Going to college remains a priority for lots of students looking to boost their careers and expand their minds. But let’s face it, college can be expensive and time-consuming. That’s why understanding how college credits work—and how they can save your student both time and money—is important.
Speeding Up and Enhancing Degrees
College credits are like the building blocks of your student’s education. They measure the work your student does in college, but they are also the ticket to getting through school faster. Imagine this: your student takes Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school and ace the exams. Boom! They’ve just earned college credits that can count towards their degree before they even set foot on campus.
But it’s not just AP courses. There are also College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams and online courses that can earn a student credits. These options are perfect if your student already knows a lot about a subject or wants to learn independently.
Being able to bypass a 101 class can either cut down on the total time it’ll take to earn their degree or free up their schedule to explore other options like double majoring, adding a minor (or two), pursuing an internship, or studying abroad. Entering the first year of college with some flexibility in your student’s schedule sets them up for success because it gives them options.
Saving Some Serious Cash
Let’s talk money. College isn’t cheap, and every credit your student earns outside of traditional classes can save you a bundle. By starting college with credits from AP or CLEP exams, your student is potentially cutting down the overall cost of their education. That’s money saved on tuition, textbooks, and even room and board if they finish their degree sooner. Through use of my AP credits, I was able to complete my 4-year degree in just 3 years, saving me thousands of dollars. That extra year in the workforce also meant I was earning money and building the foundation for my career sooner than my classmates.
Better Grades and Engagement
If your student is planning to pursue a demanding major, knows they’ll have a particularly challenging class or semester coming up, or suspects they may struggle with the transition to college, AP or CLEP credits can allow them to have a lighter courseload one semester—extra time for studying or tutoring that can mean the difference between starting off college with a strong GPA or having to work twice as hard later to rebuild their GPA.
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Entering college with credits also means your student may be able to skip some of the introductory classes in college and dive straight into the stuff they’re really interested in. For students who struggle to engage with school, or have been bored by their high school classes, starting off college with classes that spark their interest can be an enormous advantage because it can positively impact the way they view their entire college education. Keeping the joy of learning alive, or truly sparking it for the first time, is a vital part of your student’s college education.
My academic honors status gave me more flexibility in my electives than traditional students, which also contributed to my early graduation by letting me take the classes I wanted over classes I needed to fill an elective credit.
Customizing the College Experience
What’s cool about college credits is how flexible they can be. Students can earn them in high school, online, or through other ways, and then transfer them to the college or university they want to attend. This flexibility lets your student design their own educational path.
Say your student is into both computer science and business. They could take AP courses in computer science in high school, get those credits, and then use them towards a business degree in college. It’s like customizing their education to fit exactly what they want to learn and do in their career.
Similarly, if your student is working, plans to study abroad, or has other commitments like sports, internships, or demanding extracurriculars, already having college credits in the bank at the start of their college experience enables students with the power to shape their education around their life, not the other way around.
Tips for Smart Credit Accumulation
Now, earning college credits is awesome, but it’s also smart to have a plan. Check out the transfer policies of the colleges your student is interested in to make sure they accept the credits your student want to earn. It’s also a good idea for your student to talk to advisors or counselors who can help them map out the best way to earn and use their credits efficiently.
By being strategic about their credits, your student can avoid taking unnecessary classes and make sure that every credit counts towards their degree.
Wrapping It Up
College credits are more than just numbers on a transcript—they are your student’s secret weapon for saving time and money while providing them the flexibility to pursue additional opportunities or ensure they have the time to ace their classes. Whether your student is earning credits through AP courses, CLEP exams, or online classes, pre-emptively accumulating college credits will help your student fast-track their degree and customize their education.
In a world where every advantage counts, understanding and using college credits wisely can set your student apart. Therefore, make sure your student seizes the opportunity to accelerate their education, cut down on costs, and pave the way for a brighter future. After all, it’s not just about getting a degree; it’s about making the most of their journey towards it.