By Maggie Callaghan, For The Miami Student
Jared Baker walks from class to class every day, carrying his books and stressing for exams like any other student at Miami University. However, by just a quick glance, you immediately know that Jared Baker is not your typical college student.
"I was asked if I wanted the professor discount at the bookstore," Baker said with a chuckle.
Baker, 37, started his education at Miami in 1997, after graduating from Cincinnati's Elder High School.
After starting his college career at the Hamilton campus, Baker decided to take two years off because he did not feel as though he was ready for college. Baker returned to the Hamilton campus two years later, in 1999, and once he had taken all his Miami plan classes, Baker transferred to the Oxford campus in 2001. Baker was a junior and had already completed 90 credit hours when he faced serious health issues that forced him to miss class. Ultimately, Baker decided to drop out in 2004.
Baker said he just never felt like the timing was right for him to go back to school. Stephanie Beck, an adviser for the Hamilton branch, where many non-traditional students take classes, explained that students like Baker might realize they aren't ready for school when they are 18 years old -- but many will come back because they want the degree. However, no student is the same.
"Non-traditional students are a diverse population," Beck said. "Some have quit their jobs to attend Miami…some are balancing full time jobs with being parens, spouses, and are part-time students."
Baker's journey to get his degree has not been an easy one. His original major, Physical Education, was no longer offered at Miami when he returned in 2014.
"That was the hard part - helping him find the right fit in a new major," said Robin Vealey, Baker's adviser.
Once Baker settled on a major, he had to tackle the problem of completing his credits.
However, when he came back, some of his classes' credits changed and advisers even had trouble reading his Degree Audit Report (DAR), the form that shows a student's academic progress.
Not only had DAR changed, but the college experience changed, too.
Besides having to learn to study again after taking 10 years off to work and coach wrestling in Colorado, Baker had to learn about all the new technology in the classroom. He said how intimidating it was the first couple weeks adjusting to everything and listening to what other students had to say. He said he felt behind.
The classroom was also not the most welcoming setting for Baker.
"College is about sharing ideas and communicating, but I just sit there and wait there [for the professor]. I have to initiate the conversation with other students…" Baker said.
Although non-traditional students like Baker may think they are at a disadvantage in the classroom, advisers say they bring much more to the table.
"Their level of maturity benefits traditional-aged students when they form student groups … they often provide positive leadership," Beck said.
Even though the decision to come back to school can seem difficult, Baker has never doubted his decision.
Baker said the prestige of Miami University is worth getting it. He is even happier he got the experience to work before getting his degree. He said he feels more confident because of it
Baker said Miami's advisers are happy to work with non-traditional students to help them complete their degrees.
"We will work with you," Vealey said. "I have found various departmental advisers and the Liberal Education office are extremely helpful and flexible in working with students to enable them to complete their degrees."
Vealey is excited that Baker will graduate in December with 150 credits.
"Working with students like Jared is so rewarding because he has persevered so long and now will finally receive his well-deserved degree," Vealey said.