Nontraditional students share college insights

You are in an entry-level class on the first day of school and decide to introduce yourself to the students in the desks sitting beside you.

The students to the left is 19 and out of high school and stirring anxious about their fears for the next four or more years.

To the right is a junior who is 21 years old and seems to have a grasp of the college life with a freshly printed fraternity shirt ready to Rush.

A thought passes through your head ever-so-subtly, that you are five years older than the majority of students in the class.

You also might have a full time job, be out of the military, have children, a spouse, or both.

Students with one or more of these items are considered to be a non-traditional student.

With the recession and importance of being educated, more non-traditional students are entering colleges, some for the first time, across the United States.

In a government-sponsored statistic, available on http://nces.ed.gov/, there was a study conducted in 2002 that found the population of non-traditional students has risen 72 percent since the 1970's. 

Most Indiana colleges have witnessed record enrollment this academic semester.

ISU has seen a dramatic increase, which, according to the Tribune Star, totaled over 11,801 applications submitted to the Office of Admissions.

Though the statistics for 2010 enrollment have not been released as of yet, from 2005 to 2009, the university saw an increase of 4.6 percent of students over the age of 25.

If the trend continues, especially with the heightened amount of applications accepted, then this semester could also seen rise of this demographic.

One cause of concern is the lack of programs available for people who have spent a considerable amount of time away from the education process.

Jessica Cook, a junior restaurant management student, feels that more attention needs to be paid along with classes available to students who have spent time away from college.

"This is the first time I have been to college and have spent almost the last eight years away from any educational institutions and in the military," said Cook.

"I think it would be wonderful if the university offered some study skills classes to students like me," Cook said.

At ISU, the Student Academic Service Center offers programs to those who wish to further their pursuit of areas such as study skills to time management, but has not offered classes for students who may or may not be non-traditional can further their knowledge in these areas.

Andrew Johnson, a new student of IVY Tech, has recently gone from working full-time to pursuing his passion for teaching.

"When I first went back to school, the first item I realized that it has been a long time since I have had to write a paper or do any other activities involved in the learning process," Johnson said.

"Though I now feel like I am becoming adjusted to process of school, this first semester has been rougher than I anticipated due to my time away [from school]," he said.

One reason many students are taking time before entering college is because they are unsure of the path they would like to pursue in college.

Krislyn Rollins, a soon to be student, decided not to go to college due to this very reason.

"I feel like I do not want to be in school unless there is some goal or career in which I really want to go for," she said.

"Until I find a major that is right for me, then I will not enroll in any classes or college," she said.

With the current job market and financial situation upon our country, more people are either going back to school or reevaluating their own job or future.