Nontraditional Student

Dear Harlan,

I start school in January 2009 as a transfer student. I'm a 23-year-old Air Force vet, I earned 62 credits at the community college of the Air Force in meteorology and I'm soon to be a single parent of a 15-month-old. Do you have any advice for people like me when it comes to getting all done? Maybe you could add some to your next book. I'll definitely share some of my stories with you when I have some.

Nontrad Student

Dear Student,

First, congrats on this next step, and THANK YOU for your service. The biggest mistake I see nontraditional students make is thinking that they're uninteresting and that 18-year-old students won't want to get to know them. You are wildly interesting. The fact that you're an Air Force vet, have a child and have been married all by age 23 makes you interesting. My advice: Don't keep this life of yours a secret. Embrace your past. By sharing your experiences, you'll find friends, support, babysitters and maybe even a relationship. Also, look to find support from other single moms on campus and in the community (find moms who have been there and done it). If there is a family housing building on campus, talk to the staff and ask for suggestions on where to find support. Also, ask student services for available resources. Embrace who you are and where you've been, and others will do the same. Again, thanks and congratulations!