Tips for Non-Traditional Students

1. Prepare yourself.

   Find a career goal that makes you happy. Being aware that your life situation may be more complex than traditional aged students - with families, full-time jobs, or possible life transitions such as divorce or job down-sizing. To start off strong and to be prepared so you can excel, you may want to:

• refresh or redevelop your study skills,
• brush up on your writing and math skills, and
• learn basic computer, word-processing skills,
• relearn test-taking strategies,
• become comfortable speaking in public.

 

2. Prepare your family.

   In reality earning your degree is a family effort. Life for everyone in your family will change when you go to college. Others in your family will be have his/her own concerns about the change in your "normal routine." Talk over and explain to your family members how improving yourself will benefit them. Growth sometimes causes relationships to change. Let them know that you will still be there for them as you hope they are there for you. 

   Involve your family in your student life. Bring them to campus and show them where your classes are, where you study and take breaks, where you park! Take them to many of the free University events. Ask them to help you study.

    

3. Delegate some responsibilities to others.

   Enlist support from your family and friends. Inform each member of the family that he/she will have more responsibility and tasks to learn in order to help you. Look at this reassignment of responsibilities as a positive because you are helping him/her grow into responsible individuals. You are human and deserve to go through school without the little details dragging you down. Don't get stressed out over a dirty house or an overgrown lawn. Be flexible with your normal routines. If you'd like to dedicate more time to your family or studies, ask your family or friends to help you out. They may help watch the kids, run an errand, or offer information that will help you complete an assignment. You will never know unless you ask!

    

4. Make sure your work schedule can accommodate your class schedule.

Talk to your employer about the importance of your education. This is especially important if you receive tuition assistance from your workplace or if you will have a different work schedule. If you miss class because you have to work late, discuss your situation with your professor and employer. Chances are you can negotiate a compromise that won't affect your grades.

 

5. Map out your schedule for completing the certificate or degree.

Mapping out your schedule for completing the certificate or degree can help you to set realistic goals and budget your time efficiently. For a non-traditional students, it may take you longer than one or two years to complete a certificate or associate program. Make sure your plan is flexible and balanced. Discuss your timeframe with a Marshall Community and Technical College Advisor who knows your certificate or programs requirements so you can be assured that your timeframe is realistic and reachable.

 

6. Embrace technology.

   If you are not computer literate, start early learning computer skills that you will need to succeed as a student. One of the first tasks you should complete when starting at Marshall Community and Technical College is to set up your myMU account. Your myMU account gives you access to emails, your grades, the web, important dates, course schedules, etc. You'll also be able to communicate quickly with instructors and other students. Some instructors send assignments to you using myMU and you might even be able to e-mail your assignments if you can't attend class. The Marshall Community and Technical College Advising Center will send important messages to your myMU account. Also, your computer account enables you to do research from home at times that fits your schedule.

   Contact Computing Services located on the 4th floor of the Drinko Library for more information about setting up your myMU account.

    

7. Schedule a campus tour.

   Campus tours help orient you to where buildings, offices, and services are located on campus. Also, start walking around campus and meeting a few people, so you will feeling more settled and comfortable in your new surroundings. You may even want to locate your classes before the first day so you feel less rushed and stressed. Find out where your class(es) meet by looking in Schedule of Courses or looking on your schedule you received when you registered for classes.

    

8. Learn how the use Drinko Library.

Drinko Library offers the Marshall Community access to the latest technology as well as a place to study and do research. Become familiar with the wide-range of services offered at the library. The more you know about the library, the more productive your time will be when you need to do research.

 

9. Registration—don't get frustrated.

   Registration is almost always chaos for everyone involved (students, Marshall Community and Technical College advisors, and Marshall staff alike) especially if you wait till the last minute to register. Remain calm, try not to get frustrated or discouraged. Those helping you register have rules and regulations to follow. Be assured they are trying their best help you as quickly and accurately as possible. After registration is complete, get your books, set up your myMU account, try to locate your classes, and start familiarizing yourself with what's to come. It always best to register for classes during pre-registration.

    

10. Consider taking summer classes—but schedule carefully.

Marshall Community and Technical College offers courses during the summer terms. There are four compressed sessions, so it is best if you take fewer classes than you would in a standard term. Summer course offerings vary from year to year.

 

11. Set up your myMU account and check it regularly.

This way you have access to emails, your grades, the web, important dates, course schedules, etc. Some instructors send assignments to you using myMU and the Marshall Community and Technical College Advising Center will send important messages to your myMU account. Stay up-to-date by reading your email.

 

12. Create a study system.

    Create a study system that works for you. Develop a routine so that you study before the assignment is due so you can keep up to date as much as possible. If the kids are in bed by 9:00 p.m., use the quiet time after 9:00 p.m. to study. If you're a morning person, you may want to set the alarm an extra hour or two early and study in the morning. Do some homework between classes in the library. Be efficient and creative with your study time such as reviewing notes at lunch or during work breaks, or while at the doctor's office. Use shorter time spans to study. It will surprise you how much you can get accomplished.

    To help meet your study needs, you may want to identify a place in the house that is your space for studying, and identify blocks of uninterrupted study time several days a week. Dedicated study time allows you to complete your assignments faster, and in a quality manner, by allowing you to focus on the goal at hand.

    One of the keys to your success is in finding a system that you can not only stick to a majority of the time but can also use to optimize your time and energy. Schedule your study time, use it, and guard it!

     

13. "Tomorrow" is often the busiest day of the week.

Don't procrastinate. While certain situations arise that need to be dealt with, try to stick with your study system. With your time being divided by family, work, school, and other activities, avoid wasting time—make every minute of your day count. Try to avoid saving everything for one day on the weekend. If you have some kind of emergency on that one day, your work and performance are bound to suffer and could jeopardize your success. If you have a writing assignment, write several drafts and have someone else read over it before you turn it in. The Writing Center can also provide help.

 

14. Form study groups.

Study groups are great tools to use for brainstorming, tutoring, and collaborating. Get in the habit of getting together with fellow students before exams or when other projects are due. Also, helping another student who may not grasp the material gives you a chance to review the material.

 

15. Don't be afraid to meet and get to know fellow students—even the "youngsters."

Speak to people while walking around campus, talk with your fellow students before and after class, eat lunch in the Memorial Student Center, or attend campus events. There are ways to meet other people and be a part of campus life on a limited time schedule. Many older students try too hard to fit in, joining social clubs and hanging out with the younger students all of the time. You don't have to do this, unless it's just something you really want to do. If you want to do it, that's fine. But you don't have to pretend to be "one of the kids." Don't try to be something you're not. You have a lot to offer by just being yourself and, remember, you have invaluable life experiences the "youngsters" don't have. Many students will look up to you, admiring your initiative and zeal for working for your education. Many others will simply look past you, because you don't "fit in."

 

16. Buy and use a calendar or planner or scheduler.

    Become an expert at time management will help you managing competing demands on your time. Think ahead, so you’re not working on two research papers, reading three books, and baking cupcakes for your child's class all at the same time. Prioritize your tasks and learn to say no. Also, start a list of the phone numbers of fellow students, instructors and important contacts.

     

17. Know your drop deadlines and book return policies.

It pays—literally—to be aware of your school's drop deadlines. After certain dates, Marshall will not refund your tuition or will refund only a percentage. Deadlines are listed in the Schedule of Courses and on myMU. And the bookstore will not accept returns after a certain date.

 

18. Keep all syllabi.

Instructors will hand out a course syllabus at the beginning of the term. The syllabus will contain important information such as test dates, assignment due dates, and contact information. You should note due dates on your calendar and try to start preparing early. It will come in handy when you're working on group projects and need to call each other.

 

19. Prepare, attend and participate in all classes.

When you miss class, you miss notes, handouts, and announcements about important dates. Attending class helps build a relationship with the instructor and fellow students. If an emergency occurs, contact your instructor as soon as you can. Know someone in every class that you can ask for notes. Not knowing where your class meets isn't an excuse for missing class.

Read assignments before lecture so you’re ready to understand what you hear with what you have read. Sitting closer to the instructor will enable you to pay better attention to the important information conveyed in the class. Always take notes. Write down any examples the instructor uses so you can review them during your study time.

Participate in class discussion. Ask and answer questions. Class lectures are meant to explain and clarify the reading material not to replace the reading material. Also, being prepared builds confidence that ultimately shows in your performance. Also remember you bring invaluable life experience to class!

 

20. Meet your instructor.

Start getting to know your instructor(s) during the first couple of weeks of classes. Talk to them as often as possible—out of class, before class, after class, during their offices, or  if you see them at the grocery store. Get a feel for who they are and what they expect from their students and their classes. Let them get to know you. Many Marshall Community and Technical College instructors have a high respect for older students, and this will be in your favor. Visit your instructor(s) during office hours to discuss opportunities or class material you did not understand, or just to get to know them better. If their office hours are not convenient for you, try to schedule a time when you can meet. Getting to know each of your instructors helps you develop a relationship and he/she could be a reference for the future. Keep in touch with your instructors!

 

21. Accept constructive criticism.

Constructive criticism is not meant to be personal nor should you take it that way. Instructors will critique your work and be doing you a favor. No matter how competent you may be, all work can be improved. Indeed, if your work is heavily "red lined," it means that your instructor took a lot of time to show you the need to improve and how to do it. If you feel free to criticize your instructors (and you will), be prepared to understand and accept academic criticism.

 

22. If you don't understand something, get help immediately.

Get explanations and clarifications. Meet with your instructor to clear up any misunderstandings. If you have problems, like a personal illness or illness in the family, let your instructors know as soon as possible. This could mean the difference in having extra time to complete an assignment or exam, or having to take a failing grade for something missed due to circumstances beyond your control. If you are having academic problems, ask your instructor for help. This lets him/her know you are trying and in return your instructor may be more understanding. There is no shame in getting help, and very few get through college without some form of assistance. So what if it takes a little longer to learn the material? You can also get help from Tutoring Services, which was paid for through your student activity fees!

 

23. Keep all important paper or anything that looks important.

If you are unsure if a paper is important, keep it. You may need it later in the semester/term. It's always good practice to save copies of

• program sheets or the Marshall Community and Technical College Catalog you entered under because program requirements can change before you graduate;
• official drop/add slips;
• class schedules;
• intercollege transfer requests;
• developmental course contract agreements;
• grade changes; and/or
• receipts for books in case you need to return one;

If there are no copies because you transacted such business on the web, check, recheck and then check again your procedures and, if possible, make a print copy of the transaction. While university offices can make mistakes, they are more than helpful if you can offer evidence that you really did follow the correct procedures.

 

24. Schedule down time.

Be sure to take personal time. Remember to take care of yourself, get enough sleep, eat well and exercise. Schedule gym time, salon time, reading time—whatever time it takes for you to feel rejuvenated. Don’t forget to laugh. Attend some of the concerts, hear a speaker, see a play, catch some of the athletic events, enjoy the films, laugh with the comedians—in short, take advantage of some of the outstanding programs and activities that are presented on campus.

 

25. Keep your eyes on the prize—the real prize that is!

Identify your internal motivation for coming to the Marshall Community and Technical College and seeking a certificate or degree. Keep that in the forefront of your mind when the going gets tough. It might be a while until you get your dream job and the big paychecks start coming in, but the inner feelings of achievement and satisfaction along the way can make all the difference in the long run. What you learn here cannot be taken away—it is yours to keep!

 

26. Above everything else, just be yourself.

Think of college as simply one aspect of your life, rather than making it your entire life. This will help you keep everything in perspective. Be positive and enthusiastic about your educational adventure and, remember, everyone can succeed! You are not the first adult to return to college. A number of the Marshall Community and Technical College Advising staff returned for a degree as an adult.  Other non-traditional students have written about their experiences in college. You may want to look for additional books or web site to read about their experience.