Hello, my name is Lynda, I’m 25 and I am considered a non-traditional student. (The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) defines a non-traditional student as, “meeting one of seven characteristics: delayed enrollment into post-secondary education; attends college part-time; works full time; is financially independent for financial aid purposes; has dependents other than a spouse; is a single parent; or does not have a high school diploma."). I work full time at a college, I’m married, I’ve never lived in a dorm (and from what I hear, I hope to never live in a dorm). I have an A.S. in Liberal Arts and General Studies. I am also in my senior year of my B.A. in English and Creative Writing. I started my college experience in the fall of 2010. If you asked my 7 years ago if I thought I’d still be working on my Bachelors in 2017, I probably would have said “no”. Yet, the further I got into school full-time and working part-time, I realized that work was becoming a stronger priority. The bills had to be paid somehow, and I was providing for myself, so the only option I had was to cut back on school and pick up more work. Seemed simple enough, right? It was, at least for me, a no-brainer. Throughout the last seven years, I’ve been a full time student, a part time student, I’ve taken a semester off, I’ve taken classes on campus and classes online, and I’ve worked throughout it all.
From my experience as a non-traditional student, personally, it can be hard to cope with, especially if you are seeing your friends and peers graduate together. It can make you feel that you are not doing things quick or good enough. Sometimes we forget that we aren't doing this for our friends and peers, but that we are doing it for ourselves and our families. Honestly, I struggled for years to come to terms with the fact that I would be graduating years after my high school senior class. I told myself I had to do more to make it right. I was young and silly. Having had the chance to learn and grow throughout the last seven years since my very first college semester, I can honestly say I'm glad I chose work first and school second. I was fortunate enough to turn a part time job into a career when I started working at my job full time. It gave me financial security and lifted a huge weight off my shoulder: making ends meet. It allowed me to focus on the one or two classes I was taking at the time more in depth, allowing my GPA to grow. It gave me the tools I needed to continue with school at my own pace.
From adult students, single parents (or just parent in general) and independents, it can be hard to be in an environment where everyone else is on the same or similar page. First day introductions can be weird and prompt questions from other students curious about just how you do it. It can make you feel uncomfortable and shy or proud and open. It can lead to new friendships and learning more about one another, making class all that more interesting. These conversations, along with an ever changing class dynamic will also show that non-traditional students are becoming the norm. According to Frederick Hess from The Atlantic, "Thirty-eight percent of those enrolled in higher education are over the age of 25 and one-fourth are over the age of 30." So basically, if you are a non-traditional student like me, you are not alone.
Finishing or starting school shouldn't be a competition and you shouldn't feel like you are misplaced. Take things one step at a time and do things the way you need to do them, and you will accomplish whatever you need to. Your motivation will push you and you will succeed, no matter how long it takes. Regardless of our student status, non-traditional, traditional, transfer, late start, early start, whatever, you are still a student working towards a degree that you chose to work towards.
You are not alone, friends, I'm right here with you and I have such faith in you.
