Are you, or someone in your family and friends, interested in pursuing a college degree, but not because of cost, time constraints, or a reluctance to spend more time in the classroom? If so, Libby Hancock’s new book “The Non-Traditional College Student” will prove beneficial.

Hancock, 23, is a Cleveland, Ohio-based author who completed a four-year BA in Communications in three years, graduated with a high GPA and honors; and spent less than $ 15,000 on the entire process.

Homeschooled, Hancock dispels common perceptions of attending classes in pajamas and a lack of socialization. Completed Ohio high school graduation requirements, passed the ACT with a good score; and earned a college degree. Her parents told her that she would need to fund her own advanced education.

Hancock used two unaccredited institutions to help her earn her degree, College Plus and Verity:

College Plus. This institution helps students discover or confirm their career path. His attributes include lesson planning, study resource recommendations, and an assigned coach (mentor). The entire program is Internet-based.

Truth. While similar to College Plus, Verity has its differences, including an emphasis on discipleship and spiritual growth. It also offers on-campus learning near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

The CLEP (College Level Examination Program), DSST (DANTES Standardized Subject Tests), and TECEP (Thomas Edison State University Examination Program) exams allowed Hancock to study on his own; and then take the corresponding tests. She describes the process of turning a successful test into college credit.

CLEP. It is currently a way of evaluating among the 33 college classes offered by the College Board (the same company that created and administers the famous ACT college readiness tests). All CLEP tests are done by computer and last 90 minutes.

DSST. The military originally designed this test for military personnel and it is now tailored to the general public as well. DSST is an acronym for DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (where DANTES stands for United States Department of Defense Non-traditional Education Support Program). It currently offers 37 courses.

TECEP. Your test is a combination of multiple-choice questions and essays. Hancock describes it as one of the most challenging ways to earn college credit because the website doesn’t offer a detailed breakdown of topics (as CLEP and DSST do).

“A key to getting good grades in school is figuring out your learning style and then sticking with it,” says Hancock.

Reading textbooks, taking notes, and testing can become a classic case of burnout. Hancock offers tips to help spread the monotony of the studio, including:

  • Plan the use of your time.
  • Organize your workspace to help organize your brain.
  • Mark your books. If you rent your textbooks, consider taking notes on your computer, print them out, and then color-code them for easy reference.

“Being motivated to stay focused on the task at hand and work hard and fast was not a skill I was born with,” says Hancock. He had to learn to set achievable goals. “Self-motivation takes work. It won’t” happen “just overnight.”

The American Council on Education (ACE) recognizes most free online courses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If the emergency response aligns with your career goals, Hancock outlines the process for converting your completed courses for college credit (fee-based).

ALEKS (Assessment and learning in knowledge spaces) focuses on math studies and is another method of earning college credit, which Hancock describes.

Hancock supports interning during college. She emphasizes the importance of recording all of your accomplishments and keeping records of the work you produce for your portfolio.

She herself received an unsolicited email invitation to do an eleven-week internship at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in the Office of Community and Media Relations.

Hancock enrolled at Thomas Edison State College (TESC) due to its flexible credit transfer policy. You took online classes and learned through online discussion forums, written assignments, and final essays or tests. TESC also awards credit for prior learning, shown by its Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), which features 84 classes in 31 different subjects. He graduated from the downtown campus of Trenton, NJ, in October 2011.

“The Non-Traditional College Student” is concise, informative, and inspiring read. Hancock teaches you how to get a college degree for less time and money. Even if you choose not to pursue your entire career in non-traditional ways, you will surely find tips to help you personalize your advanced learning.

Hancock recommends “How to Become a Gifted Student” by Cal Newport. Find out more about the book at: http://calnewport.com/books/howtobecome.html