Question:
With all the current online and distance college learning options out there....Are any of you working on a degree while on the road? I mean OTR, not when you go home. I have been looking into this and it seems that if someone does it right, they could easily put some of their spare time into college work.
Just wunder'n.
[This message was edited by bigtimber on November 09, 2003 at 15:37.]

Answer:
specialize in abnormal psychology. Think of all the drivers you can analyze. Just kidding. Maybe.

Answer:
Unless you're sitting empty for the weekend somewhere, you most likely will NOT have time to do online courses.
Time at a shipper/receiver should be spent sleeping (if it's not a driver unload) or planning the next leg of your trip.
Think about it.
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Answer:
Well,
Seeing that I know drivers spend time playing arcade games, reading entire newspapers in truckstop restaurants, watching the boob-tube, reading, and doing pretty close to nothing with their free time.
I know it's not a LOT, but if driven legally, one can easily find 6 hours per week to study. Most distance ed courses are actually not online but via mail correspondence.

Answer:
According to some of the Happy Time Hoboes here, you could teach yourself to be a Gourmet Chef while waddling around the country in a big truck.
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Answer:
Your best bet is to pursue something like accounting that can be done from a distance.
Many courses require some sort of "lab work". ie: computer.
Are you sure what with running, attending to needs of the truck & driver and getting your sleep you will have time left for study?

Answer:
Here's what you do:
Instead of reading a book in your free time, read a sociology 101(or whatever) textbook, take notes, then take the proctored exam when you get home(1.5 hours max). Some courses don't even reguire a proctored final. It really is that simple. Just takes time but I know it CAN be done.
BTW-I already have almost 2 years of school under my belt- a couple courses distance ed. so I have an idea of what the workload is like.

Answer:
Online is who I have been using for my online courses. They are accredited. My carrier pays me back for about 40% of the cost. The time it takes is not a real problem. The reading assignments are the only problem I have. They try to fit 3 months of school in 5 weeks. It is very intense. You may have to read 5 chapters and write a paper on it in one night. You also have "team learning assignments" that have to be done. Some days may only take 30 mins of time. Other days may take 3-5 hours. In all you know what is needed a week at a time. If you pace your self and don't procrasinate you will have no problem. You also have to be able to get online at least 5 times a week. You have to post and have forums like here to discuse. That is how they messure attendance. The home work is also cut and pasted for all the other class mates to see and comment on. The classes are basically just like traditional collage only the class room is a message board.
I have had some close calls getting laid over in Canada were my wireless card dosn't work for 3 days, or running back and forth in Canada. This kinda sux. Hard to post for attendance when you can't get online.
The cost for these classes are kinda hight, but they are very conveinent. I pay around $1400. for 3 credit hours. My carrier pays me back 40%. The gov kicks in about 10%. I eat the rest and claim what I can on my taxes. Stanford loans are available and the school helps set every thing up.
Over all it is great. The time I used to use playing the games and watching the TV is now utilized in a much more productive way. Getting my first class set up and getting used to the operatins was a head ache. Now I am addicted. I think as long as I can afford the classes I will keep taking them. Kinda like trucking, It gets in your blood.
Also, you can test out of some subjects. This saves a ton of cash. The masters program utilizes your local state collage for tests that have to be administered by a on looker or timed.
Give it a try. You have nothing to lose. You may even learn something.202 N Main Street
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