2008 Woodie Awards
Returning Students Rock The House
With years of life experience, older students return to take on school
Matthew Kruse
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Culture
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Imagine what studying would be like with a noisy child. How could you work with a child that desires nothing more than every second of your attention? The tough part is that you want to give them every ounce of your attention.
Older returning students often have different priorities than the average college student. Zindar Brunelle, 37, a senior in Industrial Technology, said, "If I have time to do something fun, I do it with my family."
This is in sharp contrast to college students who have little responsibility to anyone else during their down time. Don't take this wrong, college students are busy. Most work as well, but returning students often have responsibilities besides work and school that are undeniable. These include family and a shorter time span to pay off debt. At the very least, there is an extra pressure to hurry up and be in a career when a student is already older. "If I would have went to school before, I'd have a house by now," Brunelle said.
Erica Thompson, 34, a senior in sociology, said, "It's hard to watch kids be so idealistic when their knowledge is only based on theory." She says that experience gives people the ability to have compassion for the opposition. "When you're secure with yourself it's possible to address the opposition's valid points in a respectful manner," said Thompson.
Deborah Hall, 54, a graduate student in sociology, said, "Age makes me more tolerant and patient than younger students."
The party scene at Humboldt State does not appeal to these returning students. Both Thompson and Brunelle said they see socializing in a person's early twenties as an important time of experimentation and self-identification. "I feel sorry for the parents who are writing the checks," Thompson said.
Karen August, 47, a junior in sociology, said, "I've been invited to parties. But, I come here to do what I have to do and leave." August still enjoys a good party. She said she doesn't go primarily because she has more responsibilities than younger students.
Older returning students often have different priorities than the average college student. Zindar Brunelle, 37, a senior in Industrial Technology, said, "If I have time to do something fun, I do it with my family."
This is in sharp contrast to college students who have little responsibility to anyone else during their down time. Don't take this wrong, college students are busy. Most work as well, but returning students often have responsibilities besides work and school that are undeniable. These include family and a shorter time span to pay off debt. At the very least, there is an extra pressure to hurry up and be in a career when a student is already older. "If I would have went to school before, I'd have a house by now," Brunelle said.
Erica Thompson, 34, a senior in sociology, said, "It's hard to watch kids be so idealistic when their knowledge is only based on theory." She says that experience gives people the ability to have compassion for the opposition. "When you're secure with yourself it's possible to address the opposition's valid points in a respectful manner," said Thompson.
Deborah Hall, 54, a graduate student in sociology, said, "Age makes me more tolerant and patient than younger students."
The party scene at Humboldt State does not appeal to these returning students. Both Thompson and Brunelle said they see socializing in a person's early twenties as an important time of experimentation and self-identification. "I feel sorry for the parents who are writing the checks," Thompson said.
Karen August, 47, a junior in sociology, said, "I've been invited to parties. But, I come here to do what I have to do and leave." August still enjoys a good party. She said she doesn't go primarily because she has more responsibilities than younger students.
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