Who Knew There Was A Label For Me?

Hi, Deb Noll here. I am beginning my 4th year at OSU Marion this fall. Little did I know three years ago when I walked into the admissions office and registered at the age of 54 that there was a label for me: non-traditional student. It was after my second year on campus when I actually heard the term for the first time. That was when I was invited to participate in discussions as to how to develop a Non-Traditional Blog. I didn't know anything about Blogging, but thought if it would help other non-trads to be comfortable on our small campus I was all for it. So here I am posting my first blog--EVER! So what is my advice to the non-trad student?

1. Don't waist time getting involved in community life on campus. Ask your advisor what student organizations are active on campus; and get connected early. Pay attention to the posters around campus and if something appeals to you GO! Never say "I'M TOO OLD! THEY WOULDN'T WANT ME THERE...this campus is not about age, and ALL ARE WELCOME!

2. Visit your Advisor often -- at least once a quarter. When you get complacent about this, that's when you'll end up taking classes that will prolong your stay here because you'll miss a class you should have taken, or taken a class unecessarily--but remember no class is a waste of your time!

3. Get to know the faculty. Engage in conversations that allow them to get to know who youare, your interests, major, etc. They can suggest the right courses academically, as well as connect you with others like yourself with shared interests. These connections make for good study partners, good resources, and good friends.

4. Do not freak out because you have set your standards higher than the grade you're receiving in a class. As non-trads we tend to think that what we've experienced in life shoud automatically transfer into book smarts and good grades. It is true that non-trads are coming to college either for the fist time since high school, or returning after an extended leave after experiencing a lot of life. We think that we have learned much during that time --WE HAVE! But math, physics, English, foreign languages, stats and more can be hard for us--as for any student. As parents, which many non-trads are, we tell our children: don't give up, try again, it's okay, try harder next time--listen to your own words of advice. I've learned this one the hard way.

5. Do you enjoy singing? Join University Choir. It is a great way to meet other students, especially in your first few quarters on campus. It also relieves tension as you try to get back into the realm of studying.

There are more tidbits that I could pass on to you and probably will as this blog continues, but that's enough for today, except to say: Enjoy your time on campus, it goes by all to quicky.

Love, Hope, Peace,
Deb