“Do I Have to Take This Class?” Nontraditional Students’ Attitudes Toward and Perceptions of a Required Effective Learning Course

Abstract

This study involves nontraditional students attending a community college in west Texas. The purpose of this study was to report initial attitudes of nontraditional students required to enroll in an Effective Learning/Student Success course. Participants included four nontraditional students from the researchers’ Effective Learning/Student Success course ranging in ages from 20 to 45. Data collection consisted of observations, a journal entry, self-report form, and a semi-structured focus group. Results from focus group analysis using open coding revealed four themes: changes from initial thoughts/feelings by nontraditional students about the Effective Learning/Student Success course, perception of traditional students by the nontraditional students, finances and student services, and changes to required enrollment for nontraditional students in the Effective Learning/Student Success course. Results also confirmed transitions that nontraditional students encountered prior to returning to college and the transitions during college. It was concluded that special considerations must be taken into account by community colleges when requiring students to enroll in Effective Learning/Student Success courses.