The upcoming semester – Fall/2011 – will be my last here at CCU. You can’t see my facial expression nor can you feel my excitement but believe you me I am very excited. I have been pursuing my higher education since 2006, so it is time and I am ready to quit being a student. Graduate school you ask – let’s not discuss that yet.

Preparing for the upcoming semester has its ups and downs. On the upside this is the last time I have to prepare for an upcoming semester. The main downside is that I have to review all my notes and determine whether or not to continue saving them. For me most of my archived notes have been used and have been helpful so I’ll probably end up keeping most of them. I wonder what I’ll do with my notes after I graduate? I’ve never had to wonder what a graduate does with their college stuff so that will be interesting: what will I keep, how long will I keep what I’m keeping, and why do I want to keep what I’m keeping…to name a few wonders.

Anyway, another upside to this upcoming last semester is not purchasing another book bag, satchel, postcarrier bag, roller book bag, huge pocketbook, or some other type of bag that holds my computer, books, notes, etc. I guess this also means that I can get rid of the old ones with half a handle or a broken zipper. Good, less clutter!

So, in just a few more days I’ll be walking into the classroom of my first class of my last semester. All of the classes I am taking are interesting and I’m sure I’ll enjoy them. It will be sad though – even though I’ll be the only one that knows it – and happy at the same time. I have thoroughly enjoyed attending classes and doing my best to produce quality work. My last semester I got 3 B’s and only 1 A for the first time since 2006 and it really made my GPA drop. Most assuredly I will be doing whatever I possibly can to turn those B’s back into A’s.

Some of you might be saying what about B’s, that’s great, you don’t have to make all A’s, etc. etc. I know all that too, but as a nontraditional student I want to do better than just do good, I feel like I have to do better and if at all possible make the A’s. Even though you don’t put your transcript on a resume I would still feel better personally if I knew that I was able to produce top-rated work. That is not to say that I didn’t give all my classes last semester my best because I did. But, I kind of let other issues come in to play and let them take precedence over my own work. That won’t be happening any longer!

So, off I go into the wild CCU wander to discover all that is experienced as a student. Nope, that’s not right, I forgot I am a nontraditional student so I will experience all that is offered to one such as myself – which is what I want it to be. In the meantime I will continue to work hard at the Women’s Resource Center.  We have so much planned every week so it will be exciting to watch/participate.

Take care all and happy CCU trails!

While I did take a couple of classes this summer my main focus was working at the Women’s Resource Center. It was a very rewarding internship and I learned as much as I helped. Although it opened just prior to the end of the last semester it has come a long way. Speaking of which, I need to get ready to go to a meeting. I’ll write another post later.

Until then, happy CCU trails!

At the WRC, I have not gotten nearly as much done as I want. It is just taking a long time to do everything, still entering initial information and organizing. I hope to be meeting with more people in the next couple of weeks and developing more.

No visitors for the Nontraditional meeting – I was hoping, still hoping, not giving up! Maybe there will be some here for the June meeting.

Gotta run, until next time,

Happy CCU trails!

That is the question, my answer not yet known.

There are so many possibilities, but none set in stone.

Well, perhaps be loud, obnoxious, in-your-face, even disagreeable? 

Maybe so.

What is not – done but no more.

Can I, no not me, suppose I just have to wait and see.

Well, I finished my papers, finally!! Then exams! I did well on them, except for one that makes me feel deeply disappointed about (with myself). This past semester was good, even great on some days. As  usual, I enjoyed the courses, and lectures from such wonderful instructors/professors. No matter the subject, all professors have a way of making it interesting (even if I don’t like it). Also, they have their own unique style so it is always interesting to figure it out and work with it. For the most part, however, I just enjoy learning and ‘ah ha’ moments when a past idea or thought or recollection is identified – who knew there are actually legitimate names/theories to explain just about everything for everything? 

This semester I am taking a class about Japanese Anime – a stretch for me, but I knew the professor would ‘learn me a thing or two’ so I took the risk. Prior to this week, I never liked magna or anime and I think it is merely due to the fact that I did not understand it. Now, just three days in and I am actually liking it! My son (26) laughs when I talk about this, but is glad that I am finally learning about something he has been interested in for years…I wonder if there is a class on Playstation/video games? Anyway, I am enjoying the class and look forward to the next three weeks.

As to challenges this past semester, I would refer you to the ones I mentioned here and there in past blogs. I will say that there were the usual issues - being ignored, overlooked, dismissed – but somehow I made it through those awkward moments/days. One of the most interesting things issue is with a club I thought that I joined. No student or staff ever responded to my offer, to my emails; I received no notification that I was accepted or not; no emails were sent to me, no calls made about it, nothing! That was an experience from which I learned more than enough from, but at the same time was left scratching my head over. Why in the world wouldn’t someone at least acknowledge your interest and be honest enough to at least explain why you are not needed – a polite fib would be better than nothing, for goodness sakes! The biggest lesson was that just because a nontraditional student is interested in a club or event, it does not mean that they are actually welcome. Personally I would love to share the reasons for such behavior, but since it was not provided I will just have to suppose it has something to do with the fact that other students do not recognize me as a student, that I am too old, too fat and ugly, or maybe that I have nothing to offer that would be beneficial to the club or students for whom they reach out to – which is basically all students.

Subsequently, since the first nontraditional meeting, I found out that the other ladies experienced the same sort of treatment. Even though the problems hurt and are wrong, it is comforting in a weird way to learn that someone else has had the same or similar issue(s). It was so great to have a few other ladies to discuss issues with and to hear of their experiences. Apparently nontraditional students are not welcome in any of the clubs and other social entities on campus. As one student pointed out, we pay the exact same tuition that the other students pay, but there are none, not one single thing that is for or about us. Nor, is there an effort made to incorporate us into the CCU community (that we are aware of anyway). Actually, I have heard of a nontraditional something or other but I don’t know who runs it or who/how one qualifies for it – I am investigating it though. Sad folks, I know, but, the truth is often sad.

Fortunately, however, we met and will meet and our group will grow. We will discuss issues, identify things to be done, and create relationships that, together, we can make a difference within the CCU community. Nontraditional students want and deserve the same opportunities afforded to traditional students. So, everything that we accomplish will not only help us, but will set the path for those in the future. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance our (present and past) CCU educational experience.

Okay, now on to the best part of my May – working at the Women’s Resource Center. I cannot tell you how great it is to be here. I am so excited about all of the things the WRC is working on and will be offering. There is so much to do and little time to do it all in but I am going to make the best of it. Which reminds me I need to work on some things right now – so, until next time…

Happy CCU trails!

Then I will be studying for final exams – the first is this coming Wednesday.

Best news, then I’ll be working at the WRC and cannot wait to get started there!

Another exciting excite I had the first nontraditionally traditional  meeting 04/26 and met three wonderful ladies! I am thrilled about the group and know that it will grow with time & truly thankful to the ladies that came and hope they will continue.

Gotta go work on papers…

Happy CCU trails!

Honestly, I do not like for people to complain, myself included, unless they actively try to do something to improve the situation. This is what I have been trying to do. I have been doing things like reaching out to others (opening the ‘doors’ so to speak); participating in clubs; and most pleasurable, assisting with the Women’s Resource Center (“WRC”). I have politely asked, nudged, and humbly begged other students to help me help nontraditional students to have a voice. Unfortunately, however, my attempts have apparently failed. Other than my work with the WRC and the one student response I received there have been no responses.

True, some days people read my posts and this gives me encouragement. Also, there are a couple of professors that talk with and encourage me to continue trying. For them I am grateful and motivated to keep going and working towards bridging the gaps (as I see them) amongst the traditional and nontraditional students – especially the females.

Until then I will endure the bad ‘mini-scenes’ (as I call them) throughout each day even though they are discouraging. At times the mini-scenes are downright distressing and discriminating. I cannot tell you how many times my voice/presence is dismissed or disregarded. Many times I get a nonverbal response: the rolling eyes, the head turning, or the staring at you directly,  as if to say “what an idiot.”  I cannot really complain with the nonverbal responses, however, because at least it is something!

The typical verbal response - from another student - is met with questions about who I am, what I am doing, and why I am doing whatever it is I am doing. Take today for example, I had two separate exchanges that are still upsetting me and leave me shaking my own head (but in private) and secretly wondering why I am trying so hard; why I continually just ’keep the peace’ and let it roll.  Well, this time I have to offer one more thought before I can let it all go and move on. It is the absolute worst thing that happens to me as a nontraditional female student – when I am ignored, no response, neither verbal or nonverbal. This happens much more often than not and is from professors in addition to students. I mean, it is as if you do not exist, that you have no purpose, that you are not valued enough to even acknowledge. Why does this happen, why do people behave this way, is it because it is true? Or, are they conveying a message that is not traditionally spoken or shown but is merely just known to be? I have no idea but I certainly would like an answer – if you know, please share it!

So, unless I hear otherwise I will continue with my standard motto - conduct yourself with grace and try to speak only that which you wouldn’t mind being read by anyone. (Hence my discretion herein about the woes of being who/what I am.)

This brings me to this exact point in time “check,” another day of being a nontraditional female student at CCU is behind me. I am wondering if perhaps writing with more of a negative tone will get more responses? The truth will soon be seen, but in the meantime I will continue to smile, nod yes, and think positive thoughts!

Oh yes, I almost forgot, that towel – I picked it up again. I will continue to reach out to other nontraditional students, especially females. Although I may not see or hear of the positive impact my efforts have made on others, I like to believe that there have been some. Also I am bound and determined to fight for a voice for the female nontraditional CCU students because we need a voice. Someone needs to take the initiative for our group, to examine our unique issues, look at ways to enhance our CCU experience and those of the traditional students. I have made a commitment for these pursuits and until I am told not to do so any longer I will keep on trying and I know will succeed!

Until next time, happy CCU trails!

Honestly though, I wish that more students would take a few moments to write so that we could establish some kind of active communication. True, I dreamed this site would be a great forum for nontraditionals but sometimes the entire dream does not come true – only parts of it. The thing is, at least part of the dream is coming true and for now that is great.  I have to remember that perhaps not enough people know about the site or that perhaps the traditional nontraditionals just don’t have time to put time and effort into these type of things.

Fortunately there is hope and for that I am very grateful. And just what could that be you ask? It is the CCU WRC – Women’s Resource Center (Wall, Room 313) of course. The official Open House is 04/22 from 4 to 7. The WRC has been painted a cheery yellow, there are comfy couches to sit and chat on, and tables and chairs – oh my! Additionally, they have all kinds of pamphlets and books to read. One of my personal favorites is women who visit, if they like, can create/paint a canvas to be hung on a WRC wall. I love the fact that not only is the WRC a place where you can get information  about and for women, but that you are not pressured to do anything that you do not desire to do. Women can enjoy the atmosphere by simply sitting and relaxing. On the otherhand, they can hold meetings or informal chats in a safe and secure place. 

The WRC will be a great place for all CCU women and will enhance their experience at CCU – maybe even their lives. Last Tuesday I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the Council for Coastal Carolina University Women meeting. Not only was I impressed by the women in attendance, I was also inspired by their contributions and genuine care about other CCU women. While I felt humbled in their presence I was encouraged to contribute and continue with my efforts to reach out to other women, especially the nontraditional female women on campus.

Hence my blog this evening. I plan to attend more meetings, write as much as I can, and to reach out to encourage as many women as I possibly can. Nontraditional students - we do not have to be alone in the land of CCU! We will find a way to communicate with one another because there is no limit to all that we can do for ourselves, the campus and our respective communities.

Until next time, happy CCU trails!