If you’re unsure about what to do after graduating high school but know you want to find some type of meaningful work, you should look into online degrees. As long as you find the right institution, these can be as valid as any degree with a traditional institution. In fact, many esteemed universities also have online degree programs. Plus, the flexibility of scheduling makes it far easier to hold down a job while going to school. These are four examples of online degrees worth pursuing.

Computer Science

Computer science degrees can lead you to the greatest financial opportunities. However, studying computer science can be very taxing on your mind. Some of the terminologies might be familiar, but you need to work continuously to find the link between the concepts. Even when you receive your degree, you’ll need to stay up-to-date on terms and new trends in the industry. By studying computer science, you can unravel some of the mysteries of technology and see how what might’ve previously seemed to be magic are actually just the result of concentration and ingenuity.

Social Work

An online social work degree can help prepare you for a career of advocating for others. In this field, you can help people dealing with problems related to things like mental health and substance abuse. Though you can get this degree online, you should find ways to get in-person experience working with people. This is a field that requires a strong spirit and a desire to help others. The rewards of social work might not immediately strike you, but as long as you’re able to show you care through words and actions, you’ll be a star example of who to emulate.

Healthcare Degrees

Working in healthcare doesn’t mean you have to go to medical school and become a doctor. The demand for jobs in healthcare-related industries is always growing, which means you have a high chance of immediately getting hired in related field after acquiring a healthcare degree. Some of the online degrees you can get in this field include medical coding, pharmacy technology, and medical case management. All of these and more can be part of saving people’s lives and leading to the overall betterment of our society

Accounting

An accounting degree is an ideal thing to pursue an online degree, as it doesn’t require having an in-person instructor in order to get points across. If you’re mathematically minded and have a good sense of focus, you’d be a great accountant. Accuracy is one of the most important skills of an accountant, as losing track of one calculation could put an entire process in jeopardy. Your thinking cap will always need to be on as an accountant, no matter what route of accounting you take, it should stay tightly on throughout your career. 

The online setting changes the educational structure somewhat, but it does not it with something insufficient. You’ll have to put the same amount of effort into your studies whether you’re attending lectures in an auditorium or following along from your home computer. When you’re serious about your degree, you can come out with the skills to gain a career that gives you passion. 

Read more in 5 Habits You Can Begin Now to Give You a Head Start in College.

Are you wondering if pursuing a law degree is worth it? The rise of college tuition and lower demand in the market is only magnifying the importance of this question. Some of the most important things you should know while considering a career in law are listed below.

Majors

Before you can get into law school, you must first go through an undergraduate program. Often, people make the mistake of thinking that because they aren’t yet in law school, any major they choose will be okay. Technically most majors will allow you to complete this requirement, but you must also keep in mind your grade point average. Law school acceptance rates are well below 20 percent, which means even students with 3.8 GPA will often be denied admission. 

So, what major should you choose for the best chance of admission? History is considered to be the best major to pursue; data on College Consensus shows that history majors have an 85 percent rate of acceptance into a law school.

The LSAT

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is the nationally accepted entrance exam for all the law schools in the United States and Canada. The exam is separated into two parts, which consist of a multiple-choice section and an essay section. The LSAT is not a test to determine your knowledge of the law; instead, it tests how you analyze it. As you may know, practicing law requires a lot of reading, code-breaking and explaining. Therefore, according to the University of Massachusetts, law schools want to know if you have strengths in those skill areas. The best way to prepare for this type of exam is to go over practice tests and seek additional information regarding the exam’s structure.

Law School

When it comes to choosing the right law school, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the most common issues that students face is the distance of the school from their home. The fact is that the farther you are from home, the more expensive it is and distant you’ll be from your family and friends. When it comes to choosing the right place to learn, you should also consider its track record. According to Gomez Trial Attorneys, law school is an intense study of the law that applies to certain situations. A deep understanding of the law prepares law students to represent clients who need legal help. Although most schools will provide you with the basics, you might want to look for one that goes above and beyond with their teaching styles.

Careers

Contrary to what television shows tend to portray, not all attorneys are constantly in the courtroom battling it out. Fortunately, this means there are a variety of legal careers to choose from. Some of those include being a private consultant to businesses, a professor of law, law firm administrator and banker. With today’s innovations in technology, most of these jobs can be performed and applied for via the internet.Are you considering a career in law? Practicing law is one of the most revered career paths, and rightfully so. However, before you take the big leap and invest your time and money, it is highly recommended to consider the actions you’ll need to take to accomplish this dream.

A degree is not simply something to do for a period of time after completing high school studies. Whether it is a four-year college or even another degree program, additional education is becoming more and more of a necessity in today’s world. Here are some reasons why you should consider continuing your education after you graduate from high school.

Do You Want a Larger Income?

There are numerous studies that have compared the earnings of those who have college degrees with those who do not. The results of these studies are always unanimous. According to Cornerstone University, those who have college degrees almost always earn larger paychecks than others. Your skills are more marketable, and employers are willing to pay for it. Of course, being able to earn a living no matter what is always a good thing. Your potential to make a living will be even better with advanced education.

Do You Want Better Financial Security?

Once you have an education, it becomes an asset that you own. It is something that will always be yours no matter what happens. This will mean that you will always have something to offer a potential employer. If your current job does not work out for whatever reason, you have something on which you can fall back. Your education will provide a base that you can build on in the future, either in another position or by getting more education. While education is not a guarantee of a future position, it is always a strong factor in your favor when you apply for a position.

Do You Have a Dream?

Many people appreciate education not just for what it can do for their career and earnings, but also for the sake of learning itself. Your learning can become your passion if you find something that truly interests and enchants you. Not only can learning change your life, but it can also help you to fulfill your dreams. You may have a professional aspiration that you will need a degree in order to be able to fulfill. The truth is that education can have any one of a number of benefits for you. 

How Can I Continue My Education?

The good news is that continuing your education is much easier than you ordinarily would have thought. Not only can you attend a four-year college at a traditional campus, but you can also receive an education online at your own pace and leisure. You can take a class every now and then or become a full-time student. Independence University points out that online universities are accredited, offer flexible course schedules, a wide range of programs, and financial aid. It has never been more convenient to receive an education, and you can even take night classes. Additionally, you will find that the amount of offerings has dramatically expanded, meaning that all you have to do is just learn what is out there.

You have every incentive in the world to further your education after high school. Pursuing further education opens you up to a better quality of life, unique life opportunities, and the ability to chase your dreams. The hard part, then, is choosing from all of your options.

Writing papers is a rite of passage for high school and college students throughout the United States. While you may not be a great writer or particularly like to write, learning to do so at an elevated level will make you a better communicator. Here are some serious mistakes to avoid when creating your next composition — your grades will thank you!

Spelling and Grammar Errors

There is no excuse for misspelling a word these days, because in most cases the program that you’re using to write your paper will underline words that are not spelled properly. These programs are also likely point out glaring grammar errors or questionable sentence structures in your prose. It is critical that you don’t make too many spelling or grammar errors as it can undermine your credibility. Your teacher or professor may also take points off for each error that you make, which can have negative consequences on your final grade. 

Plagiarizing

While it is acceptable to quote other people in your paper, it is important that you acknowledge your source with a citation. Copying the work of another author is generally seen as intellectually and academically lazy. Plagiarizing has even more serious consequences if discovered in college essays, such as getting kicked out of your program or being expelled. Even if you aren’t a great writer, it is better to turn in mediocre work that you created as opposed to stealing content that the original author worked hard to create. 

Repeating Yourself Over and Over Again

Every word that you write should add something to the narrative that you are creating. At best, your teacher or professor will catch on to the fact that you’re making the same point in a variety of different ways as a lazy method of reaching your required word or page count, and you’ll get a note about it. At worst, you will be asked to write the paper over again or get a failing grade. If you’re not sure whether your paper is too repetitive, ask a friend or family member to read the paper before you turn it in.

Failing to Stay on Topic

In many cases, you will be assigned a specific paper topic. For instance, you may be asked to analyze the root causes of the Civil War or the works of Mark Twain. It is important that you stay on topic if you hope to get a good grade as your teacher is likely looking to see how well you understand the material. Going off-topic is a good way to show your instructor that you either don’t understand the assignment or that you simply don’t care to follow instructions. Either way, not sticking to the assignment at hand is a quick way to get a poor grade on your paper.

Those who learn how to write well generally have an advantage both in school and in life afterward. Therefore, it is important that you do your best when writing a paper and that you ask for help if you are struggling to create a quality text.
For more helpful writing tips, read this post next: Practical Writing Tips: Ways To Get Higher Grades on Your Papers

Many high school students are deciding to delay their college education for a year in order to take a gap year. There are many reasons for people to opt for a gap year, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Whether you are looking to travel or just get a head start on your educational and career aspirations, this time to regroup can prove to be extremely beneficial before launching into your next educational journey. Here are three tips designed to help you get the most out of your gap year:

Job Tips

Many students decide to use their gap year to get ahead on their finances before heading into college. Paid internships are an ideal way to make some extra cash while gaining relevant work experience. If you have your heart set on a particular out-of-state school but want to gain the coveted in-state tuition status, getting a job in that state will help you to achieve residency status and qualify for the lower rates.

Traveling Tips

While some students use the gap year to prepare for college, many enjoy traveling and seeing the world. This travel time helps teenagers to mature and gain more life experience before going to college. Before you take off on your global adventure, it is important to be prepared for the logistics of travel. While some places will rent a car to 18-year-olds, these rentals usually come with a separate fee. It is important that you take care of your rental car so that you do not incur even more costs.

Mindset Tips

It is possible that you will never again have the freedom in life that you have during this gap year. To make the most out of this flexibility, be sure to go into the experience with an open mind. Having an open mind will allow you to truly embrace the people and cultures that you encounter along the way. Whether it be through traveling the world or simply settling into the place that you plan on attending college, this time should be free of rigid parameters that you set on yourself.This gap year can be a great time for you to explore a new place, earn some money for your further education, or find a cause to champion. Make sure that you experience all that this gap year has to offer you in order to make the most out of it. But at the same time, make sure that you do all you can to prepare and pay for for the next four years of your college career.

If you’re a senior about to graduate and go to college, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to pay for it. Paying for school can be very stressful and expensive, but if you play your cards right, you’ll be able to find the funds to make it work. Take a look at these three methods you should consider when trying to figure out how to pay for college.

Work

Many people need to work while attending school. The key to accomplishing this is time management. Seek out a counselor who can help you prepare by teaching you the skills you will need in order to balance work and school. When job searching, look for a company that offers tuition reimbursement. Many firms offer this, even for part-time employees. Some downsides are that you may have to stay with the company a certain amount of years after graduation, or you may need to pay tuition upfront before you are reimbursed. That being said, getting tuition reimbursement through your work is a beneficial and efficient option.

Student Loans

A student loan is in the category of money you do need to pay back. Additionally, these loans come with interest, which means you are paying back more than you initially borrowed. You may want to consider a loan with terms that allow you to pay the interest while you are in school. When shopping around, keep in mind that interest rates can vary as well as the terms. How much you can borrow for a student loan depends on factors such as the type of loan, your status as a student, and how much financial aid you are already receiving. Try to view loans as a supplemental form of tuition payment and borrow as little as possible.

Scholarships

A scholarship is in the category of money that you do not need to pay back. Scholarships come in varying amounts, and the guidelines for who can apply can vary greatly. Some scholarships are attached to the school you are attending, and other scholarships allow you to use the money toward any school of your choice. When searching for scholarships, beware of scams and only use government websites and sources approved by your current or prospective school. You might be surprised to find out about the many different types of scholarships that are available.

All of these school tuition payment options can be used in conjunction with one another—and they often are. Figuring out how to pay for school can seem like a job within itself. Try to borrow as little money as possible, but, in the end, do not let money get in the way of pursuing your education.

Some students find writing a horrible task, mostly because they don’t know where to start and fail to organize properly. Experts at a leading writing service have provided some practical tips to help improve your grades.

Review Instructions Carefully

All academic work and tests come with precise instructions and grading rubrics. Failure to follow instructions is likely the leading cause of unneccesary grade reductions — not poor writing itself.

Instructions will differ from one paper to the other. They will capture the kind of formatting required, language to be used, length of your paper, and reference materials to be used, among others. If the paper fails to meet these standards, your score will be low. In case instructions provided are not clear, you are required to seek clarification before starting. Commencing work following the wrong instructions will only lead to failure.

PRO TIP: use the grading rubric and instructions as a checklist which you mark off once your paper meets each requirement.

Plan things out

Develop a plan that captures your introduction, body, and conclusion of the paper. Planning involves creating an outline for the task ahead. The outline should capture the order of points or ideas, materials to refer, and different sections based on the expected structure of your paper, among other writing elements.

An outline or plan ensures that you do not repeat any idea and thus render some of the sections of your work redundant. You also have an overview of the ideas you have to discuss in the paper. The plan alerts you in case you miss the point.

Look at Writing Samples

Gather quality samples of the type of paper you are writing and use them as reference points. Sample papers on just about any topic are available online, but ensure they are good quality — poor quality samples may affect your performance.

A word of warning: DO NOT COPY SAMPLES WORD FOR WORD! This is called plaigiarism and is a serious offense in school. Your work must be your own.

Set aside distractions

Create an environment where you can work without disruption or disturbance. The library is one of the best places to work on any paper because you are forced to focus on what you are doing.

If you prefer to work at home, switch off anything which distracts you, such as the television, radio, or cell phone. Some people do well with something on in the background, but others cannot handle it — which sort of student are you?

Use Quality Reference Materials

The strength of the ideas you discuss in the paper will depend on the quality of reference materials you’re using. Look for high-quality reference materials from different sources, including the library, reputable websites and academic databases. Your teacher will usually recommend reliable reference materials to help you. Using inferior references, such as Wikipedia, usually leads to rejected papers or failing grades.

Avoid procrastination

Plan your work and time in a way that allows you to meet the submission deadline. Failure to meet the deadline comes with penalties, some of which are punitive. Thus, develop a schedule that will enable you to complete the paper before the deadline to provide enough time for editing.

Edit Your Work

Spare some time at the end of your drafting stage to edit the paper. Editing helps to eliminate little errors that are overlooked the first time you write something. If you are doubtful of your editing skills, get a friend or tutor to help (or even a parent).

PRO TIP: Finish your draft, then don’t look at your paper for several hours before you edit. This will help you look at your work with a fresh set of eyes.

Get help

Some instructions or topics will be difficult to handle, no matter how much you try. You are allowed to seek help from different places to avoid compromising on your grades and performance. This help should come from a person who understands the topic and will not mislead you.

Consult your teacher regularly in the course of writing. Most teachers relish the chance to assist you whenever you are stuck, and this shows you are a motivated student. Your teacher knows what he or she is looking for from the assignment, and is therefore one of the best sources of writing help with your school work.

Also, there are professional writing assistants who are trained in different areas and ready to offer tips and examples whenever it is required. You have to pay for their help, but they should NOT write your entire paper for you — that is cheating!

As the old saying goes: There is more than one way to skin a cat. Of course, you won’t actually need to skin any cats in the medical field, but the old wisdom still applies. As you consider your future after high school, you need to be aware that there is more than one road that leads to your destination. In this article, we will take a brief look at four of those paths that lead to careers in the medical field.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

For those who want to go into nursing, this is almost a requirement. You can choose to get an associate degree in nursing, but students with a BSN are usually going to be preferred. Johns-Hopkins and Duke University are known for their excellent BSN programs, but there are many potential options. The only downside is that you can expect to spend four years in school and this education will not be cheap. Your student loan debt will be significantly greater with a BSN, so you’ll need to get a job lined up as soon as possible after graduation. The most important qualities for a BSN student are critical thinking, professional conduct, and communication skills.

Associate Degree in Medical Assisting

An associate degree in medical assisting prepares students for careers in places such as hospitals, surgical centers, clinics, and medical offices. As you might guess from the name, this degree will prepare you to be an assistant to some other medical professional. This might sound kind of lame but bare in mind that you can always obtain additional certification at a later date. This degree gives you an excellent way to earn a living in the meantime. This degree takes only 1-2 years to obtain, so it’s a good option for those who are in a hurry to get out in the field and gain experience. You can get these kinds of degrees online with relative ease, but it’s probably not a good idea. In terms of education costs versus earning potential, this is a very good choice.

Healthcare IT Professional

If you want to get into the medical field, but don’t want to deal with blood, pus, and other such unpleasant things, you might consider a career in healthcare information technology. Hospitals are required by both law and common practice to keep records of virtually everything. This practice is unlikely to change anytime soon, which means that there will always be a significant demand for this kind of work. Educational requirements for this field are much less stringent than other medical professions. An associate degree in any IT-related field (medical or otherwise) should be sufficient. However, those who are considering this career should take at least a few medical courses to make themselves a more appealing hire.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Becoming an EMT is a much more hardcore option than the others, but it has several advantages. First of all, EMTs don’t have to worry about long-term care, making the job a little easier. As an EMT, your job would focus on rapid and efficient stabilization treatment. However, you also have to be able to handle the trauma and stress that naturally come with an emergency. Not everyone can handle this kind of thing, which creates more opportunities for those who can. You will only need about two years of school, and the pay is moderately good.

The above is only a small sampling of the many jobs that make up the medical field. Before setting your mind on any one profession, it pays to do your research and make sure that you have chosen the place where you will do your best work. We hope that this article has inspired you to do exactly that, and we wish you success in whatever career you choose.

If you’re graduating high school in the next year or so and are continuing your education, you’ll want to develop some good habits now before you start. Check out this article with some great habits you can start now to prepare!

Are you just about to graduate high school and panicking about what you’re going to study? Are you a person who loves science and solving problems? There are so many career paths to pursue—it’s no wonder you’re still undecided. But luckily for you, there are quite a few career fields that use science and problem solving all the time. Here are just three of these career fields you should consider:

Public Health

Public health is an excellent field to be in if you like to study science and solve problems. Jobs like occupational therapy, nursing, working for the health department, and working for water treatment facilities all fall under the public health category. If you choose this career path, you will need to study sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and even human anatomy. These are all important areas of study because careers in public health all deal with the safety of people, animals, and the earth.

To get an entry-level job in public health, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree in an area such as public health, environmental science, biology, or engineering. You will find that each of these degrees requires a lot of science and some math in order for you to graduate. However, if you really want to move up in this field, you should consider going to graduate school to get a master’s degree in public health (MPH) or, if you really want to move up, your DPH (Doctor of Public Health) or PhD degree.

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is a job that is easily forgotten in a world with so many cars and roads. Oftentimes, we forget why a road curves the way it does or why a stoplight is placed where it is. Civil engineers are responsible for designing roads, bridges, railways, parking lots and more so that transportation can run smoothly every day. According to NJIT, some civil engineers apply their knowledge of science and technology to fix and improve many facets of transportation, such as dangerous intersections or unsafe bridges. Knowledge of various sciences (such as physics and physical science) and types of math (such as geometry and calculus) are all useful in these situations.

There are lots of specialty areas you can focus on in civil engineering, such as environmental engineering, architectural engineering, and engineering project management. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering can get you general civil engineer training and some education in these specialty areas, but getting a master’s degree in civil engineering (MSCE) will help you to focus more directly on them and allow you to move up into more management positions (such as being an engineering manager).

Marine Biology

Marine Biology is a very fascinating field to study. According to EnvironmentalScience.org, the job of a marine biologist is to study the ocean and its inhabitants to make sure that everything is working together. They are responsible for researching and discovering new species of plants and animals as well as coming up with solutions to problems like species extinction. Making new discoveries is just one of the experiences you will have working in this field. If you love the ocean, animals, and science, then becoming a marine biologist may be what you are looking for.

To become a marine biologist, you don’t necessarily need to get a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. Some examples of good degrees that can help you get into marine biology are biology, zoology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can usually get you a decent job doing marine biology research, but if you want to pursue your own independent research, you should get a doctorate degree.

Science keeps the earth working and its inhabitants safe from potential harm. Whether you are figuring out a career path or simply love science, use this list as your guide. Find a specific area of study, then decide the career of your choice.

Still can’t decide what you want to study? Check out these other college major ideas.