Students blog

The third Friday in May has been recognized yearly as National Endangered Species Day! As college students, we juggle numerous responsibilities at a time. With classes, social lives, and sleep schedules often being at the forefront of our minds, it can be difficult to set time aside for causes that we are slightly interested in or even deeply passionate about. As a pre-veterinary student with a passion for animal activism, I have a great deal of concern for endangered animal species. Even as students, here are some small and easy ways that we can make a difference!

Raise Awareness

One of the most powerful tools that all of us can utilize is the ability to raise awareness for what you are passionate about. Even if your chosen cause is not an endangered species, knowing the power that is behind your voice and actions is crucial to benefiting your cause. In terms of endangered species, look towards campus organizations, local events, or even social media platforms. It is easier than ever to share relevant social media posts or articles with friends and family. Starting the conversation is often the most difficult part!

Support Conservation Efforts

Oftentimes people think that supporting conservation efforts has to strictly be through monetary donations. As college students, money can be tight! If you do have the extra money to set aside for a conservation project, go for it! For others, however, supporting conservation efforts can look different. As mentioned previously, sharing conservation projects with others to expand their reach is beneficial. Some clubs may also commit to volunteer projects that will help support conservation efforts. A favorite way of mine to support endangered species is to “adopt” animals through a zoo or website. I often give them as gifts for the holidays! Sometimes they come with stuffed animals or certificates AND the money from purchasing the gift goes towards that species! How cool!

Make Sustainable Choices

Small choices that we make every single day can help change our environment and make it a better place for endangered species. The large carbon footprint that we place onto the world can make it harder and harder for species to thrive. Even the smallest of differences like choosing a reusable water bottle or other eco-friendly products can help preserve the ecosystems that these animals need to thrive! Personally, I love opting for reusable cups and straws!

Even the smallest of efforts can make a HUGE difference! Trust me, endangered animal species everywhere will thank you!

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Stressed? Overworked? Sleep-deprived? These are common signs of being a typical college student! Many students don’t know how to help themselves and end up falling deeper and deeper into not feeling “okay.” More and more, students are turning to their favorite furry friends, also known as emotional support animals (ESAs), to help relieve their stressors! As a pre-veterinary student, ESAs hold a special place in my heart as well as many others, and on April 30th we celebrate National Therapy Animal Day!

What’s an ESA?

ESAs are a furry (or feathery, or scaly) companion that provides comfort and support to people facing emotional or mental health challenges. Unlike service animals, ESAs don't need to be specially trained, but they still hold the power to make a world of difference in our lives.

What Can an ESA Do for College Students?

The benefits truly don’t stop! Lonely? Living away from family and childhood friends can be tough. But with an ESA by your side, you can feel so much less alone! They don’t judge their owners or stress you out like a scary professor might. They simply enjoy our presence and stand with their owners until the end!

What About Health Benefits?

ESAs can provide those, too! It has been proven that owners of an ESA have increased exercise levels, which can help boost heart health, as well as general health! With long study hours that college students have, getting up and playing with an ESA can get your body moving! There are also proven mental health benefits to an ESA. These include increased levels of dopamine and serotonin (the chemicals that make you feel happy).

Even if adopting and raising an ESA isn’t in the cards for your college lifestyle, being aware of them around campus is important! Many students may not know of the benefits of an ESA. Start the conversation and educate others about how an ESA could benefit them or people they know during college. Think about it, your campus could be filled with wagging tails, purring pets, and smiling faces!

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As college students, we often find ourselves striving for perfection and consistently pushing ourselves to the limit in order to achieve our goals. It can sometimes look like constant studying, turning our backs to our social lives, and sleepless night after sleepless night. And then, even after all of that hard work, we are still left with feelings of inadequacy. Many, including myself, have struggled with these feelings since we were children. It is so important that we students learn how to take pride in our accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem to us at the time. During my time in college, I’ve learned small ways to be prouder of my efforts.

Stop Setting Unrealistic Expectations

I’ve realized that one of the main reasons that we may feel like our accomplishments are not enough is because we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. Slowly, I learned that I could break down my long-term goals into smaller ones. In my personal journey, I am working towards being accepted into vet school. This is a huge goal and can sometimes seem overwhelming. By breaking this down into smaller goals (example: gaining experience by working under a trained veterinarian), I can make my goals more achievable in the present day and feel much more accomplished when I am able to achieve them.

Practice Self-Compassion

The next important thing I learned to practice was having self-compassion. While everyone may have 24 hours in each day, every hour comes with different circumstances depending on the responsibilities you have. Taking a step back and realizing that we are all on our own paths that are going to have twists, turns, and bumps along the way makes for a much happier pursuit of our dreams. Replace those self-criticizing negative thoughts with positive words of affirmations! The hard work that you’re putting in IS enough! Some students may even find that written words of affirmation help them. This could look like a gratitude journal, in which students can design and decorate a journal full of their accomplishments!

Surround Yourself with Support

The last set of advice I have for students is to find a support system that will help you through these negative feelings. This can be in the form of friends, family, or a significant other. You can seek out communities or clubs that are full of individuals that understand your situation. These support systems will be there for you if you need someone to lean on about your struggles or even if you just need a laugh after some negative thoughts. I am so grateful for my support system, as I know they will fill my self-doubts with positivity.

Feeling like you aren’t enough is never easy, but there are ways to help lighten your mental load. Remembering to set attainable goals, speak positively to yourself, and surround yourself with support will launch you toward your dreams. Remember, you are enough!

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Do you remember your childhood stuffed animal? Do you recall that special item that you may have carried close to your heart until the fabric and stitches started to fall apart? I certainly do! Mine was a stuffed bear named affectionately after the holiday he was given to me on! As we grow up, college students may think that they’ve outgrown their cuddly companions, but it has become more and more apparent that these toys have benefits for college students too!

College Anxiety

First off, let's talk about anxiety. We all know college life can be overwhelming at times, and that's where our fluffy friends step in. Consider weighted stuffed animals! The pressure they provide can make students feel comfortable and calm. Some are even made with beads that can be microwaved and heated to give a warm and comforting feeling.

Cuddles for a Cause

But that's not all. Some companies sell stuffed animals for a cause! A love for plushies can actually make a positive impact on the world. Multiple organizations donate a portion of their proceeds from stuffed animal sales to help animals in need. Oftentimes zoos will have this kind of product available or other websites that allow you to “adopt” an animal. Support animals by cuddling them!

Dorm Decor

Stuffed animals can also add a touch of fun to our college lives. They can brighten up our dorm rooms, add a splash of color to study spaces, provide a little reminder of home, and make a boring day a little bit brighter. Plus, they make for the perfect social media buddies and props for cute photos! Not to mention that they can also be collected. I’m sure many have seen how intensely some people collect certain brands of stuffed animals, and it can honestly be a lot of fun! Especially if the stuffed animals come in “blind boxes!”

All in all, those little stuffed toys can have a much bigger impact than what you man think! Give it a shot and give a stuffed animal a hug!

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! 

It takes a great deal of courage to finally take that step, make that phone call, or walk out that door. Many college students are studying in order to have successful careers once they graduate. Some may know exactly which direction they want to take, while others may only know a broader view of what they want their lives to look like. Regardless, it can be exceedingly difficult finding motivation to take risks and put ourselves into the situations we need to be in to turn our dreams into reality.

Few Opportunities

As a second-year undergraduate student that aspires to someday be accepted into vet school and obtain a degree in veterinary medicine, I know these emotions firsthand. Finding experience within my field was no easy feat. It seemed like no matter how many emails I sent or how many phone calls I made; nobody was looking for any assistance from a college student. In truth, I felt horribly behind my peers, who told of growing up on farms or having extensive animal experience since they were young. It made me begin to lose motivation and feel like I was never going to catch up.

Everyone’s Path is Different

It is essential to realize that everyone is on a unique path, and that progress happens at different paces. For me, that was this most recent summer. After what seemed like an endless number of back-and-forth calls, texts, and emails, I found myself gaining new experiences in my field that I never before dreamed of. For others, this may look like a new internship or shadowing opportunity. For me, I was able to begin working as a veterinary assistant at a local clinic, working as a volunteer/intern with farm animals, and shadowing a veterinarian that worked with horses. In these past months, I have learned more than I have in my entire life about my chosen field, and this has done nothing but encourage me to keep going and fight for what I believe in.

Don’t Let Your Attitude Define Your Magnitude

I would have never been able to gain this experience if I hadn’t been able to step out of the comfortable life that I was used to. Feeling anxious and behind in my career held me back but realizing that instead of viewing my lack of experience as a hinderance, I could embrace the learning process and approach each new experience with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Today, I am so grateful to myself for taking that step. I hope to encourage others that they have the ability to pursue whatever they wish to in life. It means taking on new challenges, networking with those in your field, and waking up every morning with the ambition to learn. Anything is possible!

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! 

April 15th is World Art Day! Whether it be paintings, music, dance, or something other, we can agree that art is all around us in our day-to-day lives. We may be surrounded by it, but many overlook ways that they can use art to better their own lives!

Discover Something New

A wonderful thing about art in all forms is that it is constantly changing and evolving, meaning that there is always something new and interesting to see. Look for art within your own community! Whether it be a school art show, a concert in a coffee shop, a local dance recital, or a small sticker store run by a classmate, there is so much art to be discovered.

Use Art to Bond with Others

It’s always fun to hang out with friends but incorporating a creative activity can add to the fun. Bring some cheap canvas and paint sets for a new and easy way for friends to bond. There’s no need to be the next Picasso or Bob Ross. Simply having fun and creating something new is good enough! This idea of creating something with a friend can extend even further to things like cupcake or cookie decorating, jewelry making, or even making up a song with random lyrics!

Better Your Community with Art

Whether it be a new artist or one that’s been around forever, supporting art in your community can strengthen community bonds and even benefit your community financially! Shopping small and supporting local artists helps not only their financial freedom, but also their artistic freedom. Going to see a local community theatre’s production can help them put on future shows. Hey, maybe checking out that local startup band can land you the right to say that you knew them before they were famous!

Art Can Better What’s Most Important: YOU!

We all know it’s sometimes easy to overlook how important it is to take care of yourself. Luckily, there are forms of art that can benefit you, as well! Dancing is an incredible form of exercise, keeping your brain and body healthy and happy. It doesn’t need to be professional dancing in the slightest. Something as simple as dancing to yourself in the mirror in the morning with your favorite song playing can release those feel-good endorphins! Yoga and meditation are accessible ways to calm yourself down through art and can even benefit your sleep health!

Art surrounds us, and it isn't going away anytime soon. So, embrace it and use art to better your life and the lives of those around you!

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! 

We’ve all been there. It’s been a long day. You’re tired from long classes, after school activities, or even a night out with friends. All you want is to curl up in bed and get some much-needed sleep. You try to relax in bed and slip into a sweet dream... but you can’t. At 12AM, you’re tossing and turning. At 1AM, you're staring at a wall. Before you know it, it’s early morning and you wake up feeling even more sluggish than before you went to bed.

Managing sleep health isn’t easy. As a diagnosed insomniac, I know that more than anyone. However, I also know that there are plenty of tips that can help us students finally get some shuteye!

Try Out Some Sleep-Aiding Tools

New and improved sleep focused technology is constantly being created. A staple for many sleep-deprived students is the usage of a weighted blanket or a weighted stuffed animal. Studies have shown that having a weighted object on your body can have a calming effect which can then help you feel relaxed enough to catch some “Z” s! There are also products that are infused with lavender, which is a scent that has a natural relaxing effect on the body. Trying out a lavender scented lotion or pillow spray can quickly lull you into sleep!

Relax With Some Warm Lighting

A soft warm and yellowish glow may sometimes help you fall asleep better than complete darkness! If your room doesn’t have warm lighting already, installing some “fairy lights” with a warm glow is an option.

Change Your Phone Settings!

The phrase, “Well, maybe you’d sleep better if you got off your phone!” has been overused by parents, teachers, and others for the longest time. While it is important to not be attached to your phone all night, there are settings within your phone that can help your sleep health! You can silence your notifications and most phones have sleep or night related settings. These settings can be applied so that during certain hours of the night, your phone’s display will increase its color warmness so that it’s easier on your eyes. I recommend giving this a shot!

Take Time to Unwind Nightly

There are so many ways to relax before going to sleep, and a set routine can remind your body that it is time to close your eyes and count some sheep. Something as simple as brushing your teeth and washing your face before bed can be beneficial. A deep breathing or beginner yoga routine can also relax your mind as well as your body!

Sleep health isn't something to take lightly. Healthy sleep patterns can play a huge effect on your mood as well as your academic performance. Try out a few tips and see if they help you get a good night’s rest!

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! 

December 21st is the first day of winter! Winter brings about so many changes to college and campus living. Fuzzy sweaters, holiday seasons, and gathering around a cozy fire are often staples of this time of year. For college students, however, winter can represent a decrease in mood alongside the decrease in temperature. Luckily, the winter season brings about plenty of “cool” opportunities for campus fun!

Enjoy a Snow Day!

Many college campuses will begin to be covered with blankets of snow throughout this season. This is a perfect opportunity to bundle up and head outside with friends. It is common to see snowmen and other snow figures throughout campus. Don’t be afraid to join in sledding or skiing if that is on campus! If the snow is good enough for it, a snowball fight is a fantastic way for friends and unfamiliar faces to bond.

Have a Winter Party!

Whether your college does or does not receive snow, a winter party is a wonderful way to bring friends together! If applicable, a holiday party full of presents, music, and other holiday traditions can easily put any scrooge into the spirit of the season. For just a winter themed party, engaging in a potluck style dinner is almost always a must! This can be through a “charcuterie night” (where friends each bring a board of delicious goods) or something as simple as having friends all bring a fun cookie to snack on! This night can end with something simple like a movie or something more intense like an indoor snowball fight (with paper or fake snowballs)!

Try Something New Indoors!

During the winter, many take time to wind down and relax. Maybe give that new game a chance. Or take up a hobby like yoga, crochet, or reading! Especially if a student is on their winter break, this is the perfect time to curl up under a cozy blanket and take some time for a new experience.

Get That Hot Chocolate!

When one thinks of winter, oftentimes the first thought that comes to mind is delicious hot chocolate. Luckily, it is accessible to nearly all college age students! Many dorms either have a microwave in each room or at least one somewhere in the dorm’s kitchen area. Spice things up with some whipped cream, marshmallows, or other fun toppings! Oftentimes, students can also find hot chocolate around campus! Whether it be seasonal at the campus café, or a local off-campus coffee shop!

Winter is an amazing opportunity for students to come together, and I hope that everyone will have “snow” much fun!

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! 

Spooky season is just around the corner, and October 14th is National Dessert Day! This means that stores everywhere are stocking up on candy to celebrate this sweet holiday. While fun sized candy is easy to grab, it can be harder to find those classic and fun desserts that filled many of our childhoods. Luckily, there are plenty of dessert recipes that are accessible to college students!

Mug Cakes!

Mug cakes are so easy and fun to make! They can easily be purchased at a local grocery store and often don’t require more than a mug, microwave, water, and the pre-mixed mug cake powder. With easy-to-follow instructions, a simple mug cake is a late-night MUST. Feel free to add some fun to your cake as well. Whipped cream, icing, or some sprinkles can spice up any cake.

S’mores!

Another simple and easy microwave recipe is an old fireside classic: s’mores! Everyone knows the recipe. Gooey marshmallows roasted over a fire, paired with chocolate, and sandwiched between two sweet gram cracker pieces. What everyone may not know is that these can easily be replicated within a microwave – no campfire needed! Just 20-25 seconds later and you’ve got a treat that’ll remind you of those fun summer campfires under the stars. A disclaimer, however, those that love burnt or crispy marshmallows on their s’mores should wait until they’re outside with a real fire. Unless, that is, they want to set off their dorm or house’s fire alarm.

Chocolate Covered... Anything!

Pretzels, marshmallows, crispy rice treats, strawberries, etc.! The possibilities are endless when you’ve got a bowl of melted chocolate. You can melt down your favorite brand or pick out a bag of “melting chocolates” at a local shop. Typically, chocolate should be melted for 30 second intervals and stirred between these intervals. If you’d like to try making something spooky for the holidays, try adding some orange and black sprinkles, purple and green icing, or even some spooky eyes for the occasion!

Single Serve Cookies!

A personal favorite of mine, single serve cookies probably require the most ingredients out of any of these desserts. The payoff is so worth the extra effort, however. While there are plenty of recipes, a favorite of mine is a mug cookie recipe! It requires 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp granulated white sugar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/8 tsp vanilla extract, 5 tbsp all-purpose flour, ¼ tsp baking powder, a pinch of salt, and 2 tbsp of chocolate chips. Butter is melted, ingredients are mixed within the mug and cooked in the microwave for 1 minute. The full recipe can be found here.

Ice Cream Night!

An amazing way to get together with friends, an ice cream night doesn’t even require the usage of a microwave! The sky’s the limit of what you can do. Everyone can bring a small pint and some toppings to create a Frankenstein's monster of ice cream or have some fun making ice cream cookie sandwiches and rolling them in some cookie crumbs or fun sprinkles.

College, Halloween, and life in general can be scary. Luckily, making fun sweet treats doesn’t have to be!

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!