An organization

for nontraditional students is being formed to help students deal

with the stresses of college, according to UNA student Laura

Carter.

Carter, with

help from The Center for Women’s Studies, is trying to form an

organization for students returning to college after a period of

time away from school and who faces a situation that puts them at

odds with the traditional idea of a college student.

“Students in a

nontraditional situation face more stress than other students, and

we want to help them out,” she said.

So far, around

17 men and women have shown interest in joining the organization.

Carter hopes to create a network for nontraditional students so

they will have other students to turn to for help.

“We want to

give nontraditional students just a minute to reflect and study,”

she said.

Carter said

many nontraditional students face work, careers, child caring,

parents and even grandparents that can make it much harder to focus

on schoolwork. She said the organization will have to start simple,

and go from there in its goals. Her main idea is to have the

organization work on any problems it sees on campus.

“It’s going to

take people to make this idea work, and a willingness to open your

eyes on campus and see situations you can help people in,” she

said.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>A few of the ideas Carter proposes for the

organization are to help watch children so students can study,

occasionally provide meals so students won’t have to cook and help

teach international students some area colloquialisms.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>If you want to learn more about the

nontraditional organization or would like to inquire about joining,

contact The Center for Women’s Studies at 256-765-6198.