Showing posts with label Nontraditional students. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nontraditional students. Show all posts

Hello, Nontrads! Posting a new blog today. Spring & Summer. What's up? Anyone in Summer School?

A short-ish Telling on Myself story!

I remember being in college in the summer. It was at the end of my last year. (When I went to college first). This was NOT planned out. And I will tell on myself to let you know WHY I was in school then, instead of working.

Well...

I did not "interface" with my Advisor. I thought I had everything under control.

But of course, I didn't. I was faced with taking 2 classes I "clepped" out of in the beginning of my school year. This was awful. I could not graduate with my class! It was a total surprise. I suppose (looking back) that I could have fought this, but I didn't know how, and it was not presented to me as a choice.

BUT I did learn from this. I learned to TOUCH BASE with ADVISORS at least once a year. Once a semester would have  been even better.

So, you can learn from this, and do better.


















I hope you are making some wise choices (unlike this one I made while in college). Comment below if something like this has ever happened to you. 


More on the PLUS side, summer is almost here! Yay! 

And things are not all bad. They do seem pretty bad this week on the news, but hopefully that can improve.

AND there is always the possibility of going back to school again. I am considering it, still. 

For now, I'm posting on my blogs, and selling online. So there is that. 

Hoping your Nontrad Journey is going well.




PS I will be re-doing my Nontrad site this year (hopefully). All it needs is to be useful on PHONES, and not just computers. It's a learning curve. So, if you are using your phone, it will not show up right - YET. I will be working on it soon. It should still be OK on your computer. 

COMMENT BELOW on what you would like to see here later. 

OH, and GO, NONTRADS!!

And don't forget to HAVE some FUN this summer, too. Make the time. XOXO

Spring 2022 - Happy 1st Day of Spring. Saying hello. How are things going? Let me know.

Hello, Nontraditional Students!

It is good to be writing for this blog again.

I hope things are going well for you. Comment on this posting to let me know about your Nontrad journey. Are you still in school? What things have you learned along the way?

I personally went back to school and took Teaching classes. Then I taught for awhile. Man, there is a LOT to teaching.

I am not teaching now, but hope to do a little of it later. Probably art teaching, but who knows.

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Personally, I was hoping that all ages would maybe get great deals on going back to school again by now, and some help with school debt. Then I could go back to school also (again.) I hope this still happens... but who knows when or if it will. Still, it was a great idea.

I'd like to see all 2-year colleges be free, at least. 

Taking notes for class... or studying for a test.







Sometimes Community College can offer some fun classes, and for a LOT less money. They are worth looking at if you are a non-traditional student. I definitely am looking at these right now.

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On my (huge) list: I hope to redo the Nontraditional Student website this year. It really needs it. I want it to be more user-friendly, able to be accessed by phone, and I want to add even more great links there.

Send me your articles and links that you would like to see there. I will be offering ads on it too. 

Send also your Nontraditional Student groups if you have discovered them where you are. I will add them to your State or Country pages. I will also be looking for some great nontraditional student artwork and stories about offerings in different areas. 

What is working for you? What is working for others? These questions are good ones. Helping other nontraditional students is important to me.

Flowers in bloom... daffodils.
Daffodils in bloom... so pretty!










So... have a GREAT Spring, and I look forward to learning more about offerings at different schools, new scholarships, and more this year. I will post here when I redo the site or FB page.

Remember to comment below on what YOU would like to see on the site, and the Facebook page, and let us know about your Nontraditional Student journeys.

Thank you!

Betsyanne

The Nontraditional Student Website

Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Twitter



Love vintage books and collectibles? 

My (WillowTreeMoon) Betsyanne Ebay Store is here: 

Betsy's Used Books and Collectibles 


Saying hi and checking in - for my Nontraditional Student readers. Are you going back to school? From Betsyanne.

 Saying hi. 

How are you doing? Are you staying safe?

And are you thinking of going back to school? I did it. And I am glad I did. 

Photo by Gavin7629 at Morguefile.com

I think about going back again. Not sure what classes I would take. But there are more online choices. I would not mind going back in person, also.

And I'm still glad I did the Nontraditional Student website here: http://www.nontradstudents.com/. I am re-doing the site soon, hopefully. Scroll down on the Home Page and there are some handy links there. There are also two Scholarships page to explore. Here is Page One: http://www.nontradstudents.com/scholarships.html.

If you have joined a Nontraditional group at school, leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post, and I will try to add the group to the website.

The Nontraditional Students site has a Facebook page also. It is here: https://www.facebook.com/nontradstudents/.

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This photo looks surprisingly like some of the buildings at Western Kentucky University, where I went as an undergrad, and went back to school later also. 


Photo by Daffers234 on Morguefile.

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Back to the subject of going back to school, I hope one or both of us DOES decide to go back, at least part-time. I found it enjoyable. Fingers are crossed.





- - Betsyanne
Once a Nontrad
And a maybe-future Nontrad.


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Bye for today! I hope to update this more often this year. I blame Covid. (haha)








Checking in with my fellow Nontraditional Students - - and Back to Blogging, too...

BACK TO BLOGGING.








I'm going back to blogging. At least part-time! So of course, I chose the Nontraditional Student blog to start back with FIRST.

I got an email from someone at a college, who said they hoped to start a Nontraditional Student group. I think that's great. When I hear back again, I hope I can put the group on their State Page.

I checked out the Nontraditional Student website today, too. Oh my gosh! The ads looked totally huge. I will be fixing that hopefully soon.

Is anyone else working on taxes too? I can't wait to finish that.

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So... comment if you are in school right now. I will assume you are doing Distance Learning, to stay safe. But you never know.

I want COVID to go away. But know it will still be awhile. Can't wait for my shots.

I wonder if colleges will be having their own shot clinics.

Comment with what YOU are doing if you have time. I hope to be back, sharing more. Will share some links for now. The Scholarship Pages are still up, but some need to be re-linked and checked.

Here they are:

Scholarships Page One (from the Nontrads site)

and Scholarships Page Two (ditto).

I have my favorites there... one is Fastweb and another is the Fatomei site.

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I am very glad you stopped by today. I hope to do some more  blog postings soon. Any suggestions on topics? Make a comment, or send your idea to: Subject Heading: Nontraditional Students blog at lizann447@yahoo dot com. Thank you!

Happy Super Bowl Weekend to those who watch, too. I may check out some of that!

Until next time,

-Betsyanne

Blogger - Writer - Artist - Online Seller




Connect with me on FB here: Nontraditional Students Facebook Page

And at the Nontrad Website here: http://www.nontradstudents.com/

and also at: Betsy's CGC: Used Books and Collectibles



5 Tips for Nontrads during the Covid-19 crisis, FAFSA link, and more.

A few (5) Tips for Nontraditional Students during the Covid-19 Crisis.




As we are in the midst of the Pandemic, it is more critical than ever to support all nontraditional students as they go back to school. Many are online (which I have tried personally...).

Please feel free to comment at the end of the blog. Are YOU going back to school? Are you going to try a face-to-face class? I wonder what they will look like. Of course, online classes are still available, thank goodness.

What changes has the Pandemic made in your school life? I hope you can continue. If you choose to take a break, it is VERY understandable.

What can you do to stay motivated, no matter what the Coronavirus situation has changed things for you?

I have some ideas that might help.


1. Research HOW you can keep attending school. It is possible you might be able to continue, online or otherwise. See the FAFSA Student Aid site, contact your school, and think about how to make it happen, even if it is only part-time for now. OR you can take a break, if possible.

2. Find ways to de-stress, and have time ALSO just for you. Some ideas here could include yoga, walking, meditation, and more. You may want to consider Tele-Health for your medical AND mental health needs.

3. Take care of your health in other ways. For instance, wear a mask in public, and consider having your groceries delivered. If you are working and cannot afford not to, make sure you are protected and safe at work. Do you need a job change? Carefully consider that, too.

4. Reach out to your friends and family members online and (safely) in person. Stay connected!

5. Make lists (something I find very helpful!). Prioritize things. Make choices. I know, this is easier said than done. I have found this helpful in the past.

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People are online, helping each other stay in school, and applying for needed loans and grants. You can connect with them.

Don't forget to apply for your FAFSA, if you are just starting out.

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And remember, this, too, shall pass. Did you know this was a Persian adage? I didn't until now. I like it.

Betsyanne

A couple of other helpful articles:
10 Tips for Success as a Nontraditional Student
Making Time for your Favorite Things

Search in the Search Box to find more.



Just for Non-Trads - - and those who help them: A New Year's Wish

Fireworks!














To the Nontraditional Students out there, who are working towards their dreams:

Don't give up...
Do have hope...
Share your experiences...
and Think of the Big Picture.

And have a GREAT 2020!!
 
Betsyanne
Former and Current Nontraditional Student
and our Website here: http://www.nontradstudents.com/.

Good luck in the coming year with everything. XOXO

Going back to college or taking classes? There is a LOT out there...

I am considering going back to school - - - again. I already went back once. Will I do it? I am not yet sure.

But I totally forgot that our local University has FREE tuition if you are 65 or older.! This is a BIG plus. I have written about it, but the time is coming nearer for me.

This age is NOT so far away any more, like it used to seem.

I plan to look up my options later on to find out what is available. There is so much I am interested in, so the choice will (again) be hard.

Last time I took English, Drama in the Schools, etc. to get an initial Teaching Degree. As you probably know, this follows up with a Masters later, required by most schools.

I did not follow up - - yet.













But that is one option.

There are other things and classes that sound VERY interesting. Some are good for a business or employment options.

Among them are:

Art - painting, sculpture, pottery, weaving, printmaking... etc...
History
Art Therapy
Art Education
Creative Writing
Business
Folklore
Geneaology
Writing
Counseling

Poetry - - and there are lots more things that sound fabulous - classes, other minors or majors, etc. in my area, and maybe in yours.

Western Kentucky University is the place I will look first. Their Adult Learners page is here: https://www.wku.edu/adultservices/.

More VERY interesting schools follow. These are local, but you also might have similar places in your area.

The local Community Education Enrichment Classes (for Lifelong Learners)
BG Technical College (Adult Learners Page)
South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College
https://southcentral.kctcs.edu/workforce-solutions/adult-education/index.aspx

I keep seeing other interesting classes to take - online. Some are reasonable in cost. Some are more expensive. I do prefer face-to-face teachers, so we'll see.

I will write HERE when I do decide for sure later on what I plan to do and take.








PS If you are also interested in going back to school, for the first time or again, be sure to find out about how to get help as a Nontraditional Student, too - at this posting from this blog:
https://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2018/10/where-to-get-support-and-help-if-you.html#.Xa4qbpNKhTY

Put your query in the Search Box too, and see what you find out here. Scholarship pages are available, plus more.


Where to get support and help if you are a Nontraditional Student. Also: Who is a Nontrad?

Who is a Nontrad? And here are some links you can try out to get help in your Nontrad Journey.

It used to be all commuter students were most probably Nontrads, or nontraditional students. Some schools specify that a Nontrad is somebody over 24, and possibly having a family too.














Now Nontraditional Students have increased in numbers, and include all kinds of people. They are going back to school after a break, or completing high school.

Here is hoping that your family is supporting you, if you are a nontraditional student. OR that your school has a group or club for you.












Here are some other places you might like to join for support:

#1. The Nontraditional Student website (check out your state for more info. - and send it to me as a comment if I can add YOUR group): http://www.nontradstudents.com/
(This site is slated for another update next year for sure...),

#2. The Nontraditional Student Facebook page - add a comment or link if you wish, anytime: https://www.facebook.com/nontradstudents/,

#3. Nontrads on Twitter - just re-started: https://twitter.com/nontrads,

#4. ANTSHE - a Nontraditional Student group YOUR school or college may already be a part of. https://www.myantshe.org/,

#5. A great Study Skills site: the Joe Landsberger page, Study Guides and Strategies: http://www.studygs.net/.















Also, use the "Search" box at the left on this blog to find more postings that may also help you.

I think you are very brave to go back to school, especially after a LONG break. I may do this (again) later.

More about that in future postings.

I hope things are going well for you. Comment if you have time, and have a future posting request or comment too.

Betsyanne
Former and hopefully future Nontraditional Student.\
BG, KY

And now for the Nontrads. Happy New Year! Hoping for the best for all Nontrads, starting with a BANG in 2018.

Happy New Year (again) .... we are starting with a BANG... and what I plan for this blog in 2018 and more.










More about 2018: And what I am doing this year:

1. Re-starting the Nontrad News (this month)
2. Regularly posting in 2018 on ALL the blogs I have,
3. Re-doing Sites - the Nontraditional Student site, for one...
4. Taking Girl Scout online classes (part of Volunteer Training)
5. Writing some Lesson Plans and etc.
6. Making some Art
7. Keeping up with Politics!

I won't go too much into my politics, but suffice it to say I am following politics very closely. If you have not seen the Rachel Maddow show, it's very good. She also loves to stay up with the very latest political news.

As for being a Nontraditional Student, many of my readers know that I did go back to school as an older student. It was in English and Allied Arts Education. I got my Initial Certification, then taught for one Semester. I made it through the Semester, and then stopped teaching. At least, for pay. I am not sure whether I will do more (in public schools anyway). But I may change my mind later.

Was it worth it? A huge YES to that. I learned so much, and now want to help other students get motivated and do it, too.

I know that this year has its own issues... including what is happening nationwide, with many schools having to cut back on expenses. They are not getting a lot of support from States or Nationally. Here in Kentucky we do have a subsidized (but limited) program to help get students for certain jobs. I will be able to find out more about this program this year too.

Nontraditional Students will also also want to see what happens about:
1. Their student loans (I was lucky, only had 2 years vs. another 4 to pay... plus had low-interest Government Loans plus a Grant to help out...)
2. Credits - will they transfer? (And the current For Profit Schools situation...)
3. Deciding what to take in school (for those on the fence...)
4. Working to try to get a scholarship
5. Many questions about what the classes you take will help you with in the future.
6. The Job Market and Ageism...
7. Online opportunities
8. More.

I hope to delve into the above issues and more this year. Comment below if you want me to post about other things to do with Nontraditional Students too.

To finish up, I hope everyone had a GREAT Holiday and New Year's too. And hope THIS year is great for you.

EAHS
Betsyanne

Who are Nontraditional Students? They are students going back to school after a break, and may be in age anywhere from 24 to 100+. They are re-attending high school, or they are attending college or trade school, community college. They are taking online classes, in-person classes, maybe commuting to school, and going part-time or full-time. Some have families, some do not. So there are a lot of them!


Aug. 2017: Politics, Social Media, and more... sharing.













Busy does not even cover my life right now. Yet, I still dream about going back to school - again.

Just today I remembered how FUN my English classes were. Art was maybe not as fun, but I got a lot out of these classes too. Art was HARD and required a lot of work. English, not so much.

ANYWAY, as the title says, this posting is about Politics, Social Media, and more. I am not sure how much FUN these subjects are, but right now they are taking up a lot of time with research and just wanting to KNOW what is going on in the life of the country, and the world.

POLITICS
Who is not absolutely gobsmacked at the news every day? I know I am. It's easy to get so involved with the News Happenings, when our President is doing so many shocking and unexplainable things (to me, anyway). I have actually had one relative tell me to "drop dead", which was unexpected and I assume has something to do with politics. I think we CAN eventually all get along again, and hope it happens soon. In my opinion, the country is more important than our differences.

Just yesterday, a commenter on MSNBC (another "real" TV news site) said that he feels what the country is going through right now (North Korea vs. Trump) is a lot like the Cuban Missile Crisis. People old enough to remember this or who have studied this will know that it was a seriously dangerous time. As I feel it is today.

SOCIAL MEDIA
I found out today via NPR (which is a REAL news site) that "bots" (fake persona on Facebook) are still alive and well, and posting all over the place. They take over somebody's account or duplicate it, then post as though they are a real person, repeating Fake News and getting everybody riled up about it. And yes, Russia is still doing it in a BIG way. So I will be trying to find out how to fight this. I think we should all be fighting it, including all the States and the US Government.

Luckily, school sites are largely on other platforms, such as Blackboard and probably others. So they don't have to worry about this as much. They zero in on their work. But I'll bet Campus Groups are talking about these things.

So, now I'm back to dreaming about school. I do that a lot.

About this blog and group: I started this group (and the Nontraditional Student website) (which I hope to update soon) because I was VERY excited about going back to school. Now, I consider myself learning every day online and from "real" news about current events and more. I have many FB pages (real ones) and I feel they are helping other people, which makes them worthwhile to me.

I asked today about a Creative Writing or Author or Poetry group in my town. I hope to join one soon. A CLASS in these things would also be fun. And isn't FUN something that makes it worthwhile to do? I think I am missing this element sometimes. FUN is important, and often overlooked.

So I hope you are having some FUN in at least one class or group.

A HUGE shout out to all Nontraditional Students and Wannabees.

Betsyanne


April 2017 - a post for Nontraditional Students, their friends and supporters.

Here is hoping your year is going well.

For those NOT on Facebook, here are a few links I have shared there you might like (or just want to read):

Student Loan Forgiveness Program Approval Letters May Be Invalid, Education Dept. Says (NY Times)

 Summer Internships at Harvard from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

60 Unusual College Scholarships You Should Apply For in 2017

MIT Announces $250,000 Reward for Disobedience (NY Post)

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Good luck with:

Graduation
Exams
Projects
Decisions
Support
Next Semester's Registration
Scholarships
Finding the school for you
and More.

Use our Search Box to find out about many other topics.

All for now

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student in Education
Email me at lizann 447 at yahoo dot com.

Hello, nontraditional students - - here is a book to try, The Artist's Way. I like it a lot.

Hello, Nontraditional Students!

I hope things are going well for you.

It's a new year, and YOU can decide what you want to do in it, and for that matter, for the rest of your life.

My advice (also to myself!) is to get and really read and go through some Positivity books - - you can read them every day. They do help me, when I make time for them..

I have listed the first of a few postings. Below is the first book  I like, that has been helpful to me. You can order a NEW copy if you wish, but also make sure to check out the used book links, and choose a vendor with lots of good feedback. You can save a lot of money that way.

The first book I would like to share with you is:

2.  The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron:



This way of life (being creative) can be done using this book to help. It has Action Steps, activities, and journaling that you can do to Take Action to be more creative in all areas of your life.

It is NOT just for artists, but it is helpful to them especially.

It's really a great book. And I hope you like it too.

Comment below if you have already discovered this book, and how you use it. I'd love to hear.

Until next time,

I am - - - Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne

- - Former Nontraditional Student - who took Education classes, English and Allied Arts.

You can also join me here:

The Nontraditional Student Website (find your State page there)

Nontrads on Twitter, 

and
The Nontraditional Student Facebook page

See you there.




Your Nontrad Monthly Motivation for December, 2016

Hi to all nontraditional students! (and those who help them.)

This month: People are winding up or getting ready for next semester's work.

Do you have a report to finish? Are you already done with everything? Some have signed up for a course or two for Winter Term.

I hope some of you have time for a real break. It's important to have at least a small break once in awhile to stay motivated. Don't carry on your work for EVERY day of your break...

My advice: TAKE A BREAK - - even if just for 1/2 a day.















Betsyanne

And while you are in your comfy chair, or on your hiking trip, (or whatever you are doing) - - take a break from that, (if you can), and come visit the Nontraditional Student FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/nontradstudents/,

The Nontraditional Student website here:
http://www.nontradstudents.com,

and follow our Twitter page here:
https://twitter.com/nontrads.

The Nontraditional sites: Support for all Nontraditional Students.




Relax beach writing photo by MGDBoston on Morguefile.

Call for Proposals for the ANTSHE Conference. Is your school a member of ANTSHE?

Here is the latest from ANTSHE,
posted just now at the Nontraditional Student FB page.

"The Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) invites academic professionals, administrators and nontraditional students/ leaders to submit proposals for presentations at the 2017 conference. The call for proposals will remain open until February 5, 2017. All proposals will be reviewed and individuals chosen to present will be contacted within 30 days of submission."

myantshe.org
 
Is your school a member of ANTSHE? Many schools are. And some send their Members to the Conference too. Schools from all over the country are members.
 
All for now,
 
Betsyanne

Does YOUR school have special programs for Non-traditional Students?

Greetings to all nontraditional students, those who help them, AND people thinking of going back to school after a break.

Services for Nontraditional Students
I am just curious. Does YOUR school, or the school you are thinking of attending, have special programs for nontraditional students? I hope so.

Your school may offer: special tutoring classes, or places to study, clubs or organizations, even parties or special events for older students. Other schools have special babysitting services, places to put books in-between classes, special Advisors, and a lot more.

Check out what schools have before going to them, if you can.

Facebook pages
I have noticed online Facebook pages for commuters and Nontraditional Students are really doing a great job and getting the word out on services for Nontraditional Students. You can see these Facebook pages at the FB page for Nontraditional Students here: https://www.facebook.com/nontradstudents/. You can also post at the site.

Article Links for today
Here are a few articles you might want to check out today or when you get time. They are from the blog.

(1) Finding support as a Nontraditional Student 

(2) Non-Traditional Housing - who wants to stay on campus?

(3)  A Non-Trad Story: Michelle at Cornell

Good luck with your studies! And with your dreams.

E. Sheppard
Former Nontraditional Student in Education
Possible Nontraditional Student in Art next!

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog 
Join Nontrads on Facebook  
Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter  











More About me: I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings:

Something useful: 6 Mobile Apps for Students to download on your smartphone.

Via USA Today: College - - a video only  -- shared from Reviewed.com: 
6 mobile apps every student should download.

logo ©betsyanne 2016
















Heads up, students. Got a good smart phone? Here are some apps you may want to look into.

#1: Google Drive - file sharing (plus back up files) 15 GB free
#2: Dropbox - file sharing (ditto) 2 GB free
#3. Easy Bib (a bibliography generator - many styles, plus you can use a barcode) (Android and iOS)
#4: Notability ($7.99) - multifaceted app - Apple
#5. Quizlet (download quizzes or make your own)
#6. Forest ($1.99 on iOS, free on Android with purchases), partnered with Trees for the Future. 

The article calls these "6 apps that will make you a better student" - - but there are others that don't take a smart phone still. So don't get upset if your phone is only a semi-smart phone. But you should know about these anyway, just in case. 

Google Drive, Notability ($7.99 - Apple only) Quizlet (download quizzes or make your own), Forest ($1.99 on iOS, free on Android with purchases), partnered with Trees for the Future.

Learn ore about these apps by going here to the USA Today College page featuring this article as a video.

Betsyanne







About me: I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings:
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter


What NOT to do when told something questionable by a school counselor, more.

Checking in - - -how is your summer going? Plus a story about NOT always believing everything you hear...









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An FYI: This is the The Nontrad Blog: Helping with Advice, links, websites, and scholarship sites for Nontraditional Students - - who are students going back to school after a break. They can be going to Graduate School, Trade School, getting another credential, finishing high school, or exploring something else.
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When I was in school the first time, summer was for WORKING, to save money for school.

Later, I went to Summer School to complete courses which I actually CLEP'ed out of, but did not get credit for. I realize now I COULD have gone up the ladder to protest this.... but did not. Yes, I was pretty ignorant back then. Probably, I still am, at least a little. But I am learning every day.

If this happens ever to you (a school Advisor tells you something that does not quite jibe - or not at all - with what you think is correct) don't just take their word for it. Go ask somebody else about it. Get it fixed. It could be a mistake.

Most of the time, they know their stuff. BUT they are human, so make an occasional mistake. Just saying. I'm sure it was not on purpose. 

Of course, it was. I remember summer was very hot. But the classes were fun anyhow. And easy.

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I have moved on long ago from this. But hope this story can help others.

Here are some other links you may like:

The Nontrad News #17: Our Mission 

To Summer School - - or NOT to Summer School... that is the question.

Summer Positive Possibilities 

Here are Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad website  - - Nontrads on Facebook  Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter





About me:

I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy.

My Sales Page is here: The Best Books and Collectibles.

What NOT to do when told something questionable by a school counselor, more.

Checking in - - -how is your summer going? Plus a story about NOT always believing everything you hear...








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An FYI: This is the The Nontrad Blog: Helping with Advice, links, websites, and scholarship sites for Nontraditional Students - - who are students going back to school after a break. They can be going to Graduate School, Trade School, getting another credential, finishing high school, or exploring something else.
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When I was in school the first time, summer was for WORKING, to save money for school.

Later, I went to Summer School to complete courses which I actually CLEP'ed out of, but did not get credit for. I realize now I COULD have gone up the ladder to protest this.... but did not. Yes, I was pretty ignorant back then. Probably, I still am, at least a little. But I am learning every day.

If this happens ever to you (a school Advisor tells you something that does not quite jibe - or not at all - with what you think is correct) don't just take their word for it. Go ask somebody else about it. Get it fixed. It could be a mistake.

Most of the time, they know their stuff. BUT they are human, so make an occasional mistake. Just saying. I'm sure it was not on purpose. 

Of course, it was. I remember summer was very hot. But the classes were fun anyhow. And easy.

+++++++++++++++++++++

I have moved on long ago from this. But hope this story can help others.

Here are some other links you may like:

The Nontrad News #17: Our Mission 

To Summer School - - or NOT to Summer School... that is the question.

Summer Positive Possibilities 

Here are Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad website  - - Nontrads on Facebook  Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter





About me:

I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings are here:

The Nontrad News is done. Here is a link! Plus, should you really experience college to the fullest? An interesting article...

The Nontrad News Issue is out!







The new service I am using, MailChimp, also has a Browser Version here: http://us13.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a2a5801eb0f96899e42e065a8&id=917fa97e1b&e=98adf45a7f

The issue is about Our Mission, What Nontrads are Interested In (my take), and some of the services schools are offering for us.

I hope you like it. I'm thinking of offering it bi-monthly now. We'll see!









A neat article and thoughts about clubs, groups, and more.

Should Nontrads REALLY get involved while going back to school?

I think the answer is a big YES.

But I think a lot may be missing out on things they could be doing. Some nontraditional students believe that they have missed the boat, and should suffer for that. Yes, they can take a class, but when it comes to really jumping into the college or school experience, they don't want to. Maybe they feel old and out of things.

Maybe they feel like they won't fit in, or that the people in the groups or clubs they MIGHT want to join won't want them there, because of their age, or ageism (yes, discrimination IS out there). But attitudes that older people are set in their ways, grouchy, forgetful - - the list goes on and on - - can be so wrong.

But that's not the way it has to be - - you, the nontrad, not having ANY fun, and just concentrating on classwork. It also is not the way to graduate. If you love what you are being back in school and learning (and clubs and groups help this feeling) then you will continue.

If you hate what you are doing, it's easier to quit. And you definitely don't want to do that.

This article tells more. Here it is:

Get the Full College Experience as a Nontraditional Student:  Older students need to find ways to fit extracurricular activities into their schedule. 

The title tells a lot. The article talks about learning styles, extracurriculars, balancing your life, and also things to look for in a school (like Student Centers and recreational facilities).

I like the advice about joining a school club. It can be a lot of fun, and more and more clubs (and even some Sororities and Fraternities) are opening their doors to older students now.

Yes, you might run into some misunderstandings. But after people get to know you, and you get to know them, friendship can happen. And a person can't have too many friends, after all.

ES

About me, Betsyanne, and E. Sheppard:

I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings:
eBay Listings Widget from Auction Nudge

And get connected with other nontraditional students, too:

Join these Nontrad links: The Nontrad site  (this blog is on page one) - - also: Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Important Questions Nontraditional Students can Ask of Schools

Here are some questions (and starts to answers) for nontraditional students. 

Are you asking these questions?

1. Does your school have a Nontraditional Student group? A Commuter Student group? Others groups? Do they meet regularly?

2. Does your school belong to ANTSHE, the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education?

3. Do Nontraditional Students have their own study area, lockers, or other facilities? A bus system? Other options?

4. Are there Child Care options on campus? Off campus? What ages are helped at these facilities?

5. Are Nontraditional Students offered housing on or off campus? Can they sign up for a dorm room if they want to?

6. What kinds of services are offered for students of all ages? Are Nontraditional Students allowed to join any student group? What about Fraternities and Sororities?

Some schools DO have these things available.

So, they are important questions to ask. They can contribute SO much to Nontraditional Students' success and can make things MUCH easier.

Can you think of other questions to ask when looking for a school? Leave your suggestions as a comment.

Betsyanne

Here are a couple of other articles here you may like:

 Child Care and the Nontraditional Student

and

If you are on Campus, you may be missing out (Services for you on campus)

And here is the ANTSHE page.


About me: I am a former nontraditional student who is thinking of going back again some day.

In the meantime, I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings:
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter