It's time again for one of the most stressful days in South Korea. Nearly 700,000 high school students took the national college entrance exam. This is a big ordeal. The annual test determines a student's future. There is so much importance placed on the exam that planes can't fly near the test sites and the workday begins one hour later so students can get to the center without being late and facing traffic.

Police officers even escort girls toward their school. There are 1,100 exam locations throughout the country. Parents usher their children to the test and encourage them while others wait outside and watch their students take the test. Students even come prepared with seat cushions and water bottles.

Students prepare for this test their entire life. One student reported studying six hours a day outside of school in order to prepare. The tension is high because the scores not only affect universities but everything else. One student said "It's all going to be changed by this."

The stress gets so high for some students that they end up committing suicide.  One boy jumped off a bridge earlier this morning and there are other cases. For other students that have opted to take the test and spent a large percent of their time studying head for the testing centers while parents and grandparents gather and pray at Buddhist temples in Seoul and throughout the country. Parents pray for their child's college placement exams. Some parents have been praying for the past 100 days.

Students future careers and ultimately their lives boil down to one test on one single day. The pressure on students is so high to succeed that many high school students don't want to have a child in their country because of all the pressure. The country places a lot of emphasis on education and because of that 83 percent of high school graduates go to universities, but first they must do well on the test. The exam is roughly nine hours long and determines college admission.

The stress and pressure being placed on these kids is astronomical. A child's future shouldn't depend on one day and one test. Plus there is the fact that many students have a disadvantage because they don't test very well. It goes back to the fact that people learn and test differently. Some do great on tests while others do better on interviews or projects. The government should give students more of a chance to show that they can be successful in life without this one test.

Even though graduation rates and college attendance are high, students still need to be able to have a life. They need to spend time with friends socializing, playing sports, and spending time with family. Not everything can be learned in the classroom. They need to experience high school and college because for many us that was the best time of our life.

There is way to much pressure placed on these South Korean students and that is shown with students that are committing suicide or not wanting to have children. While the SAT and ACT in America are the big test they really don't mean that much. They give a background to show what you have learned. However students can go on to college and live a successful life with the value of hard work, instead of one test.

Education is extremely important and Koreans and Americans both understand that. Many Americans don't do well in secondary school but go on to college and open their own businesses. They lead successful lives even if they didn't do well on the test. The American system isn't the greatest and there is a lot of room for improvement, but the South Koreans need to relax a little bit. One test cannot and should not determine the intelligence or worth of a student.

Officers in the armed forces are making education a top priority to deployed soldiers.

“Knowledge is power. If a Marine takes advantage of education opportunities while they’re in the military, it will make them more competitive within their military occupation specialty and in the civilian workforce,” Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Forbes, says.

The military offers help to soldiers in enrolling in classes. Forbes completed 71 credits while enlisted and is working towards a degree in human resources.

“With the current tempo here in Iraq, there is no excuse why every Marine can’t take at least one course while here,” says Master Sgt. James Emch. “Marines should jump at the opportunity to better themselves and set themselves up for a successful future.”

Deployed soldiers can get up to 100 percent of their educational expenses paid for by the government through programs like Tuition Assistance, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the Marine Corpse College Fund.

“The best time for Marines to pursue their education is not when they get out of the Corps. It’s while their still in it,” says an education technician at Camp Courtney in Japan.

A friend recommended he visit www.ClassesAndCareers.com, a free online education information resource. In a few minutes, users can fill out a form and be connected live with an education advisor.

"I went to the Web site and told them about my goals," Sergeant John Noble says. "Not long after, an advisor called me and helped me find a nice, flexible online program. I could do lectures and homework during my time off."

Noble is now more than halfway through his bachelors in accounting. "It has been really convenient for me to continue my education while I’m enlisted,” Noble said.  “I should finish right before I am released and will be able to go directly into a Masters Program.”

If you are considering enrolling in classes while still serving, visit www.ClassesAndCareers.com to be connected live with an education advisor. After assessing your career goals, he or she will help you work towards your educational and career goals.

With a GI Bill that covers full tuition and much more, the number of veterans attending college this fall is expected to rise 30 percent from last year.  This influx has caused many universities to identify ways to bridge the gap from combat to the classroom.

Many veterans that are either starting or going back to school have run into problems like campus politics, crowds which can alarm the soldiers, or being around fellow students that don’t understand their experiences while in the military. 

Because many soldiers struggle with the transition, many colleges are offering veterans-only classes, adding counselors and condensing the application and financial aid process.

Veterans – only classes began at Cleveland State in 2007.  They are freshman level classes that keep men and women together just like a unit in the military where they can support and motivate each other.  The reason behind these classes is that many soldiers have a difficult time adjusting to life in the classroom and this class allows them to be in the same class as others who might be struggling with the same thing.

This class provides students more support and understanding because they have experienced the same things.  These classes have had a lot of success and as a result, many other universities and colleges in twelve other states are looking at implementing the same program.

The military is continually trying to make the educational process simpler for its troops.  Not only have they improved the opportunities for soldiers through the GI Bill, but schools are also trying to help soldiers succeed.

Military and schools both realize the benefit that education will have on soldiers and their families.  Therefore, they have taken steps to help them.  Education is important because it will help them advance in their careers and provide for their families.  These soldiers already have battlefield experience but an education will help them gain civilian knowledge that can help them excell in their endeavors.