Nontraditional students face many challenges
JCC, a comfortable fit for many nontraditional students
By Tammy Wernet
Staff Writer
Jackson Community College is home to many nontraditional students who work full-time jobs, have children or have returned to college after a long absence. They face challenges every day yet continue to better themselves through education.
Nontraditional students must deal with issues that other students do not. Day-care, maintaining a home, juggling a career and school, and the stress associated with these issues are just a few.
Ranee Janiak, 43, has completed 40 credit hours and hopes to earn an associate of liberal arts within the next five years. She works 40-plus hours a week and is enrolled in one online class.
"Balancing my job, my family, family commitments, housework and (my) kids' school activities, with my homework, is the biggest challenge," Janiak said. "Not being able to exercise is taking the biggest hit right now. Something has to give."
Janiak cites several reasons for her return to college. She would like to experience the feeling of accomplishment that would come with completing her degree, set an example for her children, and job advancement.
Many other JCC students do this same balancing act every day. For some, it doesn't work out.
Manda Williams, 25, a stay-at-home mom and former JCC student, has completed two semesters of college and plans to return to JCC when her children are "older, in school full-time and more independent."
"For me, the biggest challenged I faced was wanting to spend the time on (classes) that I needed to... As a full-time mom, I ultimately made the decision that at this point in my life, my priorities just weren't there."
Williams said she thinks JCC is more accepting of nontraditional students.
"When I first entered college, I was not (a nontraditional student). When I returned as a stay-at-home mom, I was definitely nontraditional. At a school like JCC, I think that is more common than at a university."
Janiak said she has never felt that her nontraditional status made her not fit in.
"I can usually talk to anyone," she said.
Williams said she felt uncomfortable bringing her kids to campus during the day.
"The only time I ever felt out of place was when I had to be on campus to register or to go to the bookstore. That was difficult... I had to go during the day and bring my kids because there were no evening hours offered."
Making the decision to go to college, and to make the sacrifices to stay there, seems to be the most difficult part for many nontraditional students.
JCC offers a wide range of online classes that may serve to make this decision a little easier. Susan Beerbower, director of distance learning, said 1,185 students are enrolled in online courses.
JCC's support for nontraditional students includes child-care services, career resources, assistance with financial aid and tutoring for those who need extra help.
JCC also offers a health and physical fitness course dedicated to stress management.