Here are some things I believe Nontraditional Students should have to succeed. These things are also good for traditional students to have.
Personal qualities successful nontraditional students have:
Stick-to-it-iveness - this essential quality of not giving up in the middle of a project (or class!) is absolutely a must for nontraditional students. It prevents late assignments and possible grade heartache.
Outgoingness - nontraditional students must sometimes go ahead and introduce themselves, getting needed phone numbers and email contact information so they won't miss information if they get sick and can't come to class. If a nontrad is shy, he or she needs to "act as if" and go ahead and get this important job done.
Patience - it takes awhile to get to know the ropes. And if a nontraditional student is taking a few years of training, it takes patience to go through each prerequisite course. It can also take a lot of patience to listen to boring teachers or speakers at times. Not saying all professors or teachers are this way, but I have had a few. Luckily, not many.
Physical fitness - I know, not all nontraditional students are fit. But sometimes if you are going to a campus with hills and valleys, and have to hoof it back and forth to distant buildings, you do need to be in shape if possible. If a nontraditional student has a disability, hopefully the school will help with transportation or has a good wheelchair access to buildings and walkways. At my school (Western Kentucky University) they built in wheelchair access in many areas.
Organization - it is imperative to be organized. The more classes I had, the more organized I had to be. Otherwise, I would have lost notes and not known important test dates, and even missed classes. My notebook and calendar were musts, and I had to write everything in it.
Helpful nontraditional support that some nontraditional students have
Family Support - this is not a must (nontraditional students have succeeded without it) but it sure helps.
Group and Friend Support - this can really help too. Having a nontraditional student group at school is so helpful for many. Finding a good online group can be such a plus too. Some students have told me that they prefer to "go it alone," but I found having people to talk to that understood where I was coming from decreased my stress level and made being back in school so much more rewarding.
Teacher Support - this doesn't always happen, but many more teachers do help their nontraditional students who are in their class. Sometimes it takes an appointment and a personal visit, but a supportive teacher who will tell you what to study and why can make your class so much better.
School Support - some schools have it, some don't. It can make such a difference, for example, if a school offers day care or helps nontraditional students with families find it. And a special study area for nontraditional students is becoming much more popular and is needed.
Any more ideas? Please list them, so I can make an even better list next time.
Nontraditionally Yours,
Betsyanne
former nontraditional student
Get connected: Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter
Welcome to the Nontraditional Student blog. Helping commuter students, graduate students, nontraditional students, continuing education students, and more.
New ideas for saving money at school
I am so thrilled about getting these great ideas today.
They are from the Nontrad Group on Yahoo. I mean, don't most students need to save money? I know I for sure needed to when I was a nontraditional student. So here are those ideas from the Nontraditional Student Yahoo Group, not in any particular order:
How to save money in school
Rent or borrow your course books
One good site: bookrenters.com
Get notebooks and pens from the Dollar Store.
Borrow a backpack from a friend.
Use the same backpack from other years
Bring your own food to school including a thermos, which can be used for cold drinks or hot drinks, or soup.
Take leftovers to school.
Work part-time to pay for expenses.
Take classes with a close friend or family member to share on the book. Studying together is also a win-win proposition.
Park your car and use the bus.
Buy books online or on Craigslist. This person also uses Abebooks. It can be cheaper than renting.
Use Craigslist to swap or purchase books. I used Amazon or Ebay to buy mine.
Use an earlier edition of the book if the teacher permits. There may only be a small difference in it and the newer one (like page numbers).
Buy almost everything at thrift stores, even binders, notebooks, pens, clothes, and shoes. You can also buy rolling backpacks, but do your research first on them so they last a long time.
Bring Ramen cup o'noodles to eat.
Re-sell your used books the next semester.
Walk to campus instead of using your car if you live close.
Join a gas station co-op.
Keep fruit and nuts in the car.
Use biggerbooks.com, amazon.com, and Ebay half price books sites.
Shop around for the best book prices.
Kindle ebooks are sometimes cheaper.
Living on campus saves money and gas expenses.
Use a refrigerator on campus if you have access to one.
Bring water or other beverages to drink.
I love these! Thank you, Nontrads! Want to add more? Just add them as a comment right below here.
Your suggestions will make this list even better.
THX
Betsyanne
Former Nontrad Student in Kentucky
Some more Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter
They are from the Nontrad Group on Yahoo. I mean, don't most students need to save money? I know I for sure needed to when I was a nontraditional student. So here are those ideas from the Nontraditional Student Yahoo Group, not in any particular order:
How to save money in school
Rent or borrow your course books
One good site: bookrenters.com
Get notebooks and pens from the Dollar Store.
Borrow a backpack from a friend.
Use the same backpack from other years
Bring your own food to school including a thermos, which can be used for cold drinks or hot drinks, or soup.
Take leftovers to school.
Work part-time to pay for expenses.
Take classes with a close friend or family member to share on the book. Studying together is also a win-win proposition.
Park your car and use the bus.
Buy books online or on Craigslist. This person also uses Abebooks. It can be cheaper than renting.
Use Craigslist to swap or purchase books. I used Amazon or Ebay to buy mine.
Use an earlier edition of the book if the teacher permits. There may only be a small difference in it and the newer one (like page numbers).
Buy almost everything at thrift stores, even binders, notebooks, pens, clothes, and shoes. You can also buy rolling backpacks, but do your research first on them so they last a long time.
Bring Ramen cup o'noodles to eat.
Re-sell your used books the next semester.
Walk to campus instead of using your car if you live close.
Join a gas station co-op.
Keep fruit and nuts in the car.
Use biggerbooks.com, amazon.com, and Ebay half price books sites.
Shop around for the best book prices.
Kindle ebooks are sometimes cheaper.
Living on campus saves money and gas expenses.
Use a refrigerator on campus if you have access to one.
Bring water or other beverages to drink.
I love these! Thank you, Nontrads! Want to add more? Just add them as a comment right below here.
Your suggestions will make this list even better.
THX
Betsyanne
Former Nontrad Student in Kentucky
Some more Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter
Looking back, and some things I learned by being a nontraditional student (revised and corrected)
#1: I learned that my attitude mattered... (version 2)
Okay. I'll admit it. At first when I went back to school, my attitude was that of "Uh-oh. Will I fit in? Will this work out for me? Am I making the wrong choices in what I am taking?"
The last question was the biggest one I had. Was I making a wrong choice? Like many nontraditional students, I had more than one choice in what I could take in school. I did know one thing: I didn't want to take 4 more years of school and not have much (at least on paper) to show for it.
My decision had been whether to concentrate on my English skills OR go for Art education instead. Once I made up my mind, I went for it.
But I can imagine that waffling longer... maybe taking one class at a time, taking both interests at the same time, and always worrying about my decision would have bogged me down, and taken time away from where it belonged: on my studies.
As it turned out, deciding once and for all about this question was a good decision for me. If I had not, I would have had to take MUCH longer to find out what teaching could really be like (at least, at the school I taught at, which I think was a pretty typical school).
Another good benefit of having a plan was that I did not have to re-take any classes or drop any. This is a very good thing, and saved me a lot of money. Plus, I found out some important lessons. The most important lesson I learned was that you just have to TRY something sometimes and find out if you like it.
#2 Some other things I learned by being a nontraditional student...
Okay. I'll admit it. At first when I went back to school, my attitude was that of "Uh-oh. Will I fit in? Will this work out for me? Am I making the wrong choices in what I am taking?"
The last question was the biggest one I had. Was I making a wrong choice? Like many nontraditional students, I had more than one choice in what I could take in school. I did know one thing: I didn't want to take 4 more years of school and not have much (at least on paper) to show for it.
My decision had been whether to concentrate on my English skills OR go for Art education instead. Once I made up my mind, I went for it.
But I can imagine that waffling longer... maybe taking one class at a time, taking both interests at the same time, and always worrying about my decision would have bogged me down, and taken time away from where it belonged: on my studies.
As it turned out, deciding once and for all about this question was a good decision for me. If I had not, I would have had to take MUCH longer to find out what teaching could really be like (at least, at the school I taught at, which I think was a pretty typical school).
Another good benefit of having a plan was that I did not have to re-take any classes or drop any. This is a very good thing, and saved me a lot of money. Plus, I found out some important lessons. The most important lesson I learned was that you just have to TRY something sometimes and find out if you like it.
A. All the positive attitude, smiles, and good intentions in the world won't help you if you don't jump in with both feet and actually TRY something. Once I decided to go for more education, and actually signed up and did my FAFSA, everything else just started to fall in place.
B. Deciding what I was going to do with my second chance at another type of job was up to me, but I was NOT locked into that choice, as I learned later on. I learned that I could branch out into something else after I earned my certification.
Learning a new skill helped me in my personal life - - I was able to speak better in front of lots of people, make presentations, and do research faster. I was able to finish projects in a timely way. Now I can divide projects and my writing up into smaller sections and delegate my time.
Learning a new skill helped me in my personal life - - I was able to speak better in front of lots of people, make presentations, and do research faster. I was able to finish projects in a timely way. Now I can divide projects and my writing up into smaller sections and delegate my time.
C. Going back to school was not only a chance for me to learn something academic, but was a chance to learn something about MYSELF. I found out that I could overcome some big challenges, and I was not a quitter. (I pretty much knew this already, but I confirmed it.) I also learned that if I tried my best, sometimes that was more than enough.
D. When I was in school, I needed to pull out all the stops in order to do well and get good grades. Learning what I needed to learn did not come easy. It was a lot of hard work. That meant studying as much as possible, never missing class, and connecting with other students. But you know what? All the hard work was really worth it, and helped build up my self-esteem.
E. Graduating or finishing my classes did NOT mean that I was stuck in a rut or couldn't change my mind later. It turned out I DID change my mind later, and that was OK.
I know that I can always go back to school again as a nontraditional student for something entirely different, OR I can learn another subject in school or by myself. The sky is indeed the limit now, because I proved to myself that I could knuckle down and succeed at learning something I wanted to learn, and my age didn't matter.
F. I learned that my success isn't always what other people tell me it is. My personal success and how I feel about myself is up to me.
I learned that what other people tell me is the "truth" is not always all of what is really going on in a situation. (Duh!) I learned that it is not enough to just have an opinion or look at things from "my" point of view. I learned that looking at others' points of view can be refreshing, even if those people do not agree with me, and/or have their own agendas.
I learned a lot about really looking around and evaluating things. This is a life skill that is really important.
Because I went back to school, I learned a lot about teaching, a lot about people, and a lot about lessons and life - - because when I tried teaching for the very first time, I learned so much. The biggest lesson of all was learning that it is OK to make a mistake. Everyone does it. In fact, it is human to make a mistake. I am the kind of person who used to go over and over the causes of every mistake when it happened.
I have changed. I no longer do this. Nowadays I stop when I have pretty much understood it, and focus a lot more on the learning I have because of each one. Going back to school has changed me as a person and changed the way I think in a very basic and healthy way.
I know that I can always go back to school again as a nontraditional student for something entirely different, OR I can learn another subject in school or by myself. The sky is indeed the limit now, because I proved to myself that I could knuckle down and succeed at learning something I wanted to learn, and my age didn't matter.
F. I learned that my success isn't always what other people tell me it is. My personal success and how I feel about myself is up to me.
I learned that what other people tell me is the "truth" is not always all of what is really going on in a situation. (Duh!) I learned that it is not enough to just have an opinion or look at things from "my" point of view. I learned that looking at others' points of view can be refreshing, even if those people do not agree with me, and/or have their own agendas.
I learned a lot about really looking around and evaluating things. This is a life skill that is really important.
Because I went back to school, I learned a lot about teaching, a lot about people, and a lot about lessons and life - - because when I tried teaching for the very first time, I learned so much. The biggest lesson of all was learning that it is OK to make a mistake. Everyone does it. In fact, it is human to make a mistake. I am the kind of person who used to go over and over the causes of every mistake when it happened.
I have changed. I no longer do this. Nowadays I stop when I have pretty much understood it, and focus a lot more on the learning I have because of each one. Going back to school has changed me as a person and changed the way I think in a very basic and healthy way.
Are you going back to school right now? What are some things you are concerned about OR what have you learned so far? Share your thoughts below as a comment.
Later!
E. Sheppard
Some of my other Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter
My Big List of Nontrad Sites - Version B (with corrections)
Blogs and Sites for Nontraditional Students
Some of these sites I just found by going to my regular sites and seeing who they had on their favorites lists. Then I checked each one out. Most I have known about for a long time, and like to go to see what each blogger is doing too. My sites are marked with an asterix (*).
Here are some I like. I will be adding more as I hear about them, or will be putting them on a later list.
Blogs, Sites, and more - for nontraditional students. (Version B)
Older Nontrad Student – this is Zickbee’s site. She tells about her nontrad journey as she goes through school.
Colleen (Leen the Bean) has a terrific blog called Going the Distance: Three Credits at a Time here: http://threecreditsatatime.wordpress.com/
I like it a lot! This blog is about "Distance learning off the coast of Maine" and other interesting things. Thanks for the comments, Colleen!
My Life as a Mature Age Student – this nontraditional student lives in Australia.
Diaries of a Neurotic Nontrad
This blog is written by a 30-something nontraditional student. She has been back in school for the last 5 years.
*The Nontraditional Student website
Find help, support, and links for studying, groups, your FAFSA, and more.
*Nontrads on Facebook
Be our next member! Share about school, meet other nontrads, get support and information.
*Nontrads on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nontrads
*Nontrads on Yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Non-trads/
A group of nontraditional students and people who help them. Find answers to questions, talk about what matters to you, share your nontrad journey.
Rantings of a Middle-Aged College Student
Brandywine works full-time AND goes to school full-time. Wow. She is a history major and a Spanish minor.
Never too Late to Learn
Stuart attends the University of Sheffield. He is studying for an IT degree.
My Second Career: A Doctor
Follow a medical student who is going for his second profession.
Student Mum lives in the UK and is studying Victorian literature.
The Mature? Student
This student is writing about going back to school after 31 years. She tells about her writing, her classes, and lots more. She has some other nontraditional students in her classes, it sounds like. She lives in Ireland!
Sweet Sue is a nontraditional student at Portland State University.
Deb’s Continuing Education blog
There are many stories on this site, advice, links, and just lots of very useful stuff. Deb Peterson is in charge of this site.
Career Alley – lots of job advice, sites, and articles.
Academic, Hopeful
The thoughts and blog postings of a PhD. Candidate.
Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student
Redfokker is 53, and is a history major at Oregon State University. He writes about school, plus his journeys to historical places.
Scholarships and Grants
*My Scholarships and Grants site
http://www.findscholarshipsandgrants.blogspot.com/
Another big list: my ScholarsGrants big list of scholarship links and sites
GED Stories
Although many of my readers are in college, some are also getting their GED. Here is a site I really like, and comment here a lot. It is called GED stories. Real people write what it is like to go back to school.
http://www.passged.com/stories/
(new) Here is a new blog called Back to School at 40 (or 41). It is written by Jeffrey in Alabama. He is just starting out in his back-to-school journey. I hope he keeps in touch with us. He actually made the President's List his first semester. That is so great!
(new) Here is a new blog called Back to School at 40 (or 41). It is written by Jeffrey in Alabama. He is just starting out in his back-to-school journey. I hope he keeps in touch with us. He actually made the President's List his first semester. That is so great!
ANTSHE – this is a site for nontraditional students around the world. You can join as a student group or individually. They have a conference every year.
Adult Student links
Old Pre-Meds for Nontraditional Students (OPM)
Nontraditional Medical Student – getting into medical school for older nontraditional students.
Son of Citation Machine
ProfEval
SparkNotes study guides
Let me know which sites you like the best, and don't forget to comment here with your favorites or ones you would like me to add.
Do YOU have a nontraditional student site? Let me know by commenting here too.
Do YOU have a nontraditional student site? Let me know by commenting here too.
Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne
My big list of Nontrad links
Here is another BIG list of nontraditional student links. These are handy to try… sometimes just going to another nontraditional student site can be uplifting, full of tips, and give good ideas. Some of these sites I have been collecting for a long time.
Some of these sites I just found today by going to my regular sites and seeing who they had on their favorites lists. My sites are marked with an asterix (*).
Here are some I like. I will be adding more as I hear about them, or will be putting them on a later list.
Blogs, Sites, and more - for nontraditional students.
Older Nontrad Student – this is Zickbee’s site. She tells about her nontrad journey as she goes through school.
OWNER NAME CORRECTION: It is Colleen (Leen the Bean) who has a great blog called Going the Distance: Three Credits at a Time here: http://threecreditsatatime.wordpress.com/
I like it a lot! Sorry to have the wrong name here the first time, Colleen. This blog is about "Distance learning off the coast of Maine" and other interesting things.
My Life as a Mature Age Student – this nontraditional student lives in Australia.
Diaries of a Neurotic Nontrad
This blog is written by a 30-something nontraditional student. She has been back in school for the last 5 years.
*The Nontraditional Student website
Find help, support, and links for studying, groups, your FAFSA, and more.
*Nontrads on Facebook
Be our next member! Share about school, meet other nontrads, get support and information.
*Nontrads on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nontrads
*Nontrads on Yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Non-trads/
A group of nontraditional students and people who help them. Find answers to questions, talk about what matters to you, share your nontrad journey.
Rantings of a Middle-Aged College Student
Brandywine works full-time AND goes to school full-time. Wow. She is a history major and a Spanish minor.
Never too Late to Learn
Stuart attends the University of Sheffield. He is studying for an IT degree.
My Second Career: A Doctor
Follow a medical student who is going for his second profession.
Student Mum lives in the UK and is studying Victorian literature.
The Mature? Student
This student is writing about going back to school after 31 years. She tells about her writing, her classes, and lots more. She has some other nontraditional students in her classes, it sounds like. She lives in Ireland!
Sweet Sue is a nontraditional student at Portland State University.
Deb’s Continuing Education blog
There are many stories on this site, advice, links, and just lots of very useful stuff. Deb Peterson is in charge of this site.
Career Alley – lots of job advice, sites, and articles.
Academic, Hopeful
The thoughts and blog postings of a PhD. Candidate.
Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student
Redfokker is 53, and is a history major at Oregon State University. He writes about school, plus his journeys to historical places.
Scholarships and Grants
*My Scholarships and Grants site
http://www.findscholarshipsandgrants.blogspot.com/
Another big list: my ScholarsGrants big list of scholarship links and sites
GED Stories
Although many of my readers are in college, some are also getting their GED. Here is a site I really like, and comment here a lot. It is called GED stories. Real people write what it is like to go back to school.
ANTSHE – this is a site for nontraditional students around the world. You can join as a student group or individually. They have a conference every year.
Adult Student links
Old Pre-Meds for Nontraditional Students (OPM)
Nontraditional Medical Student – getting into medical school for older nontraditional students.
Son of Citation Machine
ProfEval
SparkNotes study guides
Let me know which sites you like the best, and don't forget to comment here with your favorites or ones you would like me to add.
Do YOU have a nontraditional student site? Let me know by commenting here too.
Do YOU have a nontraditional student site? Let me know by commenting here too.
Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne
Nontrads, Ted Williams, and being homeless - here's to second chances!
Listening to Ted Williams and his mother this morning really got me thinking.
Ted Williams is now a famous man and soon will hopefully have a home.
Isn't it an inspiring story to hear about Ted Williams, his magical "Golden Pipes" voice, and the job offers that are turning his life around? I heard him interviewed this morning and was thrilled to hear his mother telling about her journey, and listen to him telling about his new second chance, and how he was going to turn his life around.
Ted Williams hopefully will be the official voice for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and perhaps announce for the Cleveland Cavaliers too. I think that is so great. It is just amazing that just a little while ago, Ted Williams was homeless and on a street corner holding a sign, like many others out there. It looked like there was little hope things would change for him.
I was homeless once - or close to it. I lived in a car in California for awhile. So this story really spoke to me. It's true what they say - - you never know... being homeless CAN happen to you, especially if your life changes and your money runs out. You simply may not have another option. I was one of the lucky ones to actually have a car and a few dollars for gas. (We are talking few...) I didn't have to panhandle on the street like Ted Williams did, but still, it was a scary time. I didn't know where (or when) we would eat next, or where we would be able to park the car to sleep from day to day. Ted Williams was from a good family, and so was I. But having that going for you doesn't always prevent something bad from happening, I found out.
Luckily for me, this part of my life did not last long. True, it was a scary time. But it taught me to be careful, and to count my blessings, for I still had a lot of blessings to count, no matter how hard things got.
To get back to the subject, I think nontraditional students as a whole can identify some with Ted Williams, the most famous homeless man in the country today. They have something in common with him. They are both starting over again. They are both operating from a place of faith. For example, Ted Williams is acknowledging "the God of his understanding" through AA. And Nontraditional students also have to take a leap of faith to go from the known - a comfortable place - but maybe not so great - to the unknown.
It can be scary to change things, even if a person knows it's the right thing to do. The unknown can be scary. A new job or place in life can also be scary, and that is what is facing nontraditional students after school is finished.
Ted Williams says what people can do in a scary situation is to "build up your faith and support system...". What great advice for nontraditional students. His mother's advice to her son is, "Start a new life." And that is what Ted Williams and many nontraditional students are doing right now.
What else makes Ted William's story like some nontrad stories? Well, many nontraditional students don't know which jobs they will be offered later on. Will the economy get better? Will there be a job waiting for them? Nontrads really can be living in a scary place, thinking about all the loans they have to pay back later on too.
Again, change itself is scary, even if it is good change. I know that there is no guarantee that life will always go your way.
But here's to second chances!
This is the video I saw this morning: (I think you will like it!) Ted Williams "Golden Pipes" reconnects with his Mom. (video)
Nontraditionally Yours,
Betsyanne
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter
Nontraditional Students: Ten New Year's Resolutions
The New Year 2011 - and Nontraditional Students' Resolutions
I wonder what nontraditional students currently in school are having for their New Year's resolutions.
I can guess some of them:
#1. I will sign up for my classes much sooner, so I get the ones I want.
#2. I will cut back on my procrastination, and will divide my studies throughout the time of the course to make it easier to finish projects.
#3. I will make a determined effort to introduce myself in class and to be friendly to other students.
#4. I will still ask questions in class but just not so many, so as to let other class members have some questions time.
#5. I will make sure I am taking classes that will lead to something that I will enjoy, not just something that is expedient or takes less time.
#6. I will listen to my inner "still, small voice" and realize that sometimes my intuition is right on.
#7. Although it could be scary, I will consider going on and getting that other degree or course.
#8. I will make a study area just for myself at my home, or find a good study spot to use someplace else. I will carve out time just for myself for both studying and relaxation.
#9. I will apply for scholarships and grants in my spare time.
#10. I will count my blessings as much as possible.
I know there are more great resolutions that would be of help to nontraditional students. Can you think of some more? What are YOUR New Year's resolutions?
Nontraditionally yours,
Betsyanne
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter
This blog is for nontraditional students, who are going back to school after a break. Continuing education comes in many forms, from GED studies to post-graduate college studies. This blog's goals are to help all nontraditional students with hints, links, helpful sites, and support.
The photo at the top of this blog is from swimparallel on Flickr.
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