Support and Strategies for Nontraditional Students

You’re Not Alone — And You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

Being a Nontraditional Student Means You Bring Life Experience to the Table

If your path to college doesn’t follow the traditional right-after-high-school route, you’re in good company. Today’s campuses are filled with working professionals, parents, military veterans, and first-generation students who are rewriting what “college student” looks like.

But the reality is, many colleges still design their systems around full-time, 18-year-old students with few outside responsibilities. That means nontraditional students often need extra support, flexible options, and a few strategies of their own to stay on track.

Whether you're returning to school for a fresh start or finishing what you began years ago, this page is for you.

For Working Adults

Balancing college with a full- or part-time job is no small feat. The key is structure, flexibility, and communication.

Strategies:

Look for programs with evening, weekend, or online classes
Talk to your employer about flexible scheduling or tuition assistance programs
Use your calendar like a second brain—block out study time like it’s a shift
Streamline tasks with tools like meal prep, shared calendars, or mobile study apps
Ask about Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) options to earn credit for work experience

Support to Ask For:

Extended office hours or virtual advising
Career coaching tailored to adult learners
Technology access for remote work or class attendance

For Parents Going Back to School

Returning to school as a parent means you’re juggling not just assignments, but diapers, school pick-ups, or teenage attitude shifts. It’s exhausting, but possible—with the right mindset and resources.

Strategies:

Build a realistic routine, even if that means taking fewer classes at a time
Find your “golden hour”—when your brain is clearest and least interrupted
Keep school communication simple and clear with instructors and advisors
Include kids in your goals—show them what hard work and education look like

Support to Ask For:

Family-friendly campus activities
Childcare or family study spaces (if available)
Course formats that align with your parenting schedule
Extensions or flexibility when life throws curveballs

You’re not a worse student because you’re a parent you’re a stronger one.

For Career Changers

If you're switching fields, going back to finish a degree, or starting over, you might feel like a beginner again—but you’re not. You’re bringing real-world skills that can translate directly into your next chapter.

Strategies:

Network early—reach out to professors, alumni, or student groups in your new field
Highlight transferable skills like communication, leadership, or customer service
Consider internships, certificate add-ons, or volunteer experience
Use your assignments to explore real career questions you want answered

Support to Ask For:

Resume and career support for mid-career professionals
Access to alumni networks and professional organizations
Personalized academic advising to build a bridge between where you are and where you’re going

For First-Generation College Students

Being the first in your family to go to college is a huge accomplishment—but it can also come with confusion, pressure, and moments of doubt. You may feel like you’re figuring everything out alone, but you're not the only one.

Strategies:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions—about forms, terms, or processes
Find a mentor or peer support group of other first-gen students
Break big goals into small, doable tasks—one class, one paper, one week at a time
Celebrate milestones—even the small ones like registering or passing your first quiz

Support to Ask For:

First-gen student programs or scholarships
Writing centers and tutoring
Workshops on financial aid, study skills, and navigating college culture
Someone you trust to explain things without judgment

You don’t have to know it all—you just have to keep going.

Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Being a nontraditional student means your college experience may look different, but it’s no less valid. You have just as much right to succeed, and just as much potential, as anyone else.

Whether you’re a working adult, a parent, a first-gen college student, or a career changer, the key is finding your rhythm and leaning on the resources available.

There’s no one right way to do college. There’s just your way.