Students blog

When it comes to making an impact, few causes resonate as deeply as the fight against childhood cancer. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is at the forefront of this battle, ensuring that no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's inability to pay. Raising money is not just about providing funds for research; it's about giving hope to families during their darkest times. Stay tuned for more about the history of St. Jude, how I made a difference and most importantly, how YOU can make a difference.

St. Jude and TKE

As a proud member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE), I can attest to our commitment to St. Jude as a philanthropic partner. We strive to ensure that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, or housing—because we believe the only thing families should focus on is helping their children live. In 2019, TKE launched an ambitious campaign to raise $10 million over the next decade for St. Jude. I’m proud to share that we’ve already raised $3.3 million, and we’re on track to surpass our goal.

St. Jude and Me

Now that you know about St. Jude and TKE, let me share how we raise funds and create meaningful change. At Indiana University-Indianapolis, our TKE chapter has raised over $10,000 in the past year through various philanthropic events. Two of our biggest initiatives are the annual “Car Smash” and our 36-hour biking event, “Miles for Memphis.”

The Car Smash is a unique event where students can relieve stress by smashing a junk car—all while contributing to a great cause. The sight of a car in the middle of campus draws attention and curiosity, making it an engaging way for students to have fun and support St. Jude.

Miles for Memphis is our signature event, where fraternity members take turns biking around campus and downtown Indianapolis for 36 hours while camping overnight on campus. You might wonder, “Why 36 hours?” This duration represents the time it would take to bike from Indianapolis to St. Jude’s headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. Our commitment to cycling for 36 hours symbolizes our dedication to the children at St. Jude.

St. Jude and You

Raising money for St. Jude is more than a fundraising effort; it's about creating and sustaining that legacy of hope. Each contribution, no matter how small, plays a role in the fight against pediatric cancer. Together, we can help ensure that no child is left behind. If you are ready to make a difference, whether it’s hosting an event, starting a campaign, or simply spreading the word, please visit the St. Jude website to learn more about fundraising and how you can play a role.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

I believe that as a college student there is so much to learn not just in school but out of school as well. For example, most of us are living on our own for the first time and learning how to manage our time. Most of us dread waking up early, which is exactly how I was my freshman year of college. Since then, what started off as a goal of mine to wake up early has now turned into a daily routine and success in my academics. There are many benefits of becoming a morning person and I hope to spread that knowledge and personal experience to help not only students but anyone looking for a healthier sleep routine or just better time management skills.

Personalizing Your Routine

The key to enjoying waking up early and having a morning routine is to simply make it your own personal routine. Whether that's showering first thing in the morning to help wake you up, or even making a cup of your favorite coffee. Have fun with your early mornings and use the extra time to complete tasks that you typically don't have time for.

Realizing the Benefits of Waking up Early

Every non-morning person knows the benefits of waking up early, but they just simply don’t want to do it. Whether that's because they really like to sleep or maybe they just don't like change. I am here to tell all those non-morning people that becoming a morning person is truly life changing in the best ways possible. Waking up early is a path not only to a healthier lifestyle but also a path to great time management skills. Many students spend countless hours up throughout the whole night when they can simply wake up earlier and then have a whole day to do homework, participate in their hobbies, and not feel drained the next day. Not to mention, most full-time career jobs after college require their employees to wake up fairly early for work.

Becoming a morning person is by no means easy but it is a great way to better your routine, time management skills, and staying ahead in the classroom and workplace. By realizing the benefits and the different ways that you can personalize your morning routine, you yourself can also stay ahead in the game, become a morning person and enjoy it.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!