The College Network Customers

Since spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, it's the perfect time to start thinking about fresh starts in your life. Are you considering heading back to school as an adult learner? Are you perhaps intimidated by the number of years that have passed since you were last a student?

The College Network (TCN) wants to help you bloom into a confident learner with our Center for Learning Empowerment (CLE). The CLE is packed with information to help TCN customers get the most out of their learning experience. It includes engaging lessons designed to lead students toward effective and efficient thinking, studying and learning. The CLE is also home to a learning styles survey, which can help you identify the different types of learning styles that work best for you. 

If you are a TCN customer, you already have access to the Center for Learning Empowerment in our online Resource Center. Log in, and check it out! Knowing and understanding how your brain organizes and digests information will maximize your chance of being a successful adult learner. Additionally, the information you can gain from the CLE will help you become a more empowered learner for the rest of your life! 

Do you know why goal setting is so important to you success?

You've probably set a goal for yourself in the past—maybe even when you signed up to earn credit with The College Network.  More than likely, you set a goal to earn your degree. But did you stop to consider what it would take for you to reach this goal?  

It is important that you don't underestimate yourself in setting goals. When you only answer to yourself on the success of achieving your goal, it can be tempting to let yourself slack or fall into bad habits. You don’t want to let yourself off too easily when you know you’re capable of doing more.

For example, it can be easy as an adult learner working in a self-paced program to say that you are going to work on your courses for 20 minutes each night, but deep down you know that if you try, you can make time for an hour of study time. Many times, we underestimate our abilities because we fear falling short and not meeting our own expectations. But you will progress more quickly when you stretch yourself and make small sacrifices to achieve the goal that you really want. 

Fear of failure is often an indicator of something that could be significant. Setting a goal that is outside of your comfort zone and reaching to achieve it means that you are growing.  You are going after something you REALLY want or something that will have a HUGE IMPACT on your life. Use the fear and apprehension you feel about going back to school as a motivator to propel you forward rather than letting it keep you from accomplishing the things you truly want. This is when the impossible becomes possible!

Contact us at 1-800-634-1443 or visit www.collegenetwork.com/customers if you need assistance as you progress throughout your program. We're here to help. 

Are you tired of working for someone else? Have you thought about starting your own business? Owning your own business requires a lot of creativity, strategy, and determination. Below are six tips to help you start your own business: 

1. Know your customer – Understanding your target audience is vital to starting your own business. The more you understand your audience, the better your chances of creating products they want to buy.
2. Test your idea – Find out who would buy your product. Be sure to test your idea before you spend too much money and time on it.
3. Pick a sales strategy – It is important to know how your product will be marketed and sold to your consumers. If sales is not your specialty, find the right person (or people) to market and sell your product.  
4. Write a business plan – Writing a business plan requires research. When writing a business plan, it is important to determine your market factors, starting costs, job responsibilities, organizational structure, and the vision for the business.
5. Find good people – Take time finding the right people who will be willing to work hard for you and your business.
6. Mind the money – Do not underestimate your expenses. Think about how you are going to fund the business and how you are going to support yourself until the business is up and running. 

Read more at: http://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T049-C006-S001-six-steps-to-starting-your-own-business.html?page=2

If you're interested in setting your own schedule and working for yourself, contact The College Network to learn more about opportunities for starting your own business as an independent Program Adivisor. Opportunities are available nationwide. 

As you work through your online degree program, do you share your success with friends and colleagues?  Do you announce on your Facebook or Twitter account that you have passed an exam?  If you do, you probably have people who congratulate you on your success and ask you about your degree program. 

Since you are inspiring others with your success, are you also helping them to advance their education?  The College Network's EARN program is for people like you who want to achieve their dream of an associate's or bachelor's degree and also help others. If you are a nurse who works in a hospital or long term care facility, I'm sure there are other nurses who would benefit from an online LPN to BS in nursing program or those who dream of obtaining their associate of science in nursing.  

EARN stands for the Educational Ambassadors Resource Network™. It's comprised of people who have referred their friends and colleagues. One of the best things about this network is that enables people to start their own study community while they support their own education.

As a customer of The College Network®, when you refer someone and that person enrolls in a degree program, you will receive $200.  And on your sixth referral, remaining balance on The College Network portion of your loan will be paid in full. So while you support your education, inspire others to achieve the same success and create your study community. You will be recognized for your efforts.

Want to learn more about the EARN program? Go here to find out more about how it works and for a complete list of rules and guidelines. And if you are already to refer someone today, you can go to our online referral form.  Keep up the good work, and keep inspiring others! 

Let’s face it—most of us have been out of school quite a long time. The prospect of returning to school can be exciting, and a bit scary. Especially if the last time you were in school you sat behind a desk and are now looking at your computer, wondering how it’s all going to work.  Well, don’t worry.  We’re here to help calm your nerves, help you get started and keep you motivated as you work through your online degree program.

Once you enroll in your degree program with help from The College Network—what's next? The steps below outline what you will experience and hopefully take some of the anxiety out of what you might be feeling.  Use this as your guide and you'll be well on your way to earning your degree.

Log in to Resource Center—This is your learning portal.  You will go to the online Resource Center to find your course materials, discussion boards where you can post questions to other students, the resource library and to online chat which you can use to converse with our academic support team when you have a question.

Find out your learning style—As adults, we learn differently than we did when we were younger. It's important to know if you are an auditory learner, a tactile learner or a visual learner. Our learning style survey will help you identify your unique learning style so you can study more effectively. 

Complete your Academic Guidance Call—Our customer support team will contact you to review your learning style so you understand more completely how to be successful in your studies.  You will also work with them to develop a study plan for your program and review all aspects of the resource center.  If you have any questions about working through your degree program, they will be able to guide you. 

Set a goal for taking your first exam— Having a specific date in mind will help to keep you on track and be motivated to succeed. With self paced education, it's easy to put other things ahead of studying. We want to make sure that you stay focused on your goal of earning your degree. After you pass your first exam, schedule the rest of your exams so that you have a calendar to work from. 

 Set a weekly study schedule—With our busy lives and work schedules, it can be hard to find the time to study. If you approach your study time like you would a part-time job with a set schedule, you will be able to commit to this time and make weekly progress toward your goal.

Create your support network--Use the Resource Center to find others in your area that are working through their program.  Or ask around at work to see if any of your colleagues are also pursuing their degree. It's also a good idea to include your family and friends in your pursuit of a degree so they will support your goal.  They can be your biggest motivators! 

So are you ready to get back to school?   We offer the support you need to get started and the motivation to keep you going.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 to learn more about our degree programs and our support team. 

We're excited to launch Education Editorial — a new eMagazine from The College Network®. This edition is packed with valuable articles written by experts in nursing and healthcare. 

The College Network is embarking on a new adventure and will be publishing an online magazine for nurses and other healthcare professionals. We’re very excited about our first edition which will be out later this month, and we want you to participate.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my job. I am a business analyst at The College Network and unlike most people who are thankful for getting a paycheck; I am thankful for so much more of what The College Network has to offer.

My job is teaching me how to serve and be humble, how to be calm and even how to be happy despite the circumstances or the economy. It is proving to be an incredible opportunity for learning. It turns out that this position is instrumental in transforming me. The College Network is helping me become who I want to be. Rather than something I have to endure, it is providing me with growth.

The people who surround me every day lift me up an make me a better person. From accounting to sales to product development and the wonderful customer support staff, they support me on the dificult journey of excellence, even when I fall short. Be it internal or external, I hope you have an opportunity to meet some of these outstanding individuals willing to go above and beyond for you. They will ensure you succeed.

Name: Stefanie
Email: Kinsey
City: Camel
State: IN
 

There are quite a lot of customers at The College Network who have taken advantage of the EARN program. But, there are also quite a few that haven't yet. And, if you don't know about it--let me tell you the ways that it can help you with your degree program.

The EARN program helps customers create their own study communities by referring their friends and coworkers. There are some of our customers who work together that will meet in the cafeteria every week for a study group.  It helps motivate them and gives them a support system. I think It's always helpful, when you don't quite understand a concept, to hear someone explain something to you from their perspective.  

The EARN program also benefits customers by supporting their education. You see, as a customer of The College Network who is obtaining an associate degree in nursing or working towards a bachelor's degree, you will receive $200 for each person that you refer to The College Network when they enroll in a degree program. And, when you reach your sixth referral--The College Network portion of your program loan will be paid off!  

Need more motivation?  I recently worked with a customer on her success story. She just reached her loan payoff by referring her friends at work. To help them succeed in their program, she gave them the $200 she had received for the referral so they could use it to pay for their first exam. She is motivating them to succeed by inspiring them with her success. And, she has earned every part of it!

Call us today at 866-567-6150 to make a referral or you can also go online--create your own study group and support your education. 

As a lead advisor for the Academic Support department with The College Network, I speak with many customers each day regarding all aspects of the online programs that we offer. One reason why I have chosen to stay with The College Network for the last three years is because our company strives to do whatever we can for each of our customer. The Academic Support department prides itself on is caring about our customers and doing our best to ensure each learner’s success.

Our “We Care” attitude is demonstrated in a variety of aspects:

1. Initial Welcome Call: As soon as you sign with The College Network, your Program Advisor will connect you via phone to an Academic Advisor who will welcome you to the program and schedule a Guidance Call appointment.

2. Guidance Call: We strive to complete a Guidance Call for each and every customer. The purpose of the Guidance Call is to connect each learner with a member of the Academic Support team, familiarize the learner with the various aspects of their program, set goals, and navigate through our Online Resource Center.

3. Follow Up Calls: During the Guidance Call we ask each learner if they would like to receive a 45 day follow up call so we can check on their studies.

4. We’ve extended our hours! The Academic Support team is now available 7 days a week to assist learners with any questions or concerns they may have. As a reminder to all, we are available Monday-Friday 8:00am EST to 11:00pm EST and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00am EST to 8:00pm EST. We’re here to address your concerns and assist with your progression when you need us! Also, learners are able to email the Academic Support department 24 hours a day for when questions arise outside our hours of operation.

5. Constantly Improving our Resources: The College Network strives to ensure that the materials and support we provide adhere to educational best practices. Our Center for Learning Empowerment was developed to assist the independent learner and make sure he or she understands and utilizes effective study strategies throughout the program. The Center for Learning Empowerment contains a series of short videos that focus on certain strategies or technique the learner can use to gage the level of learning and preparedness achieved. The Academic Support team undergoes training on these topics in order to provide the best service possible.

Overall, what it boils down to is, we really do care. All of the Academic Advisors have been through college and graduated with Bachelor’s or Master’s level degrees in a variety of subjects. We know what the post-secondary education experience is like and we know that at times it can be rough. Academic Support is not only here to support each learner educationally but also emotionally. We want nothing but the best for all learners, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns at our toll-free number 1-800-634-1443. 

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. 

"We Care" is an initiative at The College Network to ensure all of our students and customers are provided with the best service possible during their path to success.  For myself, and other Program Advisors, we generally are the first to speak with potential students enrolling into our certificate or degree programs.

As Program Advisors, we understand that helping students is our first order of business. A Program Advisor's job at The College Network is to advise each and every student on how best to reach their educational and professional goals.  We truly strive to exemplify the meaning of advisor, and find out your motivation for furthering your education to reach your goals.  By that token, we'll accurately and honestly educate you on our programs and let you know the advantages and challenges that await you.  If things are a fit, we can assist you all the way through the enrollment process.

As you can see, The College Network Program Advisor's care about every potential student that requests information about our programs.  We want to make sure you have the best information, and best experience possible in your pursuit of online education program.  Give us a call today, and we'll be happy to show off how "We Care."

Kevin Burton, Program Advisor Supervisor, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734, kburton@collegenetwork.com

Why limit what you learn and how you learn it? If you attend a traditional university you will be subject to the rules and regulations of the school and have to follow a set curriculum, at the same time every week for months at a time.  And the classwork assigned by the teacher, not optional with a set deadline; you're following the schedule and timeline of the teachers and the institution, not yourself. 

So how best to remedy this issue? How do you earn a degree without being subject to a schedule that is not your own? Research The College Network and learn how we can help you become an independent learner.

Once we stretch our mind around a new idea, it never returns to its former shape. — Oliver Wendell Holmes

Becoming a strong, capable learner is one of the most rewarding accomplishments any person can achieve; however, individuals must claim this for themselves. No matter how much we would like to believe it, no one person can make this happen for another. This does not mean that we as learning professionals are without valuable influence in the process. It’s our responsibility to help our learners achieve greater heights in thinking and learning. They won’t have to look far to discover the value of developing learning skills and employing cognitive strategies, but they do have to know where to find information on how to develop and effectively utilize such skills and models.  Once we help them discover and develop in this area, we are then responsible to support their efforts through appropriate design and development of learning experiences. 

How we as learning professionals respond to this challenge will depend to a great extent on the population we work with, our professional training, and our understanding of the needs of our learners. At The College Network we agree with Taylor, Marienau, and Fiddler (2000) that experiences that have been skillfully designed to assist learners in developing skills that allow them to generate new ideas and theories are very powerful. The AcaciAa™ Model reflects our efforts to help our customers become effective, efficient learners so that they are well equipped to generate new ideas and theories. After all, being able to generate new ideas and theories doesn’t just help learners reach their formal education goals. Being able to generate new ideas and theories is at the core of better decision-making, which will impact their personal lives as well as their professional endeavors.

This visual represents the different stages of the model and what learners need to be able to manage for themselves in order to have the best learning experience possible. We don’t profess our approach to be without shortcomings or the answer to every learner’s needs. However, it does reflect our commitment to facilitate the development of capable learners and support them once they have achieved this status. 

In subsequent posts I will address each specific stage of the model.

Until Then,

cd

Often many new and existing customers have questions regarding The College Network, their program, their purchase, and Academic Support. Below are some general Frequently Asked Questions about The College Network to better address any inquiries.

Q: Is The College Network a school?

A: No. The College Network is an educational services company which produces study materials designed to assist customers with preparing for challenge exams to earn college credit to apply towards a degree granting institution designated through The College Network or through a local program of their choosing. The College Network does not award degrees.

You can find a listing of all of our available programs online at www.collegenetwork.com.

Q: How long do I have to complete my degree program?

A:  The College Network does not limit or place deadlines on when customers can utilize their purchased Comprehensive Learning Modules. We understand that life happens. If it takes several years to complete your desired program, we are here to help! 

We recommend contacting the Customer Support Department (1-800-634-1443) if you have been away for awhile to assist with restarting your program.

Q: Can I apply the credit earned via challenge exam to a local college?

A: Yes. You can apply credits earned through challenge exams if the local college accepts challenge exam credit. You would want to contact the local institution for more details.

Q: How many times can I complete an exam?

A: Each testing body has its own requirements for the maximum amount of exam attempts it will allow a student to complete per subject. Also, each testing body has its own requirements for a minimum amount of time that must pass between exams. For further clarification, please review your Academic Guidance Planner or call Customer Support.

Q: How do I schedule an exam?

A: The scheduling process differs depending on the intended exam and whether or not the exam fees were included in your purchase. Please reference your Academic Guidance Planner for instructions or contact the Customer Support department for assistance.

Q: Who can assist me with my program?

A:  Customer Support! While The College Network promotes independent learning programs, customers are not alone with their studies! The Customer Support department has over 30 Academic Advisors available to assist with any questions pertaining to your program, your studies, scheduling an exam, motivation, or anything else you may need. All Academic Advisors hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a variety of specialties and have completed general education coursework similar to the content in our Comprehensive Learning Modules.

Q: What can Customer Support help me with?

A: A whole lot! The Customer Support department can answer questions pertaining to how to enroll with your degree granting institution, determining your learning style to help prepare you for your studies, provide Technical Support assistance for our online Resource Center, assist with scheduling exams, create a personalized study plan, answer content related questions, and provide overall support and motivation.

Q: What are the hours of the Customer Support department?

A: Academic Advisors are available seven days a week. The hours are Monday-Fridays 8:00am-11:00pm (EST) in addition to Saturdays and Sundays 9:00am-8:00pm (EST).

Q: How can I reach an Academic Advisor?

A: Academic Advisors can be reached via phone at 1-800-634-1443, email at academics@collegenetwork.com, and fax at 877-725-7811. We also have an online Live Web Chat feature through our online Resource Center which is available Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm EST.

Q: Who do I contact about my monthly loan installment payment?

A:  Our Financial Services department can assist with any questions pertaining to your monthly payments, loan balance, term, or lender. They can be reached at 877-728-9410 on the following days and times:

Monday-Thursdays 9:00am-10:00pm (EST)

Fridays 9:00am-9:00pm (EST)

First three Saturdays of the month 10:00am-2:00pm (EST)

There may be many more questions that you have regarding The College Network, our Online Degree Programs, and your studies. Please do not hesitate to contact Customer Support at 1-800-634-1443 for assistance! 

Nobody likes to stop and ask for directions, and thanks to smartphones and onboard navigation, running into the gas station to ask the attendant how to get somewhere is a thing of the very recent past. But what about destinations that can't be found with a smart phone? How do we get where we're trying to go when we're not even sure where the final destination is? These are questions that many people who start earning an advanced degree frequently ask. 

Finding the answers to these questions is not simple, taking time and experience to guide you on your path to a college degree or certification. It's a challenge because it's not a decision that any one else can make for you; it's something you have to choose for yourself, but it's not something you have to do alone. With The College Network, you'll have the support of our Customer Support department, helping you access the online Resource Center, answer questions you may have about Comprehensive Learning Modules, scheduling testing to earn college credit, and whatever questions you may have about your degree program or certification track. You don't need our Customer Support, but like any good gas station attendant, we can answer your questions and help you get where you're going.

There are people just like you who have some of the same questions about The College Network®.  We thought we would give you the top five questions to help you learn more about us.

1.  Is The College Network a school?  No, we are not a school.  We are an eLearning company that has developed Comprehensive Learning Modules™ to help our customers learn the material they need to pass equivalency exams for college credit.

2.  How long will it take for me to earn my degree?  This answer is different for everyone.  You see, you study at your own pace and it is up to you to schedule your exams when you are ready.  You can move through your program as quickly as you want to--it is in your hands.

3.  How do I take my exams?  Will I have to go to a testing site?  Not necessarily. The College Network now offers proctored online testing so you can take your exam from anywhere you have an internet connection depending on the degree program you choose to pursue.

4.  How does it work?  Once you enroll you will receive an academic guidance call.  We will work with you to help you determine your learning style and develop a study plan.  You will have access to our Online Resource Center™ where you can access your Comprehensive Learning Modules™ for your courses. You can also communication with our Academic Support Team via chat, and utilize a lot more learning tools to help you in your studies.

5.  Will my degree come from a university or college?  Yes, definitely.  You degree will be awarded from one of the leading universities that accept credits from our programs. And, you are even invited to attend your graduation ceremony.

Do you have more questions for us?  We will be happy to answer them for you.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 and we'll discuss the programs that can help you achieve your goals.  

I know I have already posted about flash cards, but wanted to share a new resource I stumbled upon. For some reason I was conversing with a friend about flashcards who happened to be studying for her bar exam following her graduation from law school this spring, and she advised me that there is an application that can be downloaded for iPhone users called iFlipr.

The only gadgetry I use for education purposes has been my laptop and I rarely use my cell phone for anything besides texting and Facebook. But after speaking with my friend, I thought of the sheer convenience of being able to turn to our cell phones to assist in our studies as opposed to traditional paper note cards.

I viewed iFlipr on my friend’s iPhone and it’s a really neat resource. You can create your own unique flashcards, and it also contains a database to search for already made flashcards of similar information. You can also add images and sounds to the flashcards (great for you Audio and Visual learners!)

And again, for any additional study suggestions or assistance as you progress with your Comprehensive Learning Modules from The College Network, please contact the Customer Support department at 1-800-634-1443.

In this very competitive economy, businesses are looking for ways to increase their efficiency while also improving their customer focus and response.  Now more than ever Lean Six Sigma methodologies, which include five lean principles:  define, measure, explore, develop and implement have come to the forefront.  The lean goals are to eliminate waste, improve business processes and increase customer satisfaction and these have become key strategies for companies.

More and more busy professionals are choosing to move forward in their careers by obtaining their Lean Six Sigma Certification online.  And by gaining your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification and then Black Belt Certification, you can greatly increase not only your career opportunities, but also your earning potential.  

Here are 5 ways you will benefit from obtaining your Lean Six Sigma Certification online from The College Network and Purdue University.  

1.  Increased job opportunities--certification will set you apart from those without it when you are job searching.  As well, you will find you have more opportunity in your current position.

2.  On average, Lean Six Sigma Black Belts earn $88,226 a year, according to Salary.com.  

3.  Learn from Master Black Belt instructors at Purdue University.

4.  Earn your certification from Purdue University, a global leader in engineering and business.

5.  Build your network of professionals from different fields and level of experience,  throughout the country.  

Those should be more than enough reasons to get started.  Call us today at 866-249-2131 to learn more about Lean Six Sigma certificate programs and discover your own ways that it will benefit you.  

Congratulations! By signing with The College Network for one of our online degree programs you have taken an important step in bettering yourself and your future. You’ve made the decision to work at your own pace, study on your own time, and control the way you learn best. But with any new endeavor we begin, there is fleeting thought of uncertainty or confusion, especially with “So how do I begin?” Allow me to assist!

Below is a general guide on how to begin your program so that you are on the path to success!

1. Read your Academic Guidance Planner (AGP): The Academic Guidance Planner contains useful information regarding your program, scheduling exams, enrollment information into your degree program, and other vital information. There is also a Learning Style Survey that you can complete to understand how you learn best! I like to refer to it as your silent best friend. You can locate the AGP on the Resource Center under Printable Resources.

2. Make sure you complete your Welcome/Guidance Call: When you sign with The College Network, you are provided a Guidance Call appointment which allows you the opportunity to speak with an Academic Advisor about your learning goals, available resources, and also complete a tour of our Online Resource Center. Even if you began your program months/years ago, please feel free to contact us to complete your Guidance Call!

3. Set a schedule: While all of the degree programs through The College Network are self-paced, it is still important to know what your availability will be like to study your Comprehensive Learning Modules so you have a plan of action.

4. Gather your materials: While you will study your Comprehensive Learning modules online on the Resource Center, many learners choose to print materials or take notes. Gathering any necessary tools like highlighters, pens, notebooks, or note cards ahead of time will ensure that you won’t lose precious study moments!

5. Log in to the Online Resource Center: All of your materials as well as additional study resources will be able to you online. All customers receive a log in user name and password shortly after signing with The College Network. Take the time to look through all the information online and gain familiarity with the site. As always, you can contact Customer Support for Assistance.

6. Begin reading: As a new customer you would have been provided access to your first module immediately. Begin with chapter one and take notes of important information and important vocabulary terms. After each chapter you will have access to end of chapter study questions and chapter quizzes to assess your learning before moving forward.

And remember, The Customer Support department cares about your success. We’re only a phone call (1-800-634-1443), email (academics@collegenetwork.com), or online chat away for assistance.