Learning Disabilities – High School Classes Vs College Classes

High school students with learning disabilities often take for granted that school procedures remain pretty much the same once they transition to college. It is this misconception that often causes students academic upset. In order to succeed, students need to be prepared for the unique challenges college classes present.

For one, high school students are usually in school from about 8 AM to 3 PM and have major subjects every day. In college, you may have only two classes per day that range from one to three hours long. College classes usually meet on either Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday. In college, classes can be arranged with breaks in between. Students won’t have the same mental fatigue that comes from sitting in classes all day. They can use this time to review their notes from the previous lesson (an excellent study technique), begin their homework, or study.

In high school, students spend about 30 hours a week in class. In college, each credit represents one hour in class, and students usually attend classes 12 to 15 hours a week. For students with disabilities, a full-time load may be 6 to 9 creditshours, depending on what their documentation says they can reasonably handle.

High schools provide students with textbooks. In college, you must budget money for books; the cost can easily exceed $400 with 15 credits. Freshmen usually experience sticker shock on their first visit to the college bookstore. If possible, buy used textbooks, making sure they are the correct editions. Do not purchase books with highlighting or notes as they can be distracting. Also, check to see if a new book comes with a CD-ROM. If so, make sure the used book does, too.

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Earning a GED – High School Diploma Online

In today’s technology rich environment, it is easier than ever to earn a high school diploma or equivalent online. Although the GED test cannot be taken online, there are online high schools that offer a high school equivalency diploma entirely online.

Earning a diploma online is not easier than in a traditional classroom, but is certainly more convenient. Online schools such as John Adams Virtual School and Excel High School offer a high school equivalency diploma completely online. It is important to verify that the online high school you select, is registered with their State Department of Education andor accredited by a valid, US based accrediting agency. There are many bogus so called online schools to watch out for. Many of these fake schools are based in Pakistan and your diploma will mean nothing. Don’t waste your money on a fake diploma.

When earning a valid high school diploma online, you will find that as an online student, you must remain disciplined trough out the entire program. It is easy to blow off your studies when you have a good deal of latitude. It is best to set aside a specific time each day to work on your high school diploma; or online GED studies. This will help to keep you motivated and moving ahead toward your goal of achieving your online high school diploma or GED online.

Another suggestion for any online student is to ensure that your employer or college will accept an online high school diploma or equivalent. In today’s technology driven society, most colleges and employers will recognize your online high school diploma. Online education will be a big part of the education sector as a whole in the near future. Public school systems and State’s Department of Education are making substantial investments into repurposing their curriculum into an online format.

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