Elizabeth Martell said her college experience has been “a roller coaster ride.”

With a husband and two children, the bachelor of general studies student manages to carry 12 semester credit hours and still maintain a 4.0 grade point average.

As a self-supportive, married parent with work experience, Martell is considered a non-traditional student.

Non-traditional students and faculty members received awards for their involvement in the School of Continuing Education on Monday.

OASIS, the Organization of Adult Students, Informal and Supportive, sponsored an essay contest. Martell decided to participate.

“The essay contest was based on what it was like to be a non-traditional student at Eastern,” said Cheryl Barker, OASIS coordinator.

The contest received about 60 essays. Judges narrowed them down to the best three.

Martell received first place for her essay, along with a cash prize of $150.

“I feel so honored to receive this award,” she said.

Ten years ago, Martell decided to discontinue her education and start a family.

Now, she takes online classes and makes an hour-long trip from Jasper County to take weekend courses on campus.

“I decided to come back because when my children get older, I do not want to tell them to go to college (when) I haven’t done so myself,” Martell said. “My family is very supportive of me going back to school.”

Most of her classes are not lecture-based and demand extensive reading and writing.

“I get a lot of my studying done while my daughter is in school,” Martell said.

Sometimes, Martell has to stay up all night to write papers for various classes.

“I’ll go to bed and wake up at midnight to get my work done,” she said.

Martell said she is doing very well in her classes and has maintained all A’s.

“I have more interest in my education than I would have had 10 years ago,” she said.

During the presentation, Martell was able to share her award-winning essay.

She described her “roller coaster ride” in her essay.

“It starts when you decide to make the decision if you want to go back to school or not,” Martell said. “The nervous memory of test papers, (and) being able to balance work, ponders the mind.”

Diana Veech, senior elementary education major who was not in attendance, received second place. Laura Sutton, administration assistant for the Business of Technology Institute at Eastern, received third.

At the presentation, the School of Continuing Education honored the communications department for their exemplary services to non-traditional students.

Melody Wollan, assistant president of management for the Lumpkin School of Business, was honored for the support and involvement she has provided for non-traditional students.

Martell said she would not have been able to come this far if not for the bachelor of general studies program and the support it provides.

She said after she graduates next year, she plans to become a substitute teacher in her county.

This will allow her to make money to go to nursing school in the future.

Eastern President Bill Perry said the university has stepped up to the plate to give service and support for non-traditional students.

“Everyone needs education some time in their life,” he said. “In my case, it would be sixty-something.”

Martell said the roller coaster ride has slowed down now.

“Fear has been conquered, and no door is closed to the future,” she said.