Students blog

I overcame a life full of challenges, among those was being bullied. I look back on my past and cringe at the tormenting that was cause by my peers, but then I realize that it was these incidents that made me into the strong person I am today. I want to share with you my experience and insight, and encourage you to be strong during tough times. There are individuals who will impact your life – for the worse or for the better. During a time when it seemed like everyone was against me, there was one teacher who stood by my side and gave me strength.

I had to give myself a personal pep talk, just to get through the day. But one day, my pep-talk did not work. I felt discouraged and ready to give up. But I went to school like any other day. I attempted to avoid the bullies on my way to class, and took my seat in the front of the classroom. As soon as I took my seat, I felt something squishy on my bottom. It was a moldy peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I got up and ran out of the classroom to find the nearest restroom. to clean the sandwich off my pants. I looked in the mirror with tears running down my face. I heard someone coming in the restroom, I fled to the nearest stall to wipe my tears.

I then heard a voice. “Jeffery, are you in here?” I did not respond, but it spoke once more, “Jeff, you can’t stay in here forever. You are brilliant, and the world needs more people like you. The bullies that are bullying you will never leave you alone until you stand up for yourself.”

I took his advice and came out of the bathroom. I went back into the class and took a seat. The bullies decided to bother me once more. I stood up and said, “leave me alone, I refuse to take this anymore!” It was scary to stand up for myself, but I got the job done. From that day forward, they never messed with me ever again. I went home that afternoon and completed my homework, which was due the next day.

My teacher’s message to me that day saved my life. I have moved on and have been able to achieve success. I know my life is valuable. Your life is valuable, too. Don’t let anyone ever question it. Stand against bullies. You are a strong person and you don’t have to tolerate harassment. Seek out people who care. Please let my experience inspire you – you can make a change in your life.

I am a veteran and currently a freshman at The University of Texas at Arlington majoring in Accounting and Information Systems. After only 8 months in college I have already involved myself in campus activities. I hold a plethora of positions here on campus. What I am finding through these activities is that it not only adds to the “college experience”, but also to my mental well-being. I have found that these activities strengthen me as an individual. That is why I want to share this with you, in hopes it drives you to become involved and perhaps better understand your own interests and desires.

One of my first campus jobs was tutoring. I tutored in history, English, and math. I went on to become a Peer Advising volunteer, in which I help new and international students adapt to the culture and navigate college. Thereafter, I worked as a Peer Educator making the campus a safe and more inclusive place by working against substance abuse, relationship violence, hazing and other social evils. Currently, I hold the position of a Residential Assistant (RA) in a residence hall. This job is fantastic because I get to meet new people, make a lot of new friends, and have a unique experience every day.

Each of these jobs gave me a different skill to be used in life. Some helped to improve my communication skills while some helped to improve my networking and management skills.

These jobs helped me overcome my shortcomings. Every morning I got up with a set of new goals to be achieved for the day. The result was me becoming more organized and academically sound.  All of these jobs pushed me to work harder in life for my own sake and others.

Working on campus is a great way to improve oneself. Every day you make a better version of yourself which indeed is the secret of your success in life. And that is what life is all about, continuously working to improve ourselves.

The ultimate challenge in life is not to compete against each other; it’s competing against ourselves, winning against our own bad habits and shortcomings. I go to sleep every night with a determination in mind that I am going to get up the next morning and make it a better day for myself and for those who matter in life.

I am a nontraditional student for I was able to start preparing for college earlier. During my Junior and Senior year in high school, I was also enrolled at Daytona State College in Palm Coast, Florida. I decided to make this push to work hard so I could graduate early. This decision was due to my relationship with academics. When things got tough in life I would turn to academics to distract me. I’ve used this philosophy since my youth when my parents were going through a nasty divorce that never really got better years later. Daytona State College was much more than a stepping stone in my academic career. It set me up for my future academic success.

My favorite professor while I was a student at Daytona State College was Professor McGhee. In her classroom, a discussion was always welcomed. I never felt forced to talk in her class. However, every class I made sure I participated for it was well worth it at the end of the day. I had Professor McGhee for two English writing courses that were mandatory for an Associate’s degree. Professor McGhee’s classes were not full of students my age but she never thought less of me. She challenged me on the same level as everyone else in the class. Professor McGhee pushed me to better my writing so I would be ready for the university level.

I gained stronger study skills at Daytona State College. The tutoring lab was important during my time there. When I did not get a topic or was struggling the tutors helped me catch up. I learned to find places for productive study sessions. I liked studying outside and there were tables with umbrellas in quiet spots around campus.

Today I attend Flager College in Saint Augustine, Florida where I major in Criminology. When I take a step back and look at my community college years I am amazed. I owe many thanks to Daytona State College. If I had not attended that campus and worked hard I would not be on a path to graduate college early. But that is not the only goal I accomplished by attending community college. Daytona State College was a stepping stone to a continuing journey. When I first started at Daytona State College I felt like I had so many options but I had no purpose. I saw many of my friends going across the country already knowing their life’s mission. Daytona State College showed me that it is okay to not know where to start just focus on getting what you need to get done and keep on going. As of now, I can say I have never been more thrilled with the direction I am heading.

I have traveled abroad before, and I was able to see that the world offered more than just my small hometown in Louisiana. So when the opportunity arose to study abroad I DID NOT want to miss it. Through the honors college at my university, I had the chance to study in the U.K. at Oxford University — one of the most well-respected institutions of higher learning in the world. I encourage students to study abroad when the opportunity presents itself.

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience. Discovering the cultures and customs of different nations gives a student a fresh perspective of the world.  A person’s experiences abroad can shape and mold them into well-rounded individuals who can connect and interact with people of many different backgrounds.

Academic experience abroad sets you apart. The first step in getting that great internship or landing your first job is to have a standout resume. The benefits of the global mindset a person gains from studying abroad are what bosses and businesses value, especially with today’s globalized economy.

I’ve put together a list of things I’ve learned to do or consider before studying abroad: 

1. Know what you are getting into before you get on the plane – Keep an eye on political events and safety messages from the country you are going to. These happenings may affect foreign policy, currency or exchange rates, and the overall atmosphere of a country. Sign up with your nation’s embassy in the country you are traveling to, and stay up to date on current events.
2. The time leading up to your program’s departure can be quite stressful – Constantly checking to see if the flight you booked four months ago is still confirmed; watching the pound to dollar exchange rate like a hawk to be sure you get the most out of what little money you have to spend; finding the right clothes to pack and the luggage big enough to fit everything you will need for the next month; all take a toll on what little sanity you have left from the previous semester.
3. Don’t try to climb the mountain – On my program, we were allowed one free weekend, but climbing the tallest mountain in the U.K. may not be the best idea for someone who is not used to altitude change or much altitude at all (New Orleans, LA is BELOW sea level). Seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would be AMAZING, but tickets DID NOT fit into my budget. Dream big because your study abroad should be a once-in-a-lifetime event, but be realistic.
4. People > Places – Make an investment in the people you are studying with. Try to get to know at least one person from your group before your program starts. Having a friend to go to London with you for the day or to help you study for the next quiz is something everyone needs while in a foreign place. Find a buddy, and your experience abroad doesn’t have to end when you touch down back in the States.
5. HAVE FUN!!! – Studying abroad is all about having an amazing encounter with different cultures and peoples. It should be FUN! Go explore the world, and soak up everything you can in the new and exciting places you will go.

I am majoring in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Michigan State University (MSU). This program is amazing because it incorporates many hands-on requirements in the curriculum. In my intro to HDFS class, I was required to do a service learning placement for 40 hours last semester. These service learning placements range from helping food banks, refugees, farmer’s markets, or volunteering at afterschool programs. These placements are nice because they are required, if they weren’t I probably wouldn’t have made volunteering a priority.

My placement was at a low-income housing apartment complex where I worked at the Learning Center. I taught the importance of college to the kids in the apartments and tutored in my spare time. This placement taught me so many things, among those, that I want to help people of all ages.

HDFS curriculum also requires us to take an internship. I am planning to do two internships before graduating. My internship this semester is currently at St. Vincent Catholic Charities adoption home with the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. In this program, I have my own caseload of kids in residential homes that I get to know and find homes for. My internship has taught me the importance and significance of having a home to come back to, it also taught me about the adoption system processes. I wouldn’t have taken it on if my program didn’t encourage and give me the skills to do it. My second internship will be at the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic on campus.

Finally, HDFS courses are extremely interesting and help me learn a lot about each course’s material. Each course builds upon the previous course and I feel like I’m getting more concrete foundation with each course I take. I can honestly say I feel “ready for the real world” into my field because of my experiences.

The HDFS major at MSU is an amazing program that allows students to gain real life skills and knowledge that can be used for real careers. Even if someone isn’t going into a human service field people can still use the skills in other professions.

Overall, HDFS is an amazing major because it is versatile in all career paths and allows for hands on work as well as courses that reinforce concepts.

Life on a university campus in the heart of a city can be challenging for students who commute.

I know this all too well.  Often, I have a difficult time locating affordable parking and I am forced to park within a parking structure and that can get expensive.  I attend The University of Michigan, which is a large school and sometimes it can be difficult to find parking before class. Juniors and seniors can purchase yearly parking passes at one of the many locations across campus, but it can still be a long walk to class. In one of my classes, another student mentioned she was concerned because she inadvertently left her wallet on the seat of her vehicle, which was a few miles away.  I offered to drive her to her car.  I did not know this student well, but I figured I would drop her off on the way home.

As we walked to the parking structure we became better acquainted with one another and began to develop a friendship.   It was nice to meet and talk with someone that had similar interests to me. As we pulled up to her car said she would walk back and see me another day.  I offered to drive her back to class so that she would make it back to class on time. She was shocked at the fact that a person who she didn’t know would volunteer to help her out. 

We have since become friends and communicate often.  We spend time together in between classes and have plans to stay in touch over the summer.   I am happy I could be of assistance to this student. Additionally, because of this random act of kindness, a friendship has developed.   I have spent five months at the University and I have not interacted with anyone, other than my professors, until then.  I really feel good about our interaction and will do it again should the need arise.  Random acts of kindness should happen more often, at school, and within our communities.  A random act is a non-premeditated, action designed to offer kindness towards another.  This one action changed a lot of things about the way I felt and the way in which I see life at my school.

Every day should be a Random Act of Kindness Day.  If more people throughout the world would volunteer their services to help others, our world would be a much more efficient place. Let’s stop being angry and let’s start communicating with one another, the world will be a better place. Who knows, even a friendship could develop from it!

There is no better time in life than college to make some great international friendships. For me this all began in math class. Even though we have different backgrounds my friend from Indonesia and I can always get together to discuss math. Once our homework was done, we could always discuss other interests and hobbies. Having friends from around the world can really help you diversify and broaden your horizon, but it can be challenging. These five tips will help you make and keep friends from across the globe.

Find an international language to relate to other people. Some things are universal such as a smile, music, art, games, and my personal favorite math. Common ground can be established if you try. You might have an international student in class, a great way to start a friendship is working together on homework. You might have a roommate from a different country, you can bond over an impromptu fashion show as you show each other your various styles of clothing. Maybe you meet someone new in the cafeteria, you can always talk about differences in culture and food between your two countries. Even talking about the weather can work, a simple question “what’s the weather like back home?” can lead to a longer conversation.

Speak clearer not louder. Chances are your fellow students already know and speak English very well, but some international students who are learning English might struggle in some situations. Talking too loudly can be frustrating to international students and may make it appear that you are mad. Unless they actually have hearing loss, it is best to speak at a normal volume. If they struggle to understand you, try speaking clearer and avoid ambiguity and slang.

Use clubs and other social activities. Making new friends can be hard no matter where you are they are from. Many schools have clubs or groups for specific cultures or languages.  Joining a club or going to various campus activities will provide great opportunities to mingle without making much effort to plan.

Learn their culture, background, and language to any degree you are able. It’s fun sharing your culture with others but don’t be selfish. Taking time to learn about their culture will help you make a more genuine friendship. Learning their language (even just simple phrase and greetings) will give you another chance to bond, kind of like a secret handshake.

Using social media is great for new friendships and key to making international friendships last. Consider all the ways you can communicate online. You can use pictures, emoji’s, video, audio, and even language translators. J Share your interests and pictures with new friends and pay attention to what they like, this will help you bridge the gap. We are all different but we also have a lot in common. Who doesn’t like cute cat videos or delicious snapshots of food? Being connected online is crucial to make your worldwide friendships continue after college. If your friend graduates and leaves the country normal text messaging and their student email might no longer work. Having other connections online will insure you can stay in touch.

On a college campus you can have the opportunity to make friendships with individuals from very diverse backgrounds. Be open to this experience, and approach an international student, introduce yourself, say hello! You might be shy or find it awkward to approach someone new, but try to put yourself in the other student’s perspective: they want to make friends just like you, but they also are trying to embrace the new culture.

So, whether it’s through technology, written, or spoken communication – have an open mind and use math as an international language!

The technological developments that have taken place over the past decade are colossal. With the use of social media and other networking tools, we have acquaintances all over the world…but are we becoming social robots? The reality is that we have connections but no genuine conversations. We are getting along but are often ‘alone together’. Instead of talking to people we prefer sending texts. The simple reason behind it is that in texts we get to edit, delete, retouch and in turn end up hiding our true selves and present only what we finesse. It has not only altered what we do but what we are. In a room, if five people are sitting together, each is busy exploring the world on their cell phones and laptops but nobody is interested in learning about the person sitting right next to him or her. We think too much but feel too little.

As Charlie Chaplin correctly said, “we, humans, are meant to live by each other’s happiness and not by each other’s misery.” Each one of us forms an integral part of this society and it is our prerogative to actively work to form a community which benefits all of us. I feel we are letting technology take us to places where we don’t want to be.

We have forgotten the essence of belonging to the mankind race. We are meant to stand by each other in good and bad times. People generally say that technology has made our lives better and easier. No doubt it has made our lives easier, but has it really made our lives better? Technology has given us cures for so many diseases but the bitter truth is that alongside these cures came numerous new diseases. Technology has drastically changed our lives both for good and bad.

The optimum use of technology is certainly beneficial for us, but we need to stay away from is our over-dependency with technology. I encourage you to realize your technological usage, and evaluate if it is benefiting your relationships or hurting them. It’s essential that we maintain our balance in our society, whether that means with our electronics or without them.

Every month I try to make it a goal to perform a random act of kindness. Sometimes, seemingly small actions can make a big impact on another person’s life. This month my sister and I were at sibling’s weekend at my college. I go to Michigan State University and all of the events were in a building called the MSU Union. We had a good night: we made slime, watched a comedian, and got photo booth pictures. The last event was to get balloon animals. We talked about what animals we wanted and decided as we got in line. The person making the balloon animals came over and gave a lady behind us a sign saying she was the last one in line. He was running out of supplies and it was the end of the event, so everyone after the lady with the sign wouldn’t be able to get balloon animals. He gave everyone in line a card saying it was good for one animal, this way he could keep track of who was in line.

While standing in line waiting for the man to make balloon animals, a woman came up with her two kids. The lady at the end of the line explained that she was the last one and he wasn’t going to make anymore. The woman who had come up to the line started to walk away with her kids, but my sister and I decided together to give the kids our two cards, so they could have the balloon animals instead of us.

The woman and kids were happy and thankful, they got in line soon after we left.

My sister and I always try to do things like this. Instead of getting balloon animals, we decided to paint picture frames. My sister was still just as happy as she would have been if we got balloon animals.

Every time my sister and I perform an act of kindness, it’s an inspirational and educational experience. Considering this one specific example with the balloon animals, we realized those kids deserve the balloon animals just as much as we did, but they were probably even more thrilled to get them. I think that it is important for my sister and me to learn: how to give up something to make someone else better off. I encourage everyone to do one relentless action each month. My sister and I are thankful that we can make a positive impact in other people’s lives, just simply by being kind.