Trad vs. Non-Trad Students

Based on my limited experience of being back in school for a full academic year, I'm discovering some major differences between traditional college students and those who qualify as non-traditional. For the sake of clarity, a traditional student is within a few years of high school graduation, often lives on campus in a dormitory, is in his or her late teens or early twenties, and looks to the college campus for food, entertainment, and social life, in addition to education.

The non-traditional student is usually several years past high school, and often is anywhere from 30 to 70 years old -- or older. They don't date much, they often are employed off campus, they study and attend class on tight schedules, they have families, homes, and responsibilities, and they are not dependent on the campus for anything but their education. Oh, and a little amusement.

The differences between the two groups go deeper, though. While traditional students often walk into class casually late, non-trads are usually on time, if not a half hour early. Where else are they going to go, besides the next classroom? While there are lounges and lobbies to relax in, non-trads have to find their study time and space where they can, so they look for classrooms that are open and quiet. That 15 minutes of study time may not come again.

Traditional students tend to be intimidated by professors, or at least a little hesitant to go to them with questions or problems. Non-trads, on the other hand, seek out their professors, ask for help, and look for discussion. Whether this comes from having spent time in collegial workplaces or from a desire to learn everything they can, non-trads take advantage of every chance to understand and learn. The chance may not come again.

On the unpleasant side, both groups of students tend to complain. The high-pitched whine can get overwhelming at mid-terms and finals, but there are some people among both groups of students who complain about any assignment or project from Day One of any given semesters. Of course, when they're howling about group projects, they're right. It's often amazing that the professors show up for work at all.

A few traditional students assume that because their families have paid the tuition, they will automatically pass all their classes, no matter what their attitudes. Non-trads understand that it doesn't work that way, and don't even discuss the idea that the university owes them a grade or degree. They know that you have to put in more than money, that education is not a commercial transaction.

Non-trads have an additional advantage: they tend to be more focused and more driven to get the grade and the degree. Without the distraction of having a favorite band or a favorite bar, without the need to try every beer or every flavor of pizza, non-trads give the learning process all they can, start to finish.

You're only young once. If you're lucky, you get to go to college more than once.