Non-Traditional Students
Transitions - Adults Returning to School
When we add “college student” to our already long list of roles, which often include employee, partner, and parent, the transition can be surprisingly trying. The expectations placed on a student are different than the expectations we experience in our other walks of life. This means that at the same time we are learning our coursework, we have to learn to adjust to life as a student again.
Why are transitions so difficult?
The excitement of returning to school may carry us through the first few days or weeks of classes. Sooner or later, we can start to feel some of the burdens of wearing multiple hats. Learning how to switch roles is essential for success as a student. Here are some signs that you are struggling with transitioning to your new role as a student:
- Difficulty finding time to study
- Trouble balancing all of your responsibilities
- Feeling like the “oldest person on campus”
- Not finding the services you need
- Getting thoroughly frustrated with little things (like finding a parking space)
- Experiencing the feeling that you will never complete your degree
- Feeling like “throwing in the towel”
Is there anything I can do to ease the transition?
You bet there are! Often knowing that we are supported in our decision to return to school can make all the difference in our adjustment to being a student. Some ways that we can create a support system include:
Enlist your community.
- Exchange childcare with a friend or neighbor to create some interruption-free study time.
- Work out a schedule to alternate meal preparation with another busy family or family member.
- Speak with members of your church, community groups, clubs or even your neighbors about ways they can help. Some groups may offer scholarships, while others may be able to help out in other ways, like raking your yard during midterms. It can be surprising how much others are willing to help.
- Utilize the resources at your local library.
- Find another UW Oshkosh student to commute with. Even if you can only do it once in a while, this is a great opportunity to get to know someone who understands what you are experiencing and give yourself a break from driving.
Enlist campus resources. Here are just a few of the services available to you:
- Adult Student Access Services office provides support for issues specifically related to adult students – someone to talk with, help in knowing where to go for other needs.
- Career Services office can help you keep your career goals on track.
- Children’s Learning and Care Center provides quality, affordable on-campus childcare for children newborn through eight years of age.
- Computer Labs provide a quiet atmosphere and up-to-date computers and printers.
- Counseling Center is available to help with a variety of personal issues.
- Financial Aid Office helps assist you with accurate information about loans, grants, work study funding, and scholarships to assist in financing your education.
- Math Tutor Lab offers peer tutoring to students in any math course at UW Oshkosh to help you when needed.
- Reading/Study Center can help you with learning strategies that can help you study more efficiently.
- Writing Center supports writing done in all university classes.
- In addition, you can seek out the commuter lounge in Reeve Union, study in the library, rent a laptop computer in the Union, and get additional help from Student Support Services. The possibilities go on and on!
- NTSO (Non-Traditional Student Organization) NTSO is an OSA recognized student organization dedicated to Non-Traditional Students in higher education. Come and be a part of NTSO. See what's happening and meet other students like yourself. Spring Meetings will be held on the second thrusday of each month at 12:30pm in the SLIC (Student Leadership and Involvement Center).
- --Search here for all UW Oshkosh Student Organizations
Get your “significant other” involved in your education.
- If possible, arrange to bring your partner to your classes for a day. When our partners are familiar with where we are and who we are with, they are able to be even more supportive of our decisions.
- Bring them to a social event on campus. There are many events happening each week. With such diverse options as the Gail Floether Steinhilber Art Gallery in Reeve Union, the Buckstaff Planetarium, speakers, and movies. There is something for everybody.
- Ask your partner to go on a “study date” with you. This can be a fun way for your partner to experience what you’re learning and for you to get some studying done.
- Bring the kids to campus for ice cream. Keeping your children involved makes it easier for them to understand when you have to study.
- Set a time each week with a family member or friend, in which you can talk uninterrupted about your school life.
- Remember to thank your family/friends for their support! Your recognition of their support will encourage them to be even more supportive! It’s a great cycle to get into.
Stay healthy. When we are juggling our coursework, jobs, and families it is easy to let our healthy habits slide. We all know that exercise reduces stress and increase productivity. What isn’t so obvious is the toll that missing classes due to illness can have on grades. Don’t think you have time for a workout? Here are some ideas:
- Take the dog (or the kids, or your best friend) for an evening walk
- During the lunch hour go for a swim in the Albee Pool on campus.
- Have you been on the Wiouwash Trail yet? It’s perfect for a running, biking or walking on.
Learn to say “No”. We don’t have to be superheroes who take on every task offered to us. In fact, if we turn down some things now and then, we will be able to better complete the tasks we accept.
Making the transition to college student means adjusting socially, academically, and maybe even financially. This can be a difficult stage but that’s what it is, a stage. If you find that you are struggling or if you feel you would like to talk to someone about this challenging time, please contact the Counseling Center at 424-2061 or Adult Student Access Services at 424-1401.
Further Resources:
Websites:
http://www.back2college.com/index.shtml - with its online forums and expert advice, this site has lots of information for the adult returning to school.
http://www.uwosh.edu/adultaccess - this UW Oshkosh website helps link you up with local resources and personal assistance from student mentors who are also nontraditional students like you.
Books:
Adult Students: An Insider’s Guide to Getting into College, by Gen and Kelly Tanabe
College Rules!, by Sherrie Nist, and Jodi Patrick Holschuh
How to Transfer to the College of your Choice, by Eric Freedman
Making the Most of College, by Richard J. Light
Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes 2nd edition, by William Bridges