Non-Traditional’s Meet the Half-Way Mark

Three months into the semester and things couldn’t be better. I say that in jest. Some of us would agree that as a non-traditional student, the work doesn’t stop. There is always a discussion board, research paper, or PowerPoint that is due. The assignments keep coming; sort of like the mail. The projects continue to pile up until the only choice possible is to prepare and deliver them.

All that may seem straightforward enough; mark each assignment on your calendar and check off one project at a time. Easier than sliced bread right? Wrong! Many times, non-traditional students need to navigate Blackboard before we can do anything else. If we miss-read the directions, we will find ourselves duplicating or even falling behind on due dates.  I suppose that could happen to anyone.  Now, I will admit, there are plenty of non-traditional students who are in fact, tech savvy and have no problem finding their way around Blackboard. That is good news because some of us need their help. I have been known to sneak an email or two to a fellow classmate asking for assistance.

At any rate, one of the biggest challenges of being a non-traditional student is managing our families. We have learned to multi task very well.  Reading a chapter or finding references while preparing a spaghetti dinner may seem unbelievable to you, but I’ve got the sauce stains to prove it!   It’s not all that far-fetched; especially if we have a fine bottle of our favorite Cabernet waiting. Don’t worry; we are careful not to burn the house down.

While our families need love and attention, they also need to be driven to practices, doctor visits, and school functions to name a few.  Only after we solved our children’s problems, like homework help, prepare the next day’s lunches, and double check to make sure the PE uniform is clean, then, we get to work on our discussion boards, take a mid-term test or outline the next chapter.   We “non-traditionals,” “NT’s” for short, are still the glue that keeps our households together.

We are learners in every sense of the word. Every minute of our time is used wisely. We have learned the beauty of carrying our texts books everywhere we go.  We carry them in case there is that small chance we will get 5 minutes of study time while waiting at the orthodontist, or in the lobby of the local bank. We have become very creative thinkers.

Are we straight “A” students so far? We’re working on it!  Are we straight “A” super- heroes so far? You got that right! We will find ways to survive the next discussion board topic. We will take any homework assignment that is due and bring it to our heart! We will love it, nourish it and put it to bed. We will focus on the next assignment like we were a Dodge Stealth fighter pilot.  And while waiting in the car for our kid’s practice to end, we will carve out the next discussion board with pen and paper, (yes, I said that; pen and paper).

We finally sit down at night ready to check a project off our list. We turn on our computers and the fun begins. Then we see it; what seems like hundreds of notifications on Blackboard? Each day I am barraged with post after post and information overload. Something tells me I may need these helpful tips and information, but since I like to take one day at time, I will cross those bridges when I get to them.

And let us not forget the endless discussion boards and the requirements for responding to posts. Link, link here, and a link, link there, here a link, there a link, everywhere a link, link! Must everything be so technologically oriented? Can’t we all just be friends?

Mistakes are prevalent though; not because we lack focus but because we are too determined and geared up to succeed. (Yes, let’s go with that!)  A couple of our professors may even be younger than us; now that could be intimidating. I have literally lived through a few of the time frames of some of these prompts for the discussion boards. Why do I need to find a reference? I am a reference!

The worst part is by far, the agony of defeat.  Study, write an essay, study again for the test; take the test, and wham! All of a sudden we are hit with some funky essay question on the test. Thinking we had a certain time limit we proceed. There goes that “miss-read” problem again.  Where did I go wrong? I thought essays were supposed to be subjective? Do they even really count?

So, here we are; half way through the semester. Time sure does fly. The projects are becoming more challenging in volume, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We continued to work during Spring Break and relished the fact that we had a week to try to get ahead of the game. At this point, we are most likely staying above water; preparing to take the plunge for the second half of the semester.

By now, we are getting to know our professors; or at least their online personalities anyway.  We are able to figure out who will help us, who wants to help us, and who simply can’t or won’t.  We are thinking now about putting strategies in place for successful completion of the credits.

Nevertheless, for each PowerPoint, research paper or math problem is an opportunity; an opportunity and a chance to become a better person. These possibilities open doors for achievement of our own goals. I’d like to say I am setting an example for my own teenagers. Are they becoming a better person watching me struggle? Do they even know what I am trying to accomplish? They probably do not.  This wisdom comes with age.

These learning experiences cannot be taught. We really do have an advantage over the traditional learners. We have life skills. We have paid the price for many lost employment or income opportunities. We are teachers ourselves. We are coaching our younger classmates to hang in there and to enjoy the challenges. We are teaching these young scholars that loving who you are, is just as important as loving what you do. We will never stop communicating the importance of staying in school and following a dream.

Are we tired? You better believe it!  Complaining?—No way!   Challenged?—Of course!

Happy?—You bet!

** C.C. Malloy needs your help! She is collecting “1 liners and quick tips” from other Non-Traditional students at FSU. If you would like to have your thoughts or comments included in the next article, please email ccagnass@broncos.uncfsu.edu .  Deadline for submissions to

C.C. is April 14, 2014. You will be able to remain anonymous if you wish.  Thank you and we will see you on the boards!