But there is a seldom used tactic for finishing a degree twice as fast.  Read this quietly because this is a secret to success few people practice.  Are you ready?  Drum roll please (silent pause in tense anticipation)...okay here it is.  You need to work twice as hard as everyone else.  Okay I know what you're thinking, "What that's it"?  Well yes and no.  You see you can double up your classes and finish a degree in ½ the time.  An 18 month program turns into a 9 month program, etc.

For example, say you enroll in a school with a 6 week semester format.  Now that is fast and probably pretty intensive for most folks but you notice that you are getting straight A's and still have time for your other hobbies like knitting.  You really want that degree fast because of a lucrative job opportunity or to impress the red headed girl down the street, so you contact your school and request to double up your classes.  Suddenly you are taking 2 classes at a time, earning 6 credit hours ever 6 weeks.  It's hard but your desire for your degree is more powerful than your desire to relax. 

There are of course some pointers you can use to help yourself earn that degree fast.

• 1.) Research is king; know what the policies of the various schools are before enrolling. Ask if they allow you to double up classes, some schools do not and most have some kind of limitations.
• 2.) Plan your degree program and schedule carefully and under the advisement of an educational counselor or student advisor. Tell them up front what you want to do. Doubling up classes will almost universally get the response of "well I don't know if that's a good idea" but you can tell them it's okay, "I have the secret to doing this, a willingness to work under circumstances most people would consider unreasonable".
• 3.) Make sure you can handle pressure; otherwise this could be a self destructive tactic. If you cannot then your answer is simple, you may not be able to get that degree fast, you may have to be measured and patient.
• 4.) Order your books in advance whenever possible. Waiting a week and a half for a book on a 6 week class can be devastating.
• 5.) Monitor your GPA and grades very, very closely. It is normal for your grades to slip a little when doubling up classes, but they should not slip more than a letter grade. If you are a straight A student and it slips to a B, you need to either buckle down and spend more time and effort getting that grade back up or slow down for a class or two and catch your breath.
• 6.) Realize that you are doing something most students would not or do not do. However, don't expect special favors or handouts from the professor, as far as they know you are just any other student. Telling them otherwise may elicit pity but may also just make them feel that you are giving them a second rate effort. So keep it to yourself, you chose this burden so don't share it.
• 7.) Celebrate every little milestone you can to keep you motivated because, let's face it, this is going to hurt.
• 8.) Keep focused on the ultimate goal.
• 9.) Keep a focus on why you want to reach that goal.
• 10.) Use motivational bookmarks, like pictures of family.
• 11.) Learn advanced relaxation methods, which sounds easier than it really is. Find out what will get you into a relaxed frame of mind twice as fast as anything else since you only have half the time to do it. For example, does playing music, riding a bike, lifting weights, gardening or anything else relax you and your mind much quicker than sitting in front of the TV? If not find what does and learn how to take short and frequent mental breaks.
• 12.) Get your family's consent to double up your classes and make sure they know what to expect because it'll almost be like you're taking a trip for a while.
• 13.) Learn stress indicators that tell you that you are pushing too hard. Facial ticks, shortened temper, constant fatigue, depression, etc. I'm serious here, stress can kill relationships and kill you, don't take stress lightly, learn about it and learn what to do about it. Some stress is good, too much is very destructive.
• 14.) Try to avoid drinking to relax. It takes too long to recover, it is a downer, it also can be habit forming. Do something more positive and healthy.
• 15.) Know when to turn it off. There is no shame in dropping down to one class for a semester to catch your breath, reacquaint yourself with your family, etc. Will it affect your schedule? Sure, but it beats having a nervous breakdown and dropping out altogether.
• 16.) Learn to multitask. This is a must.
• 17.) Learn to read quickly, sift out what is not important and keep what is. Take notes when reading.
• 18.) Make a schedule for yourself and keep it. Give yourself 2 days off on your schedule to catch up with work if you fall behind and to relax. Try not to use these days for school work unless you have no other choice. Think of these days as your buffer zone.
• 19.) Get ready to lose some sleep, but learn how to nap. If you only got 4 hours of sleep the night before due to homework, try a one hour nap before studying for that day, it will help you more than you know.
• 20.) Know your limitations and strengths. Always play to your strengths.

Add to: