Quick Highlights:
- College success for non-traditional students relies on maximizing campus resources and academic support.
- Use campus resources like libraries, tutoring centers, and administrative support to help your studies.
- Health and wellness centers help manage stress and maintain mental and physical health.
- Join student organizations for social connections and networking opportunities.
- Financial aid and scholarships are available specifically for non-traditional students.
Table of contents
Beginning your academic career as a non-traditional student is an exciting step. Often, people delay their education to care for dependents or start a full-time career. Whatever the case, you will need to think about maximizing college resources. College success for non-traditional students relies on your ability to get academic support for adult students. In this article, you will learn how to use campus resources, improve study skills, manage stress, and find financial aid and networking opportunities to help you succeed.
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Identifying Key Campus Resources
Through the effective use of college resources, you can benefit from the faculty and facilities that are available to you at school. Your tuition doesn’t only pay for your classes, but it also covers many materials and tools that help you focus on your education.
With these non-traditional student tips, you can start maximizing college resources.
- Books, computers, and rental options at the library are a great source of research and support.
- Study locations throughout the college and dormitories will allow you to avoid distractions while you are reading and writing.
- Campus activities are an often overlooked benefit of college life. You may find new friends or hobbies that inspire you.
- People who work as tutors, counselors, or career specialists will help you overcome issues.
Workshops and Training Sessions
Through study skills workshops in college, you can ensure college success. Enhancing college experiences will not only help your academic career, but it can also help your professional career as well.
Consider some of the benefits of attending different types of workshops.
Time Management: Procrastination is a major issue that afflicts 90% of students. If left unchecked, poor time management skills will make balancing college and life outside of school extremely difficult.
Study Skills: Disorganization and a lack of study skills can make it harder to understand what you read. Utilizing campus writing centers can also help you improve writing-related study skills.
Technology Use: Advancements in technology can be challenging to keep up with. The tutors in these programs provide campus support for older students.
Academic Counseling: One of the most important campus resources for adult learners is academic counselors. They are here to provide guidance and ensure you get the education you are seeking. If you’re struggling with your studies, turn to an academic counselor for advice and information about different resources.
Health and Wellness Centers
Colleges and universities can do more than provide academic support for adult students. The stresses of college can be intense. With this in mind, you must take good care of your mind and body through on-campus resources. Maintaining your mental and physical health is necessary to be successful in college.
Traditional and non-traditional student resources are plentiful. For example, you can manage your physical health at the gym. Your emotional state is important, so speak with on-campus mental health counselors when you need to. In addition, you can learn how to manage your stress through workshops and support groups.
Student Organizations and Networking Opportunities
Returning to school as an older adult may leave you feeling isolated from your academic peers. With this in mind, you should make use of the organizational and academic support for adult students that is available to you. The social connections you make in college can turn into lifelong friends or networking opportunities.
Here are some benefits of creating lasting relationships in college and signing up for student organizations.
- Prevents social isolation
- Maximizes college resources
- Provides network opportunities you can use in your professional career
- Joining clubs and memberships will give you new lessons and opportunities
- Using student organizations to access academic support for adult students and specialized tutoring
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Institutional financial aid programs are excellent non-traditional student resources, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help. Depending on your college, you may find scholarships and grants that are specifically designed for non-traditional students.
Organizations, such as honor societies for non-traditional students, can provide scholarships to members. Work-study programs will allow you to work for the administration of the college and receive financial aid. Many campus resources for adult learners will offer information regarding programs that can help pay for college.
Balancing Responsibilities
As a non-traditional student, you’re responsible for managing many different things. You will need to be mindful about how you balance your education with your personal life. Academic advising is crucial because this will give you tools and feedback for becoming successful.
These tips will ensure college success for non-traditional students.
- By creating and following a calendar, you will be able to plan for every major event in your academic career and personal life.
- Don’t forget to focus on your career. Your academic pursuits should support your professional life and long-term career goals.
- Spend time with your family as much as possible. It might be challenging to balance everything, but time with your family and friends will help you unwind.
- Use your time management skills to focus on the task at hand. Focus completely on whatever you are working on right now so that you can finish each task as quickly and effectively as possible.
Engaging With Technology
There are educational tools available to help you become successful. If you have issues managing new technology, speak with someone who has experience in the field. Technology workshops will help you overcome your weaknesses. There are adult learner campus resources that can help you with any concerns you may have.
While you attend college, you have the option of taking technology courses. This will not only help you be successful in your academic pursuits, but these programs can also help you in your professional life. You may even surprise yourself and realize that you have a knack for this field. By maximizing college resources, you can increase your competency and effectiveness.
Overcoming Barriers
As a non-traditional student, there are certain hurdles that you may deal with. Due to managing a career, family, or age, there may be added stress in your life. An estimated 33.4% of graduate students are non-traditional students, so you aren’t the only one going back to school.
By associating with your peers, taking advantage of the facilities, and speaking with administrative staff, you can find everything you need to be successful. Maintain your physical, social, emotional, and mental health. Most importantly, you should not lose sight of the reason why you went to college because this reason will help you stay motivated during difficult days.
Learn How to Use the Available Resources
College success is based on your ability to properly use the tools that you have been given. By maximizing college resources, such as libraries, tutors, and financial aid, you can achieve your goals.
Academic support is built into your tuition costs, so take advantage of it. Non-traditional student resources are there to be used. If you find that you are struggling with your coursework, there is likely a tool or facility available to you.