Does this method work? Do you really learn anything?

[marianne202]

Ok, so I have been away for many months due to studying for a the new certification after finishing my post-bac certificate at Stephen's college and my new job as Health Information Management Director at our local hospital. I'm happy to report that I passed my RHIA certification in Sept. and I have passed my 6 month anniversary as HIM Director. Needless to say I'm very happy that I found this forum and a great supportive network to guide me through this process which led me to go further with my education than I ever expected. I only wanted my Associates degree. Now 5 years later I have 4 degrees and a Post-Bac certificate, an additional high level professional certification and as a result my career was catapulted into a new realm I never expected was possible 5 years ago. This brings me to my topic, does this method really work?

A lot of us that have been hear for years have read and heard people say things like this is cheating, you don't really learn the material, this is a short-cut that will catch up with you etc etc. I'm here to say that this method works and I'm living proof! I use the information I learned studying for my various CLEP, DSST and ECE exams all the time. I do remember the information I studied for the exams, well maybe not American Govt, and I use the information daily while problem solving and working with my staff. I used almost every method available to me while I was completing my degrees: CLEP, DSST, ECE, UExcel, Straighterline, ALEKS and traditional online coursework. I honestly don't think one worked any better in preparing me than another, but they all worked. I do laugh to myself when I quote something I learned while studying for an exam when I counsel an employee or when I'm talking at a meeting.

I had to do this yesterday after a couple staff members had a confrontation during a stressful situation. Even though I'm doing something I have never done before I have heard that during the interview process I was the most prepared of any of the applicants interviewed, and they do an entire 8 hour interview process which includes 3 different interview panels and 3 one-on-one interviews only after you passed the initial phone panel interview! My CFO is very supportive and has said on several occasions that I'm doing a great job. Now, I will give you that I'm 50 years young and have lots of practical experience, but I believe a lot of my knowledge was gained throughout this educational journey. So for those that doubt this process can work, doubt no more and just do it! Give it your all and work hard and before you know it you will be posting your success story! Good luck!

[Al2010x]

Excellent feedback and indeed very motivational for some of us who just found out about this forum and options available to all of us hard workers!

[corpsole2]

I have been waiting for someone to give an in depth story of how their education with the Big 3 has helped them further their careers and education. I just finished my bachelor's program, and look forward to further education and career advancement. Like yourself, it does seem surreal in that I am further along in my education than I thought I would be.

I'm curious about something. Do you think the skills we hone taking tests teach us the invaluable skill of where to find the information we need, how to analyze the information and learn the stuff that is important to our goal (passing tests), and all this forces us to ingest and distill huge quantities of information in a short period of time? People who think this is cheating should try it; it isn't easy to learn the history of the Modern Middle East in two weeks and get an A on the DSST. And the info has not left my brain, but has deepened my understanding of modern Middle East politics and conflicts.

Anyway, thanks for sharing. I'd love to hear more stories about how people on this forum have parlayed their Big 3 degrees to either graduate schools or career advancement.

[LaterBloomer]

When I was in high-school (and dinosaurs roamed the earth), a fellow student was getting great grades. If she had to know something for a test, she knew it. No, she wasn't one of those brilliant folks who had a mind like a laser. (I think she had anorexia, and it was a control thing, but that's only supposition.) Unfortunately, she only knew what she had to know. Talk with her about anything else, and she was clueless. Are there folks like that on this forum? Sure there are. Are there folks who have spent their lives absorbing knowledge from magazines, books, newspapers, museum visits, etc., etc., etc.? They're here, too. Both types exist in B&Ms, too. Some folks are here to get degrees for work, etc. Some are here for that, but go on to use what they've learned in their lives. Both are valid reasons for being here. I do have to admit that I can't understand why someone would take the time to learn something, and then never use it again.

[Prloko]

This method is not for everyone. Some people learn better while others don't. I know very smart people who struggle with CBE. I feel people like me who can't pay atten..(SQUIRREL), attention for very long in a course excel using CBEs. I use IC only to reinforce what I read in a textbook. I rather read a text and absorb the info and CLEP out of it. I learn as much had I taken the course at one of the Tier 2/3 schools.

I'm pretty sure its different if you are studying at an elite university, but for my purposes, CBE is more than adequate and I do learn and retain a lot of information. I do have to admit that the Intro to Finance DSST did not prepare me for my Strategic Management course. My mentor (an NYU MBA and a really great mentor) cited that my quantitative analysis was not strong, although my writing, reasoning, understanding and citation were excellent. I may have benefited more from a formal Finance course, but that's me.

[sanantone]

I'm taking college courses on ground for the first time. I'm finding it very hard to concentrate on the lectures. I've never been good at listening for a long time. I have a tendency to zone out, daydream, and fall asleep.