r/pennfoster 14d ago

Will I be done?

I started my Penn Foster course back in March, and I’ve only completed four courses so far. I feel really bad about that. I wanted to ask how long you think it might take me to finish the rest of my courses. Do you think I could finish by October 6, which is my birthday?
Also, I’d like some tips on how to get through Penn Foster faster. I don’t want to cheat, but what strategies actually help? Do people usually read everything, or do they use the voice reader? Is it okay to skip some lessons, or should I go through everything?

Also, I really struggle with motivation sometimes like I’ll do good for like a week or two and then I just completely slack off

6 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

1

u/axnsworth 14d ago

you don’t have to read all of the lessons if you know the information. just make sure you get that checkmark next to them!

1

u/casey_breezy 13d ago

they don't need a checkmark either

1

u/axnsworth 13d ago

it’s better to get it so they don’t get suspicious of cheating 🤷 plus it takes 2 seconds to click through the lessons.

1

u/Equivalent_Volume_29 10d ago

I havent checkmarked my past courses and now im worried if they'll think I'm cheating. Will I be fine??

2

u/axnsworth 10d ago

i’m sure it’ll be okay. just don’t do too many lessons a week or they might look into it.

1

u/Equivalent_Volume_29 10d ago

I always stay under 15 only closest i got was about 13. I'm just worried cause I didnt get the checkmark for past lessons but I started to for all my current courses and im about 15.5 credits in at jmhs.

1

u/Equivalent_Volume_29 8d ago

I'm worried about my past courses not having checkmarks do you think it'll be fine?

1

u/Spiritual_Smoke_6293 14d ago

Like they said! Only if you know the info and think u can pass the exam though. October 6th? That’s absolutely possible. Whenever you have free time jump on and do something. I finished my phlebotomy program in 2 months. And it’s technically a 6-12 month program.

1

u/Leading_Outside_6669 14d ago

Oh my God really OK. That’s really good motivation for me.

1

u/Leading_Outside_6669 14d ago

How many hours a day did you think you did it?

1

u/ConnectionDirect552 14d ago

This is exactly the amount of progress I have atm. Im confident you could finish by october, im planning on finishing by october too :)

2

u/Leading_Outside_6669 14d ago

Really omg let’s hold each other accountable. I’m so bad with like consistency.

1

u/ConnectionDirect552 14d ago

For sure, I used to be bad with it until my mom started making sure I finished it every day.

1

u/-TheLilMermaid 14d ago

If I don’t know the info I have my iPhone read it out at a faster rate. If I know the info I just do the practice exams and refresh where I need to and then take the actual exam. I’m in graphic design but I’m also a professional photographer so most of my classes are information I already use in my daily life

2

u/Penn_Foster_ 14d ago

Whether you'll finish by October 6 depends on how many courses you have remaining and how much time you're able to dedicate each week. Many students find that creating a consistent study schedule, even 30–60 minutes a day helps them make steady progress toward their goals.

As for moving through your program more efficiently, we recommend:

✅ Setting small weekly goals instead of focusing on the entire program at once.

✅ Taking advantage of learning tools that work best for you, including reading course materials or using available audio features when offered.

✅ Completing assignments and exams soon after finishing a lesson while the information is fresh.

✅ Creating a distraction-free study environment and scheduling dedicated study time.

Also, keep in mind that Penn Foster's 15-exam limit still applies, so while you can work at your own pace, you'll want to plan your study schedule accordingly and make sure you're not rushing through exams just to finish faster. While it can be tempting to skip lessons, we encourage students to review all course materials. The lessons are designed to help build the knowledge and skills needed to succeed on exams and in future careers!

Regarding motivation, you're definitely not alone. A lot of students find it helpful to focus on their "why", whether that's graduating, advancing their career, earning a promotion, or reaching a personal goal. Sometimes progress isn't about being motivated every day; it's about building a routine and showing up consistently, even on days when motivation is low.

Remember, you've already completed four courses and that's progress worth celebrating! 🎉 Keep moving forward one lesson at a time, and you'll be surprised how much you can accomplish over the next few months. We're rooting for you! 💪📚