[amandalouise]

I get questions on and off about my usage of the word college student. Those questions come to me through many venues.. sometimes it is when I am talking with my relatives, sometimes its when I am talking with other "college Students" sometimes its when I am talking with my co workers, sometimes its when I am showing someone my resume, Sometimes its when Im talking with my cleints, and the funniest times I get questioned about being a college student is when I am online in various websites and my profiles contain the words I am a college student...

Given all the above I thought it would be good and informative if I made a thread where we can discuss our own ideas of what a college student is...

my views on that terminology "College student" is -

Being a "college student" knows no boundaries.

college students are white, black, red, orange, green, yellow, purple pink, (LOL dont believe me? watch a college sports game or walk around on a college campus, notice all diverse colors of peoples race and how people choose to color their hair and decorate their bodies with tattoos and represent their high schools and various colleges. Loads of colors!

College students are young and old... look around and notice those amazing people that range from 17, 18 on up through all the different aged people. college handbooks do not say they limit their colleges to just one age bracket. I once attended an english writing course where there was a 16 yr old who was in there because their high school english class was not challenging enough and he was using the college english class as an early entrance to college subject that some high schools have in their programs for high school students. in that class there was also a 85 yr old lady who wanted to learn how to write because she wanted to write her autobiography as a legacy for her family before she died of cancer.

College students are thin, fat, average, tall and short and anything in between. the college handbooks dont place limits on heights and weights.

College students can be anyone with any level of education high school on up. some colleges even offer adult learning classes that will help an adult who hasnt graduated high school to get their high school diploma, adults who cant read can learn to read, people from other countries can learn english as a second language...

college students can be anyone who has chosen a career. the college handbooks have quite a diverse listing of careers from accountants to zookeepers and veterinarians.

College students can be anyone who has not chosen a career. they havent decided what they want to be when they grow up. but they know one thing - they want to be in college.

College students can be all those high school graduates who have parents that have planned all the students life for their son or daughter to go to college. sometimes even with the attitude of whether you like it or not you are going to go to college and get at least a basic college degree that you can use to further your job or chosen career when you choose one. I have met loads of college students that were there just because it was mom or dads dream for them.

college students can be people who are already people in careers like doctors, lawyers, dentists, psychiatrists, therapists and any other person of professional walks of life. Sometimes people with professional careers need to take a college class as part of their job so that they are updated on the most recent things that go with their chosen careers.

and my favorite idea of a college student... a person who just wants to attend college classes for their own enjoyment, entertainment and relaxation. this kind of college student doesnt need to declare a major or minor. they sign up for classes based upon their own likes, hobbies and desires to learn about something new.

Im a college student. Im a mixture of all the above. I began my college career by taking a colleges GED program, then I chose a career - mental health - and went to college classes as part of my degree requirements,

now that I have completed my degrees and have passed the state exam for my chosen career choice Im still a college student.

sometimes my job requires I take a class for example we get many french speaking people as clients so all employees had to take the local colleges french class in order to better understand and treat our french speaking clients.

sometimes I like taking classes about my hobbies - painting and sculpting and others. people of professional careers like doctors lawyers, therapists, psychiatrists can have hobbies too. I know its hard to imagine our doctors, lawyers, therapists, psychiatrists with sleeves rolled up and hands painting, sculpting, rock climbing, playing football, skiing and other hobbies people have, but anyone of any walk of life can have a hobby.

Sometimes I take a class that is a seminar or workshop just because when I saw that class in the class booklets it sounded good. thats how I got started dabbling in photography for a hobby. It looked interesting in the college summer booklet. that course was a free for no credit classes so I had nothing to lose. I took the class and had fun. I went on and took a couple other credit classes and now can take my own pictures and develop my own film. even though theres an easier way with all the digital technology available to me going out with a 35mm camera, taking pictures and developing them is enjoyable and relaxing.

I like learning new things and have many hobbies so I think I will probably end up being one of those older ladies of 80 some on yrs old and still be a college student. LOL

well thats my opinion of the term "college student" and why I call myself a College student.

So whats your definition of a college student?
have you been to college or planning on going?
What is your experiences with being a college student?
and why do you go to college?
for those who havent been to college yet why would you like to go?

[Indie'sOK]

I'm assuming this thread is in response to another in which people questioned your credentials..no?

I can understand. People often automatically assume college students are young, though, because they make up the largest demographic of those in college.

You're right, education knows no race or age or religion, etc. When I think of a college student, I as well as many others think of young people in their early 20's, in college for the first time. This is what the media portrays to us as the "typical" college student. There was the 90something year old woman that got her degree, though

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Indie'sOK

I'm assuming this thread is in response to another in which people questioned your credentials..no?

I can understand. People often automatically assume college students are young, though, because they make up the largest demographic of those in college.

You're right, education knows no race or age or religion, etc. When I think of a college student, I as well as many others think of young people in their early 20's, in college for the first time. This is what the media portrays to us as the "typical" college student. There was the 90something year old woman that got her degree, though

Actually yes in part it does have to do with clarifying a posters question to me asking me which I was a therapist or a college student and why I havent updated my profile. and I believe that reason is included in my first paragraph in my thread starting post....

"and the funniest times I get questioned about being a college student is when I am online in various websites and my profiles contain the words I am a college student..."

the reason I find it funny is that no matter where I am online any time any one lists a profession and the words college student describing their self the general reaction is ok which is is are you a professional person or are you a college student. on an arts and crafts website I list myself as an amateur painter / sculptor and a college student and I get asked which are you a painter, a sculptor or a college student. it is so funny people forget in the usa we have the freedom to be anything we want and be as many things we want. people just assume its got to be one or the other.

since you are curious about that situation where someone here asked me which I was, last night I sent that person a pm explaining why both my profession and my being a college student was listed on my profile.

Thanks for sharing your views on "college students"

[Indie'sOK]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

Actually yes in part it does have to do with clarifying a posters question to me asking me which I was a therapist or a college student and why I havent updated my profile. and I believe that reason is included in my first paragraph in my thread starting post....

"and the funniest times I get questioned about being a college student is when I am online in various websites and my profiles contain the words I am a college student..."

the reason I find it funny is that no matter where I am online any time any one lists a profession and the words college student describing their self the general reaction is ok which is is are you a professional person or are you a college student. on an arts and crafts website I list myself as an amateur painter / sculptor and a college student and I get asked which are you a painter, a sculptor or a college student. it is so funny people forget in the usa we have the freedom to be anything we want and be as many things we want. people just assume its got to be one or the other.

since you are curious about that situation where someone here asked me which I was, last night I sent that person a pm explaining why both my profession and my being a college student was listed on my profile.

Thanks for sharing your views on "college students"

Thank God we've got that freedom here...I can't wait to be in college