No one gives a damn. *shrug shoulders* #ThatsTheTea
As non-traditional students, we do not get the benefits of traditional students. I don't care what anyone says, it is true.
And if you think I'm whining, *whispers* I don't care. Until you walk a mile in my shoes, you can't tell me anything.
The issue of being a non-traditional student is that even when you take into account all of any possible outliers, life still happens. And you get punished for it.
A standard day for me: (I have a one year old and nine year old).
Class Days:
Wake up at 0400. Wake up stepson. Get dressed. Get the baby dressed. Leave home by 0445. Drop baby off at daycare by 0530 or my mom if she is off. Drop my nine-year-old off at daycare at 0600. Drive 76 miles to school* and arrive on campus by 0730. Class starts at 0800.
Drive back 76 miles at end of class around 1400. If I take baby to daycare, my aunt will pick him up for me. Sometimes I will leave school and go straight to work (1500-2030) give or take a few hours. Get my baby from parents/aunt. Husband will pick up son from after school. Come home to check my son's homework. Husband usually have dinner unless there are leftovers. Shower, school assignments. We wait the baby out until he goes to sleep, usually between 2230-2300 (sooner, if lucky, lol).
Then repeat times 2-3 days.
Clinical days are mostly the same; except now I am completing (9) 12-hour practicum
rotations.
But then I may have a sick child and is unable to attend class. Even after providing extensive documentation and asking for schoolwork, I still get penalized for attendance. Or before I can finish my sentence, I'm hit with, "iF yOu MiSs aNoThEr DaY--" blah blah blah I KNOW. This is the plight of a non-traditional student.
I'm quite sure some traditional students have similar issues as well, but this isn't the same.
I do believe for both parties no one should have to choose between going to a loved one funeral and receiving a zero on a test. Or having unexpected sickness of a parent or sibling. Or having an absence count against them. Now, if you are a habitual offender of killing off family members because you got drunk the night before, that's all on you BUCKO!
Anyways, back to what I was saying.
Not only about childcare, but what if you are the sole provider to elderly parents? They have doctor appointments or chemotherapy visits--you should not have to choose between what is more important. What hurts the most is when you are trying your damnest and no one cares. This is why it is important to research schools before applying.
The instructor isn't obligated to care, but isn't that what is being taught? To care for your patients and offer resources as needed? But I digress.
I propose that college and universities should have something similar like Freshman Year Experience class for Non-Traditional Students. Provide resources for childcare. Budgeting for school. Have an advocate available (like an advisor) who checks in periodically to make sure things are on track. Heck, even offer something similar to FMLA--but for students. This is something that I am looking forward to working on for future NTS who have similar issues.
Everyone isn't trying to avoid school or cut class. Some of us have real life issues happening at the same time. We are trying to make a better life for ourselves.
Fall Semester was rough af on me. It took ONE PROFESSOR to sit me down and to tell me that she knew the struggles that I am enduring and even those unsaid. Not only did she empathize with me, but she also spoke life into me. Even though life isn't fair, she gave me hope to continue pushing.
And more importantly, to have all of my ducks in a row.
So, to my fellow NTS out there, keep pushing! Know your policies. Keep a paper trail. Know your chain of command. Keep pushing in times of adversities.
As my friend Hannah always says, "You Got THIS!"
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*Disclaimer: The school that was the best fit for me was 76 miles away. There are really no opportunities in my area that suited me. Even if I was to go to a school in town, I would of still had the same struggles. I had it while completing my pre-reqs.
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