Non-Trad Undergrad

WE'RE BACK -- almost -- and trying something a little new. This episode will act as a quick recap for anyone who is new and some information about the future of "Non-Trad Undergrad" along with a chat Sara and Jenn had in December 2020.Please like and subscribe! Leave a review! We need your help to spread the word about this show. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook!Email us at nontradundergradpod@gmail.com!

Recorded on 7/5/20, Jenn and Sara cover the current Black Lives Matter protests, how systemic racism contributes to inequities for Black non-traditional students, plus details about how we're going to continue the podcast now that Jenn has graduated.Rated E for mild swearing.----Resources used for this episode:https://sandratrappen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/School-to-Prison-Pipeline-2.jpg https://newyorkschooltalk.org/2017/10/school-prison-pipeline-real-whether-white-privilege-allows-believe-not/ https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2015/01/28/us-education-still-separate-and-unequal---Sara called it a Google Doc, but we're going to collect stories using Survey Monkey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NDYJQNCIf you're interested in sharing your story on this podcast, fill out this form and get it back to us. If we choose your story, we'll email you with more info!-----Connect with us on social media!Facebook: @nontradundergradpodInstagram: @nontradundergradpodTwitter: @NTUpodEmail us at: nontradundergradpod@gmail.com

Recorded on 5/17/20, Sara and Jenn cover... JENN'S GRADUATION!!! and how weird it was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Rated E for mild swearing.Connect with us on social media!Facebook: @nontradundergradpodInstagram: @nontradundergradpodTwitter: @NTUpodEmail us at: nontradundergradpod@gmail.com and let us know what topics you'd like us to discuss, share your non-traditional college student story, or just say hi!

Recorded on 4/12/2020, Sara and Jenn still record from their respective homes, covering how the first three weeks of their classes went after having moved online, their thoughts on how VCU has handled the transition, and what's keeping them sane these days (walks around the neighborhood, video games, and the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen YouTube channel top the list).Rated E for mild swearing*.(*We may not have cursed in this episode but just to be on the safe side, probably don't listen around sensitive ears.)-----Connect with us on social media!Facebook: @nontradundergradpodInstagram: @nontradundergradpodTwitter: @NTUpodYouTube: We don't have a custom URL yet so search "non-traditional student" and look for our logoEmail us at: nontradundergradpod@gmail.com and let us know what topics you'd like us to discuss, share your non-traditional college student story, or just say hi!

Recorded on 3/22/20, Jenn and Sara chat on Zoom, from their respective homes, about everything that happened in the prior weeks regarding the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and how they're dealing with "the new normal," including VCU moving classes online and the campus shutting down until at least the end of the summer. Features a cameo by Sara's cat Lucy.Rated E for mild swearing.-----Connect with us on social media!Facebook: @nontradundergradpodInstagram: @nontradundergradpodTwitter: @NTUpodYouTube: We don't have a custom URL yet so search "non-traditional student" and look for our logoEmail us at: nontradundergradpod@gmail.com and let us know what topics you'd like us to discuss, share your non-traditional college student story, or just say hi!

Sara and Jenn talk about group projects (ugh) and balancing the stakes (grades) and compassion when group partners aren’t pulling their weight. They also talk about writing difficult papers (that cursor won’t move by itself), graduation, and the awesomeness of being able to say “I’m good at this.” Rated E for mild swearing.-----Connect with us on social media!Facebook: @nontradundergradpodInstagram: @nontradundergradpodTwitter: @NTUpodYouTube: We don't have a custom URL yet so search "non-traditional student" and look for our logoEmail us at: nontradundergradpod@gmail.com and let us know what topics you'd like us to discuss, share your non-traditional college student story, or just say hi!

Sara and Jenn interview their friend Elliott Martin, a junior and History major at VCU (and fellow non-traditional student, obvs). They discuss Elliott's journey to finding his major, finding the right school for him, and finding his passion. Topics also include online classes vs. in-person classes and the desire for more student orgs aimed at adult students.Rated E for mild swearing

It's two weeks into the Spring semester and Sara and Jenn are adjusting to new classes and new professors. Sara grapples with (more) group projects while Jenn discusses how neurodivergence can impact school choices. Plus, are today's traditionally-aged college students rude or just terrified of getting bad grades?Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

Jenn and Sara catch up since the last episode, discussing their winter breaks and excitement over their upcoming Spring classes. Topics include squeaky chairs, online classes, the gig economy, and the scourge that is TopHat. Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

It's the end of the semester!!! Hear the relief in Jenn and Sara's voices!! To celebrate, Sara and Jenn interview each other so you can get to know their non-traditional student stories. Jenn's story involves an unplanned pregnancy and "Hunger Games" fanfic; Sara's involves treading water as a TV writers' assistant in Hollywood until she ran out of money. Both stories lead them to VCU. It's pretty magical when you think about it. ✨Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

Sara and Jenn interview Ada Romano, a journalism major at VCU. Ada discusses the challenges that come with being only a few years older than a regular traditionally-aged student (yet feeling way older than them). Topics also include tuition reimbursement by employers, different family cultures, and what it's like to move back home as an adult to start over again and the challenges that causes.Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

It's November (2019). We're tired. It's midterms. We're in the depths of the fall semester grind. And we're looking forward to Thanksgiving Break! Jenn also discusses what it's like getting diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult. Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

Sara and Jenn interview their friend Mary Rozycki, a fellow non-traditional student getting her Post Baccalaureate certificate in Statistics at VCU and all-around delightful person. Topics include Mary's story around coming back to school, dealing with tricky professors, the self consciousness that comes with being an older student, and more.(This episode is a little different because I messed up the recording and lost about half of our interview with Mary, so Jenn and I record some backstory about that at the beginning of the ep, Marc Maron style. -- Sara)Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

Fall semester is in full swing and Sara and Jenn are feeling the full effect of it. They discuss overcomplicating assignments and whether that's a non-traditional student thing or not, following campus rules and whether that's a non-traditional student thing or not, and the importance of having a community for non-traditional students on campus (or surrounding this podcast).Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

Sara and Jenn are back after the first two weeks of Fall classes. Both Sara and Jenn are obsessed with Sara's marketing professor, Sara's not loving taking classes in Snead, Jenn's classes are all over the place, and Sara talks about finally dealing with the grief of leaving her old life in Los Angeles behind. Topics also include: not being afraid to talk to your professor if something is going on with you and the weirdness of taking some classes when you have years (or decades) of life experience under your belt.Rated "E" for some mild swearing.

Meet Sara and Jenn, two non-traditional college students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA as they prepare for the Fall 2019 semester. Topics include which classes they're taking, dealing with perfectionism, the ways universities can help accommodate non-traditional students, and what you can expect from this podcast going forward.Rated "E" for some mild swearing.