After a few years of a sluggish economy and slow hiring, things are looking up for college graduates.

According to a study done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers expect to hire 14 percent more college graduates this year than in the previous year. That means salaries will also be higher.

“It’s the best [college job market] in four years,” Andrea Koncz at NACE was quoted as saying in a recent USA Today article. “With the economy improving, there is more demand for college grads.”

Even those who are not college graduates can take advantage of the increase in hiring. The number of accelerated training and degree programs means that you could literally enroll in a program today, and be a college graduate in a year. As long as the economy continues to improve, hiring will increase. That leads to stronger starting salaries and more job choices for college graduates.

If you are not currently a college graduate, now is a great time to consider a degree program or a career training program.

Whether you’re a part-time student, an adult student or a transfer student, according to your university, you are a “non-traditional student.” This doesn?t mean you?ll be wearing the scarlet letter A. You will hardly be alone. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and the University Continuing Education Association, the fastest-growing group of people who are taking college courses are working adults 25 and older who are raising a family.

Sometimes it?s not as easy to make the transition back to school if you are older or a single mother, but there are plenty of others doing the same thing and succeeding.

Here are a few things that academically successful, non-traditional students understand:

• Time is of the essence
  All categories of non-traditional students understand one thing: In order to get their degrees, they cannot afford to waste money, and more so, precious time. Counseling is crucial. Set an appointment with the advising department at the college of your choice and come prepared to discuss what interests you at length.
• Attend free workshops schools offer
  Take advantage of these whenever possible. You will need every advantage once you return to school. Don?t be afraid to look into your local schedule and see what the academic staff is offering.
• Be prepared for a major life change
  Make sure you and your family understand the adjustments that may need to be made. Trying to balance your family, work and school can be overwhelming; be prepared for any situation by discussing what may change and how to handle it.
• Consider buying a laptop
  Yes, it?s an extra cost. But the return on your investment for the convenience and organization that laptops offer can pay for itself in the long run. Having one of these can give you a chance to study anywhere, anytime, and improve your grades and lesson retention. Check and see if your school also features a student discount rate with local or national vendors.
• Remember that organization is vital
  Keeping on top of your academic schedule is absolutely important. A good way to do this is seek out at least three classroom peers and swap phone numbers and e-mail addresses. That way, if you miss a day, you can get study plans and important lecture points from them.
• Plan ahead for financial aid
  A financial aid office can be as busy the first week back to campus as the streets of New York City at rush hour. Don?t fall into the waiting trap, and be prepared. Contact your financial aid office early, even before you have picked your classes out. Also, as a non-traditional student, don?t be afraid to seek out alternative sources of financial help. Every little bit helps.

Higher education can open up a lot of opportunities for you ? and it?s important to put yourself in the best possible position to take advantage of them! One of the best ways to do this is to pay close attention to your budget and make sure you?re living within your means. Many students find, upon enrolling in a higher education institution, that they receive a number of credit card offers. While a credit card can be a useful tool to charge your books or just grab coffee or a meal in between classes, it?s important to really pay attention to how often you use it and for what purposes.

A few tips to using credit cards:

• Use it for things you can afford!
  Remember, anything you put on a credit card, you do have to pay back! The best way to use a credit card is for the little things that you would be buying anyway ? not for buying something that?s so expensive you wouldn?t be able to afford it if you started saving for a few months.
• Pay the balance off each month
  While it can be tempting to just pay the minimum fee and let the rest sit, every time you do that ? you?re losing money. And while the interest might be only a few dollars each month, why pay what you don?t have to?
• Always pay on time
  Not only are late fees expensive, paying late can really affect your credit history ? and your chance of getting a great loan in the future. Not only will paying on time save you money now, it?ll also save you money later if you plan to finance a car or house!

With these tips in mind, you can make credit cards work for you ? instead of you working for the credit card company!