Study with your Kids!

Sunday, April 8, 2012 by Megan Kirsch

Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a customer of The College Network regarding her study habits and how she prepares for exams. She had progressed at a moderate pace and is doing quite well with her exams. She is like most of our customers, a working mother pursuing her degree who has to balance her job, family, and schooling.

She mentioned the other day that she found a creative way to study. Apparently, she has her children (who are between the ages of 10-14) read her Comprehensive Learning Module lessons to her while she is preparing dinner or cleaning the kitchen. She divulged that she does this mainly as a “punishment” option; however I advised this is a creative use of time for all!

As I explained to her, while she gains the benefits of hearing the module information (as she is an Auditory learner), her children are also gaining practice with building their reading comprehension and fluency. Winners all around! Not only are there educational benefits, but she is able to spend time with her children.  I also advised that she can keep this practice going with reviewing key terms. She can quiz her children on their vocabulary words and they can quiz her.

Pursuing any education program does take a huge time commitment, however with a little creativity, you do not have to let the other responsibilities in your life fall to the way side.

If you need assistance with other creative study suggestions, please contact our Customer Support department at 1-800-634-1443.

6 Is A Magic Number

Saturday, April 7, 2012 by Tracia Fernkas

Let's talk about the number 6. It's my lucky number. But it's also much more than that. Here are some very interesting facts about the number 6.

Did you know?

  • 6 is the smallest perfect number.
  • 6 is the atomic number of carbon.
  • The cells of a beehive honeycomb are 6-sided. 
  • There are 6 strings on a standard guitar. 
  • LeBron James wears the number 6 on his jersey.
  • Every Braille cell is made up of 6 dots.
  • John Quincy Adams was the 6th president of the United States.
  • Insects have 6 legs.
  • 6 points are scored for a touchdown.
  • The standard term of office for a United States senator is 6 years.
  • It is said that there are no more than 6 degrees of separation between any two people on Earth.

So, why bring up the number 6?  Did you know that with our EARN program, when you refer 6 people to The College Network who enroll into a degree program, we will pay for your remaining TCN loan balance? It doesn't matter if you are currently obtaining your Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelors in Business, or any other degree offered through The College Network and our leading university affiliates online--you can take advantage of the EARN program.

Here's how it works. When you refer someone to The College Network and they become a customer, you receive $200 for that referral after 90 days from when they started in their program. Then you continue to receive $200 for each referral you make after that. If you add it up, 5 referrals=$1,000.  Then when you reach your 6th referral TCN will pay for your remaining contract portion of your program. Or if you have already paid for your program in full, we will pay for 75% of your contract amount. Pretty amazing, isn't it? Click here to review the full program guidelines. 

Take advantage of the EARN program and you'll see why 6 is a magic number too. (And, you can still refer someone after your program is paid for and continue to EARN $200 for each referral.) If you're ready to start adding up your referrals, feel free to contact me at 317-566-2647 or email at tfernkas@collegenetwork.com.  

10 Steps to Becoming a Registered Nurse

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 by Tracia Fernkas

So you want to become a registered nurse. But how do you do it? It seems like it might be an impossible goal. You work, take care of your family--when are you going to find time to go to school?  Here are 10 easy ways you can become an RN with help from The College Network.

  1. Call the The College Network to learn more about online nursing degree programs.
  2. Set an appointment to meet with one of our Program Advisors. They can answer all your questions and set you up with a program that is right for you.
  3. Make the decision to move towards your goal of becoming an RN and get started in your program.
  4. Take our Learning Styles Survey to find out how you learn best. 
  5. Complete your Academic Guidance call with our customer support team to review your learning style and develop a study plan for your Comprehensive Learning Modules.
  6. Start studying.
  7. Schedule your first TCN Exam.  Then go ahead and schedule the rest of your exams on your calendar.  This will help to keep you on track and give you a timely goal to work towards. Keep studying and passing your exams. 
  8. Enroll with the university and complete any other requirements for your program.
  9. Graduate! Plan to walk with your fellow nurses in the graduation ceremony.
  10. Take and pass the NCLEX exam and receive your new RN License!

It really be done in these 10 steps.  You just have to make a commitment, set your goals and take action.  We are here to help every step of the way.  Call us today at (800) 39-LEARN and check your first item off your to-do list.  

Auditory Learning Tips

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 by Megan Kirsch

 

As an Academic Advisor, I speak with customers on a daily basis who ask for more information on how to study best. As a visual learner myself, I have a ton of tricks and tips for similar learners. I thought it may be helpful to provide some suggestions for those of the auditory learning persuasion.

Below are some effective study tips for auditory learners:

 

 

* Read explanations out loud.

* Make up songs to go along with the subject matter.

* Say words in syllables.

* Record notes/new material on a tape/MP3 player and review while driving or  exercising.

 * Use mnemonics and words links.

* Make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, names, etc.

* Explain the material you are trying to learn to a study partner

If you are a current customer of The College Network, I encourage you to peruse our Discussion Forum to locate a study partner working on the same program and/or Comprehensive Learning Module as you. You can access the Discussion Forum through the Online Resource Center (http://tcnrc.collegenetwork.com).

As always, if you need study assistance in preparation for your exams, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Support team at 1-800-634-1443. 

Test the Water: Make a Plan!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 by Megan Kirsch

 

I don’t know about you, but I never jump in the water without testing the temperature first. I learned my lesson the hard way when I was younger and dove into a lake on a warm day, not realizing that the temperature had been below 60 for the last few months. Can you say, cold? 

In order to be successful with your studies, you have to “test the water” first by creating a plan for your study sessions. The time and effort you place on preparing to study is almost as important as the time you will spend studying. Below is a guide for how you can create an effective study plan for yourself. The information is tailored for use of our Comprehensive Learning Modules:

1. Determine how much time you would like to spend on your module. On average, most modules can be completed within 4–6 weeks. However, in order to successfully master the content in preparation for passing the exam, this time frame may need to be extended depending on your study schedule availability.

 2. Determine frequency and length of study sessions. Each learner’s availability varies, sometimes from week to week. Do not overextend yourself in regard to  your study sessions as this will be counterproductive. If you can normally study five days a week but find that in one particular week you have many work and family obligations, restructure your study sessions to two days that week.

3. Organize the material into “chunks”. It is best to look at the material on a weekly basis. If you are able to study five days a week for at least an hour each day, it is very possible to complete 3–4 chapters a week. If you know you will probably need to review more for a particular subject, you may want to aim to complete two chapters in a week as you will spend more time reading and   reviewing each chapter.

4. Prepare to study each chapter. Remind yourself that you will want to cover the chapter objectives and key terms for each chapter. You will also want to study in    an appropriate environment and have all the necessary tools available to aid in your studies (pens, highlighters, sticky-notes, etc.).

5. Read. Simply put, determine how much you plan to read each study session. Remember, you want to limit each study session to 45 minutes. You can have multiple study sessions each day if needed.

 6. Review: It is best to start off each new study session with a review of the previous session. If you completed a chapter your last study session, review the previous chapter’s end-of-chapter questions prior to starting the next chapter. If  you are in the middle of a chapter when you stop a study session, you will want to  review the chapter objectives and key terms before resuming the chapter.

As always, you can contact The College Network's amazing Customer Support team at 1-800-634-1443 for further explanation or to create a specific plan for courses. 

Rainbow Bright(ly) Colored Pages

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 by Megan Kirsch

For once, traffic was not too congested on my way to work the other day, so I was afforded the luxury of stopping by the Starbucks near the office for a caffeine lift. While waiting on my drink, I noticed a young woman studying. I was surprised to see someone focusing on academics at 7:30 in the morning, but impressed nonetheless. That is, until I glanced at the textbook and realized it was covered in brightly colored markings in its entirety. It looked as if this individual highlighted every sentence, in every paragraph, on every page. And that reminded me of a technique that I share with customers at The College Network that I’d like to reiterate here.

Highlighting doesn’t automatically connect the dots for the learner. There has to be a purpose for the highlighting otherwise you just end up with pages that look as if Rainbow Bright herself hijacked your text book. Below are some suggestions pertinent to our Comprehensive Learning Modules in regards to effective Highlighting:

  • Highlight information that is difficult to comprehend at first or is surprising or brand new information. This will cue the learner to revisit the particular section during review.
  • Color-code the objectives with different color highlighters or pens. When the answer to the objective appears in the chapter section, then mark, highlight, or underline the information. This also makes it easier for learners to go back and review information later.
  • Highlight the main ideas (“thesis statement” or gist) of paragraph or section. This works best when learners can then reword this section in their own words.

Remember: Highlight with a purpose! 

What you think you know vs. What you really know

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 by Megan Kirsch
 Having the ability to self assess one’s knowledge is a skill that few possess shy of personal bias. Often times we believe we know more than we actually do, especially if we have invested a significant amount of time and energy into learning a new skill or trade. However, have you ever read a news article, novel, or even a blog post and a moment later couldn't reiterate the main idea no matter how hard you tried? 

While you may have successfully completed the act of reading, you didn't absorb the information at a level which would allow you to comprehend and retain the information. This happens quite frequently with scholastic endeavors which is why periodic assessment is paramount! 

The wonderful aspect about our Comprehensive Learning Modules located in our Online Resource Center is that they contain a variety of self assessment tools that learners can use to gauge their level of understanding. From an interactive-key term feature to end of chapter quizzes and comprehensive practice exams, our modules offer each independent learner the opportunity to determine how well they understood the material they reviewed versus believing they think they understood. Even having an internal dialog with yourself asking, “What did I just read?” periodically while reviewing your information can be most helpful in progressing with your studies.

As always, contact our amazing Customer Support team at The College Network by calling 1-800-634-1443 if you ever need assistance with your Comprehensive Learning Modules. 

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A Personal/Professional Inventory for 2012

Monday, January 23, 2012 by Carla A. Downing, Ph.D.
The end of January 2012 is just days away. I spent the weekend checking my personal inventory to be sure I have addressed all of my annual January chores.
  • Dental and medical appointments
  • Create a list of things financial goals for the year
  • Update my résumé and professional connections

This is a rather standard list of very basic tasks but you’d be surprised how many people don’t take care of their physical, financial, or professional wellbeing.

The medical appts probably don't surprise you and the review of financial goals probably makes sense to most people. But being proactive about your professional wellbeing is also one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. So, every January I take an inventory of where I am professionally. This is a practice one of my mentors taught me long ago. Some years I am more on top of things than others but I try to ask myself these 4 questions every January. 

  1. What did I achieve in the previous year?
  2. What did I learn in the previous year?
  3. Am I on the right path to reach my professional goals?
  4. Am I still pursuing my professional ideal?

The answers to these questions tell me if I need to continue on the same path or make changes in order to reach my personal and professional goals. This approach has worked for me for many years. I have even passed this approach along to those I mentor so they can use it as a tool to help keep them on track.

Take a few minutes and ask yourself these 4 questions. Consider the answers thoroughly and determine if you are on the right track to reach your professional ideal. If you find that you haven’t achieved what you’d like or that you didn’t learn as much in the previous year as you needed to reach your goals, consider a change in direction. That change may mean returning to school or earning a professional certification.­ The College Network can help you earn your Six Sigma Green Belt, a Paralegal Certificate, or one of many degrees offered by our partner institutions.

Give The College Network a call at 
(1.800.395.1014) and talk with one of our Program Advisors about earning the education that will allow you to achieve the answers to these questions that will take you where you want to be professionally. 

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What's in the Works?

Friday, January 20, 2012 by Bryan Curtis
In the Product Development department, there are always multiple projects in the works. There is of course the day-to-day work of editing content, preparing modules for customers, reviewing marketing material, etc., but there are also the big projects that we're hoping will change the way people learn and earn college credit.

A couple of these projects rolled out last year in the form of the lesson plans - basically concise versions of the modules that are narrated and far more interactive than the standard module. The good news is that more of our titles are having lesson plans created for them, so if you have a module that doesn't currently have a lesson plan, chances are one will be coming your way in the near future. 

There are also some things in the initial stages of development that are being kept secret, but these projects will give The College Network more unique and effective products to provide its customers. 2012 is an ambitious year for the Product Development department, which will help lead The College Network to one of its most successful years to date.

Educational Approaches

Thursday, December 1, 2011 by Bryan Curtis
I recently read a very interesting article on Education News.org about the different approaches to education on a global scale. There was a sentence that caught my attention that said "the education system that will optimize the prospects of success in the global world will be one that develops passion, releases creativity, and deeply challenges its young people." 

I thought this quote encapsulated much of what The College Network seeks to do with its Comprehensive Learning Modules. Developed by subject matter experts, reviewed by professors and other subject matter experts, and then edited and formatted in the Product Development department, there is ample amount of passion and dedication on all levels of the creation of the product. 

The content is unique in that it doesn't require a professor, a set of textbooks, or a classroom; all you need is the CLM, which you can access entirely online - streamlining the education process and eliminating extra, unnecessary costs. It's a product that allows the learners to operate on their own schedules and learn at their own pace. It's a product that has no equivalent in quality and delivery.

An Opinion

Sunday, November 27, 2011 by Bryan Curtis
What's in an opinion? Everyone has one, and since the onset of the Information Age, it's easier than ever to get someone else's opinion about anything: movies, politics, household appliances, etc.  With such easy access to other's opinions, the process of making a decision can be streamlined and more efficient - eliminating the need to experience the product for yourself before investing in it. One could easily argue that the benefits of having such easy access to other's opinions vastly outweigh all (if any) drawbacks.

But to go back to my initial question, what is in an opinion? Obviously it is an expression of one's feelings or thoughts about something, but can it be something else? Sure. Can it be embellished, exaggerated, and twisted to promote or denounce something? Absolutely. Can it be based solely on how one feels without actually experiencing or having extensive knowledge of the product? Yes, and unfortunately, the Internet is rife with opinions like this.

What's the best way to find out whether something is a good product? Try it out for yourself; as George Bernard Shaw said, "We must always think about things, and we must think about things as they are, not as they are said to be." As you search the Internet for The College Network, you'll find a myriad of great reviews and appraisals, but you'll also find some negative opinions - which is common with any product. What's important to do is to evaluate the good and the bad, and then find out what The College Network exists for, what's its purpose is, and how it can help you.

Defying Reality

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Landon Jones
 The desire to go back to school is easier said than done in some instances.  Growing up I had limited educational options presented to me, but you would not have known considering my upbringing.  I remember being six years old talking with my father about my career aspirations:
                              
                    Dad: What do you want to be when you grown up?
                    Six year old me: A CARTOONIST!
                    Dad: How will you become a cartoonist?
                    Six year old me: Drawing all the time!
                    Dad: What school will you go to become a better artist?
                    Six year old me: Hillman College!

You see I thought Hillman College was a real school located somewhere in a far away land.  What I didn't know is that Hillman College was a college created by the television writers for A Different World.  My father and my family were proud that I had my mind set on college at such a young age because where I grew up I didn't come across too many college graduates.  Neither did my classmates as I transitioned from year to year.  There are literally a handful of my family members who have gone to and completed a undergraduate education, not because they didn't want to--the tools and resources provided to them were scarce and as they grew older so did their responsibilities.  

I found an article recently that covers why so many adults have difficulty finishing their undergraduate education.  The stories were very similar to the LPNs, RNs, and Paramedics who, at one point, were enrolled in a school with the intent of having a degree in advanced nursing education and how it was difficult for them to complete it.  Some stopped after having children and pursuing families, stopped halfway through and decided on receiving their LPN license, or couldn't afford to go back.

Written by Jorge Rivas, this article shows that in a study conducted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 75% of the college population were attending school part-time while juggling families and careers and 25% of the college population were in school full-time.  Those who are in school part time are still not graduating even if they take a longer amount of time to do so.http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2011/09/college-part-times-whogetscounted-4278.html  

Even worse is students who are enrolled part-time are not documented by the Federal Government, so that means that there are no programs designed to improve part-time students retention rates by the government.  

The study offers solutions like fixed schedules that appeal to students' jobs, allowing a fast track program and shorter class times that have students receiving their degrees at a faster pace, and classes that offer review but aren't the premise of the entire course.

The College Network immediately came to mind because the study recommended online programs as a solution as well.  Generally, people believe that sitting in a classroom increases their chances of completing a nursing program but that's not always true--especially if you believe that a teacher will hold you accountable for for being done.  The reason why The College Network offers online nursing programs is so that those health care professionals seeking a degree from top nursing schools can receive their degree at their own pace while juggling responsibilities. 

Landon, Appointment Coordinator


 


Congratulations Excelsior College®

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 by Lindsay Schmitt
The College Network would like to congratulate Excelsior College® on being named the “Top Degree Producer” in nursing!

According to The Business Review in an article published on June 1, 2011, Excelsior College® was named the “Top Degree Producer” for minority students seeking associate degrees in nursing in the May edition of Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine.

The Business Review article also stated that, “For the 2009-2010 academic year, the Albany, New York, college awarded associate degrees in nursing to 668 African-American, Hispanic, Asian American and American Indian students. These students represented 30 percent of ADN graduates.”

Congratulations again to Excelsior College®! 

You can read more in this article from The Business Review.

In a world of MORE, BETTER, FASTER…

Thursday, May 5, 2011 by Carla A. Downing, Ph.D.

…it’s hard on some days to keep your head above water. How do you keep everything moving forward when so many people need so much from you?

If you have ever had this thought—let’s face it, we all have at one point or another—then you probably need to take a quick inventory of what you’re balancing on your proverbial plate by engaging in this simple exercise.

The Exercise

1. Stop everything.
I know this seems impossible, but make it happen or the suffering continues.
2. Examine what's on your plate. Really think about how you spend your time and what truly matters to you.
3. Remove anything that shouldn't be on your plate. This might honk some people off initially, but those who care about you will understand. Everyone else will get over it. :-D
4. Now, consider how you approach work. Are you approaching work, tasks, and life with a plan? Do you know how to develop a plan that puts you where you want to be in life?
5. Develop a plan to get the things that matter done and done well.
6. Approach life with renewed energy as you put your plan into action.

If you get stuck on item 4 you're like many people (young and old) who are being limited by the way they think or how they approach situations that require reasoning skills.

In order to accomplish MORE, BETTER, FASTER, a person has to have strong cognitive skills so that they can effectively examine, evaluate, sort, decide, plan, implement, review, and revise.

By now, you probably see where I’m headed with this post. Everything we do in life is affected by how we think. In the very near future, The College Network is going to launch a powerful new web site to help our customers become more skilled in the area of thinking and learning. If you would like to know more about how to hone your skills and increase your ability to achieve more, better, faster call The College Network (1.800.395.1014) and speak with one of our Program Advisors about steps you can take to complete your education online or earn a certificate from a leading university.

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Why I became a nurse - Allison Elmore

Monday, April 25, 2011 by College Network
Growing up I remember hearing the stories of my grandmother and her nursing career. She graduated from nursing school in 1940 and spent time as a Navy nurse.

I started nursing school back in 1996 but at that point, I still did not know that it was supposed to be my career. I went through so many life changes in a short time period, that I quit school. In 1998 my grandmother passed away from breast cancer. It was then I realized that I was supposed to be a nurse.

My path to nursing school took me the long way around. I became an EMT, and also a veterinary technician before going to nursing school. At the age of 33, I finally went to school. I attended my LPN training in Tampa, FL at Erwin Technical Center. When I told my grandfather that I was starting school he gave me a box of books that belonged to my grandmother when she was in nursing school. The note in the box said this " hopefully you won't have to buy books now".

I graduated and was licensed in 2008 with my LPN. The day I found out I passed my NCLEX, I purchased a RN NCLEX review book and started studying. Again, life takes us where we don't realize we need to be. I moved, and adopted a teenager in the process of working toward my RN. The College Network has given me the freedom to attend school from my living room on my own time. I don't have to miss family events, or plan vacations around a class schedule. I am currently working on the LPN to ADN program. My plan from there is to continue on and get my BSN, then NP. If it weren't for my grandmother, I would have not realized what I was supposed to do in life. Thank you Grammy, and I miss you everyday.

Name: Allison Elmore, LPN
State: Louisiana

Instructional Update

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 by Carla A. Downing, Ph.D.
The College Network’s Product Development team recently updated each course by providing additional options for assessing content mastery. While we have always provided multiple opportunities for learners to ensure that they are progressing in their understanding of the instructional material, we recently included yet another option with the addition of end-of-chapter quizzes so that now with each chapter/lesson and module learners have access to:
  • Open-ended review questions (with immediate feedback)
  • Multiple-choice quizzes
  • Multiple-choice practice exams

In addition to these mastery assessment options, The College Network's customers are also provided with instructional objectives (accompanied by appropriate behaviors/responses) for each chapter/lesson. This approach allows us to demonstrate the level of cognitive processing required for learners to adequately prepare for their end-of-course exam. The diagram below provides a visual representation of the relationship between the instructional objectives, the mastery assessment options, and the end-of-course exam.

diagram -- relationship between instructional elements and course exam

The College Network works hard to ensure that our learners not only earn credit toward the completion of their degree but also receive instruction on how to learn more effectively and efficiently. This allows each of our customers to experience success when they transition to their institution of choice as well as in their everyday lives.

For more information on how you can earn your degree working with The College Network and our partner institutions, call 1.800.395.1014.

Consumer Reviews & Skewed Perspectives

Tuesday, January 4, 2011 by Jordan Whitt

It's no secret that the creation and evolution of the Internet has been one of the greatest things to ever happen to our society, and the virtues of the web (information, communication, convenience, opportunity, etc) are virtually endless. 

However, for all its greatness, the Internet does a poor job of telling us how to process the information that it provides -- and this is especially true in regards to consumer review sites.

Let me digress for a second...

It's likely that you found this blog through a search engine like Google, Yahoo, or Bing and in addition to our corporate website and blog popping up in the results, there may have been a consumer review site listed as well. If you're not too familiar with these sites, they are forums for people to anonymously express their opinions regarding a particular company or service. 

While I completely applaud the idea of keeping corporations in-check by allowing consumers to post their thoughts about the services they have received, I have to constantly remind myself of the following un-written truth:

People are much more likely to express negative opinions than positive opinions about a product or service they have received (especially when they can do it with anonymity).

faceless

If you find this hard to believe, think about the last time you called or reviewed a company in regards to a particular item you purchased or service provided -- was it to praise them or was it to express your dissatisfaction? My guess is the latter (because, it's true for me too!)

 

In general, we do not call or write about the positive experiences we have for one simple reason:
 
 as consumers, positive experiences are what we EXPECT.

(Otherwise, we wouldn't have purchased the product or service in the first place!)
 
Keeping this in perspective, it's no surprise that the vast majority of consumer reviews published on these sites are negative; it is not because most people have negative experiences, it's simply because people don't normally write about the positive ones. To give you a little perspective, those individuals who have made negative comments specifically about The College Network represent less than one percent of our clientele!
 
Unfortunately, because consumer review sites don't explicitly state that "the opinions expressed are not representative of the opinions of all consumers" some people can easily be given the wrong impression about a company -- if that disclaimer were included, all that I'm writing about here would be a complete non-issue.
 
I know the vast majority of our customers have great experiences and benefit tremendously from our programs (if you don't believe me, you can read and watch videos here) but at the same time, I know that someone could be giving up on furthering their education/career/life based on a skewed perspective.

In closing, there are a couple of things I'd like to challenge each of us to do in 2011 (myself included):
 
1. Remember to keep the things we read in perspective.

And in an effort to paint a more accurate picture for other consumers, benefiting us all, we challenge ourselves to...

2. write/call/blog/shout-from-the-rooftops about the positive experiences we have--not just the negative ones.
 
Alright, that's all for now -- thanks for sticking with me!

What's the Ho, Ho, Ho-ld Up?

Friday, December 3, 2010 by Kevin Burton
Santa says - "Let's go!"It's that wonderful time of year, December holiday season.  As stressful, exhilarating, and downright fun this time of year can be, it's also time for the New Year and resolutions it brings.  A yearly review of where you are now compared to where you wanted to be, and where you need to go from here.  If you are reading this, you are probably interested in enhancing your life through education, so let's see what The College Network can do to get you up and running now rather than waiting until the New Year.

Flexible programs.  The College Network programs can be completed entirely online - there are no mandatory login times for degrees or certificate programs.  If you want to get started in the New Year, now is the time to enroll because seats are filling fast for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Online Program from Purdue University and the Boston University Paralegal Certificate, both of which start in January, but require you to enroll beforehand in December.  Even if you are looking for your Associate Degree in Nursing Online or a self-paced Project Management Program, you can sign up now and delay starting until the New Year.  With this much flexibility, why not plan now and start later!

Current Grants.  This month The College Network is offering special grants for all of our programs.  Degree programs are available with a 20% grant off all College Network materials.  Combine this 20% on what you will save in comparison to our module price increase in January, and you could end up saving thousands!  Certificate programs also are being offered with specials:  eCornell Professional Certificates, Lean Six Sigma and Paralegal are offering paid-in-full specials, and Project Management Certificates are offering lower down payment specials along with the current 20% grant off the full program!  All of this in addition to our guaranteed payment plans means now is a great time to commit to furthering your education!

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence."
- Vince Lombardi

The New Year Ball is dropping...Commitment to Success.  With the flexibility and cost efficiency The College Network provides you, the only thing holding you back is your own commitment to achieve the goals you want and need.  Call or email me anytime and I'll be here to answer your questions or simply motivate you to start your path to higher education and achieving your goals.  Don't let the New Year come and go - Santa wants to know what's the ho-ho-ho-ld up?

You can contact me, Kevin Burton, at 317-569-4734, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734, or via email at kburton@collegenetwork.com about any degree or certificate program offered through The College Network.  I look forward to hearing from you.
 

Customer Support discussion forum

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 by Rick Degeeter
Customer's familiar with The College Network's support resources may have noticed that we have an updated discussion forum found in The College Network Resource Center

Why was this relocated you ask?

By having the discussion forum located in The College Network Resource Center we are providing you with another avenue for convenient learning interaction as you progress through your modules.  Not only do you still have the option to have a live web chat with an Academic Advisor, but now you have the ability to post your experiences and learn from the experiences of others pursuing their degrees with The College Network.

The forum is organized by exam type (Excelsior College® Examinations, CLEP, or DSST), the Customized Study Materials (CSMs) for the Indiana State University programs, followed by forums for our supplemental materials- Rx for NCLEX Success and the ePatient Clinical Readiness Package.  We also have forums for feedback and miscellaneous topics.  (The Miscellaneous forum is great if you're looking for a study partner in your area or if you're looking to talk to someone completing the same degree program!)

The College Network reviews the discussion forum multiple times each day in order to make sure your forum posts are approved in a timely manner, allowing them to be read and responded to by other customers as quickly as possible. 

Next time you log in to The College Network Resource Center be sure to check it out!

Beyond the Numbers

Thursday, October 14, 2010 by Stefanie Kinsey

PurposeBusiness intelligence is, by its very nature, dynamic; ever changing; and fast paced. A hybrid between teaching and forensics - my job provides the truth in a world of chaos and urgency. The data drives falsehood and lies from business decisions and provides the team the guidance needed to accomplish purpose.  Business Intelligence allows managers to see things more clearly.  In fact, the goal of Business Intelligence is to illustrate the picture so clearly that the picture is more than what it was originally. 

The College Network is more than just a resource to online degrees from leading universities.  Just as the picture to the left is more than a couple enjoy a view of a lake.  We are a team of adults like you who want more.  We believe there is more to education than just books.  We believe eduction should be inspired by life and integrated into our lives, whatever the circumstances!  We strive and push one another to:

  • Make a difference
  • Challenge the routine
  • Have an impact

I encourage you to view the College Network Reviews.  You will find there are lots of educational opportunities.  Some like Associate Degree in Nursing ADN, Online Paramedic to RN Program, accelerated RN to BSN, MS in Nursing Management, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and PMP Preparation course, but if you look through the surface, I hope you will see more than educational opportunities.

Some would say the purpose of Business Intelligence is to provide information as to what has been accomplished and how we are doing; key performance indicators.  Business Intelligence is so much more.  The goal is to use the data and information to go beyond the numbers.  Business Intelligence is clearly painting the picture so the future can be predicted.  The College Network is more than an educational services company.  The College Network is your team and support to finding a new life through education.