Winter Term - love it or hate it?

One of the newer trends in higher education is having a Winter Term. This term nestles in-between Fall and Spring terms.

Let me first explain my use of the word "newest."

For people like me, who first attended school more than 20 years ago, this is a new phenomenon. But Winter Terms have been around for years. The term is nestled between Fall and Spring semesters.

For example, Western Kentucky University has their Winter Term is from January 3rd through January 25th. Registration began for this term in October.

I can see how people would want to attend both Winter and Summer terms. It is a chance to catch up on classes, and maybe take a special class that is not offered at other times. Perhaps an important prerequisite is needed, and taking a class during this shorter term is necessary.

Nontraditional students are faced with prerequisite challenges all the time, just like other students. One class MUST be taken before the next one, in order. So they must be careful to plan for that.

Are you in a Winter Term class right now? Do you like it? Would you be interested in going during that time? Do you think the best colleges or schools should offer a Winter Term?

Or are you waiting until a "regular" semester to take a class you need? I am curious as to what other students, interested persons, or former students think about Winter Term.

There are reasons I think people would like Winter Term (such as availablity of courses). The reasons I probably would not like it are:

1. You don't have as much time to learn the material
2. It's cold outside!
3. You don't get a Winter Break then, which can be fun.

There may be other reasons why a Winter Term is good or bad. Write down what you think, as a comment below.

I have a poll here called "Winter Term: Love it or hate it?" I will vote first.  You don't have to love or hate it. There are other choices. I am so curious to see what people will say. :-)

Nontraditionally yours,
Elizabeth Sheppard
"Betsyanne"
Helping Nontraditional Students Get Connected

Here are some of my sites:
The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Six Keys to Success for Working Students by Jon Mladic

Here is a guest posting from Jon Mladic. I really like it!

Six Keys to Success for Working Students

The recent economic downturn has encouraged more full-time employees to seek additional education.

How can someone be successful in school while working? Though it’s not impossible, it certainly requires an amount of wisdom to balance the act of employee and student.  Here are six keys to success drawn from informative college resources.

1.     Plan Ahead of Time

After a tough class, most students look back, and realize they could have anticipated the challenges they faced—whether a test, lecture, or assignment. A busy work schedule should influence a working student’s number of classes, the times of their classes, and (if the school offers both online and residential courses) the modality of their courses. West Virginia University’s Students’ Center of Health points out that seeking more education begins with “an honest assessment of yourself.” It’s important that students understand their strengths and weaknesses and take them into account when planning for classes.

2.     Prioritize

According to Wittenberg University’s "How to Prioritize and Get Things Done" resource, a common problem for working students is deciding what to prioritize. “Determining what needs to get done, and in what order” is much different than “completing the important stuff.” Due dates emphasized in a syllabus help students determine what to work on first. One week, this might mean dedicating more time to work. The next week, it might mean dedicating more time to classes. It comes down to urgency… Is a deadline for work or a class assignment coming up? As the deadline approaches, it becomes an increasingly higher priority.

3.     Break Tasks Down

The University of Georgia Health Center’s Guide to Managing Stress emphasizes the negative effects felt by students who “wait until the last minute to complete a project, they often feel overwhelmed, and the task seems insurmountable.” This is especially true for working students, who may find it near impossible to find time to catch up in a class. To avoid falling behind, one strategy is to break down the major project, essay, or study time needed for a final exam into small, manageable pieces, and work on it into 30-60-minute increments each week.

4.     Communicate

Over time, issues, and conflicts are bound to happen.  Establishing clear expectations with professors and supervisors is critical. It’s expensive for companies to recruit, hire, and train new employees, so most are flexible in helping their current employees further their education. Working students need to share their availability and academic commitments, but those who keep employers informed of their progress and share success with them often receive more support, especially if the company is footing part of the tuition bill. As the University of Illinois – Chicago’s Student Life Department points out, it’s as important for students to communicate personal needs to their support networks.

5.     Make Adjustments

Working students usually have a stable schedule. They can learn what works for them and try new approaches when their plans don’t work out. In other words, they become better, more efficient students each quarter. Volunteer State Community College notes that students should “learning from mistakes” and “examining old habits” as two ways to improve as a student. As classes become more difficult, working students aren’t finding more time to spend on coursework – they’re becoming more effective learners.

6.     Utilize Resources

Obtaining a degree is one of the most important and life-impacting choices you could ever make for your future. Utilize your school’s learning center resources to find effective ways to balance your life as a workforce member and a student. Learning centers often offer tutoring, schedule management, and more. Most of these resources are not only free -- but can impact your success as a student.

About the Author: This article was written by Jon Mladic, Learning Center Coordinator at the Rasmussen College Rockford, IL  college campus.  Jon holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Illinois Wesleyan University. He has worked in the field of education for more than five years.

About Rasmussen College: Founded in 1900, Rasmussen College is a premier provider of educational experiences, offering Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees in fields with the greatest occupation opportunities to more than 15,000 students both online and through its network of 21 campuses.

Sources:

West Virginia University, By Thinking, and About Your. "The Secret to Balancing Work and School | West Virginia University." Wellwvu | Home | West Virginia University. WELL WVU, 22 Sept. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2010. .

Wittenberg University. "HOW TO PRIORITIZE AND GET THINGS DONE." Web. 05 Nov. 2010. 

Priorities, By Setting. "University Health Center | Stress Management | Time Management."University Health Center at the University of Georgia. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. 

"Balancing Work and School | University of Illinois at Chicago." University of Illinois at Chicago. Web. 01 Nov. 2010.

"Work, School, & Life Balance." Volunteer State Community College>. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.

 
Thanks, Mr. Mladic, for this very useful and well-researched article.


Nontraditionally Yours,

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

Websites and tips to help you study for that exam or test

Hello, nontraditional students!

Now is the time many people are doing reports, final folders, and studying for that important exam or test.

I have several good sites that will help you study. The very best one is the Joe Landsberger site.

Another good study skills site is the Study Strategies page from the University of Minnesota at Duluth.

Misty, one of my readers, suggested the Education Atlas. It has a lot of different sections on it too.

You can also find more study skills links at the Nontrad Study skills page.

I used to think that I would NEVER get my holiday shopping and presents done, with all the things I had to accomplish. Then I would worry about it some, before totally forgetting about it until the last minute.

Another nontraditional student is also thinking about how SHE will get things done. You can see her link in the comments section after this post, or go here to read her posting.

Back to my story. I was worried that I would not finish everything, BUT my other things did get done.

And there is nothing like how I felt after everything was done, all my work in, and my computer Teaching assignments posted. AHHHHHHHH!!!!

Now THERE was a great present for myself, along with a huge sigh of relief.

Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne

Do you go with your head... or your heart?

Going back to school to do what you love.

There are many reasons that nontraditional students go back to school after a break of however many years. Many want to have a more secure job, or one that pays better. Others want to do something entirely different after already having one or more careers.

Some others want to give back, or help others. And other people want to move up in their career. They may have been in this career ever since high school or even before.

Are you going back to school right now? You might be thinking about your reasons for being back in school. For instance, do you have a choice about what you are taking?

And then there is the time element. Do you feel like you need to hurry back OUT of school so you can have a steady paycheck and start paying down debts? Perhaps you just want some courses, or to go back for a year or two, NOT four more years. Perhaps your family is not supportive, so the faster you finish, the better.

The reasons people are in school (or stop being in school) are many.

I know I've thought about these things - time, money, and what I wanted to do when going back to school. I chose to get get out of school sooner, rather than later, and use all the courses I have had in the past as possible towards my new career (being a teacher).

I have another two years I can go back to school and get loans for it. But I am not sure anymore whether learning in a traditional way, and trying the same teaching job again would be best.

What I have learned... do NOT to go for the easiest route (getting out faster vs. going for what you would like better).

I know taking another 2 years (or however many it will take) of school is daunting, but I would say if it's a choice, to go for the subject or job that you love more.

Do you go with your head... or your heart? Or do you try to go with both? What is your nontraditional student story? Let me know by commenting below.

Nontraditionally yours,
-Betsyanne


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

A Nontraditional Student Thanksgiving 2010.

Here are some things nontraditional students can be thankful for this year:

1. They are going for their dream.

2. Though they may not have lots of money right now, many nontraditional students still can celebrate Thanksgiving with their family.

3. Some nontraditional students who are going it on their own can get a thanksgiving dinner on campus. That is SOME.

4.  Nontraditional students who are taking classes know that they won't have to go back and say to themselves someday, "what if??"

5. Nontraditional students have almost finished up the semester.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, nontraditional students! 

Oh - and do COMMENT after this post, and let other readers know how you are doing in school, and what you have planned for Thanksgiving too.


-Betsyanne

PS Another Thanksgiving posting: Via NPR: Who is Missing from your Thanksgiving table?

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

This photo of the Thanksgiving Square Chapel in downtown Dallas, Texas USA is by Schlusselbein2007/John McStravick.

50+ Great Nontraditional Student Sites and Blogs

I put an asterix (*) in front of my nontrad sites and blogs so you know which is which.
 

Included here are nontraditional student blogs about going back to school, websites with great links for nontrads, free access to scholarship applications, and a lot more. I hope you like them too.

They are broken down into categories, Social websites, Scholarship websites, Nontrad and Continuing Education sites, Nontrad blogs, Study Skills Sites and Articles, Encouraging and inspirational websites, blogs, and pages, Career Sites and blogs, National and International groups, Computer tutorials, and Online Learning and Other Resources for Nontrads.

Social sites and forums - get connected!

*Nontrads on Facebook – my site, currently 269 members.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nontraditional-Students/104788406743

Nontrad Law – the intelligent law student community. A forum for law students. http://www.nontradlaw.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1&page=1.
The OldPreMed forum site:  http://www.oldpremeds.org/fusionbb/index.php? - this forum is part of a website for the National Society for Nontraditional Premedical and Medical Students, Inc. They have conferences too!
This page also includes links here: http://www.nontradlaw.net/links.html and more.

The Nontraditional College Support Group – started by Toni Washington Bradley.

A support group and sounding board too.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=87561839488&v=wall&viewas=0

*Nontrads on Yahoo – 252 members. Discuss your issues, get information:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Non-trads/

The About.com Continuing Education Forum http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?folderId=2&listMode=13&nav=messages&webtag=ab-adulted

 The ANTSHE Facebook group – connected with the ANTSHE website. 275 members. Discussions, links, more.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ANTSHE-Association-for-Non-Traditional-Students-in-Higher-Education/20028604506

The Deb Peterson Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AboutContinuingEducation. From the site: “Continuing Education at About.com, part of The New York Times Company, explores the myriad ways we return to school when we're past age 25 -- to finish a degree, earn a GED, get certified, or pursue lifelong learning. Should you go back to school?”

The Deb Peterson Twitter page: http://twitter.com/Continuing_Ed. From the Twitter page: “About.com Guide to Continuing Education. Read a book! Formerly Deb Gruebele.”

*The Nontrad Twibe on Twitter – here is a place to post Twitter postings plus join a group too. See what other nontraditional students and schools are saying about nontraditional issues. http://www.twibes.com/group/nontradstudents

And, if you are not already connected with them, try Facebook, Twitter, Digg, and Stumbleupon for some fun new sites and friends, or interesting articles and news.

Scholarship websites

The Fastweb site – free scholarship search services, articles, and more. http://www.fastweb.com/

*The Nontrad Scholarship page http://www.nontradstudents.com/scholarships.html. This page has lots of free scholarship sites and resources on it. Page 2 is here: http://www.nontradstudents.com/scholarships_page2.html

Nontrad and Continuing Education websites

The About.com Adult Ed Pages by Deb Peterson

Loads of information and links.

http://adulted.about.com/

Sophie Maddox’s adult college information site

http://www.sophiemaddox.com/

*The Nontraditional Student website – help and support for all nontrads.

http://www.nontradstudents.com/.
The Financial Aid blog – on College Scholarships.org. A great article site with tons of information and resources. http://www.collegescholarships.org/blog/

Nontrad blogs – meet new nontrads!

The Nontraditional Student blog – I started this when I was going back to school.

http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/
Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student: by RedFokker, a history major.

http://reaching-lifelong-goals.com/

Student Mum – a mother going back to school in the U.K. http://studyingparent.blogspot.com/ From the site: “Mature, or non-traditional Post-Graduate student studying Victorian Literature at the same time as trying to run a home with one teenaged daughter, pre-teen twin daughters, two elderly cats and a husband who appreciates the limited attention he gets from me after doing all that!”

Sweet Sue – a nontraditional student from Oregon. Her site description: “I am the mother of three adult children and the grandmother of five little ones... see more at the site. http://pregnantkatiesmom.blogspot.com/

Study Skills sites and articles

How to Study – recommended by RedFokker on his website

http://www.howtostudy.org/

Study Hacks – “strategies for building a remarkable life” - for readers of all ages.

http://calnewport.com/blog/about/

Study Guides and Strategies by Joe Landsberger – this is the ultimate study guide site. Everything from learning styles and research to test prep. You will love this page. http://www.studygs.net/.

The USearch Blog – advice on picking colleges and applying.

http://myusearchblog.com/

The 6-hour D and how to avoid it by R. Dewey. http://www.psychwww.com/discuss/chap00/6hourd.htm

The Deb Peterson About.com Continuing Education pages – everything from articles, polls, advice, other links and sites by Deb Peterson, Continuing Education Guide.

http://adulted.about.com/
Older Nontrad Student – written by Zickbee. From the site: “40something student, Mom to three human children and two canine children, Arizona ‘native’, collegiate basketball fan.” http://oldernontradstudent.blogspot.com/

Rantings of a Middle-Aged College Student. http://traveling-thru-time.blogspot.com/

From the site: Brandywine - Missouri, United States. Heirloom gardener, chocoholic, bookworm. Full-time employee, full-time student. History major with a Spanish minor. I love words, I love history, and I love heirloom tomatoes, not necessarily in that order. I enjoy blogging and meeting new people through blogs (and in real life, as well).

Encouraging and inspirational websites, blogs, and pages

Wabi Sabi – The Beauty of Imperfection

http://www.bewhoyouare.com/article_wabisabi_thebeautyofimperfection.php

My mom’s motto! This is chapter one of a book by Robin Rice, whose Facebook page I have listed here too.

Robin Rice’s Be Who You Are Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/#!/BeWhoYouAreWithRobinRice

Robin features postings by many interesting people, and inspirational sayings and websites. This site is very interactive, with many chances to chime in on conversations.

The Dalai Lama’s Facebook page – learn about compassion and forgiveness, and lots more here.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/DalaiLama

The Awesome Power of Goal-Setting – Ten Tips for Triumph – from the About.com Human Resources Page. http://humanresources.about.com/od/performancemanagement/a/goal_setting.htm

GED Stories – stories by actual people going back to get their GED. You can comment there too and give advice. http://www.passged.com/stories/

Positive Thinking Radio – from the site: “Listen to the sound of your dreams on Positive Thinking Radio.” http://positivethinkingradio.com/

“It’s never too late to stop procrastinating” – from the WebMD site: http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/its-never-too-late-to-stop-procrastinating

Mishka the Husky dog says I love You. Sure to put you in a good mood! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXo3NFqkaRM

Career sites and blogs

Career Alley – (from the site) “Career advice, job search advice and job search site reviews.” Lots of great articles are here too.

http://careeralley.com/

National and International groups

ANTSHE – (from the website) The Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education

http://www.antshe.com/. You can join as a student group or an individual.

The National Society for Nontraditional Premedical and Medical Students – read about the 2010 conference here, which was in Chicago. http://www.oldpremeds.org/

*Nontrads on Twitter – Twitter pages. http://www.twitter.com/nontrads.

*Nontraditional Students – http://www.twitter.com/nontrads. The Nontraditional Student connection Twitter page. Links, Nontrad sites, more.

Computer Tutorials

 Here is one I just found via Facebook. It’s the Free Computer Tutorial Site: http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/. Included here are free lesson on MS Excel and Word.

Here is another one linked via Facebook: http://computing.onlinecourse.com/ - the GoGoEd Basic Computing class online. This is also free. It covers web design, web pages, and other basic concepts like computer security.

Online Learning and Other Resources for Nontrads

*The Betsyanne site Internet Guide page for Seniors has some great links on it, like other links for learning, plus free classes and safety site links to protect your computer. This site page will be totally redone in a few days, since when I checked it, some sites were no longer active.

http://www.betsyanne.com/seniors.html

The Son of Citation Machine – an excellent website for doing citations for papers. Check it out. Citations here include MLA, APA, Turabian, and Chicago styles. http://citationmachine.net/

Back to School Moms – this nontrad site is mostly a collection of articles, but articles relating to the nontraditional students. It’s definitely worth a look. http://back2schoolmoms.com/

 *Free Lesson plans for teachers and teacher ed students http://www.betsyanne.com/for_teachers_b.html

College Prep 101 website – this website has some great links on saving money at college, interviews, ACT and SAT prep, and more scholarship how-to info. http://www.collegeprep101.com/

The Pick a Prof and ProfEval sites. These sites help you pick a professor by rating them and their classes. If you have not picked a college class yet, these sites are very helpful. http://www.myedu.com/ and http://www.profeval.com/home/chooseschool.asp - I have used the latter site more often. The school I went to, WKU, is listed there, plus lots more schools across the country.

Be looking for more sites here later. Hopefully these will get you started. And list your own for me to go and see. Thanks!

*And here is Issue #9 of the NT News. I write a bit about what it was like for me as a nontraditional student. Sometimes it's necessary to stop worrying and concentrate on "The Big Picture." 

Later, gators!

Nontraditionally Yours,

-Betsyanne

The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter