How To Work and Study While Pursuing Distance Learning Education
Feb 15, 2010 Business Loan
Consider the benefits of a distance learning education: keep working and getting paid, forget a fixed class attendance schedule, and have the flexibility of studying when it’s convenient for you. It is obvious that most students striving for an online degree seem to have the best of both worlds.
However, even learning online is not perfect and it comes with alot of challenges. It requires a lot of discipline to stay on task and keep personal priorities straight. As a learner, you must be intrinsically motivated to succeed. Without the in-class interaction between peers and the professor, it is more difficult to keep focused on the ultimate goal.
So, how can online students stay focused and overcome the challenges of learning from home? First, time management skills are essential. With only so many hours in the day, it is important to make time for work and family, and still have enough hours to adequately study the courses. Make a plan and stick to it. Let the family participate in your success. Let everyone know what your hours are dedicated to learning without interruption. Without a schedule, obtaining a distance learning education will be extremely difficult.
Staying motivated can be difficult for many who are earnestly striving for a distance learning education. Therefore, it is imperative to stay in contact with fellow students. With the availability of email, instant messages, class online message boards, and online chat, it is a great way to commiserate, encourage, and discuss assignments and projects. Staying in touch with other students taking the class helps in keeping each other active in class and accountable.
Also, do not forget to give yourself a pat on the back once in a while. Set up a calendar of specific goals. When the milestone is reached, reward yourself. Thus, it will be a source of encouragement and help in facing the inevitable hurdles presented by a distance learning education. In essence, it is nice to see and acknowledge personal progress.
Additionally, it is ever essential for a distance learning student to set up a quiet place for study away from home life distractions, such as the television, phone calls or other family members. Organize an off-limits study area or lock yourself in a quiet room to ensure optimum focus. Apart from that, a good chair, a strong table and adequate space are also essential elements in creating a conducive environment.
Although distance learning is a great and effective learning concept, much of its effectiveness is dependent on the habits and determination of the individual. The full advantages of distance learning can only be gained through hard work, discipline and determination for success.
A guide with resources on online distance education including further information on accredited online colleges that offer distance learning education degrees and programs.
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Can Your Time Be Spent More Productively By…?
Jul 16, 2009 Business Loan
Let’s face it, the internet is full of information designed to make our lives more livable or to help us to make more money. But the problem today is we don’t have the time or ability to print out and read all those great books like “Make Money Fast With Your 8 Track Stereo” or “Cutting Your Toenails For Fun And Profit”. Nope, I haven’t read those either and it is doubtful I will even if I can listen to them.
I can be more productive while driving around town or to work listening to motivational/educational information on the radio. I’ve managed to find some motivational products to download to my mp3 player and listen to them in the car as I run errands and such.
The problem is that I’m not learning much listening to mood music or motivational taped stuff. I would like to be able to listen to Yanik Silva or Tellman Knudsen tell how to increase my income by 50% in three weeks or something like that. Unfortunately the only type of “motivation” that has been available up until now is audio books recorded by someone who wrote the ebook. This isn’t what I want - I NEED to know how the gurus are making the big bucks, not some ebook put together by someone as filler for their mailing list.
Not that I have gobs of time on my hands but I am now investing the time to read aloud and record every guru’s book I have in my possession so I can listen to them in my car. I’ll build my audio library like one never heard while learning a lot of valuable information.
Not only will I be able to retain more of what I read - I’ve read that reading out loud helps retain more, I’ll also be able to pop one of those recordings in the mp3 player and take it with me wherever I go. I’ve only begun this project yet, with the goal of recording at least one ebook per week, I’m forcing myself to learn new material every week.
Tags: Advice, audios, Business Loan, business;finance, coaching, ebook audios, ebook recordings, ebooks, learning, plr, private label audios, private label recordings, reading, reading ebooks, recordings
Getting into Harvard: Doing Science Research at Your Local College
Jun 28, 2009 Uncategorized
We recently talked about the topic of taking college classes to help with college admissions. Today we will discuss another great opportunity that is available to you at your local university.
Please understand that I am not talking about your local community college. I am specifically talking about a fully accredited, four-year university.
I am particularly addressing students who are focused on science, math, and academics; however, all students should work towards being well-rounded to achieve success with college admissions.
The universities have lots of professors who do a variety of research projects with graduate students, undergraduates, and post-doctoral students. These professors are always looking for free labor!
Click here for more on high school summer clubs.
Contact the professors at your local university. It will be easier to do that if you are already enrolled in some classes there. However, it is also possible to simply e mail them. If your parents have contacts at the school, you can ask them to help you make connections.
You may be able to get high school credit in exchange for your work, but even if you just do it on a voluntary basis, it will be beneficial to you in a number of ways.
Doing this kind of voluntary project really enhances your college applications. If you produce a paper or a presentation, it is even better. You can enter this kind of project in a Science Fair. Naturally, it looks great on your Harvard application.
It impresses college admissions offices tremendously to see this kind of hard work and commitment documented on your application.
Additionally, doing this sort of project will help you to define your own interests. When you apply to an Ivy League school, this kind of accomplishment will really help you. Don’t hesitate. Get started making connections with some professors right away. Ask your parents and your teachers to help you make connections so you can get the most from this opportunity.
Click here for more on high school science research.
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How to Choose Your Major in Three Regret-Free Steps
Jun 28, 2009 Uncategorized
I usually focus on college admittance on this site; however, in the past I have occasionally introduced other college related topics. I got wonderful feedback from my post regarding how to choose your college, so I thought it might be a good idea to expand to even more college related topics.
One topic that is of great concern to many freshmen is choice of major. Choosing your major course of study is extremely crucial. Your choice has implications that carry into your whole life. This is sometimes difficult for high school students to grasp.
The wrong major can:
*The wrong major can severely limit your choice of career. For example, if you choose to major in English, then later decide you want a career in finance, your major will not be much help to you. *The wrong major can restrict your choices in coursework during your college career.
Most of all, IT CAN BE BORING! You may not like the classes, the professors, the studentsand then spend the next 10 years of your life regretting not choosing that really cool-sounding major back in freshman year.
In this article, I have listed some things you should keep in mind as you select your major.
It’s important to discuss these things with your parents too. Most of what they say has a lot of value, even if you don’t realize that yet
#1. When you are choosing your major, be sure to keep the type of work you will actually enjoy doing in mind.
If you have an interest in business, a social sciences major like economics might be a good choice for you. If you want to pursue engineering, you may want to choose a computer sciences major.
It should go without saying that you should choose your major form the courses of study within the discipline that interests you.
For example, an interest in writing and journalism would lead you to choose a major in one of the liberal arts.
Some of these are obvious. The point is to think beyond 4 college years to the rest of your life.
Keep in mind the things that bring you happiness in your life. Understand that your work should bring you a feeling of fulfillment. Remember to give the things you love doing proper consideration when you are choosing the way you will spend your life and earn your living.
click here for more on Stanford University admissions.
#2. Don’t give your personality short shrift.
A person who has an outgoing and sociable personality may be quite unhappy pursuing a degree in computer science.
A person who is very artistic and creative may enjoy creating his or her own major or taking an interdisciplinary major.
The point is to think about how you work best. If you like numbers, gravitate towards an analytical major. If you like writing, gravitate towards a humanities/social sciences major.
Train to your talents. Choose a major that supports what you do well. If you end up stuck with a major that you are not good at, it will only cause you unhappiness.
Finally, be sure to create a list of the goals you want to achieve while you are in college.
Map out your goals and create a set of objectives to achieve them. This will help you move surely through your college career. Goal setting will get you through from start to finish.
Be sure your goals are inclusive of your interests. If, for example, you want to study abroad, be sure to include that in your goals and in your choice of major. Don’t choose a major that will not facilitate this wish.
The main thing to remember is that, aside from your major, you will have other things to achieve in college. Again, define your goals. Then choose the major courses of study that will support your goals, give you room to work, time to achieve them, and the support you need.
Click here for more advice on choosing an Ivy League degree.
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Pick The Right College Today: Four Great Tips
Jun 25, 2009 Uncategorized
Hopeless to Harvard’s main focus is helping students get the information they need to be accepted to an Ivy League school. However, there are a number of broad issues around college acceptance that most high school students are interested in.
Of course, each Ivy League school is different. Yale and Brown are distinctively different schools. However, it is important to realize that, beyond Ivy League schools, there is a world of other colleges to choose from.
Here are four points to keep in mind when choosing just the right school:
1. Consider the size of the student body because this affects a lot of things, among them are faculty-student ratio and student culture. A large school is like a large city - there’s a lot to do, and it’s easy to get swept away. Conversely, a small school has all the advantages and disadvantages of a small town. It’s nice that everyone knows you, and you are in a safe atmosphere, but you may find your opportunities limited. Additionally, there is not usually a lot of diversity in a small school.
2. School prestige is an important factor. That is just a simple fact. If you have a diploma from a top school like Harvard, UPenn, or Stanford, you will have a better chance of getting a respected and well-paid position.
3. Location is important. Do you want to go to school in a big city, small town, or in the countryside? A big-city school like NYU or UCLA will be quite different from a low key, off-the-beaten-path school like Cornell or Williams. You will want to keep your personality and background in mind and choose a school where you will be most comfortable.
#4 Challenge! Your college years are a time of tremendous growth and self discovery. You must choose a school that will support you during this time. You need a school that challenges you, allows you to take risks, helps you to explore your full potential, offers divers experiences, and allows and encourages your journey to independence. So, even though you may have an excellent local college, and even though you might feel very comfortable and at-home there, you may want to consider going away for college to maximize the value of your college experience.
Take a number of field trips to the colleges you have in mind. This will be tremendously helpful when it comes time to make your final decision. If you are feeling pressured, a gap year between high school and college may help you put things in perspective.
Click here for more advice on how to pick a college.
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International Students: Get Into Harvard Against All Odds
Jun 24, 2009 Uncategorized
Filling out your international student application can be a hard job. Coming up with the tuition to attend an Ivy League school can also be very difficult. This is the reason most international students come from families that are well-to-do.
There’s more too it than money. Try not to become discouraged as you work toward your goal. If you want to apply to an Ivy League school, follow these four tips:
These tips will work for any student from any country.
1) Pay close attention to your standardized test scores. They are very important. The SAT is most important of all, but you will want to do as well as possible on the IELTS, TOEFL, and the SAT II.
Click here to learn more about taking a gap year off after graduation
2) Make your specialty stand out on your application. Be sure that your application conveys the fact that you have one really strong skill. Even though top colleges want to have a diverse student body, they don’t necessarily want each student to possess diverse skills. They are more interested in knowing that you can really excel at one thing.
Because it is difficult to compare your achievements in extracurricular activities with those of others, don’t stress them too strongly. Make mention of them, but stress your academic achievements.
Click here to learn more about how international students get into Harvard
3) Ask a friend or associate who is a native English speaker to proofread your essays for you. Just have them do a light edit to be sure your syntax, grammar and spelling are correct. You don’t need to turn in an application that looks as if it were written by a professional. This will give the impression that you didn’t write it. However, you do want it to be clear and easy to read.
4) Show your interest in the school by including contacts you have had with students and information about any friends or relative you may have who have graduated from the school. Of course, it would be unlikely for you to be able to make physical visits to the campus, but virtual visits online and through e friends are the next best thing.
Follow these four tips to create and submit an impressive international application, and you should do well. Best of luck to you!
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SAT Test Taking Tips: Get Into Harvard Now
Jun 20, 2009 Uncategorized
All high school students have to go through the SAT test. If you are hoping to go to Harvard, you will need to get a pretty high score.
This article shares two very important strategies about preparing for and taking the SAT.
First of all, you may be wondering exactly what score you need to get into a school like Stanford.
Another thing you are sure to be concerned about is how you can get ready to take the SAT. Of course, you don’t want to waste a lot of time and money on methods that may not work.
1. Clearly, you want to get a high score on your SAT, but how high should you shoot for?
My best advice to you is to score 2100 on your SAT. Shoot for 700 across the board if you want to be accepted to an Ivy League school. Your application will not be looked upon favorably with anything less than a 700 on any given section.
In my experience as an admissions officer, I can tell you that applicants with a score of 2100+ on the SAT are seldom rejected. This would only happen if there were some very negative academic aspects to the application - like very weak transcripts.
2. Keep track of your improvement. If you score badly the first time you take the test, take it again. Keep a record of your scores, and be sure to strive for improvement each time you retake the test.
Discover how to master the SAT and SAT II now!
3. Remember that the SAT is preferred over the ACT.
ACT is a better test than SAT in a lot of ways. It is an extremely challenging test. Be that as it may, when the admissions office is comparing two very similar candidates the test taken will make a difference. If one has taken SAT and the other has taken ACT, the student who has take the SAT will be preferred.
There are two things you should focus on in preparation. You must get an early start, and you must take as many sample tests as possible.
1. Get an early start. As previously mentioned, you should take the PSAT at least one time before you take the NMSQT. This gives you a chance to practice without risk. While you are still in 7th grade, take the SAT for the Duke TIP also.
2. Be careful of becoming involved in prep programs and SAT courses that make exaggerated claims. When I was in high school, I took the Kaplan course. I really only remember some very creative flashcards that helped improve my vocabulary by a little bit. My parents paid $1000 for that program. My advice to you is to sit in on a few sample courses before you make a commitment to any.
3. Haunt your local bookstore to get copies of all the tests. Take as many sample tests as you can. You can get them all, from Princeton review to Barron’s, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. Taking sample tests will make a big difference to your score. The more comfortable you are with answering the types of questions asked on the test, the better your score will be.
Click here to learn why high school extracurriculars matter in college admissions!
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Stand Above the Crowd in College Admissions
Jun 20, 2009 Uncategorized
What fascinates you? Are you driven to learn about the internet, technology or business? Do you want to be head-and-shoulders above the crowd in college admissions? Are you looking for fresh challenges and new opportunities?
Here’s a daring idea that is sure to help you on your path to Stanford. Make yourself available as an intern!
You may think this is difficult, but really it is quite simple. You will need to display some initiative, and it will take a bit of work, but you are sure to find it well worth it. Being an intern really stands out favorably on college applications. It helps you to advance your career and professional interests yet one more notch.
Here are a couple of ways you can achieve this:
First: Search Google for startups Email these startups and give them a description of your background and experience. Tell them that you are seeking a part-time or summer-time volunteer position.
Stick with local opportunities for two reasons. First, they will be the most convenient for you. Second, you are more likely to find work that really interests you.
Second: Browse through your favorite online services like Myspace, Imeem, and Facebook. Look for recruiters and human resource staff members. Get in touch with them and let them know that you are looking for a volunteer position. This is a good way to find what you are looking for.
Click here for more on Ivy League alumnus interviews.
Startups are always looking for good, free help. When you show that you are ready, willing, and able to be of service, it will look very good on your college application. So go ahead and take the initiative. Find yourself a good position to improve your knowledge, skills and abilities and enhance your image.
Your college application will be very strong when internships are listed on it. An internship shows that you have leadership abilities, initiative, and work experience. Besides that, you can use your internship experiences in your discussions during alumni interviews and on your college essays.
The best think about intern work is that it will get you a fabulous recommendation. Other college applicants will have recommendations from their high school teachers. You will have one from your CEO. This surely can’t hurt your chances of getting into Harvard.
Always brainstorm and use your most creative ideas. Fresh new ideas are the ones that get you where you want to go. If you have a great idea and want some feedback on it, run it by me at john AT hopelesstoharvard.com.
An applicant who has shown an ability to think creatively and take some risks has great chances of being accepted by an Ivy League school. You have no reason to wait! Look into internships today!
Click here for more on high school internships!
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Online Schools May Be Right For You
Jun 10, 2009 Uncategorized
Online education is the norm. As traditional institutions offer online classes to compete with online schools, more and more people are considering returning to school to complete their degrees or acquire the education to work in a different industry. Because the internet makes online education so accessible, online learning continues to grow the world over.
Individuals can find online degrees for just about every career imaginable. From more traditional degrees like psychology and English to more hands on types of training like secondary education, online programs are available and utilized by a significant number of students. Online education also provides flexible learning schedules that allow you to learn at your own pace.
Unlike many years ago, online education is no longer seen as something less than a full degree. In fact, many more individuals hold online degrees than once did. This is due to the fact that online degrees have been offered for some time now and can be found in many disciplines. Moreover, domestic as well as international student have benefited from getting their degree online.
Online degrees used to be far and few between. Over time online only institutions like the University of Phoenix and Strayer University have begun to attract more and more students who needed a flexible learning approach. With a broader set of offerings, more institutions providing online learning, and better internet connections, online learning is in full swing.
Online learning is a great option for anyone interested in learning while having full time commitments. In the past, online education was clunky and didn’t work for a number of reasons which included a small course offering and limited funding. Today, online schools are fully funded and provide a wide array of learning programs.
But the fact remains. You can complete your degree or acquire a college degree from the comfort of your own home. A new degree can make you more competitive in the existing workforce or help you transition into a new career. Online schools are very focused on training and job placement, improving your chances of success.
Did you know that online schools also provide financial options to help you pay your way? Similar to traditional colleges and universities, online schools have a number of options for making college affordable. In recent years, more options have been made available including Federal funding programs that provide a grace period and low interest rates. Speak to your admission and financial aid counselors to better understand your funding options.
Complete you online degree and acquire the skills you need to earn that promotion or go into a new line of work. Online education is well regarded and can truly improve your knowledge and skills in virtually any area. If you want to continue working and attend school part-time, online learning is the best option available. Give it significant consideration if you wish to grow and succeed.
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Future Harvard Admits: How To Take AP Tests
Jun 7, 2009 Uncategorized
All high school students are familiar with the dreaded Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Naturally international students (more information here) and IB students are not concerned with this, but generally speaking, AP testing is a concern for high school students.
Here are a few good things to know about AP testing:
1) Take lots of AP classes. The more the better. It looks good on your transcript, and it tells prospective colleges you have high academic ability.
2) Don’t put off taking your AP tests. Start as soon as possible. They are not really all that hard.
3) Don’t take too many AP tests. Take as many AP classes as you can, but just take enough tests to make a good showing. Remember that you don’t have to have perfect AP scores to be accepted at Harvard. With AP tests, as well as SAT and GPA, you just have to pass an average level.
4) Taking too many AP tests can mess up your average. It is better to take a few tests and really concentrate on making the best scores possible than take a lot of tests and do well on some and not so well on others. Some schools, like Yale, prefer to see a good showing on a few attempts rather than a scattered showing on multiple attempts.
5) If you have some AP tests planned, but haven’t taken them yet, be sure to note that on your Common Application. The fact that this information is beneficial to your application is a little known insider’s tip.
Click here to learn how to transfer into Harvard or Stanford
So keep these three points in mind about AP testing: Take plenty of AP classes. Don’t procrastinate on the testing. Shoot for quality rather than quantity. If you follow this advice, you should do well.
A high AP test score tells prospective colleges that you are up to muster. You can take on demanding, college-level work and deliver academic excellence. This is very important to Ivy League schools and really to most schools you would truly wish to attend.
Click here to learn more about Ivy League AP test taking tips!
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