Older Non-Trad Student

Spring Into It!

2012-01-09T20:48:00.003-05:00

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.

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.

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.

My advice for anyone who is considering returning to school:
1. Take it one step at a time. Try one class at the community college.
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.
3. This is a huge goal to set, but an even bigger one to accomplish. You are capable of accomplishing this goal.

Share your story with others! People will be encouraged by your story. Hang in there and have a great semester! Stay tuned . . .

A Word of Encouragement

2011-10-23T20:50:00.002-04:00

I 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."

Sharpen those pencils, recharge that laptop/iPad and bring on the coffee! Stay tuned . . .

I Don't Get It

2011-10-23T20:25:00.002-04:00

I 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.

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.

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.

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:

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.
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.
3. Use the campus resources - math tutorial center, writing lab, language lab, etc.

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 . . .

The Long Haul

2011-09-25T08:10:00.005-04:00

When 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?"

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.

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)

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.

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 . .

Are You Auditing?

2011-09-19T18:35:00.002-04:00

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.

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.

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 . . .

Fall 2011

2011-08-29T06:42:00.002-04:00

The 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.

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.

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:
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.
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.
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.
4. Reread your notes and keep track of the readings. Don't get behind. Read ahead if you have time.
5. Take a deep breath and take one day off of studying for some much needed refuel time.

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 . . .

Gearing Up for the Fall Semester

2011-07-11T08:41:00.002-04:00

It'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!

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?

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:
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.
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.
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.
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.

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-
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!
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.
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.

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!).
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.
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.

Whatever your status as a nontrad, make this semester count! There's nothing like the smell of academia in the morning! Stay tuned . . .

Summer School

2011-06-30T08:34:00.004-04:00

I 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.

I have blogged before about the advantages of summer school. I think that deserves a re-visit:
Good Things about Summer School
1. No tan line
2. You don't smell like sunscreen
3. You don't need to wear a hat
4. That Philosophy class you were dreading is only 8 weeks long
5. Not as much homework
6. No sand in your bikini bottom
7. You can wear your Birkenstocks and Bermuda shorts and fit right in
8. Smaller classes
9. Your teacher has his "office hours" at Starbucks
10. It's ok to take your shoes off
11. It's still daylight out when you get out of class at 9pm

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 . . .

Empty Nesting as a Nontrad

2011-06-27T16:24:00.004-04:00

I 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.

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).

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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 . . .

Comments on Comments - Encouraging Words

2011-06-27T07:00:00.004-04:00

I 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.

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!

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.

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 . . .

Brain Drain During the Summer

2011-06-26T21:45:00.003-04:00

What 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.

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.

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.

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"?

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.

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.

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?

Take some time this summer to dive into a good book! It will prevent brain drain! Stay tuned . . .

What's Holding You Back?

2011-06-13T13:31:00.006-04:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

So what's holding you back?? JUMP!!! Stay tuned . . . .

I GOT MY DIPLOMA!!!!

2011-06-09T19:50:00.001-04:00

My diploma came today in the mail!! I am officially official!!! Saa-weeeet! Stay tuned!!

For the Fun of It

2011-06-09T13:34:00.005-04:00

I 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.

"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.

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 . . .

Keep Plugging Along

2011-05-27T11:42:00.004-04:00

I loved summer school when I was a full-time nontrad. Summer school is good for several reasons:
1. Shorter "semesters"
2. More compact lessons
3. Easier than the regular semester
4. If you don't particularly like the class, you're only in it for 8 weeks as opposed to 16.
5. You can study and tan at the same time.

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.

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!

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 . . .

Where Are You in the Journey?

2011-05-18T14:56:00.003-04:00

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.

Each stage has its own unique characteristics:
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!!
2. Newbie: Overwhelmed, nervous, may exhibit a lack of self-confidence, scared, uncertain, excited. My advice: You can do this.
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!
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.

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 . . .

What Graduation Means to Me

2011-05-14T07:51:00.002-04:00

I 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.

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.

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!!

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 . . .

I Did It!!

2011-05-14T07:26:00.002-04:00

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.

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!

As I look back on my nontrad tenure, there are several things that stand out:
1. Just do it!! Grit your teeth, forge ahead and don't look back!
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!!"
3. Anything is possible. Don't let life stand in the way of achieving your dreams.
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.
5. Have faith in yourself. You can achieve things you never thought possible when you make up your mind to just do it!

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.

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.

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 . . .

No Homework

2011-05-10T21:21:00.002-04:00

Not 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?

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."

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.

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 . . .

Dating as a Nontrad

2011-05-09T10:50:00.004-04:00

I 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.

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.

However, one must still be cautious with online dating. Some tips I have run across are:
1. Don't reveal too much about yourself. Email first and then decide if you want to meet.
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.
3. If at any time you feel uncomfortable about your date, trust your instincts. Don't move forward with it.
4. Ask questions. Be cautious about how much information you share.
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.
6. Set boundaries. Don't be pressured into the amount of time you will spend with him/her, etc.
7. Always let someone else know where and with whom you are going. SAFETY FIRST!

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 . .

Bittersweet

2011-05-04T13:56:00.002-04:00

I 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.

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.

Hello, my name is Connie and I am an education addict! I love being a student!!

Okay, application time. As I reflect back over the last four years as a nontrad, what have I learned??
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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 . . .

Blessed are the Flexible, Part II

2011-04-26T18:52:00.003-04:00

Once 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.

So, what did I learn from this?
1. Hard work does pay off, even if it's not always immediately noticed. My Geography prof was impressed with my information.
2. Always have your flash drive and computer with you!! That's what saved my backside in History today!
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!
4. If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with something else!

Whew! School is almost over. Fingers crossed that I will indeed graduate! Stay tuned . . .

Blessed are the Flexible

2011-04-23T10:09:00.003-04:00

My 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.

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!

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.

"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.

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 . . .

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=OtxANzN2Woo

Gettin' There

2011-04-21T10:49:00.003-04:00

I'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?

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!

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:

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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
6. Explore ways to save money. Check out textbook rentals, recycling school supplies, taking the bus to school, etc. Be creative.
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".
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.

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!!"

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 . . .

Crunch Time

2011-04-12T08:27:00.003-04:00

It's that time of semester again when we experience the crunch of final projects and exams. There is a policy here at UT that says a prof cannot give a test/quiz/project worth more than 10% of a student's grade within 7 days of the final. Sooo, that means all the profs are scrambling to get all their remaining tests/quizzes/projects completed within the next two weeks. When the profs scramble, the students scramble even more. Needless to say, there's a lot of scrambling going on at UT these days. My only comfort is that this semester's end is not like the end of the fall semester where we are not only dealing with finals, but the holidays as well. However, Easter is rather late this year . . .

What are your best tips for dealing with "crunch time"? This is my eighth and final semester here at UT (provided I pass Spanish) and I have learned a lot about dealing with semester end. Some things I've learned are:
1. Pace yourself: Don't wait until the last minute to get all the projects. papers, etc. done. You will needlessly wear yourself out. Learn how to effectively manage your time.
2. Don't panic! Take a deep breath and knock out one thing at a time. Three papers due on the same day? Work on one at a time and when it's done, it's done. Move on to the next one. Same thing with study groups - one at a time.
3. Review: take the time to read over your notes for your class(es). This is helpful when the prof springs a last-minute quiz on you.
4. Get a good night's sleep: It's useless if you can't stay awake during class - 'nuf said.
5. Take some downtime: Even if it's one afternoon or one night during crunch time. You need time to refuel and de-stress. Declare that time a "study free zone".

Every semester comes to this - final exams, projects and papers. How well you end the semester is up to you. Are you going to panic during crunch time or are you going to take a deep breath and pace yourself? Good luck as you finish the race that is this semester. Finish strong!! Stay tuned . . .

Something Different

2011-04-11T16:05:00.002-04:00

I had a great time with the Pellissippi State Community College nontrad group, STARS, today. We ate lunch at Mellow Mushroom on the strip, then took a tour of campus. I was excited to see how Chris and Courtney were progressing and jazzed to meet some new nontrads. Their stories were all very different and very exciting. I wish you all the best as you accomplish your goals!

A couple of things came up that I'd like to address.
1. Transferring from a small campus to a large one.
This can be very intimidating, especially if you are someone who thrives on the smaller campus. Keep it all in perspective. Chances are your "world will shrink" (thank you, Betsy!). Your sphere will only be those areas of campus close to your college (Business, Arts and Sciences, etc.). Don't panic!
2. How do I find my way around? Get a map of your campus and explore on a day when it's not so busy - like during the summer. Grab a cold drink and your map and just meander through campus. You can do this more than once to make sure you feel "solid" and not lost when you get onto campus for your classes.
3. "Bi-schooling". You can take classes at both the community college and the university at the same time. Just make sure your schedule allows for enough time to get from one campus to the other and find parking, etc. Also make sure the classes you take at the community college will transfer to the university. Most will, but check with your advisor at the community college.
4. Questions, questions, questions. The following are the places you need to go to find out what you need to know. Admissions office - the beginning (admission) and questions about housing,etc. Financial aid office - how to get money for school. Registrar's office - your student records. Bursar's office - pay fees, disbursement of excess financial aid. Your college of choice - advising and how do I get there (a degree) from here (where I am currently in my academic journey).

Check out the university website as well. Learning to navigate in academic cyberspace is a great benefit. Follow up on applications, etc. And above all, ask lots of questions! That's the only way you'll learn what you need to know.

Good luck to the Pellissippi STARS as they look forward to reaching their goals! Stay tuned . . .

Nontraditional Success

2011-03-31T10:55:00.002-04:00

I was just reading Deb Peterson's blog about "The Top Reasons Non-Trads Don't Succeed". There is no question that returning to school as an older student can be a bit daunting when life is happening all around you. Our younger counterparts don't have careers, children, mortgages, marriages, aging parents, and other responsibilities of adulthood. The top reason Deb sited for Nontrads crashing is the inability to balance family, work and school. Been there, done that and survived it. My #1 tip for survival as a nontrad is to find a support group - online, on campus, in the community. No one but another nontrad can relate to all the balls we must constantly keep in the air. I have previously likened this delicate balance to juggling chainsaws.

I will soon be graduating. I won't be totally out of the nontrad community though, because I will still be taking classes - not for a major, but for fun and to keep myself "sharp". I love learning - it is truly a lifelong process.

So how does a nontrad succeed? Let me address the statistics from Deb's blog.

1. 30% of nontrads have difficulty balancing life, work and school. * Realize that your life is going to change as a nontrad. Sit down with your family and let everyone know that now is the time to step up to the plate. Your success depends on their willingness to help out - with household chores and with being more responsible for themselves.
* Start out small - at the community college at night. Don't bite off a huge chunk if you can help it. Start out with one class - on campus or online. That will get you and your family's feet wet and show you all what this (mom/dad going back to school) will look like.
* Learn to manage your time better. Don't waste time. Prioritize - at home and at work.

2. 26% had trouble with finances.
* Look into financial aid - grants, loans, employer match programs, community grant programs, etc.
* Set aside a little bit of money each month for future school expenses.
* Look for ways to save money, like textbook rental instead of purchase, or recycle/reuse your children's old school supplies.

3. 13% were ineffective at completing projects.
* Form study groups in your classes to help with your motivation. Spur each other on to do well.
* Find a support group - on campus, online, in the community. Share your experiences.
* Time management. Don't get behind on homework or projects
* Ask your prof for help. That's what the profs are there for. Use their knowledge and expertise.
* Use the on-campus resources - the Student Success Center, the Writing Center, the Math Lab, etc. That's part of why you pay tuition. Get your money's worth out of school!!

4. 9% had lack of commitment. If you aren't willing to work hard 24/7/365, then don't even consider going back to school. School will be a huge commitment for the next 2-4 or more years. If you're not willing to commit to that, then don't waste your time and money.

5. 8.6% had health problems or lack of support.
* An online program would be best if you are homebound.
* The online nontrad community is HUGE - tap into it! Many colleges and universities are also beginning to see nontrad support groups spring up on campus. Be a hound dog and hunt out those support groups! I had a one-woman support group in one of my instructors. My CS 102 instructor, Ms. Wallace Mayo, has been one of my biggest cheerleaders! I am soo grateful for her support.

What's standing in the way of you and success?? Let's talk about it! Deb Peterson at http://adulted.about.com is a great resource. So is Elizabeth Shepherd at http://non-traditional-student.blogspot.com. Being a nontrad is a huge commitment - of time, money and guts! Talk to your family and friends before you take the plunge. Make sure you have their support before you go forward. Ask questions about financial aid, classes, credit for work, etc. Your life will change in a major way when you decide to pursue that degree. Balance and commitment will ensure your success as a nontrad. Don't be afraid to follow your dreams. Stay tuned . . .

Research Update #2

2011-03-16T13:20:00.003-04:00

I went to TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) on Monday and Liz the Librarian had lots of great information for me. Betty, who came along as my research assistant, and I spent three hours with Liz and the cool stuff she had. She found even more documents while I was there. I was excited.

We then went over to the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA), but had less than an hour to go through what they had. I asked the Manuscript Librarian to pull some documents and I will be returning to Nashville on Saturday to complete my research at TSLA. It should be good weather for the drive.

I am feeling like a hound dog again - sniffing out leads. It's exhilerating! As I read through different folders of correspondence, I get a feel for the time period I am looking at. For example, I was reading through a folder of correspondence on Saturday to the Knox County highway official. The majority of people wrote to tell him their road was in bad shape. He was relatively timely in answering their complaints. One gentleman even put a P.S. as "See if you can find some tickets to the UT-Vanderbilt football game and send them my way." The official replied, "Those (tickets) are pretty hard to come by." And that was in the mid-50's! One can learn a great deal by just reading "between the lines" of some of these letters.

Even though research is time consuming and can be tedious, it is well worth the time one takes to do it. There is so much more to learn off-topic! Are you in the middle of doing research for a project? Relax! Enjoy the time you have and approach the research not as a tedious task, but as a multi-faceted learning experience. Learning, like life, is an adventure! Stay tuned . . .

Research Update

2011-03-10T12:08:00.002-05:00

Now I know what it feels like to be a hound dog. I had a couple topics for my senior research paper. I sniffed around until something finally smelled real good. Now I am pursuing that delicious smell all the way to Nashville. No, it's not BBQ, but TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation). I contacted the assistant PR person at TDOT. She put me in touch with their librarian, whom I am meeting with on Monday. A good buddy of mine and I are driving to Nashville to see what Liz has for me. She said I'd be happy with what she found. Nothing like good archival information!

I have come to the conclusion that being a historian is like being a hound dog - figure out what that smell is and chase it down! Don't get distracted by other smells, but concentrate on that one thing and soon, you'll find the source and all will be well.

As I work on my research paper, I am reminded that this is what I love to do - research, write, and be a hound dog. I love being a student!!! Spring break is next week - the last spring break of my college career. Wow - it's gone by fast. Gotta get my nose to the ground!! Stay tuned . . .

Life Happens

2011-03-10T11:42:00.005-05:00

As a nontraditional student, I have much more going on in my life than just school. I know y'all can relate. In the four years since I have gone back to school, one child has graduated from college, two children have graduated from high school, my dad died, my ex-husband attempted suicide, I got divorced, my son is getting married, and I have racked up countless miles going to high school and college volleyball tournaments. I still have a mortgage, household repairs, and the crazy details of life as a middle-aged single mom. Whew! The flurry of activity can be overwhelming, dizzying and just plain crazy sometimes.

Luckily I found a great man to share some of this with. His name is Bob, he's an engineer, he has two college-aged children and a dog, he is 6'4", he is 6 years older than me and he is a widower. He cycles in his spare time and is very mechanical. He reads a lot, too. He is very wise. We enjoy one anothers' company. We've seen plays, heard lectures, gone on walks, attended UT basketball games and survived a small home repair event. The next test of the relationship, according to Bob, will be a road trip. Hmm - the Biltmore in Asheville, NC perhaps??

I am set to graduate in May and know that life will not stop just because I am finally graduating. I will trade the academic world for the working world. My house and the mortgage will still be here. My children will still be here. My dogs will still be here. Bob will still be here. Life happens . . . . and it's a grand adventure!! Stay tuned . . .

Good Things Come

2011-03-08T11:24:00.002-05:00

Last week, I received an email from a "graduation specialist" here at UT telling me there were problems with my classes and that I would not be able to graduate. That was not something I wanted to hear. I have worked long and hard up to this point and all I want to do is to be done with Spanish. After several emails back and forth, Susan finally called me.

"Are you getting a second major?"
"No. My major is History with an Environmental Studies concentration."
"You can't do that."
"What do you mean?"
"You can't get a 'concentration' with a History major."
"This is the first I am hearing about this."
"Well, you can't do it."

Eventually, things worked out and I will be able to graduate with an Environmental Studies minor after all. I was able to petition two previous classes into the minor. It pays to know the chair of the Environmental Studies program. (Thanks, Dr. McKinney!!)

Needless to say, I was a little panicked there for a few minutes. After all, this has been a long, hard journey. I don't want to be told I can't graduate! (Now I just have to pass Spanish!)

What if things had not worked out? One must always have a Plan B. If things had not worked out, I still would have had a "concentration", it just would not have been "official". What's the "take home point" from this experience? There are several:
1. Don't panic.
2. Be flexible.
3. Thank God for your network.
4. Don't make any hasty decisions.
5. Things are always workable in some form or another.

Good things come to those who don't panic, are flexible and wait. Stay tuned . . .

Researching the Research

2011-02-24T09:36:00.003-05:00

It can be quite frustrating to have a great topic for a research paper but not have any sources for that topic. That happened to me this week. I wanted to research segregation in Knoxville's cemeteries. The only source I found was Mr. Robert McGinnis, Knox County's Cemetery Historian. When asked about resources other than him (like primary and secondary documents), he replied, "I'm it." For those of you who have done a major historical research project, you know how critical it is to have good primary sources. Without them, your research is a waste of time.

Soooo, I must find another topic. I have several ideas, but am researching sources before I settle on one topic. Topics I am considering are: The Development of the Interstate Freeway System in Tennessee from 1950-2000, The Evolution of Market Square, Knoxville's 20th Century Fine Arts Landscape, The Development of Knox County's Museum Culture, Building World Class Architects: UT's College of Art and Architecture.

I need to nail this down by tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. Stay tuned . . .

Don't Delay!

2011-02-01T12:48:00.002-05:00

Deb Peterson recently blogged about returning to school: http://adulted.about.com/b/2011/02/01/what-to-think-about-on-a-snow-day-should-you-go-back-to-school.htm

I know this topic has been addressed many times, but it is a topic worth revisiting. Where are you in life - Retired and want to start a second career? Recently divorced or widowed and need to update your job skills? Empty nesting and want to finish your degree? Wherever you are in life, if you are asking, "Should I go back to school?" - the answer is "YES!!!"

Four years ago when I started my nontrad journey, I did not even know what a nontraditional student was. I didn't know there was a name for people like me. The only thing I was sure about was that I wanted to finish my degree and attending the traditional 4-year university was the only way to accomplish that task. So, here I am - one semester away from getting my Bachelor's degree in History.

I need to thank Deb Peterson and Elizabeth Shepherd for their continued encouragement to me and others like me as we trudge along this path of being a nontraditional student. Their expertise has proved to be incredibly valuable, time and time again.

So, where are you in life? Think you want to go back to school but not sure because of finances, time commitment, etc.? Start out small at the community college. It's more affordable and there are evening classes, so you can afford to explore your interests. Online versus traditional university? Look at the what programs are offered. For many people, online school is not as intimidating and can be done from the convenience of your own home. Others, like me, choose a degree field that is not available online. Still others like the social interaction of the traditional classroom. The possibilities are endless! Don't delay! Check out your options and apply this spring. Don't think you are too old, or too dumb, or too whatever. You are never too old, it's like riding a bike and the excuses won't get you anywhere. You CAN go back to school! Just do it! Stay tuned . . .

What Color is Your Pace Car?

2011-01-24T12:47:00.003-05:00

Once again, I have a motorsports reference for my title. Does anyone know what a pace car is? It is the car (vehicle) that is out in front of the pack of NASCAR cars, Indy cars, etc. that sets the pace for the first "introductory" lap of the race. It is an honor to be the pace car (manufacturer - Toyota, Ford, etc.), to be in the pace car as a passenger and to be driving the pace car. The pace car makes sure the drivers don't start off too fast and end up getting jumbled up even before they begin the race.

I was thinking about this semester and how I will need to pace myself for the work ahead, especially since it is my last semester. Favorite colors are very telling of our personalities. I thought I'd go out on a limb here and not only encourage my fellow nontrads to pace themselves this semester, but also the best way to pace what color you are. Try this (hope you don't take this too seriously!!):

My pace car is:
1. Red- I am high-strung, non-nonsense, git-'er-done. I am a high achiever and I have already read all my books for the all my classes for the semester. I have explosive energy and am an early riser. However, if I don't watch out and learn to temper my energy, I will get burned out quickly and find myself existing on Red Bull and No-Doze - neither one of which is good for my body. I need to remember to slow down.
2. Orange - I am a cautious and run in the middle of the pack if I run at all. I sit in the back half of class and am very observant of my classmates. I will only volunteer the answer to a question if no one else does and the prof looks exasperated, even though I would much rather someone else participate than me. I tend toward shyness. I need to remember to assert myself.
3. Yellow- I am similar to red, except I am not as explosive. I am perky, full of energy and mostly happy. I want to get everyone in class together for a study group and I'll make chocolate chip cookies to bring to the group!! It doesn't matter what the weather looks like, you will always see me smiling and finding the good in life! I need to remember that not everyone likes "perky".
4. Fuscia - I am INTENSE! I am the girl in the back of the class who never stops talking! I run the risk of burning out like my friend, Red, because I have such high energy, however, IcantalkyourearoffatamileaminuteandnotletyougetawordinedgwisebecauseInevertakeabreathor pausebetweenmywords! YouknowwhoIam!!! I need to remember to shut up.
5. Green - I am quietly content to plug along in life. I am laid back, nothing bothers me, I don't stress out about stuff - like exams and research papers. I laugh at the prof's subtle jokes because I just get them. You'll find me at the local coffee house or pizza place, often with my prof and other "heady" associates. We're just killin' time. I need to remember to put a little more gas behind it.
6. Blue- I am definitely not a morning person. The weather severely affects my moods. I finished my research papers at least a month in advance. There is a place for everything and everything in its place. I am usually the first one in class and the last one out because I have to talk to the prof after every class. I need to remember to find balance.
7. Purple - Don't bug me, man. I'm in a haze. I don't remember anything.
8. Brown - Let's get down to the nitty gritty. I take my notes on my laptop and my flash drive is my best friend. When I'm not studying, I'm on the net playing the latest version of Warcraft or Halo. My friends sometimes call me a geek. I fantasize about being the young Jeff Bridges character in "Tron: Legacy". I need to remember that life is NOT a video game.
9. Black - I just wanna get through this semester and graduate.
10. White - It's all new to me!! I'm so excited!! I have coordinating notebooks, folders, and pens for each class! I clean my laptop everyday! I love a Venti Mocha Latte Triple Shot every morning! I sit in the front row and make annoying eye contact with the prof! I'm always at his or her office for their office hours even if I don't need to be! I love school! I need to remember that, heck - it's algood!

You may find your pace car to be a combination of a couple colors, or you may even find you're one color with racing stripes of another color or colors! Whatever color your pace car is, make sure you follow it and pace yourself appropriately through the semester. (I'm green with yellow racing stripes.) Stay tuned . . .

Moving Right Along

2011-01-21T13:01:00.003-05:00

Now that I have the first full week of classes under my belt, I can say one thing - "Yikes!!" This is going to be a great semester as far as the content of my classes goes - lots of great information, lots of interaction, etc. However, it promises to be another intense semester even though there are no group projects on the horizon. Will have an uber major paper due in History (30+ pages), a paper due in Geography in lieu of class debates, and several compositions due in Spanish. What's even more fun is that for two of my classes (Spanish and History), I get to walk clear across campus - in the cold!! And I thought I wasn't going to have time to work out this semester! Ha!

Rumor also has it that I will also be picking up more responsibility at work. I may have to remind them again that I am primarily a student. Not 100% sure about grad school yet, so I am also looking for a job. Lots of changes coming up in the next few months. Wish I had some words of wisdom for those of us in transition, but I don't - other than take a few deep breaths, stay close to family and friends and don't sweat the small stuff.

Last semester, son getting married, new relationship - it's algood. Stay tuned . . .

Hitting the Ground Running

2011-01-14T15:25:00.002-05:00

I have definitely gone from 0 to 60 in about .005 seconds as I begin this semester. I think I have whiplash. The profs wasted no time in assigning a boatload of homework for the weekend. I have to read the equivalent of two books by Tuesday and complete a Spanish lab. Didn't I say this semester was going to be good, but not easy? Yikes!

I got a comment on my last post from threecreditsatatime (http://threecreditsatatime.wordpress.com/). Three says that I should add "Be open" to my list of how to prepare for the semester. "Be open to classmates, to opportunities that might come up, to challenging yourself, to whatever!" I agree. Look forward to this semester with excitement and anticipation! You never know what will happen these next few months. Life is an adventure, live it!

My adventure is jumping into hyper space at uber warp speed as I hunker down sometime this weekend and read until my eyes cross! Thank God for a three day weekend! Stay tuned . . .

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

2011-01-13T08:03:00.002-05:00

For those not familiar with formula one racing, the title phrase of this post is the phrase that marks the start of the annual Indianapolis 500. Thirty-three racecars roar to life in the hot summer sun, their drivers' hearts pumping as adrenaline courses through their bodies.

That phrase should also mark the start of the new semester. Over twenty-five thousand students come to life amidst the remnants of a recent snowfall, their hearts and minds anticipating the new semester. For some, this is their first or second semester at UT. For others, like me, this is their final semester at UT. My semester is once again marked by an initial excitement and expectation. So far, my classes look good. Not easy, but good.

My Spanish teacher is a native speaker, so that should make a huge difference. My Anthropology prof is one of a handful of anthropologists who are experts on oil spills, so he has been widely consulted on some of the recent disasters such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf. I have Geography later on today and my history seminar doesn't start until next week.

How does one start a new semester well, in anticipation of all that it will bring? There are a few things I've learned in my journey as a nontrad:
1. Be prepared. One does not have to be an ex-Scout to employ this tactic. Have your supplies - book, notebook, charged laptop, pens or pencils, travel pack of Kleenex - before you get to class. Profs like prepared students. Preparation is indicative of a serous learner.
2. Be alert. Be ready to participate in class. Listen to other students in the class as well as the prof when asking/answering questions.
3. Be present. I don't understand the students who only show up for exams then whine they got a bad grade. I am paying for these classes, I want to get my money's worth! Attendance and participation can often mean the difference between getting a B or an A for the class.
4. Be organized. Before heading off to class, make sure you have all the tools you'll need for that class - book, notebook, laptop and flashdrive, Scantron answer sheet or green book (if it's an exam day), pen or pencil, readings for that day (if separate from the book), etc. The class experience will be better for you if you are organized.
5. Be courteous. Don't text in class. Turn off your cell phone. Don't talk when the prof is talking. These things are common courtesy, but overlooked by many of today's younger generation. (Doesn't that make me sound old!!)

If this is your first semester in class, congratulations! You are about to embark on a wonderful journey. Strap yourself in and hang on! If this is your last semester, congratulations! We're almost there! If you are somewhere in between, hang in there. You're moving forward. Keep the goal in sight and you will do fine! I raise my glass in honor of all my fellow nontrads. Start your engines!! Stay tuned . . .

Gearing Up for the New Semester

2011-01-04T20:50:00.002-05:00

As I get ready for the new semester, I am both happy and sad - happy to almost have it over with (provided I pass Spanish) and sad to almost have it over with. This has been a great journey - being a nontraditional student. I would not trade this experience for anything!

As I prepare for the new, and hopefully my last, semester, I need to keep in mind the following:
1. Finish strong! Now is not the time to slack off, but to put my all into my classes and resolve to d and be my best.
2. Study hard! Again, no slacking off just because it's my last semester. I will give grace where grace is due, but for the most part, I will need to focus and make sure I am ready for exams, projects, etc.
3. Laugh alot and smile even more! Happiness is a choice, not a circumstance. I am glad I was able to go back to school and I look forward to what lies ahead!
4. Say "Thank you" - ALOT!! To my profs, my classmates, my co-workers and my family.
5. Remember that . . . "It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!!" Give back to my school when I have the opportunity.
6. Look forward, not backward.

I have a sign on my desk that says, "God grant me today, for tomorrow is gone and I can't change the past." Head up, eyes ahead and moving forward! The goal is in sight - I graduate May 13th at 8:30am. Stay tuned . . .

Holiday Survival

2010-12-22T11:15:00.003-05:00

Hopefully by now all my fellow nontrads are enjoying some downtime from school - between-semester break or a week off for the holidays. I have always had family around me for the holidays, so I don't give much thought to being alone at the holidays or not liking the holidays. However, as I was perusing through some of the subjects on my homepage this morning, I ran across this headline, "Deaths Spike Around Holidays". A rather grim headline, I know. But it got me to thinking about some things.

As a nontrad, I have been traveling at warp speed since August. Now that I have had the chance to drop out of warp speed, I am forced to take a look at things around me. My house needs a good cleaning, I need to get together with some friends I have been neglecting because of school and I need to pay more attention to myself, especially in light of my recent divorce.

I could get rather maudlin and mopey because this year is different from last, but I chose not to. This year's Christmas will be better than last - I will be surrounded by all three of my children and their respective partners. That's a good thing.

But what about those people who do not have family and friends around them at the holidays? Or those who have experienced a recent loss due to death or divorce? Or those who are on shaky financial footing this year? How can we reach out to those in our nontrad community who are dealing with the "Holiday Blues"? Let's try a few things:

1. Extend an invitation to those people you know who will not be sharing this holiday with family and friends. I have asked my church pastor and several other people at church to keep their ears and eyes open for folks in my congregation who may not have a "home" for the holidays. I have extended an open invitation to them.

2. Volunteer at the local soup kitchen or food pantry. Your time will make someone else's life just a little bit better. Take some friends with you and make a day of volunteering. The more volunteers, the better.

3. Stay close to those who may be exhibiting signs of depression. Be a listening ear, a sturdy shoulder, a compassionate friend. Signs of depression can be found on websites like http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm. Encourage that person to seek help. Commit to accompany them when they go to get that help.

4. Check in with elderly friends and neighbors. Take them a nice Christmas ornament and some stationery with pre-stamped envelopes, or food for their pet, or just sit and listen to them share their stories.

5. Designate one day as a "Do Nothing" or a "Mental Health" day on the midst of all the holiday craziness. Sleep in, breathe deep, take a walk, play board games with your family, listen to your favorite Christmas CD. Don't worry about the dirty house or the overgrown backyard or the million and one other things that are calling your name. Sometimes we just need a day of a whole lot of nuthen.

Take this time to download, de-stress and disconnect. School will start back up soon enough - for you and the kids. Work will once again call your name in urgent, stressful tones. Take this time to invest in the most important things - your family, your friends, and yourself.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. And in the words of Tiny Tim, "May God bless us, every one!"

Barking Dogs, the Smell of Pine and Basketball

2010-12-20T16:07:00.004-05:00

I am enjoying my downtime. My dogs are outside having a barkfest with the neighbor dogs as I write this. One neighbor left me a note in my mailbox teling me my dogs bark too much. The other neighborhood dogs howl when the fire truck in the neighborhood goes by, but mine don't. I guess he just doesn't like barking dogs. Such is life.

Megan and her boyfriend picked out a real tree for me this year, so my house smells like a pine forest. It's a very soothing smell for me because it brings back memories of camping with my parents in the forests of northern Arizona when I was younger.

Megan's boyfriend in the only senior on his high school basketball team this year. Needless to say, we have gone to several of his games and will be attending one this evening as well.

Elizabeth Shepherd, from the Moon and the Willow Tree, http://betsyanne.blogspot.com/, encouraged me in my academic pursuits. She said going back to school as an older student really is difficult. I think one of the main reasons why is because life is happening all around us. I have continued trudging through my classes in spite of attending Megan's volleyball tournaments in Georgia every weekend in September and October, working through the residuals from a divorce, an aging parent and a host of other things going on in my life. Do our younger counterparts have such hectic lives? Of course not! That's where we nontrads need to stick together. We need to encourage one another and spur each other on.

Yes, being a nontrad is a challenge that not many people pursue. We are to be congratulated for having the stick-to-it-iveness and courage to forge ahead. We will make it through this, these hectic days of life and school. We will walk across that stage and get our diploma. We will look back on this and be grateful to family and friends as they encouraged us on our journey.

So, fellow nontrads, I raise a glass of egg nog in your honor. May your next term, semester, etc., be better than the last and may we all reach that goal of getting our degree with honor and dignity! Bottoms up! Stay tuned . . .

Downtime and Life-Long Learning

2010-12-15T08:17:00.004-05:00

The semester is finally over and I didn't do as well as I had hoped. This was a rough semester with my daughter's volleyball tournaments all over Georgia during September and October, problems with my ex-husband from summer to the present, and not finding a tutor for Spanish. I could whine about it, but I won't. I need to give myself grace and enjoy the downtime I have. I ended up with 3 B's and a C+ for a GPA of 2.85 - my lowest since my freshman year at the University of Arizona in 1981. What does that mean? Just that I need to focus and work harder next semester. I won't be taking notes for the athletic department next semester, so my nights will be free for studying.

I do want to mention a fellow nontrad, Michael A. Dicianna at http://reaching-lifelong-goals.com/. He had a 4.0 semester. Way to go, Michael!! And to all the other nontrads out there who had another great semester, kudos!! Our hard work will pay off!

I always tell my children that no experience is wasted if you learn from it. As nontrads, we advocate life-long learning. And that should not just be in the classroom. Life-learning happens every day if we let it. No matter what we experience, good or bad, we need to let it become a learning experience.

I am submitting two paid internship applications to be a student researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN this summer. I have already submitted one but am waiting on the other one until my English major sister critiques my essays for the application. A friend of mine told me that even though the internships are highly competitive, the administrators try to get a mix of older and younger folks. I hope my interest in Environmental Studies and population and the environment will be enough to get me in the door.

With that said, I will enjoy my downtime over the holidays with my children and friends. School doesn't start back until January 11, so I have plenty of time to gear up and resolve to finish my college career strong. Stay tuned . . .

Almost Finished

2010-12-08T08:31:00.002-05:00

The further away I get from this semester, the lighter I feel. I took my Spanish final yesterday and am hoping I did well enough to pass the exam and the class. I spoke to other classmates who were also just hoping to pass the class. I am not alone in merely wanting to get through that requirement as opposed to using it to pad my GPA. I still have to finish writing my history final. Will hand that in today.

I got together with some of my Sociology 465 classmates last night. The professor, Dr. Jones, was also there. It was a great time of sharing memories and laughter. I wish all classes could end that way. It's good to download and reflect.

Now I can switch my focus to my family. My divorce will be final on 12/17. That has been a rough journey as anyone who has been divorced knows. But that's a whole 'nother blog entirely. All I have to say about that is that I have been through hell and I am still standing. And in May, I will be walking across that stage to get my degree. So, bully for him!

On to more important things - downloading from this semester. I always take time to reflect on the semester just past and look at the lessons I've learned. As I ponder this semester, the following comes to mind:
1. Don't neglect homework! I would have done better in Spanish if I would have taken the class more seriously and spent time learning the material instead of trying to breeze through it.
2. Hard work is good. My Sociology class was rough because of the group project. We worked hard and learned a great deal. Many of my classmates have said the same thing.
3. Take time to relax. My stress level would have been less if I would have taken time to relax now and again and laugh more often.
4. Take advantage of extra credit, guest speakers, etc. These opportunities make for a richer education experience.
5. Don't take yourself too seriously. It is good to be a serious student, but being too serious leads to banality.

When I was a junior in high school, I took an advanced biology course. One of the things the teacher pounded into us was, "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny". Translation: species reproduce themselves. I have tweaked that phrase a bit. My take on it is, "Anality recapitulates banality." Translation: If you take yourself too seriously, you become irrelevant to everyone else but yourself.

So, in honor of my semester being almost finished, I lift high a pint of Blue Moon and say, "Cheers!". Stay tuned . . .

I Can See the Finish Line!!

2010-11-30T08:30:00.002-05:00

Today is the last day of classes here at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am soo glad to bid adieu to this semester! This has been one of the most intense semesters I have had in my college career because of Sociology and Spanish. I had a choice to take another Sociology class from the same prof next semester and I chose not to take the class. I can't take wide-open in-your-face for two semesters in a row, especially when next semester will be my last.

Yesterday morning, I had a Geology final and the Listening Comprehension portion of my Spanish final. I think (hope) I did well on both. I am not shooting for the Dean's List or for a perfect 4.0 semester this time around. This has been one of those, "I just wanna survive this semester!!" semesters. I think everyone has one of those now and again.

What have I learned from this semester? Let me go class by class:
1. Geology - I loved this class! As always, take good notes, pay attention and when a classmate needs notes, don't be afraid to volunteer yours. The favor will be returned when you most need it.
2. History - Read, read, read. And don't be afraid to interject a little humor.
3. Sociology - Have grace with your fellow group members. Always point out the good things they are doing. Get to know the prof. And don't be afraid to interject a little humor.
4. Spanish - (groan) Vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary. Study the vocabulary until your eyes cross. Have a "can do" attitude and don't be afraid to interject a little humor.

Also, don't be afraid to participate in class - answer questions, make comments, etc. The profs like warm, LIVE bodies, not just a bunch of sticks in the mud. If the prof is passionate enough about his/her subject to get up in front of a classroom full of blank faces and teach for 6-10 hours a week, the students should at least pay attention and participate.

I am off to do some Christmas shopping on Saturday with a close friend - major downtime! I am looking forward to it. Hope your semester ends well and you finish strong! Stay tuned . . .

Are We There Yet?

2010-11-24T08:25:00.002-05:00

That's the question I used to hear on long car trips with my children. That's the question I am asking as this semester draws to a close. This semester has been especially intense for me because of my Spanish class and my Sociology class. I can't wait for this semester to end - just five more days!! And then I will be on the final leg of my "tour" - the last semester of my undergrad. What am I going to do when I no longer live at UT? It has been my home away from home for the last four, and especially the last two, years.

I wish I had some sage words of wisdom as I come to this point in my education, but all I can say is, "Please, let it end!" I love being a student, but not this semester. Besides school, I have had volleyball tournaments all over Georgia for the first two months of the school year, issues with ex-husband and an emergency surgery. What??!! But, I'm still standing. Whew!

So, as I bask in the glow of having completed a History research paper, knowing I am on the homestretch of my Sociology project (we present on Tuesday), and realizing this, too, shall pass in five days, I have a few hastily prepared words of wisdom for those who, like me, have had a rough semester and just want to be able to sit down with a cup of hot tea and relax!

1. Take a deep cleansing breath - in through your nose, out through your mouth. Close your eyes as you do this and do it slowly. Repeat as often as necessary to get yourself centered.
2. Take stock of where you've been and what lessons you can learn from that. I got my first F this semester. I have not gotten an F in years. It's rather humbling.
3. Declare the holidays a school-free time. Don't do anything schoolish until the end of the first week of January. Take this time to relax and refuel.
4. Look ahead a little bit at a time. I tend to get totally overwhelmed if I look too far ahead and then I get crazy. Take the future, as with everything else, in bite-sized pieces.
5. Be thankful for the here and now, for the who and how. Every day is a blessing, everyone in your life is a blessing. Focus on what matters.

I will be headed to Florida in a couple hours to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family. My children and I need some time away. It will be good to refuel our spirits and spend time with those we love. Hopefully, I will not hear, "Are we there yet?" on this trip. Stay tuned . . .

My College Visit

2010-11-11T07:56:00.004-05:00

I visited Appalachian State University yesterday to talk to them about grad school. First observation: App State is hard to get to. I guess the only way to get to someplace in the mountains is to go through the mountains - duh. Second observation: The campus looks like a combination of Asheville, NC and Northern Arizona University.

I did not get to meet the professor I want to study under as he was out with a family situation. However, I did meet two public history professors - Dr. Watkins and Dr. Burns. Dr. Watkins was intrigued with my interest in environmental history and public history. He said there are several science museums in the Washington, DC area that would be interested in someone with my background and interests. Hmm. The conversation was along the lines of, "You could make your own master's program here." Both Dr. Watkins and Dr. Halliday, the grad school director, seemed excited that I am taking the senior research seminar next semester. Dr. Watkins said that is where I would be able to "test theories". Hmm.

I stayed for the student public history internship presentations. The presentation that grabbed my attention the most was by a young man who was involved with the Ashe County Museum in Jefferson, NC. He was involved with the setup and opening of the museum, which means he was involved in assessing, labeling, interpretation, etc. - all the nitty-gritty, hands on part of museum work. I was jealous. I was ready to roll my sleeves up and go to work where he left off! I still love museums!

So, where do I go from here? Kick some serious you-know-what in HIST 499. Continue to dialog with App State. Continue to dialog with my history profs here at UT. And realize that sometimes getting good things takes lots of hard work (like actually getting to App State!). Stay tuned . . .

Knowin' When to Fold 'Em

2010-11-03T15:23:00.004-04:00

I spoke to the head of the History department Monday, Dr. Burman. He denied my petition for HIST 407 to count for HIST 499. He explained why and I understood his reasoning and I am in total agreement. He also said not to knock myself out over a minor. Dr. Burman said that he sat on a grad school application committee for ten years. In all that time he and his colleagues never once questioned an applicant's minor. However, they did question the relevancy of classes taken by an applicant toward that applicant's degree aspirations.

I left Dr. Burman's office feeling liberated, but disappointed. I would not graduate with a bona fide minor, but I was not going to knock myself out taking 15 hours next semester. He said the HIST 499 senior research seminar would be of much greater benefit to me (learning to research, write and produce a grad-school worthy research paper) than having a minor. I had to ask myself what was more important - being Superwoman at 48 or getting into grad school at 48? I am opting for getting into grad school. I already know I am a super woman. :)

As I left the history building, I felt a bit deflated. I had just folded what I thought was a great hand. But was it worth continuing to bet, especially when I have only one semester left? Sometimes we have to reassess our expectations of ourselves. If we fall within the expectations of our peers (in this case, what UT said I needed to graduate), why do we continue to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves? Like Kenny Rogers sang; "You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk to away and know when to run." I had some help in knowing when to fold 'em. However, ain't no runnin' here! I will walk across that stage in May with my head held high - and my Bachelor's degree in History! Stay tuned . . .

(A BIG ORANGE shout out to the STARS at PSCC - Blount County!! Hey, Guys!!! Hope all is well and your semester is going well!! Kudos!!)

Patience is a Virtue

2010-10-25T16:34:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I was wondering if I was going to be able to graduate on time. Changing my minor in my last year of school seems to have been a bit of a reckless decision, especially when that minor is brand new and doesn't have all the bugs worked out yet. I feel like a guinea pig. However, I thought that since I want to get my Master's in Environmental History, a minor in Environmental Science would be a better choice than a minor in Geology, even though I still love Geology and will always be a geonerd.

Two weeks ago, I was informed I would need to take yet another history course. No biggie since it is my major. Yes biggie since it is a three hour once-a-week research seminar. (Exasperated sigh) I am hoping to be able to petition out of it, but in the event that I can't, well . . . it will give me an extra bump for grad school. Last week, I was informed the economics class I wanted to take had a pre-requisite that I could not get out of taking, even though I have taken two economics class without it. The alternative economics class conflicted with another class I need. I spoke to my Geo prof, who is the head of the Environmental Sciences program. He offered another option that we are going to petition to be included in the minor - an Anthropology class, "The Politics of Oil". So far, I am petitioning one sociology class for another (due to the original class not being offered in the spring), the anthro class for an econ class and History 407 (Senior Thesis) for History 499 (Senior Research Seminar).

Come to think of it, I ought to petition for a General Studies minor since I will have 50 more credits than I need to in order to graduate. I wonder if that is even a possibility? By the time I graduate, I will be soo well-rounded. Wow. Stay tuned . . .

Safety on the College Campus

2010-10-21T10:27:00.002-04:00

As the amount of available daylight begins to wane, more students are walking around campus in the dark. Most college campuses are aware of their responsibility to keep their students safe. Here at the University of Tennessee, the administration has been installing more “blue light” security towers in places that could be a security risk, for example, places that aren’t as well lighted as others (between buildings, behind buildings, etc.).

However, it is not only the responsibility of the university administration to keep the students safe. It is up to the students to take responsibility for their personal safety as well. Here are some general safety tips for college students as they walk around on campus.

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Turning up your iPod and zoning out to the music makes you less aware of your surroundings because your hearing is compromised. If you are going to walk through campus at night, ditch the iPod and stay off your phone. Listen to what is going on around you.
2. There is safety in numbers. Never walk across campus alone. Most campus police departments will gladly provide you an escort if you call and ask them to. Walk with friends. If one friend is parked far away, take them to their car. Don’t let them go alone.
3. Stay on well-lit routes. Don’t go between or behind buildings if you can help it. A “shortcut’ is not worth compromising your safety over.
4. When in doubt, head to the library or another open, occupied building. If you feel you are being followed, head to the library. Your dorm or apartment may be further away. Go to an occupied building, most often the library, and call the campus police for an escort once you are secure inside the building.
5. Lock your doors. Lock your car door as soon as you get inside the car. Don’t stand with your car door open and fumble around for something. Wait until you are in your car and the door is locked before you fumble around. Also, always lock your dorm door, your apartment door, etc.
6. Keys in hand. Make sure your keys are in your hand before you reach your destination (car, dorm, apartment, etc.). You will spend less time fumbling around for your keys and will be less of a target.
7. Put 9-1-1 on your cell phone speed dial. Always be one call away from help. If you are being threatened, call 9-1-1 immediately. Even if you are not directly speaking to the dispatcher, they should be able to track your call.
8. Make yourself conspicuous. Be loud, be obnoxious, scream – whatever it takes to draw attention to you when you feel you are being threatened. People pay attention to someone making a scene and a would-be attacker will be scared away.
9. Do not keep valuables out in the open. Secure your laptop, iPod etc. in an inconspicuous place in your car (the trunk, under a seat, etc.). Ladies, don’t carry around a huge purse and a backpack. Keep it simple – use the backpack only. Make yourself less of a target.
10. If something does happen to you, report it immediately. The police will have a better chance of catching the attacker/thief if you report the incident immediately. Yes, it’s frightening to be the victim of a crime, but being a victim doesn’t mean you are helpless.

Many people carry pepper spray with them. Some even carry tazers. Find out what your campus policy is as far as having items for self protection. Be sure you know how to use the items. Do whatever you can to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a crime. Take responsibility for your own safety. Be empowered, be safe. Stay tuned . . .

And Now In the Center Ring . . .

2010-10-07T15:58:00.002-04:00

Wow. I feel like I am juggling 50 running chainsaws! Hope I don't drop one! I finished with three out of the four mid-terms this week. I have an essay mid-term in History due next Thursday (10/14). Fall break is today and tomorrow. I am in the office today working on conference things for an Electrical Engineering professor. He asked yesterday if I could help him and has given me a week to pull it all together. Well . . . . It will happen. I am taking tomorrow off as a mental health day. Going with a friend to the Museum of Appalachia's Fall Homecoming and the Greekfest! Great food, great music, great friend! :)

My chainsaws? Three have been removed, thank God. Got a 91 on my Spanish oral exam. Not sure about Sociology and Geology. Another running chainsaw is that I may have to take History 499 next semester, which would bring my total hours to 15. The class is a research/writing intensive class that is now required for History majors. Add to that the fact that I have to take another Sociology class and petition it in to replace one I need for my minor that is not being taught next semester - running chainsaw #2.

The conference, the annual report and other department projects, and the addition of History 499 (like I have nothing better to do with my life) - all are running chainsaws. Am I talented and coordinated enough to keep all these running chainsaws in the air??? If I don't pass Spanish, I will have to take an intensive Intermediate Spanish class which will bring my load to 18 hours. It could be raining chainsaws by mid-February next semester. I just want to graduate and get on with life in grad school!!! Waaaaa!!!

Okay, so what can I learn from all this? There is always a lesson in every life experience.
1. Take a deep breath and don't sweat the small stuff. If I can't petition away History 499, that's okay. It will make me a better researcher.
2. Take it one day at a time. Make a list of what to accomplish today and celebrate the little victories.
3. Remember that this, too, shall pass.
4. Celebrate the fact that I am in school, that my children love me, that I have a job I love, that I have great profs and classmates and friends. Celebrate life!

And hope that it doesn't ever rain running chainsaws! Stay tuned . . .

Mid-Term Mania

2010-10-01T15:54:00.002-04:00

It's that time of the semester again - mid-terms; those wonderful exams, projects, etc. that are precursors to your semester finals. I guess it's good that three out of my four profs are giving mid-terms prior to fall break. The lone hold-out, Dr. Hutton from history, is giving us a take home exam. (Groan!) I really wanted to enjoy my fall break!

This is what my fall break looks like: work on History exam, visit to Appalachian State University to talk about grad school, work on History exam, mental health day with a friend and Greekfest, DON'T work on History exam, travel to LaGrange to watch Megan play volleyball, work on History exam. It would be a great fall break if I didn't have to work on my History exam. Such is life.

How does one survive mid-terms, especially when one has more than one mid-term in one day? Take a deep cleansing breath and try these tips:
1. Get a good night's sleep. You don't want to face plant into your desk mid-exam.
2. Eat a good breakfast. The exam-induced stillness of the classroom only acts as an amplifier to your growling stomach.
3. Make sure you get your green book, Scantron or other test paraphernalia the day BEFORE the exam, not the day of. Don't be a Last Minute Lucy and risk being late for the exam by standing in line at the bookstore with all the other Last Minute Lucys purchasing the needed items for the exam that your prof told you about two weeks ago. (roll eyes here)
4. Make sure you visit the restroom prior to the exam. No explanation needed.
5. Relax and just let all the stuff crammed into your head flow out of your head, down your arm, into your hand and onto the paper. Hopefully, it will be right stuff for the right exam!

You can also calm your nerves by singing simple songs like, "The Itsy Bisty Spider" or "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". I need to learn "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider" in Spanish so I can sing that on the way to Spanish class next Wednesday.

Tell yourself, "This will be over soon and then I am on to bigger and better things . . . like the holidays." I have some survival tips for that, too - surviving the end of the semester while faced head-on with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Another blog. Good luck! May we all get A's!! Stay tuned . . .

Who You Know

2010-09-28T10:32:00.004-04:00

Yesterday as I was perusing through the classes I will need to take next semester, I was dismayed to find out that out of a group of five classes in a certain section for my minor, three are not being offered next semester. I began to panic and double checked my information to make sure what I had found out was the truth and not just me fat-fingering the class schedule. Sure enough. Those three classes were not even on the radar for next semester.

I had a decision to make - panic or figure it out. After a few minutes of sheer panic and visions of having to take one class per semester for the next three years, I set about to find a solution. The group of classes were in a "global studies" section of classes needed for my minor. I need nine hours or three of the five classes in that section. I am already enrolled in one and will take another next semester. I just needed one more class in that section next semester.

I began to hunt for classes that were global studies related. I finally found a sociology class that I thought would fit the bill. I emailed my Geology prof (Dr. McKinney), who is also the head of the Environmental Studies program at UT, and explained the situation to him, offered him my alternative class and asked if I could petition the class next semester. He understood the classes were not being offered and said he would approve my class choice as well as my petition. Whew!

Now a little background: Last semester (spring 2009), I took a biodiversity class from Dr. McKinney. I loved the class and got a B in it. But the thing about the class was that it made a huge impact on my life. Dr. McKinney is the one who got me interested in Environmental History instead of just History or Geology alone. He knows he's had an influence on my life because I told him. Besides that, I am always in class and pepper Dr. Mick with questions. He knows who I am.

It pays to get to know your professors, especially if they are teaching or are in a subject you like, is your major, or that you are passionate about. Profs like seeing students get excited about what they are excited about.

I was talking to a Computer Science prof yesterday. He asked about my educational/career aspirations. When I explained the Environmental History thing to him - the History major with the Environmental Science minor - he looked rather befuddled. He asked, "Those two things don't normally go together, do they?" He's not the first one to ask that question. Most pure humanities or pure science people will question a History (humanities)/Environmental Science (science) combination. (I am well aware that Environmental History tries to be the bridge between two apparently opposing schools of thought - humanities and science) Dr. McKinney doesn't question my academic combination. He gets it. But in Connie's world, yes - those two disciplines mesh quite well together to form Environmental History.

I could speak again to the need for flexibility or offer encouragement once more to step out and take a risk, but most nontrads are aware of those concepts - flexibility and risk. The very category of "nontraditional student" implies one is familiar with flexibility and risk. However, Flexibility and her red-haired sister, Risk, are subjects for another post.

Get to know your profs. They are a wonderful resource! Stay tuned . . .

When to Ask For Help

2010-09-20T14:43:00.002-04:00

I am a month into the Fall semester. I am not doing well in my Spanish class. I need help. I have a list of Spanish tutors that I have emailed and am awaiting a response from. I hope I will be able to adequately shore up my sagging Spanish scaffolding enough to pass the class.

I hope that you don't allow being a nontrad to keep you from asking for help when you need it - from finding a tutor to asking questions of your professors and classmates. It's better to ask questions as soon as you realize you don't get it than to wait the entire semester to say, "I don't get it" because you were too embarrassed.

As a student, your fees pay for all sorts of resources on campus. Some of the resources available to students on my campus are: Writing labs, computer labs, student counseling services, private and/or free tutoring services, and student success services. I have counseled each of my three children to take advantage of the services available on their campuses. Those services are there for the students, the students just have to take advantage of them.

If you find yourself needing help, ask for it! Many profs are willing to read the rough draft of a paper, or ask questions, or advise on research projects. Don't be afraid to darken their door during their office hours. Form study groups with your classmates. Take advantage of every service you can - they are there for YOU, the student. Stay tuned . . .

Excellence or Mediocrity?

2010-09-14T00:14:00.003-04:00

99% of the time, I strive to be and to do my best. However, there are those times when no matter how hard I try, my best just doesn't seem to cut it. What should I do, then? Should I cut my losses and instead of setting my personal expectations so high (striving for excellence in something I know I can't attain excellence in) knock it down a notch and be satisfied with mediocrity? What if my best in a certain situation is only mediocrity?

Fall of 2006 was my "Welcome back to college!!" semester with the first half of my math requirement - Statistics. My best in that class was mediocrity, even though I tried my darndest to do my best. I find myself in that situation again.

Apparently, math and language ability both reside in the same side of the brain - the analytical side. The analytical side of my brain just sits there and stares out the window and daydreams. I can't seem to get it to do much. Writing, grammar, vocabulary - that side of my brain is VERY active and I can't seem to get it to shut down when it's time to go to bed. For one side of my brain, mediocrity is about as excellent as it gets. For the other side, the sky is the limit as far as excellence goes.

(Exasperated sigh.) The moral of this story is that I will have to do several things to attain excellence for both sides of my brain:
1. Know my weaknesses and work hard to turn them into strengths. I will have to work harder on Spanish vocabulary.
2. Understand there is no room for laziness when it comes to subjects I am not strong in. This will take personal discipline.
3. Ask for help. My Spanish prof told me "vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary!!"

If I want to go on to grad school, there will be no room for mediocrity whatsoever. I will have to walk in excellence 24/7. No one ever said school would be easy. How bad do I want this degree? How bad do I want to go to grad school? Bad enough to breathe excellence? Stay tuned . . .

Blessed Are The Flexible

2010-09-10T09:42:00.003-04:00

I got thrown a huge curveball this week - I had emergency surgery Wednesday night to remove what initially was thought to be an infected appendix but what turned out be a burst ovarian cyst. That means I was out of work and school for two days. So, how do I hit this one out of the park? I'm still trying to figure that one out.

I initially went to the ER Tuesday night with severe abdominal pain, but because there were 50 people ahead of me, I decided not to stay but went home, doubled up on nighttime pain medication and went to sleep. I felt a little better the next morning, knowing I had to make it through my Spanish exam (which I got a 60, or D- on, so I didn't fail it). The pain on my right side got worse as the day went on and I finally left school at 2. I went to my doctor's office. After having to peel me off the ceiling when he poked that one spot on the right side of my abdomen, he immediately sent me to ER. Once there (and five hours later), the ER doc and surgeon both diagnosed "your garden variety appendicitis". However, once the surgeon got in there, he found something totally different. He cleaned everything out and removed my appendix anyway ("You'll never get appendicits!").

My oldest son and his fiance were with me in the ER and my youngest son came up from Chattanooga to spend the night in the hospital with me. My daughter cried because she could not be with me. I am blessed with three of the best children in the world!

When I woke up Thursday morning, I immediately began to call my profs to let them know I would not be in class Thursday or Friday. When I got home, I emailed my classmates to ask for notes. I was reminded that I have an exam today in Geology 202, which I will have to make up next week.

The lesson for this post is --> COMMUNICATION. If you know you are going to have a situation that takes you away from school, let your professors know. Ask for help from your classmates. Don't just fall off the face of the earth for a few days. Profs are much more appreciative and more willing to cut you some slack when you keep them in the loop. In fact, one of my profs assigned a classmate to take notes for me. But then, I make sure my profs know who I am by the second day of class just for this very reason.

Communication - with your profs, with your classmates - is one of the pillars of a great educational experience. You never know when you might need a favor. Stay tuned . . .

Lemons, Curveballs and Lessons Learned

2010-09-06T18:03:00.002-04:00

There is a saying; "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." What that means is when life throws you a curveball, hit it out of the park! Life will always give us lemons or throw us curveballs - hand us the unexpected. What we do with the unexpected shows our maturity as a person and as a student. Many people face the unexpected with fear, anger or other negative emotions. Those reactions are normal, but one cannot be overwhelmed with them.

An example: I did not expect to be taking my foreign language my senior year. That is neither the lemon nor the curveball. That is the lesson learned - don't put off your foreign language requirement.

What if you do face something unexpected or you realize you left an important requirement until the last minute?
1. Stop. Step back and take a deep breath. Take a look at the situation for what it is - unexpected, a poor decision. Acknowledge that something has happened.
2. Ask yourself, "What do I do now?" Explore all your options. Do not make any pressure decisions, but take the time to analyze the situation. When my dad died a year and half ago, I was in the middle of my spring semester. I missed a week of school. Projects were due, exams were coming up. What was I supposed to do? I sat down with a friend and looked at my options.
3. Make a plan and start working toward fulfilling that plan. Make your lemonade or lemon merangue pie, or prepare to hit that curveball over the back wall and out of the park! Take control of the situation, don't let it take control of you.
4. Let people in so they can walk with you through this time of uncertainty. Seek wise counsel, not just about your options and your plans, but for your own mental health as well.
5. Stay focused. Don't let the false urgencies distract you from your goal - getting your degree. The unexpected is only a side track, a detour. It is not a new road. Stick with your goals. They may need to be redefined and reworked a bit, but you can still achieve them.
6. Keep track of the lessons learned. They will prove valuable in the future.

Each day is a new day to experience life. And life is an adventure! My challenge this semester is Spanish. I will give it my all. ¡Hablaré español bien! Estancia afinó . . .

The Oil Filter Wrench

2010-08-30T16:34:00.003-04:00

A couple years ago, I had to wade through some gen ed classes. I thought, "This will be interesting. But it will be like having an oil filter wrench in my toolbox when I don't plan on being an auto mechanic." Little did I know that the oil filter wrench would come in handy.

Two years ago, I took a Contemporary Appalachian Lit class. Great class. Most difficult exams I ever had to take (part of the exam was to identify 30 quotes from the 30 readings for that section of the semester, title and author of the piece and which character said it). One of the readings was Robert Morgan's "Poinsett's Bridge", an historical fiction piece about a self-taught mason who worked on the real Poinsett's Bridge in South Carolina in the 1800's.

Fast forward to this semester. This is where the oil filter wrench comes is. I am taking the last of my History electives or "Upper Level Distribution" classes - the History of Appalachia. We have to do a book review. I immediately think, Robert Morgan. "Poinsett's Bridge" is in a collection of Morgan stories, but he has written other books. "Gap Creek" is another novel by Morgan. Badda-bing, badda-boom - I ask my prof about it and he okays the book for the book review. Easy read, great story, quintessential Appalachia. I'm not an auto mechanic, but thanks to Dr. Russell Wilhelm, I just happened to have an oil filter wrench in my toolbox that I was able to use again. Who knows, maybe I'll need it sometime in the future as well.

So, what about you? Are you exasperated with taking those classes that seem to have very little to do with your major or your minor? Don't dismiss them. They may be the odd-looking tool in your academic toolbox, but someday, you'll be glad you took them. Besides, an oil filter wrench can always double as an egg ring. Just sayin'. Stay tuned . . . .

Your Story

2010-08-26T08:55:00.002-04:00

Nontrads each have a unique story to tell. Many of my profs have been impressed with my story of returning to school after 20 something years of being out of school. They find it more impressive this year when I tell them all three of my children are in college as well.

Two years ago, I sat in class with a Computer Science teacher who had not taken a computer science class until she was 35. She said she had a soft spot for women who were returning to school. At that time, I was working full time, in school part time and "Momming" uber full time (isn't that always the case - we're Mom 36 hours a day?).

Last week I changed my minor from Geology to Environmental Science. I had to drop one class and pick up another class that was closed. In order to get into the closed class I had to speak to the professor who was teaching the class. I attended his morning class, which he would not let me into. He said to come back to his afternoon class. I did and he let me into that. When I explained why I needed the class (switching minors because of my major and my plans for grad school), his eyes lit up. He said, "We need to talk!!"

I recently spaced out on some Spanish homework. I threw myself at the mercy of my Spanish teacher, explaining that I didn't turn my homework in because I was suffering from Post and Pre- Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post from taking my last child, my only daughter, down to school over the weekend and Pre from having to visit my lawyer again on Friday. He granted me a reprieve.

Being a nontrad is not an excuse, but it helps to speak with your profs to let them know that you are not the average college student who is on campus just to get the degree and leave. You are on campus (or online) because you WANT the degree, you are working hard for that degree, but you also have life going on around you (family, financial obligations, etc.). It has been my experience that profs have more tolerance, admiration, sympathy, etc. for a nontrad who they know is working hard in spite of the other things going in their life than they have for the average college student who is goofing off! After all, I was not out partying over the weekend and didn't do my homework, I was getting my daughter settled at her college in Georgia.

I enjoy reading about other nontrads and their adventures - people like Studentmum, Man Who Stares at Coats, Michael Antonio Dicianna. There are many other nontrads out there in Cyberville. Their adventures will make you laugh, cry, ponder, give you encouragement, etc. Each of us has a story. And each of those stories is well worth telling. How about you? What's your story? Tell it to whomever will listen!! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Stay tuned . . .

The Hen Has Landed

2010-08-18T13:36:00.002-04:00

A with a loud, "Squawk!!" the semester begins. I survived my first day - two classrooms did not have air conditioning, all three classrooms were overcrowded, and I only got lost once. What are some handy-dandy tips, ideas, etc. I can take away from today?

1. Make sure my water bottle is full before each class. It's sweltering here in the southeast.
2. Make sure to participate in each class. My classmates may think I'm brown-nosing, but the profs like student participation.
3. Do not be afraid to help a classmate in need. One of my Geo 320 classmates is on crutches. I was her extra pair of hands this morning.
4. Acknowledge folks I know from previous classes, even if it's the TA in the class. I did not acknowledge Will in Geo 320 (one of the TA's who was my lab instructor last year for Geo 101)and I'm sure he will have a smarty pants comment for me on Friday.
5. Say "thank you" as often as possible. I had a lot of doors held for me today. (Is that because I am a woman or an "older" woman? Hmmm . . . .) I made sure I said "thank you" to everyone who held the door for me.

Tomorrow I only have my Appalachian History class in the afternoon. I am looking forward to it. Once again, this semester will be a challenge - fossils (Paleobiology) and Spanish look to be the two roughest classes so far. But, as anyone who follows me knows, I love a good challenge! Dean's List, here I come!!!

How about you? Does anyone else have good first day of school experience worth sharing? Stay tuned . . .

T Minus < 24

2010-08-17T15:30:00.002-04:00

No, that is not a math formula. (Are you crazy? Most of you know I am NOT a math person!!)That is how long I have until fall semester starts for me. Am I ready? Of course not. I still do not have my books. I will probably get those tomorrow or Thursday. I may wait and compare online prices to bookstore prices. I have been so busy trying to get my daughter ready to go to school that I have neglected my own preparation.

Besides books, I need a new backpack, notebooks and folders, and pens. I also need to fire up the mini to make sure she is fully charged in order to pound out notes like a crazy woman. I'm sure once I wake up tomorrow morning, I will be excited. I have not had much time to get excited about my school this semester because I have been so busy with my daughter and other stuff going on in my life. What are some ways that I can get excited about school?

1. Go to the school supplies aisle at Walmart and watch the frantic elementary school moms with their long lists of supplies - things like hand sanitizer, Kleenex and Post-it notes (whatever happened to notebook paper, pencils and crayons?) - surrounded by masses of children all under the age of ten and click my heels together three times while saying, "There's no place like college! There's no place like college!"

2. Go to the bookstore and stand behind the freshman as they field phone calls from their mom (in between texting their buddies about the great party tonight); "Yes, Mom. I'm getting them now. No, Mom, no partying last night. Yes, Mom, there is milk in my fridge. Yes, Mom, I had breakfast this morning. No, Mom, I did not throw the bananas away. Yes, Mom. Me, too."

3. Take a walk through campus and listen to the buzz of activity the new semester has created so far.

4. Walk down to see Jason at the Campfire Grill hotdog stand on the other side of campus and ask him how business has been this week.

5. Stand on the plaza overlooking Neyland Stadium and observe the sudden increase of activity as the construction guys hurry to finish the renovations before the first football game on Sept. 4. They had been working on this all summer, but it seems as if someone suddenly looked at the calendar and said, "Hey, guys. Football season's only three weeks away. Oh my gosh! Football season's only three weeks away!!!"

I need a good night's sleep and a good spray of Eau De First Day of Kindergarten. I should be wide awake, excited and ready to roll with the new semester by tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned . . .

Taking Shape

2010-08-12T13:25:00.002-04:00

I am always amazed as I watch a potter work with a lump of clay. They take a shapeless lump of something and make it into a beautiful work of art. Today, I am that potter. The shapeless lump of clay is this semester. This morning, I slapped that clay on my potter's wheel and began to mess with it. It is beginning to take shape.

I have Megan's volleyball tournaments plugged into my planner. Funny how I still cannot escape volleyball tournaments! I guess I will be volleyballing it for the next four years. Go, Spike! (That was her orientation nickname.)

Next week, this lump of clay known as fall semester will continue to take shape as my classes begin. I am hoping the work of art produced at the end of it all will yield a diploma come May. Keep your fingers (and toes and eyes) crossed for me!

How about you? What does your lump of clay look like? Is it beginning to take shape? I know I will have to pound it out a couple times during the semester and try again, but I am hoping this semester will produce another work of art like last semester did (Dean's List!).

Good luck. Have fun pounding out this lump of semester! May it produce a work of art! Stay tuned . . .

Counting Down

2010-08-11T09:59:00.002-04:00

Classes start at the University of Tennessee a week from today. I finally have my schedule tweaked so I am only taking 13 hours instead of 16. Plan Q has proved successful thus far. Megan is working the next couple of weeks to get her stuff sorted and packed so we can take her down to school on August 21. Last fall represented a major milestone in Megan's life - her senior year. This fall is my final senior year - hopefully!

As I prepare for my final year, for Megan's first year in college away from home, my first year as an empty-nester and a host of other changes I am sure that I am not yet aware of, I am excited and scared. You know the feeling - like the first day of kindergarten. Remember that? Your own first day as a child and your first child's first day. The excitement, yet the fear all at the same time - kinda made you want to throw up and run to find your mom. The thing is, throwing up is not an option and I AM the mom. So, I need to suck it up, hold it together and walk forward with confidence and grace.

I am looking forward to this semester. I have two Geology classes - Paleobiology and Earth as an Ecosystem (with the infamous Dr. Mike McKinney again), Intermediate Spanish I and the History of Appalachia. Good stuff. Lots of writing, memorizing and lab work. I can smell the late night latte now! As usual, I am jazzed about the new semester. And as usual, I am sure once the end of November rolls around, I will be ready for the semester to end.

Once again, what do I do to prepare? This semester is a little different because of Megan's departure and her dad's job loss. I am going to review my previous posts about cutting college costs and getting ready for the semester. In the meantime-
1. I will make sure I have a good support system in place. I am going to take advantage of the Student Counseling Services. There are many services on campus that are free for students - the writing lab, counseling services, etc. They are there for YOUR use - take advantage of them.
2. I will introduce myself to my profs after class and find out where their offices are. Chances are, I may need to pop in and make use of their office hours at some point.
3. I will also take the time to visit a couple of my past history profs. I will need letters of recommendation soon and I need to catch up with some of my profs.
4. I will look for sales on the school supplies I need. I will also watch for sales for Megan. Neither one of us needs all of our notebooks to be from our school - those embossed collegiate notebooks can get expensive! I'm over the novelty of it all, Megan probably is not. She can have two collegiate embossed notebooks!
5. I will make sure both Megan and I have a planner to write down assignment due dates, exam dates, etc. A planner is a major time management tool we both need to take full advantage of.

I am counting down the days until I start school and until I take Megan down to Georgia. One I am jazzed about, the other is a bittersweet event.

A quick shout out to the PSCC Nontrads - Hey, y'all!! Good luck this semester!! And good luck to all the nontrads out there - new, continuing and finishing. Stay tuned . . .

The Needle in the Haystack (or Keep on Swimming)

2010-08-02T11:56:00.003-04:00

I think I may have found the needle in the haystack. I have been searching for an environmental history program. in the southeast I realize I may be going about this backwards. My Philosophy prof said, "Find a prof whose work you admire and go study under him." The only thing is, the prof whose work I admire is at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. That's a bit too far away. So, I wrote to him and asked him if any of his colleagues in this area were "doing" environmental history. He directed me to Dr. Tim Silver at Appalachian State University.

Appalachian State is the little David who defeated the Giant Michigan Wolverines in football three years ago. That's how I remember them! Go, Mountaineers! I emailed the head of their graduate program and received an enthusiastic response. Dr. Linda Holliday told me there are two other faculty in their history dept who are also working in environmental history, though not necessarily on conjunction with US history. At least there is more than one environmental historian on faculty. I was thrilled to find a program that 1) was actually doing environmental history and 2) had some "robustness" to the program in the form of several faculty. I perused Dr. Silver's publications and it looks as if he is doing some things I am interested in.

I am scheduled to visit Appalachian State University on October 7, my fall break. I am excited. Now, I just have to get the GRE out of the way and kick some serious you-know-what in the rest of my classes. This is shaping up to be yet another challenging semester. BTW, I take my baby down to school August 21 (I'll try not to cry much). Then, it's just me, the dogs, GRE math and Geology. Ya, baby! Oh, the point of this post? In the words of Dorie from "Finding Nemo", "Keep on swimming!" Stay tuned . . .

Create Your Own Niche

2010-07-31T15:31:00.002-04:00

I want to go to Grad School to get my Master's in Environmental History. The problem is, there aren't many, if at all, schools here in the southeast that are doing Environmental History. There is one prof I'd love to sit under, but he is at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. That's half the world away from my children! I want to stay in the southeast because of my children.

I have been talking to several people about Grad School. I talked to my Philosophy professor most recently. He said several things (in true Philosophy prof form, where there is never just a two-minute answer to any question), among which were, "Create your own niche" and "You don't go out looking for the knowledge, you create the knowledge (about the subject you are interested in)."

That got me thinking - what exactly is it about environmental history that I am interested in? Can I do it in an interdisciplinary fashion? And why the heck are so few history departments doing environmental history??!! I have yet to speak to a Geo prof and a history prof about this. I will post again when I do.

My own niche . . . hmm. What I'd love to do is take a segment of US history and overlay it with a corresponding segment of geologic history and see where the two intersect. I know that sounds rather vague and absurd, but I want to know how geologic factors affected what happened in human history and how human history impacted what happened geologically. Where exactly do earth science and humanity crash into each other? That's what I want to explore.

In the meantime, are you considering grad school? Are you there now? What has your experience been? How have you created your own niche? Tell me about it. Stay tuned . . .

If You Wait Long Enough . . .

2010-07-30T08:11:00.003-04:00

It's funny how sometimes situations have a way of resolving themselves. I asked my ex-husband, "Are you sure your health insurance benefits don't extend for the next 30 days?" He checked and we still have health insurance for the next month - just enough time for everyone to get back to school and switch over to the school policies. Whew!

I am a procrastinator by nature. That is something I am having to fight on a daily basis, especially now that I am a single mom, because if I don't do it, it's not going to get done. I do not advocate waiting in all situations, however, there are some situations in which it is better to wait than to act immediately.

Situations such as financial aid and scholarship deadlines, registration for classes, advisor approvals, taking the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, and other tests, and admission applications are obvious situations where time is of the essence.

I have learned to "trust my gut". Call it "women's intuition", "the leading of the Holy Spirit", etc. There is something inside me that says, "Hmm - hold on just a minute . . ." or "Ask that question again in a couple days." Sometimes, there is wisdom in waiting - to ask the initial question, to ask the question again, to seek the answer. It has been my experience that some situations, when left alone, have a tendency to resolve themselves.

How does one know when to act and when not to act? As a nontrad, the three biggest areas of our lives are: school, family and finances. I need to go back to school to finish/get my degree, but how am I going to pay for it and how much time will it take away from my family? When deciding when to act or not, sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil. Make three columns on the paper. Head one column "school", one column "family" and one column "finances". Take something simple like filling out your FAFSA (which you should have done by now). In the finances column, write "fill out FAFSA". Now, on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the LEAST and 5 being the MOST), determine how great of an impact doing that would have on your schooling and your family. Did you put a "5" in the school column? Your FAFSA determines your financial aid which in turn may determine if you do indeed return to school. A "5" means you act now. If you have money set aside specifically for your education, perhaps it's not going to be a big impact on the health and well-being of your family if you don't get your FAFSA done. However, if your wife is freaking out that you going back to school is going to take money out of the family budget, that's a "5" and you'd better get your FAFSA done now.

Act or wait? Three columns, trust your gut, life experience, wise counsel. What works for you? Stay tuned . . .

Working Hard For What You Want

2010-07-27T14:02:00.005-04:00

When I was growing up, my mom told me that working for something would make me appreciate it more as opposed to just having it handed to me. I think once I finally get my diploma, I am not going to have it framed and hang it on my wall, I am going to have it stuffed and make it into a pillow so I can sleep with it! Sheesh!

Yes, sometimes all the obstacles that are thrown in our way make us want to quit. Sometimes we have revised our "Plan B" so many times that we have gone through truck loads of pink erasers or reams of computer paper or cases of Kleenex!

When times like this happen - you're once again revising your Plan B - put down the pencil and take a minute to look back at where you've been. Retrace your steps. How many detours have you taken? How many naysayers have you silenced? How many profs have you had to prove yourself to? How many late night study groups have you commiserated with? How many good grades have you celebrated? How many goals have you already accomplished? You know what? You're almost there! You will appreciate your degree more because you have worked hard - REALLY HARD - for it! I plan on taking a nap on my diploma the day after I graduate. Stay tuned . . .

Blessed Are the Flexible

2010-07-26T14:00:00.002-04:00

Ah, yes. Once again I find myself in that place of having to be flexible. The primary breadwinner for my family, my ex-husband, lost his job on Thursday. That means we have no health insurance. Not to panic. My children and I are all students, we can all get health insurance through school. However, that does mean I will need to work more hours next semester and drop a class. That means I will have to drop a class I really don't need but wanted to take all the same - Introduction to Cartography. Perhaps next semester will be better and I can pick it back up.

One of my favorite sayings, one that I should have tattooed on my bicep by now, is "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall bend and not break." Granted, there are some areas where one cannot be so flexible (like class offerings or times from semester to semester and year to year). However, there are many times when one can and often must be flexible. This is also known as "Plan B". I always have a Plan B. I think by now, for this next semester, I am up to Plan Q - things have changed that much. But that's okay - I know I will not break.

Outside circumstances sometimes happen to our plans and we have to be ready and willing, even though we are still going in the same direction, to take a different route. How about you? Have you had to take a detour recently, employ a "Plan B"? How does it make you feel? Yes, it can be frustrating. But remember, you will still get there, not just in the way you had planned. Hang in there, stay the course and be flexible. Stay tuned . . .

The Dog Days of Summer

2010-07-15T15:55:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading Studentmum's latest post. She said she felt bad because there wasn't much going on to write about. Unless one is in summer school, there may not be much to write about that is applicable to being a nontrad. So, how are you spending your down time? Cleaning, sorting, vacationing? I am getting my daughter ready to go to college.

If you are like me and your school year is very intense, you need this time to relax, regroup, refresh. You can't go great guns all year long without burning out. If you are not summer schooling it, be grateful. Take this time to plan for next year. Be proactive by doing things like:

1. Make an appointment with your advisor. Chances are he/she may be out of town for the summer, but email them and get on their "gotta get back to" list. This is a "student academic health check" appointment. Are you where you should be with respect to the classes and the number of hours you need? Don't wait until the last minute, like when you are a few weeks away from graduation, to do your academic health check.
2. Reserve or buy your books. Avoid the rush. Set up the textbook rental if that's how you get your textbooks. Don't wait until the last minute here, either.
3. Figure out what you and the kids will need as far as supplies, clothes, etc. Start watching now for sales.
4. Do a "dry run" on getting to sleep on time at night, getting up on time in the morning, etc. Make a game of it. Tell the kids it's called "School Practice".
5. Clean out one closet. It will feel good to be at least that productive over the summer.

Are there other things you need to check on before school starts? Do you have your financial aid? Do the kids have their immunizations? If you do stuff like that now, you will avoid the rush later. Avoiding the rush makes life easier. And I am all for making my nontrad existence just a little bit easier.

So, see? There's always something to write about!! Stay tuned . . .

New Blogs, New Nontrads

2010-07-14T12:02:00.004-04:00

New blogs about being a nontrad are popping up daily. That's good. That means the nontrad population is growing. That means there are more and more people out there who are overcoming their fears and are taking the plunge into returning to school.

Deb Peterson recently blogged about Man Who Stares at Coats, a 42-year old first year med student. One is never "too old" to return to school. Cheers to Patrick as he starts his journey. I can't wait to read his posts!

I think it helps to chronicle our triumphs and struggles as nontrads. After all, that helps others in their triumphs and struggles, too. The biggest thing is to remember - you are not in this alone! If you are a new nontrad and will be walking onto a college campus this fall for the first time ever or returning after a l-o-n-g hiatus, WELCOME!!

Good luck to Patrick, good luck to the PSCC nontrads (Hi, guys!!!), and good luck to all nontrads - new, returning and continuing - as we get ready for the new semester (only 6 weeks or less away!). Stay tuned . . .

Going to School With Your Children

2010-07-13T16:48:00.005-04:00

No, this is not a post about how to be a good PTA mom. This is a post about being on the same college campus as your children or being in college at the same time as your children.

Starting at the end of August, all my children will be in college. I will be in my last year (hopefully) and will be graduating in May of 2011. That's when my oldest son is also supposed to graduate with his MA in Communications Studies.

This is quite a unique experience - being in college with my children. I enjoy that I am able to relate to their woes about assignments, exams and papers. I can encourage them to hang in there and tough it out because I really do know what they are going through. We can rejoice together when we get good grades, mourn when we don't and relate to early morning coffee runs after late nights or all-nighters. This is a different kind of connection with my children. I am still mom, but I feel more like a peer.

Which brings me to my next thought. I have posted before about reasons people hesitate to return to school. One of the most common is fear. I think another reason people hesitate to return to school is embarrassment - visibly being the oldest person in the classroom. That's okay. As a matter of fact, I have seen more and more nontraditional students on campus. We are not such a rarity anymore.

I am beginning to feel more comfortable being an older student on the college campus. For a long time, I felt rather self conscious. Now, though, I have gotten to the point where I am not afraid to participate in class. In fact, it's fun to "show off" a bit when the other students don't have a clue about what the prof is lecturing on and I do because I read the book!

What are some good things about being an older student?
1. You really have "been there, done that".
2. You don't freak out as easily.
3. You don't need to do stupid things to get noticed - your gray hair says it all.
4. You know the answer to most of the questions the prof asks.
5. You drink coffee instead of Red Bull.
6. You know the true cost of your education.
7. You get the prof's jokes.
8. The only person you're out to impress is yourself.
9. You know the difference between the "small stuff" and the "big stuff" and you know how not to sweat the small stuff and how to handle the big stuff.
10. You can have a beer after your last final.

Being an older student is a challenge, but it's fun. It's even more fun when you share the same campus as your children. "That's your MOM?" Yes, and fellow student. Stay tuned . . .

Are You Lost?

2010-07-07T20:07:00.001-04:00

That was question I asked a young man this afternoon. I was on my way to the bookstore to purchase some more items for the conference I am working on. He was part of freshman orientation and he was just trying to get his bearings. He said, "I'm always lost!" We stood on the steps of the Haslam Business Building across from Hodges Library, within sight of Neyland Stadium, across the plaza from the University Center. I pointed out to him that those three buildings - the stadium, the library and the UC - were basically the "hub" of the campus and that if he remembered where those were, he could find everything else.

What about you? Do you feel "lost" as you venture forth for the first time as a nontraditional student? Or do you feel you are aimlessly wandering midway through your program? Or are nearing the end of your degree program, but still feel lost because you don't know what the future holds? Find a point on a compass- like the library, the stadium or the UC.

Many people find their compass in God and prayer, in their faith. If you are not a spiritual person, who or where is your compass? If you are a new nontrad, perhaps that compass can be another nontrad, or an advisor, or a good friend. If you are a continuing nontrad, perhaps that compass can be a trusted professor, a spouse or friend, or a fellow nontrad in your same program. If you are a seasoned nontrad at the end of your program, perhaps that compass can be an alumnus in your program, a fellow nontrad who has graduated and can encourage you in your future endeavors, or a close friend or spouse.

We all need someone to whom we can turn to and say, "I'm lost", who will gently guide us in the right direction. GPS does not work in this case. It takes good old-fashioned figure-it-outedness to get us where we need to go. We need the help of someone, or perhaps a couple people, to get us going in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to stop and ask for directions along the way.

Are you lost? Ask someone for help. Let someone who has been there journey with you. In the end, we will all make it to that destination - obtaining our college degree. Stay tuned . . .

Grace in Weakness

2010-06-28T21:28:00.002-04:00

"No one on this campus right now knows how I feel." I remember thinking that as I walked out of Dr. Sacco's office last November after she had given me the dressing down of my life and told me I would not be able to continue in the History Honors program. I was an inch away from feeling absolutely devastated, wondering if I really wanted to continue. I wanted to cry, but knew I had to get back to my office and get some work done.

I'm sure we've all had similar moments, whether it was the news that you failed a class, did not get the scholarship, or another similar situation. What do you do in that moment when it feels like the proverbial rug has been pulled out from under you? What do you do in that moment of extreme emotional vulnerability? First of all, it's okay to cry. That's a normal human reaction.

Second, give yourself grace in that moment of weakness. I am the kind of person who hates weakness - especially in myself. I am probably the hardest on myself. Yet, I am learning that I need to give myself grace. I need to realize that it's okay to be weak. Weakness does not constitute failure, but a chance to regroup and redefine.

So what about you? Do you find yourself in a place of weakness? Is it frightening for you? Give yourself grace to be there. It is also a place of learning. Let others come around you and be your strength. By giving yourself grace in the midst of your weakness, you are an example to others. Stay tuned . . .

Now is The Time

2010-06-27T10:04:00.003-04:00

This week marks a major milestone in summer - June will end and July will begin - the halfway mark. As always, I am left scratching my head and wondering, "Where did the summer go?"

There are many nontrads out there who are in the throes of summer school or just beginning a new term. There are others who are wondering, "Can I do this (return to school)? Should I do this?" The answer to both those questions is a resounding, "YES!!!"

In the summer of 2006, I knew it was time for me to return to school. I would have one child in college and two in high school - old enough to be able to handle themselves so I could return to school. I sat down and talked about it with my former husband. He agreed with me that the time was right. I applied to the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville and was accepted for the fall term of 2006. After going to an adult student orientation (really not much of an "orientation") which was just speaking to an advisor, I decided to defer to the spring term, but instead entered the community college and took a math class - Statistics. My first class at UT was a Social Psychology class on Wednesday nights. I took US History on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Was it scary? Of course! Was I afraid I would not pass my classes or take good notes or or do well on the exams or fit in with my younger classmates? All yes. I entered the "big school" with the same wide-eyed wonder I have seen on the faces of the incoming freshmen. Even though I am an older student, I was no less confused, dazed and frightened by my surroundings than they are.

If you are considering returning to school, now is the time to act. Summer is the time to apply to the school of your choice. I, of course, am biased toward the traditional university setting as opposed to the online school setting. However, time is of the essence in online admission as well. Why procrastinate? If you are seeking financial aid, most aid is awarded on a first come, first served basis, so the sooner you get your applications package in, the better. Also, most scholarship deadlines were May 30, or are June 30 or July 30. Most college financial aid offices can help you with financial aid deadlines like that. My friend, Betsy Boyd at Pellissippi State Community College, Blount County Campus, is a great resource for the nontrads on her campus.

The door is open. Are you going to just stand there and think of all the excuses NOT to walk through the door? Or are you going to take a deep breath and walk through the open door to the adventure that awaits you on the other side? Now is the time.

What does this adventure hold? Let's be honest - some bad things as well as good things. Frustration that you may not remember how to take notes, or can't keep up with a prof who's lecturing at the speed of light, or that you just can't seem to understand how that prof wants that paper written. Annoyance at your classmates who think they can show up to class whenever, then whine when they get a bad grade or bug you for your notes. Fatigue when you're studying for midterms or finals and have several papers due at or around the same time. Welcome to the life of a college student. But there are also the good things - the relationships cultivated with your profs and classmates, the light bulbs that go off when you understand how what you've learned in one class intersects with what you've learned in another class, the satisfaction of having written an "A" paper, the relationships you develop with university staff because you've darkened their doorway so often just to ask questions.

Don't let fear, uncertainty, or naysayers hold you back from getting that college degree - whether it's a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD. Now is the time to step forward - be strong and courageous. Just do it! Stay tuned. . .

Comments

2010-06-25T21:13:00.002-04:00

I've gotten some great comments on my last post. What it boils down to is that pursuing a college degree as a nontrad takes courage, guts and heart. Stay the course, keep the goal in sight, don't let anything deter you. There is a whole community out there, on campus and on line, that will tell you the same thing. Many colleges now have adult education departments and support groups. Use them!

Make me a promise, my fellow nontrads. When you graduate, I want you to send me a photo of you getting your degree. I will post it on this site. I will also post a photo of my Glorious Moment as well.

Let's continue to encourage and celebrate one another! To borrow a war cry, "Semper Fi!" Stay tuned . . .

Do You Really Want Your Degree?

2010-06-25T15:51:00.003-04:00

Last week, one of the ladies in the Electrical Engineering office retired. I had heard a couple weeks earlier that she was going to retire, so I asked my boss if that would open up a spot for me. She said no, that they have to replace that position because it is a crucial position for the department - it is an HR position.

At the beginning of the week, my friend and co-worker, Julia, came into my office and said, "Rumor has it you want that job over in Electrical Engineering. Why didn't you tell me?" I told her it was because I did not want the job. Someone must have heard something wrong.

Julia knows that my degree is my priority. I have come too far and have worked way too hard to put my degree on hold now. Besides, I am only a year from graduation. I want to go on to grad school.

The job in EE would represent stability, insurance, a retirement plan and all the things someone my age would "need" to be comfortable - and miserable. I would hate it. I don't like HR stuff, I don't want to work in an office full of women and irresponsible students, and I aspire to greater things than being an administrative professional for the rest of my life. For some people, that's great. But not for me.

I have a dream - to get my degree - first my Bachelor's, then my Master's, perhaps even my PhD. That dream comes with sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears - I know that. I am prepared to do all that - and more. I want a college degree. I want my Master's degree. I am ready to give up being comfortable in the short run so I can make a difference in the long run.

What about you? Do you really want your degree? What will it cost you? What will you give up in the short run? This road is not an easy one. Those who have traveled it, or who are currently traveling it, know that. Hang in there. Keep trudging along. Because at the end of the road is your college degree and that degree WILL make a difference. Stay tuned . . .

Quotabulary - "The Phases of Life . . ,"

2010-06-23T22:14:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine recently gave me a birthday card and gift. This friend has a knack for choosing very meaningful cards. The card she gave me talked about how each new day is like the waves of the ocean bringing new treasures to the shore. Sometimes the waves are calm and bring nice treasures like shells. Other times, the waves are turbulent and may wash up seaweed, animals and even trash onto the shore.

"The phases of life itself are as unpredictable as the moods of the ocean." Renee Duvall

My friend acknowledged that this year will be a year full of changes for me, that I will be facing some very different phases in my life - an empty nest, becoming a mother-in-law, graduating from college and moving on to grad school. I'm sure there will be other changes as well. The best way I can prepare for the next year is to expect the unexpected.

What about you? What are you facing this next year? You may know some of what you face, but much of it, you don't know. Melissa Shanken, ITT Tech's Valedictorian for this term's graduating class, said in her graduation address last night that one's attitude in the face of life's circumstances makes a huge difference. I know some of what I will face this next year. I need to maintain a positive attitude as I enter those phases of my life.

As I move forward with the last year of my undergraduate work, I know this phase of my life will soon end. However, in the midst of this phase, others are beginning. I guess I need to grab my life vest and hang on! Stay tuned . . .

Observation

2010-06-22T22:31:00.002-04:00

I have noticed that since I have been searching for quotes to use for "Quotabulary", I have been listening more intently - to people as they talk, to commentators on the radio - and I have been reading with greater purpose. It's like adjusting the focus on the microscope so you can get a better look at what you're looking at. I thought that was rather interesting. Just making an observation.

Quotabulary - Your Attitude

2010-06-22T22:16:00.002-04:00

I attended ITT Technical Institute of Knoxville's 80th graduation tonight. A friend of mine is the Chair of the Information Technology and Business Departments as well as the Interim Chair of the Electronics Department. He is one busy man!

I have never been to a technical school's graduation before and I wanted to attend to see what it was like. It helped that I knew one of the faculty members. I came away with a story of inspiration and today's quotabulary quote.

Melissa Shanken was this term's valedictorian. She earned a Bachelor's of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice. She earned her degree while attending ITT Tech, working full time and raising her son as a single mom. In her graduation address, Melissa told her fellow graduates, "I am convinced that the attitude with which you handle life's circumstances will determine your outcome." She chronicled her struggles with not wanting to write one more paper, or study for one more exam, but having to do so anyway while still attending school functions for her son.

How many of us have been there? Melissa also said she knew she couldn't quit because she didn't want to be a poor example to her son. Melissa had plenty of support along the way - from family, friends, ITT faculty and staff. She was definitely an inspiration to all who attended tonight's graduation ceremony.

What about you? What kind of attitude do you have? Are you determined to get your degree? Are you determined to make good grades or are you satisfied with just squeaking by? Do you feel like quitting? Remember Melissa and what she said about your attitude. Resolve to handle life's circumstances with a positive attitude. A positive attitude will take you much farther in life than a negative attitude. Stay tuned. . .

Quotabulary - "I See Things Better With My Feet"

2010-06-21T17:43:00.005-04:00

I googled the word "quotabulary" and found there were several domain registrations for it and a missing link to a definition, but I did not find the definition itself. I'm sure if I continued to delve into it, and do research via the New York Post, Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, I could come up with a satisfactory definition. I, however, would like to offer my own definition of the word.

Quotabulary, like vocabulary, is a phrase that enriches your communication. However, the phrase cannot be one of those well-known, oft-quoted phrases. You know the sort: "Four score and seven years ago . . .", "We have nothing to fear but fear itself.", "Ask not what your country can do for you . . .", "Houston, we have a problem." and so forth. No. Like the ACT vocabulary, quotabulary phrases are phrases you've never heard of and that originate from obscure sources. You most likely will never hear them used in a common, everyday setting, but it sure would be impressive to throw them out in happy hour conversation every now and again.

Today's quotabulary phrase comes from James Holman, the 19th century blind English explorer. Lieutenant Holman and his party were ascending Mt. Vesuvius in June, 1821. "There was nervous talk of halting the ascent" due to the volcano's eruption. "He had begun the climb quite willing to proceed alone. . . (and) had insisted on hiking the full distance. 'I see things better with my feet', he explained." (A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler by Jason Roberts, Harper Collins, New York, 2006. p. 2)

One can understand this quote to mean a host of things other than the obvious - a blind man using his sense of touch to make more sense of the world around him. I invite you to chew on this phrase for a while. How does today's quotabulary phrase enrich your communication? Stay tuned . . .

I Concur!

2010-06-18T12:28:00.002-04:00

Elizabeth Shepherd recently posted this on her blog - "Positivity vs. What You Tell Yourself: Taking Baby Steps" (http://non-traditional-students.blogspot.com/). She has some good advice for new nontrads or soon-to-be nontrads.

I want to throw in my two cents worth. Returning to school as an "older student" is scary, no doubt. Been there, done that, in the midst of it right now. Each day I am reminded I am "not getting any younger". On Sunday, I will turn 48. That will be a huge reminder that I am not getting any younger. By the time I graduate next year, it will have taken me 31 years to get my Bachelor's degree. Another huge reminder. I want to go on to grad school. When I graduate from that, I will be in my early 50's. Think that's not daunting? Many people retire in their 50's, get laid off and can't find work in their 50's, or are discouraged because they are passed over for promotion in favor of someone younger. The odds are certainly NOT in my favor.

If you're ready to go back to school, I have three words for you - JUST DO IT! What have you got to lose? Like Elizabeth says, start out with baby steps, one thing at a time. Start out with one class, perhaps at the community college, perhaps just a class in something you like - maybe writing, or computers. That will get your feet wet and you'll get used to the whole classroom experience again. Or, if the last time you were in the classroom was in high school, this will give you a feel for what college is like. Being in a classroom is like changing a diaper - you never really forget what it's like (and sometimes it can get kinda stinky!).

Don't be afraid to conquer that fear. There is a whole world out there of older students who have stood right where you're standing. Some are just starting out, some are about halfway there, some are wondering, "Why in the world did I decide to do this?? Am I nuts??", and some just graduated and can tell you it's all worth it. Stand up, take one baby step, then the next and move forward. As long as you are moving forward - that is what matters. Just do it. Stay tuned . . .

Powers of Observation

2010-06-18T10:36:00.002-04:00

Like many of my contemporaries, I have fallen under the spell of Facebook. I originally got an FB account to find and stay in touch with old friends from high school in anticipation of my 30th high school reunion. Now that the reunion has come and gone, FB has lost some of its appeal for me. I recently deactivated my FB account because it was such a distraction. That was two days ago. So far, I am doing pretty good and have not given in to it's whiny voice luring me back to the juvenile pastime of posting what I am doing every waking minute of the day. Yes, I know there are some good things about FB - finding "long lost" friends, posting events, photos, etc.

I have a friend in Wyoming who is the Wild Species Director for the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Duane Short. Duane delights in getting out and documenting not only the critters, but also the varied plants in and around Laramie, WY. His brother, Phil, recently posted a photo of Duane, his "observant brother", looking at something wiggling around his feet as he was setting up to photograph a critter.

Duane is very observant - always taking notice of something or other. I thought about that for a bit. Being able to drop out of warp speed this summer to something just slightly less than the speed of sound has been a blessing. It has allowed me to be a bit more observant of my surroundings. I think as a nontrad, I get to moving so quickly during the school year, that life around me becomes a blur. It's nice when the blur slows to the point that it has actual definition.

For example, I have been watching my daughter more, looking at her, taking in how pretty she is. I have noticed that my Dalmatian-mixed dog is getting more spots. I have discovered a new favorite place on campus where I can eat lunch, read and observe the goings on around me without really being noticed. I have noticed that my house gets really dusty. (Sigh.)

It's nice to be able to stop and notice things - to stop and observe and to ponder. Last weekend, I was trimming a bush in my side yard. I noticed a woolly worm caterpillar crawl across my driveway. I hadn't seen one of those in a long time. I probably just hadn't noticed one in a long time. Like Duane, I need to be a little more observant. It's a good thing. Stay tuned . . .

Grace in Moderation

2010-06-16T08:18:00.002-04:00

I've been giving yesterday's post some thought. While it is important to keep our brains engaged over the summer and not let them go totally couch potato, we still need some down time to regenerate. Just don't DEgenerate.

How does one accomplish this? Read! Reading stimulates the brain with things like new vocabulary, comprehension, etc. Reading is walking for the brain - simple, low cost and very effective.

So, give yourself grace. If you don't want to boot camp your brain this summer, at least take it out for a walk every now and then by reading. Turn off the TV, walk away from the computers, toss the cell phones and iPods in your underwear drawer for a couple hours and read! You may be surprised by what you learn! Stay tuned . . .

No Cruising Allowed!

2010-06-15T12:58:00.005-04:00

Okay, it's summer. Some of us have been out of school for over a month, some are currently in summer school, some just finished a term and some are just starting a new term. Wherever you are in the grand educational scheme of things, you cannot deny it is summer. Heat, humidity, flip-flops, floaties, vacations, staycations, playcations, and so on.

One thing teachers have a hard time with when students first return to school is that they spend the first month in review because the little darlings' minds have turned to mush over the summer. What about the big darlings? Are we letting our minds turn to mush? Are we just setting our brains in neutral and cruising through summer, justifying our lack of brain stimulation with, "Well, I worked hard all school year! I deserve some time off!"?

Cut that out! Get your brain off its fat behind and get it moving! Not being in school is no reason to let the gray matter atrophy! I hear that whining. "So what do we do??" Hear are some practical ways to boot camp your brain during the summer so you (and your children) will be ready to hit the books with gusto when the fall semester starts.

1. Family Reading Hour: After dinner, when all the dishes are done and the table is cleared, turn off the TVs, computers, cell phones and other electronic devices (that includes you, Dad, and confiscate the kids' phones and iPods), and sit down and read for an hour. You can read as a family or read individually - but read. Not mush or romances, but something that will challenge you, make you think, etc. Right now I am reading, "The Untilled Garden: Natural History and the Spirit of Conservation in America, 1740-1840". Not light reading, but very interesting reading. Your children will benefit from this, too.
2. Brain Calculator: When you go grocery shopping, leave the calculator at home. Take a pad of paper and a pen. Manually add your purchases (and figure out the tax). Take the children and make a game of it. See who can come closest to the final tally. In fact, set a budget. See if you can stay in that budget. Now there's a challenge!
3. Math Geography: At dinner, alternate between reviewing the multiplication tables and reciting the states and their capitols. Let one child pick the tables - say the 3's and the 6's or all states beginning with A or N. Or Quickfire - point to a child and say, "Delaware!" That child needs to respond with "Dover!" Or "6 x 3!" and child - "18!", etc. They can do the same back to you!
4. Vegicolor/Fruticolor: How many veggies can you name that are red? Fruits that are purple? etc. Make a game of it with your children.
5. From Point A to Point B: Pick two places in your town a good distance apart. Think about two ways to get from one to the other. Ask your children to do the same. If you're not good with directions, look on a map. No fair cheating with the GPS or Google maps or Mapquest. To make this one more difficult, think about getting from one place to the other from two different directions.

Stimulate your brain with anything that really makes you have to THINK. By the time you're finished with any one of these activities (except for the reading), you should say, "Yikes! My brain hurts!" That's the whole purpose - to make your brain work instead of cruise. Try it. Stay tuned . . .

Keep On Keeping On

2010-06-12T21:29:00.002-04:00

"Never quit." I am sure we have all heard this advice more times than we care to count. But it is probably some of the best advice I have received.

I recently found out that there will not be a job for me in my department after I graduate. The finances will not be there to fund my position on a full-time basis. I am disappointed because I really enjoy my job. Does that mean I give up and not continue to work hard on the projects I have been asked to do? Heavens, no! "Never quit." Even though the circumstances are not what I'd like, I will not give up, but will complete with integrity the tasks assigned to me.

How about you? Did you work hard all semester only to find that you got a C in a class or that you did not pass it at all? Are life's circumstances forcing you to cut back on the number of classes you can take or to rethink your educational goals? "Never quit". Hang in there. Reassess your goals, your opportunities, your abilities. Take a deep breath, step back and say, "Ok, what now?" Research your network -counselors at school, friends, business associates - in order to seek wise counsel before you act and reset your goals.

Life is not a smooth, six lane highway that goes straight from point A to point B. We must be prepared for the road construction, the rock slides, the washed out bridges, the detours, etc. It is the wise man who knows how to reprogram his life's GPS.

I say this all as much for myself as for you all. I am scared to death of grad school and the changes it represents. I dread taking the GRE because I am not a math person. I just have to grit my teeth, put my head down and move forward. I have to keep on keeping on. We nontrads have to stick together and be encouragement for one another. You can do it! I can do it! Stay tuned . . .

Prioritizing Tasks

2010-06-08T14:16:00.002-04:00

I guess you could say this is the sister post to my last post regarding accomplishing goals. One way to accomplish goals is to prioritize the tasks needed to get to those goals.

Take, for example, the goal of making the Dean's List. What tasks were needed to accomplish that goal? Good note taking, studying, class attendance, research for papers. In priority - 1) attend class, 2) take good notes, 3) use the notes and study guides the prof published to study for the exams, and 4) use the class notes and readings for the class to research and write the papers. It does no good to set a goal if you have no idea how to get there. Prioritizing your tasks gives you an idea of how to get there.

How does one prioritize? What's the most important thing? In the case of my making the Dean's list, the most important thing was to go to class. The most important thing may often seem like a "Well, duh!" We often tend to overlook the most simple things. The next most important task was to take good notes.

Do you have a goal you want to accomplish? Sit down and write that goal at the top of a piece of paper. Now, starting from the bottom up, make half-dollar sized circles leading up to your goal. These are your "stepping stones" or the tasks you are prioritizing. The most important one will be at the bottom - where you start.

Perhaps you want to save $100 a month. That's your goal and that goes at the top of your page. Your very first stepping stone would be "$10 in savings envelope by (date)". The next stepping stone would either be another $10 and the date or an increase (by $1 or $2) and the date. Figure out how many stepping stones you will need and fill them in. Once you have done that stepping stone (task), cross it off. Soon, all your stepping stones will be crossed off and you will have accomplished your goal.

Keep those tasks small and workable. Don't set huge tasks for yourself like "get A on first exam" or "save $100 from first paycheck". Start out small - "get B on first exam", "save $20 from first paycheck". There should be a logical order to your tasks - follow it.

Don't get discouraged if you get sidetracked along the way. We all do. Take a deep breath, regroup, and move forward. Abraham Lincoln once said, "I am not so concerned that you have fallen, I am concerned that you rise and move on" (loosely paraphrased). The main thing is that you are moving forward - whether it is with your education or other things you want to do in life. Resolve to keep moving forward.

A quick shout out to the nontrads at PSCC in Blount County - Hey, guys!! Hugs!!

Always remember to keep moving forward toward accomplishing your goals! Stay tuned . . .

Accomplishing Goals

2010-06-04T21:56:00.002-04:00

Setting goals and working hard to accomplish those goals ought to be a priority in anyone's life. After all, how does one move forward if one does not set goals? What is there to strive for?

I set a goal this semester - to make the Dean's List. I wanted to be magna or summa cum laude. I ended up with a 3.58 GPA which was good enough for cum laude. I made the Dean's List! I accomplished my goal. Now that I know I can do it, I may just try to set the bar a little higher for the fall semester.

I am taking this summer off, as I did last summer. I was going to do my foreign language this summer, but my finances had to be committed elsewhere. I have the chance to work 40 hours a week this summer - I am going to take it so I can save some money. That means I will be taking 15 hours next fall. I am hoping I don't have to take that many classes in the spring - that I can get away with only 12 hours.

Setting goals gives us direction - what do we want to do? Where do we want to go? Setting goals may seem like an overwhelming task, but if you remember to break it down into bite-sized pieces, it won't be so overwhelming.

Start by setting small realistic goals, like taking that one class at the community college. Once you have accomplished one goal, set another small goal. Work your way up to larger goals. For example, in my first semester back to school I took one class - Statistics. My second semester back, I took two classes. The next semester it was three classes. I am not going to take more than five classes at a time.

Knowing that math is very hard for me, my goal that first semester back was to pass the class. I did - with a C+. I set other goals, like getting good grades, being able to write an "A" paper for my English prof (I wasn't able to do that, but I got an A for the class), and doing well on exams. Now, as a full-time student, my goals are the same, but different. I still want to get good grades, but part of those good grades is receiving recognition for my hard work - like making the Dean's List.

What are your goals? How are you going to accomplish them? Remember, start out small and grow into your goals. Don't take on the world first thing out of the gate! When you achieve that first small goal, celebrate! After all, you did it! Many people set goals, but never accomplish them. Be vigilant, be intentional, be strong and courageous! You CAN and you WILL accomplish your goals! Stay tuned . . .

Stuff

2010-05-24T14:26:00.003-04:00

The title of this post is a catch-all - don't really have a title, but wanted to catch up on some "stuff".

Michael Antonio Dicianna in a fellow nontrad out in the western part of the United States. Check out his blog at http://reaching-lifelong-goals.com/. I like the title of his blog, "Nontraditional Student Reaching Lifelong Goals". I think that pretty much says it for most nontrads - that we are setting and reaching those lifelong goals. Kudos to Michael on his latest A+ research paper. Fascinating topic.

Kudos as well to Studentmum, too. She survived another challenging term as well as a move to a new house.

I ended up Cum Laude this semester, so I did make the Dean's List!! Ya, baby! This old gal still has it!

Got Megan graduated, so the next step is to get her to college in once piece in August. I will cry all the way home. The week with grandparents was okay. Current situation (divorce) has everyone on edge. Let's just say the time could have gone a lot better than it did. But, it's over, Megs is no longer in high school and we are all moving forward.

Oldest son moved up his wedding date to March 12, 2011 - the weekend before spring break. Hopefully it won't be snowing that weekend! Youngest son is living in Chattanooga in the frat house for the summer and will soon be working two jobs.

So, what are the words of wisdom from this post? Life goes on - make the most of it. It may seem sometimes that we are so busy, we see life as a blur. I would encourage you while you have some down time this summer, to stop and not let life pass you in a blur, but actually watch what is going on around you - in your family, in your relationships, in your community. Take time to reconnect with your "sphere of influence" - people, places, activities. Take time to enjoy life - laugh, have some cotton candy, and take the dog (or the neighbor's dog) for a walk. It will do wonders for your mental health! Stay tuned . . .

Never Too Old

2010-05-21T14:52:00.002-04:00

"I'm too old!" That seems to be the most common excuse to not go back to school. I am of the firm belief that one is never too old to go back to school. Learning should be a lifelong pursuit. Writing papers, studying, taking notes - it's all like changing diapers. You never quite forget how to do it!

While it may be true that age affects the way we learn, studies have shown that learning is good for your brain! Intellectual activity keeps those neurons strong and firing! I want healthy neurons, don't you??

If you are one of several thousands of people who are considering returning to school, what's holding you back? If age is one thing, forget about it! Returning to school as an older student is like jumping off the high dive at the neighborhood pool. Get out on the diving board, hold your breath and JUMP! You may scream until you hit the water, but then you realize the experience is quite exhilarating!

Life is an adventure to be lived! Don't be satisfied with rocking chair atrophy! Get out there and exercise your mental muscles and neurons. So what if it takes you another four years to finish a two-year degree? Next year when I graduate, it will have taken me 31 years to get my Bachelor's degree!

Thinking of returning to school but feel like you're to old? Hogwash! Just do it!! Stay tuned . . .

Warp Speed Syndrome

2010-05-19T11:44:00.003-04:00

Is it ever possible to drop out of warp speed as a nontrad? This is the question I have been pondering as of late. My semester ended, but nothing slowed down at all. I am still moving at warp speed. My poor dogs get caught up in the stiff breeze I generate as I rush past them in the kitchen, throwing a cup of dogfood into their bowls. I guess as long as they get fed and have water . . . .

School update: I got 2 A's, a B+ and a B. That averaged out to a 3.75 GPA for the semester. I will have to wait a couple of weeks to see if I made the Dean's List. If you happen to hear a loud, "Yeee-Hawww!!!" at the end of the month, that would be me signifying that I made it. I will be attending summer school at night at the community college (Monday - Thursday) with the same teacher I had for Beginning Spanish II a year ago.

Homefront update: Megan graduates tomorrow. It is a bittersweet moment because she is my last child to graduate from high school. I will miss her desperately, but I am excited for the adventure that awaits her. Aaron, #1 son, has moved up his wedding to the weekend before spring break next year. These next twelve months will be busy indeed!

Work update: I am learning MS Publisher so I can produce the EECS Department's annual report, newsletter, graduate brochure and anything else they need done. I am also the Logistics Coordinator for another department conference this summer.

Looks like I am not going to drop out of warp speed anytime soon. I have a few tips to share for those nontrads who may find themselves in the same boat - suffering from WSS - Warp Speed Syndrome.

1. Your house: If you keep things picked up, it will look less cluttered. Adopt a "Once-a-Week" attitude - vacuum once a week, clean the bathroom once a week, dust once a week, etc. Do one task each evening. Saves time and headaches. Feel free to adjust the schedule if you have small children or a long-haired dog.
2. Your car- same thing - "Once-a-Week". Go through the car and toss the junk out once a week. Keep a plastic grocery bag in back to toss garbage into as you go. Treat yourself to a car wash every other week - going through the car wash may be your only time to slow down.
3. Your family - unfortunately the "Once-a-Week" thing will not work with them. You're going to have to go to "Twice-a-Week" - for a family meal, for a quiet family night, for going out to ice cream together. Try a different twist on things - eat out on the deck. Grilled cheese sandwiches on the deck can be elegant.
4. Your pets - kill two (or three or four) birds with one stone. Again, this is not a "Once-a-Week" thing. Taking the dogs on an evening walk will not only give the dogs their exercise, but you will get exercise, destress and you can take family members along. That's three birds. The fourth one is that you will be getting out and will get a chance to slow down just a bit - depending on the pace your dog keeps.
5. Yourself - this cannot be a "Once-a-Week" thing at all!! You are the only you that you have, so you need to take care of yourself. Functioning at warp speed can spell disaster if you do not do things like - take the time to destress and slow down, make sure you eat properly, get a good night's sleep and laugh.

What are the signs of Warp Speed Syndrome?
1. Everything is a blur - your spouse, the kids, the dogs, your friends.
2. You start speaking in cryptic sentences - like not finishing one sentence before starting another.
3. Your body slows down at night to go to sleep, but your mind is still moving like Jeff Gordon at Daytona.
4. You can't remember the last time you did whatever (not necessarily that whatever).
5. You stop at the stop sign waiting for the light to change.

Find a time to put the breaks on and just . . . . . do . . . . . nothing! My "put the breaks on" will come this weekend - taking my Mom to the Farmer's Market downtown, downloading with Megan once it sinks in that she is out of high school - forever, and enjoying time with my sons and their ladies.

I need to go get a car wash. Stay tuned . . . .

Stop and Smell the Roses

2010-05-10T11:23:00.002-04:00

There is a climbing rosebush by my back deck that is currently bursting with blooms. On Saturday morning, as I let my dogs out to do the "doggie thing", they both stopped and smelled one of the large blossoms on the bush. I laughed. Even my dogs know to stop and smell the roses!

I had my last final this morning so I am finished for the semester. Now some time to relax! Megan graduates in less than two weeks. I will be busy preparing for a house full to guests, so my time of relaxing will be a tad short-lived. However, it is important to take some time to download and just do nothing!

As a nontrad, I am so used to functioning at the speed of sound. I have to remember that it's not always good to wake up each morning and immediately jump into warp drive. There is something to be said for relaxing and taking the time to destress from the semester. No more papers to worry about, no more exams to study for, no more rushing to class at 8:55 am.

Healthcare and mental health experts will tell you it is important to let go of stress, that it manifests itself physically (high blood pressure, weight gain, insomnia) and mentally (inability to concentrate, irritability) and can shorten the average person's life span by a couple years. With that in mind, what are some good ideas for destressing?

1. Get rid of your schoolbooks - either sell them or put them away in a box in the back of the clost under the stairs. Take time to disconnect from all things school related.
2. Give yourself permission to just sit. And do nothing. Sit on the back deck with a cup of coffee, sit on the living room couch and pet Fido, sit on your front porch and watch the mockingbirds chase the crows, sit in the backyard and watch the sun set. It's okay to just sit and not have a notebook and pen or open laptop in front of you.
3. Take a walk - slow, leisurely, contemplative. I work on campus, so this is my home away from home. Now as I walk through campus, I can walk and enjoy what I am doing instead of having to rush to get to class on time.
4. Tackle that "to read" stack of books on your nightstand.
5. Do nothing over the weekend except spend time with that group of folks who dirty your house, leave their socks under the couch and don't see the overflowing garbage in the garbage can - your family. Who cares if the house looks like someone is conducting nuclear bomb testing under your property? Have a set time to clean up your house. As for now, immediately after finishing your semester, just go hang out with your family. They, and you, will appreciate the "no pressures" time you make for each other.
6. Bake cookies, make banana bread, make homemade ice cream - do something yummy and creative.
7. Turn the alarm clock off on Saturday morning and get up when you get up. Enjoy that time in bed with what's-his-name or what's-her-name. They need your attention, too.
8. Finally, if you're a woman, go buy yourself a plant or some flowers. There's something renewing about green growing things. If you're a guy, go to Home Depot and smell the lumber.

The whole point? Chillax! You deserve it! Stay tuned . . .

The Winds of Change

2010-05-07T12:40:00.002-04:00

As I write this post, I look out my office window to see the wind pulsating through the magnolia tree just on the other side of the wall. My window is open and I can hear the noises of the machinery and men who are doing renovations on and near the football stadium (my office is just across a large parking lot from the football stadium). Just outside my window, they are putting in a new green space, complete with a waterfall, picnic benches and lots of green grass. You can be sure I will frequent that green space once it's done.

There are many changes occurring on campus. These are the last few days of finals, so many students are gearing up to head home for the summer. Commencement is next week and summer school starts on campus in little more than two weeks.

There are many changes occurring in my life. I will be entering my last year as a senior (I've been a senior for the last year and half!). My daughter graduates from high school in two weeks and will head off to college in Georgia in the fall. My oldest son will be getting married in March. I will be facing an empty nest - alone. I have learned not to shun change or to run from it, but to embrace it, to face it head on.

What about you? Are you new to the world of nontrads and this is probably the most frightening thing you've ever done? Are you smack dab in the middle of your nontrad experience wondering, "What was I thinking??" Are you on the tail end, perhaps graduating this month, or maybe you are like me and have just one more year to go? Wherever you are in your nontrad student journey, you are facing changes - a new beginning, getting your second wind, putting school behind you and getting on with your newly-degreed life. The winds of change are blowing - marvel at them and see what settles out of the whirlwind! Stay tuned . . .

The Forest and the Trees

2010-05-02T07:28:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, Saturday, May 1, Megan, her friend, Kelsey and I, visited the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest outside of Robinsville, NC. It took us a couple hours to get there because of the weather and because we had to go through Cherokee National Forest. The road through the forest is apparently quite popular with motorcyclists because it is very winding. We had to climb to 4100 feet, then back down to 2500 feet to get to the JKM Forest.

The trip was worth it! The trees were huge! They were at least 12 feet around and 50 feet tall. The wildflowers were amazing and plentiful - may apple, Solomon's plume, Solomon's seal, white and purple violets, foam flower, white and read trillium and several others. We heard palliated woodpeckers and other birds. The stream that ran through the forest was beautiful as well. It was a fitting end to a week that saw the completion of another challenging semester.

That brings me to the reason for the title of this post. Sometimes, we can have a very challenging and difficult semester - lots of papers, perhaps a math class that is very difficult, maybe a professor that has an attitude, or situations in our personal life that make it difficult to concentrate on school. Those things are the forest. It's easy to get lost in the forest.

We need to stop and look at the trees and see how beautiful they are. Is there something you are learning from your research on that paper topic? Is there a classmate who understands math and is willing to be in a study group with you who has made the class a little easier? Has the professor's attitude made you kick it up just a notch and demand a little more of yourself? Has the situation in your personal life made you realize you need to pull back a little on school to give more to your family? Whatever the case may be, it's worth stopping to look at the trees.

There is a saying, "You can't see the forest for the trees", which means you can't see the big picture because you're too busy worrying about the minute details. Sometimes, those details are worth paying attention to so you can see the big picture, "A forest is made up of many trees." Stay tuned . . .

One Step at a Time

2010-04-26T15:17:00.002-04:00

The end of the semester is now officially less than a week away. Yea! My first final is on Friday - the last day of class. The prof is giving us the option to take it then or take it on the day the final is really scheduled for. I am opting for Friday.

Prom was ok. Megan looked beautiful. It's just that nothing in high school is done without high drama. Such is life. At least I got some valuable insight about her this weekend that I hope will lead to making some good decisions about her future. Now, we just need to get through graduation! I know I will cry my eyes out!

I am in the throes of writing a paper for Asian Studies, studying for finals, editing faculty directories on the department website, finalizing (for the umpteenth time) the department newsletter and learning the department desktop publishing software so I can do the department newsletter, the graduate brochure and possibly the annual report. Hey, I used to have small children - I am used to juggling running chainsaws.

Just need to take it all one step at a time . . . and wear steel-toed boots! Stay tuned . . .

What You Know and Who You Know

2010-04-23T09:35:00.003-04:00

The end of the semester is almost here. I can't wait. I love the beginning of each semester because I love the challenge of new knowledge. However, I really like it when the semester ends because by then, I am ready to move on to other challenges.

But before I can move on, I have to prove to my professors what I know in the form of finals and papers. I have a 10-page paper due in my Asian Studies class in lieu of a final. My paper is on Mao and Nixon and the immediate after-effects of Nixon's visit to China. In between now and the day the paper is due, Megan has prom and starts her new job, so life happens in spite of Mao.

Yesterday I was talking to my former Computer Science teacher, telling her how I had to take 15 hours a semester next year in order to graduate (some bizarre university policy that my last 30 hours had to come from UT) if I want to take my foreign language at the community college this summer. She said, "Oh, no you don't. The university will waive that for you. Come see me and I'll take care of that for you." Cool! I don't have to knock myself out next year and end up with a bazillion more credits than I actually need. Good thing I know the right person who knows how to get that requirement waived.

I am investigating a Master's program at the University of Georgia in Environmental History. I have gotten lots of encouragement from my Geo prof and other environmental historians I have contacted. Now I just need to dialog with my history department here at UT. The thing about environmental history is that it straddles two cultures - history and science, so the social dynamics are a bit muddled and territorial. I am reading a great book entitled, "First Along the River: A Brief History of the US Environmental Movement" by Dr. Benjamin Kline. It is quite fascinating! I told my Geo prof this morning that I know what I want to be when I grow up - an environmental historian!

The encouragement from this post? Keep plugging way! If you're not sure why you are where you are, but you know you're supposed to be in school, hang in there. You'll figure it out eventually! Stay tuned . . .

Nothing is Ever Wasted

2010-04-09T08:31:00.003-04:00

A couple years ago when I decided to return to school to finish up my degree, I discovered that about half of my previous college credits transferred. My advisor told me that there were a couple of classes I could "petition" for credit. That meant I would have to write to the school to obtain a course description and syllabus - for a class I took over 25 years ago! I opted to repeat the class. Did I waste my time? Should I have petitioned? I don't think so. I have enjoyed the opportunity to "update" my knowledge.

Yesterday, I signed up to take Spanish during the summer at the community college. UT has a policy that my last 30 hours prior to graduation must be from UT. That means that in order to take Spanish at PSCC and have it count, I need to take at least 15 hours my last two semesters at UT. Are you with me so far? I want to take Spanish at PSCC during the summer because a) it will be cheaper and b) it will be easier. I was only signed up for 13 hours in the fall. Now I have to find another class to take - one that will be relatively easy since I am taking things like Paleogeology and Hydrogeology to satisfy my Geology minor. At this point in time, many of the classes are full since registration has been going on for at least a month.

What class do I take? And will it be a "wasted" class - like fill-in fluff? An advisor in the Arts and Sciences Advising Department told me the class will not be "wasted" since I need it to make up the 30 hours I will need for graduation. In all, I only need 120 hours to graduate. By the time I am done, I will have 167 hours. I think I need to petition for a "General Studies" minor. Stay tuned . . .

Sunshine Stymies Studying

2010-04-04T21:17:00.003-04:00

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday today. It was so nice that my motivation for studying totally disappeared. So, I sit here at 9:30 at night trying to decide - do I study now or in the morning? I am not one to advocate procrastination or last-minuteness, but given the fact that this has been the first weekend it has not rained and winter has hung on so long, it's hard not to take advantage of the beautiful weather!

I'm sorry - I have no useful tips or advice for ignoring the weather and hunkering down to study. The only thing I can say is, get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather! All studying and no play makes one pale and dull. This is one of those times I am going to advocate waiting until the last minute to study! A little sunshine and fresh air does a body - and a mind - a world of good.

The advice from this post? Take time to stop and smell the roses! Stay tuned . . .

Mao, Krishna and My Fall Schedule

2010-03-30T09:35:00.004-04:00

We're on the homestretch - yea! The last day of classes for UT is April 30. In the meantime, most of my classmates have serious cases of spring fever and the motivation level of the average student has taken a serious hit. I am desperately trying not to fall into either one of those categories.

Next week is not a good week for me - two exams on Monday, one exam on Tuesday, and a research paper topic to pick. Everything seems to accelerate towards the end of the semester. To add to the craziness, I need to figure out my fall schedule as well. How do I keep my sanity and finish strong? I know I've share some of these things before, but they are worth repeating:

1. Prioritize - don't panic. Concentrate on one thing at a time. Of the two exams I have Monday, which class am I doing better in? I will peruse my notes for that one, hit some of the highlights and move on to studying for the exam in the other class. Monday night, I will study for the exam on Tuesday.

2. Review - I take good notes, I attend every class and I (mostly) stay awake during class. I will review my notes and any readings we had for the classes.

3. Ask questions - if I don't understand something, now is the time (in the next couple of days) to email my profs for clarification on anything. I will not wait until the last minute to clarify something I am not sure about.

4. Get a good night's sleep - this is always crucial before an exam. I don't want to fall asleep or not be clear-headed for the exam the next morning. Staying up all night long cramming for an exam is not the best thing to do.

5. Eat breakfast - I can concentrate better when I have eaten breakfast - my tummy is not growling and food acts as fuel for my brain.

It is supposed to a beautiful Easter weekend. I am going to enjoy the weather before I have to worry about Mao, Krishna and my fall schedule. Do you have exams coming up? Don't panic! Stay tuned . . .

Crunch Time Again

2010-03-25T20:00:00.002-04:00

It's that time again - we have less than six weeks left of school. Where did this semester go?? Exams, papers, projects - all seem to be due at the same time. So, what do you do if you are facing multiple assignments due at the same time? Try a few of these tips:

1. Write the assignment due dates down on a calendar so you can see how much time you have between each assignment.
2. Prioritize. If an assignment is due in one of your more difficult classes, start that assignment first.
3. Once you know what the assignment is, get started on it. There is nothing wrong with starting a paper two weeks ahead of the due date.
4. Once the assignment is complete, put it someplace where you won't lose it (flashdrive, folder, etc.). This sounds like common sense, but you'd be surprised at how easily assignments can get lost.
5. DON'T PROCRASTINATE!! Learn to say "No" to those non-essential life activities. If you explain to the PTA president that you are a nontraditional student and have a major paper due, she will cut you some slack on those 3 dozen cupcakes.

Time management, delegation of duties, learning to say, "No" - these are all good things for nontrads to learn. This is a season in your life and once you get through it and have that degree, perhaps once again you'll have time to bake 3 dozen cupcakes. Right now, papers and exams take priority over cupcakes. Hang in there! Stay tuned . . .

May My Words Be Sweet, For Tomorrow I May Have to Eat Them

2010-03-25T19:43:00.004-04:00

This is not my typical "useful nontrad stuff" post.

I had to talk to my oldest son today about some difficult subjects. I have been thinking all week about what I was going to say to him. Being a follower of Christ, I pray. So, I prayed before I talked to Aaron. I remembered the poster I had seen years ago of two prairie dogs eating dandelions with the caption, "May my words be sweet, for tomorrow I may have to eat them." It was a difficult conversation, but it was good. And my words were sweet.

We are behind in my Asian Studies class - no where near what the syllabus says. The prof is trying to catch us up to where we are supposed to be. Tuesday, he announced we would not have the exam we were supposed to have today. Several students asked if it could be postponed until the week after Easter. The prof looked at me and asked, "What do you think?" I told him, "Sounds good to me." He postponed the exam until the Tuesday after Easter. Why did the prof need my okay? Not sure, but I think it has something to do with my words to him. I have learned to speak kindly to and about a professor in and out of the classroom because you never know who is listening. Last semester, I did have to eat my words about one prof and they were not sweet at all. It was humbling.

Much has been said and studied about the power of words - not just the written word, but the spoken word as well. We do good to one another when we speak words of life to each other - genuine encouragement, praise, and admiration. You never know what affect a kind word will have on another person.

I have been more aware of my words lately. Perhaps it is because I am not under the negative influence of my husband any longer. I choose more often to say life-giving than words that discourage. Perhaps today you might encourage a classmate or a professor with life-giving words. Life-giving words are much sweeter. Stay tuned . . .

Have Laptop, Will do Homework (Anytime, Anywhere)

2010-03-21T12:08:00.002-04:00

How many times do we find ourselves longing for "the good old days"? You know, the days without cell phones, laptops, gridlock, rat race, etc. We discussed "the good old days" in one of my history classes a couple semesters ago and came to the conclusion that "the good old days" are a myth, that we only remember the good about the good old days and not the bad.

I remember when my Mom went to get her Master's degree. She did not have a laptop or a cell phone. She spent long hours at the library writing in longhand then typing all that out on an IMB Selectric typewriter (remember those??) and had to find a payphone to call us if she needed anything.

In many ways, I am glad times have changed and we have the technology that allows us to be more mobile. It helps with my time management. Megan had a volleyball tournament in Franklin, TN this weekend and, as always, I took my homework with me. I did less homework and watched more volleyball and more NCAA hoop action. Oh, well. What are weekends for?

The whole point is that without my laptop, I would fall behind in my schoolwork. I don't know how my Mom did it without all the great technology we had today. I guess my laptop can also be a drawback as I am chained to it because of having to do schoolwork. However, it is a great tool and it is good knowing that wherever I am, as long as there is an electric outlet, I am good to go!

How about you? What is your take on today's technology and how it affects your education? and what is your favorite gadget that you absolutely cannot do without? Gotta run - homework calls! Stay tuned . . .

Amassing versus Expanding Knowledge

2010-03-14T19:40:00.002-04:00

Sir Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is power". Some people know a lot about a little, some people know a little about a lot and some people know a lot about a lot. I know a little about a lot. That's how I like it. I like to expand my knowledge. To me, knowledge is like the tiles of a mosaic instead of the mosaic itself. Everything I know is a piece of the person that is me.

See that blue tile over there? That's what I know about weather. See those brown tiles over there? That's what I know about Geology. See those funny shaped, odd-colored tiled over there? That's what I know about raising children. See those Milk-bone shaped tiles over there? That's what I know about dogs. See those green tiles over there? That's what I know about plants. And I could go on and on. I can point out all the different colors to you as we stand close to the mosaic, but when we stand a few feet away, you will see that all those tiles make a portrait of me.

To me, amassing knowledge is like accumulating books and setting them on shelves, never intending to read them, but having them because having that many books makes one look intelligent. What good is gaining knowledge if you are not going to use it? Expanding knowledge is adding to what you already have and making what you have better so that you can use it more effectively.

For me, going to school has been expanding my knowledge. I already know just enough to be annoying, but by going to school, I mature from Cliff Claven to Colonel Henry Potter. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with these characters, google Cheers and M*A*S*H.)

"Knowledge is power." I don't intend to have the kind of power that would take over the world, just change my little corner of it. How 'bout you?? Stay tuned . . .