A lot of people mistakenly believe that a person in the military can't begin their college studies until they are discharged from active duty. In reality, many active duty military members earn one or more degrees during their time with the military. One of the keys to successfully balancing a college course load and the responsibilities of being an active duty service member is choosing the right school. Use the following tips to select a college to attend while you are active duty military:
Look for Flexibility
As an active duty service member, your best bet is to attend a school that offers flexibility and is military friendly. Depending on where you are stationed, you may be able to attend a college that offers night classes or a hybrid of in-person classes and online classes. However, for the greatest flexibility, consider looking at accredited online colleges. In this day and age, it is easy to complete a higher education from anywhere with an internet connection, and there are now many accredited online colleges that pride themselves on being military friendly.
Determine Your Career Goals
Before enrolling in college, it is in your best interest to carefully assess your career goals and figure out the educational path to obtain those goals. Having a good idea of what you want to do, either in the military or as a civilian after you are discharged, will ensure that you don't waste time taking classes that are not necessary for your degree.
Find a School with a Strong Program for Your Major
After you have assessed your career goals, look for a school that has a strong program for your major. When you attend a school that has a strong program for what you are majoring in, you are likely to have more resources available to you as you complete your studies. In addition, most colleges with strong programs also offer employment assistance to people graduating from the institution; employment assistance can help you connect with companies in your chosen field and land your dream job faster.
Build a Support System
Pursuing a degree while active duty is not easy, but it is very rewarding. As an active duty service member and a college student, you will be very busy and most likely stressed at times. Having a strong support system of friends and family members during this time will make the process easier. In addition to friends and family, look for a school that has academic counselors available to provide support as needed.
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