The Non-Traditional College Student by Libby Hancock – Save Money and Time and Get Your Degree

Are you, or someone in your family and friends, interested in pursuing a college degree, but holding off because of the cost, time constraints, or reluctance to spend more time in the classroom? If so, then Libby Hancock’s new book, “The Non-Traditional College Student,” will prove beneficial.

Hancock, 23, is a Cleveland, Ohio-based author who completed a four-year BA in Communications in three years, graduating with a high GPA and honors; and spent less than $15,000 on the entire process.

Homeschooled, Hancock dispels common perceptions of attending classes in pajamas and a lack of socializing. He completed Ohio’s high school graduation requirements, passed the ACT with flying colors; and earned a college degree. His parents told him that he would need to finance his own advanced education.

Hancock used two unaccredited institutions to help her get her degree: College Plus and Verity:

College Plus. This institution helps students discover or confirm their career path. Its attributes include lesson planning, study resource recommendations, and an assigned coach (mentor). The entire program is Internet based.

TRUE. While similar to College Plus, Verity has its differences, including an emphasis on discipleship and spiritual growth. It also offers on-campus learning near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program), DSST (DANTES Standardized Subject Tests) and TECEP (Thomas Edison State College Testing Program) exams allowed Hancock to study on his own; and then take the corresponding tests. She describes the process of converting successful tests into college credit.

CLEP. Currently, it’s a way to test the 33 college classes offered by the College Board (the same company that created and administers the famous ACT college prep tests). All CLEP tests are computer-based and take 90 minutes.

DSST. The Army originally designed this test for military personnel and is now adapted for the general public as well. DSST is an acronym for DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (where DANTES stands for United States Department of Defense Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support Program). It currently offers 37 courses.

TECH. Your test is a combination of multiple choice questions and essays. Hancock describes it as one of the most challenging ways to earn college credit because the website doesn’t provide a detailed breakdown of subjects (like CLEP and DSST do).

“A key to getting great grades in school is discovering your learning style and then sticking with it,” says Hancock.

Reading textbooks, taking notes, and taking tests can become a classic case of burnout. Hancock offers tips to help break up the monotony of studying, including:

• Plan the use of your time.
• Organize your work area to help organize your brain.
• Mark your books. If you rent your textbooks, consider taking notes on your computer, printing them out, and then color coding them for easy reference.

“Being motivated to stay focused on the task at hand and to work hard and fast was not a skill I was born with,” says Hancock. He had to learn to set attainable goals. “Self-motivation takes work. It won’t just happen overnight.”

The American Council on Education (ACE) recognizes most free online courses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If emergency response aligns with your career goals, Hancock outlines the process for converting your full courses to college credit (fee-based).

ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) it focuses on mathematical studies and is another method of earning college credit, which Hancock describes.

Hancock endorses doing an internship during college. She emphasizes the importance of recording all of her accomplishments and keeping records of the work she produces for her portfolio.

She herself received an unsolicited email invitation to do an eleven-week internship at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in the office of Media and Community Relations.

Hancock enrolled at Thomas Edison State College (TESC) due to its flexible credit transfer policy. He took classes online and learned through online discussion forums, written assignments, and essays or final exams. TESC also gives credit for prior learning, shown by its Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), which features 84 classes in 31 different subjects. She graduated from the downtown campus of Trenton, New Jersey, in October 2011.

“The Nontraditional College Student” is a concise, informative, and inspiring read. Hancock teaches you how to get a college degree for less money and time. Even if he chooses not to earn his full degree in non-traditional ways, he will surely find tips to help him customize his advanced learning.

Hancock recommends “How to Become an Outstanding Student” by Cal Newport. Find out more about the book at: http://calnewport.com/books/howtobecome.html