What's the one thing you're most likely to regret in life?

If you could guess, you may think it would be the past relationships you had, opportunities you missed, or friends that you lost touch with over the years. 

While all of these are good guesses, the real answer may surprise you. According to the University of Illinois's Champaign study, the one thing people are most likely to regret is not pursuing their education. 

Why education instead of family life, friends, or career choices? We regret not pursuing our education more than anything else because of the Opportunity Principle. Areas in our lives where we have the most opportunity to make changes create the most regret when we don't make those changes. 

To put it simply, we regret our education the most because it is something that we can 'fix' at any time. You may not be able to raise your kids again or reconnect with a childhood friend, but you can always go back to school. 

The reality of this can bring a double whammy: you can regret not having gone to college when you were younger, and you can also regret not going back to school right now.

But right now may not be so simple for you, especially if you started a family, signed up for a mortgage, and have a regular 9 -5. As a result, finding time to pursue your degree may be challenging. 

And if you are an LPN or other medical professional thinking about becoming an RN, completing your degree may seem like a far-off dream --- but it doesn't have to be. 

What's preventing you from finishing your degree? We'll explore five common myths around getting your degree, plus give you solutions on how you can solve them. 

Common Myths About Finishing Your Degree 

Myth 1: My college credits are too old. 

Maybe you went to college before, and it may have been a while since you were last in a classroom. So the credits you earned must have expired by now, right? Not necessarily. 

You may be able to get college credits for courses you've completed previously. Additionally, your years of healthcare experience and other relevant experience may count toward your RN or BSN. The surest way to find out is by checking with the admissions office at your college.

Additionally, you also have the option of testing out of subjects through a process called Credit-by-Exam. Credit-by-Exam tests like CLEP, DSST, and UExcel exams test your proficiency in specific knowledge areas. So instead of taking a 16-week traditional college course, with Credit-by-Exam, and the prep sessions offered by Achieve Test Prep, you can test out in as little as four weeks! 

Want to learn more about Credit-by-Exam? Contact us here.

Myth 2: It's too late. 

It's never too late to finish your degree. And if you decide to start your degree later in life, you'll be in good company. A whopping 40% of modern-day college students are adult learners, that is, adults who are currently pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree. Moreover, many of them are working professionals, just like you. 

And getting your degree has its benefits. For example, going from an LPN to an RN can practically guarantee a raise in salary. An LPN makes an average of $39,030 yearly, while an RN makes$75,330 a year! 

And a degree can help with job security as well. Studies show that the more education you have, the more likely you will be and stay employed. Consider, for example, that the unemployment rate for those with bachelor's degrees in 2017 was 2.2%, compared to 4.1% for people with only a high school diploma.

Myth 3: It's too expensive. 

Getting your degree can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be! There are many ways to fund your nursing degree; it's just a matter of finding one that fits your goals and budget. You may be eligible for scholarships, grants, federal student aid, loans, and more. The only way to find out is to check with your college's financial aid office. The enrollment and financial aid officers at your chosen accredited college or university will be able to walk you through the process. 

Once you've covered those options with your college, another thing you can consider is Credit-by-Exam. Credit-by-Exam may help you save money on the cost of school because you test out of a course instead of sitting for it. Thus, you save the cost of what you would have spent on a college course and instead pay for your exam and Achieve Test Prep courses. 

See how Achieve and Credit-by-Exam can fast-track your RN. Find out more here.

Myth 4: I feel like I failed. 

Maybe you tried to finish your degree before but failed. Like anything else in life, your degree path may have starts and stops. The only thing that matters is that you keep momentum and don't give up. If you started your degree when you were younger but did not finish, coming back at an older age may give you an advantage. You have more knowledge, wisdom, and experience to go the distance. You've also learned a lot from your experience, like what's helpful for you and what's not and the kind of support you need to succeed. Plus, with test-out options like Credit-by-Exam and prep like what you'll receive at Achieve, you can complete your degree requirements up to 1.5 years faster. 

So, what's stopping you? Forget regret. Now is your time. Earn your RN or BSN and get ready to advance your career. Achieve Test Prep can help.

Prep for Credit-by-Exam with Achieve Test Prep

Achieve Test Prep is a college bridge company that allows you to test out of your nursing prerequisites and earn college credits so that you can earn your RN degree faster.  

Here are some benefits of the Achieve Test Prep model: 

• No waiting list and courses can start as soon as a week
• Live virtual instruction in a collaborative environment
• Once a week courses that fit your schedule 
• No quizzes, term papers, or busywork 
• A 94% customer success rate 

Are you ready to get started? Then, contact one of our dedicated advisors today!