New semester Last semester

Hello nontraditional students. I know, I know it has been forever since I posted a Post. I don’t know if it is because I am older or if it is because I generally don’t have much time to spare but I am guilty. The good news is that I’m posting a post today and hope to get back into a regular habit of it…here goes:

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!

ofourofive

Okay, I give in, up, throw in the towel, etc. You may have heard the expression: “silence is golden” or how about this one: “don’t say anything if you can’t say something nice.” Those are my mottos – up until today that is!

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!

Female Nontraditional Student – Are you?

Every nontraditional student has their own standpoint but I believe that female nontraditional students (probably) have more to say than the males. So, if you are female nontraditional, please share with me some of the issues you have in attending CCU. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!

Article in The Chanticleer 02/22/10

NONTRADITIONALLY TRADITIONAL

Hello, my name is Paige and I am a student here at CCU; a nontraditional student to be exact, majoring in Communication. This article is to raise awareness of nontraditional students, to provide an open forum for both traditional and nontraditional students, and to embrace the positive aspects of the diversity on our campus.

            Speaking of nontraditional, just what does nontraditional mean? Nontraditional means anything other than what is considered normal or typical. For a student to be considered typical, they would attend college following high school graduation. The nontraditional student is anyone who attends any time other than that; or over the age of 21. This leaves a broad range of students who fit into the nontraditional status, even here at CCU.

            The CCU Undergraduate Demographic Reports for 2008 and 2009, provided by the Institutional Research, Assessment and Analysis Department, provides information regarding the CCU student makeup. While the majority of students fit into the traditional status, non-traditional students in 2009 represent 29%. This can be further broken down to reflect that students ranging in age 22-25 make up 21.34% and students aged  26+ make up 7.7%. 

            Additionally, an interesting fact from the reports show the majority of students are female. CCU, in 2008, had a total of 7,573 students, 4,008 were female (52.9%); 443 more (or 5.89%) females than males. Likewise in 2009, CCU had a total of 7,920 students, 4,220 were female (53.28%); 520 more (or 6.5%) females than males. As you can see, there are myriad issues and questions that could be posed and pondered for those who care to do so, such as: Why should I care about nontraditional students?; Why do they go to college?; Does it matter if I communicate with a nontraditional student?; Are there more female nontraditional students than males?

Obviously CCU diversity is vast with matching issues and questions. I venture to guess that everyone here has been enlightened with a new idea/subject/issue/fact and eagerly looks for the next. If this sounds like you then you are hereby invited to join me in such a quest and hopefully we will all enjoy the journey and use it in all aspects of our lives.