Non-Traditional Student Challenges

C. C. Malloy 

Contributor 

Application submitted; check.

Declared my major; check.

Registered for classes; check.

Tuition paid; check.

Selected classes and ordered my books; check.

Oh good grief! I’ve got my classes. Now what?

Now, I’ve got to do something… something constructive: like homework, post to a discussion board, and finagle a Power Point! Is this what I signed up for? Whatever happened to attending class with a binder, loose-leaf paper and a number 2 pencil?

Those days are gone; at least for me. I have enrolled in the Online Degree Program here at FSU, and hope to earn a BA in Sociology within the next 20 years. Yes, that’s right; I said it. The next 20 years! I can say that with a straight face, because that’s about how long it took me to get where I am now. Ok, maybe a tad bit longer, but who is counting? (The transcript department, probably!)

My life has suddenly become more hectic than usual this year, but it didn’t start out that way. I happened to call the Office of Admissions and ask a couple questions. Before I knew it, I had a Blackboard account. And it isn’t anything like the blackboard I used when I earned my AA some years ago. Does anyone even manufacture chalk anymore?

Now, I could go on and on about how hard it is for non-traditional students like me to suddenly become an online student.

I should tell you, that as non-traditional students, we may be technologically challenged. It takes us longer to navigate the system, links, and assignments, compared to the tech-savvy, young adults which invade the class rosters. I sure don’t want to tell you that the discussion boards are our favorite.

I could tell you that we most likely are raising teenagers at home, we work a full time job, we barely get any time for homework, and that no one cares.

I would tell you that we are not convinced the book rental program is a good idea, but so far so good, and the due date, May 16th, 2014, is the last thing on our minds.

I might also tell you that there are so many challenges for returning, non-traditional students that it would literally take up this entire article. Then, I could go on and on about how difficult it is to adapt to my new surroundings without looking foolish. Well, I am sure that has already happened, so; check “looking foolish” off the list.

But, we bought the ticket! We knew darn well what we were getting ourselves in to. Here we are, able to earn a degree, completely online, without leaving the comfort of our living room all while managing our households and busy lifestyle! Are you kidding me? It’s better than sliced bread.

We are not complaining about the difficulties in our new endeavors. We don’t need to justify our presence in the online community. This is about us having the passion in life to do something better: better for ourselves, our families, and for our future. The reality is we wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t want to be here. That’s the difference between the traditional and non-traditional students. Many younger students are here because it is the right thing to do; not because they want to, but because they have to.

Those are the students with the real challenges. The student’s fresh out of high school, living away from home, learning life skills, responsibility, and independence. Many have not “found” themselves but are still racking up tuition bills. These students need our non-traditional guidance. We may be the minority, and not know if we are coming or going, but we will help them if we can.

All students face challenges. Non-traditional challenges are different but they are equally important. There is no age gap or college curriculum that can change this. We have to do the work just like everybody else. We are all students here one way or another. We must look out for each other. The challenges are not important; it is our reaction to those challenges that make the difference.

If we, time-honored students, could communicate our thoughts, it most likely would be to get excited about your life. Get excited about being in college and having the opportunity to learn something new. Be the creator of your own destiny! Only you can decide your path in life. You are the one to make the difference. We want to see the passion that lights that fire under your motivation. I could lecture until I am blue in the face. I am sure some parents would love that. They would love for someone like me to give their kidlet a good pep talk and let them know the importance of a good education, but I won’t do it! Non-traditional students are not your parents. We are your classmates; and there are plenty of us. We are here to inspire and encourage you to listen to your dreams. We are here as a peer to post a response to your discussion board. We want to be part of the community just like you, online, or in the classroom.

This is not about the challenges we face as non-traditional learners. This is about our new opportunities as a student. We need your support (not to mention your tech skills). This is about all of us, so when I meet you somewhere on campus, I hope you will see me as another classmate and look beyond my challenges. I promise to look past yours, if you promise to look past mine.