Image by betsyanne via FlickrSometimes the line is blurred. But I think most students who don't fit the traditional mold can feel somehow like an outsider at school - like somebody who doesn't quite fit in. In fact, I have had some people say that even though they MIGHT be able to do an online class, going back to school with younger students just terrifies them! Some younger students make a point of including them in conversations. Others would rather they just didn't exist - - which is really a moot point, because they do exist, and in higher numbers than ever.
I have written an article that hopefully will be published on another blog soon. I will list the link here as soon as I can. It has to do with Fear and the Nontraditional Student. I do think that there are some fears that nontraditional students have that can hold them back. I think nowadays, though, that older, "nontrad" students are learning to overcome their fears and to welcome the chance to interact with younger, more traditional students.
Other nontraditional students are shouldering heavy family responsibilities and money woes. I don't think we can clump everyone in the same basket always, but I do think that many nontraditional students have a lot in common, such as:
1. Less time to study
2. A lack of encouragement from family or friends
3. Family responsibilities that can take time away from schoolwork
4. A feeling of being "less than" or not being as prepared as younger students
5. A greater focus on where they are going, and a more serious outlook about school.
6. More stories and life experiences they love to share with others
I think it's good for different groups to interact, whether it is in an online or face-to-face class. It is my hope that the diversity of the modern classroom will have a positive effect - - helping younger students to appreciate how seriousness has its place, and for older students to realize that fun and a sense of play have their place in education too, and can make the whole experience even better.
All for now!
Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne
Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook (be member #166)
Betsyanne, as always, this is a very insightful post. I see two factors that make the term “non-traditional student” a misnomer. Not only are more and more people of all ages and backgrounds able to realize their goal of becoming students by taking advantage of the variety of delivery methods for college programs (most notably night and online courses), but with the ever-rising cost of living, nearly every student- age 18 or 38, living on-campus or off- needs to work and attend school at the same time. It is true that the lines are getting blurred when it comes to pigeon-holing students, which I view as a great thing! One of the most important things you can learn in college that DOESN’T come from a book is the realization that you can learn something from everyone.
ReplyDeleteBethany Irvin
Director, Success Center- Chicago
American InterContinental University
According to your definition I am a non-traditional student: in my early forties, family with two kids, doing part-time MBA. However, I would not subscribe to at least these points in your definition:
ReplyDelete2. A lack of encouragement from family or friends
4. A feeling of being "less than" or not being as prepared as younger students
* ...most students who don't fit the traditional mold can feel somehow like an outsider at school - like somebody who doesn't quite fit in. ... going back to school with younger students just terrifies them!
To the last point, I actually feel extremely comfortable among my classmates, who are mostly in late twenties. It is fun to be a student again, even though excruciatingly painful at times due to workload. More on that in my blog: http://parttimembadegree.com/
Does it disqualify me from "nontraditionalists"?
Hi, Bloggervit! I certainly don't think you are not qualified as a nontraditional student.
ReplyDeleteThere are as many different feelings and situations among nontraditional students as there are students.
I have heard from many nontraditional students about family support and feelings about going back to school.
Most of them so far had the feelings I talked about - but by no means ALL of them. :-)
Thanks for speaking for some other nontraditional students!
I wish you the very best of luck in your educational journey.
PS: I usually don't post comments that have more than one link in them, but did this time. You may want to just use the "automatic" link that is present in all Blogger Blogs as a link coming from your name, instead of posting it again inside your post. That way all your comments will be posted on other blogs and not deleted as spam or advertising. Just a word to the wise. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for approving my comment. I did not know whether my blogger link would show in the posting. I generally agree with your position on links in spam comments (I discard them by dozens a week in my own blog), and I thought the link to my blog would not be classified as such, because it does add value to the discussion, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
A lot of the traditional students have preconceived connotation with the traditional students. They think that they are bad, lazy or unlucky students who were not able to graduate on time. Most of the nontrad students are outcasts and nobody talks to them much. This is the sad reality about nontrad students. Thus, there is a greater need to built a network and support each other at times like these.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about the networking being so valuable for nontraditional students. I'm sorry to hear about the ostracizing of older students sometimes. It happens also just with older people too. I hope this changes in the future.
ReplyDeleteSoon enough, the younger people who are prejudiced against older people will become older people themselves, and will probably change their minds.