I finally get to create this thread...!

[Joeman200]

I found a large envelope in the mail today from TESU.  I finally have my diploma in-hand, and it's time to celebrate!  A huge THANK YOU is in order to everyone on this forum; especially to everyone who has helped me in obtaining this degree.  Namely, bjcheung77, dfrecore, davewill, and jsd for really helping me plan my path by knowing course equivalencies and the workings of TESU; High_Order1 and KUJO for your help in my final courses; Life_Long_Learning for sharing and assisting me with the Emergency Management Certificate, and cookderosa, eriehiker, and swalke321 for your assistance with my questions.
 
I have already posted by back-story in another thread, but I will restate some of the talking points.   I didn't run off to college when I was 18.  I didn't think I could afford it, I didn't want to take on debt, and I honestly didn't think I was smart enough for college.   Still, I wanted a degree to make myself more competitive and to open up new job opportunities.  Basically, I just wanted to check the box.   Because of this, I did my fair share of research into affordable education.  On a blog and heard about Jay Cross and his method.  Upon researching him, I discovered College Out of the Box by Renee LoDolce which lead me to this forum.   Our method is fast, affordable, and flexible.  I lived in an area that went dormant for the winter, so I was able to devote a ton of time to studying during the snowy months.  That being said, I worked a bit, moved to another state, and vacationed.  I went from zero credits to a degree in 14 months.  My degree cost me exactly $6,484.  Additionally, during that time, I was able to add the Emergency Management Certificate and firefighter certification to my resume.
 
I suppose the best part of this journey is that I discovered that I truly enjoy learning!  To me, now it is more than just "checking the box".  I view the world differently.  I feel as if I can think more critically and abstractly, and I listen to social psychology, philosophy, and political discussions on YouTube for amusement.

Originally, I wanted a degree in the natural sciences (I still enjoy them).  I never thought that I would get a social science degree.  The reason I chose criminal justice is because I want a career in the outdoors, one that helps people (game warden, ranger, firefighter), and criminal justice was the only preferable discipline offered online.  Tying into the previous paragraph though, I'm happy with my discipline and I feel it has really helped me grow intellectually.   A degree in Criminal Justice is a hard one, though, because it is not completely test-out-able.  As I'm sure some of you know, fulfilling the required public policy course was quite an ordeal.  In fact, it was more stressful than the capstone (which I thoroughly enjoyed, looking back).
 
I am now graduating at 22, which is when most of my peers would end college if they started when they were 18, and I am debt free.  I feel blessed to have discovered this education method and you, this immensely helpful community.  

Thank you all,

Joseph