No gratification?

[betch]

I'm attempting my BA withe COSC, trying to get it done in under a year (starting from 0cr) while working a full-time C-level job.
I have every test, every credit planned and I'm working my way through but..
2 months and 24 credits in, Im finding absolutely no sense of fulfillment or gratification from the testing. I mean hell yeah Im happy for the credits, and its a means to an end...but it feels like theres something missing.
For example, I'll study a subject for 2 weeks and pass the test. The day after I'll find myself wondering about different elements of the subject that I didnt learn, or elements I only know the summary of, and I have to tell myself to just forget it, delete the file to make room in my memory for the new subjects I'm on.
Anyone else experience this?

[skyfall123]

For example, I'll study a subject for 2 weeks and pass the test. The day after I'll find myself wondering about different elements of the subject that I didnt learn, or elements I only know the summary of, and I have to tell myself to just forget it, delete the file to make room in my memory for the new subjects I'm on.

Memory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[betch]

Missed the point. Its not that I don't have the ability to learn the subjects at hand or explore them afterwards etc
I simply don't have time in the schedule to do so, and need to move on. It makes it feel like I'm not really learning anything, just getting the credits.

[skyfall123]

How you learn or choose to retain information is totally up to you. Short term or long term memory. That was the point. It's up to you.

[peace123]

This is how is see it:

1. Most of the information I learned while taking courses at B&M schools ( 20 years ago) was learned to pass the quizzes, test and midterms.

2. When I was taking a full load of courses at a B&M school, I had to concentrate on learning information based only on what would be presented on the test according to the teachers notes. Why ?- there was just to much overload from taking so many courses at once.

3. Like #1 above ,testing out is also about learning to pass a test.

4. What differs from #2 above is with testing out I am not learning a full course load, so I have more time to enjoy what I am learning and I find I retain more then I did from B&M courses.

If you are not feeling gratification, perhaps you need to set up goals for your self. For example, on this exam I am going to try to achieve a score of XYZ.

Also if you are missing the camaraderie of classroom. Hang out here in the forum, we love to cheer each other on.

Also , maybe you need to add additional items to your study, for example if you are using only IC and textbooks, maybe add some video's. If your study consists of just reading, maybe add some writing too. Write out your own flash cards to take with you for studying when waiting in lines, or when you find some down time away from the computer.

Also if you think taking a course would help you feel more fulfilled than take one.

I guess what i am saying is mix it up --do not give it up.

Peace123

[radeonator2048]

Think about it like this:

I used to be on the clep road and couldn't wait to crack another test but also wondered if I really knew enough. I can say that if I brush up most of it comes back to me. Besides, that's what graduate programs are for to specialize. A degree is really just a license to hunt for a job and it says I have a basic education. The great thing about testing out is you are the boss and get to pick your curriculum ...It's normal to feel a little down every now and then. Just think about the positive. you have 24 credits so your about a fifth of the way there... Keep up the good work and after a test get a milkshake or a movie, some winddown time as a reward for a test passed and a motivator.

[jacanyardie]

[QUOTE=betch]I'm attempting my BA withe COSC, trying to get it done in under a year (starting from 0cr) while working a full-time C-level job.

The above statement is your goal, and it is the price you pay....sit and watch Jeopardy sometimes and you will see how much you have learned/stored.....


Yes 99.99% of us have used the testing drug and have experienced some
STAGES OF ADDICTION: :ack: :willynilly: banghead :hurray:

[marianne202]

If you truly try to understand and learn the material while you study you will retain quite a bit. I had the same worry as you in the beginning, since I was cranking out the exams so fast I wasn't taking a breather in between. I wasn't smart enough to group my exams to use the overlap. So when I did take the related exams, I was amazed at how much I remembered and understood. I also was amazed to see how it related to my new subject area of study. When I started my new teaching job I jumped right in to a conversation on my first day and started quoting things I remembered from my organizational behavior and principles of supervision study / exams. It was coming out of my mouth before I realized what I was doing. Both of these exams were just a means to an end, and nothing really intriguing to me at the time. Then I paniced that in this room full of experienced teachers I may have just embarrassed myself on my first day...what a first impression. Low and behold a few seconds later I had several teachers backing me up and agreeing with my comments. One of our international business teachers came up to me after the session to discuss my comments further! That is when I realized that I was taking away the important information that I felt was useful to my life when I was studying for all these exams. I was actually learning and not just memorizing, because I knew how to apply the information when needed. I think that when we are in this rapid "testing" mode, we forget that we are still learning, maybe in an abbreviated form, but we are learning the important concepts without all the filler and fluff of a classroom. Sometimes I think this makes it easier to learn the material that counts. When you start using this information you may be surprised to see how much you really learned! Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged. This forum is a great place to share ideas, make friends, complain and get support. Welcome and good luck in reaching your goals.

[cookderosa]

I'm attempting my BA withe COSC, trying to get it done in under a year (starting from 0cr) while working a full-time C-level job.
I have every test, every credit planned and I'm working my way through but..
2 months and 24 credits in, Im finding absolutely no sense of fulfillment or gratification from the testing. I mean hell yeah Im happy for the credits, and its a means to an end...but it feels like theres something missing.
For example, I'll study a subject for 2 weeks and pass the test. The day after I'll find myself wondering about different elements of the subject that I didn't learn, or elements I only know the summary of, and I have to tell myself to just forget it, delete the file to make room in my memory for the new subjects I'm on.
Anyone else experience this?

>>


I have a strong suspicion that the post is simply bate by an anti-tester, but at the risk of my being wrong, I'll answer.

First, you have about 100 credits yet to earn, I suspect you'll have an assortment of emotions before you're done.

This happens with classes too. Earning a degree is earning a credential, black and white. Your life, family, hobbies, interests, career, etc are what will fulfill you as a person. I have not yet me a person who felt English 101 fulfilled them, left them feeling inspired. It is what it is- if earning the credential requires mentoring and guidance from a faculty member and interaction with students, take the class. If you are capable of testing and desire to do so, then test. Like Geezer pointed out, it's a choice. No one here is suggesting you take tests if you don't want to.

If I may ask, why have you decided not to take any courses? You can take courses simultaneously with your testing plan. You might feel a little more engaged if you took a few classes. For my plan, all of the credits in my major were classes, I thought it was a good balance for me. Again, the POINT is that you have access to options. Testing is one, of at least 8, ways to earn credit.

P.S. Most people will tell you that the real learning and engagement happens at the graduate level. The classes I took toward my master's degree were head and shoulders above anything I have taken (continue to take) at the undergraduate level. Just a thought.

[betch]

I'm not taking any courses simply because I haven't the time to do so in addition to studying on my own for the CLEPs. (I work roughly 55-65 hours a week managing a large company outside Boston and have a wife and little one)
I'm getting the degree solely for the purpose of going to law school, so I hear what you're saying on the "real" learning happening at grad level, its likely most of this BA test/coursework will be useless to the greater goal other than for the transcript anyway..
I appreciate the responses from all though, it helps to hear from those who've been there, done that! I guess its just the reality of the way its gonna feel when I'm taking 4 tests a month and jamming so much learning into short timeframes.