How to go to college on your OWN TIME and OWN TERMS for FREE

[$5 submissions]

If you just want to learn college-level topics without the hassle of actually going to school, try open courseware. Many universities post their materials online so you can study on your own pace and on your own terms.

Of course, there's no diploma but the knowledge and info is the same as those offered to actual students.

http://oedb.org/library/features/top...rojects#socsci

[Fizzgig]

There's no substitute for having a live person around to answer your questions... yet.

[$5 submissions]

Originally Posted by Fizzgig

There's no substitute for having a live person around to answer your questions... yet.

True. Also, no substitute for live interaction with fellow students discussing and brainstorming issues. But open courseware is great for people who want to learn on their own time, their own space, and their own terms. I've been thinking about getting an MA in History so I've been trying to get a taste by devoting at least 10 hours every week checking out differing universities' online offerings. I figured I'd get a taste first before actually committing.

One can't get enough education, I always say. It doesn't have to be "practical" or lead to more money. Knowledge/Learning is it's own reward.

[polish_aristocrat]

college is also about meeting people....

I wouldn't really want to take a course online, and even much less- just do it on my own by using materials designed for those who take college classes

you can just read a book if you want to learn something new, no one needs to tell you what book to read

or even articles on the web

[candyflip]

You can always marry someone who works on a college campus. Spouses and children often get free tuition. My mom did, so we went for free. Now my girlfriend does (Ivy League too) and I'm going to go back for a second, totally unrelated degree...free of charge and on my own time.

[V_RocKs]

I taught myself MYSQL, PERL, PHP, CSS and a host of other shit on my own... Going to college is for people who will never figure it out...

[The Demon]

Originally Posted by V_RocKs

I taught myself MYSQL, PERL, PHP, CSS and a host of other shit on my own... Going to college is for people who will never figure it out...

What kind of asinine statement as that? Because you learn a few programming languages all by yourself, you're suddenly smart? I'm pretty sure the MAJORITY of college graduates are making a ton more than you AND they got to spend four years of their life partying, meeting people, and growing socially/characteristically, while you probably spent them glued to a computer.

[Walrus]

I wish there was an open courseware for Photoshop. I never did learn how to use it. I was always greatly confused by it.

[woj]

cool list dude

[$5 submissions]

Originally Posted by candyflip

You can always marry someone who works on a college campus. Spouses and children often get free tuition. My mom did, so we went for free. Now my girlfriend does (Ivy League too) and I'm going to go back for a second, totally unrelated degree...free of charge and on my own time.

That's awesome. I never heard of that. I'm already married and she's not an academic. But it's cool, she supports my idea of going back to get an MA just for the "fun" of it.

[V_RocKs]

Originally Posted by The Demon

What kind of asinine statement as that? Because you learn a few programming languages all by yourself, you're suddenly smart? I'm pretty sure the MAJORITY of college graduates are making a ton more than you AND they got to spend four years of their life partying, meeting people, and growing socially/characteristically, while you probably spent them glued to a computer.

Hahaha... ahahhahaha.. Man you are wrong...

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/13/pf/c...ries/index.htm

[quote]opping the list of highest-paid majors were chemical engineers who fetched $55,900 on average, followed by electrical engineering degrees at $52,899. Despite taking a 0.3 percent dip compared to the 2004-2005 academic year, mechanical engineers took third place with an average salary of $50,672.[quote]

Not even close to what I make...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Househo..._United_States

Bachelor's degree - $50,916
Master's degree - $61,698
Professional degree - $88,530
Doctorate degree - $73,853

They don't even come close...



So... as I was saying... Instead of wasting time in college I left so that I could make real money and not be a douche bag making a fixed amount of money while making someone else rich.

[D]

Originally Posted by V_RocKs

I taught myself MYSQL, PERL, PHP, CSS and a host of other shit on my own... Going to college is for people who will never figure it out...

That doesn't make sense.

How does reading a book or set of books imply success where reading a book, or set of books, along with additional resources available (such as lectures, office hours for discussion with people who wrote their own books on the subject) along with a regimented system of testing imply failure?

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by $5 submissions

That's awesome. I never heard of that. I'm already married and she's not an academic. But it's cool, she supports my idea of going back to get an MA just for the "fun" of it.

The school my mom worked at had an exchange. I had over 180 schools to choose from. Where my girlfriend is now (Cornell University) I can only attend there. Which isn't too bad, considering.

[JohnnyJames]

Hey, all this is GREAT for ugly webmasters like most of the GFY crowd, but I gotta admit I like Ashley's free college idea a LOT more:

http://www.sendashleytocollege.com/newtour/

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by Walrus

I wish there was an open courseware for Photoshop. I never did learn how to use it. I was always greatly confused by it.

I'm self taught and know I'm missing 90% of what photoshop has to offer.

[JohnnyJames]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

I'm self taught and know I'm missing 90% of what photoshop has to offer.

Same here, Lee.

Did you catch the retouching tutorial someone posted a couple days back? Hell mighta been YOU for all I know, but the use of filters and layers was worth all the other garbage posts I had to wade through to find it.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJames

Same here, Lee.

Did you catch the retouching tutorial someone posted a couple days back? Hell mighta been YOU for all I know, but the use of filters and layers was worth all the other garbage posts I had to wade through to find it.

If I could just get a couple days hands-on covering my needs ..... short cuts, better techniques, etc.

[JohnnyJames]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

If I could just get a couple days hands-on covering my needs ..... short cuts, better techniques, etc.

Still talking Photoshop here, or are we moving on to "content creation"?

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJames

Still talking Photoshop here, or are we moving on to "content creation"?

Mostly Photoshop, An instructor that goes "no stupid do it like this" would be perfect.

[JohnnyJames]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

Mostly Photoshop, An instructor that goes "no stupid do it like this" would be perfect.

I have a couple Photoshop for Dummies books that have actually been very helpful.

Another thing I have begun to do is scan the forums for professional photographers. A bunch of dick prima donnas in general, but their arguments over the "old styles" versus the new-fangled photoshop methods have brought me gold a few times in terms of shortcuts and hands-on knowledge.

Some of the modeling sites, in particular, that also have photog involvement are really helpful. Much like GFY, though, you have to sort through dozens or hundreds of posts to find one that helps.

Probably be cheaper to hire a tutor, but I have time. . .

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJames

I have a couple Photoshop for Dummies books that have actually been very helpful.

Another thing I have begun to do is scan the forums for professional photographers. A bunch of dick prima donnas in general, but their arguments over the "old styles" versus the new-fangled photoshop methods have brought me gold a few times in terms of shortcuts and hands-on knowledge.

Some of the modeling sites, in particular, that also have photog involvement are really helpful. Much like GFY, though, you have to sort through dozens or hundreds of posts to find one that helps.

Probably be cheaper to hire a tutor, but I have time. . .

Johnny, talk to you more about this later. Lee

[starpimps]

or you can go sit in specific classes at a university and just listen to the lectures

but who does that

[Telly]

you learn more practical shit at community college and theory stuff at university. Both places have art buildings though and THATS where the hot chicks are at...always loved a girl w/ smudges of paint on her and those pseudo cool black rim glasses...mmm...yummy....

[The Demon]

Yea totally guys. Sitting on the computer for 20+ years definitely beats 4 years of sweetness and a useful degree, whether you choose to work for yourself or not. Oh wait, that doesn't make any sense.. Stupid porn pushers.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by $5 submissions

True. Also, no substitute for live interaction with fellow students discussing and brainstorming issues. But open courseware is great for people who want to learn on their own time, their own space, and their own terms. I've been thinking about getting an MA in History so I've been trying to get a taste by devoting at least 10 hours every week checking out differing universities' online offerings. I figured I'd get a taste first before actually committing.

One can't get enough education, I always say. It doesn't have to be "practical" or lead to more money. Knowledge/Learning is it's own reward.

When I went to college the classwork itself was very easy. I learned a lot more from the other students....

But a college degree without a degree isn't worth shit.

[ztik]

Originally Posted by Fizzgig

There's no substitute for having a live person around to answer your questions... yet.

Its called google

[KILL_FRENZY]

interesting way to learn but a diploma it's also needed

[$5 submissions]

Originally Posted by starpimps

or you can go sit in specific classes at a university and just listen to the lectures

but who does that

Back when I lived in the states, I used to sit in from time to time at classes I thought would be interesting. UCLA's big auditorium classes are good for that. Gotta do it in mid-semester though when 1/2 the people stop showing up.

[Dollarmansteve]

In canada your best bet is to get thrown in a mininum security prison - then the taxpayers will foot the bill for your university degree, feed you, house you, etc, etc, etc.