Centers accomodate non-traditional students
From now until the end of the semester, non-traditional students in need of resources and help getting around campus can receive both at the USU Access and Diversity Center’s new Rapid Learning Drop-In program.
The program was initiated two weeks ago by Access and Diversity Center and Academic Resource Center personnel, and it is directed by mentors and teachers in an effort to make the college experience easier for non-traditional students in a way that best fits their schedules, said Rachel Brighton, non-traditional student coordinator.
“These students just don’t have a lot of time,” Brighton said. “They need something where they can just come and drop in, so the idea of this was, ‘Well, what if we had a section of time where they could just drop in, have something to eat, get something real quick in 15 minutes and then go out?'”
Allan Jensen, president of the Non-Traditional Student Association, said, “They’re worthwhile – real short. It’s not something you have to plan your whole day around. You just stop in on your way to someplace else and go on your way.”
Between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and alternating between Wednesday and Thursday, Brighton said students can stop by the Access and Diversity Lounge in Taggart Student Center Room 313 for a 15-minute session. There is a variety of topics that are taught by resource leaders at USU, she said.
Students had the opportunity last Thursday to learn about Aggie Care, a program offering child care referrals, scholastic book orders, toy rentals and other services to students supporting a family. Sessions held April 4 will feature math help for students who struggle with the subject, and subsequent sessions will prep students for finals and effective studying.
Brighton said the format is interactive, providing students a forum to discuss worries, thoughts or ideas with mentors as well as others experiencing similar circumstances.
“I think that when you get to build relationships, even if it’s just a few minutes each week with other folks in your same circumstances, it makes things not feel so lonely,” Brighton said.
Debi Jensen, faculty adviser for the Non-Traditional Student Association and learning specialist at the Academic Resource Center, helped plan the drop-in program with Brighton. Jensen said she was a non-traditional student at USU years ago and understands the need for resources that students have.
Jensen said many students don’t have the computer skills or the know-how to study well and find help at their university. The drop-in sessions, she said, can help remedy that in shorter time and be more effective than the periodic university-hosted lunchtime programs, known as brown bags.
“We realized that non-traditional students have so much on their plate,” Jensen said. “I had been involved with brown bags when the Access and Diversity would have brown bags – they were an hourlong in the office – nobody would show up.”
The drop-in sessions provide a stress-free way for students to find their way around campus, she added.
Rachel Cox is the social work intern for the Access and Diversity Center and said she’ll work as a drop-in mentor. She will present self-care tips at a session later in the semester.
“The information that I’m going to use is information that I’ve learned in my social work classes,” Cox said. “We learn a lot about taking care of ourselves … social work has a very high rate of burnout. And so if you don’t take care of yourself, things can get pretty bad.”
Cox said self-care is crucial, especially for students who support families.
Brighton said the Access and Diversity Center has done many things to re-energize the Non-Traditional Student Association as well as provide resources for students.
She said the website has been revamped, the lounge reconceptualized and new programs created in an effort to raise awareness about what is available to students. She said she hopes students take advantage of the program and the resources it has to offer.
“If we can touch even just a few students,” Brighton said, “and help them understand that we’re here for them, we want to do whatever we can to support them … that would be a success for me.”
Jensen said the program is primarily geared toward non-traditional students, but anyone who has a need not being addressed by the university is welcome to participate. She said all students who are not straight out of high school are considered non-traditional, and USU has resources available to them.
Brighton said students with young children can bring them to the sessions, as there is space set aside and toys for children to play with during each session. Lunch is also provided.
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