Maria Williams-Hawkins (1994) describes the "new traditional student" as between the ages of 25-32, citing National Center for Education statistics that about 43% of all current college students are at least 25 years old. The majority of these new students are women, and many of them assume primary responsibility for children and/or elderly dependents. In addition, many are employed full-time and are returning to acquire specific job-related skills. They are in school to advance their careers (Sims, 1991).

In summary, the new traditional student is time-poor and commitment-rich. She/he seeks time-saving approaches in all sectors of life, and is engaged in a constant juggling act of multiple responsibilities. These circumstances of modern life promulgate efficiency in the guise of cellular phones, home-based work, and tele-delivered education. The missing component of efficiency may well be time for reflection and its contribution to purposeful and creative (derived from 'bring into being') action (derived from 'to get done').