Non-traditional students make up 42 percent of the student population at IU Southeast. By definition, a non-traditional student is 23 years of age or older, has been out of school for a number of years and/or has another primary focus other than school (i.e. marriage, parenting, work, etc). Non-traditional students who are also parents each have their own motivations, struggles and triumphs.
Heather Taylor, geoscience senior and parent, said balance is the key to her success as a non-traditional student.
“Balance is required to stay motivated and handle everyday responsibilities,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s daily motivations include picking up her daughter from daycare after a long day of classes, work or volunteer services.
Taylor will move back to Tucson, Ariz., with her husband and daughter and work at a national park as a search and rescue ranger after graduating.
“I have to keep pushing so I can go back to Tuscan,” Taylor said.
Taylor starts her day at 7 a.m. and has to leave school by 5:30 p.m. to pick up her daughter.
“Getting my degree will help teach my daughter how to be a strong woman,” Taylor said.
Taylor said it is difficult to manage her responsibilities without the help of her husband, who is a well-site geologist in Pennsylvania.
“He is gone for work 30 days at a time and comes back for two weeks at a time,” she said. Taylor said she relies on her mother and mother-in-law for support with her 18-month old daughter Genevieve.
Taylor is involved in several student organizations on campus in addition to working and being a mother.
Michelle Lovell, nursing senior, is also a non-traditional student. She is engaged, a mother of four, and has returned to school after being out for some time. Lovell is set to graduate in the spring 2014.
“I will be the first person in my family to graduate from college,” Lovell said.
In addition to academia and parenting, Lovell takes time to get involved in organizations on campus. Lovell said she was at one time the Non-Traditional Student Union’s president.
Lovell has also been inducted into The Pinnacle Honor Society, an organization that recognizes high academics, volunteerism, and community leadership achievements in adult students.
Finding time to study is sometimes difficult for Lovell because she lives an hour away from campus.
“Our nursing class of 2014 is a close knit group. When someone makes a study guide for the exam, they share it Oncourse,” Lovell said. Lovell finds time to study by going to the Adult Student Center, or partnering with other students.
Kim Pelle, the director of the Adult Student Center, raised three children as a single mother in college.
“Anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” Pelle said.
Pelle said she managed her responsibilities well to help her allow for more time with her children and for studying during the school and work week.
“I was organized. I made dinner for the week on Sundays,” she said.
The Adult Student Center hosts many activities throughout the year.For more information on The Adult Student Center visit www.ius.edu/campuslife/adultstudents.
