The Computer and the Nontraditional Student

I was so nervous. My boss said, "Here it is!" And there on my desk was something completely new to me. It was a computer, complete with programs I had no idea how to use. "Now, learn it!" was the second thing he said, then left.

The first day, I kept doing something wrong. The screen would go blank, and I would lose everything I had typed. What in the world was I doing wrong? It was very frustrating.

Somehow I managed to learn the programs on my new computer. But it would have been so much easier if I'd had something (or someone!) to help me with it. Now I love computers. But back then, I was afraid of them.

Nontraditional students who are older (maybe 45 and older?) sometimes can have trouble in school just because they don't know how to use a computer correctly. Sure, there are computer labs, and people are willing to help, but most of the older students I have met would rather take a beginning computer course or typing class.

Once I had somebody tell me, "I wish I'd taken a brush-up class on my typing. Now that I am in school it is too late." Well... that person did have a hard time. One class they were taking was speech class, and they were required to type up their assignments. I think the teacher let them write them in longhand. But not all teachers are as accommodating.

One solution: have entering nontraditional students be able to take a refresher course and a basic computing class - IF they need it. They will be more prepared then. Even better, new older students could brush up on typing and take an intro computer class before they start school.

All for now,
-Betsyanne



Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral

Some fun articles about Nontraditional Students and those who help them

People are offering services to nontraditional students across the country. The first links tell about these.

The third link is from one of my favorite nontraditional student blogs.

Leave a comment about them, or suggest others I can put on the blog.

The University of Colorado at Boulder has a special Nontraditional Student Center. They sponsor lunches, speakers, and socials. What a good idea!

Find out more here:
Nontrads (from Ralphie's Guide to Student Life) 

The University of Kansas found that they had 3908 identifiable nontraditional students on campus, and thought they probably had even more. They have a page for nontraditional students with answers to questions they might have. Here is that page: 
SILC - Nontraditional Student Services

Zickbee is figuring out her Fall schedule and going over what the exams will be like that are coming up soon. She has some advice here for other nontraditional students, such as "Prioritize - don't panic," (I like this one), and "ask questions," which is another good one. You can find out more on her blog, Older Nontrad Student which is here: http://oldernontradstudent.blogspot.com/

You can see other blogs written by and about nontraditional students on the right side of the blog.

All for now - I am still deciding whether to go back to school for the second time. I am leaning to no, but it sure is tempting.

Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne

Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral

Nontraditional students have two reasons to like Health Care Reform

Why I believe that Nontrads will like the new health care reform bill:

#1. They will have more affordable health care, and

#2. They will be more likely to be able to get more financial aid, because of a law bundled with the Reform Act, called the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.

This Act will "help take the mystery out of getting a student loan", according to Andrea Hermitt, in her article, "College students have much to rejoice for in health care reform bill," published at the Walletpop site. Also, this new Act will hopefully contain costs and make loans more affordable.

Also, according to the House Committee on Education and Labor, the Act will "bolster college access" and also invests in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions.

Streamlining applications for aid is good news, because the old (current) FAFSA form is way too bulky and long to fill out. And more access is definitely a plus.

ALSO: student loan repayment will be based on income. This sounds great. I have a student loan, and there is no leeway there at all right now. With the economy the way it is right now, (and the way it will probably stay for awhile...) this will really help new students of all ages.

Ms. Hermitt says that there may be be drawbacks to the new SAFRA system too.  She believes that there may be bad customer service down the road and "monopoly-like behavior" too. 

I feel very positive about this addition to the Health Care Reform Bill, now known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

I have just touched a few of the many good things in this blog posting that this Bill will bring about.

Find out more at her article here: College students have much to rejoice for in health care reform bill.

And find out more:

The Committee on Education and Labor explains more about Student Loan Reform and the new Act

Timeline of the New Healthcare Bill

Learn more about the new Health Care bill  and see a Timeline at the AFL-CIO site.

How Health Care Reform helps college students by Graison Hensley-Chapman at Scoop Daily.

-Betsyanne

The Garden Spot

Kentucky

Some of my links!

The Nontrad site and blog

The Betsyanne page and blog

My Squidoo Pages and referral

Is your school "Non-Trad-Friendly?"

I have wondered about this a lot. Nontraditional students seem to be exploding as a group on campuses. Yet only the best of schools seem to be noticing and are "Nontrad-friendly."

There are some things I think every school needs to be looking at and providing to its nontraditional student population. Some of these are:

1. A nontraditional student group - something already made up that nontraditional students can join as their very own group. A meeting place with a couch, chairs, tables, computers, etc. would also be nice.

2. Help with child care. If a campus or school can't or won't provide child care so parents can attend school, they should help find good child care for nontraditional students.

3. A way of helping nontraditional students get acclimated. This could be a Nontrad Welcome Class, a course including computer use and a brush-up on study skills, and an introduction to all the areas of the school.

4. A consciousness-raising campaign to welcome nontraditional students to the school. Many younger people don't really know what to think about older people going to "their" school. It would help to let them know that older people are more like them than different. Schools should emphasize what good things nontraditional student add to the mix.

 5. Student housing for everyone - undergraduates, graduates, and families with children.

6. Social clubs that include nontraditional students. Social life can enhance the educational experience so much - and so can the diversity of having nontraditional students involved in every aspect of the schools they attend.

If you are a nontraditional student, know that you DO have choices, especially today. Distance learning has eliminated some barriers to classes and made more choices for students.

But nontraditional students still need to do their research and ask questions, like "do you have a nontraditional student club?" and "what special things do you do for nontraditional students?"

Things like counseling just for nontraditional students and a helping hand to get and stay acclimated can mean so much - even the difference between completing their work and dropping out.

Some good examples of schools that I feel are Nontraditional Student friendly are: The University of Wisconsin College system, and The University of Kentucky (has family housing).

Many other trade schools, community colleges, universities, and colleges are offering great programs for their nontraditional students. I want to thank them, and hope that other schools will consider going the extra mile for nontraditional students too.

-Betsyanne

Some of my links!
The Wisconsin Nontrad Page
The Kentucky Nontrad Page
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral

Nontrads and Fashion

Some Nontraditional students DO care about fashion!

I know I do. Not that I buy many new things; I don't. BUT I want to know what is in style. Nontraditional students often do not have much extra money. They are busy paying for their books, lunches, supplies for school, and perhaps their kids' expenses too. But that doesn't mean they can't have fun with their clothing or change it up a bit each year. Face it. Sometimes it just gets old looking at the same old thing every day that you are wearing.

Knowing what is in style can help you blend in nicely at any school you attend. It can also boost your spirits. I have listed a few good websites to look at when you are not studying. (Yeah... like THAT is going to happen!)

And I don't think it's necessary to wear what much younger kids do; just find out the trends and make your own fashion statement! 

Related posts:
Back to school as an older student - what should you wear?

Here are some sites to help too:

Elle.com - a good trendy site (from the magazine) This site has some good articles on many different subjects.
 TLC Fashion Tips
The Fashion Blog Site - attn: they have the new Boyfriend Jacket here. Plus photos.
Fashion sites for men - at AskMen.com
How NOT to act old
Clothing stores rediscover Boomers (NY Times)
How to buy cool clothes (at any age)


-Betsyanne


Other Betsyanne sites and blogs:
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral