The Non-Traditional Student Blog (BA)

Some great advice from a Nontrad Yahoo Group member

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Some great advice from a nontraditional student - 7 tips

This photo of St. Aidan's College is by John Phillips and has a CC license.

Amanda is a nontraditional student who is a member of the Yahoo Nontrads Group.

She wrote a new member who is going back to school, and gave some great advice to her today. It is advice that all nontraditional students can use.

Here are some of her tips:

#1. Learn to say no sometimes. Just because you are a student, that doesn't mean you have lots of free time. Often, it means you don't!

#2. Guard your study time, because it is important.

#3. Learn to lower your housekeeping standards - it's necessary sometimes. She made a schedule for this too.

#4. Go on autopilot and don't feel guilty about it sometimes too.

#5. Try using different kinds of planners, whatever kind is easy for you to use.

#6. Keep organized... color-coding can help too.

#7. Keep easy-to-prepare food on hand to save time.

I love these tips.

Thanks, Amanda!

Betsyanne
Current and Former Nontraditional Student
Current: Ceramics, art, and online selling
Former: Education.

Some Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Job Finding Resources for Nontraditional Students and others

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:05:00 +0000

This is for all you just-graduated nontraditional students out there.

I have found some great job resources that I will share with you. Some internet and job-seeking savvy nontraditional students will already know about these.

Others may have other great links. If you do, please share them with other nontraditional students by leaving these good links as a comment at the end of this posting. Thank you!

Here are a few of the job-seeking links I like and some links that look worth exploring too:

#1. Linked In - I have already seen messages from groups I have joined (think: Alumni groups) about jobs. These jobs may not even be listed in papers or online. These people may want somebody like you. Here is the Linked In Link.

(scroll down for more sites)

#2. The official U.S. Government Jobs site.

#3. The Monster Job Search Site.

#4. The Career Builder Site.

#5. The Internet Inc. Job Search Pagehas job search categories based on what kind of job you want to research.

And here is my Job Search Pagepage I made for Kentucky.

-Betsyanne Current (art lessons) and former (teacher ed program at WKU)nontraditional student.

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Please excuse the sometimes weird look of this posting. I am just now learning how to post using an iPad, and it is a lot harder to format for me so far. I hope to get better at it later. :-)

I like this idea from Louisville, Kentucky - The Family Scholar Program

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:33:00 +0000

Family Scholars - a Louisville, Kentucky nonprofit - they are doing great things!

I ran across this article yesterday. It is about the Family Scholar Program, which includes a place for families to stay while mothers go back to school.

Here is that article:
Family Scholar program helps single mothers reach special day (and a few fathers too). Via the Courier-Journal.

What a great idea. Wouldn't it be terrific if more schools did this? I enjoyed this article about how this organization is helping so many families.

Here is a quote from the article:

"Family Scholar House, which provides subsidized apartments, day care, academic help, counseling, social services and career counseling, has expanded rapidly in recent years — growing from four families in 2005 to 171 now on three Louisville campuses. More than 80 parents have earned degrees since its inception, and double that number are working toward diplomas."

The group has received a wonderful donation that will allow them to expand their program even more.

I love good news like this, and hope it inspires other similar donations and programs too.

Betsyanne

The Family Scholars Article Link

Former Nontraditional Student (in Education at WKU)
and Current Nontraditional Student (Taking pottery classes at The Pots Place).

Today's Nontrads pay too much to go back to school - some thoughts...

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:09:00 +0000

Hello, nontraditional students and those who help them.

I am downtown today at the Pots Place today in beautiful Bowling Green Kentucky. I ran across a newspaper article yesterday. Another Kentucky University is raising its tuition prices, because they are facing a shortfall in State funding.

Is this happening at your school? I hope not, but it could very well be happening all over. And we may also have a hike in interest rates for those going back to school too.

I wish it weren't happening.

For some, going to a less expensive school or a community college can be an answer. For others, getting a loan via the regular avenues (Stafford, etc.) will be the answer.

It's just not feasible for many students to just say, "Oh, well... I guess I'd better wait to go back to school..." because they may NEED the extra training to get a good job.

Yes, it's easy to be pessimistic about going back to school right now. But many people are taking the chance and doing it anyway.

My advice? Be careful. Make sure all your credits transfer if you are going to try a for-profit school or a community college even, or if you are taking an online class. Make sure that the job outlook is good for what you want to learn. And remember that you will be needing to pay your student loan off when you are out of school.

I would love it if we could all go back to school and have it be low-cost, or even free. Maybe some day this will happen. After all, it's good for the country to have well-educated citizens.

What are YOUR plans? Are you in school already?

Share your thoughts about today's school costs below as a comment.

Betsyanne

Former Nontrad Student (who took Education classes at WKU)
and Current Nontrad Student (taking pottery classes at The Pots Place)

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo
Nontrads on Twitter

Something to think about - and how are your finals going?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:03:00 +0000

WKU has Commencement soon. Do you?

London Fireworks photo by Chris Downer on Geograph.

I am enjoying reading about my Facebook friends who are graduating this year. They are taking finals and are excited about that too. (Or just terrified...)

So... how is your education experience going, nontraditional students?

Leave your thoughts in a comment at the end of this posting.

Also, I just listed something fun for students still enrolled in school. Why not spend some time applying for some unusual and unknown scholarships this summer? Here is that link:

Unusual, odd, wacky, and unknown scholarships and sites to explore.

I wish you the BEST of luck on your exams, graduation, and enrollment for next year or for Summer Term.

All for today,

Betsyanne

Some tips for nontraditional students for finals and tests

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:41:00 +0000

Exams... deadlines... stress... finals... plans!<
Are you finishing final projects, or getting ready for exams and tests? At this time of year, this is normal. If you have kept good records and have gone to class regularly, you may find yourself sitting pretty and fairly well organized.

Need help? Consider visiting a free tutoring area if this is available, and go see your teacher to narrow down what you need to study.

You may want to increase the number of times your study group meets in certain classes.

Remember to get plenty of sleep during this could-be stressful time too, and take good care of yourself.

These postings from this blog may help you too:

10 Tips and Links to help you do GREAT on your Finals and Tests
Get Organized for Finals

Good luck on finals and tests this semester.

Leave a comment about how it is going!

Thanks,

Betsyanne

Current and former Nontraditional Student

Some Nontrad links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Two recent USA Today articles definitely are of interest to nontraditional students - and all students, in fact.

#1: More Schools vary tuition by major. Do you agree with this? Some majors would pay one price, others, like math and science degrees, would cost more. I have not heard of this before, and I wonder if more schools will jump on this bandwagon. This article is by Alicia McCarty: More schools vary tuition by major.

#2. Obama talks low loan rates in pitch to college students. President Obama has been talking about his and his wife's students loans lately. This article, by Richard Wolf, Catalina Carnia and David Jackson tells of a speech by President Obama at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

President Obama wants to see less interest on students loans, and is speaking against raising Stafford loan interest rates to double what they are now. What do you think of this happening? Of course, it would happen only to new borrowers, but the rate is already a lot higher than I and others think it should.

The article says an even bigger problem right now is that graduates right now have few jobs to pick from. Leave a comment on these issues below. Thanks!

Betsyanne
Current and Former Nontraditional Student

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Student Loans - what you should know, and some tips

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:17:00 +0000

Do you have a student loan? Are you thinking of getting one?

You should know that student loans in the U.S. aren't all the same. For instance, a Stafford Loan can have a fixed interest rate of around 6.8%.

A Perkins Loan can be 5% interest, and has a 10-year payment period. A PLUS loan (parent loan) is about 7.9%.

This is more than current interest rates for savers, because the rate of school loans is made by Congress, and does not change as much as the cost of living does.

One thing is for sure (and has been all over the news lately) - all student loans must be repaid. Many lenders have you start repaying 6 months after you are out of school, or are not in school at least part-time.

Getting a private (not government) loan is generally more expensive. And putting student debt on a credit card can be extremely costly.

As you may have heard on the news lately, declaring bankruptcy does not get someone out of paying a loan.

But not all students can raise the money nowadays to attend college just from a summer job or savings. So getting a student loan can be necessary.

Be careful, take as many courses as you can per semester (as many as you can safely handle), and have a plan for what you want to take. Making a course plan is very important, as you can save money by not having to wait and take another semester of classes just because of a prerequisite that you forgot to take. Make sure you get an adviser too, to prevent this kind of mistake.

Make sure to ask your advisor about your credits transferring, if you plan to take more courses at another school or graduate school. There have been some scary stories of much student loan money being paid and lost and credits not applying towards a professional program.

And don't just go by what the advisor says, check for yourself at your second school before you spend time and money for classes that will not help you.

Are you looking for a loan? Fill out your information at the FAFSA site, and you will see all the loans available for you. You may even qualify for a scholarship or grant there too, and with the help of the FinAid or Fastweb site.

Find out more:

Loans - at the FinAid site.

The Stafford Loan website

Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans

The official FAFSA site

Via Wikipedia: The Federal Perkins loan

Probe finds Fraud and Deception at For-Profit Schools (From USA Today)

And here are more of myome nontraditional student links:

The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Betsyanne
Former and current Nontraditional Student

Are you ready to go back to school?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Here are some home study and prep ideas for New Nontraditional Students.
Before going back to school, check with an advisor there, and go talk to him or her. Some schools have back to school programs for new students. They may also have testing to place you at your correct level for certain classes like English or Math.

If you can plan ahead at least a half a year, you can take online quizzes or tests and get your skills back too.

One or two study helps are buying a study book with CD, such as a Peterson's or Kaplan study guide. Here are some examples:

You may also want to brush up on your computer and typing skills. Peter's Online Typing course is a good site for brushing up on your typing.

And some good and free computer courses are listed on my Betsyanne For Seniors page.

Remember to give yourself a pep talk too! It can help you go ahead with your plans. Good luck in going back to school.

And here is the official FAFSA page for when you decide to see how much loan, grant, or scholarship money you qualify for.

All for now,

Betsyanne

College, trade school, a GED - is one on your bucket list?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:46:00 +0000

This posting is for people who have always wanted to go back to school, but keep putting it off.
There can be many valid reasons for putting going back to school on a bucket list for "someday"... It's hard to change habits and make that jump into something new.

Finances may be tight. Family responsibilities can take a lot of time. Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be a way to make college or GED dreams happen.

Are you one of those people who keep putting off going back to school? Has it been a long time since you were in school?

This site can help you get your GED, if this is holding you back: The Your GED Site.

There are other sites and groups that can help you with the motivation you need to go back to school, whether it is GED class, a trade school, or college. Some links that help with those things are below this posting that you might also find helpful.

The first step is that phone call for an appointment to talk to an admittance person or appointment with a school guidance person.

After that, you can fill out a FAFSA to see how much money you can get with a student loan. Some schools will help with child care, and have groups and special study areas just for students going back to school after a break.

Of course, be careful about for-profit schools. Public schools can be safer for you. Make sure that you are going to an accredited school and you will be able to transfer your credits later on too.

So... does this article nudge you a little bit? I hope so. I was a nontraditional student and I learned so much. It gave me more self-confidence, and taught me a lot about the world.

All for now,

Betsyanne

Former and current non-traditional student
Kentucky

Here are some more of my Nontrad links:
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo
Nontrads on Twitter

Advice for new and student teachers: Follow your heart first, my new ebook, and tips from experience.

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000

A posting for nontraditional education students.

My decision to go back to school, saving time, teacher ed, finding a good school to teach in for your first year, what I did not know, my new ebook, more.

When I went back to school as a nontraditional student, I followed a self-imposed timeline. Mostly, I wanted to save time and not have too many student loan payments to make. I had many more English credits than anything else, so I decided to go for a teaching certificate in this subject. Also a plus: I enjoyed English and writing. I thought I could inspire my students and have fun teaching this subject too.

As many of my readers know, hindsight is 20/20. Now I wish I had chosen art as my teaching subject. Even though some art classes get students with behavior problems dumped into their classes too, I believe that some new art teachers have the chance to get some students who actually want to be there. I don't know if having a different subject emphasis would have helped me enjoy my first teaching role more though - by itself. But it would have been fun anyway, to take some more studio classes. Back to the subject.

I was a Teacher Ed Student. Some if what I did NOT know was...

Student and novice teachers: Prepare for a rude awakening if you have a class of students who don't even want to be there. This can be so difficult that you may think of quitting the profession, or you may be shoved in that direction by others. I did not know this could even happen.

I was lucky when I was in school. I went to an excellent grade school, high schools and great colleges too. Plus, I actually liked writing and reading. I guess I was pretty naive, and didn't check out the support system for new teachers at my first job before it was too late.

I know now you won't find eager students in every school. And sometimes classes are made up of all kinds of students with problems. Why is this? I think maybe that clustering problem students in one class can help other teachers because then they won't have them in their classes. Or it could be ignorance by administrators of what makes a balanced and good classroom.

Regardless, many students in my classroom had pre-existing behavior problems, and I could not get much help with them, even as a new teacher. The reason for this? I think it's because some schools can't afford to (or just don't want to) test all students, in order to see if they need special help.

And another reason some people at some schools don't want new teachers to test students as they are taught to do in college is because it might show some great lags in ability that may require special help, which they also can't afford. No Child Left Behind? I don't think it worked, because the funding was not sent along with the new law. So teachers and administrators have had to do pretty weird things, like maybe skimp services. There is plenty of blame to go around on this situation, I am sure.

All this can be problematic at the least for a new teacher. But there are some handy things that new teachers can learn to help themselves, and things to look for when looking for a first (or later) job.

What is New Teacher Induction?

Some schools have what is called a Teacher Induction program that includes support from other teachers that are not on the grading team. Some schools even introduce new teachers to the community and help them acclimate to school culture before they teach. Wow. And some awesome schools help teachers with classroom management even before the first class starts. They WANT their new teachers to succeed, and help them do just that. This sounds great!

The most important skill a new teacher can have is Classroom Management.

It makes everything else you do go smoother.

There is an excellent book called The First Days of School in which Harry Wong and Rosemary Wong explain some great ways to achieve organization and discipline in the classroom.

A new student teacher or intern doesn't just need a book, however, to be successful at teaching or classroom management, the #1 subject new teachers need help with. He or she needs a lot of support from other teachers, real hands-on help.

My suggestion is to follow Dr. Wong's advice AND make sure your first teaching assignment is at a school with a New Teacher Induction program that is at least a week long BEFORE classes. Also make sure that you will have somebody to call if you ever have a problem. Check your equipment - especially your phone, heating, books, etc. You will thank me!

There is a lot more I am going to share with people in a new ebook I will have out this year. I still have some tweaking to do on it, but I am hopeful I can complete it soon. The title is, What Not to Do as a New Teacher. I hope this new ebook will really help new teachers find a great first job and continue with teaching after that.

I have been working on it a lot, adding new suggestions and tips to help all new teachers and student teachers. Do you have a tip you would like me to share in my book? I welcome all suggestions.

All for now,
Betsyanne
Former and current nontraditional student

PS: Here are more publications by the Wongs:
http://www.effectiveteaching.com/

Join Harry and Rosemary on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harry-and-Rosemary-Wong/107771335938182

Sign up to get the first notice of my new book, What Not to Do as a New Teacher publishing date. I am super-excited about it.

And here are some more of my Nontrad links:
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo, and
Nontrads on Twitter
Here is the Nontrad News signup:

Motivational quotes from the Student Doctor Network

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:49:00 +0000

I really like these motivational quotes. It's true that sometimes everyone needs a hand up and some motivational sayings really can help.

I found a great page today which is a real gold mine at the Student Doctor Network discussion boards. People there share their own favorite motivational quotes on the page that is called "A Dose of Nontrad Motivation (Quotes)". One is "Desiderata-Max Ehrmann 1927" which has a lot more verses than I remember. You may also remember the first part of this beautiful and inspiring poem.

Here are just a few of the quotes shared. You can go to the Student Doctor Network Discussion board page <"A Dose of Nontrad Motivation (Quotes)"> to read the rest.

" 'Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. -- Calvin Coolidge' "

" 'Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." ~Confucius' "

“ 'When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'” --Erma Bombeck' "

There are also some videos there about failure that are extremely motivating to the poster. Here is one about Lincoln and other famous people who have failed in life. You will be surprised who is listed here. (thanks, PreMedical...)

So.. how is school going? Are you seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel? Share, friend, share, by commenting at the end of this blog.

Sincerely and nontraditionally yours,
Betsyanne
Former and current nontraditional student
from Kentucky

Some more of my Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo and
Nontrads on Twitter

School Support for Nontraditional Students - is it enough?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:23:00 +0000

Personally I think some schools DO have the right idea, or are on the right track.

Amsterdam Train Station

Some schools do help nontraditional students with advising, special club rooms, remedial classes, and teacher understanding when emergency family issues come up.

But some schools do not cater to nontraditional students, which I think is a mistake. More and more students are going back to school after a break, and they are all ages. Some of these nontraditional students want to only take online classes, but others enjoy being in a classroom environment.

We nontraditional students want choices, and also to be recognized for the positive influence they have in classes, that special point of view that comes with experience.

I love seeing nontraditional student groups on Facebook, for instance. How cool is that? Students can have fun while going back to school, just like other students.

What has been your experience, fellow nontraditional students? Do you feel that your school is or was supportive? Are you a staff member in charge of helping nontraditional students?

Here is the link to the Nontraditional Student section at the University of Oshkosh site. I think it looks great. I especially love the paragraph about Academic Amnesty. What is that? Erasing some grades, I think. Check it out here: Support for Nontradiitonal Students - Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement.

Leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you.

Betsyanne

Current and Former Nontrad
Kentucky

A reminder: Get connected, nontraditional students!

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:10:00 +0000

Hi to all nontraditional students!

Nontraditional students are a growing group across the country and abroad. Older students are realizing that they can change their lives and go for their dreams.

There are many nontraditional student blogs and websites online to help them in their educational journey.

I have several that may be helpful to you. Along with this blog for nontraditional students, there is also the Nontraditional Student website, Nontraditional students on Facebook, the Nontraditional Student Yahoo Group, and a Twitter site.

The Nontraditional Student website has different state pages where people can look up nontraditional student groups in their state. They can also submit their group to the site.

Nontraditional students on Facebook has 538 Likes. Members can post to the Wall, and there are links and interesting cartoons and articles listed there.

Nontraditional Student Yahoo Group has 278 members. Three just joined recently. Right now, there is an introduction for a new member from Texas. I like the fact that the group is diverse and has people from all over in it. Members give advice and share how they are doing as nontraditional students or people helping them or thinking about going back to school soon.

The Twitter site shares web links and links to interesting sites for nontraditional students. There is also a site for scholarship and grant seekers at the ScholarsGrants Twitter page.

Here are some more links you may enjoy:
The Nontraditional Student blog Big List of Nontrad Links

Later!

Betsyanne
Former and current Nontraditional Student

Sometimes a nontraditional student is on his or her own

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:32:00 +0000

Are you on your own? Or maybe you know somebody who is?

Does your family not agree with your going back to school? Do you feel like you always have to explain yourself to others? Maybe you know somebody in this situation too.

Sometimes it's hard to be a nontraditional student. I feel that this blog and the Nontrad website (along with the Facebook and Yahoo groups) are places that nontraditional students can find help and support. (And if that is what you are looking for, check out the links at the bottom of this posting.)

What is important is that you or somebody else are both doing what you feel is right. You or they are following a dream. Don't let the negativity out there bring you or others down.

Try a positive affirmation or two, like "I am working towards my future" and "I really don't want to hang around negative people anymore" become part of your life.

Do you know somebody that is on their own and is also a nontraditional student, or plans to be? Be that person's helpful friend, and just be there for them. You will be doing a lot to help that person succeed.

Betsyanne

Former and current Nontraditional Student

Leave a comment! I would love to hear from you.

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Can you be a nontraditional student and not be at a regular school?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:28:00 +0000

I think the answer is yes to this.

Since I started (re-) learning pottery and painting, (and soon: weaving...) part of me does feel like I am back in school. I have been doing research, reading books, and now plan to learn more with a private teacher at the Pots Place.

I will be taking a class from Bob Brigl, who is a Pots Place master potter.

I think just knowing I have a class and going at least once a week will help me make more progress. It's always too easy to say, "I have _________ (insert excuse here) to do instead..." and that is a cop-out, really. It prevents progress on art and anything I want to learn.

But it is so easy to say. Things just can get in the way if I let them. So... my solution is that I am going to MAKE time for art this year, not just talk about it. My plans are going into action.

I have a great book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron that I also will be looking at again this year. This is a great book to help artists get back on track with their art.

For many years, I was a graphic artist, working with different printing companies. True, I got to make logos and printed pieces, which can be very creative. But there is something about fine art that I have always thought was more lasting.

Back to my projects this year, which include weaving, painting, and pottery. The motto is Just Do It or Make Yourself Do It.

Like many other nontraditional students, I am taking a class in order to become more skillful, but also to have a good time.

Memphis Marsha (Marsha Heidbrink) here in Bowling Green, Kentucky had a studio where lots of artists and students could learn art from many different teachers. What a great idea. I do miss Marsha. I wish I had known her even better. I think her gallery is still open, and I plan to visit there soon to find out for sure.

If you are currently in a class, are you having a good time with your classes? Or are you studying so you can have a good time later? Or maybe you are just now considering going back to school or taking a class.

Just wondering. Leave a comment!

More links:
The Pots Place Studio and Gallery
Memphis Marsha's Art Studio
Artworks in Bowling Green, Kentucky - a Visual Arts Coalition (I am a member here too).

More later!

-Betsyanne
Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo and
Nontrads on Twitter

Have you had a really bad cold or flu while in school?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:34:00 +0000

I have what I like to call the Creeping Crud this week, complete with cough and general malaise. I don't know if a flu shot would have helped.

But it makes me think. If I were in school right now (or working) this could really throw me for a loop.

I might be lucky enough to have a job with sick days, though not all jobs have these. And yes, I have worked while sick before, though it's not a choice I like at all.

To help students who are sick or maybe have sick kids, communication is of the essence. Go to the doctor if you need to, and get an excuse slip from him or her. This can help a lot.

Arrange for notes from the class or a recording of the lecture. Make sure you have phone numbers and/or emails from at least 3 students in each of your classes, so you can call or email them for notes. Call your teacher and explain that you want to keep up on work.

Even a really bad cold or flu then can be worked around. AND if you are sick more than a week, you may want to extend your tests or class as an Incomplete, then finish your projects and still get a good grade.

And take care of yourself - - and get well soon.

<crossing fingers!>

Good luck. I wish all nontraditional students good health and quick recovery from sickness.

Here is another article here on the same subject:
Ack - what to do when you are sick - AND a nontraditional student.

Take care, nontrads!

Nontraditionally yours,
E. Sheppard
Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student

Spring Breaks - Travel, Staycation, or Study?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:31:00 +0000

It's just about Spring Break for Western Kentucky University students. Some of them will be going on vacation with friends... maybe to Florida.

Some students will think about going to Mexico, and then not go.

What will YOU do this Spring Break? Will you rest, or work on a school project? Let my readers know.

I know when I was back at school, I usually worked hard to stay caught up, and get a move on my school papers, future tests, and portfolios. Ack. But I did get to sleep in once in awhile! That part was good.

So.. .Travel, Staycation, or Study? A curious ex-nontrad wants to know.

Nontraditionally Yours,
Betsyanne

Your Daily Calendar Scheduler(s)

I am not back in school right now, but I am using my calendar today plus a daily plan.

When I was back in school, I used a daily pocket calendar that fit in my purse. I had so much to remember each day, and this helped a lot. I liked the kind of scheduler that was compact, but still had many lines on each page for different things. I would fill those lines in with entries like:

Edu class
Paper due for ______ class today
Study group meeting time
Do part of report
Research _____ for class

It helped me split up my papers, remember appointments, and more. I used a regular calendar that did not cost much that I got at Walmart. I have seen some really nice calendars for sale at our local Staples with leather look covers I liked too.

Other Calendars
I like to have a big eraseable calendar on my front door. I have to change it every month, but it's kind of fun to do that.

Online, I like to have a reminder Yahoo calendar. There are some online too you can use. Many have automatic features such as Auto Reminders to help you remember friends' and family birthdays and other important days and appointments.

My husband uses a pocket calendar and writes down dates in the future to remember. My mother used to get me a 3-year calendar and we would plan things WAY ahead in them. You can still buy these.

Do you have a special system for your must-remember days?

Post your system or hint as a comment.

I have some other postings about using a calendar and more. Here they are:
5 Calendar Tips for Nontraditional Students
10 Study Tips for Nontraditional Students
What Successful Nontraditional Students Need to Have

And a faculty member in Arkansas, Linda Pogue, shares some of her tips in this article: Scheduling is Everything for Nontraditional Students.

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Education is for everyone - the Go Further Federal Student Aid website

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:21:00 +0000

Yes, today, education IS for everyone, more than ever.

Central Texas College by Parker Michael Knight on Flickr.

There are nontraditional students of every age taking classes today. What began as merely extra classes taken at night has exploded into online, daytime, AND nighttime classes. The Go Further Site (Federal Student Aid) has a page to help nontraditional students navigate the steps of going back to school.

They start with helping students assess themselves and their strengths, goals, and interests with tests and information on getting a GED if the student hasn't already done that.

They go on to include information on college education, how to get money for school, how much college costs, how to repay loans, and more.

Here is that site:
Student Aid on the Web

The best part is, this page is totally FREE.

Good luck, fellow nontraditional students!

Betsyanne

Former Nontraditional college student at Western Kentucky University
Kentucky, USA Some more Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Debt and the Nontraditional Student: a discussion.

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +0000

Okay. A lot of nontraditional students have debt.

Many have student loans, and some have debt from before going back to school too.

Many of us have used credit cards too much... or decided to get something (like a computer) that was needed today instead of tomorrow. As far as student loans go, some people think that they should be forgiven - - and that school fees are way too high. And there is no guarantee that a student will actually get a job after graduation anymore. So how is a student supposed to pay student loans when they don't have a job?

First off, there can be no other choice for nontraditional students but to borrow to go back to school. So hopefully students will get a degree or certification in a "good" area, one that makes it possible to be hired.

And there is another complication for some students who have too much debt and want to declare bankruptcy and start over. Courts may not let them get out of paying their student loans.

As many of my readers know, there was a law passed recently that made it much harder to declare bankruptcy and eliminate your student loan debt.

So what can students do? Here are some suggestions:

1. Keep loans public - use government loans and try not to use private loans, which can charge a much greater interest rate.
2. Take as many courses as you can and stretch your semester dollars,
3. Consider tech or trade school (with transferrable credits) because the cost is lower, and
4. Do your research and make sure what you are training for is actually in high demand.
5. Consider a 2-year degree, pay off debt, then get another degree, if needed. This allows you to only pay for 2 years instead of 4 or more.

Have another good suggestions? List it below as a comment.

Here are some interesting articles about student debt and student loan debt:
Student loan forgiveness ideas leave Americans split
Actual student loan forgiveness exists (for teachers, more)
Law Grads go to Court for Bankruptcy Protection

Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Do you use professor-rating sites? Do you like them?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:09:00 +0000

The Tennessean newspaper recently did a story about a popular professor-rating site, RateMyProfessors.com.

Here is the beginning quote: "Students take professor-rating website seriously. And so do the teachers."

Here is that article: Professor-rating website tells the good and the bad: RateMyProfessors.com reviews appear honest, but are they fair? by Tony Gonzalez.

Have you used a ratings site to check out your professors? I have. I used to like a site called PickAProf. This site is now morphed into MyEdu, which I don't like as much. But I gave it another try.

First, I tried the RateMyProfessors site to find a certain WKU professor, who was not listed there. So I went back to the MyEdu site to see if I could find her.

First, I needed to sign up again. So I did, and clicked to another blank page.

I went over to the signin page and could not access the site. So I requested my password and waited. I got the reset sent to my email and I was in.

The site is fairly easy to use and I DID find the professor I was looking for. Success!

Let me know how you like these two sites. Which is your favorite? Or do you have another? List it as a comment if you do.

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student
WKU

Do you have a mentor? Here are tips on how to get one.

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth Sheppard) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:10:00 +0000

You may need a mentor to help you navigate your school and career.

Okay. We all know what a mentor is - - somebody we can approach when we have questions about life, about a job, or about our education.

A mentor is somebody who may have "been there and done that" and has a unique perspective on what is important to you. They are someone we can look up to - - generally an older person, but not necessarily.

A good mentor is like a lighthouse. He or she can help you navigate difficult paths, and zero in on where you want to go in your life, training, and/or career.

Nontraditional students can find a mentor in their chosen field of study, or naturally gravitate to somebody, like a teacher or a fellow student who has insight into what you are learning about.

Do you have a mentor? Do you feel a need to have somebody who can steer you in the right direction at school or with your life?

I know I did not seek out a mentor in school. But now I look back and wish I had. And after picking one out, I would have wanted to meet with this person a few times before I completed my studies. So that is one reason for this posting.

Some people consider their therapist a mentor. And this can be their relationship. Not always, but sometimes. I know that some people rely on good advice from their therapist.

Other people are lucky enough to find somebody else who fits the bill for a mentor's role.

How you go about finding a mentor is up to you. Perhaps joining a club or group at school will help you find your mentor. Or maybe your mentor is online right now. Perhaps a favorite teacher or professor will be willing to guide you and be there for you when you have questions.

I had two mentors when I was in school that I could have met with and asked if they would be my mentor. I feel that they probably would have said yes to my question. They happened to be teachers, and were always there for me to ask questions of, or get extra help for class. I felt comfortable around them, which I think is an important requirement for a mentor.

I know they would have been very willing to help me with a personal question or guide me in the right direction for my career.

Do you have a favorite mentor story? I'd love to share it with my readers.

Nontraditionally yours,
Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student at WKU

Find out more: here are some articles to help you find your own personal mentor.

How to Find a Career Mentor by Alison Doyle at About.com

Find a Mentor Online from Project Management Institute

How to Find a Mentor for your Job - from Forbes online (expect a short waiting time to see the web page)

A Self-Improvement Mentor - going back to school

Also - you can find mentors and other nontraditional students here at:
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo and
Nontrads on Twitter