I have wondered about this a lot. Nontraditional students seem to be exploding as a group on campuses. Yet only the best of schools seem to be noticing and are "Nontrad-friendly."
1. A nontraditional student group - something already made up that nontraditional students can join as their very own group. A meeting place with a couch, chairs, tables, computers, etc. would also be nice.
2. Help with child care. If a campus or school can't or won't provide child care so parents can attend school, they should help find good child care for nontraditional students.
3. A way of helping nontraditional students get acclimated. This could be a Nontrad Welcome Class, a course including computer use and a brush-up on study skills, and an introduction to all the areas of the school.
4. A consciousness-raising campaign to welcome nontraditional students to the school. Many younger people don't really know what to think about older people going to "their" school. It would help to let them know that older people are more like them than different. Schools should emphasize what good things nontraditional student add to the mix.
5. Student housing for everyone - undergraduates, graduates, and families with children.
6. Social clubs that include nontraditional students. Social life can enhance the educational experience so much - and so can the diversity of having nontraditional students involved in every aspect of the schools they attend.
If you are a nontraditional student, know that you DO have choices, especially today. Distance learning has eliminated some barriers to classes and made more choices for students.
But nontraditional students still need to do their research and ask questions, like "do you have a nontraditional student club?" and "what special things do you do for nontraditional students?"
Things like counseling just for nontraditional students and a helping hand to get and stay acclimated can mean so much - even the difference between completing their work and dropping out.
Some good examples of schools that I feel are Nontraditional Student friendly are: The University of Wisconsin College system, and The University of Kentucky (has family housing).
Many other trade schools, community colleges, universities, and colleges are offering great programs for their nontraditional students. I want to thank them, and hope that other schools will consider going the extra mile for nontraditional students too.
-Betsyanne
Some of my links!
The Wisconsin Nontrad Page
The Kentucky Nontrad Page
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral
I agree that it is important to look for accommodating factors when looking at schools. Students should evaluate their choices and options in each degree program, especially as a non-traditional student. AIU offers online courses allowing for the school/work/family balance and we offer a New Student Club as well as other resources to help non-traditional students transition back into student life. I’m curious, what other offerings non-traditional students might look for in a degree program or a school?
ReplyDeleteBetsy Balachandran
Career Services & Alumni Affairs
American InterContinental University
bbalachandran@aiuonline.edu
I think a choice of class times can be important, especially for students who also have a job and family responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a choice between face-to-face and online classes is also good. I know some nontraditional students do not have a choice, and must select online classes though.
I think a club of some kind and access to other social activities just for nontraditional students can really help most of all.
OR having a knowledgeable person at the school to help with scheduling and other issues could be so helpful.
It helps when people at a school recognize the unique problems that nontrads have when going back to school.
Just be recognized and validated can help an older person.
Schools with the TRiO programs, like Student Support Services, support non traditional students with tutoring, having a community, learning groups, social activities and counseling. the national web site is www.coenet.us or one can go to the US Department of Education and look for the TRiO programs page to find out which colleges have SSS/TRiO. And if you are working on a GED, the TRiO program Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) can help you with college access, counseling, fill out the fafsa, career decision-making, all for free.
ReplyDeleteI really like this information. I can't wait to twitter it, put it on Facebook, go there to check it out, and list schools that have this program. It sounds like a terrific program.
ReplyDeleteI think WKU has it, because I remember seeing this name. Thank you, JT, so much for letting me know more about it, and giving me that link.