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

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

#10 and final posting in a series: Have you signed up for too many classes? What you can do...

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

#10. (For the beginning or the middle of the semester only) You have signed up for too many classes.

Here is the advice from the original article.

"Investigate the Drop Class policy at your school. If you do it by the deadline, you may be able to drop one or more classes. Don't wait for this."

This is easier said than done. You should MARK the drop date on your Student Calendar and check it every day. This might be the only way you can drop a class on time. If the class is becoming very hard, and you feel in over your head, consider it. You can always take the class again, having a study group, etc.

You won't really have a choice if you go past the drop due date. You are stuck. Then you will need to pull out all the stops and really try your hardest.

AND your other classes might suffer.

I had a class once (it was a weaving class!) that was so time-consuming, it took more time than 3/4 of my other classes combined. There was not a question of dropping the class, but it was a very difficult semester. I would up with a great Final Project, but I was lucky not to have C's in a couple other classes.

Questions you can ask: Is this a required class? How many extra semesters might I have to go if I drop the class?

Don't beat yourself up too badly; I am sure many other students have this happen to them. I still don't know how I took 21 credits one semester. I was VERY busy. And probably should have dropped a class or two.

Talk to your Advisor - - they may have some ideas too.

Also, you can get more help with your remaining classes sometimes with free study help available at your school. Don't be embarrassed - just go there to find out more about that.

Start a Study Group right away in all your more difficult classes too.

Here are some other articles that might help you if you believe that you are taking too many classes.

The successful Nontraditional Student (includes some motivational tips)

Some study and final project tips

10 Study Tips for Nontraditional Students

Investigate the Drop Class policy at your school. If you do it by the deadline, you may be able to drop one or more classes. Don't wait for this. - See more at: http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/2014/05/more-tips-for-nontraditional-students.html#.U-aWIUjGJox

Study Groups for Nontraditional Students

Were your grades great - or would you like a "redo"?

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? 

#6. You may want to transfer schools... some things to think about.

#7. Are you bored with school? Want more fun? Try these things.

#8. You wanted A's, but you got B's or C's (or a combination)... 

#9. Going to school part-time seems to take forever. What can you do?

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