tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33275458426313792732023-11-15T09:54:21.033-05:00Older Non-Trad Studentzickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-4018262864716386742012-08-17T17:36:00.000-04:002012-08-17T17:36:19.273-04:00It's Been A While<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Greetings, fellow nontrads! The University if Tennessee will begin classes in a few short days. Don't know if I told you, but I after getting my Bachelor's in History, I promptly got a job in the Department of Mathematics. I love it! I have been taking Master's classes in Human Resource Management. Haven't taken my GRE yet (I am terrified of it!!!) and have not been admitted into the program, but I have applied to the Graduate School as a non-degree seeking student. Will let you know how things go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I have seen such an influx in nontraditional students on campus in the last year! I would attribute that to both the economy and early retirement buy-outs. What do you think? I am excited by the increase in nontrads. We help to bolster graduation rates since we are more apt to graduate within a few years than our younger counterparts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I want to take this opportunity to encourage my fellow nontrads as they return to school - either online or on campus. You can do it!! Stay tuned . . .</span>zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-47519350319130784882012-01-09T20:48:00.003-05:002012-01-09T21:00:08.320-05:00Spring Into It!Here we are again - spring semester. Classes at UT start on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. I am taking classes again this semester. I am going to explore a Master's in Human Resources Management. I have a 500 level Human Resource Management class on Monday nights and a writing class (Business and Technical Writing) on Tuesday and Thursdays.<br /><br />Several people have asked me recently, "Didn't you graduate?" "Yes, in May." "Then why are you still taking classes?" "I love to learn!" They scratch their heads and walk away, totally befuddled.<br /><br />The collegiate atmosphere and the tuition-free perk combine to motivate me to continue my education. I told one of the math profs this afternoon that I tried to make it as a professional student, but it wasn't a very lucrative career move. Oh, well.<br /><br />My advice for anyone who is considering returning to school:<br />1. Take it one step at a time. Try one class at the community college.<br />2. Yes, you CAN do this. It's like riding a bike. There are lots of nontrads out there and many colleges have increased their resources for nontrads.<br />3. This is a huge goal to set, but an even bigger one to accomplish. You are capable of accomplishing this goal.<br /><br />Share your story with others! People will be encouraged by your story. Hang in there and have a great semester! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-47582366923451110002011-10-23T20:50:00.002-04:002011-10-23T20:53:32.384-04:00A Word of EncouragementI know it's about that time again - mid-terms. Just want to encourage all my fellow nontrads out there. You can do it!! This semester will be over soon. Gear up now to end the semester strong. Don't wimp out yet! Remember the Little Engine That Could, but instead of "I think I can! I think I can!", tell yourself "I know I can and this, too, shall pass." <br /><br />Sharpen those pencils, recharge that laptop/iPad and bring on the coffee! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-90542322027372427772011-10-23T20:25:00.002-04:002011-10-23T20:44:07.164-04:00I Don't Get ItI am taking an Environmental Ethics class this semester - it's a Philosophy class. (groan) I have discovered that Philosophy is very much like math and languages. They are all logical, linear subjects. I am not linear at all. I'm more randomly spatially concrete (as opposed to random), though at times, my random musings are anything but concrete - but, I digress.<br /><br />On my path to greatness, I have discovered that one is either a words (expressive) or a numbers (logical) person. I am definitely words. Words are expressive and can be used like watercolors - splashed all over the place to make a beautiful masterpiece. I have talked to several mathematicians who have argued that logic makes sense and that numbers can be used to define, interpret, calculate, model, etc. anything in the known (and unknown) universe. Math is THE universal language. Hmmm.<br /><br />I still don't get it - math, logic, etc. I am so NOT logical, numerical, rational. Sometimes I feel like a fish out of water where I work - the Math Department at UT. That has more to do with my learning style than it does with my being a nontrad. Which brings me to the point of this post - do you know your learning style? I would hope by this point in your nontrad life, you would have some clue. However, if not, there is a fabulous book out there entitled, "The Way They Learn" by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. It may be out of print, but I'm sure one can find it at a used book store. Tobias not only covers the three basic learning styles - auditory, visual and tactile - but she adds several more layers. Whew! It's a fascinating and enlightening read.<br /><br />If you feel like you don't get it - math, history, philosophy, etc. - don't fault being a nontrad. Instead, fault your learning style. I'll say some more about how to work with the different learning styles later (when I find out where the book went in all the boxes I packed from my recent move). In the meantime, know that you are not alone if you don't get it. Try these tips:<br /><br />1. Go visit the prof during office hours or send him/her an email and ask him/her to explain (in 50 words or less) what you are having trouble with.<br />2. Form a study group and learn from your peers. Someone else in the group may be having the same problem you are and may also benefit from the group experience.<br />3. Use the campus resources - math tutorial center, writing lab, language lab, etc.<br /><br />You can do it! It took me 31 years to get my Bachelor's degree and it wasn't always an easy road. Hang in there and come back to visit often! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-60384014868093757822011-09-25T08:10:00.005-04:002011-09-25T08:39:55.181-04:00The Long HaulWhen I returned to school in the fall of 2006, I fully expected to be able to graduate two years later. Things didn't quite turn out that way. It took me four years - two of going to school part time and two of going to school full time - in order to complete my degree. Sometimes it seemed like I would never graduate. There were times when I would think, "What am I doing here? Am I being realistic? Is it worth it?"<br /><br />One of the major characteristics of being a nontraditional student that clearly sets us apart from our younger counterparts is that life is happening all around us - aging parents, school-aged children, a mortgage, a job, single parenting, etc. School is just one of the many balls we are juggling. Larry the Laptop, Minnie the Mini and I were best friends for a number of years. Wherever I went - high school and college sporting events, weekend visits to see children out of town, spring break in Phoenix, etc. - Larry or Minnie went, too. Folks got used to seeing Larry or Minnie and me together. I was never without Larry or Minnie, my backpack and books and my flash drive. <br /><br />Sometimes it seems like the journey will never end - late nights spent studying or writing that paper because you spent the early evening helping your children with homework; weekend afternoons trying to balance time with family and time with the books; scheduling parent-teacher conferences between classes. No one ever said being a nontrad would be easy - and it isn't!! However, there is a whole world of support out there for those of us who have had the courage enough to return to school as an "older" person. Google "Nontraditional Students" and one gets over 770,000 entries! Nontrads are important in many ways, especially as colleges try to reverse the trend of low graduation rates. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/guest-post-non-traditional-students-key-to-college-completion-goal)<br /><br />I remember a former classmate of mine - Bob. He was 52 and returning to school to get his degree in History so he could manage a friend's construction company. Bob died of a heart attack in April of 2008 - one month before he was set to graduate. He was always so encouraging - he made cookies for his younger classmates, carried a total of 19 hours, and was an "expert" in many of his history classes because he was more than twice as old as his classmates and had lived through the era they were studying.<br /><br />You may find yourself asking the same questions I did - "What am I doing here? Am I being realistic? Is this all worth it?" Yes - as a brand new nontrad, a seasoned veteran and an anxious one-semester-away-from-graduation nontrad - it's worth it. By the time you are finished with your degree, whether it's Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or PhD, you will have accomplished something great. You will have accomplished a huge goal you set for yourself. So hang in there! Yes, it's a long haul but well worth the journey. Stay tuned . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-60497303756302217192011-09-19T18:35:00.002-04:002011-09-19T18:52:30.714-04:00Are You Auditing?Someone recently asked me that question after I told them I was taking a class this semester. I never thought of auditing the class. If I chose to audit, I would not have had to take exams, etc. Why would I want to do that? For me, the reason to continue taking classes is to exercise my brain. Studying for exams, writing papers, and reading for the class are all ways that challenge my "aging" brain. I enjoy being in the classroom, learning about different subjects and interacting with my classmates and professor.<br /><br />There has been a great deal written about "lifetime learning". One does not necessarily need to be in the classroom to be a lifetime learner. Learning happens every day.<br /><br />Are you thinking about returning to school? Auditing a class is one idea. However, community colleges are cheaper than the four-year university and are always a great option for those "older" adults who want to get back into the classroom. One can also participate in personal and professional development courses that many universities offer. Don't be afraid to get your feet wet. There are many ways to ease back into the classroom. Google it and good luck! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-43361913409496524342011-08-29T06:42:00.002-04:002011-08-29T06:51:10.522-04:00Fall 2011The new semester is finally here! Classes at UT started on August 17. It was different to be on the administrative side of the new semester instead of the student side of the semester. I am still taking classes, though. This semester I have Environmental Ethics. Looks like it will be a good class.
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<br />A few days after the semester started, a nontraditional student came into the office looking for tutoring help. We chatted for a bit. She has been out of school 11 years. Another friend of mine, the wife of a gentleman I used to work with a couple years ago, is also going back to school. I encouraged both ladies and told them to keep going.
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<br />As a nontrad, do you feel overwhelmed by this new semester? You're not alone. There is a whole community of nontrads out there who feel the same way. Here a couple of tips to calm those first semester nerves:
<br />1. Break tasks down into bite sized pieces. Instead of looking at the syllabus for the whole semester and stressing out over it, take things one task at a time.
<br />2. Form study groups in your classes. One prof of mine (Dr. Michael Clark - Geology) insisted on study groups for his classes because he said that students do better when they study in groups rather than alone.
<br />3. Make use of the prof's office hours. Dr. Goodding (Indian Philosophy)lamented that no one ever came to see him during his office hours. That's the case for most profs. Their office hours are their time with/for you. Take advantage of it.
<br />4. Reread your notes and keep track of the readings. Don't get behind. Read ahead if you have time.
<br />5. Take a deep breath and take one day off of studying for some much needed refuel time.
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<br />College can be overwhelming at any age. Remember to take it in smaller pieces and you will get more done. Hang in there. I am rooting for you!! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-82271031512377792472011-07-11T08:41:00.002-04:002011-07-14T19:25:04.892-04:00Gearing Up for the Fall SemesterIt's hard to believe that the summer is halfway over and we have less than a month left of summer school here at UT. The fall semester starts August 17 for the Vols. Even though I have graduated, I am still taking classes - at least one a semester. I love to learn, classes are free for UT employees and now I can take classes just for the fun of it. Besides, I need continuing fodder for this blog!<br /><br />There are three types of nontrads out there: rookie, half-way and veteran. Each type of nontrad has different needs, but the same goal - to get their degree. How do each of the different types of nontrads prepare for the new semester?<br /><br />1. Rookie: It's all new to you, you may be a little scared and intimidated, and you may be very uncertain. Relax. A few tips to help the rookie prepare for the fall semester are:<br />a. A week before you start classes, get a map of the campus and scope out where your classes are. That way, you will not get lost on the way to class. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your campus - locations of the library, student union, your major department and where to park.<br />b. Don't wait until the last minute to get your books, supplies, etc. Avoid the rush by visiting your campus bookstore early. Other options for textbooks are - online rentals, book sharing, and off-campus used book bookstores. Collegiate logo notebooks and folders are more expensive than the generic brand. The Wal-Mart brand is just as good.<br />c. If you know who the teacher/prof is ahead of time, drop them an email and introduce your self - something like, "Dear Dr. Smith, my name is Jane Doe and I am going to be in your Tuesday/Thursday 9am Art History class. I look forward to a great class and a good semester." Yes, that seems kind of corny, but when they call roll, your name will already be familiar.<br />d. Get your laptop registered with the OIT office. Here at UT, first time network users have to register their computers with campus OIT so they can hook into the campus wide wi-fi network. This is another thing that should not wait until last minute as it usually takes about 15-20 minutes to do. You don't want to waste the first 15 minutes of class getting your laptop registered.<br /><br />2. Half-way: You've been on campus (or online) for at least a semester, so you are familiar with most of the ins and outs of the academic process. However, there may be a few things you have not thought of - things like-<br />a. Check with the registrar's office to make sure you are on track with your classes. Are you taking what you will need to graduate? Do you need to petition any courses from your previous school? Don't wait until the last minute, like a month before you are supposed to graduate, to make sure you will graduate!<br />b. Don't leave your hard subjects for the last semester. Grit your teeth and get through math, foreign language or English now. That way, if you don't do so good in the class, you still have time to make it up.<br />c. Do it now! Here at UT, we are required to fill out a graduation application a year prior to graduation so the Registrar's office can track us to make sure we are on target to graduate. However, with over 6,000 graduates, sometimes that gets a little sticky. Don't rely on the Registrar's office to get your final paperwork done. Start on it ahead of time if possible.<br /><br />3. Veteran: Been there, done that, can't wait to graduate. You might either have 'tude coming out your ears, or you're making the mad dash to make sure you have all the classes required to graduate (like I did my last year!).<br />a. Check your graduation report (or here at UT, it's a DARS - Degree Audit Reporting System) to make sure you have what you need to graduate.<br />b. Pay your fines/fees. An unpaid parking ticket can and will hold your final grades and, possibly, your diploma. Also, make sure all your library books are returned and your tuition is paid up.<br /><br />Whatever your status as a nontrad, make this semester count! There's nothing like the smell of academia in the morning! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-22410943106648198842011-06-30T08:34:00.004-04:002011-07-14T19:24:44.672-04:00Summer SchoolI am enjoying my summer school class, Cultural Anthropology. It is nice to be in class and not be stressed out about it - I am taking this class for fun. Last night we were talking about material possessions and how they relate to our identity. The teacher asked the class the following question, "You are in a foreign country and don't speak the language. What five things would you take with you that would tell the people of that country about you?" I chose: a picture of my children, my diploma, a book, my Bible and an American flag. It's been a very interesting class so far.<br /><br />I have blogged before about the advantages of summer school. I think that deserves a re-visit:<br />Good Things about Summer School<br />1. No tan line<br />2. You don't smell like sunscreen<br />3. You don't need to wear a hat<br />4. That Philosophy class you were dreading is only 8 weeks long<br />5. Not as much homework<br />6. No sand in your bikini bottom<br />7. You can wear your Birkenstocks and Bermuda shorts and fit right in<br />8. Smaller classes<br />9. Your teacher has his "office hours" at Starbucks<br />10. It's ok to take your shoes off<br />11. It's still daylight out when you get out of class at 9pm<br /><br />If you're new to the nontrad community, summer school, especially at the community college, is worth a second look. The atmosphere is more casual and not as intense, although you only have 8 weeks for the class as opposed to 16. Think about it! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-20294879205868534602011-06-27T16:24:00.004-04:002011-07-14T19:24:31.953-04:00Empty Nesting as a NontradI knew that day would come - the day when all my children would "fly the coop" and be out on their own. For me, that day came in August of 2010 when my daughter went away to school in Georgia. I did not have much time to reflect on my empty nest, however, because I was entering the last year of my undergrad work at the University of Tennessee. I think perhaps my own busyness with school acted as a buffer for the realization that I had an empty nest. <br /><br />I also faced the empty nest alone as I had recently divorced my husband of 24 years. I am in a much better place now. My life is much more peaceful without him (but that's another story for another blog).<br /><br />I am dating a man who is also facing the empty nest - sort of. His daughter is in school in Georgia and his son is here at UT (and makes the 30 mile drive home once a month during the school year). Bob has a host of hobbies to keep himself busy - cycling, model airplaning, square dancing - as well as a large circle of friends. He's a real renaissance man. We talk a great deal about our children and about empty nesting. <br /><br />One of the major characteristics of a nontrad is that our busy lives continue on even though we are in school. We have children, aging parents, a mortgage, pets, carpools, cupcakes, Girl Scout cookies, sports teams, dance recitals, etc. to balance with our studies. Whew! I applaud my fellow nontrads as they negotiate through the sea of life!!<br /><br />So how does one face the empty nest as a nontrad? First of all, are you facing the empty nest with a spouse or alone? If it's with a spouse, this is the time to get to know one another all over again. Take time to include your spouse in your school experience (if possible). For example, take your spouse to some of the cultural activities on campus, go to a sporting event (football, basketball, etc.) together, give him or her a tour of the campus, take him or her out for ice cream at the Student Center. <br /><br />If you are facing the empty nest alone, make some time for friends who may be in the same age and stage of their life as you. Get involved with folks from your church, or from the community. If you don't have a circle of friends or a support system in place, now is the time to develop that. First rule of coping with the empty nest: DON'T go through it alone! Now is the time figure out who YOU are, as a student and as a person. It's a great opportunity to know thyself as well as to spend time with those special friends in your life.<br /><br />Nontrads go through the same life stages as anyone else. We just experience those stages with a backpack slug over our shoulder! Kudos to my fellow nontrads who are empty nesting on their way to completing their degree. Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-33315523178984070052011-06-27T07:00:00.004-04:002011-06-27T07:13:57.141-04:00Comments on Comments - Encouraging WordsI receive many great comments on this blog. Thank you to all who leave a few words of encouragement, of clarification, etc. It's great to hear about other non-trads' experiences. <br /><br />Douglas commented that his last experience with college was rough because of ADHD. Now that he is aware of the ADHD, he can better tailor his college experience to work around how the ADHD affects his life. How many other nontrads are facing a similar situation? Kudos to Douglas as forges ahead and achieves his goals!<br /><br />Jan commented that she will be writing an MA dissertation this summer. That's another good way to battle summer brain drain - writing! Good luck to Jan as she soldiers through writing and defending her thesis. <br /><br />I am proud of all my fellow nontrads who are working through a multitude of experiences and life situations in order to obtain their degrees. I think of the STARS group at Pellissippi State - Blount County, Studentmum, Michael Dicianna and others who are focusing on their academics as life happens all around them. It takes a great deal of fortitude and focus to be a nontrad. Hang in there, stay focused and keep moving toward your degree. Let us know how it's going!! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-87033138225520030572011-06-26T21:45:00.003-04:002011-06-26T22:17:26.647-04:00Brain Drain During the SummerWhat are you doing this summer? I am doing what I have always done - work. I am also taking a class on Wednesday nights - Cultural Anthropology. My heart longs to be a full-time student again! I love the fast pace, the lectures, the assignments, the research papers, the mad dash to class from one end of campus to the other! I love being a student.<br /><br />Summer seems to be the traditional time that students experience massive brain drain. Many primary and secondary school teachers will spend the first two weeks of class in August (or September) reviewing in order to get their students on the right track again. I would always do things like review multiplication tables, state capitals and spelling words during the summer to keep my children's brains from turning into mush.<br /><br />How does one prevent brain drain as a non-trad? Most of us are not taking summer school classes. One word - READ!! Step away from the TV, video games, etc., and READ!! I reently purchased a Kindle for myself for my birthday. (I was told a Nook was better because you can check books out of the library with it, but Kindle is supposed to be getting that application soon.) I don't carry around a book, but I carry my Kindle with me. In some ways, it is more convenient than a book. However, I still love the feel of a book and I don't need to worry about the book's batteries going dead.<br /><br />Reading exposes one to different vocabulary and ideas and often requires critical thinking skills in order to process the subject (being able to track with the characters or subject, tying ideas and processes together, etc.). Reading also increases one's imaginatiion. What does Homer Hickam's hometown look like? Can you smell the streets of Charles' Dickens' London? What's it like to stand beside Dr. Kay Scarpetta as she performs an autopsy? Can you sense the isolation of Soldier Island in Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None"? Can you feel the heat from the burning books in Ray Bradbury's "Farenheit 451"? Are you there with the first responders in "102 Minutes Inside the World Trade Center"? <br /><br />Reading fiction takes one away to the world the author has created. I love fiction because it takes me to places I have not been to and might never go to. Reading non-fiction expands one's ideas of people, the world and the universe as a whole. From biography to self-help and how-to, science and the world of discovery. Reading opens doors and exposes one to so many different worlds. I love to read. <br /><br />Even though you may not be taking classes this summer, that is no excuse to let your brain turn to mush! Pick up a good book for some prolonged reading. I would suggest NPR's reading recommendations or perhaps the NYT Best Seller lists. Those are good places to start.<br /><br />What has been your favorite reading this year so far (besides a textbook)? I have enjoyed the Jefferson Bass books (fiction) as well as non-fiction ("The Fear" by Peter Godwin about Zimbabwe). I am currently reading Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None." My favorite books of all time are "Though None Should Perish", a medical account of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery, and "A Sense of the World" by Jason Roberts - two historical non-fiction books. Hmm - a history major who loves to read history. Who woulda thunk it?<br /><br />Take some time this summer to dive into a good book! It will prevent brain drain! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-87362654915744326062011-06-13T13:31:00.006-04:002011-06-13T19:52:29.230-04:00What's Holding You Back?I read an article on MSN today about Su Meck, a 45-year old mother of three, who recently went back to school to get her degree. What is so different about Su is that at age 22, she suffered a blow to the head that wiped out her memory. She found herself literally starting over from toddler hood. Now, 23 years later, she has gotten an Associate's degree with plans to continue on and get her Bachelor's. I applaud Su Meck. She did not let her fear of uncertainty hold her back from achieving a goal.<br /><br />So what's your excuse? "I'm too old!", "I don't remember how to study!", or "I won't fit in." Hogwash!! If you want something bad enough, you will persue it. Su Meck could have said, "This is too hard." But she didn't. I have no doubt there were times when she felt like giving up and giving in. But she didn't.<br /><br />If your dream is to get your college degree, whether Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or PhD, what's holding you back? Fear is one of the biggest reasons for not pursuing a degree as a 30, 40, or 50-something potential student. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of one's self - these are all reasons given for not returning to school as an "older" person.<br /><br />Fear of failure: Everyone fails. How do you handle it? Do you let failure cripple you or do you let failure be your teacher? Thomas Edison failed over 1,000 times before he invented the incandescent light bulb. Did he see those 1,000 times as failures? No. He saw them as experiments that didn't work.<br /><br />Fear of rejection: Like the genie tells Aladdin in Disney's "Aladdin", "Beee yourself!" You will not get along with everyone and some younger folks may be freaked out that someone their mom or dad's age is sitting in class with them. That is their problem, not yours. I made friends with my classmates by just being me - a 40-something mother of three who loves to learn.<br /><br />Fear of one's self: You don't know your limitations until you push them. You don't know what you're capable of until you try. You don't know how strong you are until you stand in the midst of a storm. Trust yourself. Don't look at past mistakes, failures, etc. Those are gone and you can't change them. Look to today and tomorrow. Do the best you can and then do even better. Challenge yourself. Trust yourself.<br /><br />Yes, going to back to school as an older person is a risk - financially, emotionally and physically. Taking a risk is like standing on the high dive at the pool looking down. Are you going to jump or not? My advice? Close your eyes, hold your nose and JUMP!! Scream all the way down if you have to! Once you do it, you'll be able to do it again and not be so afraid. Don't allow fear to rob you of achieving your goals.<br /><br />So what's holding you back?? JUMP!!! Stay tuned . . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-10973944856943994952011-06-09T19:50:00.001-04:002011-06-09T19:51:48.310-04:00I GOT MY DIPLOMA!!!!My diploma came today in the mail!! I am officially official!!! Saa-weeeet! Stay tuned!!zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-62082786185923631722011-06-09T13:34:00.005-04:002011-06-13T19:51:04.469-04:00For the Fun of ItI started my summer school class last night - Cultural Anthropology. Once in class, I discovered that I had gotten the wrong book for the class. I felt stupid, but then I realized it was no big deal, so just lighten up! When we introduced ourselves, I said my name and then I told the prof and the class, "I graduated in May with my Bachelor's in History. Now I work in the Math Department and classes are free for University employees. This class is something I was interested in so I thought I'd give it a shot." I think they were all amazed that I am in class just for the fun of it.<br /><br />"For the fun of it." There seems to be a huge difference in taking a class as a degree requirement as opposed to taking a class just for the accumulation of knowledge. I feel much more relaxed about being in class - not that I am going to be a slacker and not try my best to get a good grade. That's not it at all. I just don't feel as much pressure being a "for the fun of it" student. Yes, I am still an older nontraditional student, but I feel like a "freelancer". In this class, I am a student by choice, not by necessity. <br /><br />Hmm - lesson for this post? Learning is a lifelong experience. Many universities offer non-credit courses in everything from computer programming to wine tasting and kayaking. Libraries offer courses in computers. Community centers offer courses in crafting, dancing, swimming and host of other subjects. Wherever you are in your journey - serious degree-seeking student or lover of knowledge - take advantage of the opportunities to continue growing and learning. Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-80076070582918210342011-05-27T11:42:00.004-04:002011-06-09T19:50:36.024-04:00Keep Plugging AlongI loved summer school when I was a full-time nontrad. Summer school is good for several reasons:<br />1. Shorter "semesters"<br />2. More compact lessons<br />3. Easier than the regular semester<br />4. If you don't particularly like the class, you're only in it for 8 weeks as opposed to 16.<br />5. You can study and tan at the same time.<br /><br />I am a huge advocate of summer school, especially at night at the local community college. Being a nontrad is hard enough. Any chance you have to make it easier is a good thing. Summer school makes being a nontraditional student a little bit easier.<br /><br />I will be taking one class this summer - Cultural Anthropology. Why? Because I want to stay in the mode of learning, studying and writing. Besides, I am too addicted to education to quit cold turkey now! I love learning. Now that I am "staff" at UT instead of "student", I can take classes (up to 9 hours) for free. I may as well take advantage of that perk!<br /><br />To all my fellow nontrads who are also doing summer school, hang in there and keep plugging along. The end product, your degree, is well worth the effort you are making now. I start class June 8. Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-86320199230955142442011-05-18T14:56:00.003-04:002011-05-24T06:19:39.366-04:00Where Are You in the Journey?I recently finished the first portion of my nontrad journey - I got my Bachelor's degree. Is a Master's degree in my future? Perhaps. Where are you in your nontrad journey - Thinkin' about it? Newbie? Been at it for a while? or Woo-hoo, I have one semester left!! I have been in all those places.<br /><br />Each stage has its own unique characteristics:<br />1. Thinkin' about it: Can you really teach an old dog new tricks? Is it really like riding a bike? What will my friends and family say? Can I really do this? My advice: just do it!!<br />2. Newbie: Overwhelmed, nervous, may exhibit a lack of self-confidence, scared, uncertain, excited. My advice: You can do this.<br />3. Been at it a while: Ya, ya, what else is new?, knows better than to schedule an 8am class on a Monday, faces in class look familiar, jokes around with the profs. My advice: Keep plugging away, you're almost there!<br />4. Woo-hoo, I have one semester left: Have I taken all the classes I need?, been at it so long, I can write the paper in my sleep or two hours before its due, guess it's time to figure out what's next. My advice: Congratulations!! Start looking ahead. <br /><br />Wherever you are in your nontraditional student journey, know that you are not alone. There is a whole community of nontrads out there - online and on campus. You CAN do this!!! The journey may seem long, but remember that the journey begins with a single step. Good luck to all those nontrads in summer school. Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-71279797876018398102011-05-14T07:51:00.002-04:002011-05-14T08:03:22.944-04:00What Graduation Means to MeI did it! I finally graduated with my degree in History, Environmental Studies minor. It has been a long road that at times was rather difficult. Yet, here I am. I finally have my degree.<br /><br />What does graduation mean to me? It means the obvious - no more exams, papers and reading incredibly boring books. No more juggling study groups, group work or semester-long projects. It also means the not-so-obvious - I am strong, I am determined, I am capable. I am able to accomplish goals and I am not afraid to pursue my dreams. I am able to focus in spite of personal crisis. <br /><br />Graduation also means I have a great network of profs, staff and classmates as an alum. It means I can get the license plate frame that says, "Alumni - University of Tennessee". It means that I can hold my head high in the midst of trials because I did something great! As a 40-something mother of three, I went back to college and got my degree!!<br /><br />The most significant thing that graduation means to me is that I learned a great deal about myself. These past four years, and the years since I first set foot on a college campus in August of 1980 at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, have shown me that I do indeed have what it takes to pursue my dreams and achieve my goals. What next? Stay tuned to find out . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-82733547847582963372011-05-14T07:26:00.002-04:002011-05-14T07:48:31.343-04:00I Did It!!Friday, May 13, 2011, I graduated from the University of Tennessee with my Bachelor's in History, Environmental Studies minor. It was a proud, yet surreal moment for me - a moment that I never thought I'd see. Yes, I persevered through a host of trials (my dad's death, divorce, Spanish) and emerged victorious, but it was still a long road.<br /><br />There was one time where I seriously thought about packing it all in and giving up. I had gone to see Dr. Sacco, my history prof that semester, about my failure to meet the requirements of the History Senior Thesis class. She gave me the dressing down of my life! I walked out of her office and thought, "Maybe I'm not supposed to be here. Maybe I really don't have what it takes to be a good student and pursue my degree. Maybe there is just too much going on right now." But I really wanted my degree, so I stuck it out and kept going. There were several people along the way who counseled me to delay my education, especially in the midst of the marital difficulties I was facing. To be honest, the most stable thing in my life at that point was school. I knew I could count on the routine of daily classes, exams and papers. I think being a student saved my sanity!<br /><br />As I look back on my nontrad tenure, there are several things that stand out:<br />1. Just do it!! Grit your teeth, forge ahead and don't look back!<br />2. Silence the naysayers. Even though I had lots of positive support, there were still a few negative voices. They were the ones who were my inspiration to continue. "Oh, ya? I'll show you!!"<br />3. Anything is possible. Don't let life stand in the way of achieving your dreams.<br />4. Find support. Being an older nontrad can sometimes be a difficult place to be. Build a good support group of family, friends and other nontrads.<br />5. Have faith in yourself. You can achieve things you never thought possible when you make up your mind to just do it!<br /><br />My children, especially my daughter, have been greatest cheerleaders. We've walked this road together so many times (studying for exams, writing papers, etc.). I think being a nontrad has served to further cement my relationships with my college-aged children.<br /><br />Are there things I would have changed? Yes. I would have studied more, read more and tried to be better student in the face of personal crisis. That may sound like I am being hard on myself and I guess I am. However, I do have a chance to be a better student as I will be taking one class a semester to keep myself "sharp" and possibly work toward a Master's degree. There are other things I would not change - getting to know some of my profs, making friends with my younger classmates and working in the EECS department. <br /><br />All in all, it's been a great ride, but I'm glad its over. I will still blog about being a nontrad because I will still be a nontrad. I love being a student! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-54215862030977119202011-05-10T21:21:00.002-04:002011-05-10T21:38:31.788-04:00No HomeworkNot sure what to do with myself now that I don't have any homework to do every night- no papers to write, no verb declensions to study, no books to read, and no information to memorize. Hmm - what to do?<br /><br />This is an unusual place for me to be because for the past four years, I have been going to school non-stop as well as working part time and Momming full time. I won't be here long, though, because I will be taking a summer school class. Imagine the looks I am going to get when I introduce myself and say, "I already graduated. I am just taking this class for fun."<br /><br />As an employee of the university, I can take classes for free (up to 9 hours). So, as long as I am taking the classes for free, why not take something I like (that is also available at night)? I am going to take Cultural Anthropology on Wednesday nights this summer. I have already taken Cultural Geography - it is going to be interesting to see where the two intersect. That's another cool aspect of taking a class a semester - where does all this knowledge intersect? Is it at the spatial perfect storm? The intellect's whirlpool that leads to an upside-down world of rational free-floating inquisitive thought? Maybe it will just all make sense some day.<br /><br />For now, I am basking in the glow of no homework, another successful semester and graduation. Homework will come soon enough and then I will probably complain about the amount of reading and writing I will have to do for class. Come Friday, I will finally have my Bachelor's degree in something I like. That will be a huge accomplishment!! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-15248184795360820092011-05-09T10:50:00.004-04:002011-05-09T11:09:08.319-04:00Dating as a NontradI ran across this subject this morning as I was checking my Facebook account. Elizabeth Shepherd found this subject adressed in her Yahoo nontrad group. Dating is something I have thought of, but not in the context of being a nontrad. My dating experience is more of a late-40something, getting back into the swing of things dating that has nothing to do with being a student. <br /><br />Honestly, I don't think I would want to date a classmate or professor. I guess that leads to the question of where does one go to find a "companion"? There are lots of resources. I found a wonderful man through an online dating site. Yes, I know online dating still carries a stigma. One has to wade through tons of fraudluent profiles, bad first dates, etc. to find someone worth investing in. But wouldn't you have to do that anyway with face-to-face dating? The only advantage with online dating is that one has more access to more people in a shorter period of time. And, for a nontrad who is busy with school, etc., online dating can save a great deal of time.<br /><br />However, one must still be cautious with online dating. Some tips I have run across are:<br />1. Don't reveal too much about yourself. Email first and then decide if you want to meet.<br />2. Meet for the first time in a well-lit, easy to find place. Take your own car. Meet in a group situation with some of your friends.<br />3. If at any time you feel uncomfortable about your date, trust your instincts. Don't move forward with it.<br />4. Ask questions. Be cautious about how much information you share.<br />5. Don't allow yourself to be pressured into doing something you don't want to do - have sex, go back to his place, etc.<br />6. Set boundaries. Don't be pressured into the amount of time you will spend with him/her, etc.<br />7. Always let someone else know where and with whom you are going. SAFETY FIRST!<br /><br />I have discovered that the parameters for dating now are alot different than they were when I was 18. The best advice is to relax and be yourself, trust your instincts and know your boundaries. There is someone special out there. It just takes time to find them. I know because I found my special someone. Stay tuned . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-77664086096312658482011-05-04T13:56:00.002-04:002011-05-04T14:21:54.284-04:00BittersweetI took my last final today as an undergrad. I hope I passed. It was in my most difficult class - Spanish. For some folks, language is no big deal. However, because language and math reside in the same part of the brain - the logical part - language is difficult for me. If I had another 16 weeks, it would be fine. Since that's not the case, I just had to make do. I studied for three days. Even if I did not pass the class, I will still be able to walk, just as long as I make it up in summer school. I am hoping I passed the class.<br /><br />Don't write me off as a nontrad has-been just yet!! I plan to enter grad school as a non-degree seeking student so I can take classes and take my time studying for the GRE. As an employee of the university, I will be able to take classes for free. Maybe I can get my Master's totally paid for by the university! We'll see. <br /><br />Hello, my name is Connie and I am an education addict! I love being a student!!<br /><br />Okay, application time. As I reflect back over the last four years as a nontrad, what have I learned??<br />1. Just do it!! Deciding to go back to school as an "older" student is like jumping off the high dive at the pool - grit your teeth, close your eyes and jump!!! If you spend time questioning and second guessing yourself, you'll never get it done. <br />2. Find/Build a support structure. Nontrads need all the support they can get because returning to school can be a frightening prospect. In case you're wondering - yes, you will fit in with the younger crowd; yes, you will remember how to take notes, study and write; yes, you will learn how to manage your time; yes, you can do this!! Also remember to form study groups in your classes.<br />3.Take advantage of on-campus resources. The Writing Center, the Math lab, the Student Success Center, the Student Counseling Center, etc. - they are all there for you to use so you can be a successful student.<br />4. Give yourself grace. It may take a while for you and your family to get the hang of this, so give each other grace, grace and more grace.<br />5. Start out small. Start at night at the community college. That way, you can find out if returning to school is something you really want to do and you won't spend a fortune in the process. Attending school part time at night will also ease your family into the idea as well.<br />6. Ask lots of questions - from other nontrads, from the admissions office, from your family and friends. Question everything and everyone! The more you know, the better off you'll be. Never be afraid to ask questions.<br />7. Recycle old school supplies. Only used half a notebook last semester? Tear out the old notes, file them, and use the rest of the notebook next semester.<br />8. Rent textbooks whenever possible. Profs seem to change book editions each semester. Don't get caught with a textbook you don't want or need. Renting textbooks makes more sense unless it's a consumable book like a workbook.<br />9. Get to know your profs. Some of these folks will be good references and may end up as life-long friends. Dr. McKinney saved my arse several times this semester regarding the hoops I had to jump thru for my minor (Environmental Studies). Most profs will be impressed with your efforts to return to school. <br />10. Take your time. If you cannot be a full-time student each semester, that's okay. It's also okay to bi-school - take classes at the community college and the university at the same time. Just don't burn yourself out. Have fun being a student.<br /><br />I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my nontrad experience. There have been some difficult times as a student, especially when life was happening at the same time (my dad's death, my divorce, empty nesting alone). I had a good support system - family, friends, other nontrads (thanks to Deb, Elizabeth and Betsy at PSCC - Blount County). Now that I (almost) have my Bachelor's degree under my belt, there ain't nuthen I cain't do!! Watch out, world!!! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-40386425615197967942011-04-26T18:52:00.003-04:002011-04-26T19:00:43.396-04:00Blessed are the Flexible, Part IIOnce again, flexibility is a virtue! I had to give an oral presentation of my Geography research paper today. I had a great Power Point prepared, complete with cool videos, BUT the projector in the classroom was broken. So, I had to give the presentation without visual aids. THEN I got to my history class to discover I had forgotten about the oral report I had to give for my paper in there. That was a bigger "flex" since I was totally unprepared. <br /><br />So, what did I learn from this?<br />1. Hard work does pay off, even if it's not always immediately noticed. My Geography prof was impressed with my information.<br />2. Always have your flash drive and computer with you!! That's what saved my backside in History today!<br />3. ALWAYS be flexible!! 99% of the time, life does not go as planned. Suck it up, laugh about it, regroup with Plan B and move on!<br />4. If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with something else!<br /><br />Whew! School is almost over. Fingers crossed that I will indeed graduate! Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-35115290758719314872011-04-23T10:09:00.003-04:002011-04-23T10:30:50.397-04:00Blessed are the FlexibleMy life motto is, "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall bend and not break." If I do indeed take that to heart, I should be a circus contortionist by now and be able to fit into one of those little plexiglass boxes.<br /><br />I found out on Thursday that: I have another week to work on my history paper, I have to write a 10-page paper for my Geography final (I an not taking the final at the same time as my classmates), and I will be presenting my research paper in Geography on Tuesday which will require a 10-minute Power Point presentation. Good thing I love to write and am not afraid of words!<br /><br />As a nontrad, one of the best qualities to possess is FLEXIBILITY. Life does not always go as planned, "surprises" pop up now and again, and you have to be able to roll with the punches. There are several instances in my nontrad life where I have had to be as flexible as Gumby - missing a week of school when my dad died, not being to take Intermediate Spanish II during summer school, spending every weekend this past fall on the road to volleyball tournaments for my daughter and losing valuable study time, changing my minor, etc. <br /><br />"The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." I think that saying ought to be "The best laid plans of mice and men ALWAYS go astray." When your plans don't work out, you can respond in one of two ways: get really angry and stomp around, shaking your fist at the sky, OR take a deep breath, regroup and ask, "What do I do now?" and move forward with Plan B. I am a big advocate of Plan B - and Plan Z if necessary. Life is a learning experience and learning to be flexible is a great lesson to learn.<br /><br />As you face the end of the semester, do you need a Plan B? Or do you need to be a tad more flexible with school, work, or home circumstances? Learning to be flexible will take you a long way. You won't get as frustrated and you may just find out that Plan B was the better plan anyway. Stay focused, but stay flexible and stay tuned . . .<br /><br />P.S. I also wanted to share this short film called "The Butterfly Circus" that was shared with me by a very wise woman - Betsy Boyd at Pellissippi State Community College, Blount County campus. It is about making the most of what you have and who you are. It's well worth the watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtxANzN2Woozickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327545842631379273.post-39475048929570611232011-04-21T10:49:00.003-04:002011-04-21T11:18:07.695-04:00Gettin' ThereI'm almost at the end of this journey. All that stands between me and that diploma is: Spanish oral and final exams, a History paper, a Geography test and three unpaid parking tickets. How ironic that graduation is Friday the 13th (of May). Isn't that a fitting way to end my nontrad journey?<br /><br />I found out that I did indeed get the job in the Math Department. I will start that after I graduate. That's another irony - that me, Miss No-Numbers, will be working in a numbers department. My mom said she hopes some of "it" - the ability to do math and do it well - will rub off on me. Perhaps by osmosis I will be able to derive the quadratic equation in my sleep. Fat chance. Give me words any day!<br /><br />I am sure there are those out there in nontrad cyberspace who may be waiting with baited breath for some profound words of wisdom as I come to the end of my journey. I am not one to disappoint, so here goes:<br /><br />1. Just do it!! Don't sit around and debate whether you should go back to school or not, just do it!! Time is short, grants are being cut and who knows what the next few years will hold economically? Grit your teeth, close your eyes and JUMP!<br />2. Plan. Sit down with your family and make a family game plan for meals, chores, etc. Learn how to manage your time well. Explore funding resources such as scholarships, grants., etc. Apply early and fill our your FAFSA early. The early bird really does get the choicest worm!<br />3. Pace yourself. Rome wasn't build in a day, neither should your degree be built in a day. Start out slow and small at the community college. That way your pursuits will be less of a shock to you and your family.<br />4. Get support. Join an online or on campus nontrad group. No one but another nontrad knows the joys and disappointments of being a nontrad.<br />5. Be realistic. It may take you some time to get back into the swing of researching, studying and writing again. Give yourself some grace. This is another reason to start out slow - to ease you back into the flow of being a student again.<br />6. Explore ways to save money. Check out textbook rentals, recycling school supplies, taking the bus to school, etc. Be creative.<br />7. Take some time for yourself. Going back to school may be a shock to you and your family. Take some time alone to refuel and take some time with your family to let them know you have not "forgotten" about them. Declare at least one day a month as a "no study day".<br />8. Show appreciation - to your family, to your support group, to your professors, to your classmates, to yourself. It's rough being a nontrad when life is happening all around you. Thank those in your life who step in to make this time a little easier for you.<br /><br />Above all, remember - YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I have faith in you. Deb Peterson has faith in you. Elizabeth Shepherd has faith in you. Dozens of other nontrads have faith in you. In the midst of the mortgage, the school plays, the three dozen cupcakes or cookies, your spouse being on travel for a week, the college visits for your 17-year old, and the calls from your mom, tell yourself, "I WILL do this!!" <br /><br />There are three important things to remember: take a deep breath, walk before you run, and just do it. I did it. You can, too. Stay tuned . . .zickbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858950293956004478noreply@blogger.com1