WORKING-CLASS ACADEMICS BLOG

Reappropriation is the cultural process by which a group reclaims—re-appropriates—terms that were/are used in a disparaging manner in terms of a specific  group i.e. reclaiming of terminology referring to homosexuality and ethnicity.  A recent example can be found in the work of 3rd wave feminists to reclaim the word slut. This short piece focuses on non traditional student (NTS) e.g. those who are generally defined as being someone who is either a mature student; someone from economically disadvantaged  background; a first generation undergraduate; an ethnic minority or has a disability  (Morey et al. 2003). I call to re appropriate the term non traditional student as in the first instance I quibble with all the ‘groups’ included. You can be a mature student and not be a NTS – the age of a student does not indicate economic status. Some ethnic minorities groups are actually more likely to go to university than others e.g. Chinese more likely than those from an Afro Caribbean background. I have a further concern with the term. Read the academic literature on students in HE and you will find that NTS are present: they are those students who need a lot of help, that are out of their depth and are generally deficient. However is this all there is to say about these diverse cohorts? I think not. Whilst I have been teaching I have noted that NTS ‘groups’ are more likely to engage in seminars; often gain higher grades and produce interesting and nuanced essays. However I never hear about this in the literature. The widening participation era has brought a larger increase of non traditional cohorts, thus it is about time that they were discussed in more nuanced ways, representative of such a large ‘group’ of students. I would love to hear if anyone else who works with NTS. Email me on sos403@bangor.ac.uk or on Twitter @Beyond_Grad if you would like to share your experiences of working with these hard working students. Thanks,Teresa