The best thing about
nontraditional (nontrad) students is that they are not attending school because
of pressures from home, to party, or because all of their friends are attending
the same institution. They are going for the main purpose of improving themselves.
The nontrad is engaged in accomplishing what once may have seemed impossible to
achieve in the course of their lives, but through struggles and self-sacrifice
they have made this a part of their reality.
For many nontrads, this major step
they have taken in life has led to many feelings of excitement, fear, doubt,
and scores of questions. Life has brought on many new responsibilities for the
nontrad student since they first left high school. Many have added the stress
of a family and the responsibilities that come with that commitment. Family
responsibilities bring a dilemma for nontrads: being a student while trying not
to neglect important relationships. At
the same time, nontrads know education can bring some major life improvements
for those under their care. Finances may
have also been a key player for some of us in delaying school. For some family
assistance may have not been an option making it necessary to work and save
before school was a possibility.
This
blog hopes to bring some direction to those nontrad students. It is a place
where we can free talk, give advice, and even rant if the need arises. By being
involved and participating in our school we can gain ownership and pride in
this wonderful university.
It has been said that the definition
of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting different results.
Let us strive to be more vocal and involved as nontrad students and not just do
what we have always done for the sake of comfort. College is not only about
expanding our minds, but expanding every last part of ourselves. We must become
greater and better than even we can perceive. It would indeed be a tragedy it
we leave school with a bunch of “what ifs” and “if I had onlys”. Let us ponder
our impossibles so that they may become our possibles. Let us be like the great
inventors and philosophers that society often scorned and mocked and make our
dreams our realities.
Frank P. Sweet - Editor
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