The Final Frontier

I’m trying something different, something new, and so far interesting.

In other words, I’m boldly going where few men have gone before.

That is to say, I am pursuing a college degree using the Accelerated Distance Learning method. I will get my BA in English from an accredited college, but much faster than the usual traditional four-year method. The basic plan/outline for this idea is outlined in Brad Voeller’s book, “Accelerated Distance Learning.”

You see, I spent last year at a traditional four-year private institution with a Core curriculum and garnered 34 credits in the space of two semesters. A last minute decision transferred me to PennState University for this year, and at the end of the semester (which is coming up fast… which probably means I should finish studying at some point) I shall have added 18 more credits to my current 34 for a total of 52. At the end of my Spring Semester, I should have a total of 68 credits. This leaves me with 52 more credits in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts.

I have arranged it so that I will, between now and next June, acquire 39-42 credits via CLEP and/or DANTES tests, leaving me with 12-15 credits in English to finish for my major. I am still currently working on this part (as in, which ideas I shall actually carry through for this), but may do a combination of distance courses, online courses, portfolio assessments and independent study.

All that to say, is that by June of 2008, I should be just be 19 and two months, and have a Bachelor of the Arts in English from an accredited institution.

I am very excited about two (very) different English courses I will be taking next semester: Business Writing and Fiction Writing. I shall have an easier time with Fiction, but I know that Business shall be very useful.

My plans for after I graduate include getting certified in EFL/ESL. I am considering spending some time teaching English in Japan. And who knows… maybe I’ll figure out a way of getting a Masters in English or Literature at some point via distance even.

Now that I’ve bored you all considerably, I encourage you to take a look at Mr. Voeller’s book. If you’re tired of the traditional way of college, looking for something new and different, or are on a tight schedule, it’s a very interesting idea, as well as being easily tailored to individual learning styles.

And on the side, vote for Stephen Colbert for President in 2008.

Also, an unfortunate note is that I have lost my essay on foreign policy due to a hard drive death on the part of my poor laptop. As such, I shall not have anything on that matter any time soon, as I must re-write it first. However, I should either have a small piece on the exploitation of the human body as seen in New Line Cinema’s “Beowulf” or a piece on getting tough on crime. One will be here, and look for the other one in Civilized Revolt.