If I knew then

[UptonSinclair]

As I wrap up my first Bachelor's degree, I have been contemplating what I would do different if I were to begin this journey again and I thought it might be interesting to hear from others.

The biggest thing I would do differently is figure out a major at a single college and stick with it. I have wasted hundreds of dollars on enrollment fees and transcript costs jumping from one wild idea to the next.

Next, I would be darn sure I was going to stick with a class before buying the textbooks. I have a bunch of books purchased for classes I dropped.

As much as I like the big three, I would probably find a state college with flexible degree plans and finish my degree there rather than the big three. Over the last couple of years I have found some amazing alternatives at very reasonable prices. (Colorado Mountain College, Adam's State, CSU Pueblo)

Finally, if I were starting over I would take far more graded classes and use far fewer alternative sources. (I have 194 credits with only 31 graded)

As they say, "hindsight is 20/20." I am happy to be finished, but it would be nice to be about 15 years younger and starting from scratch.

[laughter]

As much as I like the big three, I would probably find a state college with flexible degree plans and finish my degree there rather than the big three. Over the last couple of years I have found some amazing alternatives at very reasonable prices. (Colorado Mountain College, Adam's State, CSU Pueblo)

Glad to hear your feedback. May I know what are your reasons for choosing a state college instead of one of the big three?
How do the prices at the other colleges (Colorado Mountain College, Adam's State, CSU Pueblo) compare to that of the big three?

Finally, if I were starting over I would take far more graded classes and use far fewer alternative sources. (I have 194 credits with only 31 graded)

Yeah, I like graded exams, too. Trying to take as many of them without ballooning the cost too much.

[sanantone]

If I knew then what I know now, I would have chosen one of the Big 3 a long time ago. It would have saved me a lot in student loans and time. I definitely would not have attended those two for-profit colleges. I probably would have just used a combination of tests and CC credits for a TESC degree.

[rebel100]

I think if I had it to do all over, I would buckle down and get things done at an earlier age. I would likely leverage CLEP and DSST in a State School, and attempt to leverage that forward. In Florida up to 45 credits by exam can apply to an AA/AS and up to 90 for a Bachelors. Schools like CSU-Pueblo (a State School in Co.) allow this sort of creative degree completion.

With all that said, I'm quite happy with my COSC degree and it was perfect for me at the time....given all my false starts.

[mrs.b]

I would have used more CBE options and less courses. Of the credits I graduated with (a BSBA and AAS), only 30 were CBE. Taking all the others in course form while also studying for and taking the CBEs, and general life/family requirements was not reasonable in retrospect.

I would not have set such an aggressive timeline for myself. I completed 63 credits in one year (33 course, 30 CBE), and there was no reason to push so hard for it. No promotions on the horizon, no mandatory job changes. I just wanted it done, and should have taken a little more time.

If I could completely turn back time, though, I would have retrieved my head from my backside in my late teens to stop playing and finish my degree the first time I went to college. While the road I took eventually brought me to my family, if I could have the same without wasting my early 20s in nowhere jobs and doing the many stupid things I did, I think I'd be better for it.

[MahoganySEO]

I think if I had it to do all over, I would buckle down and get things done at an earlier age. I would likely leverage CLEP and DSST in a State School, and attempt to leverage that forward. In Florida up to 45 credits by exam can apply to an AA/AS and up to 90 for a Bachelors. Schools like CSU-Pueblo (a State School in Co.) allow this sort of creative degree completion.

With all that said, I'm quite happy with my COSC degree and it was perfect for me at the time....given all my false starts.

Which schools in Florida accept 90 credits by exam?
I just checked FIU and they only accept 45. MDC only accepts 45 towards their bachelor degrees also.

[swf]

What would I have done differently? - I am only just beginning!!!

“One of the most difficult things to think about in life is one’s regrets. Something will happen to you, and you will do the wrong thing, and for years afterward you will wish you had done something different.”
― Lemony Snicket

“To live without regrets is impossible. To regret not trying is the worst regret of all.”
― Gary Rudz

[Photog]

Finally, if I were starting over I would take far more graded classes and use far fewer alternative sources. (I have 194 credits with only 31 graded)

I'm interested why you feel the graded classes are important?

[UptonSinclair]

I intend to pursue a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology at Fort Hays State University. One of their requirements is 60 graded credits. In addition, I feel that I could use a bit more preparation before I begin my graduate studies. There are programs that would accept my current record, but I have decided to knock out a few more classes so I can get into FHSU.

[Photog]

I intend to pursue a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology at Fort Hays State University. One of their requirements is 60 graded credits. In addition, I feel that I could use a bit more preparation before I begin my graduate studies. There are programs that would accept my current record, but I have decided to knock out a few more classes so I can get into FHSU.

Thanks for that, I didn't know that some programs require credits to be graded, more to think about.
I think the US Dept. of Education should just direct students to this forum for information and career planning advice