8 Steps to Continuing Education Success
Additional Education Cannot be Accomplished Through Wishful Thinking
Sep 15, 2008
Planning for continuing education requires desire for self improvement and the will to make it happen. The desire for self improvement comes from inside, an internal drive or spirit for personal growth. This desire may come from the result of being passed over for advancement or the need to seek another career. Whatever drives the desire, wishful thinking will not create success.
The key to success in continuing education is not derived from any one specific factor. Success is derived from many factors and these factors are indispensable for achieving continuing education goals. Success is based on creating a written plan, taking action, and perseverance.
Continuing Education Steps
The eight steps to achieve continuing education goals are:
Decide Specifically What Education Goal is to be Accomplished
- Completing specific professional development courses
- Completing a certificate program; earn a bachelors or graduate degree
- Desire to improve chance of advancement
- Changing career
Write Down the Ultimate Education Goal
- Writing down goal moves it from the brain to something that can be held and visualized
- The act of writing down the goal provides direction
- A written goal provides guidance for research on how to accomplish the education goal
Set a Completion Date for Education Goal
- A completion date sets a deadline for achieving the goal
- Deadlines create the inner need not to fail
- Deadlines help motivate completion
- Establish intermediate deadlines for incremental completion of a large goal, such as a bachelor’s degree
Make a List All Required Actions to Achieve Goal
- First make a list of large incremental steps for achieving the goal
- Then make a list all requirements necessary
- Organize and prioritize the list
- This list is used to check off steps and show progress in achieving educational goal
Now Start Down the Road to Education Goal Achievement
- Enroll in a program, which research indicates meets education goal
- Make all the necessary arrangements for completing the course; such as a dedicated study room, dedicated study time, let friends know times not available, etc.
- Arrange financial obligations; such as employer assistance, financial aid through school, education loan, etc.
Constant Action is Required
- At the beginning constant action is required, until a routine is established
- Those who do not stay on top of requirements fail early
- Continual action keeps the momentum going towards success
- Continual action can be as little as reading a few pages, brain storming ideas, working on a project, writing a partial paper, researching for an assignment, etc.
- Poor grades typically are derived from last minute work
- Poor grades lead a person down the path of giving up
- Good grades are derived from continual action
Fine Tune Education Goal as You Go
- Few plans occur as written and must be fine tuned as new information is known
- Stay on top of requirements and updated information in current career field or new career field
- Ultimate success occurs from written goals which have been fine tuned to meet goal
Never Give Up
- Too many people have given up when the end is in sight or at the beginning
- To be successful in achieving education goal, doggedness is key
Visit Adult Education Benefits – It’s Never Too Late, Planning for Continuing Education, and 10 Tips for Adults Who are Going Back to School for additional information which will guide the way to continuing education success.
If these eight steps to educational success are followed, the chances of achieving desired self improvement goal is increased dramatically. These steps move an educational goal beyond the wishful thinking stage to achieving personal growth.
 |
