Total Testing Education advisor can provide mom with the guidance and support to plan and get her degree, at her own pace, in her on time. And when circumstances change, they’ll be there to do it all over again. And with the Total Testing Education pathways, mom has the flexibility to plan as much or as little as she can fit into her day, and to work on her degree, when the house is quiet or at least quieter. With remote learning and online networking, mom can check-in and check out when it’s convenient, that’s convenient for her! And as if this isn’t enough, degrees from Total Testing Education college partners come with a price tag that is a fraction of that $80,000 for a college degree. It’s all looking so good for mom, it’s time that mom got in touch with a Total Testing Education advisor, and make a big choice.

Your social media behavior may seriously affect your college plans. Michael Harwin, P.C. of Tucson AZ warns you…

Even in a public university where the First Amendment gives student speech, especially political speech, tremendous protection, courts have upheld a university’s right to discipline students when their social media posts violate university policies.

Facebook, Tik-Tok and Instagram are not private

Your new reality is that if you post content that may conflict with the views of your college, they may be able to rescind scholarships, kick you off the team and even withdraw admission offers. You don’t have to look far, to find stories of students who have used offensive, insensitive, and threatening language on social media and paid harsh consequences. It may surprise you that it may not only be negative social media that is upsetting colleges, it may also be the monetizing content by amateur sports people. You need to know the rules and policies of your chosen college and make sure that you aren’t at odds with your dream school.

It’s all over the news

It seems like every week there’s another story of how another social media user has fallen foul of school expectations and standards.

Yahoo Sports reported that a lacrosse player lost her place on the team, her scholarship and her place at Marquette University after her post commenting on George Floyd’s death drew outrage.
CBS Sports reported that a UC Florida football player lost his place on the team, which means he also lost his scholarship due to his YouTube channel. He had over 90,000 subscribers, had over 5 million views, and was paid for his athletics videos. BUT he’s not allowed to earn money as a college athlete.
According to The Cornell Daily Sun, a student was recorded using a racial slur in a Snapchat video. Even though he issued an apology, he still lost his spot on the football team and later turned down his place at Cornell. The newspaper later reported that he would no longer be attending Cornell, though the exact reason remains unclear.
And it’s not just sports, a Central Lake College student was expelled from the school’s nursing program for postings that the school deemed “unbecoming of the profession and (a) transgression of professional boundaries.”

And, don’t think that the courts are going to help you…

Michael Harwin commented that in the case of the dismissed nursing student mentioned above, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals held that the student’s First Amendment rights had not been violated and that the school had a legitimate educational purpose in teaching nursing students how to adhere to a code of ethics. So think very carefully about what you are prepared to stake in your free speech gamble.

Learn from their mistakes…not yours

And while you may be thinking that you’ve never posted anything like what you’ve read here, remember that they’re even looking in your photos. A high school prom photo of a straight-A student posing with guns lost her high school graduation, scholarship, and place at college. She thought she was posting a “normal” picture… but the college thought otherwise.

Recruiting Solutions says it very well:

It’s important you are educated on the impact social media can have on your future. The use of profanity, images of you with alcohol, bullying, and wearing skimpy clothing are all examples of how it may cost you a scholarship. It’s not just the scholarship you should be concerned with either. College admissions offices and employers are also going to be using social media to better understand what kind of candidate you are.

So take the opportunity for social networking to clean out, as it’s better you put out your trash before someone else finds it. And from now on, think before you go posting for all the world to see. You just never know who…

For some, the thought of going back to study for a degree after time out to raise a family, work, or some other reason, can be quite daunting. You may be asking yourself Will I be able to study again? Take a breath and remember that you have many skills that you have developed throughout your life, which you can adapt to studying, and you’re smart enough to learn a few more!

Will I be able to study again?

This is a very common concern, so let’s take a look at it. What will you do when you go back and study for your degree?

Lectures, lessons, and workshops
Complete assignments
Research
Take exams

Each of these has a core set of skills, which you probably already have, and if you don’t, you can learn.

Attending lectures

Whether you are on-campus in a lecture hall, on zoom, or learning asynchronously, attending lectures requires listening skills, note-taking skills, and understanding skills. If you need to brush up on any of these, there are countless resources on the internet, and your academic adviser is there to help you too. Remember, your lecturers are there to answer questions during and after their presentations – if you don’t understand – ask them to explain again. There may also be study and review groups in which you can ask your peers for help – and you’ll be able to quickly see that you’re not alone, everyone needs help sometimes.

Completing assignments

Think back through your life and you’ll find plenty of things that you’ve done that are far more difficult than an assignment or paper. Remember those big and overwhelming problems and challenges you’ve dealt with? You broke them down into manageable chunks, and you chipped away at them until they were done. Maybe you’ll book in and get some advice from your academic adviser, or perhaps a colleague or friend that’s been through a degree, about how to plan, divide up and complete your work. You’ve asked for advice about home and work, now you’ll ask for advice about school. Also, there are courses and resources within your program, and if not then on the internet, to help improve your skills.

Researching

When you think about academia, you think about research. It would be surprising to find a degree that doesn’t have a research component. Researching is a skill that is learned, not one you are born with. If you’ve ever looked for a solution to a problem online, then you’ve done the research. If you’ve searched for the best price on a new flat-screen TV, then you’ve done the research. So your next research might be about sociology or politics, but the basics are the same. Again, for learning to tweak the skills you already have, you can ask your academic advisor, friends that have been through a degree, and your fellow students.

Taking Exams

If you haven’t taken an exam for a while, the thought of remembering all your coursework and answering so many questions can appear an enormous task. There are many ways to approach coursework review. A favorite is looking back at old exam papers. Old papers can give you four great insights: First you can see what subject matter is being tested; next, you can see what types of questions are being asked; thirdly, you can see what question types and topics come up more frequently; and finally, from your work on questions, you can build up a set of short study notes that you will read and read and read as part of your pre-exam study routine. Another favorite is to turn your study notes into structured lists. First, you’ll break your notes into major sections. Each section may then contain a number of sub-sections, and each of these sub-sections may contain a number of facts. Organizing the subject matter into this structure will enable you to create a set of highly structured short notes that you can review over and over again. You may remember the sections using pneumonics or other memory aid so that you can recall important parts of your subject.

Just like remote working during COVID uncovered a whole slew of challenges for workers outside of an office environment, so to online students like you have a unique set of challenges when it comes to managing your time. Here are some tips to study like a pro.

Don’t be overwhelmed – manage your degree like a project manager

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face during your online degree is the feeling of being overwhelmed by how much you have to do. The good news is that there are ways to cope with large tasks, and learning them now will get you through, and even give you great tools to bring with you into your later career. Using techniques borrowed from the project management world, you can approach your degree like a project manager works any project. Do you think that building a space shuttle or even a Tesla is simple? It’s all the same – follow this tried and true process.

Break it into chunks

First, break up your tasks into a number of manageable chunks. You may have a number of larger tasks that you can break down into smaller ones. Put all these sub-tasks into a list, call it a to-do list. Make the chunks realistic sizes so that you can get them done in an amount of time that you can work. Try chunking to 30 minutes blocks, then you can schedule more than one chunk at a time into your schedule. If you get the chunking wrong, you can always go back and re-chunk.

Total Testing Education is your partner when it comes to time management. Courses are delivered one at a time so you don’t need to focus on a full semester. Every month, simply work your degree into your schedule in bite-size pieces, that are easy to swallow.

Prioritize

You may find that there are tasks and sub-tasks that you need to get done sooner because of deadlines, or also because you can’t start a later task until an earlier one is completed. Give these a high priority. Stuff that you can leave until later gets a low priority. Remember, that you will be adding new stuff to your to-do list often, and taking it off as you complete things. Likewise, you are going to need to reprioritize often. Keep moving the tasks that you need to get done now, to the high priorities and lowering the ones that are not needed yet.

Put it in the calendar

Here’s the best piece of advice you are going to ever get for managing your time. Most people have to-do lists and priorities – it’s not a new idea, BUT, you need to take the next week or two of tasks and actually assign them a time slot on your calendar. No – you can’t work from a to-do list. You need to nail down a time to do the piece of work and schedule it in amongst all the other stuff you have going on. If you don’t, you’ll keep finding excuses – and you’ll get nothing done.

Stick with the schedule

Block out distractions, maybe listen to some light music on headphones, turn off the phone, and go for it. Yes – there will be times when the schedule slips and something comes up, you can adjust your calendar and go deal with life’s interruptions. Yes – you are going to have to miss social events and stay home to study. And guess what? You are going to need to learn to say no. No – I can’t go out! No – I can’t watch TV! No – I can’t talk now! Find the best and most pleasant way to excuse yourself and stick with your plan.

You don’t have to do it alone

Some people prefer to study at their own speed and in their own way. If you are someone who finds learning alone difficult, try and study with a study-buddy. Maybe it’s someone from your course, or maybe there are study groups as part of your online degree program. Check out what’s available and study the right way for you.

Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate!

It is really important to take time to celebrate. Set a goal and when you reach it – celebrate! In the early days of your course it may be for sticking with a day or a week of your schedule – treat yourself to a coffee or an ice cream. Or take an hour and go for a walk in the sun. It may not be a huge celebration – but you need to take time to feel good about yourself and celebrate your successes. Set minor and major goals and reward yourself accordingly. Who knows? When you get your degree, you can even promise yourself two scoops and hot fudge sauce!

In part 1 of this series, we looked at Why you should get your degree while you are still under 30. If you read the article, and you’re over 30, you might think that its going to be a really tough road to a degree – but not so fast. You may no longer have the time and opportunities that you had in your late teens and twenties, but you have a whole bag full of tools that you have collected that you didn’t have back then. Equipped with your tools, getting a degree in your 30s, maybe a lot more straightforward than you thought.

You’re Highly Motivated…

…You know why you’re taking your degree

The number one tool that you have is your motivation. According to surveys, An estimated 20-50% of students enter college undecided, while an estimated 75% report having changed their major at least once. That means that only 25% of degree students have an idea of what they want to do with their degree. Remember that they know what they want to do, but they still haven’t worked. You not only know what degree you want and need, but also what your degree will add to your current knowledge. You have purpose and motivation that a younger student could only dream of, that will drive you through your degree program.

…You know what you want from your degree

Snagajob.com brings Top 10 reasons to go back to college which can be summarized as either making your current job better or desire to change jobs. When you have research and assignments to do during your degree, you already have history, context, and knowledge from your work. You will be applying learning to your degree to get the exact result that you want, younger students have nothing like this.

…You want to get it done and move on

You are dropping back into the education world for a brief visit, to collect your degree and get back to the real world. Younger students are living in education land and still have to get their degrees and get a job before they can cross the border. This simple fact will drive you through your degree plan with a passion and a purpose. For you, the future is known, unlike your younger colleagues.

It’s not all academic…

…You have real-world experience

With your working experience, you will be able to learn new degree materials through a real-world lens. As a younger student, you not only have to learn how what you are learning may be applied in work, but you also have to learn about work. The value of in-context learning according to The Campus:

“Learning in context can help students appreciate the relevance of disciplinary knowledge and skills, increasing their motivation and engagement.”

Your real-world experience is that very context, and will vastly increase the value of your takeaway from your degree.

…You have real-world contacts

You are not only coming into your degree with a head full of knowledge, but you are also coming with an iPhone full of contacts. Rather than only having an academic experience within the books, papers, and other resources supplied by your college, you also have real people who use this learning daily in their jobs. Remember? They’re the ones who do the job that you are hoping to have one day. Use these people to give you an even better context, a better quality of learning, and another trove of experiences, their experiences to bring to the table. While you are earning your degree, you’ll also be earning their respect, that’s a currency like no other in the working world.

You’ve got a lot done already…

You may think that degree plans are all about learning new stuff and getting credit for it. Gaining a degree may be new to you, but your previous education and professional experience can count towards your degree. You’re already on your way. Total Testing offers you the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree through a combination of self-paced online courses and online college credits. You can earn up to 90 credits through college-approved degree requirements, individualized transfer equivalency tests and self-study courses.

Your employer may help pay for your degree…

We know that no one likes talking about money, us included. A degree, especially an accredited degree doesn’t come cheap. Remember that you are a known quantity in your company and working world. Check with your HR folks and see if there are any programs to help you pay for college, you might be surprised. Also, check with the college or institution about discounts and grants. Check the professional association that represents you, they also may have programs. And even if none of that is available, remember that with your new degree, you will now be a degree graduate with years of working experience, that’s got to earn you something.

You’ve got Total Testing Education on your side…

Total Testing Education has programs that help you complete your degree remotely at your own pace. As a working adult, you can work during the day and study at home in the evenings, keeping your college costs low and avoiding slipping into debt. In as little as 10 months, you can earn up to 75 percent of your degree online. As a Total Testing Education member, you get free online self-study materials and access to our student support counselors. And when you’ve completed 75% of your courses, you can transfer to a partner college to complete remaining credits, and earn that degree.

When we’re young, it’s a time to push boundaries, try new things, generally kick the tires of life in our quest for adulthood. When we finish high school, we’re presented with a choice – study now and work later or work now and study later. The decision we make isn’t simple and can be influenced by personal and economic factors. In this 2 part series we’ll start by looking at Why should you get your degree while you are still under 30, and in part 2 we’ll explore Why it’s still a good time to get a degree when you are over 30.

There are a whole bunch of reasons to consider, and we’ll look at a few now.

Completing a degree takes longer as you get older

Statistics show that the older you are, it takes longer to finish a degree. So pushing off that degree for a few years, can actually have a big impact on how long it takes to complete. When asked how long does it take students at colleges and universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees? the National Center for Education Statistics says:

“Forty-four percent of 2015–16 first-time bachelor’s degree recipients completed their degree 48 months or less after first enrolling in postsecondary education. One-half of those age 23 years or younger graduated in 45 months or less, compared with 162 months or less for those age 30 years or older.”

That means that it could take you four times longer to get your degree if you leave it ’til later. But it’s not all bad news, remember that programs like the Total Testing Education online pathways make it easier to finish your degree even more quickly than that.

You have more available time

An interesting statistic from US Bureau of Labor Statistics – people aged between 15 and 19, when compared with those aged between 25 and 34 spend about the same amount of time each day doing the same things like sleeping, eating, housework, and leisure activities every day. The big difference is that 15-19-year-olds spend about an hour working and 4 hours studying each day, whereas 25-34-year-olds spend an average of 1 hour studying and 5 hours working. So, if you plan on getting a degree in your 30s, you may have an hour or two left to yourself. If you can get your degree before your personal and financial responsibilities increase, you can maximize the amount of time that you can pursue your degree.

You’re doing what your friends are doing

Clickworker.com describes the power of the crowd as…

“…the crowd’s ability to exert influence. This phenomenon can be observed in many sectors, such as social sciences, politics and economics. In practice it describes how interests can be enforced, problems solved and changes implemented with the help of many individuals.”

Don’t underestimate the power of the crowd. If your friends are out having fun, you know it’s hard to stay home. Conversely, if your friends are all in degree mode, then it’s far easier to go with the flow and get to class, turn in those assignments and study for tests.

Your time is managed for you

It’s good to be the boss. isn’t it? You get to decide everything, no one tells you what to do, right? Is that why Elon Musk sleeps in the Tesla factory? It seems that the best bosses are self-disciplined and work long hours. If that’s not you, it may feel restricting to be given a schedule and to lose the flexibility to do what you like and when, but planning and actually performing all the parts of your study program is a job in itself. As we said, younger adults have more available time, so inserting a structured university program into that space can mean the difference between success and failure.

You can give-it-all-up, and go get a degree

The average teenager can sleep on any sofa, but as we get older, life becomes more routine. We go to work, drop the kids to school, go get groceries, go to the gym, and meet friends on a Thursday. Making changes is difficult, you have little enough time as it is, how can you fit in a degree plan? For a younger adult, there’s less in place, and it may be an opportunity to go do something new, so it’s less disruptive for those under 30 to give it all up and go get a degree.

It’s not all work and no play

And don’t forget, at this stage of life’s great adventure, now you’re looking to meet new people, do new things, open new vistas and generally work out what you really want to be when you grow up. That’s a whole ‘nother side of getting a degree that’s better when you’re young.

As you decide on your path of study, it is important to consider your future prospects. Many degrees, namely professional degrees, are tailored to specific professional careers such as a: doctor, lawyer, engineer, and others. What makes a degree in Liberal Studies so unique is the wide academic range and broad skill development. This means that a person who follows this degree path is not necessarily limited to a specific profession.

In fact, those who study liberal arts and get a Liberal Studies degree are much better prepared to adapt to changing business realities and move between careers. With this in mind, we researched some career paths that would be good for a degree in Liberal Studies.

Editor

As one of the most common careers in writing and communications, good editors are heavily sought after and can be used throughout a variety of industries. Generally, editors plan, coordinate, and revise material for publication in books, newspapers, journals, and websites. Editors need to have incredible analytical skills and be able to understand their readers and what will most likely engage them, beyond superb attention to detail and grammar. Similar to the Total Testing Education pathway which offers self-paced, flexible learning, editors can likewise be very independent, expected to work with minimal supervision and make decisions on their own. Freelance editors can even set their own hours and choose their own projects.

Pre-School Manager

We’ve heard time and time again: the youth are our future. If you have an interest in helping develop the next generation, then a liberal studies degree could set you on that path. Not only do you develop a wide range of skills that can be useful when communicating with young children (and their parents), but with specializations like those in the Total Testing Education degree path, you can become an expert in specific fields like early-childhood education. These specializations will allow you to concentrate your liberal studies degree a bit more and funnel your learning into managing early-childhood education institutions.

Publicist

Like editors, publicists or public relations specialists are experts in finding media opportunities and working to write stories and get them published. In the media sphere, publicists are tasked with getting journalists to write about their clients. This type of job requires excellent writing and verbal communication skills, often highly developed through a liberal studies education. Moreover, with a broad knowledge base that a liberal studies degree affords, publicists are better positioned to be up-to-date with current events, and they will be able to better serve their clients in the long run.

Entry-level Management Personnel

For those who love leading and being in control in business settings, a liberal studies major can push you to the top. Managing people is no easy job and can take years of experience to become truly great at it. That being said, being a great manager often requires understanding a lot about a lot of things. Beyond being able to think critically and assess situations analytically, managers have to be great communicators. A good manager understands those they are managing. Liberal studies expose students to multiple perspectives on the world, setting students up to have the right foundation from which to begin a career in management.

In short, if you are considering a liberal studies degree then know this – your job opportunities are plentiful!

Considering a liberal studies path?

The Total Testing Education’s pathway to a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies may just be the right option for you. Our pathway offers an affordable option for completing coursework that, if admitted to Daemen University, is accepted as transfer credit towards an accredited Liberal Studies degree. However, perhaps you aren’t entirely sold on a liberal arts education. You may have heard from some friends that it will be hard to get a job with such a degree, you will end up earning less, or you may simply not gain any real value from the program.

We wanted to provide you with facts that dispel these rumors and will help you in deciding whether a liberal studies degree is right for you.

Outearn Your Counterparts in the Long Run

Professional degrees have this tendency to be seen as a ‘preferred degree’ by potential students and employers because of their specific career paths. These degrees are often for specialized jobs or carry with them advanced educational models that lead to a person becoming an expert in their field and, in turn, earning a high salary. When going for the job, too, often the degree simply markets the candidate for themselves. On the contrary, liberal studies candidates must be able to sell their skills since a liberal studies degree does not focus on one specific path and, instead, hones a number of different skillsets. Still, in a study by, Best Colleges, liberal studies students are shown to earn slightly lower salaries than professional majors in the years immediately after graduation, but, by their peak earning ages, tend to outearn their counterparts with professional degrees. Why? Read the other two reasons to find out.

Transferable Skills

As mentioned above, a liberal studies education is broad-based covering topics in language, history, social sciences, and humanities. This varied knowledge prepares students to deal with complexity, diversity, and change which are all present in the actual business world. Moreover, a liberal studies degree can provide you with strong intellectual and practical skills in: communication, analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking. A study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) found that 93 percent of employers agree that candidates’ demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than their undergraduate major. Four out of five employers also agreed that all students should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences. Having the skills to adapt, in the end, is more important for employers than your degree title.

A Wide Range of Careers

A broad base of knowledge and experience means that job options for a liberal studies major are far from limited. Instead of having to focus on only medical careers or law careers, to name a few, you can literally go for any job. Might it require some additional classes or training? Potentially. But, that should not dissuade you from looking into jobs for which a degree in liberal studies will prepare you. Some job paths that liberal studies majors follow include: Elementary and Middle School Teachers, Education Administrators, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Accountants and Auditors, Executive Assistants, and Marketing and Sales Managers.

Do not be fooled by preconceived notions regarding liberal studies – find what degree makes sense for you and your goals!

The world of education is in the midst of a giant shift. While COVID-19 helped to accelerate the process, for the last two decades there has been a rise in online education and virtual degree programs. Now with remote learning gaining even more traction amongst those in higher education, it is important for potential learners to evaluate the appropriateness of an online degree program for themselves and their objectives. Learning online can bring along tremendous benefits. It is a useful avenue for advancing your education and your career while doing so on your own time and often at a fraction of the price of traditional learning institutions. So how can you know if an online degree program is right for you?

Flexible Schedule
Flexibility in an online degree program is almost a given since most understand that often the main priority for those taking the online route is being able to work around their schedules. Still, the flexibility of each program varies. A program like our Liberal Studies degree pathway with Daemen University, allows you to earn 75% of your degree entirely at your own pace, allowing you to set your own due dates. Once a student is accepted to Daemen University’s degree program, students will continue to take courses online, but courses will be offered and assignments will be due according to a schedule established by Daemen University.

However, some students require a bit more stringency when it comes to their scheduling for them to truly gain value. They need the pressure of being in a class, even if virtual, or sticking to strict deadlines. That’s why some programs actually make it mandatory to be in zoom lectures or to follow certain due dates. Failure to do so can lead to restarting the class or simply being kicked out. It is important that you understand what works for your schedule and learning style when deciding on an online program.

Accredited Programs
Not all online programs are equal. Beyond the actual courses offered, many use a variety of teachers and qualifying techniques that can affect the level of the programs. Taking online courses through accredited institutions can ensure a quality education and can be a boost to your career. An accredited institution is one that is officially authorized or approved. As in other countries, accreditation in the U.S. is a stamp that a college or university meets basic standards and can be translated in professional circles to a ‘proper’ degree. For example, our partner Daemen University is an accredited institution. While it may seem trivial now, having the backing of a formal institution, even if the courses were taken online, carries a lot of weight when it comes to future employment.

New Knowledge
Starting any course or degree program online should begin with the right reason. Otherwise, there is no real reason to start an online degree program that will make you devote time and energy to it. Understanding what you hope to gain is key to picking the right degree program for you. Perhaps you just need some additional professional training and only need to take a few courses. Or, it could be that you need a degree if you are hoping to move to another job. Regardless, being able to clearly point to what knowledge and result you want from your online program will help you pick the right one for you.

As part of your degree search, we highly advise you to go through this thought process as you look for what may be right for your needs. In doing so, you’ll be more prepared to start a program and more likely to finish it.

Can I earn my degree after 50? Yes!