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| Bubbles art photo by Jurvetson on Flickr. |
What's in the name "Nontraditional Student"?
Well, the older student going back to school after a break is definitely becoming MORE traditional as the years go by, because more older students are going back to school, for one thing.
Yet the term sticks.
We say a student is a nontraditional student if he or she is going to school part-time, is maybe above the age of 24, has taken a break since first going to college, is going to college for the first time after some years away, is working AND going to school, is married and/or has a family... and/or considers him or herself nontraditional.
I have heard that this term should change. But so far, I haven't heard a suitable term that takes it place. (Yet!)
Here are some suggestions:
#1. Nontrad (the same word, only shortened...)
#2. Owls (used already as a word for many Nontrad clubs)
#3. Cohorts (Just thought of this one...)
and #4. Seniors (a bad connotation is here, i'm afraid... many younger Nontrads do NOT identify with being that old, for one thing.)
Can you think of a better word or terms? I welcome the conversation!
Betsyanne
Current and Former Nontraditional Student
Western Kentucky University and
The Pots Place Studio and Gallery
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| Art from Jurvetson on Flickr. |
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo
Nontrads on Twitter