The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

154 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 welfare of their children, and other progressive motivations should drive their perseverance. While financial constraints, childcare, and academic demands are all overwhelming, the affect that hostile traditional students have on nontraditional students proves to be just as, if not more devastating. Success is often the central goal for single parent students, but finances, childcare and workloads are not the only reasons they struggle to keep the pace in school. Proving one’s academic capabilities can also intensify their willpower. I have faced hardships more severe then what my college education has presented (so far). The challenges I experience with my peers and professors won’t deter my focus as a student. They have been discouraging and disruptive, but my goal of earning degree remains clear. I have several years more of life experience than most traditional students, which has reminded me not to yield to failure, or the demands of student life. If some of the students I’ve encountered are capable of earning a college degree I know that I can too. Sometimes I consider this experience to be a competition between myself and the other students. A competition I am determined to win. Other times, I feel a connection to my classmates because we are all working toward a similar goal. However, irrespective of the “competition” building a strong rapport with my professors (“the referees”) is far more important than being accepted by my peers. But, doing this has also been difficult. When I became a member of this student body I assumed my instructors, specifically because of the religious atmosphere, desired to see their pupils succeed. Unfortunately my assumptions were inaccurate, (although there have been exceptions). Nevertheless, I have established methods that encourage me to be an effective parent and student. Because I have persevered, despite the obstacles, my goal of earning an undergraduate degree will soon be achieved, and my dream of becoming an attorney can be realized. Traditional students (particularly in religious universities) should be considerate to the challenges that nontraditional students face, and make it a priority to be unprejudiced. Although choosing