Never Too Late

By THOMAS MULLEN

Daily Planet Reporter

What image forms in your mind when you think of college students? Studious bookworms running from class to class?  Crazed drunkards who party too much? How about parents hurrying from school to get their kids to soccer practice on time? 

As of fall 2011, there are 22,300 undergraduate students enrolled at Colorado State University. 3,406 of them can be classified as adult learners according to Adult Learners and Veteran Services. Also known as non-traditional students, adult learners can be any student who enrolled at the university at the age of 23 and above. Current Engineering Science Advisor, Laurie Craig, graduated from CSU in 2003 with a degree in liberal arts and shares her experience as a non-traditional student.

“It’s very difficult to work and also try to get a kit to a soccer game or a baseball game and also do homework and go to class,” says Craig as she reflects on her experiences. 

Craig worked in retail before coming back to school and it took her nearly 12 years to attain her degree due to financial reasons. “I took one class a semester, I raised two kids, and I worked full time,” says Craig who for almost eight years worked as an application processor for the Office of Admissions, then worked in office of the journalism department, and eventually became the Key Advisor for undergraduate journalism students-all while pursuing her degree. 

Attending classes as a non-traditional student among the thousands of young people proved to be a challenge. “Coming back to school was a big culture shock for me,” says Craig, as she recalls how hard it was being a mother working full time among students who were in their late-teens and early-twenties. “It was very different and it took me a long time to learn the culture of students from that perspective.” Craig encourages other non-traditional students to try to understand the conventionally aged students and know that though it may seem like the older students have more going on, school is equally as hard for everybody. She acknowledges that it’s hard to come back to school but to definitely “stick with it.” 

Adult Learner and Veteran Services is an on-campus organization that assists and provides resources to non-traditional students. It provides connections, sponsors events, and even helps provide scholarships according to front desk worker Tania Sletta. Their office is located in room 195 of the Lory Student Center.  Tucked in an almost secluded corner of the building, the office is a place that offers free coffee, and a friendly atmosphere where non-traditional students can relax and connect with others in similar situations. 

Other than taking longer than preferred and hating the many sleepless nights, Craig states that she ended up with a career that she loves and is happy with how it worked out. “It was a tough time but I would not trade it and I’m grateful that I was able to finish.” 

While some students might spend their nights going out to bars and partying with their friends, others are may be cooking dinner for their family and getting ready to tuck their kids into bed. Craig is a prime example of how not every member of the student body fits into the stereotype and that it truly is never too late to get your degree.