In a sea of 20-somethings, junior Mary Norman, 54, stands out

Mary Norman spent her summer vacation at her parents’ home waiting for the fall semester to begin. As the new school year neared, the same nerves kicked in right before classes started.

Norman is starting her junior year at IU.

“Every time I walk into a classroom, the students sit up because they think I’m the professor,” she said. “And I sit down and they are like ‘I can’t figure out, who is she?’”
Norman, a 54-year-old longtime Bloomington resident, is a continuing studies student.

Although she has been taking classes at the University since fall 2006, she still feels nervous at times because she is a normal student that looks so different from her peers.

The continuing studies program started out in the 1970s and has its roots in the non-credit Mini University, a week-long summer learning vacation for adults interested in broadening their horizons, said Kyla Cox, director for communications and outreach for Bloomington Continuing Studies.

Out of that came the general studies degree, which was created to help adults complete a degree or go back to school if they never had the opportunity.

Norman had never formally attended college before 2006 but she did move around multiple careers.

“Not understanding that I was thirsty for knowledge, I became a master gardener, I became a licensed esthetician and I got my license in real estate. ... I was taking classes but not realizing that this is what I was looking for.”

She said the things she got involved with hinted that she had a longing to go back to school.

She decided to come to IU because of its traditional appeal. She knew she was going to be different and wouldn’t be as “tech-savvy” as the younger students.

Still, she knew she wanted the experience.

Norman started taking one class in the fall of 2006 and eventually started a general studies degree. After quitting her job, she became a full-time student and is now on the road toward an arts management certificate through the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

This semester she is taking a wide range of classes such as arts marketing, women’s health and African dance.

Having adult responsibilities, such as paying bills, has made Norman appreciate the opportunity that lies within her education.

“I pay attention because I don’t have time to do this again,” she said.

Norman said the resources that the continuing studies program has provided her with have helped her succeed at IU.

“It’s when I have those moments where I think I’m alone on campus and I’ll get an e-mail from my adviser or I’ll get invited by someone in general studies to speak to other non-traditionals or to attend something that is recognizing non-traditional students,” she said. “And then I think I’m not alone.”

Norman said her adviser, Angie Gast, patiently goes through every class with her and explains why she should or shouldn’t take it and what it will count toward.

Gast said she tries to have a strong focus on what students will be able to do with their degree once they are out of college.

“There really is no limit as to what you can do with a general studies degree and it varies from student to student depending on what they’re interested in,” Gast said.

The program has also created a Facebook group, “IU Bloomington Adult Student Resources,” to let them know about opportunities for them around campus.

Norman said going back to school is a possibility for anyone that wants to do it.
Today, Norman is supplied with resources from the program, has gadgets for electronic note-taking and even has a Facebook.

“I have friends that say ‘Mary, you are so brave,’” she said. “But I don’t see it as bravery. I just see that anything worth having is worth working for.”