Students blog

With the rise of online classes –  you can get a college education nearly anywhere! However, many distance learners (or online students) fail because they don’t realize how different online learning can be. I have found 4 of the best methods to succeed in online classes!

Create a schedule

Once you know your assignments, creating a schedule for the entire semester can help you prioritize what to work on. Mark big projects that will be due by the end of the semester in red. Get started on them from the beginning of the term as you learn content related to the projects.

Avoid procrastination

Don’t wait till the due date to start working on your assignments. Most that fail at distance education do so because they have put off working on what needs to get done until it’s too late. This is easy to do when you don’t regularly have a class to go to, with a teacher reminding you of upcoming deadlines. Learn what motivates you and use it to keep yourself moving at an appropriate pace to complete your courses.

Find an organized quiet place for learning

Treat learning like a job. Minimize distractions. Organize your space so you have all your textbooks, notebooks, and writing tools at hand. Just because you are home and can listen to lectures in your pajamas doesn’t mean you should treat your studies like leisure. Turn off the TV, sit at a desk, and treat yourself like you were sitting in a classroom among your peers.

Get help

You are not in a classroom where you can turn to classmate to ask a question, or raise your hand for clarification. You will need to make an extra effort to get your answers. If you can’t find the answer to a question in the text, don’t be afraid to email your professor and ask. Follow the instructor’s guidelines for communicating with him/her. Usually this is found in the instructor’s syllabus. Understand that it may take time to hear back from the instructor. Use Google to your advantage to find supplemental information for the subject you are learning. There is a host of research information at your fingertips. Utilize it. Ask for a tutor at the first sign of trouble, so you get one assigned before it’s too late.

Online classes are very a convenient and flexible way to earn your college degree. However, it’s important to know there are different ways to succeed in online classes. Remember to make a schedule for yourself, have a designated spot for studying, and don’t hesitate to reach out when you have a question. I have found these tips to help me excel in my online learning!

Pearson Students: Are you enrolled in online classes? What are your success tips?

One of the primary goals for the Pearson Student Insiders, Pearson’s online college student community, is to educate students on career skills. Recently we hosted a video call where Student Insiders Mitchell Drysdale, Adrian Scherer, and Sydney Summers shared their experiences about internships.

Finding Opportunities

Where do you find internship opportunities?

Mitchell (junior, North Carolina State University) “Our career center has a website that posts all the internship opportunities for our university and whether or not they’ll be at the career fair. I also went to websites of companies that were not there (at the career fair) to see if they had any opportunities posted.”

Sydney (junior, University of Kansas) “I ask my network – family and friends. I also looked on Indeed.com; Glassdoor.com and LinkedIn. I went to my school’s career fair. It was fun to get out there and network with people from different companies.”

Adrian (junior, Rutgers University) “I like to try to keep as many doors open as possible when looking for internships. Job sites, networking/contacts, and Rutgers career services and career fair all have been helpful when searching for internships.”

A lot of Insiders reach out and say they want to do informational interviews but they are not sure how to get started. How do you handle setting up informational interviews?

Adrian – “I find that reaching out to contacts through my LinkedIn network is one of the best ways to try to set up informational interviews. Finding a person and shooting them a quick message asking to meet up is usually pretty effective.”

Mitchell – “I use the LinkedIn messaging feature. I tell them ‘I notice that you have experience in this. I’d love to pick your brain and find out how you got to where you are.’ A lot of people like helping other people, especially on LinkedIn, so don’t feel like you’re being weird. Everybody does it.”

Tailoring Your Resume

How do you figure out what pertinent keywords to use to tailor your resume for different positions?

Sydney – “I review my resume and look for things that correspond with the job description and also things I can leave off. You have to highlight the big stuff and it’s okay to brag about yourself in that sense. Each resume gets looked at for about 5 seconds so you have to have stuff that stands out.”

Adrian – “The most important thing to look at is the description of the job you are applying for. Once you see what exactly the company is looking for in its interns, you should tailor your resume to best reflect the ideal version of yourself for that specific position.”

Mitchell –“Identifying those keywords is important for your resume and will literally get you through any interview. I saw one interviewer actually checking off a list as I said certain things.”

Interview Tips

How do you pump yourself up to stand out during your interview?

Sydney – “I like to mentally prepare. Use positive self-talk. Tell yourself “you got this”! Be optimistic. If you’re pessimistic, it will show through.”

Mitchell – “Play some music that you like, something that loosens you up and gets those nerves out. Just sitting in a silent car rehearsing what you’re going to say is just going to mess you up. Take deep breaths. Know you’re here for a reason. You’re just the same, if not better than all the other candidates.”

What do you take into the interview with you?

Adrian – “A pad-folio with paper, multiple copies of my resume, a copy of the description of the job, and at least 7 good questions that I would be comfortable asking if not addressed in the interview. I always make sure to ask the interviewer for permission to take notes.”

Mitchell – “And also a pen. It’s not only to take notes during the interview. Having something in my hand helps me relax. I also have a bottle of water with me. It’s a great way to give yourself a few extra seconds before answering a question. When someone asks a question, take a sip of water to give yourself a couple of seconds to collect your thoughts.”

Sydney – “Bring extra resumes. I power down my phone and put it in a small purse because I don’t want my phone to be visible. I write out about 10 or 15 questions ahead of time. Some will be answered during the interview but I know I’ll have one or two to ask at the end. It doesn’t look good to not have anything to ask at the end of the interview.”

How bold are you at the end of the interview? What are you doing at the very end of the interview to get that offer?

Mitchell – “I had a little elevator pitch planned. About a 15 second thing that I can say about why I should get this internship.”

Sydney – “Confidence in your closing statement is key. If you’re not showing why you fully want it and are fully qualified, why would they hire you? It’s the time for you to take control to say what you want. Don’t just say ‘thank you’ and hope for the best.”

Mitchell – “And think about your handshake! Practice shaking hands. Practice making eye-contact. A poor handshake ruins your chances almost immediately. Go in strong. Don’t be too hard, don’t go too long.”

What do you do to follow-up after an interview or networking chat?

Sydney – “Follow ups are huge. I like to handwrite a thank you note. Get it done pretty quickly afterwards. Within 24 hours for sure. Be sure to email, too, because it can take a few extra days for a handwritten note to arrive.”

Mitchell – “Look for a way to include a personal connection in your follow-up. I learned during my interview that the interviewer’s son went to the rival high school of the school I attended so I made sure to mention that by saying ‘good luck to Nick at XYZ High School’. That personal touch may seem kind of corny to you but it goes a long way in making a good impression and shows that you were listening.”

Making the Most of Your Opportunity

Once you have an internship, what do you do to stand out? How can you be a star candidate for their next hire?

Sydney– “My internship supervisor appreciated it when I asked questions about the industry and asked for additional assignments. I also asked her about how she started out and how she got to where she was. People love talking about themselves. It helps break the ice.”

Mitchell – “Don’t act like you know everything, especially when you first get there. Meet new people, connect with other interns. It shows you are willing to collaborate with your peers and communicate with your superiors. Never turn down a cup of coffee and never stop asking others to have a cup with you. Don’t be shy to ask. A lot of people are flattered by it. You are taking initiative. It shows you have a mindset of longevity with the company.”

Adrian – “Ask for feedback. Ask your boss and your co-workers, ‘what am I doing well, what can I improve on?’ It can go a long way to helping you get the most out of the experience. That’s what internships are all about. You’re trying to get experience and improve your skills.”

Find more helpful content like this, plus fun employability challenges by joining the Pearson Student Insiders today! To learn more about the program and apply, click here.

If you’ve had an internship, what advice do you have for students who are just beginning the process? Share your tips in the comments below.

When I received word that I was accepted into the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, I think my head swelled three times its size.   However, once I started classes there I soon realized that what I had expected as a transfer student was not at all what I was faced with.  I was in over my head. Reality slapped me right in the face.  What little social life I had went straight down the drain.   The complexity of the work felt overwhelming. I could not seem to “get ahead” the way I previously did at community college.  I began to have self-doubt in my capabilities.  

Earning a place

Luckily, I already had a support network in place. I was contacted by the Provost’s office and asked to come in to talk.    He shared that the application process was stringent and noted that I had earned a place among the others on campus.  He assured me I had all the tools I needed to become successful and stated I was a true Wolverine. This helped to set my mind at ease and I gained the confidence I needed to complete my school work.   

Becoming a part of the community

Vegan. I thought this was just another weird fad diet until I was enlightened by my roommates. This past fall, I moved in with two friends who follow a diet that doesn’t include any animal products. Through them I learned a lot about a vegan diet, and even decided to try it myself. I want to share with you my experience, challenges, and rewards as I participated in this experiment.

It’s more than just a “diet” –  it’s a way of life

There are many reasons why people choose to be vegan. The first lesson I learned is the varying “levels” of vegan. Some choose to remove animal products just from their diet, and others try to remove animal products from their lifestyle all together.

Varying reasons behind the choice

I was blown away by the “rational” of why people choose to go vegan. It’s more than just a healthy diet, or even just a weight loss tool. People adopt vegan diets because of sustainability, world hunger, and even animal welfare. Some people choose to go vegan to show opposition to the meat and animal industries. By seeing that people are adopting a vegan diet for multiple reasons other than just healthy eating, I felt even more encouraged to persevere and eat more sustainably and more humanely.

A gradual change

I started removing meat products a few days prior to the start of my experiment and removed all other animal products at the start of my week-long trial. I won’t claim that I went the full experience without error. Without thinking I spread butter on my dinner roll and put honey in my tea only to realize afterwards that honey is technically an animal product. I quickly realized the awareness it takes to be vegan and the need for attention to detail. However, my roommates encouraged me not to give up. What is better than perfection is the attempt to make changes. No one is perfect, and there is no such thing as a “perfect vegan.” However, if we all make a gradual change towards the ideals of veganism, we can accomplish so much in the way of sustainability, animal welfare, world hunger – and even our own health.

Results quickly noticed

As the week progressed, I realized all the health benefits of the food I was eating. I was buying less premade food and buying more ingredients and vegetables. It’s not too difficult to cook vegan when you have the knowledge. I was eating more leafy greens and spending more time cooking dinner rather than using the microwave to cook it for me. As a result, I had more energy, and felt more “light” as opposed to the heaviness and grogginess that sometimes results from eating lots of meat and dairy.

A surprising challenge

I found the greatest challenge to be social pressure. When we grow up in a society where eating animals is the “norm” I found it hard to be the “weird one” by standing by my beliefs to eat a plant based diet. People asked me about my protein intake and my health concerns. Eating animals is not necessary to sustain life, and with vitamin supplements and a balanced diet, health shouldn’t be a concern. We can get our protein from dark leafy greens, beans, and even peanut butter! What is most encouraging is seeing veganism on the rise. Millennials are predicted to be the most adoptive generation of the vegan diet. With the younger generation increasing in support of the vegan lifestyle, it’s only growing in popularity.

I learned a lot from this experience. I can see just how much animal products are ingrained into society. There are animal products in almost anything from clothes to hair products. I also learned how rewarding the health benefits are from eating more veggies and fewer dairy products. While this experience was only 7 days, I learned a great deal and I understand why my roommates chose to adopt a vegan lifestyle. While I will not be converting to a fully vegan diet, I do intend to maintain a more plant based eating habit and a greater awareness of what I am eating.

This year I learned the real meaning of success. Success is being able to recognize what you did wrong and then picking yourself up again… even when you feel like everything is in shambles.  Maybe if I tell you my story, you’ll see why I feel this way!

So many changes

I had always dreamed of going to a real university and becoming a scientist. Last year I was accepted to an online program with a university across the country. I took on a full class load, bought a house, got a full-time job, got married, and adopted four pets all around the same time. Suddenly so many changes were all happening at once. With my family and friends back in my old town, I felt isolated and unsupported. Slowly all the things I was juggling started to fall to the floor. My job was literally killing me and my studies plummeted. My pets were left alone all the time. I couldn’t sleep. I never saw my husband. My house was looking more and more raggedy every day.  On top of it all I was blaming myself and feeling guilty that I couldn’t handle all these things perfectly. It felt like a spiral that was inescapable, and it was all my fault.

As low as a person could be

The breaking point came when my knees gave out at the age of twenty-five, due to being overworked at my job. I woke up one morning and I simply could not walk. I had to go to physical therapy for months and I ended up quitting because my bosses expected me to go back to work – and “ignore my knees”. Now I was jobless and I had failed my first semester and dropped out of the school. You can bet I felt as low as a person could be… to the point I had to seek counseling.

Untangling the knot

After completely shutting down and feeling like the most frustrated and useless person, I had to forgive myself. I had a tangled knot of a life in front of me. The only thing left to do was to gently pick it apart and lay out the strands so they’d never get so hopelessly tangled again. I picked up the smallest tasks and worked my way up every day to the more difficult things. From scooping the cat litter boxes to contacting the Dean to explain my situation and request forgiveness on both my tuition and grades. In the end, everything came out okay. I could finally get up and get into a routine. Then I was able to refocus my goals to something more manageable and attainable.

Living the total picture

This is the ultimate kind of success that I can think of. Forgiving oneself is sometimes the hardest thing you can do when everything seems hopeless. Now I have a lab assistant job, I am in school part time, I take part in a volunteer organization, and I make plenty of time for my homework, husband, pets, and home. If that isn’t the definition of personal success, I don’t know what is! If you’re feeling down and out like I was, just remember that what’s done is done. The sooner you start to pick up the correct pieces to your own puzzle for success, not somebody else’s puzzle, the sooner you will be living that total picture of your own success. 

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.

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Have you ever been inspired by a movie? “A Thousand Words” starring Eddie Murphy, changed my perception of communication. The movie plot surrounds the sudden appearance of a mysterious tree in Jack McCall’s (Eddie Murphy) backyard after Jack stretches the truth to make a business deal. It hints that Jack’s life completely depends on this tree- whose leaves represent every word (verbal and written) Jack uses to communicate with other people. Whenever Jack does something bad to the tree, he experiences the same feeling. This means as the tree loses leaves- which happens when Jack talks—it speeds up the age process of the tree and sooner it will perish, and so will Jack.

Wasting words

Watching Jack continue to struggle with his word limit and try to communicate with others using the fewest words possible, I realized how sometimes I’ve been wasting my words talking about unnecessary things. I know I am privileged to have the ability to speak, learn different languages, and communicate in those languages. But I must learn to say positive and uplifting words in suitable situations to encourage others.

Realizing the value

Moreover, as the tree is about to perish, Jack learns he can survive only by healing the broken relationships, miscommunications, and conflicts he is suffering. He does this by carefully choosing and using all of the words (leaves) he has left. Once he completes this quest, he is given another chance at living a much happier life realizing the value of his words.

Communication is not just talking

Although it’s a comedy, the message the movie delivers is significantly powerful. It makes me rethink about how many relationships I’ve missed due to lack of communication, miscommunication, or lack of care and support. Moreover, I understand how I should apply different communication approaches to different people based on their personalities, hobbies, and concerns. I also learned that communication is not just about talking, but also about listening and sympathizing. I see how words can be constructive as well as destructive.

The next time you want to say something to someone, take a moment and think about these questions: Are the things I’m going to say benefit the person? Will my words hurt them? Do these words truly express what I want to convey? How should I say this to get my opinion not misunderstood? Because as a saying goes, “The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart.” Be careful with your words if you don’t want to wake up one day and terrified about having a tree in your backyard counting every word you say!

Have you ever been inspired by a movie? Please share with the Pearson student community below in the comments!

“Who are you meant to be?”

This question riddled my mind for the longest time.  It wouldn’t be fair to call myself a person who always knew what she wanted to do. However, this isn’t something that is reflected in my day-to-day interactions on campus. Each day I go to our small, tight-knit campus, all the interactions and experiences shared are beyond fulfilling. Yet, no one can see the years of perpetual acrimony that shadowed much of my life and caused me to ponder this existential question.

Defining my character

Mental illness became my handicap for several years, manifested in years of isolation and desolation. Having to grow up with minimal family support and direct myself through my educational endeavors has challenged me. The tribulations I’ve overcome have been definitive of my character.  I can come to terms with my history today. I’m no longer afraid of it.  It is my reservoir of experience that I look to when approaching challenges.  To know that I overcame those challenges and that I now step on grounds felt were once beyond my grasp motivates me. It also drives me to excite this inner realization in others.

Finishing a dream

My mom was in a 3-week coma following an accident 26 years ago, forcing a practical cognitive restart on her brain with a loss of a fully functioning memory. She wasn’t supposed to survive—but she did. I was her 31st birthday present! Before her accident, she was a high-achieving honors student, who had gone to the same community college that I’m currently attending. I think of myself as a vestige of who she was, as someone who is finishing a dream she once started.

Emerging from the shadows

In my struggle with mental illness I was absent for the greater part of middle school and high school. My true educational journey began with my community college career. “Find Your Start at Suffolk,” is my college’s slogan and is fitting to my situation. It’s something in which I genuinely believe. The appeal of community college was the idea that I could begin my academic pursuits without be haunted by a hanging apparition of my past. I knew there was a capable high-achiever who existed in the shadow of the young student who was burdened by mental illness and left in solitude for several years. In my two years at Suffolk Community College, I’ve been able to become that capable high achiever. I am a peer mentor, an officer for various clubs, and a newspaper contributing author. I am a leader on campus who is a representative of the institution and its constituents: our student body.  My friends and faculty in college have played a pivotal role in helping me grasp these achievements. I don’t think I would have nearly as stable a foundation without their guidance.

Sharing wisdom

Last year I was selected as a recipient of the Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education. In addition to the financial award, I have been paired with a Pearson employee as a mentor as I progress from community college to a 4-year school. Mentors are quintessential to the growth of all individuals. I know that without the support of a mentor, I would make a multitude of aimless mistakes. The service of mentorship is so selfless in the essence of what the mentor does—they’re looking to share their wisdom with you. My Pearson mentor is incredibly sweet, friendly, and she has such a thorough foundation under her. I am indebted to the knowledge she bestows upon me.

The financial assistance of the Pearson scholarship is the security of pursuing my ambitious education. Now that I have another source to cover my tuition and fees, I can devote other financial resources to investing in my future studies. I can now take on more study abroad opportunities to study cultural communication. These things that were once unfeasible are now within my reach, and this is a notion that motivates me every day.

The human experience

I will be graduating in the Spring as a communications major.  Through each shift in my uncertain educational journey, one thing that remains consistent is my desire to learn about others. My education is how I reconcile with experiences that I never had.  That’s why the humanities gratify me so much. Through my studies I learn about the human experience through objective, measurable means. I learn the practices and behaviors of humans to understand why we do what we do and how we do it. It helps me live my life at this moment.  I am a student leader; someone I once could not foresee myself as. I have full intentions on continuing to work at the core of my college’s activities to open opportunities for my peers through programming, workshops, peer-mentoring, and unconditional support.

As a student who transferred from my hometown community college of 2,000 students to a university of 33,000, I’ve had my fair share of culture shock and adjusting periods. No matter how well you prepare to transfer, the transition will be a little rocky. However, there are a few things you can do to ease the stress and make the best out of your time as a transfer student. The advice I have might not sound new to you… we’ve all heard the classic tips “get involved” and “make new friends.” Well guess what? Those tips actually WORK – if you go about it in the right way.

A comfortable network

I grew up in a small town in Arizona, near the border of Mexico. The community college I attended was extremely tiny, and every time I walked down campus I felt I knew at least half of the people I was passing by name. I loved it. Because the school was so small, it was easy to make friends, and I felt so at home. It was also easy to get involved, and I found myself taking lots of opportunities that allowed me to give back to the community I loved so much. The most rewarding of those was being student body president. I used my time in that office to help others feel at home on campus so they could succeed in their studies. By bonding with the people around me, I created a network that helped me feel needed and loved.

A tadpole in an ocean

Eventually I graduated with my Associates and the time came for me to move on to a university. I transferred to BYU (in Provo, Utah) where I was sure I would have no trouble feeling the same sense of belonging as I did in Arizona. Everyone at this school belonged to the same church as me, and I had worked in Provo over the summer, so I had a good amount of friends. “This will be the easiest move ever,” I thought. I was wrong.

The problem with transferring from a community college is that you go from feeling like a big fish in a small pond, to a tadpole in an ocean. An ocean where there are thousands of other people who seem smarter than you, prettier than you, and they are probably a concert pianist to top it off. After a couple months of feeling miserable, I realized that what I missed most about Arizona was the feeling of “home.” The campus didn’t feel like it was mine; I didn’t feel that I had a safety network of people who cared for me and who I could care for in return.

Taking a first step

The first thing I did to fix this problem is the most obvious – get involved. I found the closest thing that BYU had to a student government, walked into the office, and asked for a tour. I volunteered on a few small projects that allowed me to give back to the school. It’s nearly impossible to feel resentment for a campus that you are serving, and my time in the volunteer positions helped me connect to the people around me. At first it was difficult to watch the student body president and other directors over me and think “that used to be me, I should be doing that.” This leads me to the next point….

Avoid a food chain mindset

Do NOT compare your contributions to those of others. When I first got to BYU I realized that there were probably thousands of other previous student body presidents walking around on the campus. That made me feel that I wasn’t “special” anymore, and that I didn’t have anything that made me unique. Everytime that I thought I was good at something, I would turn around and see 100 other girls who were doing the same thing – but better. Here’s the problem: If you are constantly viewing yourself and others in a “food chain” mindset, you’re wasting your time. The reality is that no food chain exists. Instead of imagining a vertical line of positions and contributions where some rank higher than others, imagine a horizontal line. On this line, people are not better or lesser than others, but are equal. So yes, maybe I wasn’t known by as many people as before. Maybe I was no longer the smartest in my class. Maybe there are people out there who are better singers than me. But if you let that stop you from giving, you will never be able to create a home. As poet Henry Van Dyke wrote, “use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

Begin by saying hello

The last piece of advice that I have is the most simple, but made the biggest difference. I decided that whenever I was walking to or from campus, I would just say hi to people. Instead of putting in my headphones and staring at the ground, I would try to be aware of who was walking next to me. If I was walking at the same pace as someone, I would just say hi and ask them how their day was. At first I felt a little awkward, and I think some people thought I was a freak, but I was astonished at how many people were willing to talk and get to know me. After meeting someone new on my walk home every single day, it started getting easier and easier to recognize people around campus. Now at a university of over 30,000, I see familiar faces every time I walk outside a building.

Transferring is hard, but it doesn’t have to be miserable. Consistently doing the little things each day to get your mindset in the right place, give back to the people around you, and be friendly will build a new home where you feel you can succeed.