College grade learning without the college

The Third Pipe version of an old cliche: If you want to get a degree, go to college. If you want to learn, go online. As an ever increasing number of universities put their coursework, lectures and libraries on line, there is not much that the self directed student can’t learn from the screen and keyboard. While the “structure” of scheduled classes and exams may slow the less disciplined of us, the rest of us can learn more in less time. beyond learning, you’ll miss out on the socializing, condescending instructors and high costs if you go it alone. And then there’s the degree. Having one proves you paid your tuition, attended class and passed your exams, but does not prove you actually know anything.

If you’re eager to learn outside of university, there’s an excellent collection of links at the .EDU toolbox. The best time to learn something new is now!