Online Student Survival Guide

Posts Tagged ‘WGU’

Going Back to School this Fall?

admin on August 27, 2010

“Back to School” isn’t just for kids these days—an ever-increasing number of adults are heading back to college to finish a degree or get an advanced degree. An accredited degree in a high-demand field can make a significant difference in both employment and lifelong earning potential. However, most adults need the flexibility and accessibility of a non-traditional college, and for many, an online university is the best fit for their busy lives. But going to college, even going online, requires a significant investment in both time and money, so prospective students need to be smart consumers.

Non-profit Western Governors University, www.wgu.edu, offers five tips to help working adults find the best value in an online university.

Read all Five Tips for Going Back to School

Last Chance to Enter!

WGU on July 8, 2010

There is one week left to enter the “Make a Great WGU Commercial Video Contest”!

Make a 60-second video commercial telling us why WGU is “A Smarter Way to Learn” and you could win a $7,500 scholarship!

All entries must include the contest URL somewhere in the video and the deadline for video submissions is July 15. To enter your video, visit http://www.wgu.edu/videocontest. The public voting phase begins July 16 and the finalist will endure a second round of voting July 27 – August 10. Winners will be announce August 13.

For official rules or info on how to enter, please visit http://www.wgu.edu/videocontest.

Make a Commercial, Win a Scholarship!

admin on June 17, 2010

Western Governors University is asking the experts—its students—to help create its next television commercial. Beginning today, WGU students and prospective students can enter the “Make a Great WGU Commercial Video Contest” by going to www.wgu.edu/videocontest and entering an original 60-second “commercial” that illustrates why WGU is “A Smarter Way to Learn.” All accepted entries will be posted on the WGU website, winners will be selected by WGU staff and popular vote, and more than $12,000 in scholarships and prizes are at stake.

To learn more visit: www.wgu.edu/videocontest

P.S. The first 5 entries received will win a special prize!

New Online University for Indiana

admin on June 15, 2010

On June 11, Governor Mitch Daniels announced the establishment of WGU Indiana, a new online, competency-based university aimed at expanding access to higher education for Hoosiers. The partnership between the state and Western Governors University will offer fully accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.

“Today we mark the beginning of, in a real sense, Indiana’s 8th state university. WGU Indiana will fill the clearest and most challenging gap remaining in our family of higher education opportunities, helping thousands of adult Hoosiers attain the college degrees they’ve wanted and needed, on a schedule they can manage, at a cost they can afford,” said Daniels.

To learn more about WGU Indiana please visit http://indiana.wgu.edu

Three Reasons to Create a Study Workspace

admin on June 3, 2010

One of the many benefits of attending an online university is the convenience of working at home. Without the need to show up for classes at a specific time and location, you have the freedom to work when, where, and how you like. But before putting on your pajamas and setting up shop on the sofa, consider the following three important reasons to set up a separate workspace in your home.

  1. Limited distractions. Your living room, kitchen and bedroom are laden with people and things to distract you from your study time. While an online university is convenient, it’s up to you to manage your time. Try using an extra room as a home office. If you can’t spare the space, put a desk in the corner of another room. The key is putting a door between you and the noise. Clear away magazines, books and other materials from your desk as well to make sure you focus on your online degree and nothing else.
  2. Effective studying. For most people, working well is accompanied by the right state of mind. If you choose to lounge and study on your sofa, you will probably be less likely to retain the information you study. This wastes both time and effort. Equate your home office with your regular office; you are there to get things done. Avoid using your workspace at home for things outside of studying. Creating a mindset of focus and learning in one area of your home will help you leave other areas of focus behind. And while your workspace should keep you alert, that doesn’t mean you can’t enhance your environment in a positive way. Hang a bulletin board outlining your schedule and assignments. Invest in a comfortable office chair and desk lamp. By surrounding yourself with work-related items, you will be more likely to use your space efficiently.
  3. Established boundaries. If you have kids and other people in the house, it can be a challenge to get a moment to yourself to work toward your online degree. Oftentimes, it isn’t enough to simply say, “Please give me a few minutes to study.” This is why establishing boundaries is important for others as well as yourself. Explain to your family that your workspace is yours and should not be used for any other purpose—at least until you have earned your online degree. Hang a sign on the door to alert your kids when you are in study mode and encourage them to only interrupt you if it’s important. Your kids will learn to respect your study time more quickly if you are consistently working in the same location.

Earning a degree from an online university can be difficult to integrate into your home life, but a designated workspace will make it easier. Set up a temporary office for yourself and use it to your advantage. You will find your time is more valuable in your own space.