How to Earn College Credit like a Homeschooler

In a recent article I wrote on thinking like a homeschooler, I address how homeschoolers should take full responsibility for the child's education and be proactive in teaching a child what they did not grasp in school. Thinking like a homeschooler is much more involved than this and in this article, I would like to discuss how to earn college credit like a homeschooler.

Public and Private School students have two options for gaining college credit. They can go to college, or they can earn AP Credits through special college classes to get a head start on college. Getting that head start on college is very important because it saves a great deal of time and money by allowing a student to get college credit without paying college prices.

In addition to AP classes, high school students can take advantage of other methods that homeschoolers used to gain college credit without the college expense. They can test through courses using CLEP and DSST programs. Students need to realize that just because they go to a traditional school that they can still use nontraditional methods to get ahead in school. In addition, if you add CLEP and DSST exam credits to your AP and credits, you may very well enter college as a Sophomore or Junior instead of as a Freshman.

CLEP and DSST exams are programs that allow students to independantly study for and pass college level courses. Each program has numerous classes a student can take. Each program is accepted and numerous colleges. Before attempting to take any of these college level exams, a student should consider their endpoint college and find out if these colleges accept CLEP and DSST credits.

The best approach for taking these exams is to peruse the available exams, and find either a subject you already feel knowledgeable about because you are either passionate about the subject, or because you have recently studied it. This way you will only need to purchase a study guide to refresh your memory of things that may be on the test. Once you have exhausted tests in all areas in which you are already familiar, choose tests based on what you think you can learn on your own without the help of a teacher.

Another thing that public school students should know is that if you fail to pass the AP exam administered by the school, that you can take a CLEP or DSST in the same subject matter and pass it after a few more hours of concentrated study. This is a great way to recoup credits you may have otherwise lost.

These methods can be utilized any time of the year, if regular school sessions do not provide any free time to study. CLEP and DSST exams can be studied for an taken during school breaks and over the summer. Having these credentials on your college application in addition to what you did in school will show that you have the initiative and drive to work independently. This will make you an excellent asset to any college.