How to Earn College Degree Through Distance Education

MANY Filipinos have already accepted and studied the distance-learning concept in our country today. They have hurdled the grueling sessions of study and fulfilled their dreams of a college degree. In your part, do you want to be one of them?

If you are interested and wanted to try the concept of self-study, here are the things you can do to succeed.

Inquire. You are free to inquire at the nearest CHED offices in your area. They can inform you and explain further everything you want to know about distance education, and can recommend the best school for you.

Choose the best course suited for your needs. After finding a school, select the best courses suited for your ability, inclination, and interest. In this way, you have a high percentage for success.

Before enrolling, explain to your parents, partner, and friends of your decision. They need to know and understand you so that you can ask for their support and guidance. If you will not tell them ahead, they might be surprised to learn your turnaround and may down grade your decision.

After enrolling and receiving the learning packages, assumes autonomy over the learning process. This requires from the student a degree of independence and self-reliance.

Bear in mind that distance education is different from the traditional one. You are studying by yourself with no teacher in front of you to consult and no classmates beside you to discuss or compare notes with. You need all the diligence and self-confidence you could ever have. In this concept, it is only yourself who can make the system work. You should work in order to succeed.

Set a definite time and place of study. A practical and realistic study schedule will give you more time for your family, your social life, and your recreation, as well as for your studies. Also a regular place of study with enough necessary supplies will encourage you more to study and concentrate.

Be physically rested and emotionally calm before studying. A physically rested body and emotionally calm mind will make you ready for study. Disturbed concentration of study will not give good results.

Do not procrastinate to avoid cramming. Stick and follow diligently to your study schedule. What you didn’t do today will be an additional load tomorrow and the other days to come.

Pay attention to key words and new words. This will help you remember the content of what you read. And by finding the meaning of new words, you will improve your vocabulary.

Keep marginal notes. By keeping notes just like a summary, will help you to understand more the contents of what you read and studied.

Discuss lessons with fellow students especially those pursuing the same course. Since most of the distance schools have tutorial in the learning centers, this is a good way to express your ideas and get some ideas from them.

Practice what you learn. As a saying goes "practice makes perfect", it will give you confidence to be proficient and effective in applying what you learned. It is also a good way to gauge how far you have gained in your studies.

Review. Reviewing all things you have gone through is a very tedious work but will surely give you a long time memory of all the concepts and theories you learned.

Read everything especially information related to your subject of interest. In this way you will further your knowledge and the knowledge you learned will complement to those what you have learned in your course.

Pray to God. We need to pray to God and ask Him to guide us in our studies and other work, and to give us good health so that we can continue in our quest for further knowledge.

This article is not a perfect guide but you can use this in addition with yours to help you become successful in getting college education and make your dreams come true.

(The author finished AB at CAP College Foundation, Inc. through distance education on April 01, 2000. CAP College Foundation, Inc. is an affiliate of CAP Philippines.)