What about dating for nontraditional students?

Some News from the Yahoo Nontrads Group

Today I went straight to the Nontraditional Student Yahoo Group to see what was going on there. There are two conversations going.

One is about what to do about a loan, and the other was how to date on campus.  Dating? It's something people going back to school don't think about every day. But older students are human, too, and naturally want to find that someone special.

Wow!

Older people who are single have a unique situation... they can either date younger people (which some people are doing) or just not date, especially when there aren't many social events at school.

I think having a nontraditional student group could help this situation. The leaders of the group could plan social events, and just having meetings could be a good idea and help single nontraditional students meet others.

And these connections could lead to meeting friends or friends of friends too!

Of course, you are going to have some older nontraditional students who are off the market or married, but you just might find a single person or two right in the group a nontraditional student could become friends with.

And, depending how you feel, if you open yourself up to relationships with younger people, you could have fun too. Even if there is no nontraditional student group at your school, maybe there are other people who are going back to school after a break. One idea is to maybe introduce yourself or start a conversation with somebody who looks older and may want to meet others too.

Another idea is to join clubs at the school. Many clubs are opening up to nontraditional students. Just pick one that interests you. OR start a nontraditional student group if there isn't one there already.

At the Yahoo group online, someone also suggested going to conferences and joining other groups as a way to meet new people. I think this is also a good idea.

What are your thoughts? Leave them as a comment below.

Oh - and if you are a nontraditional student and not on the Yahoo Nontrads group yet, you can join there and be Member #273.  I hope to see you there soon. And who knows? Maybe you will make a friend there too.

Here are a couple of other articles you might like:
Five ways for nontraditional students to get connected
Nontraditional students in college - 11 more tips for success

...and here is my Squidoo page: How to make friends at college for nontraditional students.

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

This fun photo scene and rose letter are both from the Microsoft Clipart Images site for MS Word users.

Planning ahead... and getting ready for summer

Nontrads have lives, too...

A nontraditional student having fun... blowing bubbles!

I know... Sometimes it doesn't really seem like it. A life? What's that? It can seem like a nontraditional student's life is is only about grades, pressure, stress, and never getting anything done - well, maybe some schoolwork, but the list of things to do keeps on getting longer and longer.

And that is not even counting all of the family or home responsibilities.

So... now that school is over for some, and getting into the home stretch for other, are some Nontrads getting ready for a more relaxed summer? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Some nontraditional students don't get to relax - - they must earn money all summer, or catch up on things they didn't get to do during school. And some get about two weeks before school (summer school) starts again.

Nontraditional students - - what are you going to do this summer?

Here is a poll to help me find out. 

Thanks! I can't wait to see what people answer.

AND: Get connected with some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on FacebookNontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Study checklist with a study helper - funny!

A study helper!

A study helper - and so cute!

I went to find a neat nontraditional student photo for a short blog posting tonight and found this great photo.

This really cute photo is by Carrinated on Flickr. The text that is under this photo goes:

Dog on lap - check
Coffee - check
Studying materials - check

ready to go!

 I like it.

So... how is your studying going? Does your pet help YOU with your studies?

Share with a comment.





 All for now,

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

A woman graduates college after 40 semesters - wow!

Hi fellow nontraditional students and those that help them.

I saw a wonderful article today I wanted to share. It's all about a woman who never gave up. She kept on "keeping on," and advises others to do that too.

This story, by Liz Goodwin, explains how Kathy Vitzthum is graduating from Ohio State after "40 long semesters of course work."

Wow. Read here story here: Woman graduates college after 40 semesters. I think this is such an uplifting and inspirational story.

Here's a quote, too, from the story. Kathy says, "It was absolutely scary" for her. Her advice? "You're just going to have to face your fears and don't be afraid to do it."

I love her attitude!

You CAN do it!

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

Child Care and the Nontraditional Student

 Hi all!

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/

Today I am thinking about child care (again). When I went back to school several years ago, I noticed that some fellow nontraditional students did need to worry about this. They had young children, and needed a good child care place for them. Some brought their kids to nontraditional student meetings too.

When I was working outside the home, I always needed to find not only child care before school started, but after. And I know that many nontraditional students need this too. They need to grapple with child care as well as their school schedule. They need a safe place for their kids that is a place that is handy to school, reputable, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. (Good luck with that) (chuckles).

Ideally, wouldn't it be great to have a place right at the school where you could have your children that were not school age? I have heard of some schools that actually have such a place. I know Western does, but the place is for the youngest of children only.

Some communities have After-School programs that are really great. They include study sessions and fun things like Girl Scout meetings or art activities. Of course, there are also pay sites, which can be very good. Some Boys and Girls clubs have buses that transport school kids to a safe place where they can exercise, do homework, and more.

I think each school that does not have child care at the school should provide nontraditional students with lists of good child care centers in the area. After school and before school programs should also be included. This would be such a great resource.

Does your school have child care, nontrads? Do they offer a referral pamphlet or help with that? I think that could really help nontraditional students a lot. Ratings would help too.

What do YOU think? Make a comment below. Thanks!

Related postings on this blog that you may find interesting include:


Is your school nontrad friendly?

Forming a nontraditional student group

Nontraditional students and families

Some Michigan help pages for nontraditional students

Nontraditional students have two reasons to like Health Care Reform

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