LaDawn Jones said she’s waited 22 years to be readmitted into the University.”LSU’s been a scary but rewarding experience,” the 47-year-old mother of two said. This semester is the first time in the last eight years the enrollment of students older than 35 at the University has increased, according to the Office of Budget and Planning. Difficulties that older students may face can include finding time to manage class and extra responsibilities or learning new technology, said Melissa Brocato, Center for Academic Success director.
But nontraditional students are often more focused because they’re attending school to accomplish a goal, she said. Out of high school, Jones attended the University of Louisiana-Monroe and majored in interior construction but did not do as well as she hoped.”I had a lot of fun the first time around,” she said.Jones, a theater design and technology junior, credits her daughters and husband for encouraging her to pursue higher education, and she said the best thing is being at LSU with her two girls. Jones has a full schedule with 19 hours this semester and 19 hours scheduled for the spring. She also teaches two classes per week in a dance studio in Baker. Jones said her life experiences have made school easier, and she doesn’t see many disadvantages for being an older student on campus. “Only maybe the fear of acceptance,” she added. Jones and her daughters attending college does put a strain on the family budget, she said. She received a Sallie Mae loan this semester, but Jones said the family tries to pay for tuition and fees out of pocket and stay out of debt. Jones said upon entering LSU, she was tested for ADHD and dyslexia, conditions she’s learned to deal with but didn’t realize she had.People then didn’t know these were legitimate disabilities, she said. Jones said she was told she didn’t care enough.Her daughters — Kacee, English senior, and Stacee, studio art freshman — said they’re both proud of their mom for going back to college. At first, Kacee Jones said she felt like her mom was invading her territory. But after taking two classes together at Baton Rouge Community College, her fears quickly faded.Stacee Jones said it’s nice to have her mom taking classes because there’s a mutual understanding about stress when it comes to exams and finals.She’s never felt awkward with her mother on the same campus, Stacee Jones said. “She’s done a really good job at letting us grow up,” she said. Carol Scott, Hexion Specialty Chemicals product coordinator, earned her associate’s degree from BRCC in 2007 and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in general studies at LSU in hopes of running her own non-profit organization after she retires. Like LaDawn Jones, Scott initially attended BRCC with her daughter.”It sure would have been a lot easier if I was younger,” she said. Scott said she didn’t get the chance to attend college sooner because she married and had children right after high school. She decided to pursue a degree after her children grew up. Scott said she could never cram for an exam and has to concentrate a lot more on studying. But being an older college student also has benefits, Scott said. Life experiences and a greater desire to learn make classes more important, she said. But having to juggle a full-time job and volunteer work leaves considerably less time for studying, Scott said. Scott said she’s a big promoter in higher education because today’s society requires a college degree.Jones said her company has been very supportive of her decision to go back to school.- – – -Contact Olga Kourilova at [email protected]