Students blog

I studied abroad in Dublin from January to May 2023. I was initially skeptical about studying abroad, as I transferred to Notre Dame and already felt like I missed out on a year on campus. As the middle child of a family of five girls, I also was intimidated to live an ocean away from my family for five months. My older sisters chose not to study abroad, so the experience seemed enigmatic, stressful, and overwhelming. I also needed to go to great lengths to ensure I would fulfill enough credit for my science major to make the decision a possibility.

Studying abroad was an incredible experience in so many ways. I only had one friend going into my program of 55 Notre Dame students, so it was a wonderful opportunity for me to make new friends and broaden my horizons. I learned so much about myself, my priorities, my travel preferences, my Irish culture, and my world perspective. Here are my tips for those considering going abroad:

Document your time

Studying abroad feels like a dream. Your life is staggeringly different for about five months, then you return and hit “resume”. When you are abroad and living in an entirely different environment, you will naturally reflect more. Think about certain aspects of the culture that seemed surprising or off to you–why did you feel that way? Do they do things better here or at home? How do people treat you at local spots? What have you learned culturally and about yourself? Do you think about the world differently? It’s important to jot down your thoughts on paper or online because your time abroad will be over before you know it–and even though you think you’ll remember every moment; it all becomes a blur without intentional preservation. Additionally, if you travel often, make sure to write down where you go! You never know when you’ll get to go back, but people always appreciate restaurant, museum, park, and lodging recommendations.

Say ‘yes’ to everything

Something that people often struggle with when studying abroad is the lack of routine. It is dependent upon your class schedule and where you live, but when I was in Dublin my days were less regimented. Rather than feeling like you need to fill that time exercising or killing time on your phone, say ‘yes’ to window-shopping, visiting the bookstore, roaming around your town, and talking to locals. When you study abroad, your learnings tend to be 30% academic and 70% personal, cultural, and social. It’s different in a wonderful way–you can focus on your personal development and see how the world is different. But you can only do this if you go out and explore.

Do things alone

Because we get to be surrounded by friends often while at school, some students are self-conscious about exploring or adventuring on their own, thinking they’ll be judged for not “having friends.” Well, in reality, you should take advantage of any free time you have, whether your friends are free at the same time or not. Think of all the time you’re wasting by being afraid to go out on your own! I feel confident that you’ll surprise yourself with how much fun you have, and there is a high probability you end up chatting with local people and making new friends. Honestly, it can be tough to break out of your bubble and make new friends unless you’re alone because talking to one person is much easier than attempting to chat with three people that are already friends. So, get on the bus or the train and go do something for yourself, by yourself.

Put yourself out there

You might go into your abroad experience with lots of friends or without knowing anyone. Either way, make sure to have an open mind and really put yourself out there. This is an
opportunity to make new friends, and if you never give yourself the chance, you will 100% miss out on getting to know people who could have added beautiful color to your life. Ask him/her to grab coffee, to walk in the park, to wait for you after class, to get lunch, to go thrifting, to go to the pub, etc. The options are endless! The worst thing you can do is pick your three friends immediately and only chat/travel with them for your entire time abroad. Everyone is experiencing being abroad in this location for the first time, so hold on to that. It’s new for everyone. People miss home, can’t talk to their family as often, are unfamiliar with their surroundings. Allow yourself to embrace the new experience and let new people in to enjoy it as well.

Avoid comparisons

Depending on location, university, time of year, budget, and mindset going in, everyone has their own unique study abroad experience. Do NOT compare yourself to others! Suzie may have gone to 25 countries abroad, but she didn’t get to make any local friends and traveled solo often. Brendan may have gotten to go surfing 10 times, but he stayed in Ireland and saved money by eating pasta every night. Sandra made new best friends but struggled with passing her classes. Cara posted gorgeous photos on camels in Morocco but must retake biology II because it didn’t count. James may not have traveled much, but he had an incredible experience working in a lab on campus and working on group projects with English students. There is always more to the story, so don’t make all your judgments on the six Instagram posts your older friends dropped throughout the semester.

No matter what the situation may be, everyone experiences a roller coaster of emotions throughout their time abroad, and no one’s experience is perfect. If you want to travel a lot, awesome. If you don’t want to travel at all, that’s also awesome. You just need to figure out what is best for you independent of what others plan to do.

If you’re planning to study abroad... ENJOY IT! I wish I could have the time back to do it all again.

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! 

Growing up, music was genuinely the soundtrack of my life. Music was playing all the time, no matter what I was doing. When I was little, I would just shuffle all the songs on my mom’s iTunes, from One Direction to Taylor Swift to Counting Crows. As I got older though, I started to realize the importance of having music that was specific to the situations I was going through, or the times I was playing it. So, over the last few years, I have curated a long list of playlists, for any mood or situation someone may be in, and I have learned there are 4 essential playlists for anyone to have, even music newbies.

Playlist One: The Sad Songs

Although it seems like a rough place to start, it is important that you have a playlist of your sad songs. These are your crying in the car, post breakup, or just needing to feel your emotions songs. Some I have on my sad playlist are "What Are You Gonna Tell Her" by Mickey Guyton, "Ronan" by Taylor Swift, "Good Enough" by Maisie Peters.

Playlist Two: Female Rage

This playlist needs no introduction. These are the songs you are screaming when things are bad, when things are good, or when you just need a good scream. These songs will lift your spirits or help you feel seen through your anger. Although called “Female Rage”, these are the songs that anyone could be screaming. Some songs I’ve recently found therapeutic on this playlist are "Tolerate It" by Taylor Swift, "You Lost the Breakup" by Maisie Peters, "Best Thing I Never Had" by Beyonce.

Playlist Three: Mixed Crowd Playlist

These are the type of songs you can play when you are passed the aux in a car of people you barely know. A little bit of vibey, a little bit of fun throwbacks, but overall, not revealing the deepest part of your music taste. Some songs I recommend for this playlist are "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield, "That’s My Girl" by Fifth Harmony, and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.

Playlist Four: Windows Down

This playlist is arguably the most important. This is your driving, windows down, summer playlist. This is the playlist that includes your singing/screaming songs, your throwbacks, and the songs that make you feel the most joy. This playlist may be targeted for summer nights but is made to help get you out of any bad mood or feel every good one. Some songs I recommend for this playlist are "The Man" by Taylor Swift, "Risk" by Gracie Abrams, and "Want U Back" by Cher Lloyd.

No matter what your mood or circumstance, music helps you in the good times and bad. Having playlists on hang to help you process your emotions or feel them deeper is the best type of free therapy, and I hope you found some of these recommendations helpful as you begin to build your own playlists!

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’m an undergrad business student, and my husband is about to start his second year of law school. We’re newlyweds, and one of the things I’ve been thinking about is how we balance the time and effort we’re able to give to each other with the time and effort we both must put into our schoolwork.

Both keeping good grades and being a good spouse require time, effort, and care. Staying on top of both at the same time can be hard to manage, especially when big projects are due or when finals are in full swing. Here are the things we’ve done to make sure that we’re not neglecting one in favor of the other.

Keeping a schedule

One of the things that’s helped the most is having a set schedule throughout the day. For example, we usually spend our mornings and parts of our evenings together, but we keep things flexible so that we don’t feel pressured to choose between getting an assignment done and spending time together. During the time that we dedicate to homework, we often work on things in the same room, which also helps us stay connected.

Giving each other space when it is needed

Something that’s critical to maintaining a healthy relationship with both each other and your obligations is giving each other space when it is needed. Giving each other space to unwind after a long day of classes or after finishing an assignment is important to ensure that spending time together doesn’t feel like another chore.

Remembering to show the other that you care

Often, it’s easy to get caught up in your own worries and forgo your obligations as a spouse. That’s why it’s so important to do little things here and there even in the busiest of times. You can make an extra portion of breakfast; you can clean up that mess you both made in the living room, or you can tackle that small stack of dishes sitting by the sink. Even just brewing enough coffee in the morning for the both of you means something. Taking even just a few minutes out of your day to show your other half that they matter to you speaks volumes.

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! 

This past summer I worked as an intern in New York City, and it was a whirlwind of fun and chaos all at once. Moving to a big and hustling city like this was extremely exciting but was also very unsettling to be in a new place without any familiarity. I was fortunate enough to have a lot of friends from home and from college also living in NYC for the summer, so I was able to explore, try different restaurants, and walk around new areas as much as have time outside of work. For anyone that is moving to a new city for the summer or even for full-time, here are three tips to help you adjust to an exciting and fast lifestyle.

Get to know your coworkers.

While this might go unsaid, it is really important to make an effort at work both tangibly and socially. You may not think that your fellow interns or even supervisors would ever be the same people you see on the weekends – but you would be surprised. It is always nice to have a familiar face in the office, and around a big city. One of the most routine events on a Thursday afternoon is office happy hour, and you want to be a part of it! Becoming close with your coworkers can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying your time in and out of the office, especially if you do not know many people.

Sign up for classes.

I am sure everyone has some kind of hobby or activity they have wanted to pick up and the amazing thing about cities, is that they have pretty much any kind of class you can think of. Since being here this summer, I have gone to cycling, boxing, Pilates, and barre classes around NYC. While exercise is undoubtedly great for your health and lifestyle, attending classes is a great way to make new friends or even bond with a friend you are looking to spend more time with. If you happen to hate workout classes, look for group-style classes in cooking, pottery, yoga, minigolf and even jewelry-making. Even if you only try one a month, you never know what you might learn to love or who you might meet!

Walk around, especially without a destination.

I know this sounds cliché, but the best adventures around a city usually come as a surprise. The great thing about a place like New York City, is it is walkable and full of different stores, restaurants, and events in every nook and cranny. When I had a free day or a free afternoon, I always tried to grab a friend and go for a walk around a new area of the city. We could catch up and do some sightseeing. Often, this ended up with us walking into small and unique thrift stores or trying a new restaurant with the most delicious sounding appetizers. It turned out to be a great way to get familiar with a new place, spend quality time with my friends, and discover new types of foods and experiences.

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! 

During your time in college, you’ll be faced with times where you must give a speech or presentation. Whether it be for an organization that you are in, a class project, or even a school event, if you’re anything like me, public speaking is a scary thing. It may make you apprehensive, but here are things that you can do to make it a little easier!

1. Figure out your purpose.

What is your purpose for this opportunity? Who is your audience? It can be a position for an organization that you are in, or it can be a presentation for a class project that you have been working on. Are you trying to persuade them, inform them, or entertain? Figuring out your purpose can help you easily tailor what you say to the people you stand in front of!

2. How do you write your speech?

First impressions are very important in most settings. The same goes for a speech. Your opening must be strong to set yourself up for the rest of the speech, otherwise people will lose interest before you’ve started. Make sure you have a powerful opening and closing. Structure the content in between to define the message you are trying to get across clearly. As always, have a friend or two proofread for grammar and flow.

3. Practice makes perfect.

Unless you naturally have amazing public speaking skills, chances are your nerves are going to get you during your speech. Make sure to spend some time practicing a run through of what you are going to say. Minimize the use of notecards by practicing in front of a mirror and maintaining eye contact with yourself. Make sure you dress up in what you are going to wear so you feel comfortable in it.

4. Dress for the occasion.

Having the right attire on shows your audience that you are prepared. If it is a professional speech make sure you are in full business attire. If it is semi-casual, then business-casual is needed. I personally would not wear anything less, but if you’ll be speaking in front of family and friends for a more casual occasion, then casual attire is totally fine! No matter the occasion, your appearance plays a huge role in getting your point across.

5. Prepare the day of the speech.

By now you should have been practicing your speech for a couple days. On the day of the speech, make sure not to stress yourself out. Have a moderate breakfast, practice a couple times through, and do something relaxing prior to the speech such as some calming music. Go into the speech confident and with your head high and give it your best! Confidence is key!

Lastly, once you have given your speech, reward yourself. All the practice and preparation deserve a reward! These steps will ensure that you are setup for success for the big speech you were stressing about. Do your best, and good luck!

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! 

Are you finding it challenging to juggle your assignments, deadlines, and extracurricular activities in college? Don't worry, you're not alone! In this blog post, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a curated list of apps that are designed to streamline your life and boost your productivity. Whether you're a freshman just starting out or a seasoned senior, these tools will help you stay organized and focused throughout the semester.

Task Management Apps

1. Todoist: This intuitive task manager allows you to create to-do lists, set deadlines, and prioritize tasks. With features like recurring tasks and productivity tracking, Todoist helps you stay on top of your assignments and projects effortlessly.

2. Asana: Ideal for group projects and collaborative work, Asana lets you assign tasks, set due dates, and communicate with team members seamlessly. Its project timelines and progress tracking features are perfect for managing complex assignments.

Note-Taking and Organization

3. Notion: A versatile workspace app that allows you to create customized databases, Kanban boards, and note pages. Notion adapts to your workflow, making it ideal for both personal organization and collaborative projects.

4. GoodNotes: For those who prefer digital handwriting, GoodNotes allows you to take handwritten notes, annotate PDFs, and organize your notebooks digitally. It's perfect for keeping your lecture notes and study materials in one place.

Study Schedulers

5. Google Calendar: Keep track of your classes, assignments, and extracurricular activities with Google Calendar. Sync across devices and set reminders to ensure you never miss a deadline or important event.

6. Trello: Organize your study schedule and track your progress with Trello's boards, lists, and cards. It's perfect for visual learners who want to see their tasks and goals at a glance.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance

7. Headspace: Take care of your mental well-being with Headspace, a meditation and mindfulness app. Quick guided sessions can help you unwind after a long study session and improve your focus for the next task.

These apps are not just tools; they will help you navigate the challenges of college life more effectively. Whether you need to manage your assignments, organize your notes, create study schedules, or maintain a healthy work-life balance, there's an app here to suit your needs.

So, what are you waiting for? Transform your college experience with these powerful productivity tools and pave the way for academic success and personal growth. Embrace technology to streamline your life and make the most out of every moment in college!

Here's to a productive and successful semester ahead!

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! 

Networking is an essential skill that can significantly impact your college experience and future career. As a college student, developing a strong network can open doors to internships, job opportunities, mentorships, and valuable advice. Here’s how you can effectively network during your college years.

1. Start with Your Peers

Your classmates are your first network. They can offer support, study partners and eventually professional connections. Engage actively in group projects and join study groups. Building strong relationships with your peers can create a supportive community that lasts beyond graduation.

2. Get Involved on Campus

Joining clubs, organizations, and societies is a great way to meet like-minded individuals and expand your network. Whether it’s a professional society related to your major, a cultural club, or a hobby group, these organizations provide opportunities to develop leadership skills and meet people with diverse interests.

3. Attend Networking Events

Most colleges host career fairs, guest lectures, and networking events. Attend these events regularly to meet professionals from your field of interest. Prepare by researching the attendees and having questions ready. Remember to bring a resume and practice your elevator pitch to make a strong impression.

4. Utilize Social Media

Platforms like LinkedIn are invaluable for building a professional network. Create a compelling profile, connect with classmates, professors, and industry professionals, and join groups related to your career interests. Share relevant content and engage with others’ posts to increase your visibility.

5. Build Relationships with Professors

Your professors are more than just educators; they are valuable connections to the industry. Attend office hours, participate in class discussions, and seek advice on your academic and career goals. A strong relationship with a professor can lead to research opportunities, recommendations, and introductions to industry professionals.

6. Seek Out Alumni

Alumni can offer insights and connections that are incredibly beneficial. Many colleges have alumni networks or events. Reach out to alumni in your field, ask for informational interviews, and attend alumni gatherings to expand your network.

7. Volunteer and Intern

Volunteering and internships provide hands-on experience and networking opportunities. They allow you to meet professionals in your field and demonstrate your skills and work ethic. These experiences can lead to job offers and strong professional references.

8. Follow Up

After meeting someone new, always follow up with a thank-you email or message. Express your appreciation for their time and mention something specific you discussed to reinforce the connection. Regular follow-ups help maintain and strengthen relationships over time.

Networking as a college student requires initiative and persistence, but the rewards are immense. By actively building and nurturing your network, you pave the way for a successful career filled with opportunities and support. Start early, be genuine, and stay engaged, and you’ll find that networking becomes a natural and beneficial part of your college journey.

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 all have rituals that we embrace as sacred additions to our days. They can be as simple as a comforting cup of tea to help you wind down at the end of a busy day to a full-blown skin and hair care routine that takes nearly an hour. Routines can help one manage stress and anxiety, aid with productivity, encourage you to know yourself more deeply, build self-confidence, and forge healthy habits you can be proud of. With a solid routine, we find peace of mind and a sense of calm in our otherwise chaotic lives. It is my sincere hope that this blog helps you find space in your day for serenity – student and educator alike.

When I am overwhelmed, I feel there's no space to breathe or do things that make me happy. It's easy to feel like doing something for yourself will take away from the time you could be doing something else 'more productive.' There's always more work to do, right? With a routine, you set a non-negotiable time to do the things that help you find calm and take care of yourself. By making space to do the things that make you feel relaxed, you cut down on stress. Such things can be included in your custom-made routine tailored for you, by you.

There's always some goal we want to accomplish occupied in our minds. I had a few - taking supplements, caring for my skin, and journaling every evening. They're small things, but these tasks I wanted to accomplish were things that I thought the best version of myself would do. As you add goals to your routine and follow through on completing them, they become habits. The things that people do that you look up to can become something of your own. It's rewarding to reflect on your progress and realize that the qualities you hold in high regard are integrated into your own life. Making things like that a part of your daily routine, it's easy to feel a well-deserved sense of pride.

When you have a set routine, you can truly focus on the demanding tasks you need to get done. Routines create space for you to do difficult, needed tasks while also making space to take care of yourself. I have a routine for when I come home after a day of attending lectures. I make mock-tails and sit down to watch a movie. It's simple, but it gives me something to look forward to and helps me push through the day. Creating a routine can provide something to look forward to and feel like a reward. Routines can be a much-needed respite to nudge you through tough days.

A routine should generally be a consistent practice, but it doesn't have to be completely inflexible and set in stone. A routine can change as you do. If a goal or ritual no longer serves you, replace it with one that makes you feel more like yourself. Adding and taking away from your routine encourages you to learn more about yourself. Through assessing different routines, you try things you thought you'd like but realize you don't. Through consistent diligence and holding yourself accountable for your routine, you trust in yourself more. You believe deeply in yourself and your ability to follow through on your goals. You know you can become the person you want 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! 

Everyone says to ‘push the boundaries’ and to ‘go big’ if you want to be successful, but what does that even mean? Your definition of what those mean is often completely different from someone else’s. How can you start to push your own boundaries and figuring out what works for you? Why even force yourself into something you don’t want to do to begin with? Who decides to go jump off a cliff if they’ve never even jumped off the diving board first?

The short answer is no one. I’m sure there are a lot of extremists out there, but for the average person it doesn’t happen. So, what if you want to get to the point where you can be the person jumping off the cliff?

Find your own cliff. When I say this, I don’t mean literally go find a cliff, but that you should find your own version of the hypothetical cliff. Start with the small things that might scare you or make you uncomfortable.

For me, the start was going out to do things by myself. For the longest time I have had this preconceived notion that if I want to go out and enjoy something, that I needed someone else to be with me. That it somehow didn’t count if I was by myself, or I had the voice in the back of my head telling me that I was strange or that everyone was looking at me for being alone even though I knew that it really didn’t matter.

So, I started small. I decided to go to the movies by myself. Easy enough? Then I went to a concert. Then hiking. Eventually I joined a sports team all by myself and traveled for competitions. After all that, I had the courage to move across the country by myself. Now I can’t wait for what I will do next, since I am no longer afraid of doing things alone, but none of that would’ve happened if I had stayed in my comfort zone.

How do you decide what your personal cliff is? I think it should follow two important rules:

1) It should make you nervous but not freaked out.

2) It should be something that you genuinely want to do.

Don’t go to the beach to push your boundaries if you hate the ocean, and don’t go hike a mountain if you’re deathly afraid of heights. Start with the small things that you feel uncertain about doing, like calling to place your dinner order instead of ordering online when you hate talking on the phone or asking your server for the extra sauce that they might not give you. By doing these smaller tasks, even if you stumble through it, you reinforce the idea that at the end, everything was okay, and then eventually you can start working towards bigger and bigger cliffs.

While this will vary person to person, I think in the end it’s about figuring out who you are and wanting to be a stronger, more confident version of yourself – and who doesn’t want that?

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!