It Costs More Than Just Money To Finish Your Degree
A lot is said about the cost of college. Report after report we hear about skyrocketing costs.
You hear less about the cost on your schedule & your life. College is serious undertaking & the demands it places on your time are significant. This is just magnified when you are working full time & / or have a family.
One of the first things I hear when I bring this up is “exactly how much time?” This is tough question because there are so many things that go into it:
***How challenging is the course?
Let’s face it. Some courses are easy some are hard. Most students agree that intro to business is much easier than quantum physics. As such it takes them much less time.
***How strong is your background in this subject?
I find math to be easy while other people find it to be challenging. Because it’s easy for me it will take me less time.
***How good are your study skills?
When I graduated from high school my study skills stunk. Ok I’ll be honest I had no study skills After over a decade in the military my study skills had improved. Poor study skills will increase the study time required.
***Are you able to study in dedicated sessions or is it spread out?
It’s easier for your mind to absorb information if itn’t always shifting gears. It’s takes at least 20 minutes for your mind to get into something new. If you are always having to shift your mind away from studying it will take you much longer.
***What are the professor’s requirements?
Some instructors really only care that you do well on his exams. Others seem to feel it their duty to fill your schedule with busy work.
When it all said & done I’ve come up with some good rules of thumb. These were developed from personal experience working with other students & talking to guidance councilors. What I have found is that it typically takes between three & four hour a week per credit hour.
Example:
Mike has a full time job & has a young family. He is taking two classes this semester one is 3 CR & the other is 4 CR. The 3 CR class is basic class & shouldn’t be too time consuming. The 4 CR class is an advanced electronics course with a lab. This class will take him much longer.
***3 CR class 3 credits X 3 hours per week = 9 hours per week
***4 CR class 4 credits X 4 hours per week = 16 hours per week
This puts Mike at 25 hours a week. While this is challenging schedule it something he can handle. He will have to work with his family but it will still leave him enough time to fulfill all his obligations.
Brandt Smith is the co-founder of Education 2.0 & has over a decade of experience in showing people how to flexible ways to earn their college degree. Education 2.0 understands that college for working adults creates unique challenges. Go to Education 2.0 to learn more.
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