Challenges and Opportunities for Nontraditional Students

I Don’t Know What I’m Doing Here

Is everyone in your family excited about your being in college–except you? Are you wondering why you’ve made this major commitment of time, energy, and money? You will read in this chapter that finding a sense of purpose is important if you want to make the most of college. But identifying that purpose doesn’t always happen for everyone at the same time or in the same way. Don’t give up. It could be that you are a bit homesick, fearful of the unknown, or feeling lost in a new environment. Find a counselor, a chaplain, an instructor, an older student, a peer leader, or a fellow first-year student you can talk to about the way you’re feeling. It is very likely that others can relate to you because they either share these feelings, or did in the recent past. Ask how they overcame these feelings to get ideas on how you can, too. Connecting with others who have overcome the same challenges that you are facing can make all the difference.

If you are a nontraditional or adult student, you might have experience in the job market, and you might have a spouse or partner and children. You might be returning to college or beginning college for the first time. You will face a special set of challenges, such as trying to relate to younger students and juggling the responsibilities of work, caring for a family, and being in college. You will likely experience a challenging lack of freedom in dealing with so many important, competing responsibilities. Remember, though, that nontraditional students tend to have intrinsic motivation that comes with maturity and experience, and they appreciate the value of an education. You will have the advantage of approaching college work with a very clear purpose for why you are there.

No matter where you are on the age continuum—seventeen or eighteen or much older—you will bring certain strengths to your college experiences that will help both you and others. Older students have a lot of determination and a set of real-life experiences that they can relate to what they’re learning. Eighteen- and nineteen-year-olds are comfortable with technology and social media, and they are pop-culture experts. These kinds of strengths are all important to the learning process.