Students blog

With rising tuition costs each year, students choose to supplement their academic journeys with part-time jobs and paid internships. Some students attend school full-time while also working full-time. In a recent study published by Georgetown University, 70% of today’s students work while earning their undergraduate or graduate degree. Many working students also have responsibilities within their families. As a working student, I myself have had to juggle the demands of a part-time job while attending school full-time. Here are my top 3 essential tips to help busy students balance between work, life, and school.

Essential Tip 1: Wake Up Early

Last semester I had a 23-unit class schedule. Waking up early in the morning was the number one key in helping me keep up with work and a demanding class schedule. Each morning I had time for moments of mindfulness. Afterwards I would plan important reminders, goals, and deadlines for the day in my journal. These extra hours also saved me many times by providing just enough time to review for an upcoming quiz or catch up on an assignments. This is a piece of advice that is timeless and beneficial for anyone, and something which is consistently practiced by top-performing business executives and professionals worldwide.

Essential Tip 2: Plan, Plan, Plan

I firmly believe that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Every night before I head to bed I take time to plan. I jot down a list of bullet points on a Post-It Note or in a journal to remind myself of to-dos and deadlines. I also like to organize my schedule by budgeting each day of the week with allotted hours or designated slots of time to complete certain activities. Using Post-It Notes is very practical since they are affordable and extremely handy. You can stick Post-It Notes in your math notebook, on your car dashboard or even tuck them inside your smartphone-case for an “on-the-go” to-do-list. Using this organizational system my entire semester allowed to maintain a killer GPA.  At the end of the semester my school’s Vice President of Instruction notified me that I had been granted an Academic Honors List Award!

Essential Tip 3: Eat Healthy

A healthy breakfast provides you with nutrients, antioxidants and energy that will fuel your mind and body to be productive. Instead of heating up that leftover pizza-slice, pop some frozen berries and half a banana into a blender and make a smoothie that is both tasty and brain-boosting. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt lethargic, sluggish and sleepy after eating some greasy, high-sodium junk food. Keeping a healthy diet by consistently eating vegetables, fruits and grains will help you focus better and achieve more.

I hope you enjoyed this dose of inspiration! If you start to follow these tips, you will see positive changes in your life, work, and studies! Waking up early, keeping organized plans, and eating healthy are three essential tips to help college students balance a hectic schedule and achieve success.

My summer internship for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had. Everyone around me was so professional and knowledgeable. It was easy to feel as if I didn’t belong. However, that is precisely why internships exist. As students with little to no professional experience, we do NOT belong. Internships thrust you into new experiences, initiating a period of rapid growth that helps prepare you for your future.

All internships are unique and explore different specialties at various companies, but there are some key learning concepts that are similar across the board: adaptability, critical thinking, and professionalism. To sharpen these soft skills, I have compiled the three most important things I learned this summer that helped me keep my head above water.

Ask Questions

You may walk in the doors on the first day of your internship and be greeted by seasoned professionals who have worked at a company for over twenty years. It is easy for them to forget that all of this is new to you. Questions help bridge gaps in education and communication, and they allow your boss to make sure you are completing a task correctly the FIRST time.

For instance, once my boss asked me to take down a shelf where the new copier machine was being relocated. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, not until you realize the whereabouts of the office’s toolbox is a mystery to you. After asking around, I was told the toolbox was in the “spider closet,” which both terrified me and made no sense. Through more questioning, I found the closet and realized that it required a code to enter. I had to ask for additional assistance to complete a task that should have been a quick and easy assignment.

Employees at an office take for granted the knowledge they have gained through years of work experience with a company. Although it may feel like the opposite is true, asking for help is not a nuisance. Your boss will be much more annoyed if a job is done incorrectly than if you have a few questions about it.

Bite off more than you can chew

You intern with companies for the sole purpose of learning, so don’t be afraid to ask for more responsibilities. Ask your boss and coworkers if they need help! At no other point in your life is assistance going to be so readily available, so ask for new projects and solicit help accordingly. Not only will this teach you how to become adaptable when thrown into novel circumstances, but it also demonstrates initiative that will not go unnoticed.

Manners Matter

Everyone wants to work with people they find pleasant. When you are kind to your coworkers, they are more likely to ask for your help on projects. “Thank you” should be the most common phrase that comes out of your mouth, next to “please” and “do you need any help with that, sir or ma’am?”

Now, go thank your momma for raising you right and preparing you for a professional career.

PRO TIP: Write a handwritten, personal thank you card to your boss or supervisor whenever you are done with your internship. It is so rewarding and means so much to them, especially in this day and age. After writing a thank you card to my boss, I was asked back for the next summer less than a week later.

During your next internship, are you going to sink or swim? Internships are a fun way to learn about your career potential, and with these 3 tips, you can stay afloat and will sail with breeze.

Being an international student means traveling thousands of miles away from your parents to  study with students who come from a culture that is completely different from yours. Being an international student comes with its struggles and challenges. It also means that just hearing your mother coughing on the phone or seeing your brother having a fever over Facetime can make you feel worried the whole day.

November 17th is International Students Day, a day that reminds international students of our motives when coming to America and encourages us to constantly try to meet our objectives. It also exists to remind Americans about the international students on their campus, remembering that each international student has a story to tell. We can teach American students to maintain an open mindset and learn to respect other countries’ culture and customs.

Even though coming from Vietnam to study in America is a huge sacrifice, I have grown greatly and gained skills I never thought I could gain if I were in Vietnam. I have had many unforgettable experiences that helped shape my personality. I want to take this day to share what lessons I have learned from studying abroad through my experiences.

Remember that you are not alone

That’s right! International students, even if you don’t know anyone on campus, visit your International Student Center. The office is a great resource to help you adapt to your life on campus and life in America. You will make international friends who will “survive” 4 years of college with you. And if you have any questions related to your visa, work authorization, or financial aid, this is the office to go to for answers. In my sophomore year, I signed up to be an International Ambassador in which I’m assigned 10 incoming international students. I help them get familiarized with campus, college classes, and get them more involved with activities around campus. I use this opportunity to make friends with more international students on campus and learn more about their culture.

Room with American students at least the first two semesters

This will help you adjust to the American culture and helps with improving your English skills. I started studying English as a compulsory subject in school since I was 6, but learning English in school and having conversations with Americans is a very different experience. Also, having a friend to tell about your hometown and your family is one of the best way to adjust to your journey in America.

Embrace your culture but don’t forget to learn to love American culture

Even though people talk about America around the world and seem to know about American culture, it’s not until actually coming to America that one can “know” about the culture. I learned how different people from northern and southern America are, not only in their accent, but their hobbies and personalities, too.

Learn to understand American jokes

This can take a long time and be extremely hard to do. Different cultures have different personalities. Sometimes I still don’t know how I should maintain a conversation with an American. How I should react when he/she makes a joke that I don’t understand?

Try to be more involved with activities on campus

This is an awesome way for you to learn new things and an opportunity for you to make friends with other students. Find something you love or are passionate about and get involved. Before you know it, you’ll be surrounded with people who are not only your friends but also your mentors. I’ve always had a passion for public speaking. Being involved in my school’s speech team gives me the opportunity to talk about issues I care about the most and to travel to different colleges across America for competitions. Through this, I’ve learned about the different issues America is facing and have listened to other students’ opinions about them. At the same time, I was perfecting my English skills.

Expect the unexpected

I want to end my blog with one experience that I will never forget. This incident happened only a few days after I arrived in America. My friend and I were trying to find our way to a local church one Sunday and we ended up walking on the highway for almost two hours. We even saw a dead deer on the side of the road (my very first time seeing a deer.) And although my cell phone did not have service, it still allowed me to make an emergency call to 911. Unfortunately without phone service the 911 operator was unable to locate us to send help. But a little while later, a couple stopped their car on the highway and took us to the church. That was an extremely unexpected thing and it made me realize how welcoming American people are!

International students – remember that you are strong, intelligent, unique and you came to America for a reason. Be encouraged and motivated by that reason. Share your culture as you learn about American culture. Try your best and make yourself stand out!

Every student must present in front of their peers and instructors at least once during their academic career. If you dread public speaking, you’re not alone! Follow these 5 public speaking tips to present like a pro!

Come prepared

It may seem obvious that you should come prepared for your presentation, but I think it’s important to go over what that really means. Almost all students remember to complete and edit their presentation until it is attractive and error-free, but if you really want to present like a pro, PRACTICE is key. Practice the spoken part of your presentation until your speech flows naturally. It may be helpful to practice in front of your friends or videotape yourself so that you can pinpoint and work on any parts that sound especially awkward.

Connect with your audience

Part of coming prepared involves knowing your audience! Remember that often, your audience is not as knowledgeable as you are in the topic. Make sure that at the beginning of your presentation, you define or explain any complex words or concepts that you will be referring to throughout the presentation. If the presentation includes a question period from the audience, make sure you are prepared to answer questions about your presentation! Know its content like the back of your hand, and it doesn’t hurt to read up on background information. This will help you to make even the most complicated presentations seem totally relatable to your audience!

Be yourself  

I know this sounds like such a cliché, but it’s important to be yourself during your presentation! Often, students can sound scripted or robotic while they are presenting. To avoid this, rather than reading from a word-by-word script while you present, try to only rely on an outline of main points that you want to hit in your speech. This way, you will sound natural and smooth while still discussing all the important information!

Overcome your nervousness

It’s difficult to give an effective presentation while you are nervous, so it’s important that you use strategies to calm your nerves before and during your presentation. There is no “one strategy” that works for everyone, so try to find what works best for you! Here are some ideas that work for me. Try a few during your next presentation and see what works for you.

1. Take a deep breath before presenting and I often visualize myself presenting in front of my peers and instructors.
2. Find a friendly face in the crowd, someone you trust, and if you get too overwhelmed or nervous during the speech,  look to that person and it helps to calm down.
3. Some people like to look slightly above the audience’s heads rather than staring directly at any one person, which is a great strategy as well!

Start and finish strong!  

Ideally, the strongest parts of your presentation should be the beginning and the ending. An effective introduction will grab your audience’s attention and get them excited to hear the rest of your presentation. In addition, a great ending will leave your audience with a great impression of your speech, leave them thinking, “Wow, what a great presentation!” Of course, ideally your whole presentation should be great, but make sure to put extra care into these two sections!

These five public speaking tips helped me excel, and hopefully they will help you on your next presentation as well! Speaking in front of an audience is nothing to fret about, just remember to be prepared, connect with the audience, relax, be yourself, and have a strong intro and closing.

What’s your #1 go to tip on presentation? Share with the Pearson Students community when you share my blog!

As a college student, staying healthy is easier said than done. Once the assignments, projects, and exams pile on, it’s hard to find the time to work on one of the most important things – YOU! I can personally say there have been days, even weeks, where I can’t even fathom the idea of working out or going out of my way to get a salad when there’s a pizza joint across the street.

Even when it’s hard, we need to stay on top of the things that keep us going. Eating right and being active keep our brain running and our bodies happy, allowing us to perform well in the classroom and in the workplace. Here are a few tips and tricks to stay on top of your health:

Make a meal plan for the week

Make a detailed list of the things you will eat throughout the week and when you will be able to make time for those meals. Plan grocery store trips early and get the foods you need to stay healthy and ahead!

Set exercise goals ahead of time

While planning out your food choices, also plan your exercise schedule. Whether it be jog two miles each day or do 20 push-ups twice a day, set goals to give yourself something to reach for!

Find friends to keep you honest

Planning the goals is one thing – accomplishing them is something else! Having a few friends to hold you to those goals can make a huge difference! Find a few close friends, express your goals, and tell them to help keep you focused on those goals! Also, sharing your progress on a forum or social media site can help you gain inspiration and motivation!

Movember: A movement to pay attention to

The month of November is well underway, and one of my favorite campaigns is back. The Movember Foundation focuses on men’s health, funding projects to improve men’s health and lower the amount of men dying too young. I encourage everyone to donate a bit of money to this good cause (I have donated) and support the Movember campaign!

What do you do to stay healthy? Share your ideas when you retweet my blog!

Once in awhile, on a chilly morning waiting for the bus to school, I would be greeted by a fluffy companion, my neighbor’s cat. My dad is allergic to cats, therefore we never had a “typical American pet”. I sometimes envied my friends’ playful dogs or cuddly cats. However, it’s not that I didn’t have a pet – I had one pet and it was Wilbur – a pig. A hypoallergenic potbellied pig. Having Wilbur was strange, and it was almost worse than having no pets at all! Wilbur wasn’t the type of pet that I could show off to my normal suburban peers. Wilbur was a pig in the suburbs. However, what I learned from him was far more meaningful.

A Not-So-Normal Pet

At first, I hated Wilbur. Partly because he was much larger than I was for most of my primary school days. I remember hanging out with my friends in the backyard, and Wilbur barreling up to me and knocking me over. Mostly though, I hated Wilbur because Wilbur was different. Wilbur stuck out like a flamethrower in a snowstorm. When I told my peers about Wilbur, their first reaction was usually disbelief. “You’re lying!” they would say with conviction. After I would show them pictures, they would usually follow the Kübler-Ross model of grief, as if a pig were as awful of an occurrence as the death of a loved one. Why couldn’t I have a normal pet like everyone else?

Finding my “normal”

I desperately chased trends to make up for what I viewed as my lack of “normal”. But then I began to realize that “normal” is a vague and unattainable construct. For instance, I was very noteworthy in middle and high school for wearing pajamas to class. Why not wear pajamas to class? Nobody could answer that question. Why not have a pig in the suburbs? My pajamas habit allowed me to get about an hour more of sleep than my peers, because I wasn’t waking up earlier in the morning to pick my outfit. This allowed me to accomplish slightly more things than my peers. I was elected as a board member of the National Youth Rights Association. I was also involved in countless clubs, including a club at a public access TV station where I learned how to operate cameras and later got an internship. Another favorite club was FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a robotics club where we built robots for competition.

I blamed Wilbur, for what in hindsight, is true of us all. We are all different. We all have a pig in the suburbs. Mine was just literal.

Why not be a pig in the suburbs?

It’s been years since Wilbur’s death (and no, we did not make him into bacon). I think the biggest thing that Wilbur gave me was my freedom to be true to my heart. I was so jealous of my peers that I didn’t realize what a wonderful pig I had until it was too late. It’s quite ironic that Wilbur was named for the pig in Charlotte’s Web, a pig trying so hard to not be eaten, only to realize the value in who they are inside. We have one life to live, so why not be a pig in the suburbs? Embrace your differences, and cherish every opportunity life gives you.

What’s your pig in the suburb? Share with the Pearson Students community when you retweet my 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!