Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student

I was noticing today that again, the wheat has been separated from the chaff after the first week of Winter term.   Like last term, which was crazy crowded, a large number of students have disappeared from my classes.   I would assume that a lot of the drops came from rescheduling and not needing certain classes.   Of course, I notice in my 8:00 AM Math 065 class some of the “younger” and “traditional” students are not there this week.  Like last term, us older students, the Nontraditional ones, are still hard at it.   I have been focusing on undergraduate baccalaureate core classes while I’m getting my math requirements done.   These classes are the usual undergrad fare, ENG 201, BI-103, HST 202…the kind all folks need in their core.    The load in these classes is high at my local community college  and there is quite a variety of students in each.   After the first week of “thinning”, I notice that my classmates are the real students who are motivated and driven toward a goal.  (I thought that I would share some more photos of the Oregon Coast trip for my wife’s birthday in this post, I hope nobody minds…You can click on the photos for a larger version)   The frantic pace of the first week of Winter term is now settled down to the routine of studying and lectures.   The students who are left in my classes are busy with the ebb and flow of regular coursework.   I have been planning my research papers for my Shakespeare English class.   We are studying middle Shakespeare, which includes the Sonnets.   This is  my “fun” class for the term as my instructor fulfills my historical needs in his lectures with great tidbits about Elizabethan England.   I always seem to relate my classes to a Historian’s perspective, even with my science credits, I find myself researching the history of the geologists and biologists.   My advice to all of my fellow Nontraditional students is to just relax, get into the flow of your classes this term and simply enjoy the experience.     (I hope you are enjoying the photos) (continue reading…)

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.

I kind of quit paying attention to math about my sophomore year in high school…about 1972!    Upon returning to college last term, I took the usual placement tests.   I scored well on the reading/writing part of the test, but when it came to math…the testing computer just locked up and “you need to start all over again, buddy…”    For my first term back at Linn Benton Community College I dove right in and started all over again with MTH 020.   Success!  I received an A in the class and off I went to work my way up to MTH 105!   My plan is to get my math requirements out of the way while taking classes at a community college (HINT, HINT…look into this, you will thank me later…) due to the smaller class sizes and personal attention from professors.   I see now that this plan is definitely sound.   I have heard horror stories from my fellow classmates who have tried to struggle through a math class of 150 students and a TA teaching the class.    I really feel that there are merits to taking lower level courses at your local community college and then transferring to finish your junior and senior years at a university.   Dual enrollment programs are all over the nation and your area probably has a similar program.

Algebra is a foreign language to me, however, it is sinking in daily.   My math teacher is really great and quite a character to boot…  He makes learning quite enjoyable.   Right now I am sitting on a B average.    I really want to keep my 4.00 GPA going   this term.    Have to buckle down and really pound these concepts.   I will be sunk if I get into higher math without a strong base of knowledge.    I found one piece of invaluable machinery that everyone out there should get ASAP….the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator.  In our case, this calculator is approved for use all the way up to MTH 111.   When you get into MTH 095, this tool is invaluable I’m told.   So far it has been the best investment yet.    (I also bought a netbook for my backpack….I’ll blog on my MSI Wind later, stay tuned.)   One of it’s greatest features is it’s expanded memory.   You can store formulas and enough data to make it through any test!!

Have to sit down with my Algebra book now…..big test coming up on Friday!!

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

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