The Non-Traditional Student Blog (BA): going back to school

Showing posts with label going back to school. Show all posts

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.

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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Another interesting posting: Must-Have Supplies for the Adult College Student.

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

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

Check out our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/nontradstudents/

and our Website here: http://www.nontradstudents.com/.

Good luck in the coming year with everything. XOXO

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

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:

eBay Listings Widget from Auction Nudge

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

Make friends, study hard, have fun, start a group, and get support....

Life is not all about school and studying. OK, a lot of it is if you are a student, especially if you are going back to school after a break.
But there are other things that can make your experience a lot better.

#1: Make some friends...
This is ALWAYS a good idea if you can do it. You can make friends only around your own age, or you can reach out and make some younger friends too. I did... and now we are Facebook friends. It is so neat to be connected and see photos of marriages, new babies, etc. Plus they are good people to know. Some friends you make in school will move, and some won't. But you are probably used to that.

Here is another posting about that...

Link: <for Nontrads> How to Make Friends in College

Are things the same old, same old? Are you getting tired of the day to day grind of being back in school? Your school may offer lots of extra-curriculars and other activities. Check those out and join a fun group. You will make friends there most probably.

More ideas:
Link: Are you bored with school and want more fun?

Talking about groups, if your school does NOT have a Nontraditional Student group yet, YOU can make one. Just talk to the school people in charge. This can be a great way to get support.

This posting will help you with advice on how to do that.

Link: Form a Nontraditional Student group

AND support is a very good thing. Your school might have all kinds of group and support there already. It's up to you to take advantage of those things. You will need to find out about what your school offers.

There are other places to find support, too, while you are back in school.

Link: What Nontraditional Students need to Have
(includes different kinds of support)

All for now - - comment below!

Some more Nontraditional Student links:

The Nontraditional Student Website (this blog is on there...)

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo and

Nontrads on Twitter

10 Great Study Tips for Nontrads 2015

Going back to school this Fall? Already there? Here are some great study tips to try.

#1. Get and stay organized - - - have a notebook for each class, or just keep your notes and handouts separate somehow. I found having a separate notebook helped.

#2. Form a study group - - it can help you raise your grade. Plus it's kind of nice to have an excuse to make friends.

#3. Form a relationship with your teachers - it can help you if you have to miss a class or if you need extra help. They can point you in the right direction.

#4. Have good study skills. Try to study each subject at least 1/2 hour every other day OR each day. Don't wait until the last minute to start final projects or study for that test.

#5. Make sure you tape or take notes from every class.

#6. Bring enough pens and pencils with you.

#7. Consult the great Joe Landsberger Study Guides and Strategies site here: http://studygs.net/.

Study Guides and Strategies from the Joe Landsberger Site
http://www.studygs.net/ - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html#.VcJwhbdUx3k

#8. Use the Search Box here for this blog (in the upper left side here) and search for specific items like "study", "test taking" etc. - there are many postings about this with even more tips on them.

#9. Organize your note-taking by being smart about it. Read this posting to find out how: 2-column Notes Page.

#10. Think positive. Visualize success. And when you need help, do not hesitate to ask for it, and use your schools free study help.

Please add your OWN tips as a comment.

#11: (a bonus) See #8 again. There are many articles to help you here.

Clobber your Test Anxiety Midterms and Grades - How to Improve Them 10 Tips for Doing Well on Finals How to Make Sure you are In the Right Class (signing up for next semester) Websites and Tips for Exam Studying Nontraditional Students - 11 More Tips for Success - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html#.VcJwRbdUx3k

Good luck with your studying!!!

My last posting: Fall Enrollment, the Pocket App, more.

Get connected with more Nontrad links:

The Nontrad website

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

and Nontrads on Twitter

-Betsyanne

Never too old... that's really true. And the sooner you start, the better.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

-C.S. Lewis

Photo via Morguefile, by Anita Peppers.

How true this is. When I went back to school, I met an older woman who was taking art courses. She had wanted to do this for a long time. And finally, she was doing what she had dreamed of. She was very happy, she said, and planned to continue with other classes.

At WKU, people can take classes after age 65 and do not have to pay tuition. Maybe a school near you has this program.

And sometimes you can take classes online for no charge. Plus, you can also audit classes for less money.

However you swing it, going back to school may be just what you have been wanting to do for a long time.

If you are not yet back in school, try it out - you might like it!

-Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links: The Nontraditional Student website

(and check out the Scholarships Page One and Page Two pages there too)

More: Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

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And here are some more of my blogs:
FYI: Some of my other websites and blogs are: The Find Scholarships and Grants Blog, The GS Betsy's E-blast (for Kentuckiana Area 17 and Beyond), From the Garden Spot (another Betsyanne blog), and The Teacher Tree (I will be working more on this one later this year).

Nontraditional Students - they are VERY diverse, but they all have gumption.

Nontraditional Students come in many forms.
And most have a LOT of gumption.

Some have not been out of school for long. Others have been out of school for many years.

They come from all over, and are all shapes and sizes. Some have supportive families, others are going it alone.

One thing they have in common is GUMPTION.

Merriam-Webster online defines gumption as:

": courage and confidence

Full Definition of GUMPTION

chiefly dialect : common sense, horse sense

: enterprise, initiative <lacked the gumption to try>"

Are you going back to school? You have gumption.

If you are just THINKING about it, I hope you have the gumption to try.

Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site

Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Get connected, nontrads. Here are some of my other blogs and sites: The Nontraditional Student website, The Nontraditional Student Facebook page, The Moon and the Willow Tree (a Betsyanne blog), The Find Scholarships and Grants blog, From the Garden Spot (another Betsyanne blog), and The Teacher Tree website (I will hopefully be working more on this one later this year).

Bite your tongue, nontraditional student! Plus a few more tips for classroom success.

Are you in a face-to-face class? Do you sit in front and ALWAYS raise your hand? Just stop. Really.

Other people want to be able to answer questions too. It can be really annoying to WANT to enter into the classroom conversation and always be waiting around for the older student to stop talking.

Try being quiet for a change. You might find it helps everyone.

Some other things to consider:

1. When asked to share about something, try to keep it short and sweet. Though it's true that your story about meeting a bear in the woods and living through it is oh-so-interesting at parties, chances are that your fellow students just want the teacher to go over the 15 more test questions before the end of class. Don't be annoying or a know-it-all (even if you think you DO know more about some things...)

2. Try making a few friends - - just ask about (maybe) starting a study group or if you can share info. just in case one of you has to miss class sometime.

3. Smile at your neighbor in class sometimes. Carry extra pencils or pens. You yourself might need to borrow one sometime.

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Other blog postings you might like:

10 Motivational Tips for Nontraditional Students

The Sandwich Generation - what is it?

and

10 Nontrad Tips - plus solutions

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Get Connected, and get more info.

The Nontrad site

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

and Nontrads on Twitter

My Club Picnic makes me think of Nontraditional Students - and the clubs THEY can join.

You, yes you, can join clubs, on campus or via your school.

This could be something you have overlooked. I have a club picnic today. It's for a local computer group. It made me think about groups I used to be in when I was in college. They were so fun. They had events, like picnics, that were enjoyable and made being in school a lot of fun. I was in a few of these groups.

The question: why be a joiner when you are in school? Because you get to meet people and have fun. They usually don't take a lot of time to be in, especially if you don't volunteer to be an officer. And you can take advantage of the neat and fun events they have. Meetings can also be a great reason to take a break from the books. And some groups have picnics, get-togethers, and even pizza at meetings.

New friends don't have to be your own age in order to be interesting, and you get out of the rut of just school, school, school and studying every second.

There are several other articles about joining clubs at your school. Most are about joining OR making a Nontraditional student group. But did you know that nowadays groups and clubs at your school welcome older students?

So you are older. It's not a big deal. You may feel at first that you should not even try to join a group or club.

You could be shy. You could feel that everyone else will be younger, and you won't fit in. But especially today, it's OK to be different - - in fact, some groups actually like to have a diverse membership. AND you might find out you are NOT the only one of your age in the club you like.

You can also check out each group first to see if you feel comfortable in each one. You won't be the only one doing this, I am sure.

Here are some ideas about different kinds of groups you may have at your school:

Hiking/Nature Clubs
Science, Math Clubs
*Nontraditional Student Groups (you can also make your own group)
Political groups
Sororities or Fraternities (not all welcome older students, but some do - just ask!)
Service Groups
Photography Clubs
Poetry groups, English groups
Mascot groups
Astronomy clubs
Theater groups
Travel groups

Think of more? List them as a comment.

Schools of all types offer lots of fun activities, clubs, and groups. It's a great way to make your school experience a LOT more fun.

There are also groups just for your major or subject area. You can find out about jobs that are around for what you are interested in.

What can you lose?

If you find a group you like, another great benefit is making new friends there, which can be the best benefit of all.

Good luck finding a fun group!

And here are more articles you may like:

Make your own Nontraditional Student Group

Is your school "Non-Trad friendly?"

Ivy League Schools are beckoning to nontraditional students

Betsyanne

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

#4 in a series of 10: Feeling burnt out - - and maybe like quitting. Can you continue on with school?

This posting is an Expanded continuation of a posting called: More Tips for Nontraditional Students: 10 situations, plus possible solutions.

#4: You don't know if you want to continue, for any reasons. You feel burnt out.

I know this feeling personally. I used to feel it at my job(s) sometimes, and have felt it when I first went to college, and also when I was a nontraditional student. Sometimes other things (NOT school) seemed more important. And I just didn't have the time to work on them. And sometimes it didn't matter how hard I worked at a class, it didn't seem to get me the grades I wanted.

Sometimes I felt like there weren't enough hours in the day. And the time until I finished seemed way too long. And I felt like I didn't fit in. Some days I almost did, but not most days. I was tired a lot of the time too.

Many things can collude to make anyone feel burnt out. There can be many reasons for it, too. Have you been going to school for way too long, without any break? Is it near-impossible to see the "big picture" anymore? Whatever the reason for being burnt out, and maybe wanting to quit, there are ways to get through the rest of what you need to do.

Of course, you may want to completely change what you are doing, and that might not be a bad idea either. You will probably want to do a Pro and Con sheet (which works for so many things...) and it might also help to get a few other points or view or psych yourself up to continue somehow.

Some important questions: Can you take a break? Can you take some time out for yourself? These might also help. You can also talk to a counselor, friend, or family member. They may have an idea to help you that you have not thought of yet.

Here are some other postings that might help you.

10 Motivational Tips for the Nontraditional Student

A Poem for Nontraditional Students

Nontraditional Students, fight burnout - and find your motivation

How Nontraditional Students can make a difference in the world

Here are the "Expanded answers to the Advice Posting so far:

#1: Were your grades great, or would you like a redo of them, nontraditional students?

#2: Not enough credits to graduate, CLEP, addition, accreditation, transfers, more.

#3. Are you taking the courses you want to take? Or is it time to change course?

#4. You don't know if you want to continue, for any reason. Can you continue on?

#5. Are your student loans adding up too fast?

Here is the original posting again you might like to check out: More Tips for Nontraditional Students: 10 situations, plus possible solutions.

My next posting will talk about #5: You have student loans that seem to be adding up too fast.

Again, good luck this summer, whether you are in school, on vacation, at a job, or whatever you are choosing to do.

#5. You have Student Loans that seem to be adding up too fast. - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2014/05/more-tips-for-nontraditional-students.html#.U59gn6jGJox

Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook, Nontrads on Yahoo, and Nontrads on Twitter

More Tips, #2: not enough credits to graduate. CLEP, addition, accreditation, transfers, more.

This posting is a continuation of a posting called: More Tips for Nontraditional Students: 10 situations, plus possible solutions.

We explore #2 in more detail today.

#2. You don't have the credits to graduate...
The short version of my answer was: This has happened to more people than just you... consider a summer class or classes to finish with school faster.

There is a lot to consider about school credits. Some people naturally assume that credits will transfer easily from one school to another. Not so. If you are a transfer student, check this out twice before you go to the first school. Sometimes if you are not in the right school, your credits won't transfer to the next school you want to go to. Find out from your second school what types of credits they accept.

If you have less credits than you think you deserve, find out why the school records don't match yours.

I personally had 4 credits I had from testing NOT show up, just when I was ready to graduate. They were CLEP test credits. I was told they didn't count (which later turned out NOT to be true). I had to go to Summer Session to re-take the classes I didn't really have to take in the first place. Learn from this! Check with somebody else if something you are told does not sound right to you. Don't just go on what one person says.

Also, sometimes a class is ONLY offered in the Spring or Fall semester. You can try to work it out to take the classes you need in order and save time.

And, if worse comes to worse, even if you added things up a bit wrong, or get a "credit surprise" like I did, taking one class or more that you need is OK... the time will go by fast, and you will have what you want eventually.

My final advice: Being organized can also help you keep track of your credits pretty well, but regularly checking in with your advisor can also help a lot too.

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Have you gone through a situation like this? How did you handle it?

Leave a comment below.

This Grades Tip posting is just one subject I will be exploring on the blog later on.

Here is the original posting you might like to check out: More Tips for Nontraditional Students: 10 situations, plus possible solutions.

And here are a couple of other postings that might help you now, and in the future.

Some Study and Final Project Tips

What Successful Nontraditional Students need to have, and

Woman graduates college after 40 Semesters (wow...)

Betsyanne

#1. Your grades are NOT what you want. You can always take the class over, maybe extend the time (take an Incomplete), or move on to another class you can do better in. - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2014/05/more-tips-for-nontraditional-students.html#.U5N3iS_GJow

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook, Nontrads on Yahoo, and Nontrads on Twitter - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2014_06_01_archive.html#.U5ZHbC_GJow

Here is #1: Were your grades great, or would you like a redo of them, nontraditional students?

Look for my next posting about #3: You are NOT interested in the same things you used to be.

Here is the original posting you might like to check out: More Tips for Nontraditional Students: 10 situations, plus possible solutions.

And here are a couple of other postings that might help you now, and in the future.

CLEP out of classes! Save money and time.

Is your school accredited? You can look it up, plus links to videos.

More about accreditation - - and credits transferring: Learn about Diploma Mills. <video: It's a Dog's Life: Pug Dog earns Online MBA...>

Betsyanne

And here are all the expanded answers so far:

#1: Were your grades great, or would you like a redo of them, nontraditional students?

#2: Not enough credits to graduate, CLEP, addition, accreditation, transfers, more.

#3. Are you taking the courses you want to take? Or is it time to change course?

#4. You don't know if you want to continue, for any reason. Can you continue on?

#5. Are your student loans adding up too fast?
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook, Nontrads on Yahoo, and Nontrads on Twitter

An Artist - - and a Nontraditional Student

The Older Artist

I was back on campus at WKU taking teaching classes, when I met an older lady with white hair in the Student Lounge in the Art Department. If I had to guess her age, I would say she was in her 70's.

Of course, I had to ask her what she was taking there, and why she decided to be a nontraditional student.

Click here to read more »

Nontraditional Students, fight burnout, and find your motivation.

Photo by Nahum Tevet on Wikimedia

What is burnout all about?

In my opinion, most of us feel that when we have tried and tried for a long time, or focused on a project and used all our energy on it for some time, we can become tired of it, or lack inspiration to go on.

We become "burned out" and need some time to regroup. Some quit what they been doing forever. You may feel that college or going back to school is not for you, that it is too hard, or takes too much out of you. Classes may not be going as you wish, or you feel burdened by all the work you are doing.

Are you experiencing burnout? Have you experienced it before?

Some nontraditional students change majors when they feel like they are burnt out. Perhaps this would help some people. Others drop out... which I hope is not an option for you, if you are going back to school right now.

Tips to prevent burnout

Sometimes taking a short break can help. Not quitting or not going to class, maybe a mini-vacation or just taking more time for relaxation could be the ticket for you.

Here are some other ideas too:

1. Spread out your assignments, so you don't have to cram or write for a week straight when doing a report. It will be less taxing to you if you use your calendar and do short bits of work at a time. This goes for studying for tests too.

2. Take time for yourself every week. Relax some, try meditation or going to see a movie.

3. Keep a journal - write about your feelings and what is going on in your life. This can reduce stress.

4. Cut down on stimulants like coffee, and cut down on sugar too.

5. Eat healthy foods, lots of vegetables, less saturated fat, more lean meats (if you eat meat), and try to eat less if you have a weight problem.

6. Exercise - some schools have reduced-fee classes or exercise equipment students can use.

7. Write a Pro and Con List Are you considering a change? Want to decrease your work hours or find a different job? Try a simple Pro and Con list. You may find some reasons to make a change that you have not thought of before.

8. Talk to somebody - counselors and advisors at school are often free. Why not take advantage of that? A problem shared is on its way to being solved.

A Motivation Page

The Motivation page on the Nontraditional Student site could be helpful. Here is that link:
http://www.nontradstudents.com/inspire_motivate.html

I hope you like it!

Have another way to fight burnout and increase your motivation? List it as a comment. I would really like to include more next posting.

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

Pets, Family, the Holidays, Projects, Whew! Time for a break.

I shared this website today on Facebook.
It is a website for people who are grieving the loss of a pet. Here it is: http://rainbowbridge.com/.

The Rainbow Bridge site is one I saw a long time ago. I am glad it is still there. I know some Nontraditional Students have pets. In fact, I'll bet more nontrads than traditional students have pets. Students living in dorms can't always have a pet.

Family can be so helpful

...this time of year (the Holidays...) But they can also be stressed out, much like some nontrads are. But still, it's a special time of year. I hope it's not too stressful for my readers.

Projects

I've been talking a lot this year about doing projects while on Fall Break or Winter Break at school. It's true, sometimes I used to just use every holiday to be doing a project that was due at school. I felt like it was the only way I could keep up. If things are like that for you, hold on. The holidays won't last forever, and then things will get back to a more normal pace.

Time for a break
I hope you can have a little bit of a break this season! Enjoy this time of year. Let time slow down a little for you if you can.

XOXOXOXOXO and lots of holiday cheer to everyone. And thanks for stopping by.

Merry Christmas - Happy Hannukah - Happy Yule! Enjoy the holidays, everyone.

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student - in Education (English and Allied Arts, High School and Middle School)
Now: Writer, Blogger, and Artist

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

Tips from other Blogs - - and some Holiday Wishes

I hope all nontraditional students are well-organized right now and zooming towards a great finish this semester.

I have posted some FREE links for Control Journals on another blog, the Moon and the Willow Tree. One of them is just for students who live in a dorm. You can download it on the Flylady Control Journal page here: FlyLady College Student Control Journal.

You probably won't need the Dorm Room hints OR the hints on how to keep your room clean for yourself, but the other forms available on this FlyLady page do have some good hints on them.

Come to think of it, this College Student Form is a GREAT form to give YOUR college-age son or daughter.

The Teacher form is a good one, and may help some Teacher Education students or teachers keep their classroom more organized. Check out the others, and see if they fit your needs. They are free, and download in PDF form to your computer.

On my Find Scholarships and Grants blog, I have listed some useful blogs that send you updates via email. It is called Great Scholarship blogs - subscribe and get the scholarship news on time.

Things going well? Final projects getting done? Studies winding down? Grades OK? I hope things are going great now at the end of the semester.

Here are a couple of other blog postings from right here that you might like:

Get Organized for Finals

10 Study Tips for nontraditional students

And if you need extra help (and who doesn't!) on hard classes, or you just want to get your grades up, you might consider starting a study group.

Here is a posting to help you do that:

Study Groups for Non-traditional Students

How are things going, nontraditional students? Take a minute, leave a comment, and let me know.

And have a GREAT holiday.

Thanks!

-Betsyanne

And here are some more of my Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Some great advice from a Nontrad Yahoo Group member

Some great advice from a nontraditional student - 7 tips

This photo of St. Aidan's College is by John Phillips and has a CC license.

Amanda is a nontraditional student who is a member of the Yahoo Nontrads Group.

She wrote a new member who is going back to school, and gave some great advice to her today. It is advice that all nontraditional students can use.

Here are some of her tips:

#1. Learn to say no sometimes. Just because you are a student, that doesn't mean you have lots of free time. Often, it means you don't!

#2. Guard your study time, because it is important.

#3. Learn to lower your housekeeping standards - it's necessary sometimes. She made a schedule for this too.

#4. Go on autopilot and don't feel guilty about it sometimes too.

#5. Try using different kinds of planners, whatever kind is easy for you to use.

#6. Keep organized... color-coding can help too.

#7. Keep easy-to-prepare food on hand to save time.

I love these tips.

Thanks, Amanda!

Betsyanne
Current and Former Nontraditional Student
Current: Ceramics, art, and online selling
Former: Education.

Some Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter