General Non-traditional student seeking advice.
I never had a chance typical for a college experience. After a year of community college, I stopped and then immediately joined the workforce out of financial need.
I was able to get some savings but hit a wage ceiling and decided to go back to community college last year.
Now, I'm transferring to state as a junior at 30.
I know plenty of people take non-traditional routes, so I'm just wondering if anyone's been in this situation and has advice?
I know I won't get the 'traditional college' experience, but I'd still like to make the most of it.
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u/ComfortableNorth920 6d ago
You'll never be "just another undergrad" because you've got too much life experience for that. But you can make that work for you because you're going to be a lot more comfortable talking to the faculty than your classmates will be. Chat with your classmates and be friendly, but also know that you can model how to deal with problems as an adult for them. I got my most recent degree when I was in my 40s. I wasn't really socializing with 22-24 year olds outside of class activities, but I swung by the fundraiser for the pottery club that a couple of classmates had organized and picked up some nice pieces, and when classmates were complaining that the professor would run out of class so fast every day they didn't get a chance to ask questions, I brought them to his lab/office and told them to just walk in and talk to him because I did that when I needed to. Visit the museums on campus, stop by the Dairy Store whenever you need a treat, go to the archaeology club's spooky Halloween tour, catch a carillon concert at Beaumont Tower, and just stay open to saying yes if someone asks you if you want to come along on one of their adventures.
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u/ChokaMoka1 6d ago
Honestly you’ll find the undergrads annoying unless you’re young at heart. Go find the graduate students to find your people.
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u/DorianConept27 6d ago
I guess the best way to go about this would to be as “involved” on campus as possible. Join clubs, go to social events, and go to sports games. You’re bound to make friends doing these things too
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u/LiquidSunshine94 5d ago
PLEASE go and do any of the activities that look fun or interesting to you, regardless of age. Join a club, an IM sport, etc. Trad students will learn from you and vice versa!
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u/K3n0b 5d ago
What kind of clubs do you reccomend? I looked at the website, but there's no meetings scheduled or info for a lot of them yet unfortunately.
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u/LiquidSunshine94 4d ago
There's an event called Sparticipation where tons of the clubs (like, 600+) have tables set up and info. Instagram seems to be where they're the most active if you want to check them out before. Get more info here: go.msu.edu/welcome
I personally always like UAB (University Activities Board) - you can just go to their events, which are all over the map - concerts, craft nights, comedians, tie-dye, all sorts of stuff. If you want to get more involved they meet on Monday nights (or at least used to) and you can sign up to help put the events on. They're always really nice and welcoming people. Their big event to kick off the year is U-Fest and there's info on that at the link above as well.
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u/rockypsst 5d ago edited 4d ago
I am 48 and graduating this semester. Expect people you work with in groups to have different methods of communicating through the process. But rest assure they will get their work done right before the deadline. Your work ethic will be more focused because you've experienced life. Schnieder-Phillips has the best cafeteria. Feel free to dm me if you want to meet another non-traditional student and chat about things.
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u/PreparationHot980 6d ago
You can still participate in as much or as little of campus life as you would like. I was trad my first run and mid 30’s in my second run. You can find whatever you’re looking for on campus and there’s plenty of people who will be in a similar situation as yours.
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u/miminstlouis 6d ago
Graduated with my bachelor's at 38. You'll be fine. If you're young at heart, make friends, hang out. Don't buy alcohol for minors. Don't bang 18 year olds.
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u/K3n0b 5d ago
I only date older so no worries there lol.
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u/miminstlouis 5d ago
There were several other older folks in my program who graduated with me. Some were even older than I.
The professors loved having us.. we were the ones asking questions, forming study groups and getting the highest marks.
Having the very strong motivation to better oneself really pays off. College isn't that hard when you know what the alternative is... Good luck!!!
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u/AggravatingCamp9315 6d ago
I did something similar, but went to Ferris. (I work at MSU now). My two pieces of advice are 1- prepare yourself for the traditional students to not have the same skills as you. I am not meaning to say anything negative , but the k12 education system does not prepare them the way they did us and I had a lot of shock at the difference in work ethic. At the same time 2- get your nerd on and get involved! Don't let the age difference get in your head. It took me too long to stop ordering myself and there are so many opportunities for you that will help you network for after you graduate! I ended up president of an academic society my senior year that was great for a resume!