Chickened out newbie

[cookderosa]

[QUOTE=greathomes]Hi Everyone
I was feeling very bad this morning, but thanks to all your encouraging words I am moving on with renewed strength. I think this forum is an invaluable guide, and I am so thankful for the knowledge provided by people who have been there done that!

I think one big hurdle in this process in the lack of testing centers. Even the two closest centers are at least half an hour drive from my home. And don't even get me started about their stinky schedules. One friday a month for one of them. Third wednesday of every month for the other. The only choice left is to travel 40 miles for a center that tests every Friday at 10:00am.

I think this is one of the reasons, I have cancelled two times. Between sending the kids to school and driving in early morning rush hour to make it there at 9:45 gives me cold feet.
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OK, cold feet are normal- but ya know what? Do it anyway! $90 is no joke- but it's also not the end off the world!!!!! Don't let a few dollars get in the way of TRYING.

Consider how MUCH MORE time you will have to spend with your children if you don't have to take these two courses! MONTHS are gained.

I promise you, that when that first test is all said and done- you will be a changed woman

Before you test, double check that the exams you are planning to take will absolutely positively count and be accepted by your college. (Freshman Comp worries me, be certain they want it instead of English Composition With Essay)

Brick walls are for other people- they are the ones who don't want it enough, brick walls are not for you. (borrowed from "The Last Lecture")

[bzptc0]

Cindy - I was the same way when I started. I signed up for instantcert and immediatly cancelled when everything was flashcards. Then I went hunting for other sources, and everyone pointed me back to instantcert. Now I don't know if this is how others do it, but I don't type any answers in, I just form the answer in my head and hit the submit button. I'm doing accounting right now. When I started, I would go thru the math problems on paper. Now I just formulate the steps, and hit submit. Just ignore the "completion percentage" at the end. I note the topics of the questions I miss, and then go brush up on that topic. Once you go thru the flashcards a few times, you'll find yourself knowing the answers. The online accounting books are very helpful. I take the accounting DSST on Monday. I passed the Freshman Comp CLEP using this method.

Good Luck!

[lrgaul]

[SIZE="2"][COLOR="Navy"]Cindy, I have three school-aged children, a FT schedule at school, and a PT job in my field of choice. I will admit that it is challenging to manage my schedule. However, making the time for CLEP exams is worth it ten times over. The key word here is that I have to be willing to make the time to do it.

I believe that CLEP and DANTES offers a great solution for people who want to speed up the process of degree completion. Some of my friends and family have asked me if I think this is "the easy way". The truth is that I do not think this is the easy way at all - this is just the fastest way. And it will also save me a whole bunch of money. Ultimately, I see CLEP and DANTES as being the equivalent to skipping straight to the final exam for a college class. Obviously there are benefits to doing this, but you do still have to prepare for it and be ready to sacrifice some of your time. Essentially, there is truly no "easy" way to earn a college degree unless you want to order transcripts from a diploma mill. :eek: All in all, if you really think about it, the things in life that are the most worth accomplishing are never easy.

As for the failure side of your anxiety, I would say that being nervous is justified. CLEP exams are challenging. However, there are really only two kinds of fear that we face in life. The first fear is the kind that motivates us. The second fear is the kind that paralyzes us. I would definitely suggest that you let go of the fear that paralyzes you as soon as possible.

Let us know when you have passed your first CLEP. I know that you can do it as long as your fear motivates you to work hard for what you want. In this case, a passing score on the CLEP. [/COLOR][/SIZE]

[bzptc0]

My DSST center is a 2 hour drive one way. My Clep Center is 1.5 or 2.5 hours away (depending on which ones I go to). My DSST center is military, so the tests are on paper, and the wait is agonizing! Stop making excuses and feeling sorry for yourself. If you want your degree, go for it.

[crshore]

I have ONE regret about CLEP/DSST testing...that I didn't do it sooner! I went through the same thing you did - I lacked confidence, I was afraid of failing and wasting precious $$, the practice tests in the prep books seemed too hard, etc. I ended up taking many, many classes instead of taking CLEP/DSST exams instead. My lack of confidence and fear ended up costing me a lot more money in the end and made my journey to my degree last much longer that necessary.

Once I passed that first test, I was able to complete the remaining requirements of my degree MUCH more quickly. I realized I COULD do it. I tested out of 36 credits, allowing me to graduate a year earlier than I had expected. Even if you fail a test or two along the way, it will still cost you MUCH less than paying for a class.

Trust me, give it a try.