The Nontrad News is done. Here is a link! Plus, should you really experience college to the fullest? An interesting article...

The Nontrad News Issue is out!

The new service I am using, MailChimp, also has a Browser Version here: http://us13.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a2a5801eb0f96899e42e065a8&id=917fa97e1b&e=98adf45a7f

The issue is about Our Mission, What Nontrads are Interested In (my take), and some of the services schools are offering for us.

I hope you like it. I'm thinking of offering it bi-monthly now. We'll see!

A neat article and thoughts about clubs, groups, and more.

Should Nontrads REALLY get involved while going back to school?

I think the answer is a big YES.

But I think a lot may be missing out on things they could be doing. Some nontraditional students believe that they have missed the boat, and should suffer for that. Yes, they can take a class, but when it comes to really jumping into the college or school experience, they don't want to. Maybe they feel old and out of things.

Maybe they feel like they won't fit in, or that the people in the groups or clubs they MIGHT want to join won't want them there, because of their age, or ageism (yes, discrimination IS out there). But attitudes that older people are set in their ways, grouchy, forgetful - - the list goes on and on - - can be so wrong.

But that's not the way it has to be - - you, the nontrad, not having ANY fun, and just concentrating on classwork. It also is not the way to graduate. If you love what you are being back in school and learning (and clubs and groups help this feeling) then you will continue.

If you hate what you are doing, it's easier to quit. And you definitely don't want to do that.

This article tells more. Here it is:

Get the Full College Experience as a Nontraditional Student:  Older students need to find ways to fit extracurricular activities into their schedule. 

The title tells a lot. The article talks about learning styles, extracurriculars, balancing your life, and also things to look for in a school (like Student Centers and recreational facilities).

I like the advice about joining a school club. It can be a lot of fun, and more and more clubs (and even some Sororities and Fraternities) are opening their doors to older students now.

Yes, you might run into some misunderstandings. But after people get to know you, and you get to know them, friendship can happen. And a person can't have too many friends, after all.

ES

About me, Betsyanne, and E. Sheppard:

I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings:

eBay Listings Widget from Auction Nudge

And get connected with other nontraditional students, too:

Join these Nontrad links: The Nontrad site  (this blog is on page one) - - also: Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Yay! Membership is up to 700. It's time to make another newspaper for my readers.

A NEW Nontraditional Students News newsletter will be made soon.

I told myself the time was right when I had 700 readers sign up.

Maybe I will put a FEW of my postings there. But mostly it will be a fun newsletter or newspaper JUST for nontraditional students.

If you would like to submit an article, just let me know. (And I will need to read and OK it first...)

Real people telling real stories would be great. If you have stories from your time as a nontraditional student, I think people will want to read these.

Neat cartoons, photos, etc. are also great ideas, as are Resource Links, poetry, and more. I am also looking for an Advice Columnist, though it does sound fun to do myself too...

I will give you a by-line, of course! But can't pay you. At least yet. But if you want to see your name in print, and be able to say you wrote for the Nontraditional Student News, just let me know. Plus, it could be really fun. AND might lead to more down the road.

I may put some free ads in it this time. If you would like to have an ad, and I think it's OK for the issue, let me know. Right now paid ads are just $5 per issue. I will have different options later and probably have yearly options and size options too. School ads are A-OK too. I am thinking of having 4 issues per year. This might change later.

Not sure what size they will be yet later. I will see what looks best.

I might start a mailing list for printed copies next for subscription. For now, it's a digital only edition.

This will be a paper for commuter students, nontraditional students, adults going back to school, tips for nontrads, and much more. I'm excited!!

Email me or leave a comment. I'm at lizann447@yahoo.com.

Betsyanne, Editor
The Nontraditional Student News

I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings:

eBay Listings Widget from Auction Nudge

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

Important Questions Nontraditional Students can Ask of Schools

Here are some questions (and starts to answers) for nontraditional students. 

Are you asking these questions?

1. Does your school have a Nontraditional Student group? A Commuter Student group? Others groups? Do they meet regularly?

2. Does your school belong to ANTSHE, the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education?

3. Do Nontraditional Students have their own study area, lockers, or other facilities? A bus system? Other options?

4. Are there Child Care options on campus? Off campus? What ages are helped at these facilities?

5. Are Nontraditional Students offered housing on or off campus? Can they sign up for a dorm room if they want to?

6. What kinds of services are offered for students of all ages? Are Nontraditional Students allowed to join any student group? What about Fraternities and Sororities?

Some schools DO have these things available.

So, they are important questions to ask. They can contribute SO much to Nontraditional Students' success and can make things MUCH easier.

Can you think of other questions to ask when looking for a school? Leave your suggestions as a comment.

Betsyanne

Here are a couple of other articles here you may like:

 Child Care and the Nontraditional Student

and

If you are on Campus, you may be missing out (Services for you on campus)

And here is the ANTSHE page.


About me: I am a former nontraditional student who is thinking of going back again some day.

In the meantime, I sell books and collectibles on Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy. Here are some of my current Ebay listings:

eBay Listings Widget from Auction Nudge

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