Students blog

Math101. I’d still be trying to pass this class – even four tries later – if I hadn’t discovered one digital tool. Yes, that’s right, I had a hard time passing the most basic math class my campus has to offer. You can find this amusing, because even I am trying to laugh off the amount of tuition dollars and time lost from my 3 attempts. Even though it was quite the hike to finally pass, I found useful tools along the way that will hopefully help another struggling math student!

Look beyond your homework assignments.

If your class utilizes a digital learning tool, like most classes do, use the extra study tools.  Before discovering these extras, I spent hours doing MyLab Math problems and still felt like something was missing. My professor recommended using the extra tools that accompanied the access code – and this advice was priceless! I thought that MyLab Math was just a portal to submit your homework, but it also contains a lot of other neat features! I started reading the e-text and using the additional help MyLab Math had to offer, such as the practice tests and dynamic study modules.

Practice leads to progress.

I would highly recommend completing ALL of the practice tests before every exam! It was the reason why I passed the class (and didn’t have to make my fourth attempt)! Additional practice is what is required to do well on math exams, and not only does MyLab Math provide that opportunity, but it even tracks your progress! Discovering and using the extra tools in MyLab Math was all it took for me to finally achieve success in Math 101.

If you are struggling in a class, whether it be math, biology, or accounting, check out the additional features that come with the access code you purchased. It might surprise you how helpful they truly are!

Pearson Students, what Pearson digital tool allowed you to succeed in one of your classes? Share by commenting below!

Five years ago as I considered where to go to college, there was one question I thought about often – to join Greek life or not? I weighed the pro’s and con’s over and over in my head. Would I make lifelong sisters or feel like I had paid for friends? Would I be stereotyped as a preppy girl? Would there be pressure to fit in? Or would I always have ladies to stick by my side? The reputation, the crowd, the costs, and the time constraints weighed in my decisions.

Joining a sorority isn’t cheap

Cost was the definitive factor of me not joining one. My parents never started a college fund for me so the full-ride scholarship I received was a life-saver. It came with a bit of overflow but I spent that on textbooks and a meal plan.  I had no time to gather the funds needed for sorority dues.

Friends made either way

I joined groups with sorority girls in them. I talked with them about their experiences in Greek life, and was surprised to hear one girl say it was “the most stressful thing ever”. She felt like she didn’t fit in well. However, on the other side of the coin, I made friends who said that joining a sorority was “the best decision of their college lives”. Sometimes I am envious of that, but in the end I am happy with my decision.

Missed opportunities

I am close to the end of my college career and have a small group of friends. Sometimes I feel I may have missed out on a few fun college experiences. I’m not saying someone who’s not in a sorority can’t make friends. But it was hard for me. I think sometimes that it would’ve been a lot easier if I had had the opportunity to join Greek life.

Stereotypes are just stereotypes

I probably wouldn’t have fit in with “that type of girl” stereotype, but many sorority members I’ve met don’t either. Recently, I moved into an apartment complex near campus and I have a feeling I will find friends there. There are plenty of ways to make friends in college.

Whatever decision you make, I encourage you to get involved. If you think Greek life is for you, I say go for it. But if you don’t feel it in your heart to join Greek Life, don’t be pressured by your peers. The best way to have a good experience in college is to be yourself. As cliché as it sounds, it is the best way to enjoy your college years.

Your summer break is valuable. Do you want to go back to school in August bragging about what Netflix series you binge watched? Or would you rather go back to school full of pride and accomplishment on achieving one of your goals? Make your summer a productive one and set at least three goals you want to achieve. Brainstorm ways you will work towards them. Last summer, I set three goals for myself and my experience was remarkable.

Look for free resources

One of my goals was to learn programming so that I have a coding mindset to use on engineering challenges. I worked on Lambda School’s Mini Bootcamp for the few weeks before summer semester classes started, which gave me a crash course foundation for web development. I built on that foundation after the summer semester ended by attending local Free Code Camp meetups. I also benefited greatly by attending the Frontend Masters’ live JavaScript for WordPress Workshop. If you are looking to build on your programming knowledge over the summer, a quick internet search will provide you with resources.

Money matters

Becoming more financially stable and literate was my second summer goal. I was able to get a position as a Student Ambassador over the summer semester. In addition to earning a paycheck, I gained valuable experience on campus. To increase my financial literacy I attended a workshop at my credit union. I learned how to set up a Certificate of Deposit that will mature when I transfer to a four year institution. I’m in community college with a grant that covers tuition, but a Certificate of Deposit is a great way to earn money effortlessly (through interest) on your savings!

Plan for the future

My third goal was to research four year colleges. I will soon be graduating from my community college and will need to transfer to a four year institution. I visited a local state school as well as a local private school to learn more about the transfer process. Different schools have different transfer requirements. For example, the private school would only accept my freshman year credits as transfer credits. I would need to take three years there! Yikes! It’s important to know all of your options before making a decision.

Summer is what you make of it. You can use that large chunk of time to build something great or wither away with a three month Netflix binge. The choice is yours.

What will your goals be this summer? Share with the Pearson Students Community by commenting on my blog!

People go to college for many reasons. But for me going to college has its own meaning. The most important part of college for me can be justified through a series of life changing events. I lived my life trying to figure out how to get by and I failed to realize I was “missing out”.  When I decided I wanted to go back to college I was nearly 50 years old. I felt it was not too late for me to start my life over again.   My children were grown and having children of their own.  For the first time in my life, I recognized I needed to do something for myself and I was determined to see it through.  

Fear of the unknown

The day I decided I was going to go to college was terrifying, yet so surreal. I first enrolled in community college in the summer of 2013 after the completion of a college preparation program offered by a Community Care program near my home.  I can vividly remember the first day of class. The reality of walking into a classroom for the first time is still one of the scariest moments of my life.  I wanted so desperately to succeed. Just two years later I would deliver the valedictory to the graduating class of my community college.   I am convinced that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. 

Focusing on perseverance

I reflect on my past as I am getting closer to achieving my goal of earning a Bachelor’s degree.  I remember a quote my first professor in the college preparatory program shared from Abraham Maslow: “If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.” Maslow’s quote gave me direction and a purpose despite the difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement I faced throughout my life. Through the words of Maslow I began to focus on the importance of perseverance even when faced with difficulty or little prospect of success.  

Looking ahead to success

I no longer feel ashamed of the choices I have made in life.  It no longer matters that I dropped out of school so young.  It is insignificant that I had difficulties learning, and that I couldn’t figure out the direction my life was heading.  Going back to college has saved my life.  College has taught me to believe in my abilities and I am now living my life knowing I can do anything I set my mind to.   

What does college mean to you? Please share with the Pearson Students community by commenting below!

Reflecting on nearly every lesson in school, it is hard to imagine where I would be without technology. I was fortunate to have had access to some very innovative tools. Whether it was computers in the classroom, a computer at home, or the interactive video conferencing equipment that transported our classroom around the world, technology made everything more interesting. Having access to technology and computer programs throughout my early school-age years definitely allowed me to excel in my academics.

Engaging software

Technology, itself, is not a sole motivator. It’s the programs and software you use. It was the repetitive, progressive software solutions for mathematics, such as MyLabMath, that helped me master my coursework. Without having to re-read chapters redundantly or having a teacher try to explain it to me after class, I was able to work at my own pace. Repeatedly solving problems, walking through examples step-by-step, and making it easier to input math symbols in the answer boxes made it far more engaging than writing on a scratch sheet of paper.

Individualized learning

Programs should challenge you. Memorization has never been my strong suit. However, practice by repetition has allowed me to excel in mathematics and grow to enjoy its applications in my life and continued studies. Mathematics software solutions, such as MyLabMath, allow students to get attention where they need it, without taking away from students around them. A teacher can only focus on so many students at one time, especially if they are at different learning levels and speeds. Using machine learning, online courseware can tailor your study material to the problem and concept areas where you’re struggling. If a particular homework problem keeps eluding you, similar questions with different variables will be presented until you have mastered the concept.

Accommodating learning preferences

This is not to say I didn’t have moments where I stumbled. My first entirely online math course was Geometry in 8th grade. Without a structured due date for assignments, I failed to keep up, and inevitably had to drop the class.  Now in college, I am thankful for such programs. The online MyLabMath environments offer achievement badges, due dates, reminders, and suggestions on areas to study before your next test. The best part of all of this is that the teacher is reserved for questions when needed, but is not troubled with supplying endless amounts of time helping students who just need more practice. I am obviously bias towards the features that compliment my method of learning, but technology allows us to accommodate more learning preferences than ever before.

Students, Do you think technology has impacted your academic career? Please share by commenting below!

I recently graduated from Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan with an Associate of Science in pre-medicine biology. After suffering from several unexpected chronic medical issues, I left my high school in order to have a fresh start at the local community college. Next fall, I will be transferring to the University of Michigan with aspirations of attending medical school. Without GRCC, I would not have been given a second chance to advance my educational career as no one believed in my intellectual capabilities. As soon as I arrived on campus, I discovered an honors society that I knew absolutely nothing about and thought it could be a good way to find friends. I’ve never underestimated something more.

I have been in college for roughly 3 years now and I’ve participated in quite a few career fairs. Yet, I still get butterflies every time I walk into the room full of companies and organizations. That first handshake, the small conversations, the nervousness, the success and the failure are all the things we, as college students, experience when going to career fairs. Luckily, I had the amazing opportunity recently to be the featured Insider speaker for the month with the topic on Career Fair Success Tips. Thanks to this, I get to share my experience of going to career fairs and offer advice to other students so we can all strive to succeed in our future career fairs.

Do your research.

Before attending any career fair, it is essential to research the companies beforehand. This gives you knowledge about the company’s mission, business culture, and the potential positions, which could turn into a big icebreaker to spice up your conversation with the recruiters. I usually reach out to the people from the companies that I’m interested in if I can find their contact information. I let them know I’ll be coming to the career fair and ask what positions they are looking for if that is not stated on the school’s page.

Prepare your resume

Learn to build an impressive résumé. It is important that you have others, especially a career counselor, proofread your résumé. Meeting a career counselor at your school’s career center or redeeming the resume critique award via the Pearson Student Insider is a key to success! A recruiter once told me that it’s important to consider the type of paper we should print our résumé on! Even though you may impress recruiters through the conversation, it does not hurt adding that extra impression when they look at your résumé! I usually use ivory paper that is thicker than the usual paper, so employers can feel the difference as soon as they touch my résumé. Small details matter.

Prepare yourself.

Additionally, make sure you come to the career fair with professional attire. Each college student should have at least one to two professional suits that can be used for formal occasions. And practice your elevator pitch so you can impress the recruiter as soon as you come to the table. One very good way to overcome nervousness before the fair is to practice the “power pose” recommended by Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy. Insiders can complete a challenge on power posing here.

Jump in!

When you first arrive at the career fair, browse all the tables first before you start talking with any. The rule of thumb is to start with smaller companies, even the ones whose positions do not entirely match your interest. This gives you time to practice and get in the mood of communicating!

Follow up.

After attending the career fair, do not forget to follow-up! I usually make an Excel document with the name of the company, the recruiter contact information and start keeping track of dates and times I followed up. It is recommended that you follow-up within 24 hours, but do not rush the follow-up email. Make the email professional but also personal; mention what you and the recruiter discussed and what you found interesting.

Learn from the experience.

Be yourself when you’re at the career fair. Be intentional in selling yourself, but at the same time, enjoy the atmosphere, be yourself, show your passion when talking with anyone. I know we are afraid of many things, such as “what if the person does not like me”, “what if I get stuck in the middle of the conversation”, “what if I do not get the interview for the position I want”, but think about it: we not only learn through success, but we also learn from failure.  If your first career fair does not go as well as expected, don’t lose heart! Learn from the experience and try again at the next career fair.

Pearson Students – how do you prepare for your campus career fair? Share your tips when you comment on my blog!

As a student who has always been interested in the military, I’ve gone back and forth on whether I should join any branch. During high school I saw recruiters set up their tables and pass out pamphlets. I even scheduled a time to take my dad with me and meet with an army recruiter. At the time I was confused about what I wanted to do in the future. With being so indecisive, I knew I probably should wait to make a decision. I waited all the way up until the summer before my senior year of college. It was a huge step, full of uncertainty and following many talks with my parents.

Waiting for the right time

Why did I wait so long? After I graduated from high school I decided that maybe the military was not for me, at least not yet. I chose to go to community college and also got involved with volunteer opportunities in my areas of interest. Looking back, I wouldn’t have done it any differently. I loved the experiences I got from volunteering and going to a community college. I believe those experiences made me who I am now.

An idea that resurfaced

After transferring to the University of Central Florida, I found myself again pondering the idea of enlisting. I had several friends who had suddenly joined the military. It made me realize that the same passion in them was also in me. First, I considered joining the ROTC program through my university. However, I found that as an online student it would be difficult to manage. After browsing around for recruiters, a Navy recruiter contacted me; there the journey began.

Making the final decision

So, what does it mean to join the military? What about college? If you join the military you can get your college paid for. You can get trained in any field you desire. However, I wanted to finish my degree and work in the field of psychology. In my case, I had the option to go in as an officer and receive the benefits of being an officer. I also had the option of extending my major and doing ROTC at my university or going to another college for the specific ROTC program I wanted. In the end, I chose to enlist, despite many people telling me to start as an officer.

Gaining insight

Why didn’t I join as an officer? I spoke to multiple recruiters, talked to veterans, and talked to people I knew were currently serving. This allowed me to gain better insight on what I really wanted to do. I did not find any officer positions I fell in love with so enlisting seemed like the best option for me.

The choice is yours

If you are considering the military, what you do and what you experience is up to you. Do your research, work hard and don’t give up when obstacles come your way. You decide your life’s path. You can go to college and join as an officer or enlistee. There are even civilian careers associated with the military. Realize that your options can be endless!

Pearson students — are you a member of the military or considering military service? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This was by far the worst part, and we knew it would be. The suspense leading up to a game is always high, but this was no ordinary game. This was the national championship. As I stood in a sea of red awaiting entrance into the viewing party, I could not help but think about the intense emotional state of the football players who were about to take the field less than 100 miles away. The moment that these athletes have been dreaming about has become a reality.

Coming from Manhattan, New York where athletics are not generally a focus of most schools, I didn’t know what it really meant to be part of a team until I arrived at the University of Georgia. I recall going to my first game and being truly surprised by the amount of red that engulfed me and the admiration that people had for this team. And throughout my time here at UGA, I have witnessed that again and again as fans show unrelenting support for their teams, especially football.

It was now the last possession of overtime and the Bulldogs were looking at a promising victory as the clock wound down. It seemed as if fate had given us another shot at the championship title. While a three-point advantage kept the Bulldogs in the lead, tension was high as the Alabama offense took the field. It was noticeable. As I looked around the stadium, I could see the anxiety on the faces of true fans, some of whom assumed a prayer position and others who, with covered eyes, couldn’t even watch the rest of the game unfold. I turned and gave my friend a squeeze and we both let out a prideful scream in support of our team. But, our joyous praise was quickly overcome by silence. The entire stadium seemingly went still and confused faces filled the crowd. Alabama had scored a touchdown. They had won the national championship.

While I hadn’t been a Georgia fan as long as most neighboring fans who were from Georgia and raised a Bulldog, I knew the disappointment that they felt with this rare opportunity lost. At the beginning of my college career, I was surprised as my school spirit took hold. However, I am thankful to not only have had the chance to be part of such a wonderful journey, but to call myself a Bulldog – or as we say ‘Bulldawg’. I can only hope that we will return once again as I continue to cheer on my Bulldogs as an alum and dedicated fan.

Pearson Students – are you a collegiate super-fan? Share how you show school spirit in the comments below!