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This chapter is written by Brandy. Brandy was
both an adult student and a member of CollegePrep-101. An adult
student, typically classified or called a non-traditional student,
is anyone above the usual college age. Most students start college
around the age of 18 or 19 and complete their degree by the age of
22 to 24 years of age.
Frequently adult students face many of the same fears, challenges,
and concerns as well as similar reasons for wanting to go/return to
college. Brandy talks about her decision to attend college and her
experiences while there.
Click here for additional comments from
Brandy
Hi! My name is Brandy. When I graduated high
school in 1992, going to college was the furthest thing from my
mind. At that time, I was dating my high school sweetheart and was
only interested in finding a job and getting married.
Well, after years of being a waitress and later moving on to
clerical and secretarial work, I decided I was ready to go to
school. Making my mind up was easy. Actually doing something about
it was another thing. First, I had to plan a budget. Once you get
accustomed to a life style with a substantial income, it is
extremely scary to think about life with only a part-time income. I
began by writing out a list of my bills - everything I paid out for
a month. I then separated those items into two columns. One column
was listed as necessity and the other was labeled luxury. This was
difficult. I first had cable television and my cellular phone down
as a necessity. I realized, though I had become accustomed to that
life style, I had lived without those items before. So I transferred
them over to the other side of the list, along with my bi-weekly
nail appointments that I knew I would have to give up. It seemed to
be a great sacrifice.
Second, I contacted the school I wanted to attend and found out
everything I needed to do to apply. I received the application, went
in for the entrance interview, and met with an academic adviser to
talk about my course of study (what I wanted to be when I grew up)
and planned my first semester schedule. After I was accepted to the
university I planned to attend, I gave a lengthy notice to my
employer (five weeks) and received letters of recommendation for my
next step - job search. I had saved up some money for this new
venture in my life and was planning on cashing in my 401K that I had
built up. (It wasn't that much but I had decided it would benefit me
enough to pay the penalty for cashing it in.) With the money I had
saved, my 401K, my income tax return, and my student loan, I was set
to begin my freshman year at college. I made the decision to begin
school before I actually started looking for employment. I realize
most people are not fortunate enough to do this, but I felt it would
make the transition to college a little easier for me. I was going
to be focusing on my classes and learning how to study again, rather
than looking for and learning a new job. I was honestly terrified of
the campus, the courses and ALL of the people everywhere. I was
afraid of being a 24-year old freshman. I know that doesn't sound
old, but you are going through different periods in your life at 24
than you are at 18 and 19.
Well, the time came and I started school at OSU.
The first couple of weeks I was anxious, nervous, excited, scared,
and apprehensive all at the same time. I was so overcome with
anxiety that I actually read the preface to my beginning algebra
book - how "un-cool" is that? Well, as time went by I caught myself
being too uptight. I would be aggravated at students who would talk
to each other rather than pay attention to a lecture and stunned by
the students who could actually fall asleep in class. Feeling like
this made me really feel out of place. However, towards the end of
the semester, I loosened up. I made friends of classmates and
started becoming involved on campus. In my English class (Freshman
Comp. I), we had to get into groups and proof read and critique each
others papers. I began talking to a girl in that group, Kami, and
she has become a good friend of mine. I was also able to find a job
on campus in the advising office I was enrolled through. This gave
me another opportunity to meet other students -- and faculty. Soon I
began to recognize faces in the sea of people on campus. What a
great feeling! I also made a best friend of a co-worker in that
office, Linda, and have formed several close relationships with the
people I met in that office. I have joined a couple of organizations
on campus and this, again, has given me the opportunity to meet
people with the same interests. It helps you continue to develop
your team-building skills and interact with groups to try to make a
difference in your university and community.
I have never, not even for a split second, regretted my decision to
go back to school. It was quite a sacrifice financially and I've had
to apply for student loans and scholarships to pay for tuition and
some living expenses. But it was the right decision for me, for the
simple reason of being able to choose and DO what I want as a
career. It does take a transition period, and you do eventually find
your niche and fit in. (No matter what age you are.) I have found
friends of the young and old alike. The younger students are just
moving away from home and their friends and appreciate the company
and conversation you offer and the older students feel exited to
communicate their thoughts and feelings as well. They are both very
accepting and courteous, mainly because they are where you are in
life - college. Always remember, you aren't there alone.
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