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Whether you’re returning to school after a break or planning for a career change, attending college as an adult can be  both exciting and overwhelming. Balancing studies with the responsibilities of daily life can be challenging, but the right learning strategies can ensure you thrive in your courses.

Understanding Learning Strategies

Learning strategies are techniques that help you learn and retain information more effectively. Using different online learning strategies as an adult learner can help you get the most out of your digital coursework and stay engaged throughout your educational experience.

Active Learning Strategies for Online Classes

Engaging with Course Material

Active learning keeps you engaged with your course material, rather than passively receiving information. It’s important to take structured notes while watching lectures or reading course materials to reference when you study or test your knowledge. Make sure to summarize the key points in your own words, which clarifies and reinforces your understanding of the course concepts. If you’re struggling with any concepts, ask questions and get clarification from your instructor.

Participating in Discussions

Many online courses offer discussion boards or forums for group learning. Actively participating in discussions and challenging yourself helps you deepen your understanding through diverse perspectives and build connections with peers, which is important in a virtual setting without in-person interaction. Engaging in discussions can also improve your critical thinking skills as you analyze information and develop your reasoning.

Applying Knowledge Practically

One of the best ways to understand and retain information is through real-world situations. As you work on hands-on projects, case studies, or apply concepts to your job, the information may become more relevant and useful.

Success Strategies for Online Learning

Create a Dedicated Study Space

You should have a designated, distraction-free study area for online learning. A quiet location with minimal interruptions or distractions ensures you can focus on your studies and get the most out of your study time.

Set up your space with an ergonomic setup and proper lighting. Stock it with any necessary materials, such as your laptop or computer, notebooks, pens and pencils, textbooks, sticky notes, index cards, or any other materials you may need to complete your courses. Staying organized helps you maximize your study time.

Improve Time Management

Effective time management is important to ensure steady progress and prevent procrastination, which can be a challenge with online learning. Make sure you develop a structured study schedule that fits your lifestyle, including building in time for assignments that may take longer than you anticipate. Planning your study time early helps you prepare for the unexpected and still meet your assignment deadlines.

Some students find it effective to break coursework into manageable chunks, which can make the work feel more attainable and less overwhelming. It may help to set a timer for 15- or 20-minute increments, then take a short break in between each task.

Use Available Resources

Online colleges and learning platforms offer resources to assist students with learning, including digital libraries, research databases, and academic support services like tutoring, writing centers, or learning coaches. Make sure you take advantage of any resources available to you. If you’re not sure what options the school offers, speak with your advisor. 

One of the biggest misconceptions about scholarships is that they’re only for high school students applying to college. In fact, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities that current college students can apply for that may help to ease the financial burden of tuition, sharpen application skills, and gain some networking opportunities.

Find out more about scholarships for current college students, the types of scholarships available, where to find relevant scholarships, and the benefits of winning scholarship awards after your freshman year.

Can I Still Apply for Scholarships While in College?

Yes! Many students assume that scholarships are only for freshmen, but there are numerous scholarship opportunities if you’re already enrolled in college. You can find scholarships offered by organizations, universities, and private foundations that are intended for current undergraduate students who meet certain criteria, such as academic excellence, financial need, or extracurricular involvement. 

Is It Too Late to Apply for Scholarships?

Absolutely not! There is no official deadline when it comes to seeking financial aid throughout your college career. In fact, many scholarships are available year-round with rolling deadlines or annual opportunities.

Whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, you should actively search for new scholarships to help fund your education. Even if you’re nearing graduation, getting additional funds can help ease your student loan debt or cover your remaining tuition costs.

Should You Do More Scholarships While in College? 

Yes! Often, students forget about scholarships once they start college, but continuing to apply can help you minimize your out of pocket costs and future student loan debt.

Even if you don’t win every scholarship award, you’re gaining something from the application process itself. You’re honing your writing skills, improving your ability to market yourself, and connecting with organizations that support students in higher education. Plus, the more you apply, the better you’ll become at creating a winning application when it counts.

College is a great investment in your future success, but it can be expensive. Applying for and gaining scholarship awards can go a long way toward making school more affordable, but you have to know when to apply to maximize your success. 

Whether you’re a parent helping your teen plan for their future or you’re an aspiring college student getting an early jump on your college planning (smart!), here’s everything you need to know about scholarship application timelines, strategies, and tips for getting the best opportunities. 

When Should I Start Applying for Scholarships? 

There’s no simple answer to when you should apply for scholarships. Some scholarships have deadlines as early as a year before college enrollment, while others may be available while you’re well into your college career. 

For example, academic scholarships that are based on merit often have early deadlines. Ideally, you should start applying during your junior year of high school. The same is true of athletic scholarships, which may involve recruitment. You should work with your coaches in your sophomore or junior year to prepare for athletic scholarship opportunities. 

Local scholarships sponsored by community-based organizations can have varying deadlines, so it really depends on the scholarships you’re aiming or qualify for. Take a look at the scholarships that may apply to you at the beginning of your junior year – and no later than your senior year – to ensure you have plenty of time to get your application finished by the deadline. 

Don’t forget that you may have scholarship opportunities after you’re enrolled, so keep up with your scholarship searches once school starts. 

Is Applying for Scholarships Early Better? 

Generally, yes, applying for scholarships early is the best approach. Deadlines can be tight and scholarship opportunities are competitive, so you may need time to gather your letters of recommendation or references, write engaging essays, and meet specific eligibility requirements. 

For many high school students, the SAT is a crucial step toward college admissions. While not every college requires the SAT, a good score can open doors to scholarships and top-ranked schools.

If you’re preparing for the SATs, find out more about how the test is scored, some effective strategies to boost your confidence and results, and what to expect from the experience.

How Are SATs Scored?

The SAT is divided into three main sections: math, evidence-based reading, and writing.

The math portion is 80 minutes with a 55-minute calculator-optional section and a 25-minute no-calculator section. There are 58 questions that cover problem solving, algebra, and advanced math like geometry, trigonometry, and pre-calculus.

The evidence-based reading and writing portions cover reading, which is 65 minutes of reading and vocabulary questions in context, and writing, which is 35 minutes of grammar and usage questions.

Each section is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 for a total score of 400 to 1600. There used to be an optional Essay portion that was scored separately, but the College Board discontinued that section after June 2021.

The scoring process involves:

• Raw score calculation based on the number of correct answers.
• Scaled score conversion that takes the raw score and converts it into a scaled score using a statistical process that ensures consistency across different test versions (“standardizing” the test). Understanding how the SATs are scored can help you improve specific areas that may be challenging.

College can be an exciting experience, but it’s common to feel a little overwhelmed with assignments, responsibilities, and deadlines. One of the best ways to approach college is with SMART learning goals – goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound – to stay focused, track your progress, and achieve success fast. 

New to SMART goals? Here’s everything you need to know about this structured approach to learning, its benefits, and how to get started. 

What Are SMART Goals for College Students? 

SMART goals offer a framework to break down your learning objectives into clear, actionable steps. Here’s what each component means and how it applies to college learning: 

• Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve. SMART goals aren’t vague like “do better in class.” Instead, they should be precise, like “earn an A in my English class.” 
• Measurable: SMART goals quantify progress. For example, “study for two hours each day” helps you track your consistency and adjust as needed. 
• Achievable: Ensure your goal is realistic given your resources, schedule, and abilities. For example, if you’re an adult learner working full time with a family, devoting five hours to studying every day may not be reasonable for you. 
• Relevant: Align your goals with your academic and personal priorities, such as improving skills related to your major or reaching your graduation requirements to apply for graduate programs. 
• Time-Bound: Set a deadline to keep yourself motivated, such as completing assignments by Thursday each week. 

SMART goals not only help you stay organized but give you a sense of accomplishment as you check items off your to-do list. 

Worried about the rising cost of higher education? You’re not alone, but scholarships can be a helpful tool to offset the cost of your college degree. While there are many scholarships available, with so many students vying for funding, it can be highly competitive. 

With the right strategies, you can use your accomplishments to standout and secure awards for your higher education. Learn more about how scholarships work, the types available, and tips to make a great impression on your application. 

How Do College Scholarships Work? 

College scholarships are financial awards designed to help students pay for their education. Unlike loans, scholarships don’t require repayment, making them a highly sought-after form of financial aid. Scholarships may be merit-based, need-based, or awarded for specific talents, achievements, or affiliations. 

You may find scholarships offered by schools, private organizations, and government programs. The award amounts vary, covering partial or full tuition, and may cover additional costs like housing or books. The application process often includes an essay submission with letters of recommendation, transcripts, and in some cases, proof of eligibility. 

What Types of Scholarships Are Available? 

Scholarships come in many forms to match the diverse needs of students and their qualifications. The common types of scholarships include: 

• Merit-based scholarships: These scholarships are awarded for academic, athletic, or artistic achievements. 
• Need-based scholarships: These scholarships are open to students who demonstrate financial need. 
• Field-specific scholarships: These scholarships are designed for students pursuing particular majors, like healthcare or engineering. 
• Identity-based scholarships: These scholarships are created for specific demographics, such as first-generation college students or members of underrepresented groups. 
• Community scholarships: Local businesses or organizations may offer scholarships to support students in their area and give back to the community. 
• Military scholarships: Students in ROTC programs or students with family members in the armed forces may be eligible for military scholarships. 
• Employer scholarships: Companies may offer scholarships to their employees or their dependents. 

Researching the scholarships you may be eligible for is an important step to maximize your chances of receiving an award. 

The rise of online learning has transformed education, making it more flexible and accessible to students of all ages and backgrounds. However, online learning isn’t a walk in the park. Succeeding requires unique skills that can differ from traditional campus learning. 

If you're thinking about online college, explore the skills and strategies needed for success in virtual learning below. 

What Are Essential Skills for Online Learners? 

Success with online learning is built on developing specific skills to navigate learning without in-classroom interaction and set course schedules. Unlike traditional campus classes, online learning requires independence, technical skills, and adaptability. 

Some of the key skills for online learning include: 

• Self-discipline 
• Communication 
• Time management 
• Technical proficiency 
• Critical thinking 

These skills are crucial to not only academic success but success in professional environments. More and more workplaces are hybrid or remote, and having skills in remote collaboration, time management, and self-discipline are transferable from the academic setting to the workplace. 

Current college students are quite different than they were years ago, but many colleges are still structured as if all students were 18- to 21-year-old, full time students. According to the Lumina Foundation, about 34% of college students are 25 or older, and about 80% of them work.

College is more accessible than it used to be, but there are still unique challenges that come with going back to school as an adult learner – and balancing life’s responsibilities with coursework. Find out how you can get the most out of your college experience as an adult learner.

Can You Go Back to School as an Adult?

Absolutely! Educational institutions have evolved beyond traditional, in-person classes with students fresh out of high school. Whether community college, four-year university, or alternative online learning platforms, there are countless programs that cater to the diverse needs of adult learners – including balancing school with work, family, or other responsibilities. 

Earning a college degree or certificate can take years to complete, whether you’re attending classes in person or online. With demanding schedules, high expectations, and the pressure to succeed, it’s natural to lose motivation at different points in your college career.

Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to stay on track and make the most of our learning journey. Find out why your motivation may wane – and actionable tips to regain and maintain your drive.

Why Am I Losing Motivation in College?

Motivation can waver for several reasons: 

• Stress: Balancing academics and personal life, especially for an adult learner, can take a toll over time. Many students are juggling coursework, part- or full-time jobs, and social commitments, leading to burnout.
• Challenges with online learning: The self-paced nature and lack of face-to-face interaction with online classes can make it more difficult to stay engaged – and easier to procrastinate.
• Overwhelming workloads: Demanding courses, a lot of assignments, and a drive to succeed can feel daunting. Sometimes, you may procrastinate or become apathetic.
• Unclear goals: If you don’t have a clear roadmap for your academic or career aspirations, you may feel disconnected from your studies and how they contribute to your life plan.

Strategies to Stay Motivated in College

Now that you know why lack of motivation happens, here are some strategies to overcome it:

Create a Positive Study Environment

Your study environment plays a critical role in your ability to focus and stay productive. Make sure you have a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions. Keep your desk organized and well-lit to enhance your focus. 

Tools like planners, timers, and ambient noise apps can help you boost concentration, but the key is finding what works for you. Some people work best in total silence, while others may need some background noise that’s not too distracting. For others, strategic music can help with concentration.

Being “successful” in college can mean something different for everyone based on their individual priorities, goals, and career aspirations. What’s successful for you can be quite different from your peers. 

Whatever your goals are, here are some tips to help you achieve them and enjoy your college experience. 

1. Know Your Goals 

Goals are an important part of visualizing your success. Think about what it is you want to achieve with your education and what “success” means for you. This can help you realize what you value and how that contributes to your success. 

For example, earning a bachelor’s degree to pursue your dream career may indicate that you value career achievements and independence. Perhaps you’re a small business owner and a first-generation college student who wants the sense of accomplishment of earning a degree – even if it’s not required for your career path. 

How you interpret your success and your values can help you stay focused on your goals. 

2. Make a Plan 

With a solid idea of what success looks like for you, you can turn that vision into a plan of action. This involves dividing large goals into smaller accomplishments that contribute to the whole. This can help you keep your goals more manageable and avoid feeling overwhelmed. 

SMART goals are a crucial part of the process. This means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. So, if your long-term goal is to earn a degree, your SMART goals could be things like maintaining a 3.5 GPA at minimum, committing an extra two hours a week to study time, or completing one gen ed requirement in addition to your university courseload each term. 

3. Show Up for Classes 

This may seem obvious, but you have to show up for class to get the most out of your college experience, and that means attending online lectures and classes too. Your course lectures are where most of the learning takes place. Your professor may introduce new topics and add context that you can’t find in the textbook. Attending your classes, no matter what format they are presented in, is the best way to absorb all this information – and show the professor that you care about your academic performance. 

Most colleges offer a three-course, 15-credit load for full-time students. If you want to max out your schedule and get classes out of the way, you may feel inclined to take as many courses as possible, even exceeding this three-course maximum. 

However, doing so could be more difficult than you might expect. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you first start, especially if you put too much on your plate before you learn the ropes of college courses. Fortunately, dropping a class is an option. 

Whether you’re being too ambitious or you’ve changed majors, you can drop a class to get a more balanced schedule. Students may also drop courses if they’re struggling with the material, since dropping by the deadline avoids a low grade and ensures a fresh start in a future course. 

Changing your schedule can have major consequences for your GPA, financial aid, and graduation timeline, so be sure to consider your options carefully. 

College can be demanding. Even students who breezed through high school may struggle, because college courses involve a lot of information that’s presented in a short period of time. 

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but that doesn’t mean that you are overwhelmed. These challenges may be daunting, but they probably won’t be the first in your college career. 

With the right approach, it can be an opportunity to improve your learning skills and develop strategies to tackle more complex concepts. 

Study Smart, Not Hard 

Many students learn strong study habits in high school, but those same habits may not keep up with the demands of college education. Classes can be larger, exams may have higher stakes, reading can be more intense, and classes are more rigorous overall. 

It’s important to actively study, not just listen and read. You have to engage with the material and formulate your own learning. Here are some ideas to help you engage: 

• Create a study guide for each section or concept with questions and problems, then answer them once you’ve gone over the material. 
• Come up with examples that relate to your own experiences. 
• Think of difficult concepts in terms of question, evidence, and conclusion. 
• Try to explain the concepts in your own words, then compare them to the text to see if you truly understand. 
• Complete any practice quizzes and answer any questions posed by your text, even if they’re not graded. 
• Space out your studying over days or weeks, which is more effective for learning and retention than cramming all the information in at once. 

Sophia helps remove hurdles for learners, whether they’re high school students getting ahead on their degree, adults returning to school or changing careers, and anything in between. But one of the biggest benefits of Sophia is the opportunity to complete gen eds quickly and fast-track their degree. 

Today, we’d like to highlight a story of how one of our talented learners leveraged Sophia to expedite his undergraduate journey and get a jump on his post bachelors learning experience. 

Introducing Josh Vandergriff 

As an adult learner, Josh Vandergriff returned to higher education pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition in June 2020. He was able to complete his degree in just one year, graduating in June 2021, before moving on to a master’s degree in public health. 

In December 2022, Josh graduated from his master’s program and took the next step – a Doctor of Health Science program. He started in June of 2023 and is on track to graduate in May of 2025.  

Failing a course can be an overwhelming, difficult, and humbling experience, but you’re not alone. You can learn from the experience and achieve academic success. 

Maybe you were overwhelmed with too many challenging courses. Perhaps you got behind and need to work on your time management. Maybe the major isn’t for you. Whatever the reason, failing a class in college is not the end of your college career. 

Wondering what to do if you fail a class in college? All you can do is move forward with a plan in place to set yourself up for success. Here’s how. 

1. Don’t Give Up 

It’s easy to beat yourself up over a failing grade, especially if you’re used to having good grades in the past. But you aren’t a failure just because of a failed class. 

Your failed grade is an opportunity to learn from the experience and commit to better habits in the future.  

2. Determine What Went Wrong 

Though it isn’t easy, evaluating what went wrong is a great way to ensure you succeed with your subsequent courses. Be honest with yourself – did you procrastinate studying and assignments? Did you overload your schedule? Did you truly try your best and just not understand the course concepts? 

Speaking with your advisor or professor can help you understand why you failed, and more importantly, how you can do better when you make up the class. 

Transitioning from high school to college can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to studying for many of your past courses. You may need to adjust to not only the rigors of college but learn how to study in the first place. 

Studying is one of the vital tools for college success. It’s more than reading, taking notes, or memorizing terms and phrases (though that’s part of it). Understanding how to study and retain information is vital to true learning. 

Whether your study skills are rusty or you’re trying to sharpen your study skills, here are our tips to study to help you thrive in your college courses. 

What Is Studying, Really? 

Contrary to popular belief, studying is not simply reading a textbook or other course material. Reading is an important part of the process, but it’s more like pre-studying. 

Studying is actively engaging with the material and drawing connections between the course concepts, examples, lectures, and your own learning process. This is more than note-taking, memorizing, or highlighting important passages. 

Here are some ways to ensure that you’re actively studying: 

• Create questions, problems, and quizzes as your own study guide. 
• Read the information out loud and ask yourself questions as you go. 
• Come up with examples that are relevant to your own experiences. 
• Create diagrams that explain the material. 
• Work out problems and explain the steps.  

College is a big investment in your future, but it can be expensive. While you can take out loans for school, there are opportunities to save money with scholarships that help offset the costs of tuition, books, room and board, and more.

Most people are aware of athletic and academic scholarships awarded to high school students, but there’s so much more than that. Here’s everything you need to know about the types of scholarships, their criteria, and how to present the best possible scholarship application.

What Are Scholarships?

A scholarship is a financial award given to a student based on criteria that demonstrates merit or need. Scholarships offer financial help for school and are awarded based on specific criteria. The grantor of scholarships typically defines how the money should be applied, but they’re often used for tuition, books, room and board, or other educational expenses.

What Types of Scholarships Are There?

It’s important to understand the different types of scholarships to select the best ones for your needs, but most scholarships focus on academic results.

Here are the different types of scholarships:

Congrats on taking the next step in your educational journey with Sophia! Whether you’re about to start your courses or you’re just signing up, you’re probably curious about the course structure and how we define success at Sophia. 

This guide has all the information you need to understand how Sophia courses work, the types of assessments we use to evaluate your learning, and how they factor into your final grade. Here’s everything you need to know about taking Sophia courses – plus some helpful tips to maximize your success. 

How Is Learning Assessed? 

Sophia’s courses are competency based, which means that rather than based on a defined term or being graded on a curve, you go at your own pace and you’re done if and when you show you’ve met the expectations for each competency.  

Sophia provides a structure that provides you with all the learning material you need, low stakes practice activities to get ready and exams and assignments that allow you to show what you’ve learned. And if you were not successful the first time on an exam or assignment, you have another chance before moving on. 

Sophia offers 60+ courses in a range of subject areas, all with a similar user interface. Many of our courses are designed with a problem-based learning model that includes both theoretical and practical scenarios for in-depth learning. 

Types of Assessments 

Sophia grades are based on three types of assessments that test your mastery of concepts using problem-based learning, summative evaluation, and a project-based deliverable. Here are the types of assessments, how they factor into your grade, and some tips for success:

Challenges 

Sophia courses use a problem-based learning model comprising both theory and practical knowledge to enhance critical thinking. Each Challenge has an average of 5-10 multiple-choice questions focused on real-world application of concepts to demonstrate your understanding. 

Tips for Success 

• Challenges aren’t timed, so you can take as much time as you need. 
• Each Challenge is split with questions on the left side of the screen and lessons to help you answer the questions on the right side of the screen. 
• You have three attempts for each Challenge topic. If you miss the first question, you’ll get a second or third chance until you’re off to the next topic. If you miss all three, you will miss that point. 
• If you do miss a question, look to the bottom of the screen to find the answer and an explanation as to why yours was right or wrong. 
• Challenges aren’t weighted as heavily as other assessments and can be reset once by a Learning Coach to try again. 
• Take the time to make notes on concepts that were difficult or information you may forget. These concepts will be important for the next assessment: Milestones. 

Tests are part of the academic experience, whether you’re taking in-person or online courses, prepping for the SATs, ACTs, or AP exams, or sitting for admissions tests like the MCAT or GRE. 

In addition, if you’re planning a career that involves exams for your credentials, such as the state bar exam, the NCLEX for nurse licensing, or the USMLE to become a licensed medical physician, you will need to have strong test-taking techniques. 

As tests become more challenging, studying may not be enough on its own. Effective and consistent preparation is the key to success with your exams. Here are 10 tips to prepare for tests, no matter how big or small. 

Before the Test 

1. Develop Good Study Habits 

Understanding and recalling information for a test takes more than an all-night study session. Coursework is scaffolded and cumulative, meaning each new concept builds upon the previous ones. If you never crack a book and try to cram all your studying in at the last minute, your test scores may suffer for it. 

It’s important to develop good study habits long before your big test. Do all your homework assignments and assigned readings, review your notes, and prepare your own study guides. If you have an opportunity to prepare with practice tests or optional assignments, take advantage of them. Sophia courses include a mix of flashcards and other study tools, interactive practice opportunities, and practice Milestone tests to help you prepare. 

2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep 

Showing up to a test well-rested is one of the most crucial aspects of success. Being well-rested helps your recall and your ability to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. If you’re tired and foggy, you may not be able to think clearly. 

In fact, good sleep habits are important for your entire academic performance before, during, and after testing. Lack of sleep impacts both short- and long-term memory, and regular rest is integral to memory consolidation, the process of preserving vital memories and discarding irrelevant information. 

3. Give Yourself Time  

Taking an exam often comes with a little anxiety and stress, even if you’re confident in the material. The last thing you need is to be in a rush before or during the test and adding to your stress. 

On the day of a test, get up a little early and take your time. Eat a healthy breakfast (or lunch, depending on the time), and review your notes or flashcards one last time. Avoid excess sugar or caffeine, which can leave you feeling tired in the middle of your exam. If your exam time is flexible, choose a time of day when you know you can really focus.   

If you’re an academic achiever in high school and excited to start college, you can get a head start with an early introduction to college-level coursework. Earning some college credits in high school can help you impress college admissions departments, explore academic interests, and save some money on tuition. 

Whether you have a college plan in mind or you’re just getting your feet wet with the college experience, there are many reasons to take college courses in high school. Find out more about your options and how to get started. 

Can You Take College Classes in High School? 

If you want a head start on your college credits while you’re still in high school, there are plenty of ways to do it. 

Advanced Placement 

One of the most common options is advanced placement (AP) courses. These courses are developed by CollegeBoard and available in over 30 subjects, so you may be able to knock out a college-level course and high school requirement at once. Once the course is complete, you will have to pass an AP test to receive college credits. 

Dual Enrollment 

Unlike AP courses, which offer preparation to assist high school students with more rigorous coursework, dual enrollment allows students to enroll in full college classes while in high school. You can complete college-level assignments and receive credit that’s applied to your high school diploma and your college degree at once. 

Summer Courses 

You can take college credits in high school by completing summer programs. This has a few benefits, including preparing you for the college experience, allowing you to explore academic interests at the college level, and focusing on a single course to ensure your grades don’t suffer. 

Online Courses 

Online courses have been growing in popularity, especially after the pandemic. Colleges, universities, and learning platforms like Sophia offer online courses that you can take in high school to earn college-level transfer credits, typically in gen ed classes. Some of these are self-paced, meaning you can complete the coursework on your own schedule to ensure that you don’t become overwhelmed with your academic schedule. 

For many college students, electives can be the most exciting aspect of the college experience. You have an opportunity to choose what classes to take, and in what subjects, to explore your interests and indulge your curiosities. 

All degree programs have electives built in to ensure that students get a worldly education and encourage intellectual curiosity. You have to be strategic in deciding how you want to use those electives to support your academic and professional goals, however. 

Types of Electives 

Electives are courses that you get to choose. Your electives may fall under a degree requirement, but you typically have a few courses to choose from that satisfy it. In some cases, your electives may act as prerequisites for courses that are part of your major or minor. 

High school students have a lot of work ahead of them to gain admission into college and prepare themselves for the workforce. Enrolling in a college prep program can help you get ready for college and learn the ins and outs of college applications and attendance.

If you’re planning on attending college after high school – or you have a child exploring college options – online college prep courses offer valuable real-world insights to ensure success.

What Is College Prep?

College prep can mean different things at different institutions, but they’re generally classes that prepare you for future education as a college student. Some may focus on practical knowledge for college like managing college applications or understanding financial aid and loans. 

Others may prepare you for the rigor of college with more challenging course work to give you a taste of what’s expected of a college student. These often focus on the core subjects that high school students are supposed to grasp before graduation: English, math, science, and social studies.

Though often grouped together, college prep courses differ from advanced placement (AP) courses. AP courses are courses you can take to earn college credit in high school, which are instructed at a college level and quite challenging. College prep courses can be equally rigorous, but they may not offer college credit.

If you want to go back to school to start or finish earning your degree, you probably don’t have the luxury of quitting your job to be a full-time student. The responsibilities to family and tuition payments mean that work is a necessity – often on a full-time basis – to make going back to school a reality. 

Balancing work and school is no easy feat, but it is possible. Here are some tips to help you succeed in college while working full time. 

Set a Schedule – And Stick to It 

Creating a schedule and sticking to it is the best way to set yourself up for success with the upcoming term or semester. It’s best to plan before you actually start your courses and set notifications and deadlines on a personal calendar. Make sure to list everything, including your work hours, study time, errands, and assignment deadlines. 

Your schedule not only keeps you on track with time management but helps you prepare for upcoming projects, assignments, and exams. If you have something big coming up, you can prepare by rearranging your scheduled time to prioritize school. 

For example, if you have plans for an event or day trip, you have advance notice to move around your free time to accommodate studying and assignments. If you’re inundated with work, you have a comprehensive view of your responsibilities to avoid overwhelm and block out time appropriately. 

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to college, including your major, future career path, tuition, possible schools, and more. But one thing you may not have been thinking about is if you’re ready for the rigors of higher education. 

Even if you feel ready on a personal level, college readiness courses evaluate whether you might have any gaps in the skills and knowledge needed to successfully integrate into college, such as study skills, critical thinking skills, and organizational skills. Find out more about college readiness and why it’s a valuable addition to your college planning. 

What Are College Readiness Courses? 

College readiness refers to the skills, behaviors, and knowledge a high school student should have to start college and integrate into the experience. A college readiness course covers a lot of these necessary skills, including: 

Education 

Generally, colleges and universities expect education in common core subjects like math, English, history, and one foreign language. These skills are then developed and expanded in college. 

Skill Sets 

Aside from academic skills, colleges expect certain life skills to successfully integrate into the college learning experience. These include completing a scientific experiment, writing an essay, or public speaking, as well as time management and critical thinking. 

Mindset 

College can be demanding and requires a lot of self-discipline, motivation, and positivity. Students are expected to have these skills to face and conquer the challenges they may encounter in college. 

Attending college isn’t as simple as filling out an application and taking courses. You have to prepare application materials, take standardized tests, gather recommendation letters, and most importantly, choose your major and career path for the future. 

The earlier you start – and the better organized you are – the better prepared you’ll be to select, apply, and get accepted to the college or university of your choice. Here’s everything you need to know to design your own online college plan. 

Choosing a Major 

If you already know what you want to major in and what career you want to pursue, you’re ahead of the game. But if you don’t, that’s a good place to start. 

Consider your professional goals and interests, as well as the career you want to pursue. For example, if you want to be a lawyer, you can major in just about anything, but majors like criminal justice, political science, or history are recommended. You will also need to go to law school, which means preparing for testing and law school admission midway through your undergraduate experience. 

Conversely, some career paths are more limited in their majors, such as nursing, accounting, engineering, and anthropology. You’ll put yourself in a stronger position after you graduate if you make smart decisions about your major. 

Once you have decided on a major, it’s time to consider your options for higher education institutions. Some majors require a four-year program, but others you may be able to complete at a trade school or a community college with an associate degree. For example, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can attend trade school instead of getting a bachelor’s degree. 

At Sophia Learning, we believe that personal and professional advancement should be affordable and accessible to every student at every stage of their journey – whether they’re a high school graduate or a mature adult returning to school after a long break. 

These values are reflected in our ambassador program, which includes a diverse group of learners with different educational backgrounds and career goals. 

Today, we’d like to highlight some of the recent graduates who are members of the Sophia Learning Ambassador Program. Learn more about their experiences and let it inspire your own journey. 

When you embark on a higher education journey, you’re looking to get more than “just a job” out of your investment. You want a rewarding, challenging career that offers opportunities and progress.

But preparing for a lifelong career journey is more than learning job-related skills in your degree program – it’s about having the competencies to enter the workforce and thrive. Unfortunately, many degree programs focus on the theoretical aspects of the area of study, not how it translates in the real world.

That’s where career readiness comes in. With career readiness, you can learn transferable skills that are essential in the modern workplace, no matter what career path you choose to take.

From kindergarten through senior year, we’re trained to look forward to the summer season for a much-needed break from learning.

For many college students, that last stretch in the spring and finishing finals means a long, relaxing summer break with plenty of sunny days, sleeping in late, and enjoying time with friends and family.

But for intrepid students, summer may be the ideal time to continue with the learning experience to gain new skills, knock out gen ed courses, and fast track graduation.

Wondering if you should take summer classes in college? Here’s why it may be the perfect option for you.

College is exciting, challenging, and fun, but it’s also a big investment – possibly one of the biggest you’ll make in your lifetime.

Though the cost may be rising, there’s good news – there’s a positive return on investment for higher education. Overall, college graduates earn more than those with high school diplomas.

Of course, you have to make smart financial decisions to get the best college ROI, and online courses are one way to help save on college and invest your money and time wisely.

If you’re considering online courses to boost your resume, finish your degree, or switch careers, there are a few different setups and options to make the most of the experience.

Some courses are structured with specific information to be covered each week on a set schedule, while others allow you to learn at your own speed – self-paced learning. Many schools offer self-paced online college-level courses for credit, so you can get ahead while working toward your degree on your own time.

Attending college at your own pace is a great way to balance the responsibilities of life with your education, but it may not be ideal for everyone. Find out what to expect from a self-paced learning environment.

What Is Self-Paced Learning?

Online courses are more flexible than traditional courses in general, but self-paced online courses give you even more control over your learning experience. There are minimal deadlines and schedules that limit your learning experience, so you can move quickly through material that comes easily.

Most courses, traditional or otherwise, are built on layered learning – you have to have a good understanding of the material to build upon it as you move through the course. If you struggle with a topic or concept, you can take the time you need to ensure you truly grasp it before moving into the next section.

Essentially, you can leverage your individual learning strengths and abilities to get the best experience possible.

If you check these boxes, you can benefit from self-paced online college.

With a part- or full-time work week, family obligations, and other responsibilities, it can seem challenging to find the time to complete schoolwork. Time is a precious resource that should be maximized, especially for college students.

Whether you struggle with time management or you want to maximize your time, here are our top 10 time management tips for college students.

1. Keep a Calendar of Deadlines

Most courses, online or in-person, have deadlines for assignments that you have to follow to earn a high grade. It can be overwhelming, but not if you’re following the best practices for managing time for students.

Keeping a calendar gives you a visual of all your upcoming work, so you can schedule study time and time to complete assignments with clear priorities. Otherwise, you could end up with rapidly approaching deadlines and panic when you realize assignments are due without enough time to spend on them.

Student loans are a great option for people who want a degree but otherwise can’t afford college. Taking out student loans means being saddled with a lot of debt upon graduation, however.

Whether you’re a new student or you’re far along in your college career, there are ways you can get ahead of college costs, or limit your borrowing, to start off in a strong position after graduation.

Find out how to avoid college debt and finish school without the burden of high student loans.

1. Embrace Hybrid or Alternative Learning

Online learning has created a unique option to avoid excessive debt and gain flexibility in your learning journey. Hybrid learning combines the affordability of an online education with in-person classes for a traditional college experience.

Though the per-credit cost may be close, the flexibility of a hybrid program can reduce the indirect costs that can rack up in college, such as paying for tolls or parking, gas for the commute, or enrolling children in childcare to attend classes. It also offers more flexibility to continue working a full-time schedule and earn income.

Online learning is becoming more popular. Colleges and universities are increasing their online offerings, and 2020 saw record enrollment from online learners. 

From doctoral programs to short courses, online programs offer an array of benefits, including flexibility in where, when, and how students attain their education while balancing the responsibilities of daily life.

But there is a caveat – online learning can be challenging if you’re not prepared. Attending an online course demands focus and motivation like a traditional classroom setting, plus distractions like kids or pets can present barriers to learning.

Here are some tips for how to be a successful online college student and get the most out of your online classes this year.  

It’s back-to-school season for many students. As you focus on your studies, schedule and the supplies you’ll need, it’s helpful to figure out what discounts might be available. From computers and subscriptions to notebooks and writing implements and other essentials, now is a great time to assess where you can save. 

In addition to saving with Sophia, here are some helpful discounts at a variety of academia-related companies: This is not a statement of endorsement of these products or offers. Offers may have seperate terms and conditions and expiration dates.

When Purdue University senior Madison Roelike* first heard of Sophia Learning in late 2019, she was intrigued by the idea of taking convenient and affordable college-level courses that could help her work toward her bachelor of science in business administration.

Madison was first drawn in by the concept and the accessible design of Sophia’s website, but she continued to take courses with Sophia long after her free trial period ended because Sophia delivered on its promise of convenient, high-quality learning. 

*Actual Sophia student who agreed to appear in Sophia promotional materials

In recent years, there’s been an emphasis on practical majors like science, technology, math, and business management, and less on more theoretical, creative majors like the humanities. However, these courses are required for most four-year degrees and hold a lot of value in any field.

From communication and writing skills to critical thinking and empathy, find out the benefits of humanities courses as part of your degree program.

What Is Humanities in College?

Humanities in college refers to courses that focus on the study of human culture, thought, and expression. This discipline explores subjects like philosophy, history, literature, art, and languages, teaching not only the subjects themselves but honing critical thinking, cultural awareness, and communication skills.

The benefits of humanities courses are far reaching. They can help you develop analytical abilities and empathy while navigating the complexities of the collective human experience, which could serve you in both your academic and professional careers.

What Courses Are Considered Humanities? 

Common Categories of Humanities Courses

There are several categories that fall under the humanities umbrella, including:

• Literature and language: Courses like English literature, creative writing, and foreign language explore linguistics, storytelling, and cultural narratives.

• Philosophy and ethics: These courses explore the nature of existence, human values, and moral reasoning, which can inform later ethics courses specific to your degree and inspire empathy. 

• History and cultural studies: These courses examine historical events, cultural dynamics, and societal changes that encourage critical thought and proper research techniques.

• Art and music: These courses explore visual arts, performing arts, and music that provide valuable insights into human creativity and aesthetic appreciation.

• Religious studies: These courses delve into global religious traditions to help you understand belief systems and how they influence cultures.

You may be wondering why you have to take gen ed courses – especially the ones unrelated to your degree – but they’re more important than you may realize. These foundational classes are designed to provide a well-rounded education and prepare you for advanced coursework. 

College is an exciting time to explore your interests, engage your intellectual passion, and build the foundation for your future career. But when it comes time to choose courses, you may find that you have a lot of introductory courses to get out of the way before you dive into the “fun” stuff for your major. 

What Are Gen Ed Courses? 

Gen ed courses are the core classes required by colleges and universities to provide students with a broad base of knowledge. These courses cover a wide range of subjects that can strengthen soft skills, improve critical thinking, and help students develop good study skills. 

Here are some common subjects covered in gen ed courses: 

• Natural sciences like biology, chemistry, and environmental science 
• Humanities like the arts, literature, and philosophy 
• Social sciences like psychology, sociology, and economics 
• Mathematics like statistics and college algebra 
• Communications and writing 

Why Do Gen Ed Courses Matter? 

Gen ed courses are a crucial part of developing essential skills that will serve you throughout your academic and professional career. Here are some reasons gen ed courses are included in the curriculum: 

• Building a strong academic foundation: Gen ed courses can help to develop skills that are applicable to future courses, no matter the major, and your future career, such as critical thinking and communication. 
• Broadening your knowledge: Gen ed courses expose you to different perspectives and disciplines, nurturing intellectual curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world. 
• Gaining transferable skills: Gen ed courses can hone soft skills like adaptability, problem solving, and written and oral communication, which are valued among job candidates. 
• Promoting lifelong learning: By encouraging you to explore subjects outside of your chosen major, gen ed courses may cultivate a desire for continuous learning and intellectual curiosity. 

From music to electrical engineering to medicine, math is a critical component of many college majors. Even the arts and humanities require some math-focused general education requirements. If you’re not a natural at math, it can feel intimidating. 

There’s no need to panic. With the right resources and strategies, you can have an enriching experience in your college-level math courses. Find out what makes math different in college, the types of courses available, and tips to succeed in college-level math.  

What Are College-Level Math Courses? 

College-level math courses are designed to develop advanced mathematical and analytical skills, as well as critical thinking. These courses are often a foundation for degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, business, and more. They are a bit different from high school math in their depth, pace, and application, however. 

Types of College-Level Math Courses 

There are many college-level math courses that you may need to take as part of your degree requirements. Some of these include: 

• College Algebra: This course focuses on equations, functions, inequalities, and their applications. It’s a foundation for many advanced math courses. 
• Pre-Calculus: This course prepares you for calculus with advanced algebra, trigonometry, and introductory analytical geometry. 
• Differential Equations: This course focuses on solving equations involving derivatives, which is relevant to physics and engineering fields. 
• Calculus: This course explores limits, derivatives, integrals, and their practical uses. 
• Statistics: This course is an introduction to data analysis, probability, and statistical reasoning. 
• Linear Algebra: This course builds on College Algebra with vector spaces, matrices, and linear transformations. 
• Discrete Math: This course covers logic, set theory, and combinatorics, which is especially important for computer science majors. 
• Probability Theory: This course covers the mathematical principles of probability, essential for advanced statistics and actuarial sciences. 
• Applied Mathematics: This course focuses on mathematical methods and their applications in real-world scenarios, such as physics and engineering. 
• Abstract Algebra: This course studies algebraic structures like groups, rings, and fields for advanced mathematics fields. 
• Mathematical Modeling: This course covers how to create models to solve real-world problems in various disciplines. 
• Trigonometry: This course examines relationships between angles and lengths in triangles. 
• Financial Mathematics: This course covers mathematics techniques for finance, such as annuities, interest rates, and risk analysis. 
• Biostatistics: This course focuses on statistical methods used in biological and health sciences. 

The rise of online education has changed the way students and professionals approach learning offering unrivaled flexibility and accessibility. If you’re interested in exploring the world of business, online business courses can offer a way to master critical skills for success. 

Learn the essentials of taking business classes online, the types of courses available, the benefits for all career paths, and some tips for success. 

Why Take Business Classes? 

Business courses aren’t limited to budding entrepreneurs and aspiring executives – they offer skills that can apply to various fields. Here’s why you should consider enrolling in business courses: 

Enhanced Communication Skills 

Business courses cultivate strong professional communication skills through dedicated coursework in business writing and communication. You’ll learn to articulate your ideas clearly in emails, presentations, and negotiations, which apply to virtually every career path – from the job interview onward. 

Strategic Thinking and Persuasion 

Business courses teach strategic business skills, including how to present ideas persuasively and build a strong case for your viewpoints. This can apply to your job role whether you’re selling products, influencing decision-makers, or pitching yourself as the top candidate for a coveted position. 

Financial Literacy 

Finance courses are often included in business curricula to teach you how businesses operate on the financial end. From developing budgets to understanding profit-and-loss statements for large corporations, these insights can help in both your personal and professional lives. 

Public speaking is a valuable skill that can transcend all aspects of life, from personal interactions to professional responsibilities. From delivering a presentation at work, sharing ideas in a meeting, or addressing a group in your community, the ability to communicate effectively can impact your success. 

While public speaking can be anxiety-inducing for many people, it’s a crucial part of your educational experience and professional skill set. Find out more about the benefits of public speaking courses, why it’s important, and some tips to overcome performance anxiety. 

What Do You Do in a Public Speaking Course? 

Public speaking courses typically cover several topics, including: 

• Understanding your audience and learning to tailor your message to resonate with different groups 
• Structuring your speech to organize your thoughts and present them clearly 
• Mastering body language, vocal cues, and pacing to enhance your speech delivery 
• Using slides, props, and other visual aids to support and strengthen your message 
• Engaging in practice speeches to gain constructive criticism from peers and refine your skills 

Why Is Public Speaking Important? 

Public speaking skills are universally applicable to every job and field, from business to education to healthcare. Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and persuasively can enhance your career prospects and help you build relationships, both personally and professionally. 

Whether you’re leading a team at work, negotiating a deal, or engaging in conversation with colleagues or friends, strong public speaking skills can help you express yourself confidently. 

Information technology (IT) is an integral part of our daily lives, particularly in the workplace. Advancements in technology are occurring at a rapid pace, and the demand for tech-savvy professionals is rising along with it. 

But you don’t have to work in a tech field to benefit from IT education. Incorporating IT college courses into your curriculum can have incredible advantages in not only your future career but your personal life, providing foundational tech knowledge, enhancing your career prospects, and offering valuable job skills. 

1. Comprehensive Understanding of IT Fundamentals 

Enrolling in information technology classes in college can give you a robust foundation in the essential principles of IT. These courses often cover a range of topics, including computer systems, networking, cybersecurity, and programming, to introduce you to the core concepts and tools that are vital to the tech field. 

For example, a course like Intro to IT will teach you about operating systems, basic coding, and database management. This knowledge may equip you with the skills necessary to tackle more advanced topics and specialized areas later in your education. 

In addition, a solid grasp of IT fundamentals benefits you far beyond the classroom. These core principles serve as a basis for lifelong learning, teaching you to embrace and adapt to change. Whether you pursue a career in technology or not, understanding the basics of IT can allow you to collaborate more effectively with tech teams, understand data-driven decision-making, and leverage technology to improve your work.   

2. Hands-On Experience and Practical Skills 

One of the key aspects of information technology courses in college is the emphasis on hands-on learning opportunities. Practical experiences are crucial to an IT curriculum, allowing you to apply the theoretical concepts in real-world contexts. 

You may have labs, workshops, or project-based assignments that simulate real-world IT scenarios, such as working with servers or software applications. IT courses also involve collaborative projects that encourage you to solve problems as part of a team, which can apply to any role – tech or otherwise. 

This hands-on approach can build skills that are necessary to navigate real-world challenges, regardless of industry. You learn not just the “how” but the “why” behind IT processes and technologies. For example, a course in cybersecurity will teach you real-world cybersecurity best practices, which you can use to identify vulnerabilities in your employee network in your future job. 

Project management is a crucial part of virtually every organization, no matter the industry. Skillful project management is a big part of what allows organizations to run like a well-oiled machine, so having project management skills can be an asset to your career. 

But that’s not all. There are plenty of other reasons to study project management, even if you have a different career path ahead of you. 

What Is Project Management? 

Project management is the use of specific knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to deliver something of value to people. This may be software for business processes, buildings or renovations, disaster relief, expansions into new business markets, and more. 

This structured approach to key project objectives ensures positive outcomes, and it takes project managers to do it. Project managers oversee the timeline, milestones, task allocation, resource allocation, and more. 

Reason 1: Enhanced Opportunities for Professional Growth 

Learning project management may broaden your career horizons by enabling you to develop skills that are in high demand. Organizations are increasingly prioritizing efficient project execution, so a candidate with project management skills could stand out in a competitive job market. 

Many industries need skilled project managers to lead initiatives, manage resources, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. This is an opportunity for you, whether you’re entering the job market or looking to upskill and move up in your current field. 

For example, product managers need project management skills to lead product development from conception to launch and coordinate across various teams and stakeholders. IT managers use project management methodologies to manage software development projects and technology initiatives.   

The workplace is vastly different than it used to be. Teams may be in office, in the field, working remotely, or on a hybrid schedule – sometimes working alongside people on the other side of the globe. 

In our increasingly interconnected yet geographically distributed world, effective communication skills are more crucial than ever. We need a wide range of communication skills for our professional and personal interactions to convey ideas clearly, persuade, and ultimately, impact success. 

Communications courses are part of the general education requirements for many degrees, but why do they matter? Find out why communication courses are important for virtually every industry. 

Why Are Communication Courses Important? 

Wondering why communication courses matter? Here are some benefits in detail: 

Relevant to Every Industry 

Communications courses, like many gen ed courses, are more than just “filler” in your pursuit of a degree. They’re foundational to every field and industry, from healthcare to technology. The ability to articulate your thoughts, share information, and build interpersonal relationships is just as important for your success as any job-specific training and skills. 

Learning to Communicate 

Though it may seem obvious, communication courses teach essential skills like writing, interviewing, and planning. Mastering these skills will make you more effective in any role and help you excel in your career. 

Public Speaking 

Many people fear public speaking, hindering their work performance and confidence. Public speaking courses empower you to present confidently in front of an audience, a skill that’s invaluable in professional settings. 

Collaborating and Working as Part of a Team 

Teams can’t function effectively without communication. Most jobs require some element of teamwork, and courses that focus on collaboration prepare you to work well with others, fostering a productive work environment. 

Improving Online Presence 

Many industries require some degree of communication in online environments, whether it’s social media, email, or intranets. Communication courses not only help you communicate with remote and hybrid teams but enhance your online presence and brand. 

If you’re an aspiring college student and preparing for your first year of higher education, you may be stressing over a few courses. For many students, those courses are mathematics. 

The idea of taking a college-level math course – especially if you struggled with math in high school – can be daunting. You may be wondering what math courses are required in college, how to get better at math, and what tips you may need to ensure you survive college math. 

Whether you’re thinking about your gen ed math requirements or considering a math-heavy major, here are some tips for how to study math effectively to set yourself up to succeed. 

Types of Math Courses 

No matter your major, you’ll probably be required to take some entry-level math courses in college. If you plan on majoring in something that requires more advanced math classes, these entry-level courses are a stepping stone to more challenging concepts. 

Though the specific courses can vary from school to school, here are the general types of math courses at the college level: 

• Algebra I: Algebra is a branch of mathematics that studies algebraic equations. Though many students take algebra in high school, college algebra is more advanced. 
• Algebra II: Algebra II expands on the concepts from Algebra I and introduces more complex topics to prepare for high-level courses. 
• Trigonometry: Trigonometry is a branch of math that deals with the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. 
• Geometry: Geometry is a branch of math that deals with the properties of space, such as the distance, shape, and size of figures. 
• Precalculus: Precalculus encompasses the courses that prepare for the study of calculus, such as algebra and geometry. 
• Calculus: Calculus is a branch of math that deals with the rates of change and introduces abstract thought necessary for higher-level math and science courses. 

More advanced math courses, such as combinatorics and topology, are reserved for math and some tech-focused majors. However, some majors will require more math courses as gen eds to prepare you for degree-specific courses, such as the hard sciences, accounting, and data science. 

Information technology (IT) is essential to virtually every industry, including government, healthcare, finance, retail, law, education, and media and entertainment. And as emerging technologies continue to evolve with new industry applications, the demand for IT professionals will grow along with them. 

Whether you’re considering IT as a career or interested in taking some courses to explore your interests, there are numerous benefits to learning information technology. 

What Is Information Technology? 

Information technology is a set of related fields that includes computer systems, programming languages, software, data, and information processing. 

What do you learn in information technology? Depending on the specific course or specialty, you may learn: 

• Technical theory 
• Networking 
• Programming 
• Computer hardware and software 
• Systems analysis 
• Database management 
• Computer circuitry 
• Website development 
• IT management 

While you may not think of accounting beyond general education courses, it’s not just for future accountants. Learning the basics of accounting is crucial for entrepreneurs and business leaders – not to mention the benefits for your personal finances. 

Find out why any professional can benefit from understanding accounting in the college experience. 

What Is Accounting? 

Accounting is the process of recording financial transactions in a business. This includes summarizing, analyzing, and reporting transactions to regulators, tax collectors, and oversight agencies. The statements used in accounting offer a summary of a company’s operation, financial health, and cash flow. 

What do you learn in accounting? There are different types of accounting that deal with specific information, including: 

• Financial accounting: This is the process used to generate financial statements that occur during an accounting period, including income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. 
• Managerial accounting: This is similar to financial accounting, but managerial accounting uses the information in different ways. Monthly and quarterly reports are used to make decisions about business operations. 
• Cost accounting: Like managerial accounting, cost accounting is used to make decisions, but the focus is on the costs of producing products or services and determining pricing. 
• Tax accounting: Tax accounting adheres to the rules set at the federal, state, and local level based on the returns filed. Tax accountants must comply with reporting rules while minimizing the company’s tax liability. 

Naturally, accountants need a strong foundation of accounting skills to work in the field, but these are critical skills to all business professionals. Whether you want to start your own business, work in a high-level leadership position, or manage your personal finances effectively, accounting courses offer numerous benefits. 

Business is a popular college major for many students – and for good reason. Business management and business administration degrees help to prepare students for management positions across various industries. 

Whether you’re pursuing a degree in business, looking into a business minor, or exploring some business courses for your general education requirements, the coursework often covers management, accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources. 

Common Business Courses 

Business management and business administration are broad majors with a lot of flexibility and several different specializations. The courses can vary from school to school, but they often include introductory courses that cover the basics of business theory and practice. 

1. Accounting 

Accounting focuses on the financial data in a business and helps to inform business decisions. Accounting courses are crucial to understand principles and tools, such as cash flow and forecasting, and prepare accounting statements like income statements and balance sheets. 

2. Economics 

Money is a key factor in any business. Business majors must understand the large- and small-scale economic forces that affect business in the real world. Introductory economics courses cover these concepts, including how consumers make decisions, monetary policy, the global economy, and business cycles. 

Language courses have been part of high school and some college curricula for decades, but they’ve never been more valuable in the job market. Fluency in multiple languages is a highly sought skill for job candidates across a variety of careers, including government positions, nursing, teaching, finance, and more. 

Learning a new language can certainly help your career, but there’s a lot more to gain from becoming multilingual. Discover the benefits of learning a new language and the unique advantages of taking online college language courses. 

Why Take Language Courses? 

In an increasingly globalized business world, learning a second language is a valuable skill that could impress employers, but there are additional benefits just for you. 

Brain Stimulation 

Learning a new language can help your gray matter grow, which is the information processing center of your brain. As you take in the complexities of a new language, your brain has to adapt and develop. Just like a muscle, your brain gets stronger and more capable as you challenge it. 

In addition to helping your brain now, acquiring new language skills help to delay cognitive decline and mental aging. According to neurological research, multilingual adults experience the first signs of dementia at a later age than their monolingual counterparts. 

Improved Memory 

As mentioned, challenging your brain to learn new skills keeps it sharp and agile. Learning a new language often pushes your brain in different ways as you familiarize yourself with new grammar and vocabulary rules. You not only have to remember new words, you have to connect them with real-world concepts and use them contextually, improving your memory in the process. 

Anatomy and physiology (A&P) is one of the core courses for a range of health-related fields, including nursing. It’s one of the most important foundational courses to learn the concepts that underpin medicine, human development, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. 

Still, no matter how passionate they are about nursing, many nursing students are anxious about A&P and its difficulty. Find out what you’ll learn in A&P, what to expect from the course, and how you can maximize your success. 

What Is Anatomy and Physiology? 

Anatomy and physiology are two studies in the life sciences. Anatomy refers to the internal and external structures of the body and how they relate to each other, while physiology refers to the study of how those structures function. 

The anatomy and physiology courses for nursing cover a basic introduction to the broad study of the two disciplines, but they each have branches that cover more advanced and detailed information. 

For example, anatomy includes both gross anatomy, the study of body structures that can be seen without magnification, and microscopic anatomy or histology, which covers the study of the smallest structures of the body. Physiology has branches as well, including cell physiology, endocrinology, exercise physiology, and clinical physiology, some of which may be part of your more advanced nursing studies. 

If you think math is hard, you’re not alone. Many people lack confidence in their math abilities. But with Sophia, you have the space and flexibility to grow your math skills on your own terms. Sophia puts you in control of your learning thanks to a self-paced online platform, an innovative teaching approach, and tutoring support in some courses.

No matter what career you pursue, you’ll use math more than you might expect. Math can also help you with situations in your own life—like understanding how a bank account earns interest or interpreting the statistics of your favorite sports team. Plus, math courses are a common bachelor’s degree requirement. That’s why Sophia offers a range of college-level math courses to build your skills and help you earn general education credits.

Improve your writing, speaking, researching and editing skills with Sophia’s online English and communications courses. They’re designed to let you learn at your own pace – anytime, anywhere.  

On average, Sophia students take 33 days to complete an English and communications course. 

Even if you are not an English major, you may still need to take a couple English and communications courses to meet common general education requirements. Plus, you'll be honing on key writing and communications skills that can help you in your personal and professional life.  

Whether you’re seeking online courses for your business degree or hoping to knock out a gen ed, Sophia’s online business courses can help save you time and money.

Here’s what you can expect when you choose to take a business course with Sophia: 

Learn the Ins and Outs of Business at Your Own Pace

Sophia’s online business courses are self-paced, which means you can complete them in the time that is most convenient for you. Some students prefer a slow and steady approach, while others appreciate the opportunity to work through lessons more quickly if they are already familiar with the concepts.

On average, Sophia students take 26 days to complete a business course. 

Not a business major? Chances are you’ll still need to take a few business courses. Many other fields of study incorporate aspects of business learning, including marketing, communications, economics, political science, human resources management, and entrepreneurship. Plus business courses may be a common general education requirement.

Complete Your Business Courses at an Affordable Rate

Sophia doesn’t charge you per course. Instead, we offer a flexible subscription fee of $99 per month that will grant you access to all of our ACE recommended online business courses. You can take up to two courses at a time and work your way through as many as your schedule allows each month. 

So, how does this compare to the cost of taking business courses through your accredited college or university? While tuition costs vary based on the state, institution type, and whether you’re billed in-state or out-of-state tuition, the Education Data Initiative has done a lot of research on the average cost per credit hour at two- and four-year institutions. Check out their latest report or review your school’s tuition fees for a cost analysis. And don’t forget to factor in cost savings on things like books and supplies, room and board, and student loan interest rates.

This graduation season, we proudly celebrate all the students who made Sophia Learning part of their education journey. By taking advantage of our affordable, online, college-level courses, learners of all ages and backgrounds have been able to grow their knowledge and save time and money on a degree. 

For some, it’s a powerful option to launch themselves into the workforce. For others, it’s about accelerating or revitalizing their careers. And for every learner, it’s about gaining new skills in support of personal and professional goals – however they define them.

Meet three proud graduates who made the most of their Sophia Learning experience. 

Jarod McCloskey - Southern New Hampshire University

This isn’t Jarod McCloskey’s first time celebrating a college degree that he earned with help from Sophia courses. In 2024, he earned his associate degree in marketing after completing multiple general education courses at Sophia Learning. But he didn’t stop there. Today, he’s the proud recipient of a Bachelor of Business Administration. He completed both degrees in just two years. 

“Sophia was a total game-changer for me,” Jarod explains. “It let me move forward in my education my way and on my schedule—which, let’s be honest, is the dream.”

Right now, Jarod is excelling in his role at a promising startup. And more opportunities await. “Sophia played a huge role in helping me fast-track my future,” he says. Wherever the next step leads, Jarod is confident that he’s on a path to career growth.   

Favorite course: Ancient Greek Philosophers

Sophia success tips:

• When it comes to using Sophia, as with anything educational online, the best thing you can do is know your schedule and set aside time that works for you.
• Don’t be shy to talk to your school advisor. Getting a little guidance can keep you on track and save you time in the long run.
• Explore every way to make a degree more affordable. Take full advantage of the resources your school offers, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Sophia is proud to announce that we have once again been named one of Newsweek’s “America’s Top Online Learning Providers” for 2025! It’s our mission to make education more accessible and affordable for all students, whether helping them pursue a degree or professional development. Receiving this honor again validates our efforts and demonstrates our commitment to providing affordable and accessible options for students to realize their dreams of higher education. 

What Is Newsweek’s “Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” Award? 

The “Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” award is a collaborative effort between Newsweek and Statista to evaluate and rank the top online learning providers in the United States. The publication, which has been running for over 80 years, is a trusted resource for independent rankings to help students plan for higher education. 

The award is in its fourth consecutive year and compiles data from a survey of over 9,000 online learners and internal research to develop comprehensive rankings of online learning institutions and platforms. Like the previous year, the 2025 rankings include 200 colleges and universities that offer online undergraduate and graduate programs, assigning each a star rating. 

“Top Learning Providers” are ranked as well. For 2025, Newsweek evaluated and selected 50 organizations that offer online courses and certificate and non-certificate educational programs for continuing education. Similarly, these organizations are given a star rating to compare options. 

The rankings and ratings are based on a range of criteria, including the organization itself, the cost for education, its reputation, the support it provides for students, and its relevance in the current job climate. Survey participants are also asked to share their success, satisfaction, and likelihood of recommending the institution to others. 

From the start, Sophia’s goal has been to help make education affordable and accessible to every learner, regardless of their individual journeys. 

Since then, we’ve seen high school students, adult learners, and ambitious career veterans leverage our courses to further their education – getting a jump on college, earning a degree, and transitioning to a dream career. 

Today, we’d like to highlight some of the 2024 graduates, their unique stories, and how Sophia helped them reach their educational goals. 

Introducing Our 2024 Ambassador Graduates 

Anna Daley – Excelsior University 

Beginning her college journey in 2021, Anna Daley earned her Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2024 from Excelsior University. She was able to use Sophia to finish over 20 courses at her own pace, finish her degree fast, and take steps toward her career future. 

For Anna, Sophia has been a phenomenal resource in her educational journey. With affordable, flexible, and self-paced courses, she’s been able to complete her coursework on her own time and – in her words – accomplish things she didn’t know she could do. 

Because Excelsior University is partnered with Sophia, she was able to transfer many of her gen ed courses– and with prayer and encouragement from family – persevere and make it through any barrier to reach her educational goals. She even had some fun along the way learning about US history. 

With a bachelor’s under her belt, Anna is planning to apply for a part-time job at a library and work towards her master’s in the fall. She’s already applied for a part-time job at her dream location! 

Favorite Courses: US History I and II

Nurses are a crucial part of the healthcare system and make up the largest section of the health profession. Based on data from the World Health Statistics Report, there are about 29 million nurses and midwives globally, 3.9 million in the United States. 

As baby boomers age and the need for healthcare grows, the already in-demand field of nursing is expected to rise in the coming years. Together, healthcare systems, policymakers, and academic leaders are developing solutions to strengthen the nursing workforce – and that includes Sophia with our new Nursing Pathway. 

Why Sophia Built a Nursing Pathway 

Nursing is a constantly growing field. At Sophia, we’re committed to helping prospective nursing students get a start on their nursing education with our Nursing Pathway. 

Sophia learners have always had the opportunity to take our self-paced health and science courses designed to transfer towards their chosen degree path, but it was largely up to them to determine which courses are most appropriate. 

According to Bobby Wilson, Senior Product Manager at Sophia, “We have a lot of courses that relate to certain majors, but we haven’t yet packaged them in a way that allows learners to meaningfully plan their degree” 

“Until now, it’s been ‘self-service’, and they’ve had to plot the courses for their major on their own.” 

At Sophia, we strive to provide affordable and accessible advancement opportunities to students at every stage of the educational career – and that mission extends to our employees. 

The Sophia Employee Spotlight highlights employees at Sophia who are using our platform to further their own journey – or their family member’s journey – to higher education. 

For this spotlight, we’d like to introduce Anaice Babic, our Account Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Sophia and one of our proud learners. Learn more about how Anaice’s determination – combined with accessible education – helped her continue on her journey of personal and professional success.   

What Is Your Role at Sophia? 

I’ve been working at Sophia for one year as an Account Manager of Strategic Partnerships. 

What Attracted You to Sophia? 

I was drawn to Sophia after doing some research and discovered their ability to help students achieve academic and career goals in a fast and efficient way. It was an alternative way to accomplish the mission of earning a degree in higher education. I found this very intriguing and I became very passionate about wanting to be a part of Sophia’s mission and getting the word out there.  

Online learning, whether as a new student or a returning student, can be overwhelming. Choosing the right institution and program is a big decision and investment, but platforms like Sophia are hoping to make access to higher education less daunting. 

And now, we’ve been named one of Newsweek’s “America’s Top Online Colleges and America’s Top Online Learning Providers 2024.” Sophia earned a five-star rating – the highest possible ranking – demonstrating our commitment to providing quality education options to the students who need them most. 

For Dr. Shawna Thayer, CEO of Sophia, the award validates our mission and gets us closer to our goal of making a college degree within reach. 

“At Sophia, we strive to remove some of the barriers to higher education and provide accessible, affordable education options to assist students in their pursuit of a degree or professional development,” said Thayer. 

“It’s an honor to be recognized for our efforts. Our goal has been to support our students with an intuitive, high-quality, online learning platform that helps students at any stage of their education journey.  We’re very proud of the integrated experience we’ve created for our students, and earning a spot in the ‘Top Online Learning Platforms’ is a wonderful acknowledgement of our efforts.” 

Today’s educational landscape offers a number of opportunities for non-traditional and independent learners, including transfer credits and self-paced course options. The downside, however, is that students may not know what courses to take to help with their chosen degree path. 

To help, Houston Community College and the University of Phoenix partnered to develop new degree pathways and assist students in planning and optimizing their educational journey. 

The Value of Degree Pathways 

Sophia and institutions like Houston Community College and University of Phoenix are designed to help students access education more affordably and save time and money on their degree. Students can take equivalent gen ed courses at a lower cost – often on a schedule that works for them – and prepare to transfer to a four-year institution. 

While some gen ed courses can be applied to virtually any degree as part of core learning, planning gen eds strategically may offer an advantage to students to get their degree faster (and possibly cheaper). However, students can be on their own in determining which courses they should be taking to get the most value out of their experience. 

Houston Community College, the University of Phoenix, and Sophia worked together to develop and improve degree pathways. With a linear path, students understand exactly what courses will transfer into which programs, increase awareness about the benefits of transfer courses, and support students with their degree plans. 

Degree pathways address this issue by packaging courses to help them plan their linear academic journey and take the most important courses in the right order. This is designed to enable seamless academic progression and a streamlined transfer process that promotes higher completion rates. Students have affordable options with transfer pathways to not only save time and money but reduce the likelihood of credit loss and wasted coursework. 

For example, students can begin their education at Houston Community College, and with the help from Sophia to complete gen ed courses they can graduate with an associates degree before transferring to a four-year institution like the University of Phoenix. 

Together, these schools and Sophia are removing barriers for adult learners, enhancing educational accessibility, and helping students realize their education and career goals. 

Students transfer colleges for several reasons, from financial challenges to changes in majors to job changes. While there are excellent opportunities as a transfer student, the process is not without its challenges in financial aid, maximizing transfer credits, and staying on track to graduate. 

With National Transfer Student Week upon us, let’s take a look at how transfer students can create a smooth transfer process and hit the ground running at a new school. 

What Is National Transfer Student Week? 

The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) has declared the third week of October as National Transfer Student Week. This week celebrates transfer students and their advocates who helped them navigate the transition from one institution to another and highlights the common struggles and successes. 

This year, National Transfer Student Week falls from October 16 to 20 with the theme of Full Steam Ahead. The transfer process is lengthy and includes some barriers along the way, but the goal of Full Steam Ahead is to clear the path and provide tools and support to empower students in their transfer journey. 

How Hard Is It to Transfer Colleges? 

While transferring colleges offers new opportunities, it can come with barriers and obstacles for the student, including: 

New Responsibilities 

Transfer students may struggle to balance their academic workload with personal responsibilities, such as work or family obligations. It’s important to prioritize tasks, create a schedule to balance responsibilities, and build a strong support system of academic advisors, family, and friends. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships 

Navigating financial aid and scholarships can be stressful and frustrating. Students can connect with the financial aid office to explore what options are available, apply for financial aid, understand important deadlines, and research scholarship opportunities. 

New Environments 

Transferring to a new school may mean a new living environment, whether that’s a dorm, off-campus housing, or at home, as well as new academic rigor, courses, and disciplinary policies. Schools offer resources to enable student success, including the housing office, orientation, academic advisors, and peer support. 

Transfer Credits 

A transfer student may have challenges transferring credits and fulfilling degree requirements at a new school. In some cases, it’s caused by a delay in the decision to transfer or errors in the process. When this happens, it could negatively impact the available courses. It’s important to meet with academic advisors, review transfer credit policies, and understand degree requirements to ensure you’re on track to graduate. 

The Sophia Learning team is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of the People (UoPeople) to provide UoPeople students with an affordable option to complete online general education courses. UoPeople’s 126,000 students will have immediate access to Sophia’s catalog of courses for $99 per month, and this partnership will help ensure Sophia courses are seamlessly transferred to UoPeople to help students complete an associate or bachelor’s degree.

About the Partnership

“With a partnership focused on offering low-cost educational alternatives, Sophia students can continue with their studies at UoPeople and earn their undergraduate degree from a quality, accredited online institution tuition-free,” said UoPeople founder and President Shai Reshef. UoPeople students can take advantage of Sophia’s subscription model of on-demand learning to increase their choices of flexible and affordable learning options. “This innovative pathway to earning a college credential at an affordable cost is the future of higher education.”

UoPeople is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited online university. Since its founding in 2009, UoPeople has significantly expanded both its academic programs and diverse student body. Today, the university enrolls more than 126,000 students from over 200 countries and territories. UoPeople was founded on the belief that quality education must be accessible and affordable for all. In particular, the university strives to offer programs to marginalized communities and regions around the world, and more than 16,500 of its students are refugees.

Whether you’re just starting your degree, returning to school after a break, or looking to accelerate your degree program, taking online courses for college credits is a great way to knock out your general education credits.

Sophia Learning offers a range of self-paced, college-level general education courses that may transfer to other institutions. You can complete your gen ed courses online, at your leisure, to save time and money on your degree.

What’s it like to take online transferable college-level courses at Sophia? Let’s find out!

Getting Started

Starting your education journey at Sophia couldn’t be easier. Start by signing up for a free trial to become a member, which gives you access to the first challenge of your chosen course.

After the trial, you can choose the membership option that works best for you, including one-, four-, and 12-month options. Once you have a membership, you’ll get access to 50+ on-demand courses that cover a range of general education subjects. All courses are included in your membership, and you’re welcome to take as many as you like during your membership period (with a two-course limit at one time).

Sophia courses are transferable to partner colleges and universities, as well as hundreds of additional institutions that reviewed Sophia courses for credit. However, it’s important to confirm that your courses will transfer to your chosen institution. 

Sophia Learning offers students an opportunity to complete college-level courses that may then be transferred for credit at their college or university. But how does a college-credit transfer work? What happens after you complete a course with Sophia, and how can you ensure your completed coursework will be accepted for credit? 

The answer primarily depends on whether or not your school is one of Sophia’s college and university partners. Here’s what this means for you. 

If Your School Is Partnered with Sophia . . . 

We’ve partnered with over 40 colleges and universities that have agreed to accept transfer credits from Sophia. If your school is on our list of partners, you may not need to complete any additional steps to ensure your completed Sophia coursework is accepted for transfer credit at your school. For most partner universities, your transcript is submitted automatically once you successfully complete a course, and you will receive an email confirming the details of your transferred credits. 

At Sophia Learning, we believe you should always try before you buy. That’s why we offer one free trial to any student interested in taking an online college-level course with us. All you need to do to start your free trial with Sophia is create an account by providing your first name, last name, and email address—no credit card required.

But then what? What happens once you’re in? Why do we think you’ll love the opportunity to give Sophia a test run? Here are the top three benefits to signing up for a free trial:

1. Take All the Time You Need

Unlike many other trials, you don’t have to complete your free trial with Sophia in 14 days or on any kind of limited time frame. We know life gets busy, so we won’t limit your time or access to our courses. You just won’t be able to move past the first unit of any course until you sign up to pay your $99 monthly membership fee.

This allows you to try out courses whenever it’s convenient for you and may offer valuable insights about the amount of time it will take you to complete the lessons. It also allows you the opportunity to contact your school’s registrar and confirm whether Sophia’s ACE recommended courses meet their requirements for transfer credit.

Earning college credits in high school is a smart strategy to jumpstart your college education. There are many programs available to help you earn college credits and save time and money, potentially graduating from college earlier. You can also reduce your future course loads, get your feet wet with college-level coursework, and gain valuable experience.

Want to earn college credits as a high school student? Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

What Is College Credit in High School?

What exactly is earning college credit in high school? Simply, it means you take courses that earn college credit while in high school, which you can apply to a future college degree. These credits are typically awarded when students complete approved classes or achieve qualifying scores on standardized exams like Advanced Placement (AP) exams. In earning these credits, you may not need to take the equivalent courses in college – saving you the time and tuition for the course.

There are several options available for earning college credits if you’re still in high school:

• AP classes: High school students can take AP courses and earn college credit based on exam scores.

• Dual enrollment: High school students can take college-level courses through a local college or university to earn credits toward both their high school and some college requirements at the same time.

• Online college courses: Some institutions offer online programs that are open to high school students to take accredited college courses remotely. 

• Early college programs: Some specialized programs allow high school students to complete college coursework before they graduate high school.

How Many College Credits Can You Get in High School?

Many high school students wonder how many college credits you can get in high school. While there are different options, it depends on the programs you choose.

• AP classes, which are offered at many high schools, could potentially earn you 3-6 college credits, depending on the subject and your exam score. You may be able to earn up to 30 credits through multiple AP exams, though it depends on the policies of your preferred college or university.

• With dual enrollment, you may be able to earn 3-12 credits per semester, depending on how many courses you take each semester.

• Online college courses are usually 3 credits per course, but it can vary by institution.

• Early college programs allow you to complete an associate degree, or 60 credits, before graduating high school, but it varies by program.

How to Get College Credits in High School 

If you’re wondering how to get started, here’s a step-by-step guide:

AP Courses

• Ask your advisor or guidance counselor about the AP courses offered at your high school.

• Take the courses and prepare for the AP exams, which are usually offered in May each year.

• Study hard. Most institutions require a score of 3 or higher on each AP exam to qualify for college credit.

Dual Enrollment

• Talk to your counselor or advisor about dual enrollment opportunities at local colleges.

• Apply and register for college-level classes at the school. 

• Complete the courses to earn college credit.

Online College Classes

• Research accredited colleges or highly rated online programs that offer courses for high school students.

• Speak to the advisor or complete the signup process to enroll in courses that match your goals.

• Complete your coursework. You’ll earn credits when you earn a passing grade.

Early College Programs

• Talk to your guidance counselor or look into early college programs in your area or online.

• Apply to programs that combine high school and college curricula. 

• Complete program requirements to earn a college degree.

If you’re wondering if you can take college classes in high school, yes, you can! Taking college classes while you’re still in high school is an excellent way to get ahead in your education, save money on tuition, and explore college-level coursework. 

There are several pathways available for high school students to get a jump on their college education, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment, summer college classes, and more. Here’s everything you need to know to make a plan.

What Is the Earliest You Can Take College Classes?

The timeline for taking college classes varies based on the program and institution. Most high school students get a head start on college with AP courses during their high school years, which are developed by the College Board and available in over 30 subjects.

AP courses are often available for students in their junior year, but some other programs allow younger students to take college-level courses. For example, Sophia allows students as young as 13 to take college courses for future credits. Dual enrollment programs also have age- and grade-level requirements that vary by state and institution. The best way to plan is by talking to your school counselor about the opportunities that are available in your area.

Summer College Classes for High School Students

Many colleges and universities offer summer programs designed specifically for high school students. These classes give you an opportunity to experience college coursework in a more flexible setting and often cover a range of general education subjects, such as college-level math, English, and science.

Some programs are residential, offering an on-campus experience to prepare you for college, while others are available online. Taking summer courses can help lighten your future college course load and provide a glimpse into the rigors of college academics.

Online Dual Enrollment Programs for High School Students

Dual enrollment programs allow you to take college courses for credit that count toward both your high school diploma requirements and some of the general education credits for your future college degree. Many institutions offer online dual enrollment options, making early college courses more accessible for students with busy schedules and limited transportation options.

Online dual enrollment is a great choice for students looking to earn college credits while managing other responsibilities, like extracurricular activities, without becoming overwhelmed. However, dual enrollment can come with a heavier course load, higher academic expectations, and more demands for studying and assignments.

Sophia’s courses have been accepted for credit at hundreds of colleges and universities, thanks to our ACE recommendation. Yet Sophia’s courses are not accredited. 

So, what is the difference between an ACE recommendation and accreditation, and how does this affect your ability to transfer courses from Sophia to your college or university? 

What Is ACE Accreditation? 

The American Council on Education (ACE) is a coordinating body for colleges and universities in the United States. ACE evaluates courses and programs to determine if they meet collegiate learning outcomes with recommendations for the subject level, credit hours, and course subject for transfer credits. 

Through a rigorous review process, ACE assesses different aspects of a course, including content quality, learning objectives, instructional design, and assessment methods. The recommendations made by ACE specify the number of credit hours, subject level, and course classification, helping institutions determine credit transfer policies and standardize credit transfers. 

ACE recommendations can include courses, workforce training, military training, and more. In plain terms, ACE provides uniformity to ensure learners are getting a consistent experience and achieving learning outcomes. 

While ACE recommendations help institutions make decisions about transfer credits, it’s ultimately up to the individual institutions to decide whether to accept ACE credits toward a degree program. 

The job market evolves at a rapid pace. Both professionals and students are always seeking opportunities to upskill, reskill, and stay competitive. Whether you’re looking for career advancement, planning a complete career change, or simply expanding your knowledge base, online courses offer a flexible and accessible way to reach your goals.

Unlike traditional education, online courses can enable you to learn on your own time, balance studies with your responsibilities, and gain relevant skills without stepping away from your current job. Here are some considerations to plan your career future.

Using Online Courses for Career Shifts

If you’re considering a career shift, online courses can be a great starting point to explore new subjects or industries, gain important foundational knowledge, and earn certifications that make you qualified for prime opportunities. 

Here are some benefits of online courses for career changes:

Cost-Effective Learning

Online courses can be more affordable than traditional degrees, making it easier to gain new skills without a significant financial investment. You may save on tuition and textbooks, as well as campus fees, the cost of commuting, and more.

Flexible Scheduling 

Online courses can give you the freedom and flexibility to learn at your own pace – at the time and place that work best for you – while balancing your job responsibilities and obligations to family. This can help you prepare for your new career without taking time off of your current job.

Industry-Specific Training

Many online platforms offer courses designed by experts in various industries, ensuring you receive the most relevant and current knowledge to prepare you for your new career with real-world skills and knowledge.

Certification Opportunities 

Some courses provide industry-recognized certifications, giving you a competitive edge on the job market. With many candidates vying for coveted positions, a certification could be just what you need to stand out.

Exploration of New Fields

Online courses allow you to explore different subjects and industries before committing to a full career switch or degree program, only to find out that it’s not the right fit for you.

When you’re attending college, your academic advisor is a key asset to navigate your institution and make a plan for your future. They act as guides to help you choose a major, stay on track to graduate, and maximize your experience.

Whether you’re a first-year student, a transfer student, or a senior looking toward graduation, there are many questions to ask an academic advisor to set yourself up for success – both in your academics and your future career.

Before we dive into the key questions, it’s important to understand the role of an academic advisor and how they can support your college journey. Check out our guide, What Is an Academic Advisor and How Can They Help Me?, to get a clear overview.

Questions to Ask at Your First Meeting with an Academic Advisor

1. What Are My Graduation Requirements?

Understanding your degree requirements early can help you plan effectively and stay on track for graduation. Discuss the general education courses, major-specific courses, and credit requirements that are required so you can be prepared.

Tip: If you’re a freshman and feeling overwhelmed with your degree requirements, check out our guide, 11 Tips for College Freshman, to set yourself up for success.

Want a head start on your degree? Explore Sophia’s self-paced online gen ed courses!

2. Should I Pursue a Minor Area of Study?

Most colleges don’t require a minor to earn a bachelor’s degree, but the right combination of a minor and major in certain industries can help you stand out as a job candidate. Your advisor will be able to help you decide if a minor is important for your career, and if so, what minors are recommended.

Questions to Ask If You’re a First-Year Student

3. Is an Internship Required for This Major?

In some industries, employers expect candidates to have some work experience coming into the role – and that may require an internship. Typically, you’ll see this with education and human development fields, technology, sciences, medical and veterinary fields, and architecture and applied engineering.

Your academic advisor is a valuable resource for your career planning. Because most advisors have knowledge of the area of study and the job market, they can help you determine if an internship is an important part of your career path.

If you’re a high school student with your sights set on college, did you know that you can get an early start by earning college credits before you graduate? College credits in high school means you can earn credits for advanced courses that are recognized by colleges and universities, giving you a jump on your credit requirements for your degree before you even enroll. 

Wondering how the process works? Here’s what you need to know about earning college credits in high school, some options to consider, and how to prepare for your future. 

Can You Take College Classes in High School? 

Yes, high school students can take college-level courses through different programs. This gives you an opportunity to not only earn college credits but experience the rigors of college-level coursework early on. 

College Credit Hours in High School 

College credit hours reflect the amount of coursework that a student needs to complete to earn a credit in the course. Credit hours can vary by school, course, discipline, and the format of the course, such as semester, quarter, or trimester. 

Typically, the credit hours are equal to the amount of time a class meets per week. So, a 3-credit class meets for about 3 hours each week, often divided into 3 one-hour lectures. However, you can expect to do more work outside of those hour-long sessions. 

Can High School Students Take College Classes During the Summer? 

Yes, many colleges offer summer programs that allow high school students to earn college credits. These summer courses may be available on campus or online, giving you flexibility in how you fit courses into your schedule. 

If you have college credits that you earned years ago and you’re returning to college, you may be wondering, “do college credits expire?” 

In short, no, college credits don’t expire. Any credits you earned, no matter how long ago, will stay on your transcript. Whether they can be transferred to a different institution or degree program can be a different story, however. Here’s what you need to know. 

When Do College Credits Expire? 

While college credits don’t have an expiration date – what you earn is what you earn – some situations can make them ineligible for transfer to a new degree program or school. 

For example, some earned college credits can become outdated once time passes, such as credits earned for science or technology courses. Though you’ve earned the credits, what you learned in the course may now be obsolete. 

That said, many general education courses have timeless information that are valid for longer periods, such as English, math, and some humanities. Still, schools have their own transfer credit policies that can affect what credits transfer and how they can be applied to a different program. 

For example, a policy may allow transfer credits for a course or program if it was completed in the last five or 10 years to ensure that students have the most recent information to prepare for future courses. 

Different degree programs have different criteria for past credits as well. Even if your credits are eligible, they may not be relevant to your new course of study. For example, if you’ve taken a lot of art courses and you’re considering a degree in IT, only a few of your courses may fill electives. 

Taking college classes in high school can provide a significant advantage, offering you a head start on your higher education journey. From earning college credit early to experiencing the rigor of college coursework, there are numerous benefits for your college and professional careers. 

But how do you navigate the process, and what should you consider before diving in? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your (or your child’s) future. 

Can You Take College Classes in High School? 

Yes, high school students can take college classes through various programs and pathways. These opportunities offer a head start on earning college credit, which can save you time and money in the long run. 

Here are some options to take college classes in high school: 

College Level Examination Program 

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows you to “test out” of college courses by demonstrating your knowledge in specific subjects. CLEP exams are flexible and can be taken on your own schedule, offering a cost-effective way to earn credits while balancing your high school responsibilities. 

Dual Enrollment Programs 

You can enroll in college-level courses through partnerships between high schools and local colleges. These programs allow you to take classes that count toward both your high school and college credit requirements, giving you a head start on college degree programs. 

Advanced Placement 

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are high school classes that are designed to prepare you for the rigors of college-level coursework. After the course, you have to take and pass the AP exam to earn college credits. While AP classes themselves are not college courses, earning a qualifying score (which can vary by school) can translate into college credit. 

Summer College Classes 

Many colleges offer summer sessions that are open to high school students to earn college credits. These courses are an excellent way to stay academically engaged during the break and make good use of the time without overwhelming yourself with both high school and college courses during the school year. 

Online College Credit Courses 

For students with a packed schedule of classes, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities, or students with limited access to on-campus programs, online courses offer a flexible alternative for transferable credits. These courses can be taken from accredited institutions or online learning platforms and may be open to high school students, so you can complete college-level coursework at your convenience. 

Understanding the different levels of college degrees can be the first step toward achieving your educational and career goals. Each level offers specific opportunities, costs, and time commitments, so it’s important to know which option is the best fit for your career path. 

Learn more about the different levels of college degrees in order and what types of job options they offer. 

What Are the Different Levels of College Degrees? 

1. Associate Degree 

An associate degree is a two-year program that may be offered at a community college or some four-year universities and colleges. Associate degrees are typically Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) that cover broad topics.  It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to enter the workforce quickly. You could also use an associate degree as a stepping stone toward a bachelor’s degree in a related field. 

Some of the jobs that may require an associate degree include a paralegal, medical assistant, and web developer. For some fields, entry-level jobs may not require a degree, but having a related associate degree may make you a more appealing candidate. 

Generally, associate degrees cost less and take less time than a bachelor’s degree. Many associate degree options are available online, giving you the flexibility to work at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. Depending on the program, you may be able to transfer credits from your associate degree to a bachelor’s degree program to reduce your credit requirements, but it depends on the school and their transfer credit policy. 

Figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life – especially while you’re young – can be extremely challenging. Some people end up in a career that they no longer enjoy, while some may discover a new passion later in life. For others, the thrill is in exploring new options instead of staying on a steady career path. 

Fortunately, it’s never too late to switch things up. Whether you’re in your 30s or just a decade away from retirement, it’s not too late to invest in your passion and start a new career. Best of all, the options to earn a degree or upskill are more abundant than ever before. 

If you’re considering a new job path, here’s everything you need to know about how to make a midlife career change. 

Challenges as an Adult Learner 

Going back to school as a working adult can seem daunting. Traditional schooling may be too time consuming and restrictive for you to pursue studies while juggling work commitments and family responsibilities. If you’re also dealing with financial constraints, it can get more complicated. 

Online courses or degree programs can help you tackle these challenges and learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. Whether you want to earn a degree, get a certificate, or finish a degree you started years ago, online programs offer flexibility to pivot careers or upskill without overwhelming your already busy schedule. 

Is It a Good Idea to Change Careers Later in Life? 

Sure! Changing careers later in life can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you’re not fulfilled in your current job role for any reason. A midlife job pivot can give you the tools to realize your passion, earn more, or explore new interests. 

There are some considerations, however. Some fields may require specific qualifications, while others require experience and skills over formal education. It’s important to consider your career options and research the demand to ensure you’re making the right choice. 

Earning a college degree is a great accomplishment, but it can be expensive, time consuming, and overwhelming. Maybe you need some upskilling for a career change, or you want options for a future degree. Maybe you’re a lifelong learner that enjoys exploring new academic avenues, but you don’t need a full degree. 

Whether you want to finish a degree later, level up your career skills, or just learn something new, individual courses online can help you reach your goals. Find out more about the benefits of taking individual courses. 

Benefit 1: Flexibility and Convenience 

In a fast-paced world where time is a precious resource, attending college can be challenging – especially as an adult learner with other responsibilities. One of the greatest benefits of online classes is the flexibility. You can choose when and where to learn, giving you freedom to juggle work, family, or other commitments alongside your studies. 

Individual courses online are also convenient. Coupled with the flexible schedule, you can take online courses wherever works best for you, whether that’s your work breakroom, your home office, on your morning commute, or even on vacation, as long as you have an internet connection. This adaptability can make it easier for everyone, from busy professionals to parents to traditional students, to complete courses without feeling overwhelmed. 

Benefit 2: Cost-Effectiveness 

Cost can be a barrier to education for many. With online courses, you can save on commuting costs, on-campus housing expenses, and other expenses for traditional education. Online courses may have lower tuition costs as well, but it can vary by the school and program. 

In addition, many online programs offer digital course materials, so you may not need expensive physical textbooks. This makes education more accessible and gives you an opportunity to invest in multiple courses or explore subjects without excessive debt. 

No matter your field of study, the journey through higher education is filled with academic milestones – including prerequisite courses. More than just formalities, prerequisites are an essential part of preparing for more advanced studies for your major. 

You may have some questions, like “what is a prerequisite course,” “do you need to take prerequisite college courses in order,” and “how long do prerequisites take?” This guide covers everything you need to know about prerequisite courses. 

What Is a Prerequisite? 

A prerequisite course is a class or subject that you’re required to complete before you can move on to more complex and advanced courses. Prerequisites are often a necessary part of your education and ensure that you have the foundational knowledge to succeed in more challenging courses. 

For example, you may need to take basic algebra before you can take calculus for science- or math-focused disciplines. If you’re attending nursing school, courses like Anatomy & Physiology I & II, microbiology, or nutrition may be required. 

How Can You Take Prerequisites? 

Prerequisites for different courses cover similar information, regardless of the institution. Here are some options to take your prerequisites: 

• Campus courses: Traditional colleges and universities offer prerequisites for the other courses in their catalog, so you can likely take your prerequisites at the same school where you’re getting your degree. 
• Online courses: Many colleges and universities offer online courses for flexibility in scheduling – an important consideration if you’re balancing school and work or family commitment. In addition, online learning platforms like Sophia offer self-paced prerequisite courses that allow you to progress at your own speed to complete your prerequisites. 
• Hybrid courses: Hybrid courses combine online and in-person learning, allowing for flexibility with some collaboration. How much time is spent with online vs. in-person learning can vary by institution. 

If you’re a high school student who wants to get some of your college courses completed before you finish high school, dual enrollment can be an excellent option. This program allows you to complete two academic programs at two different institutions at the same time, getting a head start on your degree and giving you a foundation for college coursework. 

While dual enrollment can be beneficial for many high school students, it does have advantages and disadvantages. Learn more about dual enrollment and how to determine if it’s the right choice for your goals. 

What Types of Dual Enrollment Classes Are There? 

Dual enrollment courses depend on the specific program, but these classes are generally similar to those offered at the college level. They typically cover the core subjects like science, math, social sciences, and English. Specialized programs may offer additional dual enrollment courses for career and technical education. 

The college-level courses for dual enrolment are separate from the high school curriculum, but the courses themselves and the credit earned count toward high school graduation requirements and college degree requirements. 

What Are the Advantages of Dual Enrollment? 

For high school students looking to get a jump on college, dual enrollment programs can offer a lot of benefits: 

• Exposure to college-level instruction: Enrolling in a postsecondary institution in high school gives students the experience of taking a college-level class. They can then be more prepared for the rigors of college and the expectations of college curricula. 
• Better prep for success: College classes are typically more challenging than high school classes. Dual enrollment prepares students for the step up to college courses and can give them an advantage in the transition in their first year. 
• Competitive college applications: Excelling in dual enrollment courses shows prospective colleges that a student is prepared for the rigor of college and is more likely to succeed in college-level courses. 
• Time savings: Getting some college courses completed in high school with a dual enrollment program helps students get a head start on their education and accelerates the path to their degree. 
• Cost savings: Earning college credit in high school reduces college costs by earning college credit in high school. However, there are costs to dual enrollment to consider. 

Registration can be an overwhelming time. In addition to your general education course requirements for your degree program, some courses or programs have prerequisite requirements – or courses you need to complete to prepare for more advanced coursework. 

If you don’t plan properly, your prerequisites can delay your program and set you back. Knowing what your prerequisites are and your options to complete them early in your program can help you progress steadily toward your goal. 

Can you take prerequisites online? Are there accredited online prerequisite courses? What is a prerequisite? Here’s everything you need to know. 

What Is a Prerequisite Class? 

A prerequisite, or prereq, is a course or other requirement that you must take prior to enrolling in a specific course or program. Some prerequisites are just for one course to ensure you have the skill set for a more advanced course, like taking Spanish I before Spanish II or pre-calculus before Calculus I. Some are high school courses that allow you to jump right into a college-level course, such as taking college algebra or trigonometry in high school. 

Other prerequisites are for specific programs, such as nursing or professional school tracks like law, medical, or dental school. These are a group of courses that are designed to give you the foundational knowledge you will need to prepare for the rigorous coursework involved in these undergraduate programs. These prerequisites also show that you’ve completed the coursework necessary to apply for professional school. 

Can You Take Online Prerequisite Courses? 

Yes! With the popularity of online learning, many colleges and universities developed online prerequisite courses and began to accept online prereqs from other learning platforms. This even applies to science courses with a lab component, which have traditionally been on-campus only. 

There are plenty of options for online prerequisites. Your preferred school or university may offer online prereqs that you can take to give your schedule more flexibility. You can also look into the local community college and online learning platforms like Sophia. With self-paced courses spanning a range of gen ed and prereqs that are designed to transfer for credit, Sophia allows you to complete the courses you need on your own schedule. 

Getting a degree is a significant time commitment and financial investment. Whether you’re changing careers, returning to school, or just looking to save time and money, earning college credit with credit by exam can help you “test out” of courses by using the knowledge and skills you already have. 

Learn more about credit by exam for college credits, how it works, and what alternatives you have to accelerate your degree. 

What Is Credit by Exam? 

Credit by examination (CBE), also known as credit by exam, allows you to receive college credit for prior learning by demonstrating mastery of course outcomes with a course exam. Some exams are written tests, while others are tasks to display skill sets. 

Basically, credit by exam lets you earn credit for what you already know and can prove through a test. You have the choice of college-level subject exams from several different providers, as long as the school accepts credit by exam for credit. 

Each provider has their own testing schedule and testing centers, and schools have their own policies regarding CBE credits. Some tests are available online, but it depends on the subject and provider. If you don’t pass the exam on the first try, you may be able to retake it after a set waiting period. 

Choosing a college major is a crucial part of your academic journey. It can be exciting and empowering, as well as overwhelming. Though your major will impact the coursework and jobs you’ll qualify for after graduation, college is an opportunity to explore your interests and learn more about your passions. 

Find out how to choose a college major, what to consider, and what happens if you decide you’re not on the right path. 

Tips for Selecting a College Major 

Picking a major can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry - we’re here to help! Here are some tips to guide your decision: 

Think About Your Interests 

It may take some self-reflection, but thinking about your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values can help you decide on the right major. This can help you find some majors that align with who you are and what you want to do.

Research Different Majors and Career Paths 

Once you have an idea of what majors may interest you, start doing some research. You can find out about degree requirements, job prospects, earning potential, and more, allowing you to narrow down your choices. 

Keep in mind that you can choose a broad field of study without choosing a specific major. For example, if you are thinking about being a nurse, pharmacist, or doctor, you don’t have to decide which right now. You can choose a major that will apply to these programs, such as biology, then focus on a more specific program after you have some courses completed. 

Look into Career Prospects 

It’s important to understand what career prospects you may have with your future degree. Some jobs require a specific degree, others may require advanced degrees, and others may require no degree at all. Find out about the requirements for the career you want, then you can make a plan for your academic track. 

College can feel easy to some students and more difficult for others. If you’re considering returning to school, congratulations! It’s a big step that can pay off personally and professionally. Here’s everything you need to consider before you get started. 

Can You Go Back to College After Dropping Out? 

Students may drop out of college for many reasons, including feeling overwhelmed, not being academically prepared, or feeling unsure of their decisions for a degree or school. Some students drop out for medical or family reasons as well. 

Whatever the reason was for dropping out in the first place, know that it’s perfectly normal to re-enroll later in life. Maybe it’s a feeling of being more disciplined or driven as an adult than as a first-time college student. Perhaps the limitations encountered in the past, such as medical or family issues, are no longer a concern. Maybe you have a clearer picture of your degree and career path. 

Fortunately, now is a great time to return to school. There are so many more options than traditional learning alone. Students can take online courses, complete entire degrees online, or earn certificates or other professional credentials instead of a degree – the possibilities are endless. 

Tips for Going Back to School 

If you find yourself feeling anxious about restarting your education journey, don’t worry! Here are some tips to prepare for re-enrolling in school as an adult to make picking up where you left off as simple as possible: 

Understand Your Goals 

Before you start looking at schools, think about why you’re going back to school in the first place. Are you looking to finish what you started? Switch careers? Earn more money? Your reasons and goals for going back to school can help you plan your approach toward earning a degree to make the most of your time and financial investment. 

For example, if you’re looking to change careers, you can explore the schools and degree programs that are appropriate for your new career. If the specific degree is less important than the accomplishment of earning a degree, you have more flexibility in your options for a major. 

While college may not be for everyone, there may be substantial differences in lifetime earnings for people with a degree vs. those without. If you’re wondering “is it too late to go back to school,” the answer is no! It’s never too late to go back to school and achieve your dream, but there are some things to consider to make the most of the experience. 

How to Go Back to College 

The decision to go back to college can be exciting but overwhelming. Here’s how to get started: 

Pick a Desired Field 

What you choose to study is influenced by why you’re going back to school as an adult. Are you looking for a career change? Consider looking at the job areas that are growing and the opportunities in your area to improve the likelihood of landing a job after graduation. 

If you’re going back to school to finish a degree you started years ago, to fulfill personal goals, or to learn something new, that should guide your decision. Credits you earned toward a previous degree may transfer, but keep in mind that some courses, such as science courses, may “expire” after a certain number of years because of outdated information. Consider whether you’d benefit from staying on the same degree path or switching to something else. 

If your reason for going back to school is to explore a passion or fulfill a dream, the sky’s truly the limit. While you should still consider the job opportunities and the potential return on investment for your degree, you have a lot of flexibility to choose what interests you. 

Consider Your School Options 

Choosing a school can be just as difficult as choosing a major. Cost, program quality, reputation, location, and flexibility can all be factors in picking the right school. 

Traditional universities and colleges offer the classic college experience if you prefer in-class lectures and the collaborative experience, but it may be more difficult to work out the schedule and commute if you have obligations to work or family. 

For many adult learners, online learning programs offer flexibility to make balancing coursework with responsibilities to a job or family more manageable. Online learning is more common than it once was, so many regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities offer quality education in an online format. 

Keep in mind that not all online programs are the same, though. Some online programs use pre-recorded lectures – or asynchronous classes – while others use live sessions. These different formats can impact your schedule and flexibility, so be sure to check into their online class structures. 

Meet with an Advisor 

Once you’ve chosen a school, get in touch with admissions and speak to an academic advisor to discuss next steps. You can find out which credits may transfer, details about the degree programs you’re interested in, and more. The advisor will help you navigate the entire process and how to get into college as an adult. 

Summer can be a much-needed break from the rigors of college, but the summer session is a good opportunity to take courses for credit, catch up on missed courses, and accelerate your degree. 

Are you considering summer college courses? Here’s everything you need to know about summer courses, their advantages and disadvantages, and tips for success. 

What Are Summer Courses? 

Summer courses are classes offered during the summer break at colleges and universities. They may be on campus or online, but they generally compress the full course material into a shorter amount of time. 

The goal of summer courses is to help students get ahead or catch up on courses, though some programs require a summer session to meet the degree requirements. 

What Summer Courses Are Available? 

The specific courses available for a summer session depend on the college or university, but most schools offer an array of options. Typically, prerequisites and gen eds are offered for summer sessions to help students get core courses completed outside of the regular semesters. 

Learning platforms like Sophia may offer the full range of gen ed courses that you can take at any time during the year – including summer. This can help you knock out prerequisites or core courses and focus on degree-specific courses during the regular semesters or graduate early. 

No matter what major you’re considering for your associate or bachelor’s degree, you most likely need to take core courses as part of your degree requirements. These courses cover broad subject areas to give you a well-rounded education and build a foundation for your advanced coursework. 

With the rise of online learning, many of these courses became available online. Taking your core courses online can make time in your schedule and potentially save you time and money on your degree. 

Find out more about your college core courses, what they are, and how you can benefit from taking them online. 

What Are Core Courses? 

Core courses, or general education (gen ed) courses, are courses that fulfill your education requirements for your degree. This is intended to provide a comprehensive education and encourage the exploration of other subjects outside of your degree path. 

While the specific subjects may vary from school to school, they generally include: 

• Math: Basic college-level math courses, such as College Algebra, are a core requirement for most degrees to supplement high school math learning and ensure you understand basic math principles. 
• English: English courses like English Composition I are required for most degree programs to build foundational communication skills that apply to any field. 
• Humanities: Humanities courses like Art History I and US History I develop empathy and teach you about global cultures, which is important in our increasingly globalized business environment. 
• Science: Most degree requirements include at least one natural science course with a lab component, such as Introduction to Biology or Introduction to Chemistry. These courses are important for building scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. 
• Social Science: Social science courses, such as Sociology and Psychology, are focused on human relationships. They’re important for your future career to learn how to work with other people and understand how different systems impact our lives. 
• Foreign Language: Some schools require a foreign language course if you didn’t have one in high school. Typically, these are Spanish or French, but other languages may be available to prepare for work in a global economy. 

Some students grow up with a dream of attending a specific college, whether it’s family tradition, a specific specialty, or other considerations. But for other students, choosing a college can be a nerve-wracking and overwhelming decision. 

You can find many colleges that offer an excellent education and an opportunity to explore academic interests. However, it’s not a decision to take lightly. Here are some considerations for choosing your ideal college and reaching your personal and professional goals. 

Rank Your Priorities 

Whether you're going to college right out of high school, planning a career change, or finishing your degree as an adult learner, college is a big, and exciting, commitment that forms the foundation for your career future. Considering your priorities is crucial to begin your search for colleges, whether online or in person. 

Here are some aspects to consider: 

Geographic Location 

Location is a big factor for students. You may prefer to stay in your home state and attend a public school for in-state tuition. Some students want a change by attending college far away from their hometown, while others may prefer to be close to family, relatives, or friends. 

Colleges in big cities offer opportunities for social and cultural activities and access to major companies for internships. However, small college towns have a sense of community that you can’t get in the city. 

If you're looking into online colleges and programs, you can expand your options even further. You're not constrained by your location, schedule, or commute, giving you options at schools and programs all over the country.  

Available Majors and Classes 

If you know what major you want to pursue, it’s crucial to look for schools that meet those needs. Make sure your prospective schools offer degree options that align with your goals. 

If you’re undecided, you may want to choose a college that offers a wide variety of majors. This gives you a chance to explore some academic interests and find your passion while you’re taking gen ed courses. 

General education courses, or “gen eds,” take up a lot of your coursework for a degree. They can feel tedious if the information is familiar, but you may have an option to test out of them.

Depending on the school, you may be able to test out of gen ed courses and earn credit without having to take the class. Find out more about testing out of classes and what options you have.

What Is “Testing Out” of a College Class?

Gen ed courses cover a broad range of subjects, including history, science, and math, to provide a well-rounded education and a foundation for more advanced coursework. You earn credits by proving you understand the subject, which can be done two ways:

• Attending the course and completing the assignments, quizzes, and tests.
• Passing an exam to provide mastery of the subject (“testing out”).

When you test out of a college class, you take one test that comprises the whole of learning in the class, bypassing the traditional course. This can be done with the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam.

CLEP Exams

Testing out is also known as credit by exam, which is commonly done with the CLEP exam. The CLEP exams have been in use for decades to help adults with work experience return to school while balancing their responsibilities to family or jobs. 

You can earn credit by exam through CLEP, which offers 34 different subjects. Each credit by exam option tests for different things, but they all require a certain score to pass the test and earn college credit. The score can vary for each college or university, however, and they do have fees.

Online college is not just a perk of some colleges and universities any longer – it’s become part of a new normal. More and more schools are offering online courses or hybrid options alongside traditional on-campus learning, giving students more flexibility to earn their degree. 

With online courses, there are fewer scheduling and geographic constraints, allowing adult learners with families or full-time jobs to continue their pursuit of a degree and learn from anywhere. 

However, choosing a college or university for an online degree can be overwhelming. There are numerous schools and degree programs, making it harder to choose the right fit for your needs. If you’re considering an online college, here are some things to look for. 

Check Accreditation 

When you’re evaluating online degree programs, make sure the school is accredited by an organization that’s recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

These organizations evaluate programs and schools to ensure that they’re meeting the highest standards for quality and rigor – whether on-campus, online, or hybrid.  

There are several different types of academic accreditations, but the primary ones are national and regional. National accreditation is awarded to schools focusing on vocational or technical programs, whereas regional accreditation evaluates the school's curriculum, graduation and retention rates, and faculty credentials. Check with your advisor to learn about the accreditations that are specific to your program of interest. 

For online learning platforms that offer courses, certificates, and other programs that don’t grant degrees, accreditation is not applicable. However, courses can be accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and recommended by the American Council on Education. 

While there are ways to keep the costs down, College can still be a big investment of time and money. 

Fortunately, there are options to save on college without compromising your education – one of those being the CLEP exam. These exams cover common subject areas that are part of your core curriculum for your degree, helping you earn college credit for the knowledge you already have.

Find out everything you need to know about the CLEP exams, how they can benefit you, and how you should prepare to earn the most credit for your time and money.

Explore Cost-Effective Options for College Credit

CLEP exams are a great way to earn college credit much faster than taking a course – and save money in the process – but they’re not the only ones. If you’re looking for other cost-effective ways to knock out your gen eds and get your degree fast, take a look at Sophia’s online, self-paced gen ed courses designed to transfer. Explore our courses and start your free trial today!

What Is the CLEP Exam?

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a series of tests developed and administered by the College Board, which also develops and administers the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

CLEP tests are designed with working adults in mind who want to get credit for their work experience to earn their degree. These exams test knowledge of a variety of core academic subjects, and many colleges will award credit toward a degree for each test you pass.

The subject areas covered by CLEP exams include:

Composition and Literature

Composition and Literature are core subject areas. The current available CLEP exams in this subject include:

• American Literature
• Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
• College Composition
• College Composition Modular
• English Literature
• Humanities

History and Social Sciences

Most degree programs include at least one gen ed course in History or the Social Sciences. The current available exams for these subjects include:

• American Government
• History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877
• History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
• Human Growth and Development
• Introduction to Educational Psychology
• Introductory Psychology
• Introductory Sociology
• Principles of Macroeconomics
• Principles of Microeconomics
• Social Sciences and History
• Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
• Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present

Science and Mathematics

Foundational science courses are often required for non-science degree programs. For science-based degrees, such as nursing, several sciences may be required as core courses or prerequisites. Some of the current available exams in the Sciences include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Natural Sciences
• College Algebra
• Precalculus
• College Mathematics
• Calculus

Business

Business courses may count toward gen ed requirements and give you an opportunity to showcase what you’ve learned through work experience. Some of the current available exams in this subject area include:

• Financial Accounting
• Information Systems
• Introductory Business Law
• Principles of Management
• Principles of Marketing

World Languages

Many colleges require at least one foreign language course as part of the gen ed requirements. The current available CLEP World Languages tests include:

• Spanish Language I and II
• French Language I and II
• German Language I and II

Nursing is always in demand, but that’s ramped up in recent years. With older nurses retiring and the population living longer, nurses are in demand nationwide. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses (RNs) is projected to continue to grow. With numerous healthcare specialties in need, nursing is a profession that offers variety and an opportunity to make a difference. 

Nursing can be a challenging, and rewarding, field. If you’re considering becoming a nurse, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your career — plus some tips on how Sophia can help. 

Decide If Nursing Is a Good Fit 

Becoming a nurse is different from other careers in many ways. The rigors of the work can lead to stress and burnout, as nurses have a lot of responsibility resting on their shoulders. But with that comes incredible reward in knowing that you’re truly helping people. 

Still, it’s not a good fit for everyone. Do you enjoy interacting with people from all different walks of life? Can you provide a compassionate voice when patients are dealing with bad news or serious health conditions? Do you thrive in “crunch time” and maintain grace under pressure? 

If so, nursing may be the right choice for you. It involves a lot of education, specifically in the science disciplines, as well as a lot of interaction with people. You’ll also stay on a specific educational track and must complete the NCLEX licensure exam to become licensed in your state. 

Think About Your Education Options 

Not all nurses earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), but it can be a big help in securing a license. This is a good choice if you want a four-year degree or plan on continuing your education with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). 

This is the next step toward becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These programs offer more opportunities to work in specialized areas of nursing, such as Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. 

Nurses need knowledge in not only medical theory and practice but in a wide range of subjects to deliver effective patient care. At its heart, healthcare is about people. 

General education courses are a critical part of earning a nursing degree because they expose you to a range of disciplines beyond nursing sciences, building a foundation for your educational journey and expanding your understanding of the world. Ultimately, your work in these courses will make you a better nurse. 

While some of the general education requirements may vary by school, these are commonly included in the curriculum for nursing programs. 

Social Sciences 

Social sciences are “soft sciences” and include a diverse range of disciplines that involve the study of human society and social relationships. They’re often necessary for any degree program to develop critical thinking skills and learn how to relate to people. 

In nursing, the social sciences are a crucial part of understanding human psychology, social behaviors, and cultures. 

The social sciences required can vary significantly, but they may include: 

• History 
• Psychology 
• Sociology 
• Anthropology 
• Political Science 
• Economics 
• Geography 
• Comparative Religion 

Natural Sciences 

The natural sciences are a branch of science that studies the physical world, such as chemistry and biology. The requirements for natural sciences can vary, but they often include some of the natural sciences to prepare for more advanced nursing courses like pharmacology, pathophysiology, and genetics. Most natural sciences also include laboratory components to learn practical skills in a lab environment. 

Nursing not only involves many other natural sciences, but the field itself is a science. Nursing is the study of the principles and application of nursing. Taking science courses promotes scientific literacy and builds a foundation for reasoning and critical thinking. 

Some of the general education science courses for nursing include: 

• Human Biology 
• Chemistry 
• Microbiology 
• Nutrition 
• Physics 
• Environmental Science 
• Anatomy and Physiology

When first starting college, many students are confused about their gen ed courses and how they’re relevant for their major – especially English. After all, if you’re a native speaker and not planning to major in literature or teaching, you might be asking yourself “what’s the point of taking English classes”? 

However, English courses go far beyond writing essays and interpreting classic literature. You will use written and verbal communication in virtually every career, and learning English builds additional skills like critical thinking, empathy, and cultural sensitivity. 

Discover why English is important in our life and the value it has for your college and career experience. 

What Do You Learn in English Class? 

Introductory English courses in college cover a breadth of topics, including composing research essays and analyses, interpreting various texts, and writing creatively. 

For example, a course like Introduction to Literature develops your writing skills based on arguments, such as defending your analysis of a literary character with evidence and examples from the text. 

English Composition, on the other hand, focuses more on the grammar, mechanics, and stylistic aspects of the English language and different dialects. Creative writing classes cover the creative writing processes and the qualities that are consistent within genres. 

Nursing school involves a lot of advanced coursework. But before you can dive into the medical and health-related subjects, you have to spend time completing your nursing prerequisites. 

It’s natural to be eager to finish your prerequisites and get into your nursing-specific courses. But how long do prerequisites last for nursing? Where can I take prerequisite courses for nursing? Find the answers to these questions and more, including how you can fast-track your nursing prerequisites. 

What Are Nursing Prerequisites? 

A prerequisite is a course or other requirement that you have to take before you can enroll in specific courses or programs. For registered nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), there are specific pre-nursing prerequisites that focus on building a foundation for more advanced nursing courses. You typically need a grade of C or better for the course to count toward your degree. 

While schools and programs differ in the prerequisites they require, they’re usually foundational science-based courses. The nursing prerequisites list may include: 

• College-level algebra 
• Statistics
• Biology 
• Chemistry 
• Microbiology 
• Anatomy and physiology 
• Nutrition

These courses are in addition to general education courses in core subject areas that are required for any degree, including English, history, psychology, literature, or sociology. These courses, including nursing-specific prerequisites, typically take place in the first two years of the degree program. 

Getting into college and earning a degree is an exciting experience, but you may be in a hurry to finish school and get started in your career. Fortunately, there are many paths to speed up your college learning path and earn your degree faster! 

What is the quickest way to get a bachelor’s degree? From “testing out” with exams to transfer credits, here are some options to get your degree faster. 

Transfer Credits 

If you’ve taken any college-level courses with credits, transfer them! You’ve already earned those credits, whether you took college courses as a high school student or you’re returning to school after a long break, so put them to good use. Even one course will save you time and money. 

Remember, some credits will transfer as an equivalent that counts toward your degree requirements. For example, if your new program requires a science elective – and you’ve taken biology or chemistry – those may count. 

Make sure you have your transcripts and have your prospective schools review the credits you’ve earned. Speak to your new school’s admissions advisor about your transferable credits and compare your options. 

Take Exams 

Life experience can earn you some college credits if you can prove it in a test. This is common with adult learners, but even young students could have skills that allow them to “test out” of a college course for credit. There are many ways to learn a subject outside of a formal course. 

For example, if you’re a bilingual speaker, you may be able to take an exam to test out of Spanish I and satisfy a language requirement. Or maybe you have a hobby interest that can be applied to a course, such as computer programming. 

You have a few options for exams, including the College-Level Examination Preparation (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). Consider the courses you may be able to test out of and make sure your school will accept the test for credit. Note that you will need to meet the minimum score on the exam. 

You may have to pay a fee, but that’s a fraction of the cost of course tuition.   

Nursing is – and always has been – an in-demand field. If you’re planning to study nursing, a lot of academic preparation goes into the process, including prerequisite classes to give you the skills to manage the challenges of the advanced nursing courses.

While many colleges and universities offer nursing programs, you can take some prerequisites at local schools or online to save money, enjoy a more flexible schedule, or get them out of the way early.

Learn more about nursing prerequisites, what to expect, and the benefits of taking them in more flexible formats to increase your success. 

What Are Common Nursing Prerequisites? 

Prospective nursing students must take prerequisites before enrolling in a program or taking advanced nursing courses. These courses are designed to build your foundational skills to ensure you have the knowledge you need to succeed in challenging, nursing-specific classes, such as math and science courses. Most programs require a C or better in prerequisites to transition into advanced courses. 

The prerequisites vary by program, but they often include courses like: 

Intermediate Algebra 

This course covers common algebra concepts like functions, expressions, and quadratic equations. Most of the math applications in this course emphasize the real-world applications for algebra, which are important for understanding math in science and medicine courses. 

Biology 

Naturally, sciences like biology are essential for nursing and understanding concepts like metabolism, cell structure, biochemistry, and genetics. This course also introduces the scientific method and enhances scientific literacy with both lecture and lab sessions. 

Human Anatomy and Physiology 

Anatomy and physiology is another foundational course for advanced nursing courses for obvious reasons. The course covers human anatomy and physiological function, including body systems and anatomical structure. There are typically two courses – A&P I and A&P II. 

Introduction to Developmental Psychology 

Nursing involves people of all ages. Developmental psychology covers concepts related to how people grow physically, emotionally, and cognitively, as well as how the social environment and cultures shape their experience. This course is necessary for advanced courses on human development. 

Microbiology 

Nurses assist in treating disease. Microbiology, which is the study of the biology of microscopic organisms like viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, slime molds, and protozoa, is essential to understanding how these microorganisms infect the body and cause disease. 

Chemistry 

Chemistry is vital to nursing because it helps nurses understand the human body at a cellular level, as well as the structures and properties of ions, atoms, and molecules. It’s also important for understanding lab values, disease properties, and how medications work in the body. 

No matter how much you love to learn, it’s likely that you’ll come across subjects that you find dry or boring. Everyone has unique interests, but as a college student, you have to take a range of courses and maintain a high level of academic performance. 

So, what can you do if your course in a particular subject puts you to sleep? You could just try to push through completing it, but you gain more from your academic experience if you learn to like your courses. Here are some tips to ignite your interest in a boring subject. 

Find a Seed of Motivation 

The first step to building passion for a subject you don’t like is to find a connection between the subject and your reason for learning it. For example, this course may be a prerequisite for the course you really want to take, but it’s a hurdle you need to overcome. 

Think about where you are – possibly a new student early in your degree program – and where you want to be when you’re finished with your degree. It may seem a long way off, but you have to think of it as a journey. Otherwise, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. 

Focus Intently with the Pomodoro Technique 

The Pomodoro Technique is an effective time-management tool that can help you stay focused, become more productive, and most importantly with a boring class, avoid procrastination. The concept behind the Pomodoro Technique is dividing larger, more time-consuming tasks into smaller, more manageable efforts. 

To use the Pomodoro Technique, you simply set a timer and complete focused, high-effort work for 25 minutes. Once that time is up, take a five-minute break. You repeat this process for three cycles before taking a 20-minute break. These short blocks of maximum effort with short breaks in between may decrease the friction of getting started and can help you sustain high levels of focus over long periods. 

Minimize Distractions 

Have you ever watched a show or movie and found yourself scrolling on your phone or having your mind wander? The same thing can happen when you’re studying, especially if you aren’t interested in the subject. 

It’s easy to get distracted, and you may even be subconsciously looking for something else to capture your attention as an “excuse” to stop studying. Turn off your phone’s notifications, including your email and social media notifications, and commit to uninterrupted studying for that time. Everything can wait until you take a break. 

You’re just starting college, looking over your course requirements and the college course catalog to choose your first semester’s classes. You can’t wait to dive into the subjects for your major and build the foundation for your career. 

Unfortunately, your advisor informs you that you have a certain number of requirements to meet before you can earn your degree or even get into your degree-specific courses. You may be wondering why you have to take these unrelated “filler” courses, how they serve your major, and what you have to gain from them. 

Are gen ed courses filler? No, not at all. In fact, your gen ed courses are what help define your bachelor’s degree and college-level education. Let’s take a deeper look at this topic. 

What Are General Education Courses? 

General education courses are a range of classes in specific categories that meet educational criteria. Typically, these courses include history, social sciences, natural sciences, math, English, arts and humanities, and foreign languages. 

These courses are usually taken in the first two years of a four-year degree program and may encompass about a third to a half of the total degree credits. While there are exceptions, it’s recommended that you complete some or all of your gen ed credits before you start working on the core requirements for your major. 

Why Are General Education Courses Required? 

There are several reasons that colleges and universities include general education courses, and it’s not just to fill out your schedule, charge more tuition, or make a degree take longer. 

The original US college curriculum had its origins in medieval universities of England. This classical education was based on the seven liberal arts (grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music), as well as the three philosophies (natural, moral, and mental). 

The purpose of these varied studies was to learn the thought and method of scholasticism and instill respect for the authorities of the discipline. Though universities and colleges would eventually offer majors and minors to focus on a profession, a comprehensive education in the liberal arts remains. 

The purpose of maintaining the liberal arts isn’t merely because of tradition, however. While some gen ed courses will likely always be part of the curriculum, such as English composition, some of the gen ed courses may shift according to trends and values in society – such as diversity and inclusion. 

Gen ed courses also set colleges and universities apart from professional and vocational trading. With the latter, the curriculum is focused on specialized knowledge to perform a specific job. With the former, the education is a blend of comprehensive fields and broad knowledge with a specialty in one discipline. 

If you’re like most students, you may be wondering why certain courses are required in college, even if they’re unrelated to your degree. Why does a communications degree need life science courses? How does English Composition 101 help an engineering major? 

Contrary to popular belief, these courses aren’t designed to slow you down, pad your tuition, or waste your time. All of the core subjects and areas of study play important roles in preparing a student for college-level learning, a future graduate program, and an increasingly competitive job market. 

General Education for Foundational Learning 

Colleges may differ in what they require for core classes and electives, but all schools have general curriculum requirements that are designed to help students gain important skills. These typically include a range of courses in the arts and humanities, foreign language, English and literature, sciences, social sciences, history, and math. 

While these courses may seem irrelevant to your degree-specific courses, they build skills that will matter in your career. With competitive applicants for a job, employers aren’t just looking for job skills that come with a specific degree (which most of the applicants possess). They’re looking for the valuable soft skills that inform how you’ll perform your job and contribute to the organization, such as: 

• Critical thinking 
• Creativity 
• Analytical skills 
• Flexibility 
• Teamwork 
• Empathy 
• Cultural sensitivity 
• Civic engagement 
• Clear communication 
• Intellectual problem-solving 
• Evaluating data 

Let’s take a deeper look at how each area of study develops important skill sets. 

General education – gen ed – courses are part of any college curriculum. They may feel like extra hoops to jump through to get to your degree but they’re designed to give you foundational knowledge and build different skills to support your academic and professional careers.

Still, it may feel like taking math, science, history, or public speaking courses are a delay and expense on your way to major-specific courses and your degree. If you're eager to complete these courses and dive into your field, there are some ways to choose your courses strategically to save time and money.

How to Choose Your Gen Ed Courses

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute 

Classes fill up early, especially for popular courses that have limited offerings. Registering early allows you to choose your courses while you have several options for time slots, so you can balance your schedule more easily.

Ideally, work with your advisor to plan your schedule a few months in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you could get stuck with a course you dread. Worse yet, you could miss out on opportunities to combine your requirements with strategic scheduling.

Balance Difficult Courses with Easier Ones

Academic burnout is a real thing, even for high achievers who are comfortable under pressure. Gen ed courses are often easier than degree-specific courses, but a packed schedule with tough major courses and gen eds or electives that take you out of your comfort zone is a setup for burnout. 

Make sure to balance your schedule with difficult courses, easier courses, and some fun courses. This will help you prioritize your study time according to workload and keep your mind fresh with varied subjects. If you want to challenge yourself with an unfamiliar course, surround it with easier courses to ensure success.

Speak to Your Advisor About Degree Requirements

Your college advisor is your asset in choosing the right gen ed courses to optimize time and tuition. Get the full list of gen ed courses you will need to take to plan things out. You will have two types of gen ed courses:

Strict requirements that you will need to take, such as English Composition 101. These are courses that are typically required at any college or university in the US. Usually, the only way you won’t need to take these courses is if you had an AP course or got a jump on your gen eds with online courses. It’s best to get these required courses out of the way early. 

Flexible gen ed courses that fit within certain subjects to complete your subject area requirements for your degree. These aren’t “free” electives with complete flexibility, but you have a choice of specific courses to satisfy your English or math requirement, for example.

Higher education has had a standard format for decades – centuries even – that’s only begun to shift in the past few years. Around the same time that remote work became an option for certain careers – enabled by advanced technology for communication and collaboration – colleges and universities started to include more online learning in their curricula for distance learners. 

Now, online certificates and degree programs are available at top institutions, and just as respected as the in-person counterpart, which legitimized online learning. While there may be some skepticism remaining, schools, professors, students, and parents are seeing the practicality and advantages of online learning as a nontraditional track to a degree. 

The COVID-19 Paradigm Shift 

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the world shut down practically overnight. Campuses had to close, disrupting millions of students’ education. Professors and students had to do their best with tools like Zoom or collaborative platforms and no real plan for how to translate their traditional learning into a remote model. 

However, some higher education institutions were able to adapt immediately and offer all of their courses virtually, thanks to already having robust online education programs. The pandemic’s challenges were a demand to innovate, which forever influenced the way education will be delivered in the post-pandemic world. 

After experiencing the benefits of online learning, more colleges and universities are making the move to offer more online learning courses, degree programs, certificate programs, and nontraditional options to suit the needs of a wide range of learners. 

For those who are looking for a path outside of the linear, conventional move from high school directly to college, the rising popularity of online education allows more students to access education to earn or finish a degree, upskill, change careers, complete a certificate, and more. Older students, working adults, students with neurodiversity, and people from different cultural or language backgrounds were no longer restricted by the common barriers. 

Online learning has taken the world by storm in the past few years. People are no longer restricted by their location or schedule, opening a world of opportunities for new and returning students alike. 

Whether you’re balancing the responsibilities of your family or work, you have limited time to sit in traffic and stick to a rigid schedule, or you want a broader variety of universities to choose from all over the country (or world), here are the benefits of taking university courses online. 

1. More Flexibility 

One of the most restrictive aspects of traditional learning is sticking to a set schedule. Sometimes, courses are only available in a few time slots, making it much more challenging to fit your education into your schedule. 

For example, that core philosophy course you need to complete may only be available at 11 am on a Wednesday – right in the middle of a workweek for a typical 9-5 job. Or your required courses may only be scheduled for evenings, but that’s when you spend time with family or get the kids ready for school in the morning. 

Online courses are often asynchronous, giving you more flexibility in how you participate and complete assignments. If you’re an early riser, you can study and work on assignments before you go to work or the kids go to school. If you work second or third shift, you don’t have to disrupt your sleep schedule to attend class groggy and unfocused. The possibilities are endless. 

2. No Geographical Boundaries 

As much as college is a chance for young students to develop more independence, most stay close to home.  

Some of this is financial, as moving away to attend college can add to the overall cost. For some students, this can mean not attending at all if students live in rural areas far from any institutions. 

For adult learners returning to school, the considerations are similar. Moving away to attend school or having a long commute may not be manageable with a work schedule or family obligations – either limiting the options or preventing them from earning a degree at all. 

But without these geographic limitations, you can attend virtually any university that offers online programs for your major. Distance is no longer a consideration, so you can focus on the most cost-effective or prestigious options. Better yet, if you are pursuing an unusual major that’s only offered at a few select schools, you don’t need to uproot your whole life to achieve your goal. 

For many, the thought of learning and education conjures images of a classroom full of students or an online program guided by a professor – cohort-based learning. This is a common learning model, but it’s not the only one available. 

Self-paced learning offers students the freedom to choose when, where, and how they want to learn. More independent than cohort-based learning, self-paced learning gives students more flexibility over their time and education experience. 

Discover 7 advantages of self-paced online courses to see if it’s right for you. 

What Is Self-Paced Online Learning? 

Self-paced learning, also known as on-demand learning, is an education style that allows students to advance through an educational program at their own pace. Though you may be part of a class with others, you progress through the course and complete the required reading and assignments at your own comfortable speed. 

Online programs are typically a self-paced model that offers on-demand course curriculum. For example, you can watch lectures, take quizzes, and complete assignments whenever you choose – whether that’s in the late evening after the kids are in bed, on the weekdays before work, or on a Sunday afternoon. 

If you’re making the decision to get a degree after high school or go back and finish your degree, you have a lot of options with traditional and online education.

While there are differences between online vs. in-person experiences, one of the biggest ones is the cost. 

Whether you’re working with your own budget or you’re worried about drowning in student debt after graduation, the cost of your education is an important factor in your decision.

Take a look at the differences in cost between online and traditional education, what you can do to save, and how to decide which is best for you. 

Traditional College

For some, the traditional college experience is part of the appeal of attending college. They share classes with fellow students, stay in a dorm, eat meals in the dining hall, and cheer for the school team – building social support as well as educational support.

There are education and career benefits as well, including opportunities to network and build relationships with people who will benefit their professional goals. These relationships are easier to cultivate in person than online.

In addition, younger college students often benefit from the structure and guidance that’s offered with in-person college. Transitioning from the strictly managed environment of high school to the more independent, self-managed college learning experience can be jarring – but these support systems are designed to cultivate independence while providing an educational safety net. 

But all of this can come with high costs. Colleges and universities factor the costs of buildings, dorms, and food into the tuition costs, often leading to extra fees for everything from meal plans to parking. There are amenities, such as access to the school fitness center or onsite lectures and events.

All traditional college doesn’t come with the same sticker price, however. It can range from small community colleges to state universities (with different in-state and out-of-state costs) to pricey private institutions like the Ivy League, all with different price points.

Many of these institutions offer financial aid to help with the costs. Often, this means lower out-of-pocket expenses for your education, especially if you combine them with federal student aid. Keep in mind, however, that student loans will need to be paid back – plus interest.

There are ways to save, though. Traditional colleges may offer summer courses – either online or in-person – that you can take to accelerate your program. You can also take core courses at a community college or online with a program like Sophia Learning, which often have much lower costs for tuition, books, and other fees. 

If you choose this option, remember to consider the costs if you’re staying in student housing and need meal plans, transportation, or parking during the summer. You must evaluate the full costs, not just what you’ll save in tuition.

If you take courses at another school. It’s important to speak to your advisor to make sure that any transfer credits from an outside institution will be accepted.

From kindergarten through senior year, we all look forward to the summer break for fun, relaxation, vacations, and free time. While leisure time is important, current and prospective college students are missing an opportunity to accelerate their degree program with summer courses.

Enrolling in online summer college courses can improve your college experience, save some money, and expand your knowledge – all without sacrificing your summer fun. Here are the top 9 reasons to consider online summer classes for college credit.

1. Early or On-Schedule Graduation

If your goal is to graduate early, taking pre-college summer online courses is a great way to accelerate your program. Whether you start in high school to get a jump start or take some college courses online in summer alongside your degree program, graduating early lets you get started on your career path.

If you want to graduate on time, summer courses help you knock out courses to reduce your workload throughout the year. Perhaps you had to drop some courses, took time off, or struggled in courses you have to retake. Enrolling in online summer courses helps you get back on track to graduate on your anticipated date.

2. Save Time and Money

Accelerating your graduation may save you some money. Along with tuition fees like room and board, meal plans, or the cost of commuting and parking can add up. The longer you’re in school, the more you’ll pay on top of tuition.

With summer online college courses, you can save a lot on the fees by completing courses at home and at the time that works best for you. If you’re taking online courses outside of your institution, however, be sure to check on your college or university’s transfer policy.

3. Complete Core Courses

General education, or core courses, are mandatory courses in broad fields that meet the requirements of your degree program. Sometimes, these courses can be uninspiring for students focused entirely on their major.

If that’s the case, you can knock out your general education courses or prerequisites in summer programs. You’ll not only get “boring” courses out of the way, but you’ll ensure you have the necessary qualifications to register for key courses with your preferred professor or schedule.

4. Focus on a Specific Subject

No matter how much you excel in academia, you may come up against subject areas that are a little more challenging – it happens to everyone. For example, some people have weaknesses in entire fields of study, such as math, while others may get hung up on a specific course, such as geography or organic chemistry.

If you’re struggling, balancing the challenges of one course on top of your regular course load and life’s responsibilities could feel overwhelming. With a summer course, you can focus only on that one subject to dive deep and devote your full attention, rather than splitting your studies – and mental capacity – across several classes.

If you’re working full time, have a family, or juggling other responsibilities that may get in the way of pursuing your degree, you don’t have to put your education on hold.

All institutions have general classes for college – gen ed courses – that you will need for your degree, no matter the program. If you complete your general education courses online, you can work toward your degree without committing to a college program.

Find out the benefits of getting your gen eds online to stay on track toward completing your degree.

What Are Gen Ed Classes?

General education classes for college include courses in a broad range of disciplines, such as arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, foreign language, and more.

Following in the concept of learning as a formative and transformative experience, general education curriculum is designed to provide a foundation for future learning. Though the topics may not seem relevant to a degree program, students learn vital skills in research, communication, critical thinking, academic style and formatting, collaboration, and working independently.

Different universities have different policies to complete general education requirements for college credit, but they’re usually between 42 credits and 60 credits of the typical 120 credits needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

While students may take gen ed courses later in their college career, most are taken during the first and second years. Earning general education credits online to fulfill your gen ed requirements is a great way to get those courses out of the way and decide if pursuing a degree is the right choice for you.

Academic advisors are an essential – but often underutilized – asset in your college experience. They bring holistic support to students to navigate their higher education experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.

But like anything else, they can only help if you use them. Students often wait until they have a problem with a course or they’re running behind on registration to reach out and leverage their advising resources.

Find out why meeting with your academic advisor regularly is crucial to your journey in higher education and how you can get the most out of your experience.

What Is an Academic Advisor? 

An academic advisor is a counselor who works with students in undergraduate and graduate programs. They help students choose a major and minor, register for courses, and stay on track with the requirements to graduate with their chosen degree on their chosen timeline.

What Do Academic Advisors Do?

Academic advisors fill a lot of roles in the college experience. They have to stay apprised of the requirements of the university or college’s programs, maintain records of the students in their counsel, and keep up with course registration.

Advisors may also work with students for graduate school planning or career planning and to find opportunities for scholarships or programs that will help with their career goals. Some academic advisors have connections in the industry as well, which can support your professional growth after graduation. 

Whether you’re going to college for the first time or to finish your degree, you have plenty of options with campus and online learning.

For some students, the college experience includes in-person classes and interactions. For others, online learning is a more convenient and flexible option that helps them balance day-to-day life with school.

Though we’re (obviously) big fans of online learning, we want to give you an objective look at the pros and cons of online classes compared to in-person classes so you can make an informed decision.

Online Education Pros and Cons 

There are several advantages with online learning, including:

1. Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages to online learning is that it offers more flexibility than in-person classes. Though campuses often have a few time slots for each course, you still need to follow a schedule. With asynchronous or self-paced online learning, you can complete your coursework at the time that works best for you.

For adult learners trying to balance a full- or part-time job, family life, and caring for children or family members, this flexibility is a game-changer. It also helps if you’re the type who’s most productive at odd times of the day, such as in the early morning or late at night. 

2. Time Savings

Along with the flexibility of the schedule, online learning may save you a lot of time in the process. With on-campus classes, you have to spend time commuting to school. You may also end up with some “garbage time” between classes. You don’t have time to go home or get anything done, so you’re just wasting time waiting for your next class.

With online learning, your commute is to your home study space or the local library. Without a commute, you can spend your time knocking tasks off your to-do list, such as studying, completing quizzes, or doing a load of laundry.

3. Money Savings 

The total cost of college isn’t just the tuition, textbooks, and fees. There are other costs that can add to your debt, such as campus meals, dorms, and travel expenses. When you take online classes, your living expenses and meals are on your own – and it’s money you’d spend anyway. You also save money on travel, since you don’t have a commute.

4. Self-Paced Learning

Some online courses offer self-paced programs, giving you the freedom to learn at the speed that works best for you. While these courses do have some hard deadlines, you can manage your time as you see fit.

For example, you can move through quickly if the concepts are familiar to you. If you’re struggling with a course or a module, you can take your time to ensure you really grasp the information. 

There’s not always a clear path to higher education that fits everyone’s situation. For some, balancing work and family life with school is a necessity. For others, the cost and barriers to attending a traditional on-campus college are limiting.

No matter the reason, online colleges offer a convenient, flexible solution for people who want to earn a degree – particularly adult learners.

If you’re considering starting or returning to school in an online format, you may be wondering “how do online colleges work?” There are some differences, so here’s all you need to know about online colleges and what to expect from the experience.

Can You Do College Online?

Yes! Online college is similar to a traditional learning experience – it just takes place virtually. You can find traditional college campuses that offer online courses, as well as fully online colleges that have no physical campus. Instead, students attend classes online and complete all the necessary coursework from their own computer.

Types of Online Courses

Online learning is a broad term that includes a variety of different course structures and types. The one commonality they all have is that they are taken online with your computer and internet connection.

Asynchronous Online Courses 

These types of courses don’t take place in real-time. You’re given content and assignments with a predetermined time frame to complete your assignments, including quizzes, discussions, written papers, and exams.

Typically, students interact through discussion boards, forums, or blogs. There are no assigned meeting times, just deadlines for initial posts and response posts. Students respond to each other as their schedule allows, offering a lot of flexibility for time constraints.

If you want to accelerate your learning experience and earn college credits, online learning is a great option. Many programs offer courses to gain college credits toward your degree, helping you finish your program faster and save money in the process.

Whether you’re in school and looking to earn college credit online, or you’re considering pursuing online schooling as an option, here are some ways to earn college credit online in 2023 and beyond – plus some tips to get started!

College Credit Online Courses and Options 

There are many ways to earn college credits at a faster pace and prepare for your future degree path.

AP Courses

Taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school and passing the AP exam is the traditional way for students to earn college credits toward a future degree program. These courses are also available online, helping you prepare for your AP exams and get a head start on your college path.

Several focus areas are available, including art history, biology, chemistry, calculus, music theory, psychology, and English language and composition. A high school coordinator or guidance counselor can help you find the appropriate courses and register for the exams through the College Board. 

Accelerated Online Courses

If you want to earn college credits online quickly, you can take an accelerated online class instead of spending 16 weeks in a classroom. Accelerated college classes are often available for online degrees and have a compressed schedule, so you can fit more credits into your academic year.

Registering for accelerated courses is similar to registering for traditional or online courses, but they may have differing start dates that could impact your total credits and your financial aid eligibility. Our policy and guide is to always speak to your advisor or school registrar to see if accelerated courses are appropriate for you.

CLEP 

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a way to earn college credit for the information you already know, at a fraction of the cost of a full course. Like AP, CLEP offers credit by examination to get three or more credits at qualifying educational institutions.

The College Board offers 24 exams on topics like chemistry, psychology, marketing, human growth and development, macroeconomics, business law, American government, and sociology.

The exams cover the topics that would be included in introductory courses on a college level, and there are over 2,000 testing locations. There are also online resources to prepare for the CLEP exam and exams with remote proctoring if you don’t have a convenient location near you. Military service members are eligible to take the CLEP exams at no cost, complete with free prep books.

Before you take CLEP exams, however, make sure the college or university where you’re enrolled or planning to apply to accepts credit for CLEP exams. Your institution’s website or the registrar’s office should offer information on CLEP exam credits. 

If you’re considering pursuing your degree, you have options beyond traditional classroom learning. Online learning is increasingly popular, helping busy adults pursue their degrees and upskill in their industries while balancing the responsibilities of day-to-day life.

There are plenty of additional advantages of online courses. Find out more about what you can expect to gain from taking online classes for credit to see if this pursuit is right for you. 

What Are the Benefits of Taking Online Courses? 

1. Flexible Learning 

Online courses are often asynchronous, giving you flexibility in when, where, and how you pursue your studies. Some online learning institutions offer self-paced learning to tailor the education experience to your needs. You can move quickly through the course to complete it quickly, or take a break when life gets too busy for your studies. When you’re ready, you can pick up where you left off. 

2. Time Savings 

In addition to flexibility with how much time you spend on your studies, one of the benefits of online courses is that you can save time in the process. Because you’re learning from the comfort of your own home, you don’t have to spend time on long commutes in busy traffic, rearrange your schedule to attend classes at a certain time, or waste valuable minutes waiting for your class to start. 

3. Cost Savings 

Though it may not always be the case, online learning can come with some cost savings. You won’t have to pay extra fees for parking or for gas to get to your classes like you would at a traditional college or university. In some instances, your textbooks may be available in digital formats, which are often cheaper than physical textbooks. 

4. More Free Time 

Whether you learn in person or online, you have to devote time to your coursework. But if you’re taking classes online, you don’t have to stick to a schedule of classes at specific – and often inconvenient – times. You can also tackle multiple courses without worrying about schedule conflicts you might run into with in-person classes. 

5. More Course Variety 

There’s a wealth of courses available across different colleges and universities, but often, online courses offer more variety than traditional options. You can enroll in the courses you want to take without worrying about scheduling or convenience. There are many different degree programs and courses of study with online learning, including certificates, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. 

If you’re an adult returning to college, you have many factors to take into consideration. From picking a school that best meets your needs to discussing your options with colleagues, family and friends, there are several choices to make. 

It’s also worth figuring out how many semesters it will take to finish your degree. If you’re looking for ways to complete your program fast, Sophia may be able to help you knock our your gen ed requirements.

Once enrolled in your program, you’ll need to look for ways to fit coursework into your daily schedule while also focusing on your long-term goals. These tips are designed to help make this process easier. 

1. Pick a school that meets your needs 

The first step in going back to school is to figure out which one has the academic programs you’re interested in. Which ones will help support your career goals? What areas of study are you most excited to explore? Does the school accept transfer credits from previous courses you’ve taken? 

Because there are so many schools to choose from, it’s also helpful to take into account financial aid and how much enrolling will actually cost you. Finally, look into whether coursework is offered online in a flexible format that lets you learn when you have the time. Schools like Sophia offer content on your phone, tablet or laptop – on demand so you can learn when it’s easiest. 

2. Discuss your options with colleagues, family and friends 

Check with your social circles to see if those closest to you have any insights. It’s possible some of them have been considering their own educational goals and have even started to take steps toward enrolling in a program. Comparing notes with them can be a huge help. 

Some of your peers may have even completed degrees of their own. If so, they’ll be able to help you understand how day-to-day coursework has gone for them. In understanding their experiences, you might learn that pursuing a degree can be easier than you initially thought. 

At Sophia Learning, we believe online education can help students learn in a more flexible and affordable way. And thanks to advancements in technology, online learning has become more accessible than ever before. But there are many benefits to an in-person education too. What are some of the key differences, and which mode of learning may be right for you?

We connected with our chief learning officer, Nick White, for more insights. Here’s what he had to share: 

Q: First off, what is a “chief learning officer”—and what does your role with Sophia look like? 

A: The role of Chief Learning Officer varies across organizations but the connecting thread is the understanding of how important learning is to all of us to be successful in our roles and realize our potential. In practice that means optimizing the learning function by making sure that the right learning is offered in the most effective and efficient way.  

My career has been focused on creating and improving high quality online and competency-based courses and programs. That involves research on what works for    students, integrating the best design practices and software, creating great learning content using various media, and designing the operations to deliver all of that for students.  

So at Sophia, I support our very talented academic team to continue to improve what we provide to students. That includes new approaches to the learning experience, enhancements to our quality assurance processes, and examining data to generate new insights on how to keep improving. 

And one of the most rewarding things I have the privilege of doing is conducting research on the outcomes of our students and sharing those results and stories with the world. We see great outcomes for Sophia students that we’ll be able to publish soon.