Non-trads' questions drive me mad
Nathan Mills
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: Voices
I really hate to be a walking public service announcement, but it's time someone finally stepped up to let Missouri Southern students know about the most serious issue facing them today.
No, I'm not talking about Ken Kennedy's hard-on of an active shooter on campus, and I'm sure as hell not talking about petty faculty members and their issues with the president.
Instead, I'm talking about the plague of non-trads.
For those of you not in the know, non-trad is a shortened version of the term "non-traditional student". Non-traditional students are those students in their thirties, forties, and beyond who find themselves in the - wait for it - "non-traditional" position of being in college later in life.
On some level, I get it. These students have found themselves back in school because they're looking to further their education and somehow make things better for themselves. Maybe they're looking for a career change, or maybe they're simply looking to get into a higher income bracket. While both are noble causes, I can't say I'm applauding most of these students.
Their rolling backpacks, seemingly endless wardrobe of MSSU apparel, and incessant speaking habits are enough to make me want to go back to high school.
Don't worry. I'm not going to rant about those damn backpacks again. Been there, done that, and I really don't want to hear everyone over 40 on campus upset again.
The clothes don't even really bother me all that much. Sure, I think it's strange that someone would own Southern shirts, sweatpants, and hats and wear them all at the same time. Out of the ordinary? Maybe. But wrong? Probably not.
What drives me most crazy about non-trads, though, is the fact that they never shut up. Before class, during class, after class, they've always got something to say.
The questions they ask during class are always so lame and always at the most inopportune times. Class is over in 30 seconds, and they ask a question that requires a 10-minute answer. It seems I have one of these people in at least one of my classes every single semester.
It drives me mad.
Here's the way I look at it: if they really just don't get that much out of the material, they've probably made a poor decision in trying to go back to school. After so much time, I'm certain your brain loses the ability to make sense of some of the things we're supposed to be learning, and it seems for a lot of them, they're just past that point.
On the other hand, they could just be asking those questions because they're trying to get in with the teachers. If that's the case, I say just wait until after class, give the teacher an aitch jay, and call it good.
No, I'm not talking about Ken Kennedy's hard-on of an active shooter on campus, and I'm sure as hell not talking about petty faculty members and their issues with the president.
Instead, I'm talking about the plague of non-trads.
For those of you not in the know, non-trad is a shortened version of the term "non-traditional student". Non-traditional students are those students in their thirties, forties, and beyond who find themselves in the - wait for it - "non-traditional" position of being in college later in life.
On some level, I get it. These students have found themselves back in school because they're looking to further their education and somehow make things better for themselves. Maybe they're looking for a career change, or maybe they're simply looking to get into a higher income bracket. While both are noble causes, I can't say I'm applauding most of these students.
Their rolling backpacks, seemingly endless wardrobe of MSSU apparel, and incessant speaking habits are enough to make me want to go back to high school.
Don't worry. I'm not going to rant about those damn backpacks again. Been there, done that, and I really don't want to hear everyone over 40 on campus upset again.
The clothes don't even really bother me all that much. Sure, I think it's strange that someone would own Southern shirts, sweatpants, and hats and wear them all at the same time. Out of the ordinary? Maybe. But wrong? Probably not.
What drives me most crazy about non-trads, though, is the fact that they never shut up. Before class, during class, after class, they've always got something to say.
The questions they ask during class are always so lame and always at the most inopportune times. Class is over in 30 seconds, and they ask a question that requires a 10-minute answer. It seems I have one of these people in at least one of my classes every single semester.
It drives me mad.
Here's the way I look at it: if they really just don't get that much out of the material, they've probably made a poor decision in trying to go back to school. After so much time, I'm certain your brain loses the ability to make sense of some of the things we're supposed to be learning, and it seems for a lot of them, they're just past that point.
On the other hand, they could just be asking those questions because they're trying to get in with the teachers. If that's the case, I say just wait until after class, give the teacher an aitch jay, and call it good.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 47
amandalea
posted 10/22/09 @ 4:48 PM CST
Nathan,
I can't imagine why you would be having such trouble finding a nice girl to settle down with. You seem like such a swell, likable kinda guy. (Continued…)
Adam Givens
posted 10/22/09 @ 6:20 PM CST
Lol, this article is fantastic! I would comment more, but the Facebook status' from non-trad are not the most positive ones. However, I will say this; I blame the overwhelming apathy that is on the campus due to the fact that this school is made-up of a lot of non-trad students. (Continued…)
Annie
posted 10/22/09 @ 7:46 PM CST
OMG, Nathan, that hurts. I'm shocked that you and The Chart published such a vitriolic opinion about students and (former) Chart readers who make up such as large percentage of MSSU's enrollment. (Continued…)
Howie Lindeman
posted 10/22/09 @ 10:18 PM CST
Nathan, you are an idiot...I mean genius; you have placed me in the uncomfortable position of defending your right to be wrong. AGAIN. I envision a meeting in the bull pen, or Pizza by Stout, or opium den, or wherever you word-processing mercanaries meet, and Parker, chewed Cohiba firmly positioned in his jaw, saying: "Who wants to write something that will piss Howie off?" THAT is why Parker and I are friends. (Continued…)
H.J. Hufflepuff
posted 10/23/09 @ 12:08 AM CST
Nathan,
I understand your frustration, but maybe you're taking it out on the wrong demographic. After all, if you take away non-trads from Southern, you're left with like 20 students. (Continued…)
Another non-trad
posted 10/23/09 @ 1:50 AM CST
Lighten up, gang.
My dad once told me that it is what you learn after you know it all that counts.
Nathan will be different at 42 than he is at 21. (Continued…)
Stupid Non-Trad
posted 10/23/09 @ 2:21 PM CST
Nathan, i don't give professors aitch jays, but your mom sure does give a mean aitch jay!
Sarah Gowdy
Sarah Gowdy
posted 10/23/09 @ 3:29 PM CST
Nathan Mills has the power of the press, and the freedom of speech to say what he likes even if it pisses off most of the student body. I know some of the nontraditional students are angry at him right now, but he was giving his point of view from what he sees everyday on campus as a student here at MSSU. (Continued…)
Darrell Sour
Darrell Sour
posted 10/23/09 @ 3:49 PM CST
I'm not sure the author realized the term "non-traditional" applies to any undergraduate student over the age of 25.
I'm a 26-year-old "non-trad," yet seldom use a backpack of any sort and never one with wheels. (Continued…)
trad
posted 10/23/09 @ 5:12 PM CST
It's silly to compare Nathan's article to attacking different races/genders/age whatever. He's not attacking your age, he's attacking what SOME students your age do - he's simply poking fun at some peoples habits. (Continued…)
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