“What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Are you a teacher?” “What made you decide to go back to school?” These are just a few of the questions that I am asked frequently. To be truthful, I’m not all I want to be, yet! When you stop being curious, you cease to have anything to offer. Some of us are non-traditional students in the mix with the traditional students, but we are all here for the same reasons “comparatively speaking”. This is my third semester at UTM. I transferred from Dyersburg State Community College with an associate’s degree in Psychology and English (double major), and an honor student and graduate of the May class of 2001. I also have a nursing degree from Antelope Valley Community College in Lancaster, Calif., class of 1972, and currently hold a valid license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for the state of California, where I worked in the medical field for two decades. “Comparatively speaking”, I am educated, but I’m not finished yet! Students come in all forms, different backgrounds, different ideals, different colors, different sexes and so on. Thank God for a little variety! How boring if we were all alike! Non-traditional or traditional, we all have something to offer and many things to learn. Several weeks ago, I encountered a group of youths touring our campus. A large, varied group, they were very lively and verbal. One African-American boy turned to me as I passed and said, “Are you a teacher?” I replied, “No, I'm a student.” He yelled, “A STUDENT, WOW!” The rest of the group stared at me as I proceeded to my first class with a smile on my face. About midway in the line of kids, another African-American boy stepped out, threw his little arms around me and said, “I’m giving away hugs, and you deserve a hug today.” How special am I? “Comparatively speaking,” that one hug made my day! A little goes a long way! My sights are set on a second career, or just to experience the thrill of preparing, by furthering my education. Expanding new horizons, to know I'm doing the best I can, stretching the limits, pushing the envelope, and other various cliches. Non-traditional students fit into a lot of these categories, “comparatively speaking”. I may not fit the ordinary mold, but I know I am unique and I like it! I dance to a different tune, and enjoy every minute of it. If you don’t believe it, just ask me! I may not be the voice or share the thoughts of all the non-traditional students, but I know a few that would agree to this - We may be a little worn for wear, our tread may be a little thinner than the traditional students, but give us a challenge, stand back, and “watch the gravel fly”… comparatively speaking, that is! Lindsey Cruce is a senior Communications major from Obion.