Self-University: The Price of Tuition Is the Desire to Learn: Your Degree Is a Better Life

After reading this book, I became more enlightened and aware that education is, indeed, readily available to anyone who wants it bad enough and that it's not some rare commodity that can only be obtained through a traditional institution or entity. The idea that a lack of financial resources or interest to attend a university doesn't preclude one from becoming educated through independent scholarship is very illuminating. And is an idea to be championed.

In the realm of many books covering self-directed learning, I would like to single out two books which I have read on this subject. They are: - Self University: The Price of Tuition is the Desire to Learn, by Charles Hayes; - Proving You're Qualified: Strategies for Competent People without College Degrees, by Charles Hayles; After having spent twenty-four years in the corporate world, I really consider them to be the wisest & most useful books I have ever read on the subject of self-directed learning. 'Self-University' is a heart-warming book. It encourages all of us to think of education as a life-long, self-initiated venture instead of a lifeless, institutionalized affair. Let me recap the author's catchy metaphor from this book: "The caterpillar is condemned to crawl, but the butterfly has the potential to soar above with an all-inclusive view of the world. As humans we complete our caterpillar stage when we reach mature physical growth. If we are to soar like the butterflies, we must do so through the development of our minds." 'Proving You're Qualified' is a career book for competent people who have learned their jobs, on the job... & yet they are often passed over for promotion for lack of a degree, which has nothing, whatsoever, to do with their performance. This book offers readers a frank discussion of educational merit and actual performance in a workplace caught in the grip of frightening change. It can help you to better understand the nature of power in hierarchies, to gain insight into methods for fighting credentialism, and to save time and money by utilizing alternate methods of adult continuing education. My favourite chapters from 'Proving You're Qualified' are: - Chapter 6: Leverage, Options & Choices; - Chapter 7: Learning to Live with Change; - Chapter 8: Me, Inc.; These three chapters alone are worth the price of the entire book! The above two books are very thought-provoking. Each chapter of the two books are so compelling that you may feel forced to write comments in the margins of the pages as you go along. To sum up my review, these two wonderful books offer an excellent approach to ensuring your career security in the 21st century.

I initially read this book from the local library and after I read the book, I immediately purchased the book soon after. This book is a must have for anyone interested in furthering their life long right to self education. Charles D. Hayes makes you think about your rights to empower your mind. This book offers a variety of necessary topics that should be discussed and studied more.

Charles Hayes has set the example for all of us to become self-educated. He is an inspiration to continue in our lifelong learning process. The way he writes of his own experiences, what he has learned from them and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience is awesome. A "thinking" man, you are inspired after conversing with him or reading his books. They are one in the same--you are motivated to learn more and share more. This is indeed a valuable reading experience for anyone and especially if you are in the academic world!

Charles Hayes is a superb writer. He asks you to think about important things. If you would like to learn what it feels like to discover yourself and the excitement of what learning is all about, read this book and particularly its Introduction. Jack Roderick