Students blog

Being a student is hard. Adding a job on top of that can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. During my freshman year, I was an out of state student trying to soak everything in. I didn’t have a car and there was no way I could fit a job into my hectic life. Or so I thought, until I applied for a position that has worked perfectly for me. I realized that working while in college can be fun, and if you manage your time efficiently you can balance your work life and your school life. Plus you gain a lot of professional development at the same time! I will let you in on the perks and benefits of each of my three positions.  Maybe you’ll see how one might be a great fit for you as well.

Assisting Freshmen  

I am a Resident Assistant (RA) in a freshman residence hall serving over 600 residents. Being an RA has been one of the most challenging and most beneficial aspects of my college career. There are the obvious monetary benefits, such as my university provides room and board and a stipend for all RAs. There are also other intangible benefits which really make the job an exciting experience.  Helping a resident with their first-year struggles is rewarding. Seeing the change that most residents go through in their first year is very inspiring. Additionally, getting professional development opportunities are some of the best parts of the job. I have enjoyed learning more about myself as well and how I handle certain situations. I have grown a lot as a person through this experience and have lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Representing My Peers

I work as an University Ambassador for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. This job also pays a stipend, and has different benefits associated with it. Part of that job is talking to fellow students to learn what they like or dislike about the program. I love talking to other people and getting their views on things.  I really enjoy this job because I feel like I have an impact on my school and can do something to improve it.

Combining Campus Experience with Corporate Experience

Through my job as a Pearson Campus Ambassador I use my campus experience and gain corporate experience. This is a cool opportunity to talk to students, professors, and other professionals alike to learn from them and help them learn from me. I get to talk about new technology and things that are happening in the world of Pearson as well as get feedback to pass along about what Pearson can do to improve.

No matter the job, I think having something to do is always beneficial. While making money is always nice, the friendships and life skills I have learned from these jobs are invaluable to my life after college. I will never regret having jobs during college and am excited about where they have gotten me so far!

Do you have a job on campus? If so, tweet your experiences with it when you retweet this blog!

For most students, college is an institution that you attend after high school, where you can excel in your studies. However, college is far more than that! It’s a time to learn about yourself – to find out what you are passionate about! You cannot do that by simply burying your head in the books. Campus involvement offers a great avenue to discover your passions. I encourage you to get out there and get involved on your campus.

Challenged to Make My Mark

Once upon a time, I was your typical “boring” college student who lived in the safe zone of “school, work, study, sleep, repeat”. I barely went outside to enjoy the weather, let alone socialize with any of the other students outside of school hours. But one day it all changed. I attended a conference on my campus where I heard a captivating speaker. He gave this great advice: to make your mark on the world find an activity that allows you to express yourself. For everyone this is something different, but for me, that was Choir.

My Passion Led to Peace

Choir became an outlet that allowed me to find peace between my school work and life. I continued to get involved in other activities on my campus, such as National Honor Society, Student Government, and Student Support Services. After becoming an active member on my college campus, I had a stronger sense of dignity and pride in my academics and life.  

Passion Pays Off

Thanks to that speaker, I was inspired to make a mark in my life as well as on my college campus. Everyone needs to have goal that they want to achieve in college, in addition to making good grades and graduating. Having a goal outside of your academics will afford you many opportunities. I have gained traveling experience, leadership experience, as well as cultural experience. Getting involved has proved to be the best decision that I have ever made, and it is absolutely paying off. I hope that you take my advice, to make a mark on both your campus and your life.

As every college student knows, there must be a healthy balance of everything. Whether this be between academics, social, community, or personal projects, keeping balance is important. Feeling overwhelmed can not only have an effect on your grades, but also your health. Signs of being overwhelmed include: crying excessively, procrastination, rejection of reality, consideration of quitting college, and bags under the eyes from not sleeping. Here are some of my best tips on how to keep your health and your grades up.

Get a Grip on Good Grades

Your grades are a reflection of the knowledge that a professor has given to you and how much you actually retain and comprehend. Students try to achieve high grades in order to: find good jobs, graduate on time, and graduate summa cum laude. Here are two tips to boost your grades.

Read the textbook for each class

You probably are laughing to yourself right now, but this is an actual point. Many students will buy textbooks only to use them as expensive paper weights or dorm room decoration. Actually opening a book and reading through it can have dramatic effects on your learning. Studies show that students who read books have a higher percentage of graduating college, than those who don’t.

Post all your assignments on sticky notes

Using sticky notes gives you a visual representation of what is required throughout the semester. Try putting the date that the assignment/test is due in order to give yourself enough time to finish the project. When completed feel free to remove of the sticky note in any way you feel. Some of my favorite ways are the shredder, cutting up with scissors, ripping to pieces, and setting it on fire (if it was especially bad assignment).

Hold on to Healthy Habits

Although college is about learning and getting an education, having a functioning body to contain that information is important. Do not forget about your health, because it can kill you if you don’t.

Take advantage of student perks

Get some fresh air while exploring cool places near your campus. Or check out the recreation center and gym facilities on your campus. If you are unsure of going due to body size, fear of seeing others, not knowing what to do, or any other reason please keep this in mind, everybody at the gym is trying to improve themselves. Some have had an earlier start than others, but it is important to start sometime. Create a schedule for yourself and try to stick to it. Perhaps even create a schedule with friends and make it a social activity.

Work with what you have

If going to the gym is not your thing, do workouts in your dorm room. Many dorm rooms provide chairs to sit on. These chair can be transformed into your own personal gym. Try lifting the chair to stimulate your biceps and or shoulders. Do tricep dips to isolate your triceps. Try putting weight on the chair and pushing it up and down your hallway for a leg workout. Whatever method you choose, try to get your heart rate up and remain active. The benefits of working out are endless, but a few are: improved sleep, less stress, improved emotions, and personal pride.

Health and academics are equally important in college. Try following these simple tricks in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed so you can have the best college experience possible. What is one way you keep yourself healthy amidst the stress of homework and exams? Let’s share our ideas with the Pearson Students Community – please retweet my blog and share with your tip!

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

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

Strive for improvement

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

Teaching others helps you learn

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

Thank your teacher

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

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

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

When engaged in activities that truly interest or excite, time seems to slip away quickly.  Being a student comes with many responsibilities such as class attendance,  study sessions, campus activities, work, family life and most of all – your own independent life.  Effective time management creates space for you to encompass many, if not all tasks, and supports a centered lifestyle.  With the implementation of a few strategies, effective time management empowers you to approach any task with confidence.  I have found these five strategies help master the rigors of time while working toward a balanced work-life balance.

Let the long-term goal be the focal point of an activity

Whether at the beginning, middle, or end of the semester, the overall goal to learn the information and apply learned knowledge for future situations directs your drive or motivation to prioritize items that need more time and focus.   

Make a priority list

When confronted with many tasks and a short amount of time, a to-do list with items listed by priority helps you to maximize your available time and to organize your thoughts on how to carry out the list.   

Set realistic time constraints for each step of a larger task

For example, if a paper is due at the end of the week, here’s an example of how to break down each step and apply a time constraint.

1. Form an outline – ten to twenty (10 – 20) minutes
2. Write the rough draft – three (3) hours
3. Edit, rewrite, proofread – two (2) hours
4. Write final draft and reread for final clarity – one (1) hour.  

Setting time limits for each item helps to manage time and not feel overwhelmed.

Reward yourself!  

When creating to-do lists and time constraints, include areas of fun and/or interest. For instance, if you enjoy reading books, listening to music, gaming, playing sports, connecting with social media, spending time with family and friends, etc., these activities can be highlighted on your to-do list as a reward for completing tasks. This gives you a measure to achieve amid the long-term goal. The incentives help to motivate you and keep a balanced flow of learning.

Set boundaries

Sometimes you just have to say“No.”  You must learn how to exercise boundaries and limits.  For example, if you need to spend more time reading a specific chapter to grasp the concepts, but your friends want to go to a movie –  this a conflicted priority.  You may need to say “no” and/or offer an alternative time to go out.  The suggestion of other options allows for understanding, flexibility, and focus.  The long-term goal must come first.  

‘Time flies when you are having fun,’ as the adage goes.  As a student, the learning process can be fun as well.  A few effective time management tools give you the flexibility to enjoy the process and your own life to a fuller extent.  Having a clear long-term goal, listing tasks in order of priority, setting time limits for the items, incorporating interesting incentives throughout the list, and setting boundaries on time allow you to embrace the challenges of student life and balance  it with work, social, and family life. 

How do you effectively manage your time? Please share with the Pearson Students community when you retweet this blog!

Money is an important part of our life. However, for many college students, it always seems like you don’t quite have enough. One way to ensure you have money when you need it is to use smart money management! Something simple like using common sense, could spare you a few extra cents, and I will share with you my three favorite tips on just how to do that!

Do not connect debit cards with your savings account

I have a debit card through my credit union and when I first received this card I noticed I was spending a lot of money with it and the money came right out of my main savings account! I found out that I spent a lot less when I disconnected the accounts and had a separate account for just my debit card. This way I put a set amount in each month and only allowed myself to spend that much – no more.  

Protect your accounts from overdrafts

When I first started using my account I noticed I would overdraft a lot and would have to pay a $15-20 fee every time. This amount started to add up. When I went to my credit union and brought this issue up I learned that I can protect the accounts from overdrafts. Given, this is a bit embarrassing when I’m stuck at a store and can’t pay the bill but it has saved me a lot of money. Additionally, I have learned to carry $20-50 extra in cash for emergencies.   

Recycle

This may seem odd at first but in states that accept refunds for cans, such as Michigan which is 10 cents per bottle or can, this money can add up. If your state does not take money for bottle returns, they probably take money for aluminum and this can still give you some extra cash. I pick cans and bottles up from the ground when I go for walks. Through these actions alone I earn about $50-100 each month! The best part is I do not often buy pop or soda. Therefore, I am making money, helping the environment and cleaning up my community – all at the same time!

There are many ways to save money, and these are three of my favorite. I have found that by unlinking my cards, preventing overdraft, and recycling bottles and cans – I find myself less strapped for cash!

Do you have any tips for smart money management? Share them with the Pearson Students Community when you retweet this blog!

Choosing a college major is daunting. You want to earn a degree which will lead to a career you love. Here is my story of how one of my high school teachers inspired me to choose to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Doctor Dreams Dashed

When I moved to the United States from Nigeria, I wanted to be a doctor. I thought being a doctor sounded cooler than any other profession in the world. But then I saw movies and dramas that took place in the hospital that showed doctors performing surgery, which made me have doubts of wanting to become a doctor. At that point, I became totally lost! I did not know what career to pick at all!

My Father’s Advice

My dad always told me that I should pick a career related to science. So in my junior year of high school, I took a computer science class called Introduction to JAVA. I started to learn coding for the first time. Through the coding class, I learned about algorithms and became fascinated. My computer science teacher taught the class in such an engaging way that it made me want to learn more. I took the AP class in my senior year. Through that, I was able to join the Robotics Club, where I built a robot and coded it to see how all the algorithms worked in real life.

Pointed in the Right Direction

My computer science teacher made a huge impact in my life. He encouraged me to pursue a mechanical engineering major and a computer science minor in college. I am excited about the future. After graduation I want to be able to create and code machines. Without the inspiration of my teacher, I would still be frustrated with not having a career outlook. I am thankful for him and the opportunity to take the computer science classes in high school, because now I have a college major that will lead to a future career I am excited about!

How did you get inspired to pursue your major? Share when you retweet my blog!

Down time is the best time to learn. So this past summer I took the opportunity to use my down time to read the book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg who is currently Chief Operation Officer at Facebook and a former Google executive. From her eBook, I learned a lot on how to become a better person and a strong woman as I enter the job market. This book review provides some takeaways from her book.

Don’t hesitate to take risks

Sandberg highlights how women have the tendency to hesitate when taking on new challenges because we tend to worry if we have the skills to do the new challenge or even if we are good enough to be a part of the new challenge. She stresses to be bold and to go for it. Confidence is key. So a strong woman needs to believe in herself, take on new challenges, and learn she goes.

Think beyond the ladder

Sandberg stresses in her book that women should not work to just go up the ladder but rather to spread our wings and try everything. Do things you want to and take on challenges that you see are interesting and beneficial. Explore! Don’t stop because you think you reached the top. Opportunities are endless!

Share the work

Balancing career and family is something every woman faces. Sandberg argues that the conversation needs to change and women need to ask their partners to step up. Have the conversation. Don’t let this debate hold you back, rather make it your strength and set expectations. Women tend to not drive their careers because of personal commitments. Sandberg highlights that both can happen – a strong woman will find the balance and have that conversation.

Sandberg’s book highlighted many obstacles women face in the workforce. Using her own experience, she shows how you can rise above it all , become a strong woman, and make an impact with your career. You can become the next Sheryl Sandberg and all you have to do is Lean In. Women help women and the conversation will change. It’s all about confidence and belief.

As an upcoming senior in college, I have started to think about applying to graduate school. This has given me an opportunity to reflect on my first college applications during my senior year of high school. I was a mess! I was stressed out that my grades weren’t high enough, my essays weren’t good enough, I wasn’t involved in enough extra-curricular activities, and I wasn’t going to get into any college of my choice. Whether you’re a high school senior, community college student applying to transfer, or a soon-to-be college graduate looking at graduate schools, you may benefit from these five tips on what I wish I would have known when applying to college the first time.

Submit your materials early

This is your last year to be with friends you’ve established in school and you want to make the most of it. You don’t want to be stressing about not meeting application deadlines. Start the applications early and get them done so that you can have some fun when the end nears.

Recommendation letters need to have a personal touch

Avoid asking for recommendation letters from teachers or professors who don’t know you well. Look for those who have known you for a while and that you might have a relationship with. They will not simply take the recommendation letter they have saved on their desktop and change the name. Instead they will add a personal touch to the letter, which can make a big difference to the application.

Seek “professional” proofreaders

Get more than just your mom or a friend to proof your application essays. English teachers can edit the papers well, and they can help you phrase things that will make you stand out to admissions counselors. Be sure to give your proofreader plenty of time for the review so you can make your changes well before your essays must be submitted.

Do not compare yourself to others

When all your friends are applying to many of the same colleges, it can be easy to talk about what you are putting on the application. Do not compare yourself to others. Just because your friend has 10 more volunteer hours doesn’t mean you aren’t getting into the school you each are applying to.

Relax!  

Yes, applying to college should be taken seriously, but this is also your final year – so have fun! It can be overwhelming, but just take it a step at a time, and you will get it done.

Keep these tips in mind and you will rock your college admission apps. Good luck to all those applying to college!