This Time Will Be Different: Student Support for Returning Learners

Madison Richards '26, Bachelor of Science in Marketing, with her son Malakai.

Returning learners are sometimes called adult learners or nontraditional students. These terms often refer to students who are pursuing a degree again after time away from college — years, in many cases.

"Students may be returning after major life transitions, such as having a baby, changing jobs, moving to a new state or shifting from part-time to full-time work," said Kathryn Rentz, who's now into her sixth year as an academic advisor at SNHU.

Some students also may have faced challenges during their first college experience, either personally or academically. For others, decades may have passed since they were last enrolled. In those cases, the prospect of starting courses again might feel intimidating, according to Rentz.

"If they know someone is in their corner, it makes the process so much easier," she said.

Why is Student Support Important for Returning Learners?

Returning learners may have concerns related to both internal and external factors, Rentz said.

"Students may question whether they are capable of succeeding, worry that they are older than everyone else or compare themselves to classmates who seem more confident," she said.

Students may also be worried about how they'll manage earning a degree as a working adult or how they'll finance their degree, according to Rentz.

No two people are the same, and their concerns won't be all the same, either. That's why some schools, like SNHU, offer robust support services designed with nontraditional learners in mind.

Read more: Some College, No Degree? How to Go Back to School

What Are Some Examples of Student Support Services?

Here are some examples of student support services available at SNHU:

Academic Advising

When you enroll in an online degree program, your academic advisor becomes your main point of contact.

Your advisor can help you:

• Choose and register for courses
• Connect with other resources throughout the university
• Navigate any adjustments or challenges
• Stay motivated and on track

Travis Baril '24, who earned a bachelor's in psychology online from SNHU more than 20 years after he had initially started college, said academic advising was a core part of his support system. “My experience that stood out the most was my time with my advisor. Her name is Heather Joubert," Baril said.

He said his advisor regularly emailed and called him to check in throughout his program, which made all the difference when he needed encouragement.

“Anytime that I was starting to feel like I was starting to lose that will to keep going, Heather was really good to pick me back up from that," said Baril.

Read more: What Does an Academic Advisor Do?

Accessibility Services

If you'd benefit from support, accommodations or other accessibility services related to a disability, the Online Accessibility Center (OAC) is there to help.

Before coming to SNHU, Heather Schey '22 said she attended a different college, but she wasn't receiving the accommodations that she needed.

She said her experience was much better at SNHU, where she ended up graduating with a degree in human services.

“The Online Accessibility Center (at SNHU) was priceless,” said Schey. "Anything that wasn't accessible was made accessible."

Learn more about the Online Accessibility Center (OAC).

Career Services

From the moment you enroll, you'll have access to career counseling services, which can help you plan your career, find internships, strengthen your resume, prepare for job interviews and more.

"I like to say, 'they come with the price of admission,'" Rentz said of the career services offered at SNHU.

Jim Hurst '23 '24MBA said he was working as a server in restaurants when he started his bachelor's in business administration with a concentration in finance at SNHU.

“Throughout the years, I took what I learned here, and I applied it to my career,” Hurst said. “I also took advice from the career department here at (SNHU), and I started applying to jobs in the banking industry.”

After he transitioned to banking, he said his career grew from there. And only a year after earning his bachelor's, Hurst also went on to graduate with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from SNHU.

Read more: Career Support From the Start

Mental Health Services

Some schools may also offer mental health services and other resources to support your wellness, like the resources available at SNHU through Mantra Health.

Students enrolled in a degree program at SNHU have access to:

• Basic needs support
• Wellness coaching
• Peer mental health support
• Self-care courses
• Therapy sessions

If you're a student, you can ask your academic advisor for more information.

Read more: Why is Mental Health Important?

Student Financial Services

Finance counselors are there throughout your college experience to help you with any financial questions that may arise.

That includes questions about funding options, such as:

• Federal student loans and grants
• Private loans
• Work-study opportunities
• Scholarships

SNHU also offers financial literacy support to help you make informed decisions when it comes to your personal finances.

Tutoring and Academic Support

Academic support at SNHU includes:

• 24/7 on-demand tutoring
• Academic coaching
• Virtual workshops
• Feedback from the Writing Center

Justin Charles '26 said he didn't have a background in computer programming before going back to school to finish his bachelor's at SNHU, but he didn't let that stop him. He studied cybersecurity with some computer science courses on the side, and while he said it wasn't always easy, he didn't have to figure everything out alone.

“I actually used the tutoring services that SNHU offers just to have some extra guidance and help," he said.

That support — combined with his hard work throughout his program — paid off. Charles ended up graduating from SNHU with a bachelor's in cybersecurity and multiple internships with NASA under his belt.

Read more: Help When You Need It: The Role of Student Support Services in College

How Can Returning College Students Be Successful?

Even if the first time you enrolled in college didn't go as planned, you can still be successful this time around.

Here are a few tips from Rentz:

• Be proactive with your assignments
• Communicate with your instructors
• Connect with support early and often
• Practice time management
• Prepare for the unexpected

"We’d all love 'Plan A' where it all goes according to the plan," Rentz said. "Plan B or C or D does happen. Getting back in the race is the important thing."

If you have a lot going on outside of your coursework, Rentz also recommended considering whether a lighter course load might make more sense for you. "You have to balance the desire to make progress in the degree with your limitations," she said.

Feeling nervous about returning to school is normal. It's also normal to have to take time off for one reason or another, Rentz noted. Just be sure to ask your advisor how taking a term off could impact your financial aid.

If you're nervous about going back to school, Rentz said it can be helpful to reflect on how you've grown since the last time you were in courses.

"You are in an even better place to be successful than the first time around because you have more life experience to draw from," she said.

Remember, you aren't in this alone. At SNHU, you have a network to guide and support you.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.