When he graduated high school, Joshua started taking college classes at his local community college. After all, isn’t that what students are supposed to do after graduation? He did well on some of his introductory classes, but after a while, he started to get nervous. He was signed up for the most generic degree that he could find, and this bothered him. What was he going to do with his degree? What career did he want to pursue? Since he didn’t know the answer to these questions, he started to doubt the wisdom of spending all that money on something he might not use. Soon, he dropped out of college and got a job instead.

Now, a dozen years later, Joshua is in his thirties and considering whether a degree would help his career now. He has worked hard and made his own way, but advancement options are limited. What’s more, he recently got married and has a wife and future kids to think about. Should he get a degree now? Does he even have time to study with all the other commitments in his life?

Here at Pearson Accelerated Pathways, we talk to people like Joshua all the time. If you have a few college credits to your name, but you never finished your degree, you’re not alone. In fact, 37 million Americans have had the same experience. These days, 40% of college students drop out before college graduation!

If you dropped out of college and are starting to wonder if you should go back, we can help. We spoke with two of our Admissions Counselors (who talk with returning students all the time!) to compile this list of four questions you should ask yourself when considering your next move.

1. "Why did I drop out of college?"

Why do so many people decide not to finish college? Many college dropouts report common themes, with financial concerns making the top of the list. Other reasons include being unprepared for the academic challenges of higher education, being derailed by unexpected life events, worrying that they chose the wrong career or degree, not knowing what to study, or thinking that college isn’t worth it. 

In response to these roadblocks, many students end up entering the work force and carrying on with their lives, trying their best to compete in a society that still, for the most part, considers a college degree to be essential. Some of them succeed, using their skills and ingenuity to work their way up the career ladder rather than relying on a degree. Thriving without a college degree is certainly possible—and the right decision for some people.  

However, for many others, making a living without a degree is extremely difficult. According to Education Data, college dropouts typically make around $21,000 less each year than their peers who graduated. College often remains a far-off goal on the horizon for years. How do you decide if you should take the plunge and go back to finish your degree? 

2. "What are the benefits of going back to school?"

To decide if college is right for you, consider how going back to school might help you, your career, and your family. Here are just a few common reasons that adults choose to finish college: 

• They can't move forward in their career without a degree.

• They need to make more money to increase their standard of living. (According to Forbes, "Adults who complete a bachelors degree, on average, earn 57% more than those who are high school graduates.")

• They want to change careers, either for more profitability or more job satisfaction.

• They want a degree for added credibility.

• They want to set a good educational example for their children.

• They have raised their children, and now they want to focus on their own education.

If done for the right reasons, a college degree can be extremely profitable and personally rewarding. Would finishing your degree would benefit you? If so, how can you make it happen? 

Are you considering re-enrolling in college? Pearson Accelerated Pathways was created to provide flexible, affordable pathways towards a degree. Find out if Accelerated Pathways is the right way to get your degree today.

3. "What's standing in my way?"

If you’ve considered college, but you’re worried about how to fit a degree into your life, you aren’t alone. When I spoke with our Admissions Counselors, Madison Baldridge and Irene Carlson,  they mentioned that they talk to hundreds of students thinking about returning to college. They know a few things about the common fears that students have around going back to school. Prospective students often wonder: 

• "Can I afford college? I don't want to drop out again because of lack of funds."

• "Will I have the time to study? I already have a full schedule of responsibilities at work and home."

• "How will I be able to study and take care of my kids."

• "Will I have to start over?"

Have any of these thoughts crossed your mind? College is definitely hard work, so it’s good that you’ve been seriously considering how obstacles might impact your decision. However, in my conversation with Madison and Irene, they also shared how students are overcoming these fears and making college fit into their lives. Which brings me to the final question you should ask yourself... 

4. "How can I make college work for me?"

If you are determined to finish your degree, you have options. Many colleges offer online coursework, night classes, or local two-year degree programs to help students like you return to school.

But here at Accelerated Pathways, we think you deserve more. Our program offers: 

• Ultimate flexibility with self-paced courses. There are no weekly deadlines, and you can take just one course at a time.

• Pay as you go! No need to pay for a whole semester or year at once.

• A streamlined digital classroom that saves you money instead of making you pay for extras you don't need. (Credits through Accelerated Pathways are 36% cheaper than traditional college credits.)

• And best yet - you can save as many of your old college credits as possible and our team will help you find a place for them in your new degree plan. The work you put in before you dropped out doesn't have to go to waste!

Our courses are all online, so you can study on the go, at home, or wherever you like! Our degree plans are fully-accredited, and every course you take through us is guaranteed to transfer into the school you choose.

When talking with concerned students, Admissions Counselor Madison Baldridge asks them to be honest about how much work they can put in. Can you set aside an hour or two every night? Are your weekdays full, but you can study for hours on the weekends? Whatever your situation, Accelerated Pathways can create a flexible plan that works for you. If you’re nervous, just start with a few courses and see how it goes! Since you can pay as you go, you don’t have to make a huge financial commitment to get started, and you can pause your studies whenever you need a break.

You can make college work for you. Going back to school takes dedication and hard work, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. If you’d like to learn more about how Accelerated Pathways can help you pursue your degree, schedule some time to talk with our team. Madison, Irene, and the whole Admissions team would love to tell you more about how we can help your college dreams come true.  

High school graduation season is still a month or so away, but when it comes to researching college options for your child, it’s never too soon to start.

Going to college is a big decision that often necessitates taking out student loans. Regardless of whether you or your child will take responsibility for repaying that debt, you’ll want to keep that in mind. Why? Because graduating college with a student loan burden on par with the cost of a new Tesla can be a hard way for a grad to start their 20s.

In addition to planning for tuition, fees, and related expenses (e.g., textbooks)t, you'll need to be mindful of safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. You and your child will need to decide whether learning in an on-campus environment, as opposed to remotely, is the best fit for them.

What You Need to Know about Tuition

When it comes to preparing students for college, you should know that community college is a solid budget-conscious option. If your child knows they want to earn a degree but hasn’t yet decided what to major in, community college can be a great place for students to earn their general education credits.

General education includes courses in English, math, humanities (e.g., art, music, and ethics), and social sciences (e.g., including psychology and political science). All degree programs require a certain number of general education credits.

Caution: Before your student dives headfirst into community college coursework, you’ll want to research whether the credit hours they’ll earn are transferable. If they already have an idea of the school to which they hope to transfer to finish their degree, they’ll want to find out if that school will accept their gen-ed credit hours. If not, they’ll need to retake courses, which will end up costing more in the long run.

Other things to keep in mind:

• In-state public schools cost less than in-state private schools.

• Out-of-state public schools and private schools typically are the most expensive options.

• Students enrolled in online courses can save a significant amount of money on room and board, and they also avoid the cost of on-campus parking.

• Online, pay-as-you-go college courses can help you (and your child) avoid student loans.

Preparing Students for College During COVID-19

Another thing you and your college-age child will need to decide is how they want to learn amid the current pandemic. While some colleges are offering in-person courses, others are operating entirely online.

If your child is leaning toward campus living, keep in mind that college campuses can quickly turn into COVID-19 hotspots, as The Washington Post notes. For example, outbreaks have reportedly occurred on campuses in Georgia, North Dakota, Texas, and Washington. It’s also worth noting that while some schools’ dorms are open, others remain closed.

Attending class in person clearly involves some risk, but each student (and their family) needs to decide how much risk they’re comfortable with. Alternatively, if they’re leaning toward online learning but are concerned about their social life, they don’t need to fret. There are still ways to make friends as an online college student.

Helping Your Child Choose a Degree Program that Fits Their Career Goals

If your child already knows they want to be a biologist, mechanical engineer, or statistician, for example, choosing a major will be easy. But if they’re like the millions of students who don’t quite know which career they want to pursue, deciding what to major in can be a little tricky.

Some students choose a major because they fall in love with the subject matter after taking an introductory course. Others might research majors that tend to lead to the highest salaries, because they want to earn a degree that offers a strong return on their investment.

If your child has no idea what to study, the good news is that most schools don’t require students to declare a major right out of the gate. Encourage them to make the most out of their general education courses and to take some time to explore until they find what interests them.

Explore Affordable, Flexible Options for Earning a Degree Online

If you’re interested in learning more about nontraditional, online college experience options that will enable your child to earn an affordable degree on their own terms, Pearson Accelerated Pathways can help you and your future college student map out a plan. Not only do most Accelerated Pathways students graduate faster than those who choose in-person or other online learning options, but they can also log in to complete their coursework from anywhere they have a Wi-Fi connection. (Fact: There are worse ways to earn a degree than doing it while relaxing on a beach or traveling the world.)

Are you ready to learn more about how our advisors can help your child customize their college experience based on their goals, their preferred learning style, and the pace at which they want to learn? Discover how Accelerated Pathways can help them earn a flexible, pay-as-you-go, no-loans-required college degree.

Interested in more resources to help choose the right educational path for you or your child? Check out these posts:

14 Reasons not to Take Out Student Loans for College How to Find Online Classes while You are Social Distancing How to Transfer Community College Credits to University

Have you been wondering how this income tax season might impact you as an online student (or as the parent of an online student)? We get a lot of questions about taxes from our Accelerated Pathways students, so we reached out to our resident expert, Student Services Manager Olivia Byrd, to get answers.

(Of course, here at Accelerated Pathway, our expertise is education, not taxes, so please check with your personal tax expert for any tax advice or specific questions about your situation.)

Here are a few of your most frequently asked questions about paying taxes as an Accelerated Pathways student:

“Are my Pearson Accelerated Pathways tuition expenses or courses/book costs eligible for deduction?”

Some of your college expenses (such as ALEKS, CLEP, DSST, and certain other college courses) may be deductible, but Pearson Accelerated Pathways doesn’t impact your taxes the same way a college or university would. Since we're not a credit-granting institution as defined by the IRS, we aren’t eligible to issue you a 1098-T form for deductible education expenses.  Please check with your personal tax expert regarding the eligibility of any of your other education expenses.

“Does Pearson Accelerated Pathways send out 1098-T forms?”

No, sorry! Pearson Accelerated Pathways does not meet the IRS criteria to issue a 1098-T. This is because we work alongside colleges and universities rather than granting degrees ourselves.

“Can Pearson Accelerated Pathways be paid with 529 savings funds?”

Eligible expenses vary from plan to plan, so you should check with your fund's plan administrator about what educational expenses are deductible in your state. Let them know that Pearson Accelerated Pathways is not a Title IV institution. With this information, they can check Pearson Accelerated Pathways' eligibility and what plan category your expenses would fall under, if eligible.

“What documents can you provide me for tax purposes?” 

Please check with your personal tax expert regarding the eligibility of all your education expenses. If you need any documentation for tax purposes, we can provide invoices and a Proof of Enrollment. If you need it, our EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-1603684. 

“Are tuition benefits through my employer taxed?”

Federal income tax law allows for several tax benefits for education, including potential exclusions or deductions for tuition assistance. If you’re curious about how the current tuition benefits tax law might apply to you, you can read more on the IRS website. Please check with your personal tax expert regarding the eligibility of all your education expenses, credits, and deductions.

“Are the tuition expenses of the school I want to graduate from eligible for deduction? What about my books?”

Yes. In almost every instance, your college will meet the IRS criteria for tuition expense deductions. You can expect your college to issue a 1098-T by January 31st if you’ve had tuition expenses in the previous year. For specific questions about books or other non-tuition expenses at your school, we’d suggest checking with your personal tax preparer.

If you have any more questions, please reach out to our fantastic student services team by calling (866) 989-5432. If you aren’t currently a student with Pearson Accelerated Pathways, but you’d like to learn more about how our program works, welcome! Take a few moments to find out if we’re a good fit to help you achieve your college goals.

Tax season is upon us!

While April 15th isn’t a party for anyone, there a few things busy students can do to make paying income tax less stressful, whether you file your own or take your documents to an accountant. Since we’re just a month away from the tax deadline (at least so far), now is also great time to set up a good system for the coming year so you can breathe a sigh of relief next time you file.

Here are a few tips for keeping your tax documents ready to go: 

Designate an organizational "home" for tax-related documents.

Keep all your financial documents in a safe place, whether that be a lockbox, fireproof safe, or even a simple file folder or box in a secure area of your house. By creating a “home base” for your documents, you’ll know exactly where to put W2s, bank statements, or receipts throughout the year. When it’s time to do your taxes, all your documents will be ready for you (or your accountant). 

Open mail as soon as you get it.

It’s easy to ignore that growing stack of mail on the counter, but resist! When you walk in the door, go to your mail and sort it (right over the trash can if possible so you can throw away junk mail as you go). Anything that might pertain to taxes (like invoices or credit card statements) goes right into your tax document box. Not only will this system keep you organized for tax day, but it will also make your life so much easier if you ever get audited.

Make a spreadsheet.

If organized numbers make you as happy as they make me , try making a simple spreadsheet to keep track of your expenses. In the short term, this might help you visualize where your money is going each month and benefit your budget. In the long term, some of these expenditures may be tax deductible or have a tax credit, such as certain kinds of environmentally-friendly home improvements, school expenses, or childcare costs. If you typically itemize your deductions, taking the time to write down deductible expenses as you go will save you loads of time when tax season rolls around.

Go digital.

Online banking and digital credit card statements make keeping track of income and deductible expenses easy, especially if you’re recording everything in a spreadsheet (see previous point). While it’s helpful to have printed copies of certain documents like W2s or 1099s (income received from non-employers), going digital will help you seamlessly pull what you need into a digital tax service like TurboTax. Around 90% of taxpayers currently file their taxes electronically with online services or software. E-filing is convenient, increases information security, often provides faster refunds than filing by mail, and is a lot cheaper than hiring a tax professional.

Ask a professional.

While it's true that e-filing on your own can save you money, it's never a bad idea to get a professional opinion on your taxes if you have any questions. Credentials definitely matter when it comes to entrusting someone with your financial information. If you’re going to pay someone to do your taxes, here are a few tips from the IRS to make sure you find someone reputable.

Take advantage of tax deductions and credits.

There are a few legal ways to reduce the amount of taxes you pay. Tax deductions reduce your total taxable income up front, while tax credits are subtracted from the taxes you owe to create a lower overall tax liability. If you take more of a DIY tax approach, you can research your eligibility for tax deductions and credits online, with resources such as this list of common tax deductions from Nerd Wallet. If you’re hiring someone to prepare your taxes, make sure to ask them if you’re a good candidate for itemized deductions or available tax credits.

Document everything.

The IRS recommends that you keep tax-related documents for at least 3 years in case of an audit. It is especially important to save income information and receipts that prove tax-deductible expenses if you typically get the itemized deduction rather than the standard deduction, or if you’re self-employed.  

An easy way to keep track of receipts is the envelope system. Label envelopes with the name of each month of the year and fill each envelope with that month’s deductible expense receipts as you go along.

Curious how taxes impact you as an Accelerated Pathways student? Check out our post on taxes for online students for more specific tax information related to your college expenses or talk to one of our friendly student services advisors at student at services-ap@pearson.com. Or, if you want to find out more about Accelerated Pathways and how we facilitate online students, reach out to us!

Whether you started college right out of high school or you’re an adult learner working to finish your degree, life is crazy busy. For many people, the realities of life have caught up to those hopeful resolutions we made on New Year’s Day a few months ago. 

If you’re one of the thousands of people who resolved to get organized this year, you might feel like the mythological Sisyphus and his boulder that never quite made it up the hill. Don’t give up yet! It’s time to give your goals a boost and remember exactly how much organization can benefit your life. Research shows that the advantages of organization include: 

• Helping people maintain a healthier weight and choosing a more balanced diet

• Relieving stress and depression

• Boosting energy

• Reducing friction in relationships

• Increasing focus and productivity

Nearly everyone has at least one area of life that would benefit from organization, whether it be home, work, school, relationships, finances, goals, personal health, or all of the above! Here is a list of practical tips that can help you take a small step today toward a happier, more peaceful existence.

1. Figure out what works for you

Organization should be defined by what works for you and the people you live with, not what a magazine article or home designer says you should do. If you like alphabetized workspaces, great! If you don’t like your creativity hampered by too many neat boxes, that’s okay too. (Albert Einstein had a messy desk, after all.)

At the end of the day, getting organized isn’t about outside opinions. It’s about what helps your life run more smoothly and happily.

2. Create a centralized to-do list and calendar

One of my favorite ways to stay organized is to have a Grand Central Station for all my tasks, thoughts, reminders, appointments, school deadlines, lists, and anything else I need to be able to find or remember! My mom does this with a wall calendar that she keeps filled with all the family schedules and activities, while I prefer to keep my family organized electronically with Google Keep and my cell phone’s calendar. I turn on reminders for my calendar and sync Google Keep across my devices so all my lists and reminders can go with me wherever I go.  Whether you prefer to have physical or electronic organization, choose one method and always use that method for everything you need to remember. Don’t assume you’ll remember anything. I cannot count the times I’ve come up with a shopping list in my head only to forget to write it down. That’s the brilliance of a centralized hub of organization. It’s like an external brain.

3. Declutter for good

If you need to get rid of stuff (and who doesn’t...), don’t just throw it away. If your extra possessions are in good condition, take a couple extra minutes to drop those bags off at a donation center. Not only will you be freeing up space in your home (and brain), but someone else will be blessed by your efforts.

Not sure where to take your donations? Here’s a list of places who take everything from old cell phones and power tools to clothing and furniture.

4. Start small

One of the most important principles of accomplishing any goal is to start small. Don’t try to organize your entire life in an afternoon, or even a week. If you overwhelm yourself, you will be setting yourself up for failure.

Instead, pick the most pressing area of your life and make only one or two small adjustments. If you don’t have any time, set a timer for just 5 minutes and do what you can in that time. Small steps will get you there faster than you think. If you only spend 5 minutes a day, that’s over 30 hours over the course of a year!

5. It doesn't have to be Instagram-worthy

Organization doesn’t have to look like Martha Stewart or Marie Kondo took over your life. Practicality can sometimes win over aesthetics, especially in spaces that receive a lot of traffic or clutter. Take a deep breath and ask yourself what this space needs to accomplish in your home or workplace. It doesn’t have to look like a perfect Instagram post all the time. It just has to do its job.

6. Think of others

If you are organizing a shared space, make sure the other people involved are comfortable with the changes you want to make. You may have to compromise to accommodate more tidy or less organized personalities.  If you are sharing an area with others, it’s okay to ask them for help keeping it clean. You could make a chart of responsibilities, divide up responsibilities by what each of you prefers to do, create a reward system, or take turns being the organizer each week. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. Any small step you can take together toward a calmer, more streamlined space is worth it!

7. Prioritize

When you pick an area of your life to organize, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all that you want to accomplish. The best way to see meaningful change is to prioritize what is most important or causing the most problems. For example, if you want to organize your kitchen, think about what part of the kitchen gets most cluttered and causes you the most stress. Perhaps it’s the never-ending stream of dishes. Think about how you can streamline your dishwashing process. Maybe you can move frequently-used dishes to a cabinet closer to the sink or dishwasher, ask everyone to put their used dishes directly in the dishwasher rather than leaving them on the table or in the sink, or set a timer for 10 minutes of dishwashing before bed each night so the pile doesn’t loom so large. Whatever area of life you want to organize, pick one piece and start there.

8. Go with the flow

Organizing doesn’t have to painfully go against your grain. Instead of trying to create habits that you won’t enjoy or connect with, find ways to work within your preferences. Pursue who you actually want to be instead of chasing an idealistic picture of someone you think you should be.

The best way to create a lasting habit is to find a creative way of using your personality quirks and personal drive to accomplish your goals. Enjoy music? Throw on some tunes while picking up clutter. Like to socialize? Talk on the phone while you tackle that laundry. Organize your office files while listening to that audio book you’ve been wanting to read. Combine something you enjoy with something you have to do to make the whole experience more enjoyable.

9. Create dedicated stations

Creating special stations for common situations or needs can save lots of time and energy. Spilled something on the floor? Having all your cleaning supplies in a dedicated closet, cabinet, or caddy means fewer steps and less stress for you. Always hunting for your wallet or keys? Create a station by the door to hold all your going-out items so you can simply gather things at the door before you go. Wherever you find yourself needing items over and over, ask yourself if you can create a station to automatically set yourself up for success.

10. Be prepared for mishaps

Accidents happen, but you can improve many difficult situations by having a plan.

Your situation will be unique, but a few preparation ideas include: back up important documents, entrust spare keys to a friend or family member, talk with members of your household about what to do in case of fire or a storm emergency, post a list of numbers to call for common emergencies (such as 911, poison control, or animal control), start a rainy-day savings account, or keep a small amount of cash on hand.

Many people like to have a portable bag of emergency essentials in their home or car (often including food, water, first aid supplies, and a change of clothes) just in case they need to grab it in during a serious emergency. Many accidents that we prepare for do not ever happen, but it is okay to thoughtfully consider a few essentials that might be handy in a range of situations.

There are a lot of opinions about organization, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. What do you need to be happy in your spaces and habits? That’s the most important question. Your house doesn’t have to look like a museum, your car doesn't have to look like it was just driven off the showroom floor, and your exercise routine doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s. Organization is not an end goal. It’s just a tool to help you live a better life. As you balance school with the rest of your priorities, embrace small organization steps that can free up your time and mental energy so that you can thrive.   More ideas on getting organized for schoolwork:

Working Full Time in College

Productivity Hacks for the Working Student

Best Time Management Apps for Students

Since most people have been spending a lot of extra time at home for the past year, whether to study at home has become a non-issue. With most libraries and coffee shops shut down (at least for those seeking leisurely study hours), home is pretty much the only option. Even before the days of shutdowns and quarantines, studying from home offered quite a few perks—it's convenient, it’s free, you can squeeze in a few minutes here and there...but at some point, nearly everyone starts to go a little crazy from distractions, stress, procrastination, unhelpful habits, or just sheer boredom with the never-changing scenery, especially if going out is just not a practical option. Thankfully, there are many strategies to minimize the negative effects of staying in. Here are 13 ways to keep your sanity while studying at home:

1. Cancel the noise

If you’re at home with other people, noise is inevitable. Trying to study with your kids running around the house or your spouse jumping into conference calls every half-hour can feel like swimming upstream. If you’re having trouble focusing due to the constant noise level around you, invest in a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to tune out any distracting sounds.

2. Ban the stress

Even homebodies can start to go a little stir-crazy when staying at home is the only option. If stress is crippling your study time, take a step back and find an activity that helps you relax. Whether it’s a power nap, stepping outside for a walk around the yard, or putting on some music and dancing it out in the kitchen, time spent preparing your mind for learning will never be wasted.

3. Turn on music

For many people, music can be a grounding, relaxing, and focusing force. If you’re having trouble getting motivated or paying attention, try an inspiring movie or video game soundtrack, both of which are designed to capture your focus without distracting you. If you’re stressed, try nature sounds or soft instrumental music. Everyone is different, so experiment to see what kind of music helps you. I personally can listen to any music that I know well, because my brain doesn’t have to pay attention to lyrics or new sounds and is soothed by the familiarity. Some people can only tolerate instrumental tracks or white noise, while others cannot focus while listening to anything. Classical music is also a popular choice, since besides being instrumental, it is also thought to boost dopamine levels, diminish stress, and improve memory!

4. Carve out a study space

When studying at home, it’s tempting to settle in with your books and laptop anywhere you can find a comfortable seat, but consider setting aside a special study area to help yourself get in the learning zone. Create a study space or furniture arrangement that you only use for studying. Whenever you sit at that desk or pull up a certain chair to the kitchen counter, tell yourself “This is where I study.” By creating a connection between this spot and productivity, you can train your brain to be more focused the moment you sit down in your designated productivity area. Do not let yourself sit there for any other reason. (For the same reason, don’t go to your favorite easy chair or your bed to study! Those locations are full of tempting distractions waiting to steal your attention, such as browsing Netflix or taking a nap.) Learn more: How to Create the Perfect Study Room

5. Enforce your boundaries

Studying at home provides plenty of opportunities for interruption. You may need to strictly enforce your study time as “sacred time” to your family or roommates, particularly if they are prone to popping in and distracting you every few minutes. While being respectful of others’ needs to move around and take care of their own priorities, let them know that you need to set aside a certain amount of time to study each day. If appropriate, ask them when this would best work with their schedule. Once you agree on a workable schedule, set a timer and let them know that, apart from emergencies, you will not be available until the timer goes off. If you have small children who struggle with this rule, perhaps another adult in the household could watch them for a short period of time to give you an uninterrupted segment of studying. If another adult is unavailable, supervising creative play or screen time from across the room might give you a few extra minutes of focus.

6. Cut the clutter

Studies show that a messy space can literally mess with your mind by increasing your cortisol level (indicating stress) and deteriorating your ability to focus. Cleaning up around your study area will help keep you distraction-free and attuned to your task rather than thinking about that pile of laundry that needs to be folded.

7. Leave your phone behind

If you find yourself checking your phone every time you get a notification, consider leaving it in the other room. If you absolutely must have it with you for work or emergency purposes, consider turning off social media notifications, uninstalling your go-to social media apps during your study times, or installing one of these browser add-ons or apps to keep you on the right track. Learn more: Check out 11 other time-management and productivity apps for students!

8. Mark the time

Are your days going by in a blur? Decide which days are special to you and make them distinct from the others in some way. You could mark the passing of time in many ways, like not studying on certain days, creating a special weekly meal or activity, or declaring every Saturday a movie-marathon extravaganza! Whether you choose to emphasize the weekend or a random day or two in the middle of the week, creating contrast in your days will help you to maintain a sense of rhythm and break up lockdown boredom.

9. Create a habit

Your unique at-home situation probably presents some unique distractions, opportunities to procrastinate, or unhelpful habits that could easily trip you up. If you’re looking to start a new habit, you'll need a cue, routine, and reward. Basically, you turn yourself into the dog in Pavlov’s famous behavioral experiment! This article helps you understand the basic principles of habit formation, identify the habit you want to change, and navigate around common pitfalls so you can transform your habits into exactly what you want them to be.

10. Take mandatory breaks

Anything gets old if you do it long enough. No matter how important your studies are to you, you still need a break every now and again to keep your brain sharp and motivated. Experts disagree about the exact ratio of work to break time needed to create optimal performance, but they do agree that stepping away from your task helps you do better in the long run.

11. Institute rewards and celebrations

This idea goes along with habit formation and taking breaks, but it encompasses so much more. If studying from home is getting old, you might need to add more incentives to your arsenal. Instead procrastinating with your latest Netflix show before your study session, bargain with yourself that you can watch a new episode for every two or three hours you study. For every course that you pass, you could give yourself a day off to do whatever you want or celebrate with a special takeout feast if you pass a big exam. Find rewards you’d really enjoy that you can experience from home, and don’t be shy in applying them to your studies! If you are getting in adequate study time and not breaking the bank by treating yourself, the more positive associations the better! If you need more parameters, set yourself a monthly celebratory budget.

12. Set reachable daily goals

When you do sit down to study, write down what you want to accomplish in that time. Create between one and three goals to focus on during that study session. Don’t write down more than three. Focus on what is doable and most important that day. Having specific and quantifiable goals for each study session can help you dig into your educational priorities and acknowledge that it’s okay to not get everything done in one day. Here are a few more goal-setting hacks that you should try if traditional resolutions aren’t doing the trick.

13. Care for yourself

Finally, as you fight for your sanity while studying at home, don’t forget to take care of yourself! Doing your best to eat a colorful and balanced diet, moving around during the day, getting enough sleep, and reaching out to friends and family for socialization (even if it’s virtual for now) cannot be underestimated in reducing stress and helping your brain rest and recover between study times. There are so many ways to make college studies at home more engaging and less mind-numbing, like having someone to cheer you on! If you need more support and motivation in pursuing your degree, you might benefit from working with one of our success coaches here at Accelerated Pathways. If more support, efficiency, and flexibility from home sounds like something you’d enjoy, schedule a free conversation with one of our advisors today to see how we can make your home-based studies work better for you.

It is no secret that Louisiana has long lagged in rankings of public education. Louisiana schools ranked 48 out of all 50 states by U.S. News & World Report in 2019. Still, the state has made strides in recent years to improve standings in some academic areas. According to Will Sentell in The Advocate, in 2018, the state reported an all-time peak in high school graduation rates (81%) and students pursuing dual enrollment (i.e., working towards college credit while in high school) more than doubled during the same period.

Recent school performance gains have come from focused efforts to improve the basics, but now it seems the state is willing to add more innovative approaches to achieve success in education.

Overcoming the Senior Slump

Louisiana recently announced a new program aimed to help students take full advantage of their high school years, specifically that oft-ignored senior year.

Many students - and I count myself in that number - spend their senior year doing the absolute bare minimum. Louisiana has a plan to reenergize seniors out of their "senior slump" by offering them the chance to earn their associate degree while still in high school.

Pearson Accelerated Pathways allows high school students to get a head start on college courses at any time during high school. For students that are thinking about earning high school and college credit simultaneously, we could be a good fit.

According to Louisiana Superintendent Cade Brumley, "We know that the entry point of work now is seldom the high school degree. The entry point of work also requires a credential, an apprenticeship, an associate degree or a professional degree."

A Smart Solution

According to The Advocate, "Louisiana has long had small numbers of students who take classes for both high school and college credit - dual enrollment."

Louisiana school systems are smartly taking high school students that may be about to zone out on their educational journey and refocusing their attention on attainable dual enrollment. This gives students options to spend their final year of high school pursuing a simultaneous technical associate degree, an associate degree (which would allow them to start a 4-year college as a junior), or an apprenticeship to train directly for a career after school. With these types of programs, Louisiana has the potential to create a more able and trained workforce right out of high school.

It's a bold plan, and one that could revolutionize education in Louisiana. But, this concept is not entirely new.

Accelerated Pathways to Education

Pearson Accelerated Pathways has been providing high schoolers with options to get a head start on higher education for more than 15 years. Accelerated Pathways student Alyssa wrote this post about what it's like pursuing a degree while in high school. Our program is backed by the most trusted name in education - Pearson - and we aim to accelerate education by giving students countless options to earn their degree. Find out more about how our program works and see if you might be a good fit.

High school students often experience an array of conflicting emotions during their senior year. They're excited to graduate but nervous about writing college essays, taking standardized tests, and choosing the right college. Another factor that can be a source of both excitement and stress for prospective college students is choosing a major.

If you're beginning to think about attending college but aren't sure what to major in, don't worry. You're not alone when it comes to being undecided about a major. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, one-third of college students change majors at least once, and one in 10 college students change their majors more than once.

Students may think that the purpose of choosing a college major is to establish a strong foundation for a future career. While this is true, a variety of multi-faceted degrees can prepare college students for many types of careers. Students who pursue an online college education through a program such as Pearson Accelerated Pathways have the opportunity to choose from some of the most versatile degrees.

Versatile Degree Options

Committing to a major can be a stressful experience for many students. If you aren't entirely sure what you want to study in college because you aren't sure what career you'd like to eventually pursue, learning more about some of the most versatile degrees can offer some clarity. Earning a degree in one of the following fields gives students a solid academic foundation as well as the freedom to explore a variety of careers.

Business

Even if you don't necessarily want to start your own company or work in a business setting, earning a business degree can still be a wise decision. Business majors develop many skills that can be applied to a wide range of careers. Through courses and projects, students enhance their leadership competencies and learn the importance of collaboration. They discover how to apply critical thinking and analytical decision-making to everyday assignments. Strategically planning for the short term as well as the long term helps students gain a broader perspective of the world while also paying attention to small details.

With a degree in business, students can pursue more traditional business roles, and with additional training, become accountants, management consultants, financial analysts, business teachers, healthcare administrators, and more. Other potential career paths for business majors include social media manager, business reporter, and corporate attorney.

Criminal Justice

You may have an idea in your head, based on your favorite TV crime dramas, of what a criminal justice career would be like. However, the criminal justice system is large and includes detecting crimes as well as prosecuting and sentencing criminals. Individuals who study criminal justice and criminology learn about the environments in which crimes occur. They study criminal psychology and seek to understand the benefits and drawbacks of broad issues, such as how the criminal justice system enforces laws and addresses inequities.

If working in the criminal justice system interests you, consider becoming a police officer, loss prevention specialist, private investigator, forensic science technician, insurance fraud investigator, corrections officer, forensic psychologist, or jury consultant, among the many available options.

Health and Life Sciences

Health and life science programs offer some of the most versatile degrees for college students who are interested in the study of behavioral science as well as natural science.

In a health science program, students take courses and complete laboratories to help them understand how health, nutrition, and exercise impact population health and public health. Potential careers include working as a community health worker, health educator, physical therapist, behavior analyst, diagnostic medical sonographer, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, or registered dietician.

Examples of life science includes the study of biology, medicine, chemistry, agriculture, ecology, and microbiology. Like a health science degree, life science degree programs include both traditional courses and laboratories. With a degree in life science, students can pursue careers as biologists, chemists, biochemists, clinical research associates, biomedical scientists, biotechnologists, industrial pharmacists, or computational biologists.

Social Sciences

If you're less interested in studying the natural world and prefer learning about societies and the social interactions of human beings, you may want to consider a degree in a social science.

Pursuing an education in this field allows students to gain a broader understanding of the world, history, economics, and politics. They also gain hands-on experience researching the cultures, languages, and behaviors of different peoples. Graduates with an online degree in social sciences may go on to become archaeologists, librarians, bank officers, urban planners, psychologists, lobbyists, and case workers.

Information Technology and Information Systems

As technology continues to rapidly advance and evolve, information technology and information systems degrees are clearly some of the most versatile degrees for professionals want to work in the field. The degrees themselves can even contain a variety of specialties.

Information technology revolves around developing applications and databases, studying data security, designing video games and websites, and planning for data networking. Graduates often work as database analysts, application designers, software programmers, database administrators, video game designers, web developers, and database architects.

Working in information systems can be similar to working in information technology. Information systems experts focus more on bridging the gap between people and technology, while information technology professionals design, create, navigate, and protect those systems. Many information systems graduates work in careers that help manage an organization's information, system, database, and network.

Earning a Versatile Degree Might Be the Right Choice for You

Whether you know exactly what you want to do professionally or are still undecided, enrolling in an online program might be the right choice for you. In a fully online program, students can choose from a wide variety of majors. They may develop a foundation in business practices or learn about cutting-edge scientific discoveries. Whether you choose to major in criminal justice, information technology, or any other area of study, an online degree can help you develop the foundational skills needed to succeed in your future career.

Learn more about the most versatile degrees offered by Pearson Accelerated Pathways and how they can prepare for a rewarding career, whatever it may be.

Like this post? Learn more with these additional topics:

1. How to Find Online Classes While Social Distancing

2. Is College The Best Way to Get an Education?

3. What Every College Dropout Should Know

Additional Source Material:

Balance Careers, "Best Jobs for Graduates with a Business Degree" Balance Careers, "Social Science Careers" Balance Careers, "What Can You Do with a Criminology Degree?" Barron's, "The 10 Most Versatile College Majors in America for People Who Haven't Picked a Career" Biospace, "Why a Life Sciences Career Can Be Life-Changing" Consumer Reports, "A Surprising Way to Limit Your Student Debt"

Maria Gonzalez's family immigrated to the United States several years before she was born and worked for decades to grow their florist business in Brooklyn, New York. They worked long hours and expanded to several locations around the city in the hopes of increasing their income enough to afford a good college for their daughter.

With high school graduation approaching, Maria and her parents sat down to consider what colleges she should apply to and what federal grants and scholarships she could get to offset the expense of tuition.

Unfortunately, when Maria applied for student aid, the U.S. Department of Education told her that her "financial need" was determined by a formula that analyzed her parents' assets and income. This formula determined that their Expected Family Contribution would be too high to qualify for any federal grants.

When the Gonzalez family looked further into tuition costs at Maria's top three college choices, they were dismayed to find that their out-of-pocket expenses would be more than $20,000 a year to send their daughter to college! They simply could not afford to contribute the full annual tuition on top of their own mortgage and business costs, so Maria told them that she would apply for a student loan to help cover the cost of her education. It seemed like the only solution.

Unfortunately, the Gonzalez family's situation has become the norm for Americans: too "rich" to qualify for federal grants, but too poor to pay for college outright.

65 million families in the United States meet this definition, landing on the spectrum called "The Debt Zone."

What exactly is the Debt Zone? It is the bracket of annual household income from $50,000 to $200,000 considered "too wealthy" for most federal grants...but typically this income is too low to pay out of pocket for the traditional college experience.

One of three things often occur for these families:

1. Students skip college,

2. They drop out when it becomes too costly (especially if they are first-generation college students), or

3. They graduated with an average of $30,062 of student loan debt (as of 2019) compounded by the additional opportunity cost of not being in the workforce for the last 4-5 years.

While going straight into the workforce is a great option for some career paths, the fact remains that college is a near-essential for most people. This Debt Zone dilemma seems to doom students to a lifetime of paying off their college loans. More and more students and their parents are recognizing the true debt crisis unfolding in education, with the national student debt exceeding 1.6 trillion dollars.

Is there a better way than ushering our youth into a lifetime of compounding debt as soon as they graduate high school?

That's the problem that Pearson Accelerated Pathways was founded to solve. College education is still one of the most important factors in future employment and earning potential, but we didn't think it should be so cost-prohibitive. So, we decided to think outside the traditional four-year college experience and create a higher education option that provided everything that the traditional experience does not: flexibility and low cost, so that as many students could graduate debt-free as possible.

Ready to see if Accelerated Pathways can help you avoid college debt following you around? Learn more about our programs and book some time to speak with our higher education experts, reach out to us today! 

We saw that the two highest costs of college were overhead and opportunity.

Overhead

Colleges charge you general tuition that covers more than just your classes. It also includes campus upkeep, extracurricular programs, tenured professors, and more. Because they have to be able to make money in order to continue operating, they pass these hefty expenses on to students, whether or not those students take advantage of all the extras that they're paying for.

Opportunity

Opportunity cost is a less obvious cost of college, but consider this: how much money could you have made if you had gone straight into the workforce INSTEAD of going to college?

Sure, the hope is that eventually your degree will pay for itself. But have you ever stopped to think about how long it could actually take to make up for the loss of work experience and pay off your student loans and surpass the income level that you would have been making anyway without a degree? You might be surprised.

Check out this video for a complete breakdown of the opportunity cost of going to a traditional college.

With Pearson Accelerated Pathways, you can eliminate that opportunity cost and achieve the best of both worlds, earning real-world experience in the workforce while still having the time to pursue a debt-free college degree.

As the video explains, taking this alternate path to college graduation results in $135,000 or MORE in savings. What could you do with an extra $135,000 laying around?

If the idea of "the college experience" is not as important to you as getting busy and entering the workforce, consider accelerating your trajectory and turning your Debt Zone into a lifetime of savings. By taking advantage of all the time and money-saving options that Pearson Accelerated Pathways offers, you can be sure of finding the most flexible and affordable path.

However, if you want to spend part of your studies on campus, while still saving money on your degree, it's possible! Talk to a Pearson Accelerated Pathways advisor about your plans. They will help you examine your chosen college and find ways to reduce costs.

There is no one right way to do college. Wherever your unique story leads, Accelerated Pathways will help you achieve your goals without falling into a lifetime of debt. You can learn more about how our program works here, or take our two-minute assessment to find out if Accelerated Pathways is a good fit for you.