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+--- Thread: Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post (/Thread-Burbuja-s-I-m-Done-Post)
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - burbuja0512 - 04-30-2011
Tonight I just submitted the last of my assignments for my Capstone course at COSC. As of today, I have a 96% in the class, so even if I do a horrible job on my final paper, I've still passed with flying colors.
Before I discovered IC and CLEP/DSST, I was a hard worker with a random assortment of college credits under her belt. As the mom (and step-mom) to a total of five children, a loving wife, and frequent business traveler, I thought that a degree was YEARS away. It really made me sad, and I have to admit that I had a huge chip on my shoulder, feeling like even though I am very successful at work, that somehow I was inferior to my colleagues because I didn't have a degree.
Luckily my younger brother read the BAin4weeks site and learned about CLEP/DSST, but more importantly he also found out about IC. This was several years ago and he passed all of his tests using IC alone. He didn't even know about the forum and graduated with his BS from COSC, went on to a masters and is now working on his doctorate!
At first I didn't believe my brother that it was possible to test out of subjects. Then, once I did the research and learned that yes it is possible and legitimate, I didn't believe that I could do it. It sounded so incredibly difficult and learning about new topics on my own seemed impossible.
However, as time went by and my career luckily went well, I found myself not only surrounded by people with graduate degrees, but even HIRING people with master's degrees. It made me feel even more inadequate. After all, what if my direct reports found out that I didn't have even my undergrad! I became really discouraged and decided to give the "CLEP thing" a try. After all.. I wasn't going to finish college without doing anything, right?
In June of 2010, I enrolled at COSC. I took my first CLEP in July and then slowly built up my test-taking speed. My formula has always been the same:
IC + Specific Feedback Forum = Success
I've used google and Wikipedia and often times Youtube lectures, but I have only rarely spent more money than my monthly IC membership. My study pattern is usually the same: After my toddlers go to bed around 7:30pm, I open up the laptop and start studying. I read through an IC set of cards and google topics that I don't understand until I've learned everything I can about that set. I will usually stop studying between 10:00pm and 11:00 and averaged about one set of IC cards per night.
If I can do this, everyone here can. You just really need to take the leap of faith and move forward. The single most important piece of advice I could give is to take things one test at a time. Move slowly if you have to, but MOVE. If you don't set small goals, the big goal will never happen. Schedule your next test NOW!!
Thank you to all of my wonderful forum friends for giving me advice and lots of help. A big THANK YOU to Steve and IC because the cards were what got me through most of my tests!!
I will be turning 35 on May 12 and my goal of getting my bachelor's before my 35th birthday seemed so far off. I really still can't believe that I'm done!!! I will be the absolute proudest graduate at the COSC ceremony next month and I am not even sure how I'll make it without sobbing the entire time!
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - jmichelle79 - 05-01-2011
CONGRATSSSS!!!!!
I just noticed how fast you completed your testing. That is GREAT!!!
I will miss your posts.
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - KyleH - 05-01-2011
WOW!! Such a great story. CONGRATULATIONS!
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - vickyvicky - 05-01-2011
so happy for you...and so jealous of you, how did you do it ..lol...
how do you feel now, heavy burden off the shoulder? wish my day would come soon
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - Pinkie - 05-01-2011
YAY!!
And thank you for paying it forward and helping people like me who were a bit confused about it all upon finding this site. You are an inspiration.
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - CLEP101 - 05-01-2011
That's OUTSTANDING!! Job well done, :hurray:
Welcome to the club!cheersmate
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - alleycat - 05-01-2011
Congrats :hurray:
Outstanding job and a great inspiration for all.
You have truely earned your degree. You also set your goal and stuck to it. Impressive that you did all of this while having a family and a stress filled job.
Congrats again
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - frankiebleyes - 05-01-2011
We are all so proud of you. Congratuations!!!!!!!!!
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - Mian - 05-01-2011
Congratulations! I don't know how you manage what with children and work, you're a true inspiration!
Burbuja's "I'm Done" Post - STG - 05-01-2011
Congratulations...I hope you still post here!! :hurray: