A Letter to Non-Traditional Students: Get Involved!

I’m a nontraditional student. I’ve also been called an “adult” student, but I think that label is a bit ridiculous. Everyone attending Columbus State University is an adult, except for any child geniuses who may be lurking about. I think calling me an “adult” student is just an attempt by the establishment to avoid the word “old.”

The term nontraditional means that I spent a lot of years doing other stuff instead of going to college right out of high school. I got married and had children. Twenty years later, my marriage fell apart. I couldn’t find a job due to the large gap in my work history and the recession, so school became the only option for a better standard of living and any hope for a retirement that doesn’t include starving. Unfortunately, my retirement will probably include student loan payments.

Since I’ve come to college, I’ve done my best to have the best college experience possible. I managed to get a job at the student newspaper, joined the Campus Nerds, became president of the Creative Writing Club and now I am president of the Professional Writing Organization. I’ve even become a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honors society.

When I look around, almost all of my peers are people half my age. They may be young, but they are also hard working, intelligent and kind. They only lack experience, but everyone in college lacks experience, even us old folks. I may have lived longer and I may have more stories to tell, but I’ve learned that there is still a lot I don’t know and being involved with the younger students has been an important part of that lesson.

For any nontraditional students who may be reading this article, I encourage you to find the time to take part in the activities offered by the university, the Student Activities Council, the Office of Diversity, and the many wonderful student-led organizations.

Enrich your life and learning experience by becoming a member of one or more organizations. If you don’t see any organizations you like, start one. Don’t let being an “adult” keep you from making the most of your time in college.