Spring Break
Staff Editorial: Nontraditional students offer inspiration to 'typical' students
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Opinions
It is a sight many of us have realized is not all that peculiar, but one that perplexes many first-time students. You make your way to your first college classroom and find a seat. You look up to see the person you assume is the professor, only to realize this older person you thought would be leading the class is, in fact, a participant.
They are nontraditional students, and they are here to gain an education just like you.
Many students may not be aware of what specifically makes someone a nontraditional student. Very often they can be international students, people the same age as traditional students who happen to have children, or simply older individuals who have returned to pursue a college degree.
Monday marked the beginning of Nontraditional Student Week on campus. We should all take some time to realize the difficulty that is being a nontraditional student.
The bottom line is that nontraditional students often have it a lot harder than most of us, and they should provide a source of inspiration or at least a sense of humility traditional students may lack.
Far too often students lose perspective. While the ability to manage time and juggle responsibilities may vary on a person-to-person basis, the fact remains that most young people go through life thinking they have a more difficult road to travel than anyone around them.
And who could blame them for thinking this? It is a difficult transition to make, going from high school to college. And it can be near maddening to have to juggle five or six classes while participating in student organizations or working a part-time job.
But try jumping into the shoes of many nontraditional students.
As though a college class load isn't difficult enough, nontraditional students must find a way to succeed in the classroom as well as often working full-time in order to put food on the table and pay rent.
Add to the equation that most nontraditional students have children (which is a full-time job itself) or are international students (some of whom must struggle to adapt to life in a new society, culture and attempt to master a new language).
They are nontraditional students, and they are here to gain an education just like you.
Many students may not be aware of what specifically makes someone a nontraditional student. Very often they can be international students, people the same age as traditional students who happen to have children, or simply older individuals who have returned to pursue a college degree.
Monday marked the beginning of Nontraditional Student Week on campus. We should all take some time to realize the difficulty that is being a nontraditional student.
The bottom line is that nontraditional students often have it a lot harder than most of us, and they should provide a source of inspiration or at least a sense of humility traditional students may lack.
Far too often students lose perspective. While the ability to manage time and juggle responsibilities may vary on a person-to-person basis, the fact remains that most young people go through life thinking they have a more difficult road to travel than anyone around them.
And who could blame them for thinking this? It is a difficult transition to make, going from high school to college. And it can be near maddening to have to juggle five or six classes while participating in student organizations or working a part-time job.
But try jumping into the shoes of many nontraditional students.
As though a college class load isn't difficult enough, nontraditional students must find a way to succeed in the classroom as well as often working full-time in order to put food on the table and pay rent.
Add to the equation that most nontraditional students have children (which is a full-time job itself) or are international students (some of whom must struggle to adapt to life in a new society, culture and attempt to master a new language).
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