By Carly Davis
Campus News
Attending college as a nontraditional student can be both challenging and rewarding. As a nontraditional student, you are not just out of high school. You have life experience. You work a full-time job, and you may even have kids and a significant other. You are financially independent, and do not rely on your parents’ tax returns for financial aid. Deciding to pursue your degree later in life can understandably come with some anxiety and doubt. You may worry about the extra workload and finding time to study for exams when you have a full-time job, and other responsibilities. I’ve been there. I’m 26 and a nontraditional student. I currently attend community college, and the experience has been an interesting one to say the least.
I graduated high school in 2011 and went straight to college after the summer break. I didn’t take it seriously at all and changed my major a dozen times because I hadn’t lived enough to know what I wanted to do. Needless to say, I didn’t last very long. Fast forward to 2018 and I found myself reapplying as a nontraditional student.
So, what is a nontraditional student? A nontraditional student usually refers to someone who is 25 or older. It also may mean someone who works full-time and attends school part-time. Being a nontraditional student can make you feel out of place, but it is important to know that you are not the only one attending college later in life. The college demographic has changed compared to the way it was twenty years ago. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 73% of students can be considered nontraditional. This means that mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, even grandparents are attending college. Being a nontraditional student is not as uncommon as you may think.
If you are enrolling as a nontraditional student, here are a few things to remember:
No One Cares
That may sound harsh, but it’s true. No one cares as much as you think they do. The beauty of community college is that it caters to a diverse population of students. You will quickly find that you are not the only nontraditional student in your class. Even if you are it won’t matter, because young adults are still adults and age doesn’t necessarily mean maturity.
You Have a Clear Vision of What you Want Your Future to Look Like
You know your endgame. You know exactly why you are going for your degree. Your goals are what will get you through all your classes. Being a nontraditional student gives you an edge because you are more focused and prepared. Having more life experience makes you an even better student than you could’ve been at 18.
There is Nothing Wrong with Making Friends and Networking
Trying to befriend an 18- or 20-year-old can seem like a pointless idea, but these students are your peers, and you are all in college to get a degree. If you have the time, try joining a club or organization that interests you. Network with other college students, both traditional and nontraditional. Making friends is important because it means having people to study with and having someone to borrow missed notes from if you miss a class.
Take Advantage of Study Groups and College Resources
When I first went back to school, it took some time to acclimate back into the academic world. I had forgotten pretty much everything I learned in high school and had to get used to studying and doing homework all over again. It can be quite overwhelming, especially when you have other equally important priorities. If you need extra help, don’t be afraid to utilize your college’s tutors and their writing center. Join a student study group if you need to.
Make Sure Your Professors Know Your Name
Be sure to participate. Ask and answer questions, and try not to sit in the back, unless there are no seats in the front of the class. Show them how serious you are taking your education. You may want to use them as a reference after you graduate.
Learn the Value of Good Study Habits
The college workload can drown you if you don’t learn to swim early on. That is why it’s crucial to know what works for you when studying. Go through all your class syllabi and take note of when exams are and assignment due dates. Do not wait until the last minute to study or complete essays.
Find Your Balance
As a nontraditional student, it can be hard trying to juggle school, family, and work. But the reason why you decided to enroll in school is because you know that it’s possible to do it. It’s all about finding a healthy balance and prioritizing. Just remember to take some time for you.
Just Breathe
The last bit of advice I have is to just relax. Take college seriously, but not so seriously that you forget to enjoy the experience of it. It doesn’t matter how old you are, college can be fun if you let it. Deciding to enroll in school as a nontraditional student can be one of the best decisions you ever make.
Carly Davis is an English major at Hudson Valley Community College.
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