* Option 1 (Concise and direct): Nontraditional students, understanding the value of their education, put in extra effort.
* Option 2 (Emphasis on effort): Nontraditional students make a significant extra effort because they know their education is valuable.
* Option 3 (Emphasis on understanding): Recognizing the value of their education, nontraditional students dedicate extra effort to their learning.
* Option 4 (More formal): The enhanced value placed on their education motivates nontraditional students to exert additional effort in their studies.
The best option depends on the surrounding text and the overall tone of your writing.