10 Tips for Success as a Nontraditional Student - version 10 ;-)

Nontraditional Students - 10 Tips for Success, Version 10.

#1. Make sure the school you choose is a good one - most important: the credits TRANSFER OVER to other colleges.

#2. Check your Student Loans - and try to get a government-sponsored one vs. a Private Loan, which charges MUCH higher interest.

#3. If you can, try a Junior College or Tech School for your first 2 years. See #1 - your credits MUST be able to transfer over if you choose a good 2nd school for your second 4 years, if desired.

#4. Make sure your school is accredited and has a high rating.

#5. Does your school or college help you find a job after you graduate? Find out. Visit your School Advisor more than once. Bring a list of questions for them.

#6. Know the facts - - will your Major or Minor translate into a good job? Look into this. Yes, a college degree WILL still open doors. But look into taking something for the qualifications too, if you can. Consider a double Major, or a Major and Minor. Or a Certificate Program.

#7. See if your school groups accept older students. Some do. Some have Nontraditional Student support too, and groups.

#8. Be prepared to work HARD. Have a system. Make study groups. Get in touch with your teachers and professors. ATTEND CLASS! (Yes, these are more than one Tip...)

#9. Be cautious if you decide to attend Summer School. The classes are squished into less time, and may be very much harder for some students.

#10. Take an Career Test. Learn where the Study Help exists for students - join a Club. Take some classes (if you can) for fun or learning what is out there.

Some more tips: Make some friends! (See #8 and #10 Club tip). Talk to people! Go to a game or two! Stop to smell the roses. Enjoy your time at school. Don't worry about being older, just enjoy your experience. Take both online and in-person, face-to-face classes.

Try to limit your student debt (I know, that is hard right now). If you have to, take one or two classes at a time.

Add your own tips as comments. And have fun as you go back to school.

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student in English and Allied Arts
Former English Major and Art Minor.

Find more tips in this blog by using the Search Box. Later!

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...

+++++++++++++++++++++
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.
+++++++++++++++++++++

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:

eBay Listings Widget from Auction Nudge

And here is my Sales Page: The Best Books and Collectibles.

To Summer School or Not to Summer School... that is the question...

This original photo is from jdurham@Morguefile.com. I have cropped it some.

Summer School or Not...

At least one student has written me about a decision NOT to go to summer school this year. Why? Because the money just wasn't there. She plans to work this summer, then go back to part-time school in the Fall. It's just more affordable for her right now.

Why go to summer school?
Some students MUST go to summer school because they need a class in a certain order, and the class is offered at a time that suits them. Either that or they don't have a job lined up and figure they may as well do something positive with the time, and get a few classes ahead.

The nuts and bolts
Some universities offer two summer sessions, and others just one. The pace can be harder or about the same. The classes I took in the summer seemed harder for me because the same amount of work had to be done in a lesser amount of time. The teachers did NOT dumb down the class just because there was less time for learning.

Assistantships or working at school in the summer
A summer job may not be as easy to find in this recession year. The common sense advice I would give is to apply for assistantships, student work, or other jobs in or out of school as early as possible. You may find a lot more competition this year, so hopefully a nontraditional student's out-of-school and life experience will be a plus factor in getting that job that could make a big difference.

Making do with your regular job
Hopefully you have an understanding boss and a job with flexible hours, because your summer school class hours may not jibe with your regular hours during "regular" school semester time. This CAN work out though, as can a new job in the summer. OR if you have plenty of money or a supportive spouse, you can work out a vacation this summer. (Or if you are like me, you can always DREAM about a vacation and do needed work around the house instead.)

Other ideas
Write me with other ideas for this summer. Do you plan to go to summer school? Have you got a summer job lined up? Or perhaps you are continuing with the same job you had Spring semester. Or do you just want to relax and have a Staycation?

Write a comment on this post to let people know what you decide to do. Share your plans. Thank you!

Other links of interest:
The Photographer's Blog - Photodaisy
http://photodaisy.blogspot.com/
What to Expect from Summer School in College from Associated Content
Summer School Pros and Cons from U.S. News
Have a Staycation - from CNN.com