Muleskinner

Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Features

see the world - William Rowe took an unconventional route to get where he is today, but feels his choices were the right ones.

Traditionally, students graduate from high school, pick a college to attend and set off with college prep classes still fresh in mind. However, some students are faced with challenges other than attending class and getting good grades. People with families, full-time jobs and full-time schedules also become full-time students.

What is life like for someone trying to balance families and school?

Some non-traditional students say life is easier, because they already have their feet planted. Others students say the tasks they have to complete become more difficult, and sometimes life becomes almost too much to handle.

Traditional college students usually get up and get ready for class every day, study after classes and prepare for the next assignment. Often they spend their evenings with friends and try to be in bed at a decent hour.

Yet, for many non-traditional students, they don't have time for social life. They work, go to class, commute, study, and sleep when possible.

William (Trey) Rowe, 22, is a freshman. Rowe graduated from high school in May 2003. He had applied to several universities in Missouri, but decided to take a semester off to make enough money to pay for his schooling. He worked in a warehouse for a few months and decided it was time to enroll somewhere for spring classes.

In January 2004, Rowe enrolled at Missouri Western for the spring semester. In one of his general education classes, he was given an assignment to write about a family member who inspired him and he chose to write about a great-great uncle who was an admiral in the Navy. Upon completion of the assignment, Rowe traded in his books for a uniform and decided the Navy was the place for him.

In December 2004, after graduating from boot camp in Great Lakes, Ill., he spent a week with family, and was sent to Gulfport, Miss., for apprenticeship school.

There, he was trained in construction and carpentry. Prior to graduation, he went to Seabee Engineer Readiness Training (SERT) for two weeks. SERT provides survival and weapon training. Following SERT, he was sent to his first duty station in Okinawa, where he painted and did other work for the Navy.
He was then called to detachment in Pyongtaek, South Korea, where he joined 2,500 marines for four weeks in the field. They slept in tents flooded with water and lived without everyday necessities. From there, he went to Atsugi, Japan, and stayed on a naval air base until Dec. 7, 2005.

"If it hadn't been for the Navy, I wouldn't be where I am today," Rowe said.

Through the Navy, he received the Montgomery GI Bill, which provides him with money each month, but student life is expensive, and sometimes it is difficult to get by.

"My life consists of school, work, school, school and school," Rowe said.

Although Rowe is a full-time student, he spends his afternoons and evenings working as a painter and laborer at Arwood's Furniture in Warrensburg.

He lives off-campus with two roommates and although it helps to split the bills among three, things are still very expensive. What does he say are some of the disadvantages of being a non-traditional student?

"My mind was rusty when I started back, and I don't have the benefits of making those bonds with people my age that most freshmen get. Sometimes it is hard to approach people and meet new friends," Rowe said.

However, Rowe said the Navy did change his social skills. Often students his age have a hart time meeting new people, but he said he is able to be more assertive because of his Navy experience.

For now, Rowe continues to attend class, work, and go on with life as a non-traditional student. He is majoring in safety management and his minor is construction.

"The Navy taught me discipline, dedication and perseverance. I'm getting the best grades I ever have, and though things could be easier if I didn't have to balance life and school, I'm here getting my degree in the field I want," Rowe said.

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