The Non-Traditional Student Blog (BA): nontrads

Showing posts with label nontrads. 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

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.

Hello, Nontrads! Thoughts about Fall Enrollment, the Pocket app, more.

Hello, nontraditional students! I hope you are having a fabulous summer.

Getting Connected...
Last posting, I talked about putting YOUR nontraditional student group on the Nontraditional Student website. Many are listed there, but new groups are being formed all the time.

If you don't have one, you can start one.

Some More Ideas for Today

Fall Enrollment
Are you going back to school this Fall? Some tips:

#1. Get organized and have a folder for each class.
#2. Invest in a nice backpack. People don't carry books without one nowadays.
#3. Make sure to talk with an advisor and don't go it alone. You might miss something important!
#4. Invest also in a good Planner with a calendar in it. List all your classes there.
#5. Don't raise your hand too much.
#6. Get the name and phone number of at least 2 classmates, just in case.
#7. Consider making a Study Group for your hardest classes.
#8. Use THIS blog for help! Put a word or phrase into the Search box to search for things like Tests, advice, planning, etc. You'll be happily surprised at the help that is here and tips to help you succeed.

Use a Pocket to save information...
Are you like me, and enjoy articles about many different subjects? You can jot these down in a notebook, save them in your Bookmarks, and now also just click a button on your browser to check it out later. The app, called Pocket, has a free download here: http://www.getpocket.com.

Make a Nontrad Blog
It's free to make a Blogger blog (this one is one...) - - you can write about being a nontraditional student, about your garden, anything you want to write about. And it's good practice, plus gets your typing speed up. http://www.blogger.com. I know I love to hear about other nontraditional students and their experiences. Some I have listed on this blog too.

Write for this blog!
Do you have a funny story about being a nontrad? Have you found the perfect rolling backpack? Let me know and I will feature YOUR story right here.

As usual, thanks for stopping by. And remember, you CAN do it! :-) You CAN go back to school, no matter what your age is, or how many years you have been away from school.

-Betsyanne

Some more of my Nontrad links:

The Nontraditional Student website

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

and

Nontrads on Twitter

Summer plans, going forward, going backward - - - there are so many choices.

Choices, choices, choices.

It seems like that is one thing being a grownup is all about. It really IS all up to us. And it is not always easy. Drifting along with the current seems to be easy sometimes, and then when we really think about it, it might not be getting us what we really want in life. And time continues to go by.

Summer seems like a time of choices to me. Then there is the Fall, when school starts up again. What to do... have you learned all you want to learn? Are you in a rut or can't think if there are any choices for you?

What IS true is that sometimes a person can think there is no chance of a change, when actually there IS.

When it comes to school, you can look up what it will take to get another certification or degree. Are you at a crossroads? Or have you decided to go back to school?

If you think going back to school as a nontraditional student is something you might want to do, now is the time to talk to somebody at your local college about it, and see what your options are. There could be a #scholarship or #grant available you could take advantage of, or a School-to-Work program locally.

AND there is also Summer School.

OR vacation, which may or may not do a lot for your career or school plans.

Write a comment - what are YOUR plans for this summer?

Here are some more postings that you might like, about Summer School and Summer plans.

Good luck, too!

Betsyanne

My last posting: Trea ding water is sometimes NOT a good thing... thoughts on change.

And here are more Nontrad links:

Summer School or NOT Summer School

10 Summer Ideas for Nontrads

And here are more Nontraditional Student sites:

Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo, and

Nontrads on Twitter

Sometimes treading water, doing the same old, same old is NOT a good idea. Making Changes, more.

Summer Plans and Ideas - Fun - Changes - Work and Workspaces - A New Plan

As I write this today, my own plans are up in the air. I have gone back to school before, and have wanted to have my own art studio for a long time. I don't want to go back to school again YET (although I may someday) but I do want to explore my art and have a great place to do it in.

Are you not in a place you like? You can BREAK FREE.

Today, I realize that due to changing circumstances beyond my control, that a new plan for my workspace may happen before long. And I can do it myself. I guess I've been waiting for a sign. Which is good, because I have been wanting to do that, but inertia has prevented it. Today, I feel that sign has arrived. I feel a push coming on to Get Things Done. And that is good, in both the short and the long run of things.

Sometimes you just have to quit "going with the flow" - - because bigger and better things CAN happen if you make a change, even if it's a scary one.

For instance, I DO have room in my garage for some equipment and space, IF I rearrange things and get rid of other things. It would (gasp!) maybe even be FUN, which would be an added bonus. Plus, I do not currently have much room for my equipment OR supplies. There is room out there. I just have to MAKE room and do the needed work.

Which brings me back to my personal nontraditional student experience. AND my writing experience. Both have not been chugging along like I want. I CAN change this.

When I chose to go back to school, it seemed to be something I HAD to do. Fun did not figure in much, but curiosity did. As I know from a teacher I learned a lot from, fun MUST enter into the equation in order to do good work. It helps, anyway.

My question back there was, "Can I find out what teaching is like?" And I DID find out, but not in the same way I would have if I had tried it earlier.

I also found out a lot about myself. I found out what I can put up with, how very resilient I really was (staying when others had quit in the past), and I learned what I enjoyed (vs. just did because I felt I HAD to.)

So, I will be grabbing some opportunities I have had all along, just have not used them.

I CAN make the space and opportunity for creativity I want. It just takes some work and imagination.

AND I CAN experience a student and/or teaching relationship - maybe doing this myself, maybe taking a class or two.

What I like knowing is that I DO have choices. Treading water or doing something because it's available is not always the best way to live.

I don't have to make do with what IS, I can change things for the better. And I don't have to blame myself for how things are either. So stay tuned for what's next.

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A question: Are you also thinking about what is next in your world? Leave a comment and share what you think about it, and about what is going on with YOU right now. :-)

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student in Education
Artist and Writer

Summer Plans, Colleges, Finals, 2 more About.com articles

Spring 2015's most popular blog postings

More articles from About.com

Making a living - - and your Ripple Effect

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).

I also have a Books and Collectibles selling page here: The Best Books and Collectibles. - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2015/05/sharing-two-more-great-postings-from.html#.VVy-PhdcZ0I

Other recent postings:

Spring 2015's most popular blog postings

More articles from About.com

Making a living - - and your Ripple Effect

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).

I also have a Books and Collectibles selling page here: The Best Books and Collectibles.
- See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2015/05/sharing-two-more-great-postings-from.html#.VVy-PhdcZ0I

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).

The Nontraditional Student Site of the Day for Jan. 27, 2015: The Mike Grasso Nontraditional Medical Student Site

Are you a Nontraditional Medical Student, or thinking about becoming one?

I like this site. It features links to Motivation, Planning, Requirements, the MCAT, about applying (Where to Apply, The Waiting Game, and Second Chance), and also talks about Mike's personal journey, how to best determine if Medical School is right for you, and has links to useful books and links.

Here is the link: Nontraditional Medical Student.

From the site: "The purpose of this web site is to discuss how to get into medical school as an older, nontraditional student. I became interested in this subject when I went through the application process myself at age 37. During that time, I read several books on this subject. However, I found little information that addressed in detail the unique challenges of applying to medical school later in life."

It's definitely worth a look at this site if Medical School is a field you are interested in exploring. It has won several awards, too, which are on the first page.

Also from the site: Courage is daring to take that first step, or different path. It is the decision to place your dreams above your fears. - Source Unknown

I like this!

Betsyanne

And here are my other Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site

Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo, and

Nontrads on Twitter

Join me there. Later! - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/#sthash.stcbIgGf.dpuf

Betsyanne

And here are my other Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site

Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo, and

Nontrads on Twitter

Later.

And here are other Sites of the Day for 2015.

Jan. 25, 2015: ANTSHE

Jan. 2015: The Planning and Preparing for College Blog

The Nontraditional Student Site of the Day for Jan. 22 2015: The Planning and Preparing for College Blog.

The Planning and Preparing for College Blog: by C. Herd

From the blog description: "To prepare students and their parents for college success in areas of academic readiness, community service, internships, summer programs, etc. The blog is to be used as a preparation infrastructure on various areas of college topics."

This blog is a great information blog for many different scholarships. It features scholarships for minority groups, but it is fabulous information for anyone.

Many Tennessee schools are featured here, and also other schools from across the country.

I like it. It also has special postings on subjects like College Prep Timeline, How to Prepare for College Correctly, and Preparing for the ACT/SAT Exam.

(See the right side of the blog...)

There are also links here that are test links, College Prep updates, Financial Aid, Summer Programs, Grants, Minority Links, and Internships.

Definitely, this site belongs on your blog list under "Great blogs for Nontrads."

Check it out here: http://ctherd.blogspot.com/

Betsyanne

And here are more of my Nontrad links:

The Nontrad website

Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo, and

Nontrads on Twitter

Just checking in - how are you doing, nontraditional students? A bit about that first job.

Once in awhile, I like to check in and write a quick blog posting here and try to give some pointers.

After all, I was once a nontraditional student (for teacher education, in English and Allied Arts).

I consider going back AGAIN sometimes. It was challenging, but worth it.

Nowadays, some students worry that there may not be a job for them when they get out of school. It's a valid worry. Some ask their advisors about it... and I would say that's a good idea. There are also some sites online that tell what kinds of jobs are in demand.

Of course, you should like what you are doing. I have heard that some graduates are so valuable they actually are recruited and don't even need to apply for a job. But those graduate areas are hard to find, at least they were for me.

My personal experience, at first, then later: I found that there WERE jobs out there, but not always the optimal ones.

Some advice I'd give new graduates: don't settle for the first job you get... IF you can help it. Do your homework first. Seriously.

Of course, if you need to start working at your chosen job right away, sometimes you DO need to take the first job that accepts you. And then just take your chances. BUT you might get more than one offer. And one might be way better than the other.

I found at my first job (as a "regular" graduate) that waiting a little while to check out positions could be worth it. This is hindsight, because I only realized that AFTER I was working at the other place. If you find out that one place is better, it's OK to let the other place know about it before you start working there. You CAN change your mind.

Ask around at the place you are thinking of working. Get an idea of what happened to the last person that had your job. Did they quit early? Why? Does the company or place you want to work at have a good reputation in the community? What is the boss like? Are they fair?

Yes, luck does have something to do with finding a great job, that is fulfilling and makes you actually WANT to be there. It can be kind of scary to ask people at the workplace what they think of it. It makes me nervous just thinking of doing that. But next time, if I do that again, that's EXACTLY what I plan to do.

Betsyanne

My last posting:
Tests, Quizzes, Pop Quizzes, Papers, Reports, Ack! OH - and Fall Break too.

And you may also like these postings:

Fall Break ideas - - what are YOUR plans?

10 Study Tips for Nontraditional Students

And here are the 5 most popular postings right now via Statcounter.

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

The Beginning of Fall Semester, Air Conditioning, more. School today, now and then.

School is Starting! Here in Bowling Green, Kentucky...

There have been news stories about people moving into their dorms and going through what is called Master Plan at WKU lately.

(Just saw this! It's a M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan just for Commuters! Check it out, Nontrads.)

It was a blast from the past to remember just how HOT it used to be when moving into a dorm room. Students moving in to WKU were hot, hot, hot!

Back when I was first in school, (in the 1970's) some dorm rooms did NOT have air conditioning. But now all of them do. And it makes a huge difference.

There is still the moving in, the lugging of "things", and getting to know roommates, or NOT. (Today college students can choose single rooms.)

Yes, seeing the new Freshman students (and older students) move into dorm rooms on TV lately brings back memories.

Nontrads on Campus
Some nontraditional students, older than first-time students straight out of high school, are also moving back into dorms. Many are much in their late 20's, 30's, or older. Some are taking advantage of new apartments near campus just for students with children.

What a great improvement to have apartments for families and single families. We had Married Student Housing back in the day, and I'm sure some students get apartments like this still.

But sometimes dorms are the cheapest option for single students.

Are there some nontrads moving in to a new place this week? Or perhaps you are commuting.

Whatever your situation, I wish you the very best in luck this semester!

And here are some other postings you may like:

Your college backpack: what is in it?

What to bring your first day of class

My favorite study skills site

Get to know your professors (or any kind of teacher)

-Betsyanne

Some more Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

#6 in a series: You may want to transfer schools.... some things to think about.

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

#6. You may want to transfer schools.

#6. You may want to transfer schools.

No problem - - but make sure that the new school accepts credits from your other school. AND make sure you can get in the following semester. Check and see if you are in-state too. - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2014/05/more-tips-for-nontraditional-students.html#.U7W_bKjGJow

No problem - - you may have a GREAT reason to switch schools. But make sure that the new school accepts credits from your other school.

Some For Profit schools will tell you that YES, your credits will transfer, but they don't. Check your new school too. You may decide to go to another school in the future too.

AND make sure you can get in the following semester. Find out the deadlines for applying.

So... is your present school an accredited school? Will your credits transfer? Find out by asking the school you want to transfer to.

Check and see if you are in-state too. It can make a huge difference.

Here are some other postings that might help you.

The Nightline Investigation: Are For-Profit Schools telling students the truth? (video)

Going for it (about making a change...)

and...

Thinking about graduate school? 5 questions to ask.

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 #7: School has become boring, not fun at all.

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

Spring Break, Reports, and Dealing with Burnout

Are you dealing with Burnout?

Yes, it's Spring Break time, but it can also be burnout time in a big way.

Suddenly everything you were assigned at the beginning of the semester seems to blend together. You may not be getting much sleep either. It seems like there are more projects than there is time to get them done.

And you still want to take a break.

Pushing through at this time, whether it's during or after Spring Break, can really be a challenge.

I wanted to say, I can relate. It seemed to me when I went back to school that certain courses had the MOST homework of all, even maybe 4 times as much for a class that had just as much importance.

Art Studios had the absolute most time attached to them. Projects could not go on the back burner. And teaching portfolios - well, don't get me started.

Kudos to you, nontraditional students, for hanging in there and not quitting. If you can get some R & R, maybe not go overboard with it, but stay healthy enough to get that work done for school, you will be doing well. Try to schedule your work, and the very best of luck to you.

You CAN do it!!

Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

And here is the latest from my Find Scholarships and Grants Blog: Glorious Weather? Mowing, and Spring Break.

Nontrads, get connected! Plus a link to wacky scholarships.

There are many ways to do this.

If you are attending school after a break, sometimes it is nice to connect with other nontraditional students.

Friends - from Tony Alter on Flickr.

Does your school have a nontraditional student group? Some do. If you are not sure, check with Student Affairs. You can even start your own group if you want to.

And here is a posting from my Find Scholarships and Grants blog you may like too:
Unusual, Odd, Wacky, and Unknown Scholarship postings for 2014

Click here to read more »

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 »

Hot College Degrees for 2013. Here's to Nontrads, and hoping this semester went well.

Good job, nontraditional students. It's been a long haul for some of you.

And in this economy, it's been hard to decide to go back to school sometimes.

Are you taking classes that will get you a better job? Or are you finally learning about something you wish you'd known about long ago, and never went to explore it before now?

There are many reasons students go back to school after a break. It's good to know that you are NOT the only one out there. Some schools do a great job in supporting their older students, some don't. But more and more are doing a better and better job, which I'm glad to hear.

Here is an article you may like.

Hot College Degrees for 2013 via Yahoo.

I like Yahoo articles, they are well researched and well written. Some degrees mentioned in this article that are HOT are Health Care Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, and Forensics and Criminal Science.

So this whole list would be worth looking at.

And I hope this semester went well. Here's to the promise and excitement of NEXT semester!!

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student in Education (English and Allied Arts, WKU).
BA, English, and a minor in Art.

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

A new issue of the Nontrad News will go out this Spring or sooner. Sign up here:

Planning for a winter course? I didn't. Express your opinion.

A Poll, an Ice Storm, and Winter Term

I wrote a popular posting here once, Winter Term, Love it or hate it? about attending school during the (rather short) period between Fall and Spring terms.

I have winter on the brain today - - in Kentucky we are expecting a possible ice storm. Of course, WKU is probably closed. Hopefully anyway.

Getting back to Winter Term, although I never attended college for Winter Term, I did go to Summer Term once. Everything was jammed into a much smaller timeframe, and Kentucky was extra hot that summer, so I remember mostly sweating and studying with not a lot of break time in-between.

BUT I needed to take those classes, get the two classes I took over with and then graduate.

If you love or hate Winter Term, or don't care, let me know via this poll.You can add your opinion to others!

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student - Education (English and Allied Arts - English, Theater Production, Speech and Debate)
Former BA, English, and a minor in Art too.

And hey, get connected!

Here are more of my Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Have a special Thanksgiving, nontrads! And first night of Chanukah too.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, wherever you are, nontraditional students.

I hope everyone celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow will have a wonderful day.

And to my Jewish friends and others celebrating Chanukah, have a great First Night.

Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo and

Nontrads on Twitter

Thanksgiving, other Holidays, Taking Time for Yourself...

Sometimes it is all about studying. Even where there are holidays, Fall Breaks, and weekends available.

Well, the word "available' is misleading. Yes, the time might be marked on a calendar. But if you are like I was, you will need that extra time to complete reports, paperwork, and more for classes.

It all depends, then. Some nontraditional student might do as other students do, and head somewhere for the holidays. Or just for a weekend.

But still, if you are a nontraditional student, and even have to work some during the holidays, here are some great tips to help you "study smarter" and maybe get some time off for a change.

Check out the great Study Guides and Strategies website, made by Joe Landsberger. You can check out tips here for lots of different subjects (like Teaching/curriculum, writing, Time/project management, etc.) plus many study guides that help you learn at any age.

You might be able to carve out a few days just for yourself using the tips there.

Then you can:

1. Pamper yourself
2. Get your notes in order
3. Relax with family or friends
4. Reconnect with your pet(s)
5. Make a gourmet meal
6. Wrap presents
7. Send holiday cards to reconnect with friends
8. Go somewhere for the weekend or longer...

Have a wonderful Fall and holiday season, nontrads! And I hope you can make some time available to just relax too, even if it is just for an afternoon here or there.

Betsyanne

Photo by Ernst Moeksis on Flickr.

And here are some more postings you might like too:

7 tips to take some time for yourself (relaxing on the weekend)

Fall Break Ideas - what are YOUR plans?

And here are some Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo, and

Nontrads on Twitter

Are you a Nontrad? There are others. And there IS support out there...

There are new nontraditional students who enter school every semester.

Are you a nontraditional students? As you may know, Nontrads may be older students, some have families, many work full or part-time, and some have been to college before.

Others have taken a short or long break, then have finally gone back to school.

It takes planning and support to go back to school. It's a big step. Some have dreams of a better life, and others have dreamed of learning about a new subject. Some take out loans and some have full or partial scholarships.

Know that there IS support out there. Some support may be at your school, in the form of nontrad clubs or study areas, special classes or times, and dedicated Advising areas.

If you are an online student, some of your fellow students may be nontraditional students too!

Go, nontrad students!

Here are some more Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

and Nontrads on Twitter

Via Yahoo: 3 Common Questions From Nontraditional Students Answered

This article is worth a look.

Here are the three questions it answers:

#1. Is the FAFSA a waste of my time?

#2. Can I get financial aid as a part-time student?

and #3. Does the school help with day care?

I liked reading about Day Care options at several schools. I wish all schools and college would offer subsidized Child Care! It would make such a huge difference to nontraditional students. And I had forgotten about financial aid for part-time students. I was full time when I went back, like many nontraditional students.

I have to agree that filling out your FAFSA form is a great idea, and worth the time you take to fill it out and get your ID. They don't just have Federal aid, they have State aid, school aid, and scholarship information too.

ALWAYS important to remember is to go only to the OFFICIAL FAFSA site, which is here.

And here are some other related articles here you might like:

The Bionic FAFSA - 2012-13

Child Care and the Nontraditional Student

Thinking about Graduate School?

Have a great week, nontrads and freinds!

Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog / Join Nontrads on Facebook / Nontrads on Yahoo / Nontrads on Twitter

When my Newsletter signups reach 700, I will make a new issue. Thanks!