Academic Success and Time Management
(continued from page 2)
in this issue >>>
Husband/Wife Alumni
Academic Success for Adult Students
concentrative state that your mind enters after being uninterrupted for a period of
time. Distractions such as family members asking questions, television shows,
the radio, text messages or phone calls interrupt this state of productivity, and the
clock resets every time there is an interruption. It is important to find a place
away from distraction and minimize interruptions to be productive. Often I will
hear folks say “I am a great multi-tasker” – and you may think you are, but your
brain cannot do two things at once. You might just be one of those people who
can switch back and forth rapidly and are able to pick up where you left off. The
fact of the matter is, the more you can do while focused on one task, the better
off you will be.
Veterans Success Center
Adult Student in the Spotlight
A Newsletter for Edinboro University’s Adult Student Population
It’s important to be proactive instead of reactive. We all know when we forget
something, anxiety surfaces until we “catch up” what it is that we had to have
done. Again, the importance of planning and maintaining a schedule is
paramount.
Also, take advantage of your natural cycles. If you are a morning person,
schedule that time for your studies. But, if you’re most productive at 1:00 a.m.,
then maybe that is when you should be reading up on chemistry.
The worst thing any of us can and will do is procrastinate. Putting things off to
the last minute will do nothing but harm you. Planning ahead, completing tasks
on time, and not feeling pressured at the last minute will help you to complete
your work and complete it well. You’ll notice the difference when you receive
the grade on your paper.
I know it’s hard, but especially for commuter and adult students, I strongly
suggest becoming involved on campus in one way or another. Maybe it is
attending a fitness class in the Student Center, or attending a student government
sponsored event. Or possibly you love accounting and you want to join the
Business and Accounting Club. There’s something out there for everyone, and
it’s proven that students who are involved are more likely to succeed. Not to
mention, there are often field experiences and funding that many clubs and
organizations provide that are not available in the traditional classroom.
So how do I know these things? Well, not only because of my training, but I am
speaking from experience. I was a non-traditional student myself. I entered
Edinboro as a first-time freshman after working in a factory for six years after
high school. I came to a point in my life where I decided factory work wasn’t for
me and wanted to do something more. It was tough! Being around students who
were much younger than I, really feeling the financial pinch, and realizing that
my life would forever be different was a little hard to swallow. But, with
determination and the time management strategies I learned, I was able to
succeed.
Aarron Hunsinger is an Academic Success Coordinator. He has a Bachelor of
Science in business administration and a Master of Arts in college counseling
from Edinboro. His office is located in the Library on the 2nd floor. He can be
reached at (814) 732-1311 or by email: ahunsinger@edinboro.edu.
Issue 6, Spring 2013
New Leaf is published each fall and
spring by the Office of Adult Student
Services. The purpose of the newsletter
is to provide information pertinent to
Edinboro University’s adult student
population.
New Leaf
Summer
Classes 2013!
Our Mission:
The mission of Edinboro University’s
Office of Adult Student Services is to
empower prospective and current adult
learners to meet their educational goals
through programs and services that remove barriers to their success.
Adult Student Services
405 Scotland Road
211 Pogue Student Center
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: (814) 732-2701
Fax: (814) 732-2909
adultstudents@edinboro.edu
http://adult.edinboro.edu
The Family That Studies Together…
Stays Together
Jack and Toka Walters are husband and
wife, recent adult students, parents to
seven children, and now, alumni of
Edinboro University!
Don’t forget that you can
accelerate your time-to-degree by
taking classes in the summer!
There are two sessions for summer
2013:
First Session (5 weeks)
Tuesday, May 28 Thursday, June 27, 2013
Second Session (5 weeks)
Monday, July 8 Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Classes meet Monday-Thursday.
NO FRIDAY CLASSES!
The summer class schedule is now
posted!
For information on financial aid for
the summer session, go to
www.edinboro.edu, keyword
“summer financial aid.”
Jack and Toka both enrolled at Edinboro
in the spring of 2006 and although Jack
had to stop out for a
one-year deployment to
Iraq in 2008, both were
able to graduate
together in December
2012 (although they say
that was totally by
coincidence!).
Jack graduated with a
bachelor of science in
health and physical
education – teacher
education
concentration, and Toka
graduated with a
bachelor of arts in
psychology with a
concentration in
developmental
psychology.
They chose Edinboro because of the
school’s location and great history.
Both of them work full-time for the
Department of Corrections as correction
officers – Toka at SCI Cambridge
Springs and Jack at SCI Albion.
What is it like attending school with
your spouse? Toka said “It was great
attending school together. We really
encouraged each other to keep
going. We actually had some general
courses together, and we had some
healthy competition as well. It was fun
and a good way to
push each other to
do better.”
Continuing the
family tradition,
their son Jake
attends Edinboro
now, and their
daughter Ashley
will attend this fall
after high school
graduation.
Now that they have
both earned their
degree, Toka's plan
is to attend graduate
school for clinical
mental health
counseling, while
Jack plans to substitute teach until he
retires from the prison. After
retirement, he wants to pursue teaching
full time.
Jack and Toka both say education really
has no age limit!
Adult Student in the Spotlight:
Nicholas Longstreth
Academic Success and Time
Management for Adult Students
By Aaron Hunsinger, Academic Success Coordinator
Time management is a topic
that surfaces with any student,
but with adult and commuter
students, it can be the area that
is most critical to their success.
In addition to stressors that
affect all college students (such
as time for reading, homework,
studying for exams, attending
tutoring, etc.), adult and
commuter students have much
more on their plate. Often
those students have to juggle
family and work
responsibilities, as well as
those already mentioned above.
So why learn about managing
your time? It helps to save
time, reduce stress, function
effectively, increase output,
and helps you to have more
control over your life. It’s easy
to say “I need to manage my
time better,” but, what exactly
does that mean? It means
planning, prioritizing,
scheduling, and setting goals.
 With multiple
responsibilities on your plate,
it is crucial to plan. Every
minute of your day likely
needs to be dedicated to
something. Being on top of
your responsibilities and
being aware of what needs
done next is key. Get a
planner, or use the calendar
in your smart phone to stay
on top of tasks. Much
anxiety can be reduced just
by not being “surprised” by
things that need done.
 When multiple tasks need
Focus on Adult Student
Scholarships
The Dan and Dolores Highman
Scholarship
Daniel E. Highman received his
bachelor of arts degree in natural
science from Edinboro in 1970. He
is currently president of U.S. Bronze
Foundry and Machine, Inc. and
Lubrite Technologies in Meadville,
PA. Dan is also president of the
Crawford County Historical Society.
Dan and Dolores established this
scholarship in which first preference
is made to a non-traditional student
who is raising a child(ren) while
pursuing his/her education.
Financial need is a consideration,
but not a determining factor in
selection.
completed, prioritize. A
personal favorite of mine is a
check list. As a visual
person, checklists work
great for me. I feel a sense
of accomplishment when I
am able to cross tasks off
that list, and it helps me to
stay focused as to where I’m
at and where I’m going.
When mapping out your
schedule, be sure to be
realistic.
 You can avoid stress by not
overcommitting. Sometimes
decisions need to be made as
far as what to do or what not
to do. It’s important to
realize that you can’t do
everything, and sometimes
sacrifices need to be made.
 Learn to say “No.” We all
enjoy friends and
socialization, but at times it
is important to stick to the
plan. We’ve all been there guilted in to an evening out,
a movie, or a shopping trip.
Remember that you’re
paying for your education,
and you have one chance to
make yourself shine. Get the
most out of it. Real friends
will understand.
When you finally do sit down
to study, remember that you
need at least 15 minutes of
uninterrupted time before you
achieve flow. Flow is a highly
...continued on page 4
Edinboro University Creates a
Veterans Success Center
Did you know that approximately 20% of adult students are also veterans? The
year 2012 marked the fourth year in a row that Edinboro University has been
designated a military-friendly school by GI Jobs. In an effort to centralize
services to veteran students, the University has established a new Veterans
Success Center! The new office is located in 226 Crawford Center.
The Center offers a centralized point of contact for any issues a student veteran or
dependent may face, and will also give them a specific place to study and relax.
The Center will also be instrumental in creating a student veterans organization,
and will advocate for student veterans on campus.
Mr. Tony Canzonieri (pictured right) was
named in December as the new coordinator
for the Center and is currently completing an
MBA from California University of
Pennsylvania. Previously, he served as the
Pennsylvania state director and east coast
outreach representative for Vets4Vets. Tony
has served in the United States Army as an
intelligence analyst, water treatment specialist,
and team leader. He was deployed to Iraq in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Contact information for the Veterans Success
Center is: (814) 732-1553;
veterans.edinboro.edu;
acanzonieri@edinboro.edu.
Meet Nicholas Longstreth. He’s your traditional
non-traditional student. He works, goes to
school (full-time), and has a family. Like most
adult students, he finds the most difficult thing
about being one is trying to find a balance
between spending time with his family, working,
and completing required course work.
Something not so traditional about Nick - he has
maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his academic
career and just achieved senior status!
Nick started his academic career at Edinboro in
the Spring of 2010 and is on track to graduate in
December of this year with a bachelor of arts degree in English-writing
and a minor in environmental studies. He decided to go back to school
because of the economy and says that after writing out his prayers and
concerns, going to school was the best option to strengthen his
employability and achieve his calling. He chose Edinboro because of its
reputation, proximity to his home, and affordability.
Nick says that the best thing about being an adult student is that he has
already experienced life in the adult world, which allows him to be more
focused on his schoolwork, unlike many traditional-aged students who
are experiencing the excitement of parental-free freedom for the first
time. He also believes that since the age gap between him and his
professors is shorter, communication with them is easier.
Nick was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda - the adult student honor
society - in the spring of 2011. He also has a story called "The Family
Loam," that will be published in the 10th edition of Chimera. Chimera is
an illustrated literary journal of student writing produced by the English
department in collaboration with
the art department. The journal has
won numerous national awards
and citations, and this year’s
edition will include music
compositions, film, poetry, fiction,
non-fiction, photography, and two
and three-dimensional art. The
annual release celebration will be
held in the Diebold Center for the
Performing Arts on Thursday,
Nick, with wife Sonya
April 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
After graduation, Nick plans to write material focused on nature and
spirituality, practice husbandry, and continue to expand the micro-farm
he and his family are building.
Nick’s advice to all students, not just the non-traditional students, is:
“Prepare yourself to make sacrifices if you truly want to excel. If you are
married, or in a serious relationship, make sure your partner is also
committed to your decision. Your family will make as many, if not more,
sacrifices as you will during your education. In the end, the sacrifices
you make become the foundation for you and your family’s future. Above
all, enjoy the time in school. It is probably the only time we will have to
strictly focus on our individual passions.”
Don’t Forget to Fill
Out the FAFSA!
Edinboro University has a
preferred filing date of March 15th
for the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students who meet the preferred
filing date will receive full
consideration of university
acholarships, Federal
SEOG, Federal Perkins, Federal
Work Study and
discretionary scholarships and
grants.
To apply, go to www.fafsa.gov.
Below are some common myths
that adult students have about
financial aid:
Myth #1: Adult students don't
meet the age requirements to
receive federal student aid.
Fact: There is no age limit.
Almost everyone is eligible for
some type of federal student aid.
Myth #2: You need to pass a credit
check to receive federal student
aid.
Fact: No credit check is required
to receive federal student aid,
including most federal student
loans.
Myth #3: It costs money to apply
for federal student aid.
Fact: Applying is free. It costs
nothing to apply for federal
student aid and therefore you
should avoid companies charging
a fee to complete the application.
(fasfa.gov)
Adult Student in the Spotlight:
Nicholas Longstreth
Academic Success and Time
Management for Adult Students
By Aaron Hunsinger, Academic Success Coordinator
Time management is a topic
that surfaces with any student,
but with adult and commuter
students, it can be the area that
is most critical to their success.
In addition to stressors that
affect all college students (such
as time for reading, homework,
studying for exams, attending
tutoring, etc.), adult and
commuter students have much
more on their plate. Often
those students have to juggle
family and work
responsibilities, as well as
those already mentioned above.
So why learn about managing
your time? It helps to save
time, reduce stress, function
effectively, increase output,
and helps you to have more
control over your life. It’s easy
to say “I need to manage my
time better,” but, what exactly
does that mean? It means
planning, prioritizing,
scheduling, and setting goals.
 With multiple
responsibilities on your plate,
it is crucial to plan. Every
minute of your day likely
needs to be dedicated to
something. Being on top of
your responsibilities and
being aware of what needs
done next is key. Get a
planner, or use the calendar
in your smart phone to stay
on top of tasks. Much
anxiety can be reduced just
by not being “surprised” by
things that need done.
 When multiple tasks need
Focus on Adult Student
Scholarships
The Dan and Dolores Highman
Scholarship
Daniel E. Highman received his
bachelor of arts degree in natural
science from Edinboro in 1970. He
is currently president of U.S. Bronze
Foundry and Machine, Inc. and
Lubrite Technologies in Meadville,
PA. Dan is also president of the
Crawford County Historical Society.
Dan and Dolores established this
scholarship in which first preference
is made to a non-traditional student
who is raising a child(ren) while
pursuing his/her education.
Financial need is a consideration,
but not a determining factor in
selection.
completed, prioritize. A
personal favorite of mine is a
check list. As a visual
person, checklists work
great for me. I feel a sense
of accomplishment when I
am able to cross tasks off
that list, and it helps me to
stay focused as to where I’m
at and where I’m going.
When mapping out your
schedule, be sure to be
realistic.
 You can avoid stress by not
overcommitting. Sometimes
decisions need to be made as
far as what to do or what not
to do. It’s important to
realize that you can’t do
everything, and sometimes
sacrifices need to be made.
 Learn to say “No.” We all
enjoy friends and
socialization, but at times it
is important to stick to the
plan. We’ve all been there guilted in to an evening out,
a movie, or a shopping trip.
Remember that you’re
paying for your education,
and you have one chance to
make yourself shine. Get the
most out of it. Real friends
will understand.
When you finally do sit down
to study, remember that you
need at least 15 minutes of
uninterrupted time before you
achieve flow. Flow is a highly
...continued on page 4
Edinboro University Creates a
Veterans Success Center
Did you know that approximately 20% of adult students are also veterans? The
year 2012 marked the fourth year in a row that Edinboro University has been
designated a military-friendly school by GI Jobs. In an effort to centralize
services to veteran students, the University has established a new Veterans
Success Center! The new office is located in 226 Crawford Center.
The Center offers a centralized point of contact for any issues a student veteran or
dependent may face, and will also give them a specific place to study and relax.
The Center will also be instrumental in creating a student veterans organization,
and will advocate for student veterans on campus.
Mr. Tony Canzonieri (pictured right) was
named in December as the new coordinator
for the Center and is currently completing an
MBA from California University of
Pennsylvania. Previously, he served as the
Pennsylvania state director and east coast
outreach representative for Vets4Vets. Tony
has served in the United States Army as an
intelligence analyst, water treatment specialist,
and team leader. He was deployed to Iraq in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Contact information for the Veterans Success
Center is: (814) 732-1553;
veterans.edinboro.edu;
acanzonieri@edinboro.edu.
Meet Nicholas Longstreth. He’s your traditional
non-traditional student. He works, goes to
school (full-time), and has a family. Like most
adult students, he finds the most difficult thing
about being one is trying to find a balance
between spending time with his family, working,
and completing required course work.
Something not so traditional about Nick - he has
maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his academic
career and just achieved senior status!
Nick started his academic career at Edinboro in
the Spring of 2010 and is on track to graduate in
December of this year with a bachelor of arts degree in English-writing
and a minor in environmental studies. He decided to go back to school
because of the economy and says that after writing out his prayers and
concerns, going to school was the best option to strengthen his
employability and achieve his calling. He chose Edinboro because of its
reputation, proximity to his home, and affordability.
Nick says that the best thing about being an adult student is that he has
already experienced life in the adult world, which allows him to be more
focused on his schoolwork, unlike many traditional-aged students who
are experiencing the excitement of parental-free freedom for the first
time. He also believes that since the age gap between him and his
professors is shorter, communication with them is easier.
Nick was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda - the adult student honor
society - in the spring of 2011. He also has a story called "The Family
Loam," that will be published in the 10th edition of Chimera. Chimera is
an illustrated literary journal of student writing produced by the English
department in collaboration with
the art department. The journal has
won numerous national awards
and citations, and this year’s
edition will include music
compositions, film, poetry, fiction,
non-fiction, photography, and two
and three-dimensional art. The
annual release celebration will be
held in the Diebold Center for the
Performing Arts on Thursday,
Nick, with wife Sonya
April 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
After graduation, Nick plans to write material focused on nature and
spirituality, practice husbandry, and continue to expand the micro-farm
he and his family are building.
Nick’s advice to all students, not just the non-traditional students, is:
“Prepare yourself to make sacrifices if you truly want to excel. If you are
married, or in a serious relationship, make sure your partner is also
committed to your decision. Your family will make as many, if not more,
sacrifices as you will during your education. In the end, the sacrifices
you make become the foundation for you and your family’s future. Above
all, enjoy the time in school. It is probably the only time we will have to
strictly focus on our individual passions.”
Don’t Forget to Fill
Out the FAFSA!
Edinboro University has a
preferred filing date of March 15th
for the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students who meet the preferred
filing date will receive full
consideration of university
acholarships, Federal
SEOG, Federal Perkins, Federal
Work Study and
discretionary scholarships and
grants.
To apply, go to www.fafsa.gov.
Below are some common myths
that adult students have about
financial aid:
Myth #1: Adult students don't
meet the age requirements to
receive federal student aid.
Fact: There is no age limit.
Almost everyone is eligible for
some type of federal student aid.
Myth #2: You need to pass a credit
check to receive federal student
aid.
Fact: No credit check is required
to receive federal student aid,
including most federal student
loans.
Myth #3: It costs money to apply
for federal student aid.
Fact: Applying is free. It costs
nothing to apply for federal
student aid and therefore you
should avoid companies charging
a fee to complete the application.
(fasfa.gov)
Academic Success and Time Management
(continued from page 2)
in this issue >>>
Husband/Wife Alumni
Academic Success for Adult Students
concentrative state that your mind enters after being uninterrupted for a period of
time. Distractions such as family members asking questions, television shows,
the radio, text messages or phone calls interrupt this state of productivity, and the
clock resets every time there is an interruption. It is important to find a place
away from distraction and minimize interruptions to be productive. Often I will
hear folks say “I am a great multi-tasker” – and you may think you are, but your
brain cannot do two things at once. You might just be one of those people who
can switch back and forth rapidly and are able to pick up where you left off. The
fact of the matter is, the more you can do while focused on one task, the better
off you will be.
Veterans Success Center
Adult Student in the Spotlight
A Newsletter for Edinboro University’s Adult Student Population
It’s important to be proactive instead of reactive. We all know when we forget
something, anxiety surfaces until we “catch up” what it is that we had to have
done. Again, the importance of planning and maintaining a schedule is
paramount.
Also, take advantage of your natural cycles. If you are a morning person,
schedule that time for your studies. But, if you’re most productive at 1:00 a.m.,
then maybe that is when you should be reading up on chemistry.
The worst thing any of us can and will do is procrastinate. Putting things off to
the last minute will do nothing but harm you. Planning ahead, completing tasks
on time, and not feeling pressured at the last minute will help you to complete
your work and complete it well. You’ll notice the difference when you receive
the grade on your paper.
I know it’s hard, but especially for commuter and adult students, I strongly
suggest becoming involved on campus in one way or another. Maybe it is
attending a fitness class in the Student Center, or attending a student government
sponsored event. Or possibly you love accounting and you want to join the
Business and Accounting Club. There’s something out there for everyone, and
it’s proven that students who are involved are more likely to succeed. Not to
mention, there are often field experiences and funding that many clubs and
organizations provide that are not available in the traditional classroom.
So how do I know these things? Well, not only because of my training, but I am
speaking from experience. I was a non-traditional student myself. I entered
Edinboro as a first-time freshman after working in a factory for six years after
high school. I came to a point in my life where I decided factory work wasn’t for
me and wanted to do something more. It was tough! Being around students who
were much younger than I, really feeling the financial pinch, and realizing that
my life would forever be different was a little hard to swallow. But, with
determination and the time management strategies I learned, I was able to
succeed.
Aarron Hunsinger is an Academic Success Coordinator. He has a Bachelor of
Science in business administration and a Master of Arts in college counseling
from Edinboro. His office is located in the Library on the 2nd floor. He can be
reached at (814) 732-1311 or by email: ahunsinger@edinboro.edu.
Issue 6, Spring 2013
New Leaf is published each fall and
spring by the Office of Adult Student
Services. The purpose of the newsletter
is to provide information pertinent to
Edinboro University’s adult student
population.
New Leaf
Summer
Classes 2013!
Our Mission:
The mission of Edinboro University’s
Office of Adult Student Services is to
empower prospective and current adult
learners to meet their educational goals
through programs and services that remove barriers to their success.
Adult Student Services
405 Scotland Road
211 Pogue Student Center
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: (814) 732-2701
Fax: (814) 732-2909
adultstudents@edinboro.edu
http://adult.edinboro.edu
The Family That Studies Together…
Stays Together
Jack and Toka Walters are husband and
wife, recent adult students, parents to
seven children, and now, alumni of
Edinboro University!
Don’t forget that you can
accelerate your time-to-degree by
taking classes in the summer!
There are two sessions for summer
2013:
First Session (5 weeks)
Tuesday, May 28 Thursday, June 27, 2013
Second Session (5 weeks)
Monday, July 8 Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Classes meet Monday-Thursday.
NO FRIDAY CLASSES!
The summer class schedule is now
posted!
For information on financial aid for
the summer session, go to
www.edinboro.edu, keyword
“summer financial aid.”
Jack and Toka both enrolled at Edinboro
in the spring of 2006 and although Jack
had to stop out for a
one-year deployment to
Iraq in 2008, both were
able to graduate
together in December
2012 (although they say
that was totally by
coincidence!).
Jack graduated with a
bachelor of science in
health and physical
education – teacher
education
concentration, and Toka
graduated with a
bachelor of arts in
psychology with a
concentration in
developmental
psychology.
They chose Edinboro because of the
school’s location and great history.
Both of them work full-time for the
Department of Corrections as correction
officers – Toka at SCI Cambridge
Springs and Jack at SCI Albion.
What is it like attending school with
your spouse? Toka said “It was great
attending school together. We really
encouraged each other to keep
going. We actually had some general
courses together, and we had some
healthy competition as well. It was fun
and a good way to
push each other to
do better.”
Continuing the
family tradition,
their son Jake
attends Edinboro
now, and their
daughter Ashley
will attend this fall
after high school
graduation.
Now that they have
both earned their
degree, Toka's plan
is to attend graduate
school for clinical
mental health
counseling, while
Jack plans to substitute teach until he
retires from the prison. After
retirement, he wants to pursue teaching
full time.
Jack and Toka both say education really
has no age limit!