1. Internships 

While many internships are tied to college credits and require school enrollment, other internships are independent. Either way, students who opt for an internship earn the opportunity to learn on the job directly from experienced professionals. Not only can internships prepare students for a career; they can also teach them valuable lessons that can enhance their overall education -- and their resume!

2. Service Learning

The same way an internship can give students real life experience with their desired career, service learning can give students real life experience in problem solving. In addition, while these students are earning expertise in a particular field, they are also assisting in strengthening a community and giving back to those in need.

3. Free Online Courses

A growing trend among universities has resulted in free classes posted online. Some of these are called Massive Open Online Courses (or MOOCs) and online organizations, like OpenCulture.com have collected many of these courses in one place, allowing students to find everything they might need in a single online location.

4. TED Talks

TED is a nonprofit dedicated to discussing and sharing ideas with the world. These events have been going on since 1984, and many subjects have been covered. Now a wide array of the videos are available to everyone through the main website. Students can independently use these videos as a study aid where needed.

5. Mobile Learning

While this term can apply to a wide variety of independent learning tools, mobile options can provide on-the-spot problem solving or training methods that students can take with them wherever they go. This could apply to learning apps, books, podcasts etc. This visual offers an in-depth view at the state of mobile learning today.

Have you used any of these methods for learning outside of the classroom? Tell us in the comments!

To support those students in the military, several resources are available. In fact, some of those resources are easier to find than you might think. If you're plugged into social media, especially Twitter, you can benefit from following these Twitter handles that provide great information to military students. Here are just a few of the top handles to help you navigate the world of higher education as a military personnel and/or veteran:

@MilitaryDotCom

Military.com is the online home of the largest military and veteran membership organization in the country. The education section provides news and updates while making the information students need accessible and easy-to-understand. And the same can be said about their 140 character updates on Twitter. Follow them to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in military tuition assistance and education benefits.

@studentvets

Focused on providing resources, support, and advocacy, this is the Twitter handle for Student Veterans of America, an organization on a mission to help student veterans succeed in their higher education goals. The Tweets are meant to communicate opportunities and information that student veterans can use on their educational journeys and on their further quest to find meaningful employment.

@DeptVetAffairs

The official Twitter account of the Department of Veteran Affairs delivers information and resources to all military veterans. Tweets actually come directly from an Iraq veteran named Alex Horton, who has a direct line to the department and understands what veterans need to succeed. While the Tweets cover a variety of veteran-specific topics, education is regularly discussed and if you have any questions, they are welcome.

@AmericanLegion

Describing itself as the largest wartime veterans organization, the American Legion is dedicated to strengthening the veteran community and the nation at large. The legion supports education by providing scholarship opportunities to veterans and their families. Their Twitter handle is an extension of the services they deliver and a way for them to communicate opportunities for their members and all veterans and military personnel.

Find a full list of helpful tweets on our Military Resources list. What military or education-focused accounts do you follow on Twitter?

1. Early in March, both the Army and Marine Corps suspended their Tuition Assistance (TA) programs, preventing active-duty military personnel within these organizations from submitting new requests for assistance. The Air Force then followed suit, suspending their own program. The Navy considered the suspension, but never acted on it.

2. Only two weeks later, Congress voted to force military institutions to provide tuition assistance to all active-duty personnel, saving the program for those serving in the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps. The reinstatement of Tuition Assistance for active personnel is a sign of the military's commitment to education and improving cognitive abilities among their ranks.

3. While both houses of Congress ruled to reinstate Tuition Assistance across the board, no funds have been set aside to support the move, so the three military organizations that originally suspended assistance will have to find ways to implement sequestration budget cuts without touching Tuition Assistance.

During this time, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), an organization dedicated to supporting military and veteran education, never stopped funding DSST exams as an alternative to earn college credit. Our program remained an option for brave servicemen and women looking to cost and time efficiently receive a college degree.

Students in the military, as well as their spouses, have the option to earn credit in up to 38 subjects through the DSST credit by exam program. And because this college credit opportunity is conveniently located at more than 500 military installations across the country, thousands of military personnel have already experienced the power of DSST tests. Over 1,900 higher-education institutions grant college credit to those who take and pass the exams, helping to propel those who fight for our country toward their education and career goals.

A lot happened during the third annual, week-long event. Below we share the three most important things covered that we think non-traditional students should know about:

1. Massive Open Online Courses (or MOOCs) are making universities rethink their strategy. While these classes don't yet provide college credit to attendees, they do allow anyone access to education on a variety of topics taught by some of the top professors around the country. On top of everything else, the classes are free, and a great way to prepare for a DSST exam! Suffice it to say that these online courses are challenging the traditional on-campus education model, and forcing higher education organizations to make some changes.

2. Digital devices are allowing students to access learning from afar. Since more online classes are available now than ever before, one of the changes universities may need to make is providing students with access to these devices -- even those working remotely. One school of thought suggests that those students who cannot attend class would benefit from the use of digital devices, like iPads, which they could use to tap into classes and courses taught at universities. In addition, having access to these devices would allow them to personalize their education and connect with other online learning tools as well.

3. Start-up education technology companies are changing the face of the classroom. Twelve of these startups were recognized as finalists in the conference's LAUNCHedu, a platform meant to provide education thought leaders and entrepreneurs with a place to share their ideas. A few of this year's finalists will directly help students improve their own education possibilities. The winner, SpeekingPal, makes learning English speaking skills easier, while finalist scrible provides students the ability to easily build bibliographies and make note of websites they've come across through research.

How would you like to see technology put to work in the classroom? Do you think that “edtech” is a good thing for non-traditional students? Tell us in the comments below.

1.) Visual Learners, who best understand information by seeing it. They respond well to pictures, charts, graphs, etc.


2.) Auditory Learners, who best understand information when they hear it. These students rely on their own voice and the voice of others to remember details. 


3.) Kinesthetic Learners, who learn by doing. These learners generally do not like lecture or discussion classes, but prefer demonstrations and real-life applications.

You probably already have an idea of which learning style mostly closely matches yours, but the short quiz below (adapted from the About.com Homework/Study Tips Learning Style Quiz) will help to confirm your expectation:

1. When I study I like to:
(a.) Explain the information to someone else 
(b.) Use a chanting rhythm to memorize
(c.) Use a highlighter to emphasize points

2. I like to study:
(a.) With one other person using role-playing games
(b.) In a group so I can listen to others  
(c.) Alone in a quiet place

3. I like to learn using:
(a.) Labs and demonstrations
(b.) Rhymes and chants that I make up
(c.) Photographs and diagrams

4. When I study for a test I like to:
(a.) Make an outline
(b.) Read out loud
(c.) Trace pictures, diagrams, and charts with my finger

If you answered mostly As, your learning style is kinesthetic; mostly Bs and your learning style is auditory; mostly Cs and you fall into the visual learner category.

Now what? Fortunately, today’s technology provides a variety of useful tools for each style, so students can study and retain information better no matter how they learn. Below we share some of our favorites.

For Visual Learners:
1. MindMesiter, a mind-mapping tool to help students visualize what they're learning.
2. Visuwords, a graphically based dictionary that helps connect concepts and words to encourage retention.

For Auditory Learners:
1. NaturalReader, a text-to-speech software that can read web pages and other text out loud.
2. PodcastDirectory, a website where students can search for free podcasts by subject.

For Kinesthetic Learners:
1. Google SketchUp, a free drawing software from Google that allows kinesthetic users to create, modify, and share 3D models.
2. Quizlet, a tool specifically designed to help students get involved in the learning process by letting them create their own flashcards and quizzes.

How does knowing your learning style help you study better? Tell us in the comments!

AACRAO is the primary go-to organization in higher education, and DSST is proud to be presenting a session on meeting the needs of students while keeping up with the demands of today’s economy on Tuesday, April 16th from 3:45-4:45 p.m.  Please join us and learn how to bridge the prior learning assessment gap by offering and accepting DSST Credit by Examination.  If you are unable to join our session, please visit with us at booth 332 where we’ll be happy to answer any questions about the program you may have!

As a first-time exhibitor at AACC, DSST is excited to show how our program can help community colleges by assisting with student needs.  We are looking forward to seeing you there and answering any questions about the program you may have so be sure to stop by booth 422!

As sequestration impacts military tuition and federal loans for college students, please be sure to remind students to take full advantage of DSST to save time and money.  DANTES continues to fund DSST exams for eligible, active duty military personnel. 

In addition, at only $80 per exam, DSST is a great option for all students feeling the pinch.

AACRAO Exhibit Hall Hours:
Booth #: 332
Moscone Center West
San Francisco, California

Sunday, April 14 6:45pm – 8:00pm Opening Reception
Monday, April 15 9:00am – 1:30pm
     2:30pm – 4:30pm
Tuesday, April 16 9:00am – 12:00pm
     1:00pm – 3:00pm

AACC Exhibit Hall Hours:
Booth #: 422
Moscone Center West
San Francisco, California

Saturday, April 20 6:30pm – 8:00pm Exhibit Hall Grand Opening
Sunday, April 21 9:00am – 5:00pm
Monday, April 22 9:00am – 3:00pm

The DSST program is nationally recognized in subjects such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences and Humanities.  Prometric, through a network of more than 1,200 test centers in the U.S., delivered 39,000 exams to active duty military in 2012.
The DSST program is designed to help active duty military and civilian students reach educational and career goals faster and at less cost.  More than 1,900 institutions in the U.S. recognize DSST and award college credit toward a degree for students who successfully pass exams.

Among all DSST candidates, military and civilian, students using DSST to earn college credit save an average of $670 on tuition. Exams cost $80, compared to $750 on average in tuition per three-credit undergraduate class.  Time saved by taking a single DSST exam is 10 to 16 weeks, the length of class semesters.
The top nationally-recognized DSST exams delivered in 2012 include:

Principles of Supervision, Business
Principles of Public Speaking, Humanities
Here’s to Your Health, Physical Science
Introduction to Computing, Business
Ethics in America, Humanities

The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE Credit) has evaluated and recommended college credit for all 38 DSST exams.  ACE Credit connects workplace learning with colleges and universities for formal courses and examinations taken in the workplace or other settings outside traditional higher education.

Learn more.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) uses a variety of data to determine a student’s financial need so that the government can assist with paying your college tuition. Eligibility for loans, grants and scholarships for younger students is determined by their parents’ income. For students age 24 and older, however, eligibility is based on their own financial situation.

Even if you think you have enough money to cover your educational expenses, there are still two main reasons for non-traditional students to fill out the FAFSA:

1. It’s Not Just For Loans
While the FAFSA does determine how much a student can be awarded in loans, it also determines how much aid a student can get in grants and scholarships – a.k.a. free money. Plus, non-traditional students often receive additional funding that younger students are not entitled to in order to accommodate their expenses.

2. Financial Aid Awards Can Increase Over Time
Life changes that can impact your financial situation get taken into account each year that you file. Unexpected costly events, like getting divorced, sending a child to college, or getting fired can adjust aid awards to better cover your new expenses.

Have you filled out a FAFSA before? Tell us about it in the comments!

1. Look Out Your Window

"We do best mentally and physically when we're connected to nature," says Peter Kahn, Professor of Psychology. Simply looking out a window - or, better yet, stepping outside for a moment - can do wonders for your stress level.

2. Give Yourself Ten Minutes
Whether you spend it scrolling through your Facebook feed, reading, or simply sitting in silence, ten minutes of “me” time each day can really make a difference. If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of squeezing ten more minutes into your busy day, try waking up ten minutes earlier in the morning. It won’t have any major impact on your sleep, but it will affect your mental status for the day.

3. Clench & Release

According to Kenneth Pelletier, Ph.D., this quick exercise will “produce a wave of relief in your upper neck and arms all the way down to your fingers.” Simply grab hold of something - like a stress ball - and clench the muscles in your fingers, arms, shoulders, and back for about 45 seconds. When your muscles begin to tremble, release.

What are your best tips for de-stressing when being a non-traditional student feels overwhelming? Tell us in the comments below.

You already know that you can cut back on college expenses significantly by opting to earn a portion of your credits through DSST. But did you know that many technology brands also offer a way for students to save? Here’s a list of technology and software companies that offer discounts exclusively to college students:

Apple
Every year, Apple offers “Back to School” discounts for college students. In 2012, they even gave out $100 gift cards to students with the purchase of a qualifying Mac. Currently students can save up to $200 on a new MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. 

HP
Students who visit the HP Academy Student Discount Store have access to new, marked down products. These discounts can be combined with most instant and mail-in rebates, so students can save even more. Plus, students who purchase any PC for $599 or more can get a free Nook!

Sony
The Sony Education Store offers a wide variety of student discounts and lets students save up to 10% on their entire order at checkout.

Adobe
Adobe offers discounts on its most popular programs to all eligible students. Right now students can save up to 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud.

Norton
Students can save up to 50% on select Norton AntiVirus software for PC, Mac, & mobile devices. Programs start at just $19.99 per year.

What other student discounts have you taken advantage of? Share with us in the comments!