The Fashionable Nontraditional Student - is this you? Some articles and tips.

I have to admit, I don't think I was a fashionable nontraditional student.

Not me.

But I blended in well enough (think: jeans, tops, etc.) mainly because I didn't think I could afford a REAL College Wardrobe as a nontraditional student.

But clothes mattered to me so much more the first time around when I was in college. Not that I had money for them either, but luckily the clothes I had were different and trendy, so I was happy about that. Once in awhile I longed for party attire, but didn't cry about it.

Now, some nontraditional students DO think about fashion. I did find some fun articles about what to wear at college. Of course, a lot depends on what you want to show or not show.

Here are just a couple of article I found today on the subject, in case you are in the market to get a few outfits - - or fake it out with some carefully selected (and on the cheap side) accessories.

There are some cute photos here: (And not just for size zero...)
http://thewelldressedlife.com/

Over 50? And want to look great at an event or special party?
Here are some good photos:
http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2013/mar/29/50-best-dressed-over-50s

How to be a "Glam Grand" - -
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/may/28/glam-grans-over-60s-fashion

Luckily, a pair of nice jeans and a T-shirt are still fashionable for older ladies or gentlemen to wear. But a nice shirt or blouse sometimes is a great choice.

But be on the lookout. Fashions DO change. And many times, you can find something different and cool to wear.

Not that you are ever going to be super fantastically cool as an older student, but you can try if you like. But then, you may be THE "most fascinating man or woman" in the world. But even you know that fashion does help sometimes. 

Some other postings you may like from our archives are:

Must-have supplies for the adult college student

and

Your College Backpack - What is in it?

What are your style tips? Leave a comment here.

My last posting here: A note about lists, and (Nontrads: Just Do It!)

Betsyanne

Get Connected too, Nontrads!

Be sure to check in here at these sites:

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and Nontrads on Twitter


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Motivation... do you need some? I know I do sometimes.

Inspire <yourself!> Photo credit: Courtney Dirks on Flickr.

You can, and must inspire yourself - - - and acquire some MOTIVATION to go for your dreams.

Motivation can make the difference between getting a good grade and just passing.

It can help you climb the mountain you never thought you could.

It can mean the difference between getting that project done and wishing you had.

It can move you to go for the kind of life you know you deserve.

So how can you get that inspiration and motivation?

It comes from deep inside you. You have to really want something, to get motivated to do it. You have to see what working hard can get for you.

My thought I want you to realize today is that you can do it. You must dream big. You need to believe in yourself, and envision a brighter future for yourself and those around you.

That's what is right about going for your dreams, nontraditional students.

Have a wonderful week.

Nontraditionally yours,

Betsyanne
Former nontraditional student
The Garden Spot, Kentucky

And here are some more Nontrad links to help you get and stay motivated:
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo
and Nontrads on Twitter

Many would-be nontraditional students can get in a rut and put dreams off to someday...

In a cubicle - from the Microsoft Clipart pages.

Responsibility for others... 

Older people can sometimes be very responsible... for other people.

And nontraditional students going back to school after a break - or thinking about it -  can spend a lot of time doing things for other people, and ignoring themselves.

Sometimes life just happens. You get married, you have a child or children, you are working full-time and feeling more comfortable, but really you are in a rut.

You just  do what you have to do, and that is a choice of honor for many. And it's easy to forget what you really wanted to do, once upon a time.

Putting dreams off... to "someday".

What ever happened about college - about trade school - about those dreams you or others used to have? Well, many times, they are put on the back shelf. There is only so much time, and there are responsibilities people have to others, to family, parents, or (sometimes) to debt collectors or things they must have and pay for.

It's great when a student has somebody else to help, maybe a family or partner, or money set back. But that is not always the case for many people.

When you - or somebody else - can break through and go back to school, it can be the start of a whole new life, greater happiness, fulfillment, and a change for the better. As I hear a lot, it can be "a dream come true."

Looking towards the future - from the MS Clipart Pages.

Do you know somebody who wants to go back to school? Or maybe it is you yourself? Try these links out for size, and see what opportunities are out there for you.

A nontraditional student can start going back to school anytime... in the spring, next fall, next summer, or sometimes right now.

Here is the official FAFSA site - find out what help is available for nontraditional students wanting to go back to school.

  




And check out the 3 most popular postings here on the BA Nontrad Blog:

 Finding Scholarships and Grants for School

 Thinking about Graduate School - is it for you?

 Michelle Fabio's Introduction to Law School for Nontraditional Students

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

Nontraditional Students - labels and preconceptions - and how do nontrads feel?

Image by betsyanne via Flickr

Just what is a nontraditional student? And how do they feel going back to school?

Some say only students a LOT older qualify for this name - - say, maybe 30 and over? Others (most others, I think) say that anyone who is not a "traditional" student - living on campus, single, etc. is a nontraditional one.

Sometimes the line is blurred. But I think most students who don't fit the traditional mold can feel somehow like an outsider at school - like somebody who doesn't quite fit in. In fact, I have had some people say that even though they MIGHT be able to do an online class, going back to school with younger students just terrifies them! Some younger students make a point of including them in conversations. Others would rather they just didn't exist - - which is really a moot point, because they do exist, and in higher numbers than ever.

I have written an article that hopefully will be published on another blog soon. I will list the link here as soon as I can. It has to do with Fear and the Nontraditional Student. I do think that there are some fears that nontraditional students have that can hold them back. I think nowadays, though, that older, "nontrad" students are learning to overcome their fears and to welcome the chance to interact with younger, more traditional students.

Other nontraditional students are shouldering heavy family responsibilities and money woes. I don't think we can clump everyone in the same basket always, but I do think that many nontraditional students have a lot in common, such as:

1. Less time to study
2. A lack of encouragement from family or friends
3. Family responsibilities that can take time away from schoolwork
4. A feeling of being "less than" or not being as prepared as younger students
5. A greater focus on where they are going, and a more serious outlook about school.
6. More stories and life experiences they love to share with others

I think it's good for different groups to interact, whether it is in an online or face-to-face class. It is my hope that the diversity of the modern classroom will have a positive effect - - helping younger students to appreciate how seriousness has its place, and for older students to realize that fun and a sense of play have their place in education too, and can make the whole experience even better.

All for now!

Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne

Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook (be member #166)

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Thinking about Graduate School?

What Now?
Some Ideas about Graduate School – or Is Graduate School for You?

Okay. Now you have completed your undergraduate work. Should you go to graduate school?

#1: Decide. Is graduate school the only route for you? Now’s the time to decide where you want your career to go. Do you need additional courses in order to get the job you want? If so, graduate school may be your next step.

#2. Research. There are some websites listed below this article that can help you focus in on which graduate school you want to attend. Do you want to attend in person? Do you want to take courses online? Each option is just fine, and very much a personal choice.

#3. Decide what kind of school to attend – online or in person. A lot depends on your schedule and preferences, as well as your personal learning style. Some people are very self-motivated and find it easy to keep ahead with assignments online. Others find it easier to listen to in-person teachers.

#4. Contact your local College or University financial aid office. You can also find out what subjects are available there and what kind of aid they offer. Are the graduate classes what you have in mind? If not, you may have to consider taking online classes, or moving your residence to be near a graduate school in your chosen field.

#5. Consult financial aid websites. The Old Faithful, of course, is the FAFSA site run by the U.S. Government. You CAN get financial aid here for graduate school, as well as undergraduate money. Check here first. Here is the link:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

#6. Look at a good scholarship or grant search site.
When I go to search for grants, fellowships, and more, my favorite site is the Dr. Torres site. They concentrate on graduate money. Here is that site:
http://fatomei.com/

SHAMELESS PLUG AREA!
If you have not already gone there, the Scholarships Site at the Nontrads page can help, too. There are many FREE links there to help you find money for graduate school. Here is that link:
http://www.nontradstudents.com/scholarships.html

Also, you can join the Nontrads group on Yahoo. There are several students there who are right now getting ready for grad school. You can ask questions there and get good answers from real students. Here is where you can join:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Non-trads/

Good luck, nontrad grad students!

More links about graduate school to explore:
Considering Graduate School?
Five questions to ask…
http://www.quintcareers.com/considering_graduate_school.html
Find your graduate school at the Peterson’s site
(free)
http://www.petersons.com/GradChannel/code/search.asp?path=gr.fas.grad
Hints on how to apply to graduate school
From the William and Mary website
http://web.wm.edu/career/Undergrad/GradSchoolIndex.cfm
About Graduate School -- From the Princeton Review
http://www.princetonreview.com/opinionAdvice.aspx?type=grad&uidbadge=%07