Earn College Credits in High School

Earn College Credits in High School

Nov 30, 2020 | Time

Did you know that you could earn college credits while still in high school? Earning college credits in high school not only helps you graduate faster from college, but it also helps you save money on tuition. More and more high schoolers are opting to earn college credits before even receiving their high school diploma, and there are plenty of options available.

Traditionally, high school students would earn college credits through AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses. All three of these options involve challenging coursework and exams. Not only that, AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses may not be available or feasible for some students, that leaves CLEP as an excellent option for earning college credit before setting foot on a college campus.

What is CLEP?

CLEP, or the College-Level Examination Program, is a Credit-by-Exam test where you show how much you know about an academic subject. CLEP exams usually test core college subjects, such as History, Math, World Languages, and Composition and Literature. You earn college credits by achieving a qualifying score on the tests. Over 3,000 colleges and universities currently accept CLEP test scores, which are administered by the College Board.
The best thing about CLEP is that you don’t have to sit down for an actual class like you would with AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes.

Benefits of CLEP for High Schoolers

You can earn college credits early.

CLEP’s biggest benefit is that you can earn college credits before filling out a single university application or receiving an acceptance letter.

Because CLEP is available at most colleges, you can still attend your college of choice without CLEP exams affecting which school you can attend.

You can shorten your college career.

For example, say you took and passed four (4) CLEP exams during your high school years, and each of those exams counted for three credits. In total, you would have earned 12 college credits, and you would have passed the majority of your first semester classes.

While some students may worry that shortening your time at college would affect the ‘college experience,’ many students have found that CLEP has enriched their experience. Many students have pursued gap years to travel, study abroad, or start an internship with the extra time.

The reality is that very few people will graduate from college in four years. Many students are taking longer to graduate than ever before, and it’s not uncommon for people to spend six years or more completing their undergraduate degree. So, if you can test out of a semester or a year or more from your college career, it’s not a bad idea to consider. You’d be much better off at the end of your studies using CLEP.

You can save a lot of money.

Additionally, the money they saved in the process helped them start careers without a mountain of debt looming over them. How much debt? The average college student owes 30K in student loans by the time they graduate. How much could CLEP save you? CLEP exams typically cost between $80 – $100 each, while the average 3-credit college course costs more than $1,700.
Using our earlier example of taking and passing four (4) CLEP tests, with each test at $80 apiece, you can expect to spend about $320. The same four courses attending a regular college class would cost you around $6,800. Doing the math, that’s $6,480 in savings! But the savings don’t have to stop here. You can always take more CLEP tests, earn more credits, and save even more money on college.

You will appear more college-ready.

Getting into college is tough. If your dream school is very competitive, every SAT or ACT score, grade, and extracurricular activity counts. You’ll stand out as an applicant with CLEP credits. CLEP helps you boost your application beyond high school accomplishments and shows that you’re prepared for college. You devoting time to taking and passing CLEP exams shows university admissions that you’re dedicated to your education can handle challenges and that you work hard to achieve your academic goals.

Getting started with CLEP

How can you get started with CLEP credits while still in high school? Make sure you cover these two key factors.

  • Be sure that the college you’re attending accepts CLEP exams for the courses you plan to CLEP. Some colleges require that you take some science courses in a traditional class.
  • Be prepared to pass your CLEP exam on the first try using Smarter with Achieve for Credit-by-Exam prep. Our test prep offers live online instruction from experienced teachers. Plus, you can attend courses from the comfort of your home.

Smarter with Achieve can help.

High school is full of obligations, from extracurricular activities to academic classes and social obligations. Give yourself a headstart for college by testing out of courses using Credit-by-Exam. Smarter with Achieve helps you CLEP out of college courses before setting foot at a university. Attend our prep courses and start earning college credits in as little as four weeks! See how we can help. Chat with an Advisor today!

Are You Currently Stuck at Home? 5 Methods on How to Manage Your Study Time Wisely

Are You Currently Stuck at Home? 5 Methods on How to Manage Your Study Time Wisely

May 1, 2020 | Time

These are not normal days.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is spreading around the globe.

Schools have been closed. Offices and shops closed. People are stuck at home.

But while social distancing can feel lonely, it also gives you more time to study. If you’re preparing for credit-by-exam, you can turn things around by making the most out of isolation and fast-forwarding your study goals.

In this blog, we’ll show tips on how to manage your study time wisely.

how to manage study time wisely

5 Methods for Making the Most Out of Your Study Time

Getting into the study zone won’t happen magically. It’s easy to slip and spend a whole day (and then two or three) lounging in front of the TV.

Follow these 5 techniques on how to manage your study time so you don’t suffer the consequences of bad productivity habits.

1. Create a Schedule

On the first day of home quarantine, you’ll feel like you have a ton of time to go over all your study material.

You’ll feel you have more time in a day than you actually do.

You’ll soon learn you don’t. The day will slip away faster than you thought. You’ll find yourself watching TV, lounging in bed, or scrolling through Instagram until late afternoon.

Then, you’ll try to get into the study zone. But your brain is unfocused and tired, and you just can’t absorb any information.

This is not the way to transition to studying at home.

You need to set a schedule. Wake up at the same time every morning. Set a specific time for tasks instead of saying you’ll do them “later.”

Also, set a schedule for going over your study material. For instance, designate dates for every portion of material you’ll go through. This will help you avoid procrastination and cramming.

2. Don’t Use Your Study Space for Anything but Study

You don’t want to study leaning against the kitchen counter waiting for your coffee to brew. And neither should you study lying in bed (you’d most likely fall asleep).

If you want to make the most of your study time, you need to have your private study area. This needs to be a place that’s quiet, tidy, and pleasant. You’d want enough light, a comfortable chair, a clutter-free desk, and decorations that put you in the right mood.

When you sit down in your study space, don’t do anything but study. Don’t text, go over emails, or read a novel. If you keep your study space strictly for studying, you’ll be better able to make the most of your time.

3. Say No to Distractions

We’ve all become multitaskers. We can talk to a friend, scroll through Facebook, and cook a dish all at the same time.

But multitasking is the killer of productivity.  

Here’s how to avoid it:

  • Don’t bring your phone into your study area.
  • Have a journal and label it “things to think of later.” Whenever a memory, plan, or worry distracts you, write it down in the journal and continue with your studies.
  • Share your study plans with your family or roommate. When you do, they’ll avoid disturbing you when you step into your study area.  

4. Take Time to Rest

Time management isn’t cramming as many duties as you can into one small hour.

It’s learning to use time so you’re efficient but also happy and healthy.

So, when you make your schedule, leave an hour or two for fun distractions. This will give you more energy to focus on your studies.

5. Don’t Study for Hours at a Time

Study in bursts of 30 minutes. In between, take a walk or cuddle your furry friend for 5-10 minutes. This will help you reset your brain and avoid stress and exhaustion.

Make the Most of Your Credit-by-Exam Study Time

Just because you’re under home quarantine doesn’t mean you can’t speak to an expert if you have credit-by-exam specific questions.

Need help finding out if you’re ready for credit-by-exam? Use this assessment to see if credit-by-exam guidance is a fit for you.

how to manage study time wisely

The Complete Guide to Effective Time Management for College Students

The Complete Guide to Effective Time Management for College Students

Jan 20, 2020 | Time

Proper time management for college students shouldn’t be underestimated. This is because often, it means the difference between success and failure. While good time management increases your chances of graduation, not having a proper schedule decreases it. On its own, college is time-consuming. But what if you’re working as well? What if you’re married or a single parent? 

Read on to learn tips and strategies that’ll help you better manage your time. But first, recognize the common obstacles making time management difficult.

Three Aspects that Make Time Management for College Students Difficult

College is intense, especially if your personal life is also hectic and demanding. Here are three factors that make it difficult to manage your time.

1. The Demands of Your College Courses

In order to graduate in four years, you need to take at least 15 credits per semester. Since one course gives you only three credits, you’ll have to take five courses each semester. That’s hours of lectures, studying, preparation for tests, and homework. 

2. The Job You Hold to Support Yourself in College

According to a Georgetown report, around 70% of college students hold either a part-time or full-time job. Since attending college is expensive, you likely work to help pay for tuition, room and board, transportation, and books.

Explore the debt-free way to earn college credits. ➔

Working more than 35 hours a week can seriously affect your studies. Even if you’re earning credits by going to community college, it’s not easy to handle long working hours plus your studies.

3. Your Spouse and Family

If you’re a married college student with kids, time management becomes nearly impossible. How do you juggle going to college plus changing diapers, setting aside time for date nights, and doing all of your housework? 

So if two or all three of these factors are present in your student life, how do you press on towards graduation? It’s simple. What you needWe’ve prepared is a guide to help you with effective time management.

The Ultimate Guide to Effective Time Management for College Students

The right tips for time management can make your hectic schedule easier to manage. Here are ten ways you can rise over the obstacles and schedule your time for more efficiency. 

1. Choose Your College Schedule Wisely

It’s tempting to choose a loose schedule that allows you free time between each class. However, doing this will make you less efficient. It’s not easy to get into the right vibe when you only have 50 minutes or an hour to study. Also, you’ll need to stay at focused on school longer, limiting your time for other activities.

When picking your college schedule, try to go for back-to-back classes. This way, you’ll be able to lump all of your classes into a few hours in the morning or afternoon. The rest of your time is free, and you can go home to study, relax, or do housework. 

2. Turn Your Schedule Visual

Don’t stuff your schedule into your head. There’s just so much you can remember, and there will likely be times you get caught by surprise by an exam or activity you forgot about.

To avoid this, plan your schedule visually from the start. You can use a planner and get creative with colorful pens and stickers. If you’d rather use your phone or tablet, download a college scheduling app. Don’t wait until the middle of the semester to form your calendar. As soon as the first day of college, get your syllabus, and start marking dates.

3. Create a Routine

Creating a daily routine has its advantages. For one thing, you’ll know what you need to do and when to do it. You’ll be less likely to miss duties or find yourself short on time for an important activity. 

When you create a daily routine, your stress levels go down because you no longer need to make decisions every day. Also, following a routine helps you create good habits. Soon enough, even a packed schedule will feel comfortable as you get used to it.

So plan your week wisely. Wake up at the same time each morning. Set aside time to study and stick to it. Make a schedule for housework, family time, and hobbies and follow it religiously. Sooner than you think, you’ll be less anxious and more efficient with your time.

4. Talk with Your Spouse

If you’ve been buried in schoolwork over the past few weeks, your spouse can feel hurt and neglected. To counter the problem, talk with them about your schedule. Setting aside an evening each week for date night will help strengthen your relationship. During your dates, you can both work on your schedule and figure out how you can evenly divide your time between school and family.

5. Don’t Skip Any Classes

While skipping classes will give you some extra time at first, you’ll find yourself in worse trouble later on. It’s not easy to go over class materials by yourself. The time it takes to cover the subject taken up in class will be longer than the one hour you need to sit through the lecture. 

What’s more, you’ll miss out on the chance to absorb the lesson in the best way. When exams come around, you’ll have a difficult time keeping up with your classmates. 
So no matter how busy you are, make it a point to attend every single one of your classes.

6. Study during the Best Time of the Day

For many, the best time to study is in the morning. After a refreshing night’s sleep, the brain is active and ready for action. Also, studying in the morning is great because the natural light will keep you alert and sharp.

For others, however, studying at night is the better option. Nighttime is quiet and peaceful, making it easy to focus on schoolwork. Students who are parents also find studying at night less difficult because the kids are asleep, and there won’t likely be distractions from them. 

Interested in taking credit-by-exam? Achieve can help you determine your chances of passing and give you guidance that’ll increase your chances of earning those college credits quickly and affordably.

7. Stay Focused as You Study

Staying focused can be hard if your life is full of distractions. However, once you dedicate a certain time to study, make sure you do nothing but study during that time. Here are three great tips that’ll help you make the most out of your study time

1. Find a Quiet, Comfortable Place to Study

The right location will bring out your study vibe. Again, this depends on the type of person you are. Some people prefer a completely silent place, while others like music or a slight bustle in the background. Before you settle down to study, clear your surroundings, and make sure you’re comfortable. 

2. Engage in Focused Studying in Short 20-Minute Bursts

While it seems a good idea to study for two hours straight, you’ll soon feel drained and become less efficient. Instead, it’s better to pour all your energy into 20-minute study sessions. Give your work all your attention. After 20 minutes, take a short break to recharge yourself. Go for a walk, eat a light snack, or talk to someone.

3. Divide Your Work into Small Blocks

When tackling huge tasks, don’t set yourself to take on everything at once. Divide the work into manageable pieces. Set a time limit for each. Every time you complete one small task, reward yourself. You’ll be amazed at how much faster you complete your study goals.

8. Get a Job with a Flexible Schedule

Juggling work and college is hard. However, as a working student, college is still your number one priority. Your job only serves as a way you can support yourself and take care of your expenses as you study.

When you interview with a company, let your boss know the time you’re available to work. It’s a good idea to get your class schedule early, so you can inform him or her when you’ll be free. Don’t overload yourself with more work than you can handle.

9. Don’t Cram Everything into a Few Days of Focused Study

Don’t wait until finals approach to start reviewing material you went over in class. Instead, set a fixed schedule to go over what you learned. Start studying for finals weeks instead of days before the date. When you don’t have to cram, you’ll be more relaxed and enjoy a better study-life balance.

10. Consider Innovative Ways to Earn Credits Faster

If you’re struggling to make it to all your classes because work and family life are crowding out your time, you need an innovative solution to get you out of the rut you’re in. For example, it’s a good idea to consider credit-by-exam.

Credit-by-exam allows you to earn credits without having to take up a course at all. In a few hours, you can earn the three credits you’d normally earn for a whole course (and a whole semester). Here are three kinds of credit-by-exam you can take:  CLEP | UExcel | DSST

Credit-by-exam is also much cheaper than a whole college course. CLEP and UExcel offer exams for $85 each. You can take a DSST exam for $110. 

When you take credit-by-exam, you can eliminate one or two courses from your load. This means extra hours to work, study, and take care of your family. 

Need more information on credit-by-exam and how to pass it? We at Achieve can help you. 

Can credit-by-exam reduce the cost of your chosen college? ➔

How to Excel with Great Time Management 

You’re in charge of your own time. It’s you who gets to decide whether you’ll end up overwhelmed with your busy schedule, or rise above and achieve great things with your work, study, and family. 

If you ever find yourself lost on the path to graduation, we at Achieve can help you figure out the next step. 

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