| mber of the Armed Forces, you've served your | | | | you enroll in college, remember to lean on your team. |
| country and proven yourself many times over. | | | | Your commander and your comrades want to see |
| Already, you know a personal and professional | | | | you succeed, as does your family. Choose a |
| satisfaction few find in life. | | | | university with special support for service men and |
| But now it's time for a new challenge. To advance | | | | women, and you'll find your professors and the |
| your military career or earn your ticket to a civilian | | | | administration will go to great lengths to help you. |
| career, you need to enroll in college. Whether you | | | | Communicate with the people in your life. Let them |
| enter an associate's, bachelor's, or a master's | | | | know about assignments, deadlines, and conflicts. As |
| program, learning to excel as both a service member | | | | often as they can, they'll come to your aid, helping |
| and a student will take some practice. | | | | you achieve your goals. Just as you would for them. |
| You're up to the task. And below you'll find four tips | | | | 3. Leverage Online Resources |
| to help you balance school and military life. | | | | At a moment's notice, you could find yourself |
| 1. Choose the Right Program for You | | | | transferred to a new base or deployed overseas. |
| Where will you find the time and energy for school? | | | | When the call of duty takes you away from campus, |
| With all the responsibility you already carry, how can | | | | how can a service member hope to finish any degree |
| you approach your academic life with the same | | | | program? |
| standard of excellence with which you approach your | | | | Choosing a college with a robust online course catalog |
| professional life? | | | | is simply a must for military personnel seeking higher |
| Here's the secret: when you study a subject that | | | | education. So long as you have access to a computer |
| excites your mind, your schoolwork will give you | | | | and an Internet connection, you can stay connected |
| energy, not exhaust you. | | | | to your educational goals through online study |
| During your career, you've learned that, when you | | | | programs. Be sure you select a university where you |
| love your work, performing with excellence is easier. | | | | can pair on-campus instruction with online |
| When you're invested in what you're doing, pushing | | | | coursework, or even pursue a degree entirely online. |
| yourself to work harder and achieve more isn't a | | | | 4. Set Realistic Goals |
| burden — it's invigorating. The same can be | | | | Normally, you might consider a bachelor's degree a |
| said of school. If you're learning about a subject that | | | | four-year program, or a master's degree a two-year |
| intrigues you, spending your free time in the books | | | | program. If life should align to let you focus on |
| can be a joy, not a chore. | | | | nothing but school, these traditional timeframes make |
| So when considering your degree options, along with | | | | sense. But for those in uniform, setting yourself up |
| questions of career development and earning power, | | | | for success means setting goals that accommodate |
| ask yourself: "Which course of study truly matches | | | | your obligations to the service and at home. |
| my interests and aptitude?" At a military friendly | | | | Work with a college counselor who understands |
| school like Regent, with staff personnel devoted to | | | | military life and who's helped other service personnel |
| serving military students, you will learn how best to | | | | pursue college coursework. The right university will |
| translate your military skills into a private sector | | | | teach your chosen subject matter as well as how to |
| career. | | | | honor your commitments while bettering yourself. |
| 2. Make It a Team Effort | | | | Today, it's easier than ever for military personnel to |
| Every soldier, sailor, airman, marine, and guardsman | | | | pursue degrees while serving our country. Using the |
| fights first for the person standing next to them. Unit | | | | same discipline, strategic thinking, and integrity learned |
| cohesion — the respect and confidence | | | | in the service, men and women in uniform can find |
| service people hold for the women and men with | | | | career development through higher education a |
| whom they work — is one of our military's | | | | rewarding and sensible mission. |
| most powerful weapons. So just as in the field, when | | | | |