TUI University Offers Nine Ways to Meet President Obama's Education Challenge
In a recent address to Congress, President Obama stated, "I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training." Tom Finaly of TUI University, a leading online university, offers the following tips to get started on going back to school.
Cypress, California (PRWEB) March 27, 2009
In a recent address to Congress, President Obama stated, "I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training." The President also made it clear that a high school diploma no longer provides citizens with the means to achieve the American Dream. Furthermore, the President acknowledged that the challenge of paying for higher education has caused many to postpone the college path, and has vowed to enact programs that would make it possible for every American to afford college.
Beyond the financial burden many Americans who would like to get a degree back to school struggle with balancing their jobs and family responsibilities as well. Tom Finaly of TUI University (www. tuiu. edu), a leading online university, offers the following tips to get started on going back to school:
Do your homework.
Spend time researching online universities and continuing education programs in your area before committing to an institution. There are numerous higher education institutions that offer affordable methods of obtaining an education and being economical about your tuition is essential.
Inquire about academic reimbursement.
In some instances, employers will have a reimbursement program for your degree or certain courses that are relevant to your line of work as a way to retain employees. Professional development is necessary in order to eliminate competition on your field, and some companies provide an incentive to continue your education with reimbursement support for their employees.
Apply credits you've earned previously, if applicable.
If you've received credit for classes you took in the past, check with your Admissions office to see whether or not the credits you've earned qualify at your new school.
Get credited for what you know.
The College-Level Examination Program ® (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to earn credit for knowledge you've acquired through on-the-job training or your own life experiences. Nearly 3,000 accredited colleges and universities accept credits earned through scores on CLEP exams.
Allow yourself to become acclimated to your workload.
Don't overwhelm yourself early on by signing up for all required classes. Enrolling in elective courses usually requires less commitment to time and study and will give a "first timer" a means of gauging how well they will perform in future classes.
Create a flexible schedule.
Sometimes the most difficult part of going back to school is finding the time to do so. Researching evening, weekend and summer classes in your area will help to make the process of continuing your education more feasible. If you are still unable to find time to fit in classes at a local college or university, consider getting your education online - making it even easier to create a schedule with some leeway.
Stay organized.
Create a routine to adjust your schedule to your new workload. The more prepared you are, the less frantic you'll feel juggling your family life and professional commitments with academic deadlines.
Time management.
When doing homework or studying, take frequent breaks to eat and stay hydrated. This will help process information faster and will save time in the long run. Spending long hours studying will often make you feel overwhelmed and unable to concentrate. By taking breaks, you are keeping your mind alert and focused.
Take care of yourself.
Above all, make sure you're focusing on your health and well being. Staying well rested and maintaining a healthy diet should be a priority. Allowing yourself to become run down will only hinder your busy schedule - know your limits.
About TUI
TUI University is an online university offering quality and affordable degree programs in bachelors, masters and doctoral studies. TUI is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). TUI serves a diverse population including military, working professionals and traditional students. For more information about TUI University, please visit www. tuiu. edu.
###
