Learning Microsoft Excel in college

The best way to learn something (and remember it!) is to put it into practice. This past year at Cal State Fullerton, one course that I enrolled in was Information Systems and Decision Sciences. Basically a computer course, we learned how to operate Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. Being an Honors course, it was much more challenging than I first thought, but the results (besides a solid A) were amazing.
Having used Microsoft Excel for years in middle and high school, I assumed that I had learned all that I needed to know. Formulas, sheet setup, data editing, etc. But the course in college blew all of that out the door. To summarize, I never realized the potential of these programs. What it took was a good teacher and on my part a good attitude.

Half of the course was dedicated to Microsoft Excel: and pure operating techniques. Using Microsoft Excel 2010, I learned how to filter, freeze panes, protect a worksheet, operate 'what if analysis', insert headers and footers, customize charts and graphs, and use conditional formatting. Right after that class, I went to my computer and put it to constructive use.

It has always been a habit of mine to track my grades. I would take scores and assignment data and input it into an Excel worksheet. Setting up the formulas was the tricky part, especially if the class grade was on a weighted scale. But the skills I learned from Information Systems were indispensable. Not only did I calculate my college grades with a high degree of accuracy, I impressed both professors and students when I showed them what I had created.

Without professional tutoring, my knowledge of Excel would not have helped me during the school year. Every day I could have the reassurance of knowing exactly what grade I had. I could predict what to do for future assignments and understand in which courses a borderline B+/A- would appear.

For anyone else, a similar style of professional learning can be obtained with CDP's Excel Tutor. For myself, as a college student, or even as a business associate, understanding the program's potentials are a great foundation to a job and a career. Increase work effeciency by working smarter. The Excel Tutor can be that 'teacher' and lead you to a new level of understanding and success.