Defining the modern student: Life beyond traditional and non-traditional terminology

Today, higher education is consumed with aligning students with outdated definitions drawn along the lines of placing them in the category of traditional or non-traditional. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a non-traditional student has one or more characteristics such as entry to college delayed by at least one year following high school, having dependents, being a single parent, being employed full-time, being financially independent, attending part-time, or not having a high school diploma (Hittepole, ND).

The number of students enrolling in higher education has risen over the past decade. This is due to the proliferation of online learning options and the increasing economic demands placed on individuals to pursue further education (Gallagher & Palmer, 2020). Furthermore, students’ wide range of lifestyle choices and socio-economic circumstances has made it even more difficult to classify them into traditional or non-traditional categories.

Whether traditional or non-traditional, all students can benefit from access to quality education and support services that enable them to reach their full potential. Institutes of higher learning must recognize this and strive to level the playing field for all their students by providing them with equitable learning and development opportunities (Western Governors University, 2021).

A new way of thinking

At its core, the modern student comprises traditional and non-traditional students, each with their own stories. The traditional characteristics of a student are by no means static, as the modern student is far more diverse than what is often assumed. The rigidity of these characteristics fails to consider the unique differences between non-traditional students and what they bring to the table. This is why it is essential to recognize that traditional students are not always the only ones who face hardships or have to adjust to a college environment.

All students have different experiences, be it financially, academically, or personally, and should be given equal opportunity and support to pursue their dreams. We must strive to create an inclusive environment that celebrates each student’s values and respects their different paths to get to where they are.

Today’s student makeup provides more dimensions if one considers the following:

• College was delayed because they obtained their college degree while in high school.
• College started while in high school, and the individual earned X number of credits and decided to take a break.
• Individuals are likely employed full-time and attending school full-time partly because of distance learning.
• Individuals are enrolled as students while also having a child enrolled in college.

As the lines become blurred and higher education continues to outgrow the germinal approach, a more balanced method of looking at students in higher education is necessary. This re-invented approach looks at the classifications of students based on behavior rather than the most functional status upon entering an institution of higher education.

For the last three years, Dr. Williams has spent time shaping a new view of today’s student as the “Modern Student,” drawing from the strengths of germinal theory while embracing the progressive future of higher education. Catalyzing the need to redefine the view of today’s students, initially focusing on the trends at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide is a continued shift of the student population toward a younger, more technologically savvy population. Future research is encouraged to evaluate the effects of this new class of students across various institutional types.

Who is the modern student

For this exercise, a student is the “Modern Student” if one or more of the below factors are true:

• Attends part-time or full-time while working full-time, part-time, or not.
• Life factors have caused them to recalibrate their educational goals/priorities.
• Are unwavering in their demand that the educational experience caters to the real world.
• Are unwavering in their demand that education is convenient, flexible, and cutting-edge.
• Expects that the end-to-end experience fully embraces the mass consumerization that has permeated from the corporate world to the higher education sector.
• Their path to higher education includes college credit or a degree while still in high school/equivalent.

The modern student is the future of higher education. A student with the skills necessary to be successful yet is hindered by financial constraints, life circumstances, and other factors is the one who will be most affected by the paradigm shift occurring in higher education. As we become more technologically capable, we must provide access to higher education to more people, and the modern student is the future of that access. The next generation of college graduates will be the driving force behind developing a better, more prosperous world.

Higher education is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills but about providing students with the tools and support necessary to succeed in the modern world. To best employ the strengths of germinal theory, higher education must be viewed as a developmental process that begins at the earliest inquisitive stages and continues throughout the student’s lifetime. The definitions of education must be broadened to facilitate the transition from the germinal approach to one fitting the modern student.

A student is ready for higher education when they possess the ability to think critically, are interested in the learning process, are motivated to succeed, and are willing to put in the necessary effort to succeed in their current educational environment.

References

Gallagher, S., & Palmer, J. (2020, September 29). The Pandemic Pushed Universities Online. The Change Was Long Overdue. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/09/the-pandemic-pushed-universities-online-the-change-was-long-overdue

Hittepole, C. (n.d.). Nontraditional students: Supporting changing student populations – NASPA. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://naspa.org/images/uploads/main/Hittepole_NASPA_Memo.pdf

Western Governors University. (2021, July 8). An Overview of Equity in Education. Western Governors University. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/overview-equity-education2107.html[/pix_advanced_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]