Non-Traditional College Students

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Story Published: May 30, 2008 at 10:53 AM MST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 8:55 PM MST

By Hasti Taghi

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"well if I get a show then I'm not gonna finish here."

Hailey Felt has only one year left at ISU but she has other things on her mind than college. She is leaving to join cirque-du-soleil in about 2 months. Like 48 percent of their ISU classmates Felt and her husband are non-traditional students.

"A non-traditional student is anyone who has other priorities rather than their education."

Almost half of Idaho State University students are between the age of 26 to 38. Many of these students have opted to forgo starting college right away to take care of other priorities.

"some people decide to get married or have kids or go on their mission."

With a third of the students members of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints...many paused their education to go on their missions. With other things on their minds, non-traditional students are usually part time and take a few years longer to complete their degree.

"it's an individual decision for each person."

For Felt her college will be delayed again when she joins Cirque du Soleil in July. Although she might have had a masters by now if she had gone the traditional route, felt says doing what she loves is well worth the wait.
So these students from class of 2008 may opt not to be class of 2012 in college.

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