Characteristics Of Non-Traditional Students

Abstract

Since the 1999 reforms initiated by the Bologna Declaration, which allowed students and graduates to freely move between states, using credentials from one country to enter and study in another state, there has been a significant increase in the enrolment of non-traditional students in various campuses. These students are different from the average student and present different demands for their accommodation in the schooling setting. However, despite the strong encouragement of enrolling the non-traditional students, no policies or strategies are being implemented to accommodate them. Consequently, the non-traditional students end up being marginalized by the systems well suited only for the traditional students, therefore impeding their integration to the school system and hence their commitment to their academics. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss the characteristics of non-traditional students along with their interests in an attempt to understand their presence in the current school setting (Gilardi & Guglielmetti, 2011).

Characteristics of Non-traditional Student

This shift has prompted most adults to return to school and acquire more professional knowledge to adapt to the new changes. Non-traditional students are referred to as students exceeding the expected age of the average student and are usually of ages between 23 and 25 years upon enrolment. The average college students typically range between the ages of 19 to 20 years. However, despite the age differences, other factors distinguish the two types of students, including their different backgrounds, culture, and lifestyles. These different characteristics could affect how they interact in school and eventually the quality of their