Education Articles from College Matching Service

Having a four-year college degree might seem expensive, but the pay off is priceless. The long-term benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree generally outweigh any temporary financial setbacks.

If you worry about paying for your degree, you’re not alone!  Colleges and universities offer dozens of ways to slash college costs, from student loans to scholarships to work-study programs. So stop worrying!

In addition to a higher income, a bachelor’s degree can offer you a lot of other perks, like exposure to new cultures by meeting international students, signing up for overseas programs, and reading books from across the globe. This way, students can enhance their appreciation for today’s multicultural society.

According to the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), research proves there is a strong link between higher education and greater personal health  and job mobility. With advanced levels of knowledge, the prestige of a college degree and relevant internship experience, a college graduate usually has more career options than an employee who does not have a college degree.

Imagine having all the benefits of a bachelor’s degree at a touch of a mouse. Having an online Masters degree will certainly let you achieve the above mentioned benefits and so much more simply because of the ease and comfort that comes with earning a bachelors degree.

Another benefit is one becomes well versed when it comes to the functions of a computer system and we all know that in today’s world, one must at least be comfortable when using the computer. These are just a few of the benefits of earning an online bachelors and masters degree.

About Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a premier technical university offering a broad range of degrees in fields such as computer science, business, information technology, health services, and management.

For convenience, Colorado Technical University offers campuses located throughout the Midwest in the United States and a popular online college that offers a plethora of online degrees for students who are interested in distance learning.

Accreditation

Colorado Technical University or CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This independent corporation was founded in 1895 and is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Is CTU Right For You?

Colorado Technical University structures its programs and degrees around the idea that their students will be going from graduation directly into the industry. They provide valuable mentoring to students graduating from their university to help them achieve success through networking and job placement.

A few facts about CTU:

• Outcome-focused Degree Programs
  The programs and degrees are a direct reflection of the need for career-motivated professionals
• Education From Almost Anywhere
  Campus locations and a robust online campus that offers access to mentors, chat with instructors, join clubs, apply for financial aid, and network with other class members.
• Enhance Your Resume With Academic Certificates
• Commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces
  CTU is a DANTES-affiliated university and member of the Servicemembers Opportunity College.

Paying For Your Education

Finding ways to pay for your education can sometimes determine which college you attend. Colorado Technical University takes financial aid very seriously. They offer a financial advisor dedicated solely to helping their current and prospective students develop an education plan that fits into their budget.

By developing a financial plan from the start of your education to the finish, the financial projections will let you know exactly what you can expect to pay for your education. It will also solve the problem of how you are going to pay for your education by exploring options such as scholarships, federal student loans, private student loans, government assistence, grants, federal grants, and many other opportunities for students to get money for their education.

Most importantly, their financial advisor will help you secure monies for your education.

In a traditional classroom, you meet your fellow students and faculty and create a real community; even it’s only for the length of the class. You notice when your classmates look upset or even who is there and who is absent. That’s part of the community; it makes you feel connected, and it is one of the more enjoyable aspects of college life. But can you get that feeling as an online student? The answer is yes and here’s how!

Share a little personal information. It can be about your family (Are you married? Do you have children? Any pets?) and your life (Think favorite hobbies, professional interests, top five movies, etc.) in either your bio page or the introduction post. If you are able to post a photo, do so. (Hint: Most course management systems reside behind a firewall so only your classmates, your professor and some of the administrators have access to this information and they are required by law to not share personal information, so it’s a safe environment.)

Remember that your other classmates are in the same situation. You are not the only one who feels some sense of isolation. Just like in a classroom, some people are shy and some are outgoing. It just takes one person to do a little reaching out to create a community and you can be that person. (Hint: Even if you are a little shy, you don’t have to speak to get a community started online.)

Find a buddy. In the beginning of the online class, find someone you’d like to get to know better and start up an email conversation with them. It’s good to have a buddy in the class and it will help reduce your isolation. Keep your initial e-mail short and let the receiver know in the Subject line that you are from the same class. (Hint: If one person does not respond, find another person to e-mail.

Know the chat room signs and symbols. Some online schools, to facilitate a civil conversation, give certain signs and symbols special meanings. For example an ellipses (…) sometimes is put at the end of a sentence to mean there is more to come. Find out what the recommended signs and symbols are before the chat starts. You can learn the basic signs at Netlingo.com, Thinkquest.org, and Safesurfingkids.com. (Hint: If you don’t know the signs and symbols and you type in the middle of someone else’s thoughts, you will be seen as rude!)

Be patient. Some people are very slow typists and others have dial up issues. Sometimes it takes a long time for a thought to get out, so be patient. Let your professor be the gatekeeper for the discussion. (Hint: If the chat is going really slowly, review your topic notes or have baroque music playing in the background to keep your mind active and focused.)

Read what your professor has to say. In the beginning of each chat, most professors will go over the rules; let you know the order of the chat, the time limit for the chat, what’s acceptable in the chat, etc. Pay attention to these comments. The chat room is a time where the professor sees you interact with others in real time. You want to make a good impression. One of the elements of grading a chat room is almost always about following directions. (Hint: A professor may not state the element of following directions, but it will affect the subjective part of your grade.)

Some people think that studying at home is easy, but when it comes down to actually studying, they find that their workspace for online classes is just so uncomfortable. Below are some solutions:

Make it comfortable. Consider your working style: do you want to feel energized and upbeat when you are studying or would you prefer a feeling of tranquility and reflection? If you want a feeling of stimulation or activity, paint the walls with warm yellows or chose red drapes for your window dressing. If you want serenity and calm: soothing, cool blue tones or deep, rich greens. If you want classic simplicity in your workspace, stick to taupe, grays and even chocolate browns. Do you like to stretch out while you take notes? Add some throw pillows or a beanbag. Don’t be afraid to add some personality, but make sure that everything will help you stay productive. Too many pillows and you may find yourself curled up next to your laptop, asleep!

Choose appropriate furnishings and equipment. To optimize your space, list all the items that must go into your home office. By doing this, you can plan the best layout for your room. Depending on the size of the space, you may need to take some measurements to ensure that everything will fit and that you won’t feel crowded or uncomfortable. Think about what you may need:

• A desk and chair
• Desktop or laptop computer with an Internet connection.
• Printer, scanner, and/or fax
• Shelves for your books, binders, print-outs, and reference materials
• Filing cabinet(s)
• Floor lamps or desk lamps
• A bulletin/memo board to keep track of notes and other bits of information

Caution! Don’t place your computer in an area that receives direct sunlight or gets too warm. Electronics are temperature sensitive, so make sure the room receives adequate air circulation and that the sun can’t damage your equipment.

If you are looking for online degree, the internet the right place to look. You can select from the wide range of courses available online. The internet can provide links to some of the best online universities as well as campus colleges.

You can earn while you learn. You can continue with your full time or part time job while doing your online college course. Online degrees are becoming more popular for the person who wants to study and look after the family at the same time.

Other reason why people are more interested in getting online degree is because it comes to you at a very low price as compared to the money spend in campus colleges.

In online universities, you can study according to your own time; there is no fix schedule as you have in campus colleges. So it becomes very easy to adjust time according to your job, business or family.

You have wide range of learning methods available. If you like reading you have access to vast study material online or if you like hearing then audio lectures are available online. There are online instructors present to answer any of your queries.

You can earn your degree in your desired subject from the comfort of your home. You can learn while being with your family and at your own time.

Internet gets updated regularly, so you get the latest study material online. You don’t have to buy new books or articles to get the latest information.

Just like a job interview, applying for an online college can be nerve-wrecking. By meeting some basic application targets, you’ll position yourself as the ideal applicant in the eyes of many online colleges. But, don’t forget to check with your chosen college’s applications counselors. Knowing their specific requirements is the best way to ensure that acceptance letter makes it to your mail box. Here are some tips for preparation:

Extracurricular and professional activities. Online schools may not offer a vibrant campus life, but they do want students who will make a difference in their own communities. Volunteerism and leadership are particularly important. If you’re a mid-career professional, let the school know about your achievements related to your field of study. Whether you’ve spent your Saturdays at an animal shelter or run a successful internet venture, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.

Well-written essays. The application essay is your chance to let your personality show through. Online colleges are looking for articulate, thoughtful essays without grammatical mistakes. Let a professional proof-read your essay and offer suggestions. But, don’t let your voice get muted. Admissions officials want to “see” who you are by reading your essay – authenticity counts.

Stellar recommendations. Online colleges also want to know how other people see you. That’s why many programs require several letters of recommendations. When deciding on recommenders, choose people who know you well. Some colleges ask that recommendations remain confidential – if you’re not sure that person will give you an excellent recommendation, don’t ask.

Applying to an online college can be particularly nerve-wracking. It can be difficult to know what your chosen program expects, especially if you don’t know anyone who has “attended” the school.

Some online colleges have relaxed admissions guidelines (i.e. everyone who applies is accepted, assuming they have a high school diploma or its equivalency). Other online programs are very selective and only accept the best of the best.

Most virtual colleges fall somewhere in the middle. They’re looking for students who meet basic benchmarks such as a reasonably high GPA in previous coursework and well-written application essays. Being aware of these benchmarks ahead of time can help you prepare to apply.

A successful academic record. Online colleges want to know that accepted applicants will succeed in their classes, without any face-to-face encouragement. Applicants who have high grade point averages in previous high school and college-level work show the most promise. Many virtual schools set minimum GPAs for incoming students. If your GPA is particularly low due to unusual circumstances (your aunt died and you adopted her child, mid-semester) make note of it somewhere on your application. Lower GPAs are sometimes overlooked when the applicant demonstrates other strengths.

High test scores. Whether they require the SAT, ACT, GRE, or LSAT, your online program wants to test your current knowledge and your ability to learn. There are many test preparation programs and books available to help you study. If your first score is too low, you may be able to take the exams a second or third time.

Trade email address with your peers. Make the other online students your allies. They can help you study, answer your questions, and remind you of any upcoming deadlines. Best of all, they can act as a sort of support group. Online courses can be grueling, especially if you’re already involved in a career and family activities that make up a large part of your day. Sometimes it’s nice to just chat with someone who knows exactly what you’re going through.

Acquaint yourself with the class structure. Each online course has its own structure. Spend a few minutes exploring the course webpage before jumping into the lessons. Make sure you understand how you can access all of the necessary online class components (lessons, lectures, chat rooms, message boards, multimedia presentations, assignment submission forms, etc.) Take note of any optional components that can be used to help you with your coursework.

Record tests and assignments on your calendar. Don’t expect your online class professor to give you regular reminders. Many instructors only mention big assignments at the beginning of the online course. As soon as you receive a syllabus, record all of the assignments, tests, essays, and projects on your personal calendar.

Establish a regular study time. Figure out how much study time you will need each week and set a regular schedule. Let your friends and family members know that you’ll be unavailable during that time. If you establish this routine early on, you’ll be more likely to stick to it.

Get a head start on the assigned work. Jumpstart your online course by beginning upcoming assignments and papers during your first week as a student. When the assignment deadlines draw near, you’ll feel confident knowing much of the work is already completed.

The first week in an online class can be a little disorienting. New students must learn to navigate a virtual “classroom,” interact with their peers and professors without actually seeing them face-to-face, and balance their assignments with their everyday lives. These tips can help you succeed in your online class from the moment you begin:

Determine if you’re in over your head. Take a look at the course requirements and your personal schedule – then, decide if you can really handle the workload. Can you balance the course work with your family and career? Are the required assignments at your level? Are you really dedicated to finishing the online course? Too many distance learning students enroll in online courses and drop out after a month or so. Don’t blemish your record with an “F” or a “W.” If you decide to dropout before your online school’s withdrawal deadline, you can usually get a full or partial refund of your tuition, as well as a clean record.

Buy any required texts. If your online course requires textbooks or other materials, buy them early so you won’t fall behind on your assignments. Don’t feel that you have to pay full price at the online school’s bookstore. There are plenty of ways to get your required readings at a fraction of the price.

Update your computer. Check the course syllabus to see what software or hardware you will need. You may need to install programs (such as Acrobat Reader or Real Player) in order to access the multimedia components of your course. Using this week to make sure your computer can run the necessary programs will save you from being surprised when you’re under a deadline.

Introduce yourself to the teacher. If you’re in an online course with a lot of students, the teacher may never get to know you unless you take the initiative. Use your online course message board or email your teacher with a brief introduction. A teacher who knows a little bit about you will be more likely to help you through the course (and be a little more lenient when it comes time to dish out grades).

Participate. Sometimes it’s difficult to jump in and participate in online class discussions. But, don’t hesitate. Speaking up early will help you establish yourself as an active member of the course. You’ll start to make new friends and will end up with a better grasp of the material.