Diversity in Non-Traditionals

Photo Credit: www.online.colostate.edu

I chose to share this picture with the readers of this blog because I feel it is a perfect representation of non-traditional students.

So often we stereotype people based on their economic class, gender, and race. However when it comes to being a non-traditional student, many of those stereotypes fall away. It them becomes much more clear that there is a large group of people working towards a similar goal, and each one of these people has a story.

Through my journey as a non-traditional student, I have learned a lot from my non-traditional peers. The picture above would look much different were it not for the diverse students in my classes, as well as the career-focused groups around me. My major, General Studies, consists primarily of non-traditional students. Having the opportunity to discuss and learn from each one of them has changed my perspective on my career, as well as my major.

Although there are many differences that make non-traditional students unique to their own story, they also hold many similarities. One of those similarities is a sense pride. I do not mean the pride that turns people away; I mean the kind that comes with the accomplishment of something someone has worked hard for. Being able to tell people what is involved in non-traditional students’ lives, and what it takes to keep everything moving forward is something to be proud of. Another shared trait among non-traditional students is hard work. Hard workers always come out on top. It takes a great deal of hard work and dedication to earn a degree as a non-traditional student.

This picture represents me, you, and every other non-traditional student in this world. With every ounce of diversity lays a similarity among all of us. We learn the most about ourselves and the world around is when those similarities are found.

Motivation Monday 030716

       

Photo Credit: www.thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com

We are back to another Motivation Monday! I hope everyone had an excellent week. The message for today’s motivation is all about organization. Every year, I hear at least ten people say their new year’s resolution is to “get organized” – were you one of those people this year? I was. How is that going for you so far?

“First comes thought; then the organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.”

- Napoleon Hill

As a non-traditional student, I have found myself having many good thoughts; such as the ones mentioned in Napoleon Hill’s quote, but that is just what they are - thoughts. It is easy to come up with awesome ideas or plans, but executing them is the challenging part.  If I sit down once a week and organize my thoughts and ideas, I have a much easier time turning them into actions.

Here are some tricks that I use to stay organized:

• Keep one planner. In the planner, write everything you have scheduled (tests, meetings at work, assignments due, dinners with friends, etc.). I enjoy the Day-Timer Planner.  I use the two-page per day format that way I have room to write everything.
•  Put reminders in your phone for certain things. Today, we use our cellphones for much more than making calls. There is an awesome free app called Cozi. You can input any and all appointments, set reminders, and your phone will alert you according to the reminder time you set. You can also have a “family account” where your calendar is shared with all the members of your family. This allows everyone to be aware of everyone else’s schedule. This app really is a lifesaver.
• Pre-cook meals for the week on Sunday. Sunday evenings are usually when I catch up on homework. This year, I decided to dedicate Sunday evenings to pre-cooking my meals for the week. This has helped immensely. It is also a big money saver.
• If you can handle it, shower before bed rather than in the morning. If you are anything like me, it is really easy to get frazzled in the morning. Eliminating the time it takes to shower and dry your hair, adds at least twenty minutes to your morning routine to use grabbing the things you will need throughout the day.

Everyone would be organized if it were easy. While it is challenging, it is not impossible. The tips listed above really are great if you put them to use. What are your organization tips? Do you have rituals that make your life easier? I would love to hear about them.

Have a great week!

Motivation Mondays!

      Photo Credit: www.yast.com                        

In this blog, Mondays will be dedicated to motivation. Sometimes we all need a boost. We need words of inspiration from people we admire, or strive to imitate. Our first quote is from Thomas Edison:

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

Thomas Edison

It is tough to go to school, earn the grades it takes to graduate, and perform in work. Mr. Edison makes an excellent point by telling you not to give up. Giving up is the biggest disservice you can do for yourself.

You can do this!

Sometimes it feels like too much. There are many severely overwhelmed non-traditional students and their lives can be overcome with anxiety. It is important to remember there are resources that can help you!

IU South Bend has a Counseling Center available to all students and faculty.  In the Counseling Center, there are many professionals there to speak with in confidence about any and all issues you may be having. They aid in depression, anxiety, time management (which is a big one for non-traditionals), and much more.

In addition to the resources at school, it is important to surround yourself with people who inspire you to keep pushing through. I have had friends and acquaintances that have tried to distract me from my goals. It is easy to let your friends convince you to go out for drinks rather than finish a paper due the next day. At some point it becomes easier to rid the negative influences on your plan and the bigger picture becomes more important.

Until then, keep your head up! Things are never as bad as they seem. If life becomes unmanageable, there are resources out there to help you through it. And remember, if this whole college thing were easy, everyone would be doing it. The fact that you are going to school, working, raising your children, and doing everything else you do is incredible, and you should be proud.

  Motivation can come from everywhere – you just have to recognize it.

About This Blog

If you have found yourself in this blog - Welcome!

I found myself writing this blog when I concluded I am living a non-traditional student's life to the fullest. A non-traditional student can hold many definitions, however for the purpose of this blog, we will consider a non-traditional student to be someone who: works full time and goes to school part time, goes to school full time and works part time, or, for those of you who are really brave, goes to both work and school full time. All people are dealt a different hand. There are some whose parents can afford to fund their college experience and make sure they get through in four years without worrying about anything outside of earning a degree. There are others who work their butts off to pay their way through school and end without a dime in student debt (if this is you, I am officially giving you a virtual gold medal for being unbelievably awesome - seriously you should be proud). There are also people such as myself who are working full time, taking eighteen credit hours, and praying that we remembered to put deodorant on before leaving the house.

I began attending college in the fall of 2011. I was a fresh faced 18-year-old who thought college would be a simple extension to the walk in the park people called high school. The first three years were fun; directionless, but fun! When I saw that my friends from high school were graduating with bachelor's degrees in impressive fields, and entering the business world with a solid foundation, I had a bit of an oh crap moment. Where had I gone wrong? What were they doing that I was not? This realization was simultaneous to the reality that I was running out of "Get Out of Jail Free" cards with my mom.

There are some things that seem impossible; such as attending that meeting at work, getting a ten page paper submitted, and remembering to buy a birthday gift for your brother's girlfriend whose name just will not stick in your brain. That leads me to the purpose of this blog. This blog will outline experiences I have had in my adventures as a non-traditional student. I will give tips and pointers on how to either avoid the experiences altogether, or how to handle them exponentially better than I did. I will share with you what I have learned in school, work, and life. This blog will give you a new perspective - something I have grown to appreciate. I ask that as a reader, you be an active participant in the blog as well. If you are anything like me, you have a lot of questions. While reading this blog, if a question comes to mind, ask. I appreciate any and all questions and comments - positive comments only please.

I look forward to sharing this part of me with you. And again, welcome to the Traditions of a Non-Traditional!