Students blog

College is terrifying. There are many new experiences that leave new college students full of questions, and missing the confident guidance of their families. What classes do you pick? What major do you choose? How will you get along with your roommate? Don’t let all these questions intimidate you! Embrace college experiences with confidence and assurance! Here are four questions that I found myself asking my first year of college, and how I dealt with them.

What class time do I register for?

There are so many choices that it’s overwhelming and confusing. My advice is to find classes that fit your schedule. Are you a morning person? Maybe you want to opt for that 8a.m. class when you are focused and alert.  However, if you like to sleep until noon everyday, perhaps that early morning class would not be for you. Set some parameters for yourself when picking a class schedule.

Which classes should I take?

The obvious answer you will get is to take a wide variety of classes. However, you first want to knock out your general education requirements. These will include classes such as math, history, and psychology. In addition to a few of your general education classes, take a variety of classes you think you might be interested in. This will allow you to be better prepared for picking your major.

What should I major in?

Your parents are pressuring you to choose something in a business school because you could “actually get a job with that”. Perhaps you, however, are leaning more towards Anthropology or History or English Lit.  My advice is to pick the path you are most passionate about. You are going to spend the rest of your college career studying that topic. Then you hope to have a professional career in that field. If you want to be happy, do something you love in an area where you excel.

How do I get along with a new roommate?

It’s not uncommon for new college students to long for home when difficulties arise with a new roommate. Most college housing departments require roommate agreements at the beginning of the year so that it is in place if it is needed. Whether you live on or off campus, DO NOT be passive aggressive towards your roommate. Be honest and assertive about your expectations. Remember, it’s an adjustment for both of you. You’ll have a more comfortable living experience when everyone is clear about the expectations. Be open and communicate.

Registering for classes, choosing a major, dealing with roommates – it can be an intimidating process when starting college. However, with the right approach and support of others, anything is achievable! I have found great success in taking challenges head on, and using the tips I outlined here!

What is a question you found yourself asking your first year of college? How did you answer it? Share when you retweet my blog!

In the United States, education is deemed a necessity. While it is often treated as a luxury, the general rule is that without education, one will not go very far in life. This holds true throughout the world. In many countries, however, boys are given precedence when education is available. This leaves their sisters illiterate, unskilled, and trapped in a world without choices. Here are five reasons why more attention should be given to girls’ education.

Increased Representation in Government.

In nearly every country around the world, women face underrepresentation in politics. While there have been plenty of attempts to increase women in government, these attempts will go nowhere if women and girls remain uneducated, unskilled, and illiterate. With proper training and empowerment, young girls will have the potential to break that glass ceiling.

Safer Sex, Later Marriages, and Less Children per Woman.

According to the World Bank, a girl who completes primary school is three times less likely to contract HIV. The United Nations Populations Fund states that a third of all girls in underdeveloped countries are married before the age of eighteen. However, in regions where girls are more likely to be educated, marriage is pushed off by four years. Additionally, it’s been suggested that increased participation in school decreases the average amount of children per family from seven to three. These statistics all show how access to education can greatly improve a girl’s future.

Higher Personal Incomes.

Without education and skills, women have no choice but to work in their homes. Schooling empowers women by developing their potential. According to UNESCO, a single year of school can increase a woman’s wages by 20%.

Higher GDP.

With higher income comes more spending and more production. Not only does this help the individuals, but the country benefits as well.

Lower Poverty.

When women are empowered and gain equal access to education, they gain choices and the potential to participate in government, businesses, and anything they desire. Through education, income increases and poverty falls.

Children are our world’s future, but our future will be bleak if half of the population is held back from reaching their potential. Increased access to education is necessary for the sustainability and improvement of all societies.

Have an influential woman in your life? Tag her when you retweet my blog!

My dream job is to work in a museum as an archivist or curator. So far, I’ve been doing well to achieve these goals. After I complete my bachelor’s degree in Social and Cultural History, I plan to earn my master’s degree while working an internship through a museum. Entering the museum workforce is a unique but rewarding experience! I will share with you three helpful tips that are applicable to success in any career field.

Studying allows you to stand out

Many students have the same goals you have. One of the best ways to stand out for internship, scholarship, and graduate school applications is to get good grades and have a high GPA. Stay on top of your coursework and take advantage of every study support resource available through your college.

Internships give you experience

The number one advice I’ve been given is to complete multiple internships at different places. This allows you to gain experience in a variety of areas. Not only does this help you stand out to graduate schools, but it shows employers that you have well-rounded experience.

Networking gets you hired

Get your name ingrained in as many heads as possible. Email a leader in your target field. Ask for their advice. Leave them with your resumé so if a position opens, you’ll be on the top of the pile.

Whether you’re working towards a career after college or looking ahead to graduate school, it’s important to realize that your dream won’t be achieved overnight. It takes studying, strategic planning, and networking to achieve your dream job!

I’m looking forward to my career as an archivist. What’s your dream job? What are some tips you would share as you make your way through the process?

Math has always been my least favorite subject. I always had the most difficult time understanding the concepts. Algebra was rough, calculus was worse, and trigonometry felt like torture. In high school my inability to properly understand math felt like my defining weakness, especially when I compared myself to my numerous straight-A friends. When I was thinking of my future major, I only looked at concentrations that wouldn’t require math. But something happened when I got to college that would help me overcome my weakness so that I could achieve math proficiency.

In college I met one of the greatest professors I ever had. For the first time in my life, I had a math teacher who taught me math – and I understood it! For the first time, I was able to earn good grades in the subject. Was it my perception? Was it the professor? What did he do differently? Honestly, I’m really not quite sure. However, one thing is certain – he changed how I felt about the subject and how I perceived my abilities. After taking that class, my self-confidence was boosted. I am insanely proud of how I overcame that weakness and turned it into a strength. Here are a few things I learned through this experience.

Strive for improvement

Don’t worry so much about what you’re bad at, because with more practice or in the right setting, you could get better. Don’t focus on your flaws or imperfections, but rather strive to make improvements on all aspects of your life.

Teaching others helps you learn

Offer to help other students who don’t understand the topic. You were once in their position, and it’s great practice for yourself as well! We learn better when we have to explain a concept to another person –  so it’s win win! Not to mention, working in your campus tutor lab is a great way to meet new people, or earn some extra cash.

Thank your teacher

If you get that professor who changes the entire subject for you, let them know! Every teacher wants to change lives, and compliments go a long way. Show them that you are a driven student, and that their explanations encouraged you to reach your highest potential. That is the greatest gift to give an educator.

College is not only a time of education, but also personal growth. I was astonished at what I could accomplish in the math courses I took in the following semesters. One professor was able to open my eyes and allow me to realize that I was not “bad at math” but rather never had the right resources or knowledge to effectively solve equations. I am proud to say with hard work and dedication to the subject, I completed the course with an A. Something I would have never thought possible before taking this course. I encourage you to always keep your chin up and approach things with confidence. Rather than shying away from math classes, I now know I can pursue ANY major, regardless of the math requirements.

Pearson Students, What your weakness? How are you going to conquer it? Share when you retweet my blog!

College has many aspects, all of which carry importance. Grades and classes obviously hold weight. Joining clubs and making friends are high up there as well. However, out of everything that you can learn at college, independence takes the cake.

For most incoming students, college is the first experience with actual freedom. No longer are parents breathing down your neck and preventing you from going to a party or skipping class. Suddenly you do your own grocery shopping and remember to do your laundry. Through my escapade of college freedom, I have found three tips to ensure I keep a level head and remain successful with my coursework:

Read your syllabus to see if there’s an attendance policy. Some professors only let you miss class a certain number of times before they dock your grade. If the number of allowable absences is three and you’ve already skipped twice, try to save that last opportunity for a time when you really need it. The next time you’re thinking of skipping to do something fun or because you just feel lazy, this knowledge will force you to go to class.

Make a to-do list! Write down any homework or chores you must do. If you need to go to the grocery store, make a grocery list to stay organized when shopping. Whether you like to use an actual planner or choose to take advantage of e-planners and note apps for phones or computers, find what works for you and use it!

Eat well and exercise. Your parents won’t be there to cook wholesome, organic meals anymore. That’s all up to you now. While pizza for the 7th night in a row this week might sound tempting, it’s important to remember that your physical nutrition impacts your mental abilities and social motivations. Schedule in regular exercise several times a week. Take advantage of your campus recreation facilities if you can.

As you start out in college, you begin making your own decisions. It feels powerful. Without your parents, no one is going to convince you to stay home and study rather than go to that party. If you have a headache, you’ll have to make the decision to go to class or stay in bed. These banal choices you make during your four years of college aren’t going to determine the rest of your life, but you might as well get in the practice of being responsible. That isn’t to say you should always skip fun opportunities, but make sure you don’t need your parents to keep you on track. Be your own conscious, and make responsible decisions.