I just spent some time reading a very informative article on Associated Content about math barriers for Non Trads.   There were some great tips on how to deal with completing a series of Math requirements.   One main point that I really identified with was the concept of pursuing MASTERY…not just completing assignments.   This idea really hit home with me during my struggle this last summer term with Algebra.   Being the typical Non Trad, I set my sights high, expecting an A from this class, just like I received in MTH 020.   Well, my grades came in this week with a solid “B” in MTH 060.   Was I crushed? Yes, but maybe my expectations need to be tempered with a bit of reality as well…Reality is like gravity – IT SUCKS!   Not that I have any real excuses, but I tried to take a full load of Summer Term classes AND Stage Manage a musical at my local ACT community theater!    Bottom line was that I was not as consistent with the homework for my math class.   I did not really MASTER the concepts, and struggled with the formulas and concepts on tests.    Hence, the horrible (to me anyway) B GRADE.

Another important concept was “shopping for the right professor”.   I was lucky to have a caring, entertaining and conscientious teacher.   I am completing my Math requirements at Linn Benton Community College.   I felt it wise to take math in this setting with smaller classes, more personal attention and less stress than Oregon State University would have.   I will be sticking with my new favorite teacher, Tom LePage.    I also found it useful to have a support group of students in the same boat as myself.   (Another great concept I found in this article.)   My “Math Buddies” really helped to motivate me during class and we “competed” with each other on test scores.   I plan to be at the top of our group for Fall Term’s Math 065!

I have not done too much more digging around in the Associated Content website, but if this article is any representation of the quality there, I highly recommend a look around!    The title of the post is Math and the Non Traditional Student:How to get Past the Math Barrier.   We “Non Trads” need all the help we can get in many areas….for me, Math is at the top of this list.

Well, I’m free from school until the end of September.   I’ve got a little bit of summer to myself.   What to do?   Pull weeds, not so much…I think they have won the battle this year, better just spray them.   Clean the garage?  not so much….I can still fit two cars in there, that’s better than most of my neighbors!   Clean the house?   Yes, better put my books and backpack away for a few weeks at least…   Have some fun?  Yes, time to dust off the Nikon and get out for some serious photography…..ooops, better get to those shots still in Lightroom and Photoshop waiting for post processing from BEFORE summer term started….Here is a special deal I have found 30% off Lightroom 2, along with a full or upgrade version of Photoshop CS4. Ends November 30, 2009.
If I was smart, I would be going back over my MTH 060 homework and getting ready for MTH 065 in the fall.   I didn’t get the desired “A” grade in Math….I did get a solid “B”, but that just is not good enough.    I realize this is only my second term back in school, and I have probably set to high of expectations, but….   I already have my classes for Fall term set up and registered for.   Now to start a search for Textbooks online.   I’ll do an entire post on this process next week when I have the numbers to show you all.    I saved over $150 last term by shopping online for textbooks with Abe.com.     This process does not work for every class out there, but the savings were substantial.

I plan for this blog to be a resource for Non Trad students.   Scholarship information, best buys on text books, study skills and anything else I can put together for my fellow older students.   There are plenty of Non Traditional Students out there, and since we are the fastest growing demographic in higher education today, we really need all the help we can find.    I’ll also be doing some links to some of the resources I have already found on the internet, and some great blog sites as well.   I’m starting to find quite a community of Non Trads on the WWW.

Now, where did I last see my backpack with all that Math waiting?

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I finished up my Summer Term at Linn Benton Community College in Oregon today!!!  I still get a little bit of summer to enjoy.   But only for a short time…need to get set up for my Fall Term classes.   I have pre registered for everything, which is wise…there is a huge number of new students here in Oregon.   I would guess that the biggest portion of them are going to be Non Traditional Students!   With the economy in the tank, many of us are in the same boat with needing to retrain for better jobs.   I will be in school for a while, I have goals that will keep my nose in the books for a few years.

My advice to you is…get registered for Fall Term NOW!    With the number of new students coming into the system, the availability of classes in your major may be problematic.   I spoke with the Admissions Office of Oregon State University today and she told me that they have a record number of new students this year.   I am sure this is nationwide and your local schools will be in the same situation.   If you are already an experienced Non Trad College Type you probably are already on top of this.   For all of you prospective Non Trads waiting to take the plunge,  now is the time to jump in with both feet.

If you are returning to school after a long time out in the real world, I highly suggest you read my blog entry about taking a College Study Skills class.   Most institutions have some type of course like this and I can recommend them highly!   Also, now would be the time to start looking into your needed supplies like backpacks, Laptops and the all important TI-84 calculator.   I have been blogging about these needed items and check into my other posts for some tips.

I’m going to enjoy what Summer I have left, but I’ll keep posting information here for fellow Non Trads so check back often!    Now to the weeds!

I never thought that a backpack would be such an essential piece of equipment.    As you walk around campus, it is hard not to notice all the different types of packs.   I searched the Internet, I went to the OSU Bookstore, REI Outfitters and spent days just finding the right one.   I tried on red ones, I zipped and unzipped pockets, I tried on blue ones… you get the idea.    I finally found one at Target that had just the right amount of storage and not so big that it would carry a small automobile.   Text books are heavy, especially when you have two or three classes in a day.   I have seen folks dragging the wheeled cases around campus just like the airport.   People I have talked to seem to like them,  I didn’t go that way however.   I did look to find a backpack that could carry a laptop.   (more on this later…)  The side pockets are compartmentalized so you can keep supplies, pens/pencils and a the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator right at hand.   I carry extra pencil leads and other office supplies and I found this to be a plus.   The brand is ful JT
, probably pronounced “fool”…

I decided to move into the Netbook type of laptop computer for schoolwork, notes and Internet.   If you have not looked into these types of smaller computers, they are really quite handy.   MSI Wind is the brand I decided on.   With a 10″ screen, they are bigger than most of the netbooks out there.   This little computer has a keyboard that is about 80% sized of a full laptop.  Takes a little getting used to, but they really are not that bad overall.   You can connect wireless to the internet, and they are capable of word processing.   All that you really need to have with you at school.   They will not play intensive games, but you should be fine with most web based applications.   I found the best deal on the MSI Wind through Amazon  MSI Wind U100-432US 10-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Black

If  you have not found that perfect backpack, keep searching, one will “speak” to you soon.   I’ll get some pictures posted of how I have set up my mobile office on my back.  Being a non traditional student returning to school presents all kinds of new adventures, selecting the perfect backpack was just one of them.    The new school year is just a few weeks away, better start trying some on!

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I have finalized my schedule for my fall term classes.  Plan to take more history for fun, more math to fulfill requirements and an English Lit class for my Bac core class requirements.   Also have plans to do an independent study series in History.   Full load, how to deal with this?   One of the best classes that I could have ever taken first term back as a Non Traditional Student was “College Skills” CG111.    I wholeheartedly recommend any form of this class for a non trad.   This course teaches you how to study, take notes and take tests.   I’m sure that most institutions have some course like this.   One of the key points learned was what type of learner you are…visual, auditory or Kinesthetic (hands on…)    Tailoring your note taking and study habits to one of these three types is essential to your success.

Although this summer term…..I should practice what I preach….just like my father always said….

Don’t do as I do, Do as I say!!

I’m putting together a post on the Cornell Note Taking System.    I find that this one really helps with organization and further study of your class notes.

This online program appears to have some real potential check it out…every little bit helps

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