Support at TCN

Hello everyone!

My name is Ein and I am an Academic Advisor at The College Network.  

Although I'm originally from Marion, Indiana, I moved to Indianapolis about a year ago, after completing my B.A. in History at Wabash College. I really enjoy living in Indianapolis and all that it has to offer to a twenty-something like myself. When I'm not at The College Network providing academic support, I like to spend my time watching and playing soccer, trying new restaurants, and being outside. I also love red apple jelly belly beans and bacon (separately of course), in case you ever want to give me a present.

I'm very excited to be able to communicate to you all on a regular basis. I plan to post weekly and hope to cover a wide range of topics. I hope everyone finds my blog insightful, humorous, and most of all I hope that you find it to be useful.

So thanks for stopping in and I hope to talk to you soon!

Ein Peck

Happy New Year!!!

Hopefully you had a great 2012 but I want to help you have an even better 2013 by fulfilling one of your biggest resolutions.

Every single year people make a ton of different resolutions:

• This is the year I finally lose that extra 10 pounds
• This is the year I finally stop smoking
• This is the year I finally start flossing (no? Maybe just me)

While oftentimes it is looked at as goal that supersedes a resolution, I want to tell you why this should be the year you choose to finish your online education.

To me, there is nothing more rewarding than learning a new skill or finally mastering something that you have been working on for a while. Rarely, do these new skills tend to lead to you getting a raise at work.

As much as I would love to learn to play a new instrument, here in the field of online education, I'm not going to make any more money for doing it.

What am I getting at?

Well, just by completing your degree and passing your NCLEX-RN you can get a job making up to $20,000 more each year.

While this may seem like a larger undertaking than learning a new instrument or foreign language, I want to assure you that it is not.

When you are learning anything new, how do you get better at it?

1. Practice
2. Practice
3. Practice
4. More Practice

If you are not spending at least 10 hours a week practicing guitar or French, how do you expect to retain it? 

What if you could finish your associate degree in nursing in 18 months solely by "practicing" 10 hours a week?

At The College Network, our online comprehensive learning modules have been designed specifically to make this a reality.

Many people that work on one of our courses spend about 10 hours a week and finishes one course in just over a month.

Now that's progress!

So what are you waiting for? Make 2013 the year you earn your degree, move up at work, and make an average of $20,000 more a year.

Ein Peck, Program Advisor

(800) 307-1006, ext. 4786

As a Program Advisor I get to speak with many people on a daily basis who are interested in finding out how they can accomplish their goals.

Goals, of course, vary from person to person. Some are interested in becoming more specialized in their current career such as an LPN who wants to be able to teach nursing by getting an MSN. Other times, it could be someone who has always wanted to get into the legal field and would like to learn how a certificate in Paralegal Studies could help them transition from one industry to the next.

No matter what your goals, you'll always hear two simple phrases from me: "Why are you interested in this particular field?" and "What are your goals for when you receive this education?"

To me, these are two of the most important things a person can know. Sure, everyone wants to make more money--but money can't be the only reason you want to do something.

When I ask these questions, I do it to find out what you are really passionate about. Do you want to teach nursing education because you had a great teacher and wanted to be able to give back in the same way? Are you getting into the legal field because you had a great experience in the past with a lawyer who helped you to solve a problem?

At The College Network, we really do care about our customers. We want to know how we can best help you to achieve your goals. In order for us to do this, we need to know a little bit about you. If you are just going for the money, you're probably not going to have near the drive that is needed to push yourself through a program as someone who is more passionate about their new opportunities.

So if you haven't already, take a moment to ask yourself two questions: "Why am I really doing this?" and "What are my career goals?" If you can answer these questions with answers that you are proud of, nothing can stop you.

Be passionate about what you want and you will soon find that your goals will arrive much faster. 

Growing up, I'll always remember going to family reunions to get the entire family together and catch up. Since I did not get to see many of these family members except for at the reunions, these gatherings often functioned as a time to catch up with one another.

Although I usually tried to bury myself in food and then go play outside with the other kids, there were always a few questions you could expect from the adults:

How are your grades?

How are your sports going?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

While the first two were just kind of generic questions, the third question always seemed to stick out to me. What do I want to be when I grow up? At the time, I didn't realize how serious a question this really was, I only thought of it as a way to express my dreams.

Throughout the years my answers to this question were pretty varied.

From ages 4-8, I was 100% sure that I wanted to be a Ninja Turtle. (I didn't say these were all feasible)

From ages 9-12, I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and work in construction.

From 13-15, I wanted to be a police officer like my uncle Tim. (Although not a ninja turtle, I would still be fighting crime)

From 16-18, I was determined to join the coast guard.

Most recently from 19-22, I wanted to go to law school.

As you can see, I had no clue what I wanted to do when I finished school. Although I'm now an adult, to be 100% honest I still have no clue what I want to do "when I grow up".

Many of you are probably much more decisive than myself and have possibly known what you have wanted to do since you were little. Whether your goal was to become an RN, teacher, firefighter, or even join the legal field, you've very possibly known your whole life what you wanted to be when you grew up.

I'm hear to tell you, just because you have already "grown up" doesn't mean it's too late to achieve your goals. Many people fall into a routine and get comfortable in a position, even if it isn't their dream.

The biggest thing to remember is to dream big, and do what makes you happy. If you want to get your RN, go for it. If you want to be lawyer, why stop going after you goals?

One of the biggest obstacles that I commonly hear about is not having the time to go back for education. Understandable - you have families, work, and social obligations that you can't give up.

BUT

Many people don't realize how common online programs are in our present time. The College Network offers various avenues to help your pursue your education online in a convenient and effective environment.

Many of our programs are 100% self paced and will allow you to work as many or as few hours per week as you desire.

Please click here to read about the many different programs that we have available to help you pursue your dreams.

If you like what you read and would like some more information, please do not hesitate to give me a call or contact me by email. I'm always more than happy to speak with a fellow dreamer.

 

Ein Peck

Program Advisor

mpeck@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4786

 

Recently I came across an article on Yahoo, Flexible Degrees You Can Earn At Night. Since I'm always very interested to read about education, I had to jump on this article.

In the article, the author discusses several different ways to earn a degree in your spare time. Sound familiar?

It should!

This is exactly what our programs are designed to help you do! All of our programs are online and set up so you can work when it is convenient for you; there are no required login times.

So what degrees should I go after? Well, it depends on what your interests are, of course!

Are you interested in healthcare but don't really want to become a nurse or doctor? Well there are many other options. For example, you could always get your bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration.

The College Network actually offers a great program to get your BS in Health Care Administration through Regis University. The best part? It's 100% online and self-paced!

Or maybe your interests aren't in healthcare... Maybe you've always wanted to get into the legal field but you don't plan to go to law school. If you're looking for a quick entry to the legal field, you could always get your Paralegal Certificate from Boston University. Have you ever considered Criminal Justice? The College Network offers a 100% online, self-paced program to help you get your bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Bellevue University.

Take some time and review these programs. If none of these programs appeal to you, don't worry, there are still other options!

Please feel free to browse The College Network's entire list of convenient, 100% online education programs.

If you have any questions or think that you have found the perfect fit, feel free to give me a call. I'm always happy to help!

Ein Peck

Program Advisor

mpeck@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4786

I was speaking to a student yesterday and was asked an odd question: "What makes The College Network so special?"

I originally thought this was odd because I am so used to talking about all the great things that we have to offer that sometimes I forget that there are other programs available. While I immediately thought, "well because I work for The College Network!" I knew that it was not the answer she was looking to find.

In a time when finding an education program is only as far away as a Google search, sometimes it's hard to find the right program. What separates one program from another? When all the programs seem identical, how do I know which program to choose?

The thing is, there are so many things that set The College Network apart from other online programs that I may have overwhelmed her with my response. So to make it easier, I wanted to show all of you what makes The College Network "so special".

By using The College Network, you receive many benefits that you would not receive through another program.

For example:

Academic Support

Courses 100% online

Self-paced programs

Success guarantee

Free practice quizzes and practice exams

While it may not be a feature we offer, The College Network also has Program Advisors that are very transparent. At TCN you can expect your Program Advisors to give you all the information you need to help you make an informed decision about your education. What I mean by this, is that at TCN we will give you ALL the information and ALL the costs. We want you to know every miniscule detail about how the program will work.

What most programs fail to mention are their "hidden costs". What do I mean by this? Well many actually charge you around $75 - $150 per practice exam. They actually charge you to take a practice exam! We, of course, offer these for free.

With most other programs you also would purchase text books, these would not be streamlined and condensed like our modules and you would have about 2-3 books per course. They also do not offer our "Success Guarantee" and you also would not receive Academic Support.

So while another program may initially sound like "the one", I have had a large amount of customers actually transfer from another program to ours not only because ours is almost always cheaper but also because of all the benefits you get from joining our program.

I really hope this helps clear everything up about what separates us. I doubt you'll find many companies that care more about the success of their customers than TCN.

So if you like what you hear and would like to learn more, give us a call today!

Ein Peck

Program Advisor

mpeck@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4786

So it's mid June and Summer is officially in motion. If not already out, children will soon be leaving class for the summer and heading home to terrorize and occupy all of their parent's time.

It's hard to believe that even as busy as you already were, you now may have to devote even more time to watching children while they're back for the summer. How can you possibly fit in time to study in The College Network online Resource Center?

Well...it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. It's very important to make sure that you are still studying and putting time into your online degree program, even if isn't the amount of time that you are used to studying.

While I still encourage you to enjoy your summer to the fullest, it's important not to set your studies aside for the entire next two months. "Why is this?" you may ask, "I used to do it when I was in high school".

When you put something off for a long period of time (for example: the whole summer), you tend to not want to start it up again with the same enthusiasm that you may have once had. When do most people seem to get this "oomph" back? Probably right around New Year's Eve for their resolution.

So essentially, taking off two months can quickly lead to taking off 6 months. 6 months? For some of you, that could be half of your program!

In addition to procrastination, not studying for 2 months can often lead you to feel like you need to start over. It's easy to forget important information if you were still in the midst of learning it.

"Okay, okay! We get your point. So how can we make sure we continue to study this Summer?"

By setting a schedule, of course! While I don't expect you to stick to it 100% of the time (enjoy your summer!), I do ask that you try to stick to it 80% of the time. Even if you slow down to only 5 hours per week during the Summer, schedule time to study just like you would to work.

If you can do this and stick to it, I can almost guarantee that you will make it a routine and finish your program up in no time.

So best of luck parents, make a schedule and stick to it. Your progress will be your success!

There seems to be a strong stereotype that follows the Nursing profession around. People tend to think of nurses as women and men are not prevalent in the field.

While in the past it may have been common to see very few men in the field, it seems as if that is all about to change. In an article that I recently read, it explains how with increased lay offs more men are now finding themselves gravitating towards the steady, secure field of healthcare.

While many may find the transition to a new career/new field of study to be very daunting, it certainly is not impossible. There are many accelerated LPN programs that will allow you receive your license as a practical nurse within a year. While any nursing program is not going to be easy, these courses at least allow you make the change as quickly as possible.

For most men transitioning from a labor intensive job, not only does the nursing field provide a secure career but in most cases a significant pay increase follows as well. In the article, a former warehouse employee receives a $20,000 pay raise!

Not only is the switch beneficial for the men, it also appears to help the whole department. An administrator, LaKeshia Bell is quoted as saying "At 5 feet 9 inches tall and 220 pounds, Mr. Edwards lifts patients as easily as he stacked boxes."

So while males are still not abundant in the nursing field, it is definitely a growing trend that seems to benefit everyone involved.

So whether your a male or female interested in finding out information about RN nursing programs that provide you with self-paced education and training, give us a call today!

Ein Peck

(800) 307-1006 ext 4786

Procrastination - where I'll do it tomorrow becomes I'll do it next week - becomes I'll do it next month - becomes I never do it... Ever. 

You may have noticed that my posts have been lacking lately. Yes. I'm human, and I'm just as much of a procrastinator as the next person. It's something that most (if not all) of us deal with on a regular basis. 

Procrastination can affect us in many ways: We can fall behind in our careers, in academics, or even in our personal lives with family our friends. For as many of us as there are that do procrastinate, you would begin to assume it was actually a good thing.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. WRONG!

Procrastination is a killer. Not always a physical killer (unless you procrastinating your meals or crucial vitamins), but it is almost always a killer of dreams and goals.

You've wanted to become a registered nurse your entire life but now               (insert random excuse) is keeping you from doing it? Do you think there will ever be a perfect time to go back to school and fulfill your dreams? 

NO!

You have to make the time. If you do not work towards your dreams, I'm sad to say that you will probably never see them come true.

So sure, maybe now isn't a great time, but let's realize how small changes in your daily routine can lead to exponential results and help you achieve your lifelong goals.

The College Network offers top online nursing programs that can be completed at your OWN pace. There are no required log in times, no due dates, no penalties for moving too slowly or too quickly. So what's stopping you? Sure, it would be great to devote 6 hours a day to studying but even a half hour will get you to your goals eventually.

Make the change today! Call The College Network to learn how you can achieve your goals at your own pace.

Ein Peck, Program Advisor 

(800) 634-1443 ext 4786   mpeck@collegenetwork.com

 

 

The weather is nice in Indiana. I'll admit, I'm bragging because I'm not able to do so often when it comes to Mother Nature. High 60's to low 70's in March is not only rare, it's impressive. Usually there is still snow on the ground at this time of the year.

So you would think, with all this wonderful weather, that there would be nothing to get my mood down. But instead of being all smiles, I'm shocked to see gas prices quickly climbing once again. It seems like our annual flu. It comes and it goes, well at least we hope it does. Don't get me wrong, there are ways to protect your wallet. - You could use public transit, ride your bike, or even car pool.

Inconvenience vs a higher checking account balance.

You need your car. Not always, but there are definitely times when you NEED it. So how are you supposed to justify spending additional money on driving to school several times a week?

Well, you don't have to. There is another way.

The College Network offers online degrees from top universities. With our programs, you can test from your own home using a web cam. You do not even need to go to a testing center.

I repeat: "You do not even need to go to a testing center."

So how can you learn more about gas-free, online education? Call 1-800-39-LEARN to speak with a Program Advisor today.

We look forward to speaking with you soon!

"Why should society feel responsible only for the education of children, and not for the education of all adults of every age?" -Erich Fromm

As you get older, busier, and more responsible it seems as though it becomes harder and harder to gain an education. Not because you don't have the will to study or because you are too busy to study but because it seems as if education was created as a "young man's game".

Courses are built around impossible time slots with very little availability. How can you be expected to work and take care of your family when you are expected to spend 6-8 hours in a class room 3-5 days a week? While it may be possible for some, I guarantee it isn't easy to put your life on hold for a 2- or 4-year degree. Especially with waiting lists at many schools that stretch to 3+ years before you can even start your education!

The College Network has a different philosophy.

We think ANYONE should be able to further their education and reach their goals without having to inconvenience themselves or put their lives on hold. We offer self-paced, as fast or as slow as you want (I'm not exaggerating, click here to read about a woman who got her Associate Degree in Nursing in 7 months), that you can do when it's convenient for you.

If you want to work on Introduction to Sociology at 3:00 AM on Tuesday night, who are we to tell you that you can't?

We are all about the "do what's best for you" mind set. You'll never be penalized for taking too long or moving to quickly.

Sound too good to be true? Well, there is one other thing...

WE HAVE NO WAITING LIST!!!

So it must be too good to be true? Over the last couple days, I have in fact heard several people say the exact same thing and all I could do was smile.

If you thought you were too busy to achieve your goals, give us a call today to find out how you can reach them, at your pace.

It's important to weigh the positives and negatives for any new degree program when considering returning to school.

Sometimes this can be easy:

1. Inexpensive vs Private
2. Online vs Distance
3. Self-paced vs Set schedule

... and the list goes on. Although these all seem very obvious, sometimes important comparisons can be easily overlooked.

Did you know that many schools will not accept science courses after 5 years? 

"Wait, are you telling me that I would have to take retake Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry?"

That's exactly what I'm telling you. 

Unfortunately it doesn't matter where you took it, what grade you received, or how well you know it. If it's been over 5 years, you're probably going to have to retake it.

BUT, I do have some good news... 

The College Network will accept all of your science courses as long as you received a grade of  "C" or higher at a regionally accredited institution within the last 30 years.

No more Micro; no more A&P; and no more Chem. What more could you ask for?

Would you like to figure out how to get started today?

Just give me a call at (800) 307-1006 ext. 4786 or send an email to mpeck@collegenetwork.com. I'll be happy to explain how you can get started working on your RN today.

-Ein Peck, Program Advisor

 

I have always had school sickness, as others have seasickness. I cried when it was time to go back to school long after I was old enough to be ashamed of such behavior.    -Jacques Derrida

Although it can definitely be intimidating, school should not be dreaded. With education you'll enhance your understanding of the world around you and allow yourself to become more specialized in your career.

While you may not always look forward to going back for your continuing education, it is a part of life.

Fortunately, I have some good news.

Did you know that The College Network is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation to offer Continuing Education contact hours?

This accreditation means that you are able to take your Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) courses online through The College Network! 

For more information about self-paced education and training, give us a call today. 1-800-39-LEARN

 

So you're finally ready for that first exam.

You've spent the last 4 weeks studying with The College Network. You've read your entire module, scored 90% or higher on each of your practice quizzes, passed both of your practice exams, and scheduled your exam.

Now, it's the day before and you start to think "Oh no, I don't know what to do". 

"Should I stay up all night drinking coffee and shotgunning red bulls in one hand, Chemistry book in the other?"

1. Try to get a good night of sleep - around 8 hours.
2. Eat a well balanced breakfast. (My favorite: Eggs, scrambled with avocado and just a little bit of cheese, turkey sausage, and an apple.)
3. Arrive early--This way you avoid any stress from getting lost or preparing your work space.
4. Be confident!

Have you ever wanted to get into the law field but didn't have the time or money for law school?

Law school can be very daunting. It requires a ton of dedication and is definitely not cheap.

So what am I getting at?

Well, it's not too late to get into the law field. You could become a paralegal. It's not a secret that paralegals are a necessary part of an attorney's office. Paralegals work directly under the supervision of a lawyer and assist with almost every aspect of the law field.

As an added bonus, not only do paralegals get paid well ($42,000 on average), but recent statistics have shown that there will be a 28% increase in the need for paralegals over the next 8 years.

"Sounds great, so what's the catch?"

The catch is that in most situations you can't just walk into an attorney's office with no experience or law background and become a paralegal.

So how can you get this experience/education?

By speaking with The College Network, of course! The College Network partners with Boston University to offer a 100% online, paralegal certificate program that only takes 14 weeks.

Would you like to learn more? Of course, you would!

Send me an email (mpeck@collegenetwork.com) or give me a call today at (800) 307-1006 ext. 4786 to learn more.

The other day during a meeting with some of my coworkers, I heard a wonderful quote that I wanted to share with all of you.

"Education is not the easiest thing you will ever do, but it can be the most rewarding."
- Dawn S.

Wow.

What an appropriate quote to describe The College Network. Whether you are working on your Paralegal Certificate or you MS in Nursing Education, it will not be easy, however it will be worth it.

To invest in yourself is the most satisfying venture you can undertake. By completing an online degree program, you will improve quality of life for yourself and your family, you will show the importance of education to your children, and you will feel the fulfillment that comes with reaching your goals.

So what more is there to think about? Call The College Network today to learn how you change your life for the better. 

We'll look forward to speaking with you soon!

Ein Peck

As many of you already know, a new year is a time for new promises. Each year, many people (myself included) set goals or resolutions for themselves which can oftentimes be very unrealistic.

"In 2012 I vow to lose 3000 lbs"
"In 2012 I vow to win the lottery"
"In 2012 I vow to stop watching Jersey Shore"

These goals oftentimes lead to disappointment in one's self at a later date. Hopefully their goals last longer than a month, but some don't even make it past January before they are back to Jersey Shore's GTL routine (Gym, Tan, Laundry).

When I see people (friends & family included) fall short of their goal, even I sometimes feel sorry for them. Why would you set these ridiculous goals for yourself that you would never have a chance of sticking to?

"Okay Ein, what's your point?"

My point is that you don't have to fail in your goals. Start by making your goals realistic in the first place.

"Okay, well how do I do that?"

Let me explain.

Sure, it's easy to want to lose weight but how should you go about it? In a goal like weight loss, your best option is to start small. If you live on fast food, make an attempt to switch to healthier fast food e.g. a salad or even consider not eating that "biggie sized" fry. Eventually your goal would be to cut fast food out entirely, but you MUST start small.

"So what does all this have to do with The College Network?"

The College Network offers you the opportunity to establish realistic goals. Since our online degree programs are entirely self-paced, this gives you the option to start small. Your goal shouldn't be to receive your Associate of Science in Nursing degree by tomorrow. If you are thinking small, your goal should be to establish an understanding of your keywords tomorrow. 

With the help of our talented Academic Support department, you will be able to create a study plan that is customized to your schedule and your needs. We are here to help you reach your goals.

So make 2012 the last year for unfilled promises call The College Network today at 1-800-39-LEARN to learn more about our self-paced online degrees from top universities.

With the growing desire for more nurses to obtain their Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, programs are filling up very quickly.

According to an article from the US News University Directory website, "Preliminary data from the report [completed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing] shows that in 2011, about 51,082 qualified students were turned away from 503 entry-level bachelor's degree nursing programs."

As the holidays quickly approach, I find myself pondering my potential plans.

Whose house will I be at on which day, what will we do for New Year's Eve, what presents will I be getting giving, etc.

While considering my plans, I had a sudden realization: Nurses have to work EVERY day. There are ZERO days off in the field of medicine. Someone has to be there 365 days a year.

So while the rest of country is taking a break to visit with families and friends, nurses are working hard to take care of their patients.

Although I've currently never been injured or hospitalized on a holiday, I can almost guarantee someone I know has.

So thank you for continuing to work hard, when most are not.

Congratulations to Leigh W. from Merritt Island, FL!

Leigh, who joined The College Network in August 2010, has recently finished all of his courses and passed his CPNE with Excelsior College for the ASN program. He is now preparing to take his RN NCLEX in January 2012. 

Congratulations again Leigh, and good luck on your NCLEX exam from everyone here at The College Network!

To read about others who have finished the program, visit our The College Network website.

For more information on how to create your own success story, please contact a Program Advisor today to learn about higher education online. 1-800-39-LEARN

With the year coming up on my least favorite season once again, I think it's important to remember one of the major benefits of studying from home.

While snow, ice, and rain may be issues that students at a traditional "brick & mortar" college may have to deal with, you can remain worry-free at home in your pajamas (or Snuggie) while studying your materials.

At home in Indiana, we recently just had our first wake up call from winter. Even though I have lived here my entire life, it's always an unappreciated surprise to see just how cold December can be. In addition to a drop in temperature, December also brings snow which creates a whole new set of problems for your commute. 

So turn on the fire place, make some hot chocolate and study freely knowing that you will not have to worry about any unexpected weather delays on your education.

If you are interested in learning more about online, weather free, self-paced learning, please do not hesitat to contact The College Network today at (800) 395-1014.