Quick Highlights:
- Non-traditional college students are those who did not go directly from high school to college, often facing challenges such as balancing time between work, study, and family responsibilities.
- Online degrees offer flexible scheduling, childcare services, and financial aid targeted at non-traditional students, making education more accessible and manageable.
- Scholarships and grants for adult learners can significantly reduce the cost of education, making it crucial to seek financial aid early.
- Non-traditional students should prioritize programs with flexible scheduling, strong support systems, and resources like academic advising.
The world of education is full of confusing terms. To those who don’t work in education, understanding these terms can be difficult and frustrating. “Non-traditional student” is one of these terms, but fortunately, it’s a pretty easy one to understand. We’ll dive into the definition below, along with what it means if you fall into this category.
A non-traditional college student is one who did not go directly from high school into college. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it is considered a “non-traditional” path in education. Adult learners in college still have great potential and many opportunities in front of them. If you are going back to school as a non-traditional student, this should be an exciting time of your life.
Related:
- Navigating College Admissions as a Non-Traditional Student
- Maximizing Campus Resources as a Non-Traditional Student
- Most Flexible College Majors for Non-Traditional Students
- Balancing Full-Time Work with Pursuing an Online Degree: Strategies for Success
Challenges of Returning to School as an Adult
College for working adults can be as difficult as it is rewarding. There is a lot to gain from pursuing a degree but you will need to overcome some major hurdles along the way. Fortunately, flexible college programs are easier to find than ever and you should be able to locate a school that will accommodate your needs.
For an adult with children, it’s often time that presents the biggest challenge. Education for parents places extreme demands on their time, without much room in the schedule to do anything other than work, study, and care for the kids. If it’s been a while since you were in school, it can be a struggle to get back into the habit of studying effectively – especially now that you have so much to do in your daily life.
As you consider your part-time college options, be realistic about how much you can take on at one time. It’s better to use a slower pace for your coursework than to take on too much and fail to keep up. A sustainable approach is the right way to go and you’ll be able to reach the finish line successfully that way, even if it takes a bit longer.
Finding Some Advantages in Online Degrees for Adults
We don’t mean to make it sound like it’s all bad news for online degrees for adults. In fact, there is plenty to love about this opportunity. Since going back to college after a break can be very difficult, most schools have resources and options available to make it more manageable. That includes things like flexible scheduling, childcare services, and even financial aid that is targeted specifically toward non-traditional students.
Also, higher education for older students can sometimes be more successful because of the life experience the student has gained away from school. There are plenty of life lessons that can be applied to the classroom. If you weren’t ready for the demands of college right out of high school, you might feel more prepared now and ready to thrive with your studies.
You may also benefit from the clarity that you have at a later stage in life than other college students. It’s hard for an 18-year-old to know what they want to do in life. When you go back to college later, you probably have a clear vision for the career you want to build and what it will take to get there. That clarity can be motivating as you’ll see what your life could look like if you get through this program and secure your degree.
Seek Financial Support for Non-Traditional Students
One of the biggest hurdles that you need to overcome in this journey is finding a way to pay for your education. Schooling is expensive no matter how you look at it. Through the use of scholarships for adult learners, you might be able to bring down the price tag into a more manageable range.
It’s never too early to get started looking for financial help in this process. Even if you only find small scholarships or grants to apply for, those are still worth your time. Every little bit will help make school more affordable and reduce how much you have to borrow. Invest as much time and effort as possible into finding financial aid and you will start to see a clearer path to your new career.
Remember that you don’t have to limit yourself to financial aid that is specific to non-traditional students. Those are good resources, but scholarships that are open to everyone can be utilized, as well. Cast a wide net and reel in as much help as you can before your program gets started.
How to Find the Best Evening College Courses
There are plenty of evening college programs to pick from, but they aren’t all the right fit for you. As a starting point, non-traditional students should look for flexible scheduling. You’ll need to fit school in around work and other obligations so you need maximum flexibility. Having the ability to do your work whenever time is available will make this educational process much more manageable.
It’s also helpful to look for programs that will help to connect you with other students. Online learning can be a lonely endeavor and it’s hard to do something this challenging without support. A good program that has systems in place to help you meet other students can make things easier and more enjoyable. You might wind up meeting some great people who become long-time friends through such a program.
Finally, confirm that the program is going to be properly invested in your success. That means making resources like academic advising readily available to point you in the right direction. It would be great to think that everything is going to be smooth sailing from start to finish, but that’s almost certainly not going to be the case. Knowing help is available from the school to guide you through tough stretches will be a relief.
Countless Opportunities Available
With so many non-traditional student resources available, the future looks bright for adult learners. Balancing work and college successfully is a challenge that can be overcome and the rewards for doing so are worthwhile.
Get started today looking for the right college for a non-traditional student. You can find a program that fits your interests and needs and start building a new career. Good luck on this exciting journey!