JANUARY 20, 2022 – Enlisting in the military is a life-changing decision. While you may be entitled to plenty of benefits, joining the military can limit your life; or so you thought. You see, people who join the army aren’t kept from enjoying their life. If you want to go to college while doing your duty, there’s nothing stopping you, especially since everything is online these days. Here’s how you can earn your degree online while in the military.
Look for Exclusive Scholarships and Programs
Applying for college is a bit different for people in the military. While the process is almost the same, there are different programs to choose from. Once you’ve figured out what you want to major in, you must then determine how you’re going to finance your education. There are various ways to go about this. In the military, you can always visit the education service within your designated branch. The counselors there can help guide you step-by-step and give you advice on the best way to move forward. A fantastic option to finance your new college education is to acquire a scholarship.
Scholarships are a program people can apply for to have a no-strings attached college education. These programs are often misconstrued to be for those who were exemplary students with the perfect grades. However, this isn’t entirely true. All having the best grades does is make you more eligible for being accepted. All you really need to apply for a scholarship is a 3.0 GPA or higher. For those in the military, there are various programs to look into such as the American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship Program. If you’re still in high school, the Air Force ROTC scholarship is a good choice. You can also find scholarships online that offer lower tuition rates by using a search and application platform.
Prioritize Your Time
Time is strict in the military, so following time management tips for military students will come in handy. You need to set aside enough time to study and complete your coursework. It should go without saying that procrastination isn’t a good idea. Slacking off can waste hours of valuable time you can spend working through your education. The same goes for when you perform your routine military duties. A great way to manage your time is to delegate your tasks with a schedule. Also, use whatever free time you have to study and understand the material better.
Think About Your Current Skills
You can identify disciplines in your current skills support. For example, if you are already in engineering, you may decide to pursue a degree in that. Someone working as an Army medic may decide to earn their bachelor’s in nursing or a healthcare degree. Once discharged, you can then pursue a career in that chosen field. Remember that on the flip side, you don’t have to feel limited by your current skill set or knowledge. College allows you to change gears and plan ahead for major life changes, including your discharge and entering an entirely new field.