Easy and less expensive College Credits
If you are just starting college or plan to in the near future I have some information that may prove valuable, both in saving time and money. I got my BS degree in two years instead of the usual four. It is not magical nor is it exceedingly easy. but it is doable. There are three methods to earn college credits without attending boring classes or paying exorbitant fees per credit. In this post I will detail the first method. This program provided me with 30 college credits without attending a single class and at minimal cost. CLEP There is a program called CLEP – College Level Examination Program. Simply stated, it is an exam similar to a final exam that if passed will award credits for that class. These tests are limited to elective courses. You cannot CLEP out of major courses, but the first two years of most degree programs are elective classes. I will discuss the classes I passed via CLEP. Many students already speak a second language. I speak Spanish so my first tests were Spanish 1 and Spanish 2. Under the premise that “why should I take a class I am already proficient in?” That test gave me a whopping 12 credits. Most tests are worth 6 credits or one 5–6-week class. If you speak another language this test is a breeze. Under the CLEP Program I completed 4 exams which earned me 30 credits. Consider that each exam cost $90 dollars and completed in about 2 hours each and cost me only $360.00, while the four actual classes would have taken up to a year and at a cost of thousands of dollars. Even more if education loans are involved. Most courses require Humanities which include Art, Literature, Music and Architecture. The Humanities was my second CLEP. I am familiar with most artists and their works. I added more knowledge by visiting the local art museum requesting a guide and asking many questions. I am a writer, and as such have read thousands of books, so the literature section was no problem. I played a flute years ago and was familiar with musical symbols and had read the biographies of various composers. I must admit that I know little about architecture but used some study guides to freshen up. I passed the test easily and earned another six easy credits. The CLEP.org website offers study guides and sample tests. I know of some who used the “Idiot’s Guide” books to freshen up on different subjects. Gaining confidence with each test, I tackled Natural Sciences. This exam tests your basic skills in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry and Geology. My knowledge of geology is practically zero. As a child I wanted to be an astronomer, so I read many books on the subject, and I also had a great interest in biology. Not so much in Chemistry, but enough to get by. This was the most difficult test but passed it without much discomfort. Another six credits in the books. The last test was the second easiest. As a writer, College English Composition was no contest. I reached the limit of 30 credits allowed via CLEP. The battery of tests which took just a few weeks eliminated a full year of classes and the associated cost. The thrill is that the test itself costs less than $100… a lot cheaper than paying for a class. Veterans are eligible for discounts. In my next post I will discuss the second method of accumulating credits and savings of time and money. And number two is absolutely free. There are scores of subjects on the CLEP list. Almost anyone can find a test or two that fits a familiar field of study or expertise. Visit www.clep.org for details and list of tests available. There are various locations that administer the tests. The test procedure prevents any form of cheating or seeking outside help. Entering the test area, all electronic devices, phone, ipad, calculator, etc. are surrendered and locked away safely. The test taker enters a small room, not much larger than a phone booth. A laptop, calculator, pencils and scratch pad are provided. After offering instructions the test supervisor locks the door and leaves. A week or s later, the results come in and are submitted to the college of choice. Best to ask the school counselor about using CLEP. Most schools accept the program results, but may have specific regulations. Next Post: PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) easier than CLEP but not as easy as Number Three….To be continued. Good luck, JR
Easy College Credits: Prior Learning Assessment
The second method of earning college credits is called PLA or Prior Learning Assessment. Some colleges allow you to receive college credit for job training, professional experience, or military training. All that is needed is a certificate, or any documentation that you received training in almost any field. The various areas pf training are quite diverse. Military training is one of the most acceptable. If you finished a course needed to qualify for a job and received a certificate or diploma that is usually sufficient to credits. Other certificates can be earned just for completing a course in a field of personal interest. I received one credit just by presenting my SCUBA diving certificate. Others include CPR training, off college course in IT or related subjects. A certificate that proves you took an hour course in MS Word or Excel, may work also. The key is providing a certificate or other document proving that training was received. There is no testing required. If you have a certificate, just ask a school counselor for instructions and requirements for presenting the document.
Easy College Credits – Experiential Essays
Experiential Essays An experiential essay is a unique form of writing that describes your personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Unlike other types of essays, it doesn’t rely on academic citations or external references. Instead, it draws directly from your own life and reflections. Simply put, it is writing about what you know best, which basically covers anything of interest you may have done or experienced. Here are some essential tips for crafting an effective experiential essay: Introduce yourself through a short 500+ word bio. You’ll write this just once with your initial life experience application even if you write more than one journal for potential credit. There are hundreds of acceptable topics which include almost anything that people do during a normal life. Taking care of children Caring for an elderly parent/grandparent Moving to a new environment – state-city-country Experiencing racism/xenophobia Planning/managing a funeral, grieving process Personal skills – photography, artist, singing, acting. Tutoring Personal studies/activities genealogy, religion, community service, horticulture, public speaking etc. A format/outline for the essay is provided. The number of credits earned depend on the total number of words in the essay. A 1000 word essay generates 1 credit – A 200o word essay is worth 2 credits – A 3000 word essay offers the most, at 3 credits. I wrote three 3000 word essays in a week for 9 credits. I also wrote shorter essays since the limit for combined credits earned via PLA and Experiential essays is 30. The following costs for credits and classes varies among colleges and universities and are subject to change. Tuition Per Credit Hour Across all school types, the average college cost per credit is $477. However, credit hours are priced differently across institution types. Since a typical college class is worth three credits, one college class at the average American college costs $1,677 in tuition ($559 x 3 = $1,677). Now to be considered a full-time student, the usual minimum course load is 12 credit hours per semester, and earning a bachelor’s degree needs at least 120 credit hours. ⏱️ CLEP Exams & CLEP Exam Test Prep | Study.com In conclusion, I earned 30 college credits with CLEP and 30 more with PLA and Experiential Essays which eliminated 2 years of class attendance and getting the BS degree in just two years. JR
In the Beginning – Blue Ink Review
Jaime Reyes Westwood Books Publishing, 154 pages, (paperback) $7.99, 978-1-64361-828-9 (Reviewed: September 2019) Jaime Reyes introduces his book with this quote from Voltaire: “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.” And that’s the theme Reyes tackles with In the Beginning: The Early Days of Religious Beliefs, a fictional journey 65,000 years in the past, which interprets his research of the genesis of organized religion and its effects on global history. In an unspecified village, during a thunderstorm, elder statesman Og is cold, wet and clever enough to know that if he can convince the chieftain he has a direct line to the spirits, he can harness an almighty power. Thus, by inventing spiritual reasons for any occurrence, Og and his family essentially become the tribe’s shadow government. Readers follow this tribe and Og’s manipulations through the years. The narrative tracks the annexation of nearby villages, the advancement of weaponry, including the bow and arrow and javelin thrower, as well as the migration of peoples. The novel’s plot is not overly challenging and its characters are unsurprising. Its view of organized religion and the knowing wink that the unwitting can be easily manipulated by those crafty enough to invent an invisible higher power is cynical at its heart. The book, however, doesn’t explicitly ask readers to accept this as fact, and it is not meant to be an historical account. Reyes’ research led him to follow a simplistic character-naming paradigm, and readers might have difficulty keeping straight Kor, Tor, Nia, and Sia (to name a few). Additionally, continuity errors lead to occasional stumbles. For example, one character indicates the amount “ten” by holding up ten fingers, then one page later a character uses the word “two” in a sentence. The book’s premise is intriguing, and the story offers some rewards. It isn’t likely, however to satisfy those who prefer more robust character and plot development, and its minor missteps may cause some frustration. Also available in hardcover and ebook
On Line Book Club Official Review: In the Beginning by Jaime Reyes
It’s the greatest story ever told, the origin of our belief in gods—not in just Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, or any other specific religion but in religion itself. When did we start believing in deities? Where did the idea come from? Who brought us into contact with these so-called “gods”? Jaime Reyes, author of In the Beginning, presents an enticing theory in his fictional tale: a Neanderthal made it all up. Circa 65,000 B.C.E.—Og is getting old. Unable to move well, the Neanderthal is beginning to wonder how he can remain useful—and fed—in his tribe of hunters and gathers. Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hits him. One night, as a particularly horrific storm bears down on them, Og uses his knowledge of nature and flares of showmanship to convince the tribe that he has special contact with spirits that control the world around them. When the storm safely passes and the hunt the next morning is successful, everyone reveres Og as their wise liaison to the spirits. His life—and the world—will never be the same. From the first spiritual drawings in his cave to passing his teachings to his children and grandchildren, In the Beginning follows the innovative Og and the evolution of the world’s first religion. Day after day, year after year, Og and his alleged spiritual guides bring prosperity to his tribe through theatrical sacrifices and knowledge gained from decades of experience, and the religion. Day after day, year after year, Og and his alleged spiritual guides bring prosperity to his tribe through theatrical sacrifices and knowledge gained from decades of experience, and the tribe returns the favor, providing Og with riches, respect, a new mate, and a well-cared-for family. Yet just as he is preparing his eldest son to continue this divine ruse, a new threat looms on the horizon: homo sapiens. As Og gets older and the world around the tribe changes, one question must be answered: can the Neanderthals and their faith stand the test of time? I started this book with high hopes. Upon reading the description, I loved the idea of a Neanderthal having begun the concept of religion and through something other than “divine intervention.” The story did not disappoint. The plot is simple yet strong; it makes perfect sense with we know about Neanderthals and what has been speculated, yet I never felt as though it were played out. Every part of this novel, from the history of Neanderthals to tiny moments of character development, play an important role. Reyes does well in planting minor seeds in the readers’ heads only to return to them and make them greatly more significant later on. Better yet, I could not always predict which of these small details would be key a few chapters later. This fact alone is enough to keep the reader going, just to see how a minor character or seemingly mundane event might return with a vengeance. A wide variety of characters helps to make this book oddly progressive considering the fact that it is about fictional events from thousands of years ago. In addition to a mix of Neanderthals and homo sapiens, there are male and female characters that almost all have equal weight in the story. My favorite was Mina, Og’s granddaughter with a flare for spirituality, hunting and fighting skills to rival any man’s, a fierce heart, and a well-developed mind. Og and the author both treat women like more than just tools to produce/raise children, cook, and skin the kill, a refreshing perspective for fiction about prehistory. However, the book was not perfect. In fact, the writing of In the Beginning could use a lot of work. On the one hand, the simple writing style proved easy to read. It also felt appropriate for the time period in which this book takes place as it mimics the sort of oral storytelling through which Og’s spiritual teachings would have been passed down to future generations. On the other hand, I grew bored with Reyes’s writing. The storytelling style usually catches my attention, much like when someone relays a fairy tale or folktale. Here, though, it more reads as a classroom lecture. The tone was very matter of fact without any real emotion or tension despite the events calling for such reactions. Reyes also rambled at points, especially in the introduction and the last couple chapters, and I might not have continued reading if I hadn’t been so fascinated by the concept. All things considered, I give In the Beginning by Jaime Reyes 3 out of 4 stars. In addition to the writing not being very compelling, I noticed a few grammatical errors such as missing commas. If someone didn’t have an eagle eye, they probably wouldn’t notice them. However, they did occasionally distract me and suggest that the writer should have given it another quick run-through. Regardless, lovers of historical fiction—especially unconventional views on history—and those fascinated by the origins of our various cultures and ways of life will want to check this book out. Be warned, though, that this work throws into question the validity of all organized religion, Christianity included. If you are highly religious or are not interested in looking at history in new ways, In the Beginning is probably not for you. Online Book Club
In the Beginning Hollywood Book Revies
Title: In the Beginning: The Early Days of Religious Beliefs Author: Jaime Reyes Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing, LLC ISBN: 978-1-64361-830-2 Pages: 119 Genre: Fiction Reviewed By: Dan MacIntosh
In The Beginning – Reader’s Favorite Book Review
Readers’ Favorites Review #2: Review by K.C. Finn Reviewed By: K.C. Finn Review Rating: 5 Stars – Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite In the Beginning: The Early Days of Religious Beliefs is a fascinating work of fiction in the historical sub-genre and was penned by author Jaime Reyes. As the title suggests, we return to very early times of the human race, when Neanderthals are first learning to communicate and form ideas and imaginations. The story focuses on protagonist Og, who undergoes some deep considerations when he realizes he is now too old and frail to hunt. Intent on capitalizing on the scattered beliefs and strange ideas that his fellow cave people have about natural events, we follow Og’s rise to stardom as a prominent spiritual leader who claims knowledge of how to appease the sun and the storms. Author Jaime Reyes has crafted a fascinating short novel that packs in plenty of character study, historical flavor, and serious food for thought about how belief and spirituality can be crafted. I found this story to be a spectacular study of human nature and its desire to understand and control that which it fears. I felt this was an issue that was intelligently and emotively dealt with amongst this cast of characters. The narration surrounding Og was a delightful read, giving thought and speech presentation which feels strangely contemporary and relatable despite the setting of 40,000 BCE. In terms of descriptive language and historical context, the wording gives a fantastic sense of atmosphere and the fears and hardships of the age. Overall, I would certainly recommend In the Beginning: The Early Days of Religious Beliefs to all readers who want a new and thought-provoking short read.
Agent Orange
AGENT ORANGE “How people die remains in the memory of those who live on” – Dame Cicely Saunders The events in this treatise did not begin immediately after the end of my military obligation. In fact, the inexorable consequences had already begun to fester inside me and thousands of unsuspecting American soldiers the minute most set foot in VietNam. Those of us who were fortunate enough to survive the obvious dangers of war did not expect to suffer from actions devised and committed by our own military and governmental leaders. The US Military Command with approval from the US Government, in their very flawed wisdom sought to hinder the enemy forces’ ability to hide in the thick foliage in the jungles of their land and destroy much of their home-grown food. To accomplish that, they resorted to chemical warfare. Using toxic herbicides spread over most of the land in “crop duster” fashion. Agent Orange is one of the several types of herbicides used in ‘Nam to defoliate the jungle thereby eliminating forest cover and crops needed by the enemy. American planes poured over 20 million gallons of the poisonous solution over the forests and fields of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. There were various mixtures used and identified by the color of the 55-gallon drums containing Agent White, Agent Pink, Agent Blue, Agent Purple, and Agent Green. The most used and by far, the most dangerous was Agent Orange. It is estimated that more than 3.6 million acres of land were contaminated affecting over four million people, (not sure if that estimate includes the number of American soldiers who served in the war. A little-known fact is that the toxic element was sprayed in other territories and countries as early as the mid-1950s and 60s and later in 1966 to1968. Several towns and fields in my own home island of Puerto Rico were used as “testing grounds” for the effectiveness of the element. Some of the towns include Mayaguez, Guanica, Luquillo, Las Marias and Rio Grande. KC Degnan, CCK Law LTD 09 2017 Agent Orange and other color-coded toxins were also tested in areas of Canada, American Samoa, Guam, Johnson Atoll, and Thailand, among others. There are numerous ailments usually referred to as “presumptive diseases” by the Veterans Administration connected to the toxic herbicide. Unfortunately, due to exposure to Agent Orange in the war zone, I acquired several of those diseases while some undiagnosed others may be lurking in my cells waiting their turn to cause more havoc. What I found unusual is that the real culprit is DIOXIN (TCDD) but that is not part of the recipe used directly in the manufacture of the color-coded herbicides. It is formed as a by-product during manufacture. The manufacturers are also to blame for not evaluating the side effects effectively. The nine companies involved in the production and distribution are: Dow Chemical Company, Monsanto Company, Diamond Shamrock Corporation, Hercules Inc., Thompson Hayward Chemical Co., United States Rubber Company (Uniroyal), Thompson Chemical Co., Hoffman-Taff Chemicals, Inc., and Agriselect. _ Agent Orange – Wikipedia However, it was made, the problem was that not only did it destroy the foliage but killed the Vietnamese people and American soldiers, just not as quickly as the vegetation. The defoliation program was code named Operation Ranch Hand. What is difficult to fathom is the illogical belief that spraying an entire country with millions of gallons of poison would not affect both friend and foe. This was an extreme version of “friendly fire.” In 1988, Dr. James Clary, an Air Force researcher associated with Operation Ranch Hand, wrote to Senator Tom Daschle: “When we initiated the herbicide program in the 1960s, we were aware of the potential for damage due to dioxin contamination in the herbicide. However, because the material was to be used on the enemy, none of us were overly concerned. We never considered a scenario in which our own personnel would become contaminated with the herbicide.”- https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/agent-orange-1 That doctor’s conclusion must be among the most idiotic ever voiced by a medical researcher and apparent (incompetent) military advisor. How can this alleged scientist claim that they expect the poison to affect only the enemy? The job of the military is to search for, find and then engage the enemy. To accomplish that, soldiers must end up in the enemy’s environment. The politicians he addressed are or were just as responsible, just as ignorant, and just as responsible for the catastrophic effects. As my year of duty progressed, I did not know that my internal organs were slowly absorbing contaminants that more than likely would eventually overpower my, at the time, very young immune system. From 1964 to 1972 over three million American soldiers served in Southeast Asia, most deployed to Vietnam. Over 58,000 names are etched on the black granite wall in memory of those who died in that conflict. More than 150,000 service men received non-mortal wounds. What is not usually discussed, or maybe even realized is that most of the millions that came home, including those that earned Purple Hearts for visible injuries, also received non- discernible wounds that would smolder in their bodies only to flare up when least expected. In time, sometimes years, the “invisible wounds” would begin making their lives miserable, suffering from a variety of ailments that may not have developed if not for the delayed effects of Agent Orange. Veterans of the most unpopular war in American history are dying slowly but faster than they would have if they had not received unapparent and slowly developing medical trauma caused by exposure to poison delivered by our own aircraft under orders from our own high command. Below is a list of some of the presumptive diseases, some of which are currently challenging my, now fading, survival skills. One or two of them have already temporarily succeeded- (Myocardial Infarctions), Diabetes Mellitus, Ischemic Heart Disease, Multiple Myeloma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Parkinson’s Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, Early- Onset Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Prostate and Bladder Cancer, Lung cancer, Respiratory Cancers, Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Hypertension, amyloidosis, chloracne, All
Complaints Are Futile – Voting Is Not
Complaints are Futile – Voting is Not We complain habitually about income, jobs, prices, education, taxes, and a dozen or so more situations that we feel helpless over. The barrage of complaints is futile. Nothing will change because of complaints. Those with the most and often the loudest complaints are those that also do not vote. A typical reason for not voting is “Why should I vote, politicians don’t care.” That may be true, but do we ever consider why “they” do not care. The answer is simple; because your failure to vote delivers another message to those in office, YOU don’t care either. The solution is obvious. If the complainers begin to vote en-masse, the recipients of those votes will notice and once they have your attention (and your votes) they will remember and will develop an interest over legitimate concerns. The 2020 Presidential election was decided in several key states by a few thousand votes per state, Georgia 12,670, and Arizona 10,457. The margin in some others was a little higher but considering that literally millions did not bother to vote means that those many millions had no voice in determining their future in the upcoming few years. Those that chose not to participate have no right to complain. A complaint is almost in the same category as worrying. Worrying about an expected event has one of two possible outcomes. The event will occur, or it will not. If it happens, worrying did not stop it and the time used up worrying was wasted. The same as if the event does not happen, the time spent worrying, was also a waste. Complaints are almost in the same category, except that voting may result in the complaint being heard and brought to the attention of the winning side who may have the authority to act on it. If the candidate who wins ignores the complaints or their promises to take action, voters have the means to remove them from office. Voting offers significant benefits. Citizens get to choose representatives expected to act on their behalf. Those elected are accountable to voters and can be voted out in the next election. Voting helps encourage a greater interest in policies, issues, and candidates. Voters can influence important policies about health care, environment, and education. Voting in huge numbers improves the legitimacy of government, adding better and more diverse representation plus credibility. Voting is a powerful tool for people to have a voice in government and help shape the future of their society. So, stop complaining; do something that can be useful. VOTE!
The Lazarus Syndrome Review
Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers’ Favorite Jaime Reyes shares his stories and others about auto resuscitation in his book, The Lazarus Syndrome. From infancy to older age, Reyes experienced the phenomenon many times during his life. He details the incidents and discusses other, similar situations where those thought to have died have spontaneously reawakened. In the first section of the book, Reyes includes information about near death experiences, Elon Musk’s Neuralink, and cryopreservation. He supplies details about a longevity study in which he is a participant. Reyes also outlines historical and modern-day revivals and the statistics surrounding life expectancy after auto resuscitation. In the second part, the author covers his time in the military during the Vietnam War and his brushes with death and rounds out the memoir with details about his law enforcement career. Jaime Reyes intrigues readers with this topic and satiates their curiosity about the subject, even though he speaks about certain events that are still somewhat unexplainable. The conversational approach allows readers to follow along easily as he details experiences related to the material. Like me, you may have read some instances of individuals suddenly awakening after physicians pronounced them dead. However, it seems the occurrence is more common than I believed before reading the book. In addition to the uncanny instances during his life, the author includes how to graduate college early, information which could be very useful for college students. If you have struggled after a similar situation, Reyes’s words may provide comfort that you are not alone. Readers who enjoy medical mysteries and straightforward narration will love The Lazarus Syndrome.