By TRACY MEZA
Student Writer
The next time there is a seat in the classroom next to a non-traditional student, a traditional college student should choose to sit in it. Why? Because chances are, along with the teacher, the non-traditional student will also be able to teach about the “real world.”
The typical college student is at school for several things: get an education, hang out with friends, have fun, go to parties…etcetera, before they have to join the work force of the “real world.”
On the contrary, the non-traditional college student is there for one thing: to get their education. They aim to get their degree and get back to work.
The traditional college student may look at the non-traditional student and wonder what it is that brought them back to school at this point in their life?
Well, here it is: the typical non-traditional student has been in the real world and has come to the re-alization that it is not easy. Money definitely does not grow on trees. If unprepared, a glass ceiling will be met, and that can only be broken through with the proper credentials.
The non-traditional college student has been in the job field and has worked from the ground up within a company and earned promotions along with hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, the realization finally comes that the next promotion is not com-ing.
At least not without a degree. Therefore, the non-traditional student has most likely been committed to the ultimate sacrifice. To cut the family income in half, to leave a hard-earned career, and roll the dice with the thought that suffering financially for a few years to earn college degree will pay off in the end.
So, what can the non-traditional student teach the traditional college student in the seat next to them in class? The traditional college student will learn how important it is to commit to school studies, be-cause, in the end, all that matters is the degree and the grades earned getting it. The traditional college student will learn that 10 years down the road, the parties and the fun had in college will not matter. All that will matter is family and being hap-py in your career. Perhaps the most important thing the non-traditional college student can teach the traditional college student is that the gossip among peers, or picking on the weak, or wearing the most expensive clothes, or being the most physically fit will not get you very far in the “real world.”
One of the most important things learned in the “real world” is to accept everyone for who they are, and to help anyone in need, because in the “real world,” everyone is in need of something.
As the corporate ladder climb begins, there are two choices: to lean on others to help with the climb or to walk on others throughout the climb. Walking on others is weak, and eventually that ladder will col-lapse.