Preamble
I'm writing this post to contribute to this wonderful community that has been invaluable to me over the years (lurker extraordinaire c.2016). The recent global situation allowed me to finally pull the trigger and get this done. Please consider this as my small way of paying-it-forward to all those who will come after. I hope you can accept it the spirit in which it is given.
This is a post-mortem analysis of my recently completed degree (certified as of the date of this posting) using the 2021 catalog, with as much recorded quantitative data as I could muster, provided here for posterity. Thus, it should hopefully prove a useful datapoint and benchmark to many current seekers, and future accelerators aiming for a one-year or less completion time.
Things to note, costs are largely secondary to the value of time saved in this plan. No expense was spared in achieving the time goals set for this plan (despite some ACE setbacks, below), and so this plan will not be for everyone. There is also a focus on textbook based course providers, which will undoubtedly suit some learners more than others, but was an own goal of mine in order to best mirror the B&M experience and my own personal methods of learning.
My Background
Over ten years in Business Development for big tech. Ran a personal financial planning & tax business on the side for many years. Self taught sysadmin and certified linux engineer in the olden days. Military communications tech, top marks AFQT, mensa since HS. YMMV. May Shai-hulud guide you.
Beginning Credits: 0/144. The goal was to do this from scratch as a personal commitment to achieve a classical education, so no transfer or portfolio assessment was done (I also didn't fancy tracking down paper transcripts from 20+ yrs ago, in fairness).
Previous experience with online learning: minimal, however I am an avid reader and autodidact in the widest sense. I have experience in AV tech, instructional design and lecturing, but largely as a creator and presenter, rather than as a participant.
The Results
Total Credits Earned: 159+6 Duplication (144 Applied)
Degrees Awarded:
BSBA Accounting & Computer Information Systems (138 CR) [90 ACE / 48 RA]
ASNSM: Computer Science (+3 CR) [non-overlapping]
Undergraduate Certificate: Operations Management (+3 CR) [non-overlapping]
Completion Time | By the Numbers
Dates: Oct 24 2020 - Oct 29 2021 (-10 holidays)
Equivalent time to completion: 51 weeks (255 days)
Time spent per week: 40hrs M-F
Total Hours Spent: 2,040
Time Ratios:
Average Time Per Credit: 12.36 hrs
Average Time Per Course: 37.09 hrs
Average Credits Per Week: 3.24 CR
Time Ranges:
Shortest Course Completion: ~4 hrs
Longest Course Completion: ~80hrs
NOTE: 90 ACE limit Changes in 2021
This change was responsible for the discrepancy in credits earned versus applied, as it negated 21 credit hours worth of GE/electives and forced me to redesign my approach midstream. Thus, it resulted in my retaking two SL courses as TECEPs (no net credit earned, purely for RA quota), and the removal/replacement of five electives from the degree plan.
The Degree Plan
This is the plan as completed and certified for graduation under the 2021 catalog. The notes column has been repurposed to show the provider of the courses (see the Provider Legend at the end) and the acronyms should be common enough knowledge. The additional colors represent overlapping credits for the A.S.NSM in Computer Science, and the certificate in Operations Management, respectively. The colors can be seen denoted to the right of the Provider Legend.
BSBA General Education and Core Requirements [2021 Catalog]
![[Image: UA0i9YY.png]](https://tinyimg.io/i/UA0i9YY.png)
BSBA Dual AOS and Electives [2021 Catalog]
![[Image: uWHNuDH.png]](https://tinyimg.io/i/uWHNuDH.png)
Degree Plan Takeaways:
Specific placements in General and GE electives were needed to meet the 90 ACE / 48 RA limits inside the degree plan. But it's worth noting that the 90 ACE limit is per degree plan, so I was able to utilize 96 ACE credits total across multiple plans by using this approach. This is definitely something to consider when degree planning under the new, more restrictive, 90 ACE rules.
Costs | By the Numbers
1950 Straighterline Courses+testing: 26 courses
1000 Straighterline Membership: 10 months
1000 Study Com: 10 courses
180 Davar Academy: 2 courses
150 Coopersmith: 1 course
1250 TECEP-LL: 10 courses
900 TECEP-UL: 4 courses
3100 TESU Cornerstone + Capstone: 2 courses
3200 TESU Residency Waiver Fee
300 TESU Graduation Audit Fee
-------
SubT: 13,030 (55 courses)
1440 excess costs incurred
7200 private office rental, 12 months
-------
Total: 21,670 [actual cost incurred]
Note: Costs denoted above include total costs of testing fees, scheduling fees, and transcipt ordering S&H.
Potential Savings: (1440) [720 SDC, 450 TE, SL 250]*
*Basically I over spent on memberships in SDC, withdrew from one TECEP due to time constraints, and double stacked a TECEP at the end to ensure I'd get two cracks at it and graduate on time (didn't need to in the end). SL costs are excess due to taking two LL TECEPs to convert two courses to RA credit after the 90 ACE limit changes, so they're a potential savings to anyone else going forward.
Comparisons:
National Average Cost of a 4-year degree: 25,600
Net Savings: ~4,000
National Average Cost of Dual Degree: +6400
Total Savings: 10,400
Note: Does not include time-value and opportunity cost savings of time saved and potential for 3-4 years net income gain over B&M. Value varies by earning potential of the applicant.
The How - Methodologies
Despite this being a timed run of sorts, I committed myself to only learning from actual textbooks whenever possible, as it's my preferred learning method, hence my heavy reliance on Straighterline. Due to this, by the time I got to the SDC courses, I was able to rely nearly entirely on my textbook knowledge and breeze through them without issue. But I really can't say I learned much from SDC honestly, but perhaps their format just isn't for me. Luckily, ample textbooks are available in both AOS's and are fairly standardized in these disciplines, as each requires a relatively hierarchical learning path.
Specific Methods Used:
The 4/1 Method:
This is the method for either material you don't know, or that you might know but would enjoy learning about anyway. I spent four days *closely* reading the textbook cover to cover (an average textbook is 600 pages, so 600/4 is 150 pages a day) take notes if you need to, or if the subject is dense or difficult for you, spend the fifth day on about four hours of review, and the final four hours in testing. This method likely explains my pacing and average course completion time. I was really suprised to see it borne out in the averages that clearly, but it by far the main method employed, I'd say 80+ percent of the time.
The Quick & Dirty method:
This is the method for the subjects you already know very well, likely from life and job experience, or an old course from years ago. Review the key terms and points at the end of each chapter section in the text and mentally complete the sample problems. if you know 75-80% of them, move to the next chapter, else, speedread the chapter looking for the subjects that tripped you up. Repeat for the entire book. Pretty simple and a well known technique, but don't rely on it for subjects that you do not already have a firm grasp on. That way leads to danger.
The Glossary method:
This is my secret weapon, it's mostly a pre-test review method, but it can be used alongside the quick & dirty for subjects you know well enough. Read the glossary, that's it. No, really. Focus on lightly reading until you recognize if you know the definition or not, and if you don't, burn it into your memory. This is a great method to use pre-test as it prevents you from being tripped up on simple definitional questions. Read it front to back twice if you have to. You'll be surprised how well this works, as many tests are looking for and use the same verbiage that's found in the glossary. It also capitalizes on the sequencing effect in memory psychology, so even if you don't think you're absorbing it, the test verbiage will often trigger the latent memory. Seriously, try it. The glossary is your friend.
Additional Data: Personal GPAs, Course Ordering, and Curating your Transcript
In addition, for motivation and entertainment, I kept track of my personal unweighted GPA across all of my courses, including TECEPs and test-outs that would otherwise be ungraded. Here are those results:
Overall GPA: 3.48 (3.5)
Area of Study GPA(s): 3.60 and 3.61 (3.6)
Course Ordering & Transcript Curation
This is a largely overlooked idea, but for students starting out with a blank slate, it may be worth some thought. Designing a plan of study also entails choosing an order of course completion, and some attention should be paid to how that all bears out in the look and feel of the transcript. It may seem pedantic, but when someone at some point skims your transcript (and they will), it should flow logically. I kept my own pre-planned version of the transcript as a doc file for mocking up and curating the final transcript, a sample of which is shown here:
Notice the tight grouping of related courses, that largely follows the order in which courses would be taken in a traditional setting. This was intentional, both from a study design standpoint and for curating the look and feel of the transcript, which is something I took into consideration very early in the process. Next, notice also the targeted use of TESU semesters for TECEPs. I chose March, June, and August to mirror B&M semesters and to give the transcript a more traditional feel.
The Sept courses are a result of the ACE changes and thus unavoidable, though late registration periods would explain much of that at a B&M school, and it is close to the date of conferral, and so not unusual to have taken extra courses. I'm by no means attempting to pass off the transcript as anything more than what it is, but the psychological power of such expectations is nonetheless useful when decision makers will view these documents in isolation. It's always worth considering your intended audience.
Reserved for further updates.
Reserved for further updates.
Key Takeaways from the whole experience
I'm writing this post to contribute to this wonderful community that has been invaluable to me over the years (lurker extraordinaire c.2016). The recent global situation allowed me to finally pull the trigger and get this done. Please consider this as my small way of paying-it-forward to all those who will come after. I hope you can accept it the spirit in which it is given.
This is a post-mortem analysis of my recently completed degree (certified as of the date of this posting) using the 2021 catalog, with as much recorded quantitative data as I could muster, provided here for posterity. Thus, it should hopefully prove a useful datapoint and benchmark to many current seekers, and future accelerators aiming for a one-year or less completion time.
Things to note, costs are largely secondary to the value of time saved in this plan. No expense was spared in achieving the time goals set for this plan (despite some ACE setbacks, below), and so this plan will not be for everyone. There is also a focus on textbook based course providers, which will undoubtedly suit some learners more than others, but was an own goal of mine in order to best mirror the B&M experience and my own personal methods of learning.
My Background
Over ten years in Business Development for big tech. Ran a personal financial planning & tax business on the side for many years. Self taught sysadmin and certified linux engineer in the olden days. Military communications tech, top marks AFQT, mensa since HS. YMMV. May Shai-hulud guide you.
Beginning Credits: 0/144. The goal was to do this from scratch as a personal commitment to achieve a classical education, so no transfer or portfolio assessment was done (I also didn't fancy tracking down paper transcripts from 20+ yrs ago, in fairness).
Previous experience with online learning: minimal, however I am an avid reader and autodidact in the widest sense. I have experience in AV tech, instructional design and lecturing, but largely as a creator and presenter, rather than as a participant.
The Results
Total Credits Earned: 159+6 Duplication (144 Applied)
Degrees Awarded:
BSBA Accounting & Computer Information Systems (138 CR) [90 ACE / 48 RA]
ASNSM: Computer Science (+3 CR) [non-overlapping]
Undergraduate Certificate: Operations Management (+3 CR) [non-overlapping]
Completion Time | By the Numbers
Dates: Oct 24 2020 - Oct 29 2021 (-10 holidays)
Equivalent time to completion: 51 weeks (255 days)
Time spent per week: 40hrs M-F
Total Hours Spent: 2,040
Time Ratios:
Average Time Per Credit: 12.36 hrs
Average Time Per Course: 37.09 hrs
Average Credits Per Week: 3.24 CR
Time Ranges:
Shortest Course Completion: ~4 hrs
Longest Course Completion: ~80hrs
NOTE: 90 ACE limit Changes in 2021
This change was responsible for the discrepancy in credits earned versus applied, as it negated 21 credit hours worth of GE/electives and forced me to redesign my approach midstream. Thus, it resulted in my retaking two SL courses as TECEPs (no net credit earned, purely for RA quota), and the removal/replacement of five electives from the degree plan.
The Degree Plan
This is the plan as completed and certified for graduation under the 2021 catalog. The notes column has been repurposed to show the provider of the courses (see the Provider Legend at the end) and the acronyms should be common enough knowledge. The additional colors represent overlapping credits for the A.S.NSM in Computer Science, and the certificate in Operations Management, respectively. The colors can be seen denoted to the right of the Provider Legend.
BSBA General Education and Core Requirements [2021 Catalog]
BSBA Dual AOS and Electives [2021 Catalog]
Degree Plan Takeaways:
Specific placements in General and GE electives were needed to meet the 90 ACE / 48 RA limits inside the degree plan. But it's worth noting that the 90 ACE limit is per degree plan, so I was able to utilize 96 ACE credits total across multiple plans by using this approach. This is definitely something to consider when degree planning under the new, more restrictive, 90 ACE rules.
Costs | By the Numbers
1950 Straighterline Courses+testing: 26 courses
1000 Straighterline Membership: 10 months
1000 Study Com: 10 courses
180 Davar Academy: 2 courses
150 Coopersmith: 1 course
1250 TECEP-LL: 10 courses
900 TECEP-UL: 4 courses
3100 TESU Cornerstone + Capstone: 2 courses
3200 TESU Residency Waiver Fee
300 TESU Graduation Audit Fee
-------
SubT: 13,030 (55 courses)
1440 excess costs incurred
7200 private office rental, 12 months
-------
Total: 21,670 [actual cost incurred]
Note: Costs denoted above include total costs of testing fees, scheduling fees, and transcipt ordering S&H.
Potential Savings: (1440) [720 SDC, 450 TE, SL 250]*
*Basically I over spent on memberships in SDC, withdrew from one TECEP due to time constraints, and double stacked a TECEP at the end to ensure I'd get two cracks at it and graduate on time (didn't need to in the end). SL costs are excess due to taking two LL TECEPs to convert two courses to RA credit after the 90 ACE limit changes, so they're a potential savings to anyone else going forward.
Comparisons:
National Average Cost of a 4-year degree: 25,600
Net Savings: ~4,000
National Average Cost of Dual Degree: +6400
Total Savings: 10,400
Note: Does not include time-value and opportunity cost savings of time saved and potential for 3-4 years net income gain over B&M. Value varies by earning potential of the applicant.
The How - Methodologies
Despite this being a timed run of sorts, I committed myself to only learning from actual textbooks whenever possible, as it's my preferred learning method, hence my heavy reliance on Straighterline. Due to this, by the time I got to the SDC courses, I was able to rely nearly entirely on my textbook knowledge and breeze through them without issue. But I really can't say I learned much from SDC honestly, but perhaps their format just isn't for me. Luckily, ample textbooks are available in both AOS's and are fairly standardized in these disciplines, as each requires a relatively hierarchical learning path.
Specific Methods Used:
The 4/1 Method:
This is the method for either material you don't know, or that you might know but would enjoy learning about anyway. I spent four days *closely* reading the textbook cover to cover (an average textbook is 600 pages, so 600/4 is 150 pages a day) take notes if you need to, or if the subject is dense or difficult for you, spend the fifth day on about four hours of review, and the final four hours in testing. This method likely explains my pacing and average course completion time. I was really suprised to see it borne out in the averages that clearly, but it by far the main method employed, I'd say 80+ percent of the time.
The Quick & Dirty method:
This is the method for the subjects you already know very well, likely from life and job experience, or an old course from years ago. Review the key terms and points at the end of each chapter section in the text and mentally complete the sample problems. if you know 75-80% of them, move to the next chapter, else, speedread the chapter looking for the subjects that tripped you up. Repeat for the entire book. Pretty simple and a well known technique, but don't rely on it for subjects that you do not already have a firm grasp on. That way leads to danger.
The Glossary method:
This is my secret weapon, it's mostly a pre-test review method, but it can be used alongside the quick & dirty for subjects you know well enough. Read the glossary, that's it. No, really. Focus on lightly reading until you recognize if you know the definition or not, and if you don't, burn it into your memory. This is a great method to use pre-test as it prevents you from being tripped up on simple definitional questions. Read it front to back twice if you have to. You'll be surprised how well this works, as many tests are looking for and use the same verbiage that's found in the glossary. It also capitalizes on the sequencing effect in memory psychology, so even if you don't think you're absorbing it, the test verbiage will often trigger the latent memory. Seriously, try it. The glossary is your friend.
Additional Data: Personal GPAs, Course Ordering, and Curating your Transcript
In addition, for motivation and entertainment, I kept track of my personal unweighted GPA across all of my courses, including TECEPs and test-outs that would otherwise be ungraded. Here are those results:
Code:
SL: (ACE)
26/26 courses completed
Western Civ 1 92 (3.7)
Survey of World History 83 (3.0)
US history 1 90 (3.7)
US history 2 91 (3.7)
Western Civ 2 90 (3.7)
Intro to Phil 84 (3.0)
Intro to Religion 92 (3.7)
Intro to Sociology 91 (3.7)
Anthropology 94 (4.0)
Enviro Science 87 (3.3)
American Gov 83 (3.0)
Intro to Nutrition 87 (3.3)
Intro to Psy 90 (3.7)
Bus Ethics 98 (4.0)
Bus Law 96 (4.0)
Intro to Comms 98 (4.0)
Accounting 1 91 (3.7)
Accounting 2 85 (3.0)
Intro to Bus 93 (4.0)
Org Behavior 92 (3.7)
Princ. Mgmt 93 (4.0)
Bus Comms 89 (3.3)
Macroecon 91 (3.7)
Microecon 88 (3.3)
Managerial Acct 93 (4.0)
Financial Acct 95 (4.0)
26 courses completed
2362 / 26 = 90.85
94.2/26 (3.62)
SDC: (ACE/NCCRS)
10/10 courses completed
ACC 202 91 (3.7)
CIS 320 88 (3.3)
CIS 311 90 (3.7)
BUS 209 90 (3.7)
CIS 112 91 (3.7)
ACC 301 92 (3.7)
ACC 302 92 (3.7)
COS 240 92 (3.7)
COS 205 93 (4.0)
OPM 420 78 (2.3)
35.5/10 (3.55)
DV/CS (NCCRS)
3/3 courses completed
FIN 301 82 (2.7)
CIS 301 78 (2.3)
MAT 303 82 (2.7)
7.7/3 (2.57)
TESU:
2 courses
BUS 421 74 (2.0)
SOS 110 98 (4.0)
6.0/2 (3.0)
TESU-TECEP (CR) [NO GPA]:
14/14 courses completed
ENC 101 77 (2.0)
ENC 102 79 (2.3)
CIS 107 95 (4.0)
MAR 201 84 (3.0)
BUS 311 90 (3.7)
SOC 101 96 (4.0)
BUS 101 90 (3.7)
OPM 301 73 (2.0)
ENG 201 92 (3.7)
CMP 354 94 (4.0)
COM 210 91 (3.7)
POS 101 88 (3.3)
POS 282 86 (3.0)
ACC 421 83 (3.0)
48.8 /14 (3.49)
Aggregate GPA:
35.5/10 (3.55) [sdc]
94.2/26 (3.62) [ace]
54.8/16 (3.43) [tesu]
7.7/3 (2.57) [nccrs]
----
192.2/55 (3.48)
-7.7/2 [Retakes]
183.5/53 (3.48) [3.5 cum laude]
AOS GPA:
Acct 28.8/8 (3.60)
CIS 28.9/8 (3.61)Overall GPA: 3.48 (3.5)
Area of Study GPA(s): 3.60 and 3.61 (3.6)
Course Ordering & Transcript Curation
This is a largely overlooked idea, but for students starting out with a blank slate, it may be worth some thought. Designing a plan of study also entails choosing an order of course completion, and some attention should be paid to how that all bears out in the look and feel of the transcript. It may seem pedantic, but when someone at some point skims your transcript (and they will), it should flow logically. I kept my own pre-planned version of the transcript as a doc file for mocking up and curating the final transcript, a sample of which is shown here:
Code:
================================================================
Course Title Gr. S.H.
========= =========================================== === ======
Degree Awarded: BS in Business Administration
Area of Study: Accounting & Computer Information Systems
Date Conferred: (12/2021)
Degree Awarded: Associate of Science in N.S.M.
Area of Study: Computer Science
Date Conferred: (12/2021)
Degree Awarded: Undergraduate Certificate
Area of Study: Operations Management
Date Conferred: (12/2021)
ASSESSMENT CREDITS
TESU-ACE
PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy CR 3.00
REL 277 Intro to World Religions CR 3.00
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology CR 0.0R
ANT 150 Cultural Anthropology I CR 3.00
POS 110 American Government CR 3.00
ENS 200 Environmental Science CR 3.00
BIO 208 The Science of Nutrition CR 3.00
PSY 101 Intro to Psychology CR 3.00
HIS-101 Western Civilization I CR 3.00
HIS-102 Western Civilization II CR 3.00
HIS-127 Survey of World History CR 3.00
PHI 285 Ethics in Business CR 3.00
HIS-113 American History I CR 3.00
HIS-114 American History II CR 3.00
ACC 101 Prin. of Finl Acctg CR 3.00
LAW 201 Business Law CR 3.00
BUS 101 Intro to Business CR 0.0R
MAN 212 Organizational Behavior CR 3.00
MAN 210 Prin. of Management CR 3.00
ACC 102 Prin. of Mgrl Acctg CR 3.00
ECO 111 Macroeconomics CR 3.00
ECO 112 Microeconomics CR 3.00
ACC 303 Cost Accounting CR 3.00
ACC 201 Intermediate Accounting I CR 3.00
COM 202 Intro to Bus. Communication CR 3.00
COM 108 Fundamentals of Speech CR 3.00
CIS 311 Database Management CR 3.00
BUS 209 Business Statistics CR 3.00
CIS 320 System Analysis & Design I CR 3.00
CIS 103 Intro Bus Inforomation Software CR 3.00
COS 240 Operating Systems CR 3.00
COS 205 Python Programming CR 3.00
OPM 420 Supply Chain Management CR 3.00
TESU-NCCRS
ACC 202 Intermediate Accounting II CR 3.00
FIN 301 Prin. of Finance CR 3.00
MAT 301 Quantitative Bus. Analysis CR 3.00
CIS 301 Management Info Systems CR 3.00
ACC 301 Managerial Accounting CR 3.00
ACC 401 Advanced Accounting CR 3.00
================================================================
Course Title Gr. S.H.
========= =========================================== === ======
INSTITUTIONAL CREDITS
March 2021 (03/01/21 to 05/23/21)
ENC 101 English Composition I CR 3.00
ENC 102 English Composition II CR 3.00
CIS 107 Computer Concepts CR 3.00
MAR 201 Intro to Marketing CR 3.00
BUS 301 Business in Society CR 3.00
TERM GPA: N/A TOTAL: 15.00
CUMULATIVE GPA: N/A TOTAL: 126.00
June 2021 (05/31/21 to 8/22/21)
OPM 301 Operations Management CR 3.00
BUS 101 Intro to Business CR 3.00
TERM GPA: N/A TOTAL: 6.00
CUMULATIVE GPA: N/A TOTAL: 132.00
August 2021 (08/02/21 to 10/24/21)
CMP 354 Network Technology CR 3.00
POS 282 Intro to Comparative Politics CR 3.00
POS 101 Intro to Political Science CR 3.00
SOS 110 Critical Info Literacy A 3.00
BUS 421 Business Admin Capstone C 3.00
TERM GPA: 3.0 TOTAL: 15.00
CUMULATIVE GPA: 3.0 TOTAL: 147.00
Sept 2021 (08/30/21 to 11/21/21)
ACC 421 Federal Income Taxation CR 3.00
COM 210 Public Relations Thought CR 3.00
ENG 201 Technical Writing CR 3.00
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology CR 3.00
TERM GPA: N/A TOTAL: 12.00
CUMULATIVE GPA: 3.0 TOTAL: 159.00
Nov 2021 (11/01/2021 to 01/23/2022)
ACC 421 Federal Income Taxation W 0.00
********************** END OF TRANSCRIPT ***********************Notice the tight grouping of related courses, that largely follows the order in which courses would be taken in a traditional setting. This was intentional, both from a study design standpoint and for curating the look and feel of the transcript, which is something I took into consideration very early in the process. Next, notice also the targeted use of TESU semesters for TECEPs. I chose March, June, and August to mirror B&M semesters and to give the transcript a more traditional feel.
The Sept courses are a result of the ACE changes and thus unavoidable, though late registration periods would explain much of that at a B&M school, and it is close to the date of conferral, and so not unusual to have taken extra courses. I'm by no means attempting to pass off the transcript as anything more than what it is, but the psychological power of such expectations is nonetheless useful when decision makers will view these documents in isolation. It's always worth considering your intended audience.
Reserved for further updates.
Reserved for further updates.
Key Takeaways from the whole experience
- Know your limits mentally. Take ample time to rest and recuperate. I made brief attempts to go seven days a week and quickly lost ground during my weekdays after a long weekend. Overall productivity gain was minimal, but mental fatigue was markedly worse. Moral of the story: don't overdo it.
- Don't sweat the small stuff, but also plan religiously. I would frequently update my GPA, course order, degree planner, and mock transcript as a way of centering myself in the process, but it can be easy to get lost in those weeds. Keep a long view of everything timewise, but an immediate view of tasks completed and time well spent.
- Don't do what I did and attempt 30 ACE/TECEP credits *alongside* your cornerstone and capstone in weeks 40-52. That was a mistake and I overreached. Luckily, I am a skilled technical writer, and managed to complete the capstone with a 75 by only turning in 52% of the coursework. But I would not do it that way again, and that is likely beyond the pale for most people anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed the capstone otherwise and honestly wish I'd done all of it.
- For the cornerstone and capstone, do all the proficiency assessments in the first week. They are tedious, and you will likely not enjoy it, but it will allow you to focus more on the reading and writing. I find I do best the less mode-shifting I have to do throughout the term. Also, that way the deadlines do not sneak up on you.
- Know your reading pace, and your pace of absorption, as they are often not the same. The pace at which you can do a comfortable close reading of a text is the pacing you should set yourself to, not the fastest that you know you *can* read. Don't confuse one for the other. Allow additional time if you have to take notes. By my estimate reading takes about 50% longer if you're summarizing and notating chapters.
- Enjoyment is paramount. Choose subjects you want to read when possible. My leanings are politics, philosophy and social sciences, despite my majors. Try to incorporate as much of what you enjoy into the process, or use the time to discover new interests.
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