Education is a lifelong journey that enriches the recipient's personal and professional spheres and offers him or her a sense of purpose. A recent College Board study finds that an investment in higher education yields a high rate of return to students from all walks of life and to society. The payoff from acquiring technical skills and/or specialized knowledge is both monetary and intangible, with significant rewards, both public and private, that include the following:
- Higher earnings;
- Greater productivity;
- Higher savings levels;
- Enhanced professional and personal mobility and status;
- Improved quality of life;
- Better decision-making as a consumer;
- Increased tax revenues;
- Increased consumption.
A report by the Carnegie Foundation also shows that university graduates tend to be more cultivated, consistent, rational and open-minded, and that college attendance enhances knowledge of international affairs and diminishes prejudice. It has also been shown that postsecondary graduates are more likely to donate blood, vote and volunteer, among other things. Educational experiences takes numerous forms, including 1) colleges and universities, 2) online colleges, and 3) tutoring, which are discussed in sequence below:
1. Colleges and Universities
States differ in their usage of these two terms. Generally-speaking, a public or private university is research-oriented and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. A university issues academic degrees at the bachelor, master, and doctorate levels and in a wide array of subject areas. The highest academic degree available at a university is the doctorate, and the PhD is awarded in practically all fields. Universities typically have a large student body, and unlike liberal arts colleges, interaction between enrollees and faculty members is usually limited. Colleges, on the other hand, often refer to liberal arts schools which offer a curriculum at the undergraduate level. The term sometimes refers to institutions that offer business, vocational, technical or engineering programs. Colleges differ in degree, length of enrollment and size. Students may receive an Associate degree (A.A.) from a two-year college and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from a four-year college.
At colleges and universities, students may choose from an extensive course selection guaranteed to fulfill any learner's objectives and needs. Courses range from humanities, social sciences, and medicine to architecture, natural sciences, and engineering. Students will find most colleges and universities to be equipped with research labs, computer labs, and libraries.
With the cost of college tuition growing at a faster rate than inflation and not expected to decrease anytime soon, an increasing number of students are taking advantage of student loans. Low-interest government student loans are typically available to applicants demonstrating financial need. To determine which federal loans they are eligible for, students may fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Student loans may be either subsidized or unsubsidized. The former must be paid while the student is enrolled, but the government pays the interest. The former can be deferred until after graduation, but the student pays the interest. Students may also avail themselves of private student loans, which can typically be found on the preferred-lender lists of colleges and universities. Non-profit lenders, such as ethnic organizations and charities, often extend low or zero-interest student loans. Students should shop around for loans offering the highest discounts, such as those waiving default and origination fees.
2. Online Colleges
Online colleges pioneered the concept of distance or e-learning, and over the last few years, the popularity of online learning has skyrocketed. Students may choose to complete either individual courses or an entire degree program via this effective educational method that relies on the internet or learning management software. All exams and assignments are completed online. Many colleges and universities offer online degrees.
Online colleges are ideal for individuals who:
- would like to continue or complete their education
- prefer to earn credits or receive a college degree at their own pace
- wish to upgrade their career skills
- are unable to commute to a campus
- are employed part-time or full-time
- lack the time to attend classes on campus
- are raising a family
- are too ill to travel to campus or are disabled
- prefer a less structured environment
Students can reap numerous benefits from the non-traditional learning offered by online colleges. These include the following:
- a flexible learning schedule
- the convenience of learning from work or home
- the opportunity to utilize various technologies in the learning process
- the chance to meet other students in an online forum
3. Tutoring
Tutoring no longer caters only to high-income clients. It is available to students of all ages and socio-economic levels. Tutoring is ideal for individuals who are struggling in a subject or area and for advanced students. Many forms of tutoring exist in the marketplace, ranging from in-home tutoring, online tutoring, and peer tutoring to small-group tutoring and large-group tutoring. Students may also contact a tutoring agency, which specializes in matching specific tutors with students with individual needs.