I'll admit right now I'm going to need some major motivation come January. I'll also admit I was one of those kids that you hated in college, the ones that partied(a lot), never came to class, yet somehow always showed up to class randomly(albeit hungover) and get good grades on what I like to call pop-exams. It's going to take some major motivation come January as I already have an insanely busy schedule, but one of my major goals is to finish my MBA before I'm 30. Since I'm 27, I need to kind of get a move on as it were.
Getting my undergrad was no ride in the park either. I was a double major(Fashion Merchandising and Marketing) and double minor(French and Spanish). I'm not an overachiever, I promise. I was really into languages and geology in high school and took a fair amount of dual enrollment classes with the local community college so I had quite a few credits transfer as a freshman. (I guess that really didn't help my case).
I graduated in December of 2004, so exactly 6 years later(since I don't start untin January), I'll be starting my MBA. I'm pretty excited since quite a bit has changed even in the past few years as far as graduate degree programs. Now that online classes are pretty much the norm at most universities, I am able to do a fair amount of my coursework without actually having to sit in a classroom.
I always had a problem with focus in school(now doctors would shout ADHD and get me meds faster than I could explain) but I've managed to make it work to my advantage. I have 2 full time jobs and I have a flexible schedule with both so when I get bored with one, I just switch to the other for a bit and re-focus.
Anyway, now that I don't have to be physically present for hours on end, and with the technology now available, I can take classes online through several different schools depending on what works with my schedule. After looking initially, it appears I will be taking online classes from Virginia Commonwealth University(where my actual degree will come from), William and Mary, and Tulane. The program I've been accepted to is a fast track program, meaning that the classes are shorter and more intensive as well as allowing me to take online classes from other schools to work with my schedule.
I start classes in January so I need to get moving so I can pick my classes and getting everything ready.
Wish me luck!
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Comments: 40
Online classes work well for me just because I tend to jump from one thing to another yet somehow get everything done. I do understand very few people are like that though, hence the whole attending classes system in the first place.
Have you looked at taking any online classes recently? There are a bunch of free ones from MIT(including tons of non-science related classes) to continue learning for free.
Thanks for your response!
International Relations is one of the things I was really interested in while in high school. I finally decided that it wasn't the correct career path for me as I don't speak any of the languages my generation will need(ie Chinese, Japanese, Urdu). Most of the people I would be competing against would be not only fluent in those, but 3-4 more. Now I've just been taking a few classes in in for fun, nothing says I can't learn about it now that I have an actual job.
Good luck with your class search.
Thanks for responding.
(I have to admit I do not get the chance to use Norwegian much either. Maybe if I lived in Minnesota? My dad is actually in Norway now for a few days. I am so jealous.
If you would like, feel free to message me in Norwegian and I'll respond. It may take a while as Norwegian is not the language I switch to first. I am also fluent in Spanish and French and get to use those more.
I hope you are able to get to Norway soon!)
I'll also admit writing all that took way longer than it should have to consider myself "fluent"
(I have to admit it takes me quite a while to write it in Norwegian. Since it is not my first language I end up having to write it out in English and then translate it. I am trying to get to the point where I am fluent as I am with French and Spanish where it comes naturally but there are not a whole lot of people around who speak Norwegian.)
Wow. Spell check really hated that one. :)
Because of math, I stopped going. I focus on other things, however it has been on my mind to at least finish the web design cert, which I love learning that. I am studying for MCDST, not to take the test just for the knowlege.
Also, I think I want to take classes on what I want to learn about...art, design, even the merchandising or dietary. I was kinda learny of online classes....I thought that if I spent all this time on line classes an employer would not take that to seriously.
What are some of the online schools do you like?
If you are just taking them for fun(and not really worried about the credits transferring), pretty much any school is good(Although I stick to University of Pheonix, MIT, and regular universities that have online programs)
Since I'm taking them as part of an MBA progam, I'll explain that in detail. My degree will actually come from VCU(Virginia Commonwealth University), where I went for undergrad. VCU(after much wailing and gnashing of teeth) gave me a list of all of the schools from which they transfer credits. Some of these schools have online programs, some don't.
The classes that I've taken online with success are as follows:
MIT-They have FREE classes for pretty much everything under the sun. Just google MIT online classes. I love these as I actually got credit for them from VCU and they were free.
William and Mary-They have an online MBA program that works together with other Va schools like VCU. I'm pretty sure they have other online classes that you can take individually though. Awesome school and amazing student services if you ever have issues.
University of Phoenix and Strayer-I've heard a few people that don't like the way classes are set up, but I've always had great experiences with them. You can apply for scholarships and I like that the schools are big enough that they have actual buildings in most larger cities so if you actually need physical help you can get it.
Now that this is getting to novel level, I may as well keep going. I've never had an employer look down on my taking an online class as opposed to at a brick and mortar school, in fact quite the opposite. My employer pays for some of my classes for my MBA, so you may want to check into them paying. (Someone else paying is always better than it coming out of your wallet).
They also have scholarships available for people who are taking classes specifically online. I don't know much about these, I just know they're available. If a google search doesn't come up with anything, a call to the guidance counselor at your local university/community college might work.
Good luck!
Good Luck.....it is super that you will continue your education...nice.
Good luck getting into the nursing program. My cousin-in-law(is that even a term) is getting her RN degree and it's definitely a lot of work. I hope you get into the program soon!
I'm just glad that when I go back, I'll be able to set it around my schedule since I'll be taking classes at several different schools and I'm sure they'll have plenty of time slots available. I know I'm getting economics out of the way first, that's the only class I've signed up for so far. I hated it in undergrad and I'd like to get it out of the way. My boyfriend also minored in Econ. so maybe I can get some help this time around.
GO GET EM!!!!!!!
Education is power!
I'm excited to start classes(I will probably take that back come January) and get on with my degree!