Update... Advice... Not so nice

So, for an update... Classes have been pretty sucky. I'm on my own *shrugs* like I've been in the past. I hate when people offer to help and then when you tell them when and where they just forget. Besides that things are fine with school. As for relationship... GUYS NEVER EVER EVER get with someone you aren't attracted to from the start it's a recipe for disaster. NEVER EVER EVER promise to marry someone and then tell people you two aren't even dating. LOL By the time you really6 want to she will be so disgusted and probably6 look at you as weak. NEVER be with someone when you feel like you're doing everything ALONE why do that??? It's stupid.... So that's kind of what I'm going through but I did meet someone pretty cool and with all the lacking things it just really feels good to be desired by someone. Anywho I'll add the series I wrote about doing on online colleges really soon.
*shrugs* I hate being an adult and I just really can't wait for something positive to transpire because I hate stagnation. Giving everything until my Birthday if things aren't better I gotta make some things happen because I'm not down for wasting years of my life sleeping all day and surfing the net. For some people it's cool for me it's pointless... Is that what married people do??? Let me know married people...

Are online classes real?

In one word yes! Online classes are real BUT...

Many online colleges ARE NOT real. Some in my opinion and the opinion of REAL accreditation groups are degree mills (give you a piece of paper that won't transfer or get you a job BUT they get all your money). I'm not making any alligations BUT I do personally know people who have attended

Westwood College
Everest University
Ashworth College
ITT Tech
and yes even the beloved University of Pheonix

Just to be left in debt holding the realization that National Accreditation ISN'T good as it sounds. REGIONAL accreditation TRUMPS all that. I think I'll start a short series on this covering...

Why take online classes?
How to find real online colleges?
Advantages and Disadvantages of online classes.
Signs of Non accredited online colleges.

From there you can make the call...

Personally I know my college is accredited for on campus and online classes. I've actually been to the campus and known many people to tranfer smoothly with their credits in hand. I'm not paying out of pocket nor am I teaching myself because the professor is just passing everyone along. I hope this series will help someone.

Second Week of Classes

If you take any online classes it may be easy if you stay ahead. My Success course instructor is geared to not making us do anything that doesn't make sense. She posted the assignments for each module and one test per module. That's my style get me in and out. I'm already one week ahead. I'm not rushing myself but I know how easy it is to get sick or have to work or focus on another class and then fall behind. No one wants that. Once you fall behind it's hard to catch up.
As for Computer it's more stupid mumbo jumbo that doesn't matter like interactive games and practice tests and discussion boards about people who hate technology oh just give me the dang test will ya. I have nothing against hard work but only when it really matters. I have to push through this course if I want to get my degree and keep my financial aid so let's be determined.

Tranferring College Credits

This is only the second week and it's been somewhat hectic.
Trying to get the SO in back in college has been kind of tough. His financial aid went through but then decided he wanted to change his major. Some administrators said he needed to take a placement test which I already knew since it's been about 20 yrs since he's been in college, other administrators said he didn't actually three but those we're sadly in a low income area and he had to wait a really long time there. It's sad but they only had one Student Advisor and they were on a 1hr lunch break. We went to a campus in a better area (we live kinda far from both areas) the next day to know what I already knew which is he does need to take one after all.

We had to get his transcripts. So we did but we made the mistake of opening them. They aren't official if you open them so don't do that lol. We requested another and it came in. We took it to the college unopened but guess what? They won't evaluate it until the next semester. I think that's crazy but oh well. So now we have to pick his classes.

The best piece of info my mother has ever given me "Always get a second and third opinion" because some people sound so convincing and STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT. Sorry for yelling but sheesh. Anywho he starts soon. 
 

First Day of College

Classes started Monday for me.
I'm taking 3 classes,
A college success class
An English Class
and a Computer class
I'm aiming for a C or above in all of them.
I finished my homework for 1st & 2nd week for my success class.
One great thing about a syllabus (outline for the course) is you can always work ahead.
Or usually.
I read the whole chapter assigned and for me that's doing something.
For my Computer class I'm doing my work now yes i'm a late starter but I'll stay ahead from now on.
How's it going for you?

Fall 2011 Semester

It all begins... August 15th for me, maybe another date for you. I'm excited and so determined this time around. I'm not going to quit. Hopefully my internet connection will stay available and all wll be well. I'm not sure but my goal is to balance work, class, and of course some sort of social life which as an adult is hard to have. I'm probably going to share a little more personal experiences in the very near future. As far as family life. I've been going through different experiences but have to hang in there. This blog will help me remain determined. I'm so excited about all of this.
I wish you all the best this semester and hope we all remain focused.
Remember do this for you!

Financial Aid Appeal

If you didn't know... I'm telling you now. If you don't get good grades you won't keep getting financial aid. If you have a life hardship or withdraw for a reason you have to fill out an appeal form explaining why you weren't able to meet the college's satisfactory level. If they accept your appeal you have to do better that semester or go to a different school and start all over which is NOT what you want to do because it's precious time down the drain.
If you need help there's tutoring on campus and many times online. Also don't be afraid to ask your kids if they've done it before. You two can help each other.
Prioritize your time, have a set study area and work hard but make time for relaxation.

Good Luck!

School Shopping at Goodwill

One word... Goodwill

My guy went by and found this lovely messenger bag (like the one below but looks better to me, I'll post a pic later). Although I'm 25 I love pink! I can't say I still love it because as a kid / teen I loved red and I was a tomboy so... You get the picture, right? Anyhow, it's made by Jansport. Even when I was in school I never had a Jansport backpack, they were way too expensive and I always thought about finances. This one was about 4 bucks. To me it looks brand spanking new. No tears, no scent, and totally cute. So for yourself and if you have children getting ready for college they may be "too cool" to go there but we adults know saving money is WAY more important than being cool.

I may go back and find some warm up pants and night time t shirts. They also have great deals on workout equipment that WORKS! So if ya want drop by your local goodwill for school clothes and supplies.

School Gear (Books)

So... I know it's still summer but I'm about to post a few textbook listings which made me think of a few tips. Don't go right to the bookstore unless you're using financial aid for books too.
Check Ebay and / or ecampus
You check these sites by typing in the title or isbn.
If you don't know what books you need your schools online bookstore can tell you
Or you can look at your syllabus
Check with people who have taken the class before

Find the format you want... With the way things are today technology is right there.
EBook
Regular Books
Books on cd / tape (great for visually impaired and those who hate reading)

If you do hit the bookstore choose used and save some money.

Take care of your books because the college bookstore will buy them back
I suggest selling them on ebay you get more money but end up saving someone else money
For example
You can pay 120 for a book from the bookstore. They may buy it back for 35... If you sale it on ebay you could get 85 and save someone else from paying the 120 you paid, get it?

So that's it as far as books go

PS: Try to have all books the week before classes begin.

It's Always Something

I was so happy to have my Fafsa stuff situated but the past couple days have been frustrating.
My dog barked at me like he didn't like me and finally decided to warm up today and take a
nap with me. I was working on a video that wouldn't render properly and it frustrated me so
much. I just wanted to make it and turn it in, done deal but no. My workout regimen is so off
right now and I still haven't been to the beach yet.

Note to self: In the midst of a bad day there's still plenty to be thankful and grateful for.
My puppy is healthy, I have what I need to make the videos. I have what I need to workout, I have enough vision to see and appreciate pictures of the beach and it's possible to get there in an 1 hour.

I can't stand when people say it could always be worse... So I say to myself and everyone
else. Look how good it really is. I know the situation you're in may really be hectic, saddening,
stressful, scary, or any other negative adjective you can whip up. Say how much it sucks and add
up what makes it suck. When you add it up it won't seem so bad.

A guy once asked me if I had ever had a child who had been killed. No I haven't and my heart goes
out to all those who have. I told him that and asked if he'd ever asked a 30 year old barren woman with a husband who left her and a family who shunned her because of it the same question. He seemed quite perplexed.
My reasoning was. Yes, loosing a child is a terrible experience but at least they were able to have one.
They were able to experience at least the joy of being a mother for one moment. The joy some will never have. He understood and so do I. I can only imagine how hard someone else's life is and they can only imagine or have a glimpse through what I share but in the end we all have our own private
struggles and pains. If we truly look at the pain I believe it's possible to find peace in the midst of it.

How I feel personally about Financial Aid

I really appreciate having financial aid. For many people with the recession and the amounts of marriages splitting up in enables many people to have a second chance. I worried so much about not being able to attend classes and have better for my family. It's a weight off my shoulders. I really want to stay focused and stick with it and as an adult I spend a considerable amount of time worrying about finances. Not because I'm deep in debt thank goodness I'm not but just the day to day choices. New tires or mortgage, new outfit for interview or food, they're all needs and things that help but I have to make responsible decisions and prioritize. I'm still doing scholarships and working on things to secure my college education at least financially. I'm also getting tools together to make sure I stay on task and don't slack off. Sometimes I get nervous and overwhelmed but I don't want to do that this time around because it won't help me progress.
What do you do to stay focused in your education or career?

Financial Aid Awards

Financial Aid Packages are arriving!! What is Financial Aid? In one word... Money! Sometimes it's money you can keep GRANT / SCHOLARSHIP and sometimes its money you can't LOANS (thumbs down, I'll explain in another entry) anywho.

How you apply for financial aid, you do this by filling out the FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid (click start here) on the website and put in your information to create your account. If it says something about your browser download Firefox 3.6, I had to this to access the site. Then select your academic year for example I selected 2011/2012 application because I need financial aid for Fall 2011 & Spring 2012. You'll need to fill out this form every year you plan to attend college. It looks like a long irritating process but it really isn't. If you don't feel comfortable doing it on your own you can contact the school's financial aid office & they'll be more than happy to help you or go to your local library maybe call first and one of the nice quiet people there would help. Also, if you have college aged children they can help too it they've been through it before. The process is probably fresh in their minds and they'll most likely feel really confident being able to help you. I do my best to keep my mom on track with hers although we're far away a reminder never hurts.

What you'll need before you begin the Fafsa, regardless of how you go about completing it you will need your completed tax info, Social Security Number (don't worry it's a government site as long as you have virus protection your private info should be fine), and if you aren't working or didn't have to file it's even easier. If someone claims you as a dependent you'll need them to put in their info. The great thing about the fafsa is the "save" option. You don't have to finish the whole thing in one sitting. With our busy lives we never know what will come up.

Completing the Fafsa in a timely manner is one key to the amount of financial aid you'll receive. My birthday being at the begining of the year helps me to remember when to complete mine. You can find out when your fafsa deadline is by calling the school or looking on the fafsa website. I'd just say to be safe have it done by Feb or June depending on your semester. The other reason time is key is first it has to be processed, then you may have corrections (you want to add a school or realize you marked your residency incorrectly), those corrections have to be processed, and you may get selected for Verification.

Verification think of it as the equivalent of being picked at the airport and they say "you've been selected" as if it's a good thing, so it's basically a double check if you will. You'll have to fill out 1-3 forms and maybe send a copy of your tax info. Now before mailing it if you have a printer that can fax (I use an Epson Artisan 800 like the one to the left, good price and cheap ink)  or a library near by it will obviously be a more expedient which means a faster response. This year I was selected for verification. I mailed the forms (snail mail) back in May and just finally received my award letter. This may be something you never deal with and if so that's a great thing. I just don't want you to feel just because you've been selected that you won't get your financial aid.

Accepting and Declining Aid is your next step. You will either receive a letter in the mail or an email to your regular email address or Webadvisor Email (section on your school's website that keeps all your info and helps you register for classes and so much more)  If within a week before classes you don't hear or receive anything contact your school's financial aid office give them your social or student id if necessary. Sometimes you get a little lost in the system but they find you when you call.

I hope this has been somewhat informative and helpful. If not, throw tomatoes at me and I'll plant them. You all enjoy the remainder of your summer and happy belated 4th of July.

At A Crossroads

Welcome to my blog! I created this blog to document my journey back to college at 25. I was at a crossroads all this year about just giving up or really digging in. I chose to dig in and dig deep as Shaun T would say. I've decided to try one more time and really stick to college this time.
I want to be able to give others the motivation I never had and hopefully we all can share this journey together. My entries will cover the daily life of a college student but with all the responsibilities and frustrations of a typical adult. I'll discuss budgeting while in college, scholarships, coping with classmates (the range of maturity levels), real online colleges ( no degree mills), fashion (dressing studious and sassy when you're over 21), finance, family, and of course education.

 If you haven't already read how I ended up starting, college at 25 feel free to click the link above about my History.  I use to want to major in Psychology and become a Clinical Psychologist but after more consideration as an adult I've decided on Business Administration, especially considering the recession and information gathered from yahoo, usatoday, and google searches about stable career areas without the 6+ years I'd have for Psychology. When you have a family things change ya know? I'll either concentrate on Human Resources or Economics. I know it won't be easy, I'm sure it may be fun. It's promised it will be hard but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the long run. 

If you're a student regardless of your age questions and requests are always welcome.
Also this book to the left is a good tool, no I'm in no way calling anyone an idiot lol but if you're an adult going back to college it gives some useful pointers. I'm all about things being reasonably priced and informative. I'm able to review it if anyone would like that.