Searching for “GED programs near me” is a great way to get the ball rolling on your high school equivalency preparation. You may be surprised at just how many options are out there at your disposal. But don’t get caught like a deer in the headlights.
Find one that’s accessible and close-by to check out what it has to offer. From there, expand your search. In the following article, we’ll be talking about ways that you can do just that. Let’s get started!
1. Search Your City
The first and most logical place to start for finding “GED programs near me” is your city. Just typing in that search will likely give you all the programs that are well-established, as your computer will typically use location-based searches to pull the most relevant results, particularly if you’re using a search engine like Google.
If location-based services are not enabled on your computer or phone, then use a zip code or city name. These searches should pull relevant results as well.
2. Search Neighborhoods
There is a growing movement in SEO to go “hyper-local,” which means not only giving you results for your city but also prioritizing those results that are closest to your apartment or residences. Once again, this tends to be automatic if your location-based services are enacted.
However, if they’re not, you should be able to get some solid results from the aforementioned zip code search or by typing in the name of your neighborhood alongside “GED programs.” Just using my own search, I was surprised to see 34 individual programs connected to GED preparation after assuming there would only be one through the local adult education center.
There were accredited programs available through counseling centers, job preparation nonprofits, libraries, and even churches. Don’t assume your options are limited.
3. Talk to a Guidance Counselor
Have an aversion to using the Internet, or perhaps you’d just like some on-hand guidance to help you narrow the field and make the best selection? Talk to your school’s guidance counselor. You may have to schedule an appointment, particularly during the summer time, but their services are available at no cost, and it’s a big part of their job to help students find their way through the challenges of high school.
4. Touch Base With Your Local Adult Education Center
You may want to start with the adult education center. That said, they are probably doing more volume there, depending on the area where you live, so one-to-one training may be harder to come by than you think. Still, it’s worth the effort, and it should be a core strategy to your preparation efforts.
5. See What Else Is Available Online
Who says you need to stay within the “GED programs near me” search parameters? The Internet has shrunk the size of the world a great deal. That is to say, you don’t have to travel to all the locations where programs are available.
You can simply pull up the training and expertise on your computer, provided that you have a high-speed Internet connection. Or, if you get more from reading, you can access a number of digital books for free or very low costs and consume what they have to offer on your phone or tablet.
6. Speak to Your Peers
Got any friends who’ve taken the GED test before you, or perhaps friends who are preparing for the challenge at the same time as you? Put your heads together! Compare notes, and learn from one another on the best strategies for learning the material and for finding sources of assistance.
7. Hire a Tutor
It can be difficult to pay for the services of a tutor, especially if you are having to do it yourself. But if you can afford their guidance, the investment is well worth the time and money. Look around with terms like “hire a tutor near me” or “GED tutors in [insert your location here].”
This can turn you onto a number of capable mentors. Don’t simply hire the first person you see, however. Make sure you can check out their references or easily verify their work.
8. Teach Yourself
Some people learn better on their own. There’s nothing wrong with that, and if you feel that’s where your comfort zone is, then more power to you. However, you do need to surround yourself with the right preparation materials and resources, or else you won’t really be familiar with what you are studying for.
That’s why we recommend checking out the latest testing booklets from both official sources as well as long-time test prep publishers. Get a feel for what the test looks like and what its time and intellectual demands on you will be. From there, you can prepare for both the material and the situation.
9. Check Social Media
Social media has gotten to be a quick and accessible way of getting the help you need in everything from finding a free puppy or kitten to getting someone to take that old bookshelf off your hands. It can also be a great way of crowd-sourcing your educational searches.
Look for GED preparation groups on any of your favorite social networks. Chances are likely that you’ll find one. Make sure it’s a network you are familiar with to cut down the learning curve. And if you can connect with a tutor or study partner in the “real world” easier by connecting through social media, then it’s well worth it.
10. Grow Your Study Skills
One of the best “programs” you can commit to for making the most of your GED test attempt is to polish up on your general study skills. That means eliminating distractions, studying in an organized and well-kept workspace, and leaving plenty of time to tackle the plethora of material you need to know to master the GED.
You have to remember that GED tests are not the easy way out. It will be one of the most challenging tests you’ll ever make, especially if you haven’t had much time to prepare inside of a classroom. It consolidates over 12 years of knowledge into one exam. Your study game needs to be top-notch, so start getting organized now.
Follow These Steps to Find ‘GED Programs Near Me’ That Get Results
Hopefully, this look at what you can do to “find GED programs near me” has given you some ideas of what to do once you decide to take the test. Just remember that you have more options than you think you do.
By committing to two or more of these, you can expand your horizons and be well on your way to a top score and the next phase of your educational journey. For more tips on test preparation and the GED in general, check out some of our additional posts or consider launching our free GED Test here at 4Tests.com today!
Aric Mitchell's work appears regularly here at 4tests.com and across the web for sites, such as The Inquisitr and Life'd. A former high school teacher, his passion for education has only intensified since leaving the classroom. At 4tests, he hopes to continue passing along words of encouragement and study tips to ensure you leave school ready to face an ever-changing world.
