What are your options?

An education is like a vehicle that can help take you down the road to success. As a veteran, you’re already well-equipped with valuable skill sets from your service. Great time management, attention to detail, and self-motivation are all wonderful assets when considering the next step, especially if that includes online education. You can channel them into a degree that will help launch you back into civilian life.

Should one go back to school and get a bachelor’s or master’s degree? It’s a big decision. When I returned from Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2002, I chose to tap my Post-9/11 educational benefits and return to college. Looking back, I know I made the right choice for my situation. In fact, I hold a doctorate in my field today, and it has opened more doors for me than I ever knew existed.

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Change up your schedule every other week to keep things interesting and fresh for class. While it’s up to your instructor to keep the content and assignments new and engaging, it’s your responsibility to manage your work and interest.

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School is a big time commitment, and the advice you’ll get is similar to what you’ll hear as a first time parent. Things like, “your priorities will change” and “it’s not just about you anymore, it’s a big commitment!” You may nod and smile in response, but don’t let others deter you from pursuing your dreams. If getting a degree online is in your plans to further your working knowledge, and to satisfy your curiousity then go for it! Just make sure to educate yourself on what you’ll expect before you enroll online.

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Give yourself an advantage with an arsenal of online tools for class. The extra assistance, and web tools will make the transition easier.

Here are some great tools and sites to add to your kit:

1. Time Tracker
   A to-do-list with a clock. This tool lets you know when you’re spending all of your time on one item, and alerts you to re-allocate time wasted to other efforts.
2. Co-mapping
   Online mind mapping software to manage and share information. You can use it to take notes, plan and organize. It’s a way to have one set of notes, and one set of files.
3. Notely
   For students looking to improve their grades with better organization, this is a great tool to utilize. Perfect for arranging your schedule, calendar, note-taking (if you need it), and homework planning.
4. Dropbox
   This is a virtual file storage unit. Just like google docs, it’s free to use, but this tool is great because you can access it from anywhere; your mobile phone, smartphone, laptop, desk top, any computer away from your home. It makes your documents mobile because they’re stored in a private area on the internet.
5. Zotero
   An add-on that helps a student keep track of all their sources while writing a research paper. It will help prepare a bibliographyfor Open Office or MS Word. It’s a Firefox extension.

Stay grounded in school, and carry an abundance of information and resources with you. If you know your options, you’ll be better equipped to handle the difficult assignments, time management issues, and term papers that come your way.

By J. Mason