For all the protests and controversy that preceded it, President Obama’s speech to America’s students this week turned out to be an inspirational and positive discourse. Despite alarming warnings from the President’s harshest GOP critics, his core message – stay in school, work hard, and follow your dreams – didn’t smack of any veiled political agenda.

On the contrary, it reiterated what many youths in this nation already know but sometimes don’t heed – that education is the key to success, even though the path might sometimes be bumpy, “and you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try,” the President said.

But perseverance will pay off – literally and figuratively speaking – in the end because, according to some published numbers, high school graduates will earn $143 more per week than high school dropouts. And college grads will make, on average, $336 more per week than high school graduates (and certainly MUCH more than high school dropouts).

Indeed, according to a survey by The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, a college education has become necessary for a good job and comfortable lifestyle. In the survey, 66 percent of those who did not go to college say they wished that they had, and 62 percent feel that having gone to college would have made a significant difference in their current standard of living.

Of course, at the end of the day, the value of education is not just about dollars and cents. It is also about fostering a sense of curiosity and knowledge, preparing us to face life’s challenges, opening our minds and enlarging our horizons. Educated people will have a positive and meaningful impact on society by helping build a strong economy and a healthier environment for everyone. As Martin Luther King put it: “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

It’s true – a good education is never wasted. Knowledge is power. And those are not just tales out of school.

Many adults have fond memories of Schoolhouse Rock!, short musical animations aired during Saturday morning cartoons between 1972 and 1986. In addition to being entertaining, these animations were also educational, with various subjects presented in a fun, down-to-earth fashion.

The music focused on the fundamentals of grammar, politics, science and other  important topics. During its run, the show won four Emmy® Awards. Although Schoolhouse Rock! produced a few original episodes in the early 1990s, the show was officially cancelled in 2001.

However, there is good news:  on March 31, 2009, the Schoolhouse Rock! will be releasing a new DVD entitled “Schoolhouse Rock! Earth.” This DVD will include 11 new songs about conservation.  The release is planned in conjunction with Earth Day (April 22, 2009).

All-new original songs on the DVD include “Report from the North Pole,” “FatCat Blue: The Clean Rivers Song,” and “Don’t Be a Carbon Sasquatch.”

Soon, a whole new generation of Schoolhouse Rock! fans will likely emerge.

With the high cost of fuel these days, many students are forgoing enrolling at traditional colleges and universities and opting for another way to earn their degrees: online. According to an article in The New York Times, thousands of students have decided to cut costs caused by rising gas prices by taking one or more of their classes over the internet. With the vast majority of college students living off campus, commuting back and forth to campus can be a drain on their already minimal budgets. By enrolling in internet classes, students have found a way to stay in school and continue their education.

Although most large colleges and universities offer online courses, the largest increases in enrollment has been seen in two-year colleges during summer sessions, according to the NY Times article. But with the increase comes something else: waiting lists. There are still a maximum number of students allowed to enroll, even in online courses, and many students will run into waiting lists unless they enroll early.

Another downfall is the lack of interaction with others in a classroom setting. Sure the work can get done, but the face-to-face contact will be lost. Make sure all of this is taken into consideration before making the decision to enroll in an online course. Consider also that some students find online coursework harder than classroom study. And be aware that regular trips to the campus will still need to be made for some classes; not all of the courses will be available online.

Online courses present an option that can be beneficial and budget-friendly. Consider all of the pros and cons and make the decision that is right for you!

Happy learning!