Online school sucks

[TrailRunr]

That would be no school whatsoever. I'm just tired of feeling like I'm passed over for someone with an additional piece of paper.

At my work, not having the paper is going to get you passed over by HR. So I know that feeling.

I think you should bag a degree with the least amount of effort possible that will help you at work, which is not necessarily the least amount of money or the most amount of learning. I don't know the BA Communications at TESU, but I don't think it's the path of least resistance unless your work explicitly wants a communications degree. I like the TESU business admin degree because the requirements are easy to meet and it also happens to help at work more for most. TESU Lib Arts degree is another option.

First, take every CLEP, DSST, and TECEP that meets degree reqs that can be passed with quick study or no study like CLEP A&I Lit (worth 6 at TESU too). Use the paid IC forum, which I think is more helpful than the IC flashcards.

Then start using SL with certain exceptions like econ and stats. Make sure you get feedback about each SL course before you purchase it. Use the ctrl-F method and the Internet to power through the course in one day. You won't learn much, but you'll have your 3 credits in a day without leaving home. You need not worry about the proctored final if your non-proctored scores are high enough. ALEKS could be worth up to 12 credits. ALEKS might be gone in a few days, but I would try to get at least intermediate algebra, college algebra, and precalc done with what I call the wolf method before Nov 30. Stats via ALEKS is tough and I would avoid unless you find math easy.

For stats, I would use ratemyprofessor and take the easiest instructor at the community college. Crash the class on day 1 if there are no seats.

I think this is as "no school" as you'll get and still get your paper you need for work to avoid being passed over.

PM if you don't understand the vague parts of my post. It was deliberately vague.

[cookderosa]

That would be no school whatsoever. I'm just tired of feeling like I'm passed over for someone with an additional piece of paper.

Well..... I can't help you with that. You could apply for positions that don't require a piece of paper, but if you choose to power through, you'll be the person they promote over the person without the piece of paper.
I have said many times that earning my degrees wasn't NEARLY as hard as I thought it was when I was in my late teens/early 20's. I felt then like you feel now- like it was this huge annoying mountain, too long, too much, blahhhh yuck. For me, the light bulb came on when I took my first CLEP, I mean talk about beating the system! For *me, whenever I'm dragging, I double down. I am very easily bored, and no way on the planet I'd have any degree if I had to wait 4 years. 2 was bad enough. I did the AA & BA in 18 months. Instead of a break, add a second or third class to your plate- get crazy busy. Aim for passing, not perfection. Bring the finish line closer and bust it out. Whatever your plan was, shave 6 months. People who run over hot coals never burn their feet.

[dfrecore]

I think part of the problem is that you took crappy OL courses. Saylor stinks, it's like torture. The Insurance Ethics course is worthless. But I have taken some courses that I liked.

I don't love OL courses, BUT I also have a tough time sitting through a 16-week course at college. It's horrible. I did figure out that I can do 5-10 week courses though - I took an 8-week course last summer through my local CC. And I've taken some great management courses at GGU 15 years ago, where they had different formats - 10-week courses, and 5-week weekend-intensive courses - and I liked them all.

I also had terrible experiences at the first 4-yr college I went to, some of the teachers were terrible. The ones who were killing time until retirement after getting tenure were fun. And the grad student teaching Calculus for Engineering Majors who couldn't speak English. For weeks, I sat there feeling like I was an idiot, until every single person in the class flunked the first exam. Every. Single. Person. We were all engineering majors! The average at that point was 40%. I quit. Then I went back to CC a few years later and found that there were some GREAT teachers there, and I enjoyed myself (except the 16-week format).

I think you have to figure out how to get the best of both worlds. You have to take some classes somewhere to get the interaction (I recommend courses in your major where it's really important to you, or things that are really hard where you need more help from an instructor). At the same time, you can take online courses and/or study for exams.

It may end up taking you a little longer than people here who power through courses in a matter of days/hours, but you'll be happier for it.