Re-Entry or NonTraditional?
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Are you an undergraduate or graduate student who is returning to your education
after spending time in the so called "real world?" Are you an undergraduate over
24 years old or a graduate student over 29 years old? Are you married? Or, do you
have children? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you are a re-entry
or non-traditional student.
Re-entry and non-traditional students come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
There are re-entry and non-traditional students in all majors. They come to UCSB
for a variety of reasons and define themselves in different ways. We all have different
life experiences, however, we all share some common concerns. While other students
are worried about being invited to parties, we are worried about finding the time
between classes and work and family to get the laundry done and finish two research
papers. Sometimes our many roles conflict, and our obligations can be overwhelming.
This can create additional stress in one's life. There are many departments and
services that provide support to re-entry and non-traditional students. Although
re-entry and non-traditional students are often very busy juggling multiple roles
and responsibilities, it is important for us to seek assistance and support to avoid
burnout or stress related illnesses. Whether it is to attend workshops on time management
or stress reduction, or to learn how to apply to graduate school, there are many
services offered which directly benefit re-entry and non-traditional students.
Whether it is talking with someone about a frustrating experience you had with a
professor, or to learn more about childcare options, there are many staff and faculty
who are supportive of the re-entry and non-traditional student community. The Women's
Center, located on the first floor of the new Student Resource Building (SRB), is
an excellent resource and can help you sort through your situation as well as connect
you to other services on the campus that are designed to help you succeed. Don't
hesitate to call the Women's Center at 893-3778 for more information.
Two very specific benefits available to student parents are A.S. sponsored childcare
grants for undergraduate parents, and priority registration for parents of young
children through elementary school age. Stop by the Women's Center to see if you
qualify for these two benefits. The childcare funds are available to student parents
once a quarter, to cover extra childcare expenses during either midterms or finals.
Priority registration enables student parents to have first choice during enrollment
periods in order to accommodate your children's school schedules when signing up
for your courses.
There is a Re-Entry/Non-Traditional Student Resource Center, also located in the
SRB on the first floor, near the information desk, in room 1109. It is a child-friendly
space where you can take a break, study, or even catch a quick catnap. This is a
space that can be your refuge from the rest of campus. There are free lockers available
for quarterly use so you don't have to carry everything under the sun in your backpacks.
This space is yours and you should make use of it. The SRB is open until midnight
during the week, closing at 6 pm on Fridays for the weekend. The whole building
has wi-fi available, so you can bring your laptop and connect to all your resources.
Each year the Women's Center hires a Re-Entry/Non-Traditional student intern to
help coordinate these programs and to help identify the needs of the current student
population. We can respond to your needs by starting support groups or organizing
activities that include family members. The resource center offers a natural meeting
place for those who are interested in networking with others who share the experience
of multiple responsibilities and roles in addition to your academic demands.
Stop by the Women's Center (SRB 1220) to pick up a quarterly calendar of events,
sign up to get email alerts of particular interest to re-entry/non-traditional students,
and meet the friendly staff who can help you find the answers you need. Check out
our Web site at www.sa.ucsb.edu/women'scenter. Even though the demands can be stressful,
this can also be a very rewarding experience. We can help.
--Marta Bowron, Re-entry & Non-traditional Students Intern
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