Students blog

As a college student, it is fairly easy to become consumed with your everyday routine of going to class, studying, and engaging with your fellow peers. There is also a possibility that you're looking forward to creating a routine, so you can stay organized and focused. It is fairly easy to become consumed with what is happening in the future rather than what is happening right now. You may be focused on securing an internship for this upcoming summer instead of worrying about your history exam in your next class. Living in the “now” is better than rushing your future. I will share with you a few key tips for taking control of your time.

Plan and Keep a Schedule

Take Sundays as a day to relax, unwind, and reset. During the week it is easy to get consumed with the overload of assignments, internship tasks, and club meetings. To organize my days efficiently, I use a whiteboard calendar in my dorm and an on-the-go planner. On Sundays, I go over my digital calendar on my phone to be able to upload the important meetings and tasks I have following the new week. Doing this gives me a clear view of what free time I possibly have in the coming week or if I’m completely packed that week.

Maintain Boundaries

Another thing to consider is the ability to decline engagement. If you feel that you can’t accommodate someone at your best self in that moment, you can say, “I don’t have the capacity to fulfill this at this moment but let me point you in the direction of someone who can assist you”. Instead of saying “no” you politely declined their offer all while prioritizing yourself.

Practice Meditation

If you are ever feeling overwhelmed, try to think of the things that center your mind. Ask yourself, “I’m happiest when I’m doing (ex. yoga)”, then simply take a break from your stress and go do yoga. Grounding techniques and deep breathing exercises are helpful too. It’s as simple as it sounds.

Clean Environment, Clean Mind

Try reorganizing something to maybe spark something else in your brain if your mind is feeling clustered or blinded. More clutter makes us feel stressed. You could also try washing and folding your clothes on Sunday, so you won’t have to scramble around for clothes to wear to class on Wednesday.

Some of these activities may seem hard to begin. Like many things, once you get going in a routine, things will eventually come to you. College is a time to learn, find oneself, and launch into adulthood. It is valid to be concerned about the next internship and tomorrow’s test at the same time. But Sundays are often free days at the end of our week that help us to prepare well for the following week so that we can be our best selves.

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Whether summer break signifies the completion of your first year of college, your halfway mark, or your final stretch to the finish line, it is a time when life slows down, and you can realize how quickly your college years are truly flying by. Before you know it, you will walk the stage, gain the title of alumni and all these stories will become college memories. This means it is important to possess a safe space for all these memories to be stored, whether it is a scrapbook, keepsake box, photo album, or some form of art, your college memories will last through these forms of memorabilia.

Given the inevitable graduation, it's crucial to create a special place to hold onto these precious memories. Whether you choose to make a scrapbook filled with pictures and memories, gather significant mementos in a keepsake box, arrange a photo album showcasing the friendships you've formed and the challenges you've overcome, or use your artistic talents to create something unique that reflects your college experience, these tangible items will safeguard your most cherished moments. They'll remind you of the late nights spent studying, the spontaneous adventures, the deep friendships, and the personal growth that comes from perseverance.

I hold my memories in poetry. Each piece I write reminds me of the events occurring in my life at that moment. Taking it a step deeper, I can remember each feeling and who was around. This form of memorabilia allows me to see my personal growth through the development of my skills in poetry and spoken word. I plan to culminate all of my pieces throughout college very soon, and this will allow all my memories to be in one location.

As time moves forward, these tangible reminders will serve as steadfast connections to the past, offering comfort when you're feeling nostalgic and clarity during uncertain times. They'll stand as proof of your strength, your passions, and your unwavering determination through the ups and downs of college life.

So, as you rest and relax this summer beyond the familiar walls of college, remember to treasure and protect these tangible keepsakes of your college journey. They're not just reminders of the past; they're enduring legacies that will continue to motivate and guide you as you navigate the ever-changing path of life after graduation.

I hope that some of these tips were helpful, and I hope your college experience is everything you want it to be. Best of luck to you!

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Music is therapy for many people, and I am no different. According to a 2021 Harris Poll, “76% of Gen Z and Young Millennials listen to music” as a pastime. [1] And for the longest time I was a part of that other 24% who just didn’t listen to much music. Yeah, I’d hear the radio every now and then and the latest top 100s, but I never really was connected to any artist. That was until I found myself watching a Mariah Carey music video for her song titled “Emotions”. I clicked on it and was instantly amazed by her super wide range showcasing those 5 octaves. Little did I know the pipeline I was about to go down into her entire discography, and how much her music would impact me.

As I listened to her music more and more, I found myself relating to some of her lyrics in these beautiful songs. Around this time, I was struggling with a few personal things like self-acceptance of my sexuality and confidence, but Mariah ended up being that unspoken voice for me.

Here are some songs from Mariah Carey that help outline my journey and inspire me. Hopefully they will inspire you if you’re feeling out of place or stuck no matter the situation you are in:

1. “Outside”

Growing up I felt like any other kid, but deep down I knew that I didn’t quite fit in all the time, and this just became more apparent as I got older. I remember distinctly listening to this song “Outside” where she talks about feeling out of place in a divided world. I felt comforted by her voice and the message she was saying, and along with many of her other songs, they left a big positive impact on me. This song helped me address the way I was feeling to myself first and I was really connected to it.

2. “Shake It Off”

Along the way, it’s easy to have bumps in your way or negative comments thrown around. In school, other kids can be mean or not think before saying things. I remember rumors would go around and suddenly my sexuality was the latest gossip for some reason and needed to be confirmed or denied. This can put people into an uncomfortable situation, speaking from experience. I tried to maintain that “Shake It Off” mindset and not let other people’s words get to me. However, it is important that if you or someone you know is getting bullied to get help immediately and report the bullying.

3. “Anytime You Need a Friend”

It’s important to also remember that you’re never alone. I quickly realized this when I finally worked up the courage to come out to one of my best friends. I received lots of love and support and over time was able to confide in more and more people about it, and it got a little bit easier every time! It’s also important to realize that there are many other people out there going through similar situations. Seeing people online being so proud and open about their journey impacted me and made me feel less alone. Like Mariah said, “Just remember you’re not alone, and love will be there, to guide you home.”

4. “Hero”

For everyone, we all have a different “Hero”. For me on this journey, it would have to be my friends and family, for the biggest love and support, but also Mariah, for giving me an outlet to express myself and gather the strength to be true. This song “Hero” perfectly captures the long journey it’s been and is an anthem for love, hope, and courage.

Always remember, “that a hero lies in you.”

[1] Prunsky, A. (2021, October 28). The Next Generation and Music Discovery: Implications for Brands. The Harris Poll. https://theharrispoll.com/briefs/music-and-branding/

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I think golf as a sport can be described in many words, but for the people who have played it one word comes to mind, “frustrating.” Seldomly is a golf shot perfect. You may only come out of a four-hour round of golf with one shot you deem perfect. And that’s what’s so frustrating about it.

Golf is a game of ups and downs, and consistency is a major part of scoring well. For anyone unfamiliar with golf, the point of the game is to try to get a tiny white ball in a hole hundreds of yards away. Players have to achieve this goal in the designated amount of hits. In golf terms, this is known as “par” which is equivalent to three, four, or five hits per hole depending on the distance. You have to stay perfectly consistent if you want to put up a good score. Even the best players in the world can't achieve this level of perfection. What makes great players is their ability to mitigate mistakes. They mess up just like average golfers but it's how they respond to bad shots that makes them truly amazing.

The hard part about golf is the repetition of disappointment as you aim to get as close to the perfect score as possible but never succeed. That's why I believe people keep coming back to this game to always try to improve. This is the same way I see life. We as humans will never be perfect and self-improvement is hard work, but there is joy in making yourself better every day.

Golf at its purest is not only a physical game but also a mental game. In golf, one bad shot can easily lead you to a downward spiral and throw you off your game. You have to focus on one shot at a time. As a college student I struggle with falling short in many aspects of my life. Many assignments or tests I come away from saying to myself “I could do better.” College is difficult and if you internalize your failures, you will never be able to make it. You have to learn from your mistakes and improve in order to successfully get through college.

Like golf, life will have a lot of disappointing moments but it's how you respond to those bad shots that reveal who you are. I could wallow in my failures, or I could pick myself and try harder for the next test or assignment. Do you give up or keep taking swings? And that’s why I think golf is such a good metaphor for life.

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Health and wellness are imperative for every human being, but as a college student, we are in a season of our life that requires immense focus which can be physically and mentally taxing. At the start of the year, I set an intention to prioritize balance, and part of honoring this intention was ensuring that my body was balanced. To do this, I made time for activities such as yoga, working out, eating healthy, and juicing and boy, has it changed my energy levels and overall outlook. Here’s how my health and wellness journey has impacted my day-to-day life. Implementing some of these habits could elevate your reality, too.

Developing A Consistent Rising Routine

During the first 20 minutes after you wake up in the rising, your brain is moving from lower frequency alpha brain waves into higher frequency beta brain waves. It is important to be intentional with what you choose to do within these 20 minutes because it can greatly affect your mood and energy for the remainder of the day. I start my days by doing a hygiene routine that consists of washing my face, brushing my teeth, and doing my hair. After this I do a 10-to-15-minute meditation to gain some internal clarity, give gratitude, and set intentions for the day. This step is really important to me because it keeps me aligned and grounded for a long day of school and work.

Implementing Fitness in Different Styles

Movement is medicine. Prioritizing movement can positively affect the way your brain processes information. Exercising has been shown to “promote all kinds of changes in the brain including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being.” (Helpguide.org) One of my favorite ways to add exercise into my schedule is by doing yoga. Yoga allows me to develop a deeper connection between my mind and body by doing breathe-to-movement flows. This drastically increases my focus throughout the day and helps my body feel good.

Healthy Eating Habits

It can be very difficult to try and eat healthy in college depending on dining options and proximity to grocery stores with fresh foods. My university is in a rural area, and I live in an off-campus apartment meaning I don’t have a meal plan so it’s always my job to ensure that I have food for the week. I really love shopping at stores like Trader Joe’s or Aldi because they have healthy food options at good prices. I meal prep on weekends so that I do not have to take time to cook in the middle of the week when my schedule is packed. I also try and make fresh juices such as pineapple, orange, and ginger juice because it helps keep my body clean and boost energy levels. I believe that you are what you eat, and putting good in allows you to get good out making it very important to be intentional about what you put in your body.

No matter what you’re facing right now in college, there is always room for improvement. Implementing just one of these habits consistently will help you so much in the long run. There are so many ways to get these things right, just go and try it! Don’t hold back or worry about getting it all correct. As I have shared, practicing these healthy habits improves my day-to-day life immensely which is what brought me to share it with you.

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Taking a leap of faith may sound terrifying to some, but for me, it was the solution to conquering my fear of taking risks. Jumping out of a plane was the most exhilarating experience of my life. Skydiving had always been a life goal of mine, but I never had the courage to go through with it. However, when the opportunity to go skydiving arose, I knew it would be now or never. Putting it off for so long, I finally decided to book my ticket.

Entering the skydiving office, I was a nervous wreck, as I navigated through several waivers and safety videos. The agonizing wait followed, along with the second thoughts. I kept thinking, “it’s not too late to turn around.” However, I knew I needed to follow through with this. After hours of waiting, the moment of intense anticipation was here as we counted down and jumped.

Plummeting to the ground at 120 mph, every thought I had before exited my brain. The only thought I had through my mind was how beautiful the Earth looked from 14,000 feet in the air. The fear others have towards skydiving seemed insignificant compared to what I had just experienced. This experience was more than checking off a bucket list item, it gave me confidence. Doing something that most people are afraid to do made me feel like I have missed out on so many other life opportunities due to fear. I know now I can do anything if I can jump out of a plane.

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College is an exciting time for many young adults. For most, it’s their first time away from home and they have an opportunity to explore the world on their own. However, with this newfound freedom can come some negatives as well. One of those negatives might be the loss of productivity. But making just a couple of changes could help students maximize their daily productivity.

As I mentioned before, college is a time where most people finally venture out on their own. They are away from their parents and gain this whole new feeling of freedom. However, this feeling of freedom can sometimes lead to students becoming unproductive. This freedom allows them to make decisions on their own such as skipping class, sleeping in, saving their homework until the very last minute, or maybe even scrolling on TikTok for hours on end. These choices can lead to very unproductive days, and those days can turn into weeks or even months.

There are quite a few ways you can maximize your productivity in college, the following two examples have worked for me. The first is waking up early. Waking up early allows you to get up and get going without feeling like you’ve already wasted half the day in bed. Something that has helped me wake up early has been taking eight a.m. classes to force myself out of bed in the morning. The second action I take to feel productive is to build in a daily time go to the gym. Going to the gym or exercising in some other way gets you moving and for me, makes me feel motivated to tackle the rest of my day.

Now I’m not saying that sleeping past eight in the morning, skipping class occasionally, or even taking a personal day now and then makes you unproductive. What I am saying is that it may be a contributing factor to you feeling unproductive. If you often feel as if you are unproductive or maybe unmotivated to conquer the day, start by making a couple of small changes and build from there.

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College can feel overwhelming. Registering for classes, getting books, finding a classroom, and just finding your way around campus. In my scenario, it gets overwhelming because I need to work with my kids’ schedule as well as my class schedule. Here’s how I balance college life with two kids!

Online Learning

For my lifestyle, I rely heavily on online classes, which give me the flexibility to plan accordingly around my two kids. Having a schedule is essential to stay on task and meet deadlines, which helps me meet family responsibilities as well as college tasks and time management.

Organize with Planners

Organization is the key to success. Having a planner, calendar, or a digital planner helps me stay on top of assignments, exams, and family commitments. I have a planner at my desk, so I can see everything coming up for the work week. I also use a digital calendar on my phone where I can see everything at a glance - my kid’s appointments, school events, doctor’s appointments as well as my class assignments. Staying organized helps me stay positive and not get overwhelmed by all the different events happening.

Establish Support

Balancing college with two kids can be challenging, but it's possible with efficient time management and support. My husband is my support system. He takes over when I have a work meeting or watches one of our kids when the other one has an appointment. My professors can also be a part of my support network. The most important factor here is communicating, whether it’s with your professors or significant other, about your situation. Most of my past professors have been understanding and offered flexibility or accommodations when an emergency came up.

Practice Self-Care

Finally, don't forget to take care of yourself. Find time for self-care activities to maintain your overall well-being. For me, I find time to go to the gym at least four times a week and weight train. It helps me feel stronger and it helps me mentally, to focus on myself.

Whether it’s enrolling in online classes, utilizing planners, leaning on your support network, or taking time for yourself, it is possible to balance pursuing your college education with parenthood. Find what works best for your situation and reach for your goal!

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The college experience is often described as living life to the fullest but it does have its ups and downs. No matter what your major is, you will face some obstacles and find yourself less motivated and productive at times. In order to raise spirits, some students indulge in their favorite hobbies, and others may sleep, but for those who are not sure what to do to stay productive, here are four possible solutions!

Plan ahead

As cliche as it sounds, planning is a strong foundation for remaining productive and motivated. Often, before I go to sleep or right after I wake up, I take a few minutes to plan out the things I wish to accomplish for the day ahead. As you follow your self-made agenda, you will notice how satisfying it is to complete each task. At the end of the day when you realize all the things you have completed you will feel more accomplished and ready for the next day! Remember, it is important to plan some time for yourself as well.

Consider your future

One of the biggest reasons we attend college is to mold our future for the better. Constantly remind yourself of your ambitions and of what awaits at the finish line. For some individuals, it may be a certain career, while for others it may be a certain lifestyle. Just continue to remind yourself why you want your future to look like this! If you are finding it hard to imagine what the finish line looks like for you, ask yourself some of these questions:

1. When pondering on a future home, what does it look like? Any unique rooms that you do not have in your family's house now?

2. What does your work situation look like? Are you remote?

3. Do you want to have the ability to give back?

4. Will you develop new hobbies or continue your current hobbies?

5. Do you wish to travel or try new things?

After you consider these few questions, I want you to ask yourself how you will attain them. Constantly reminding yourself of this vision will serve as a liaison between your current status to your future one. Remind yourself of the steps you need to take to reach your destination!

Get adequate sleep

Sleeping is one of the biggest factors for being motivated and productive. Failing to get adequate sleep can increase laziness which can indubitably lead to you skipping class or assignments. A lack of sleep can impair your brain's ability to think and process information, which are key factors for your time in school. With adequate sleep, you will undoubtedly feel more refreshed and energized to get your day started leading to more productivity!

Surround yourself with a strong community

One of my biggest factors for staying motivated and productive is my circle of friends. It is very important to keep like-minded individuals around you. If your friends are driven and goal-oriented, you will find that their accomplishments motivate you. It is important to try and make sure that you push your friends to do their best and vice versa. Overall, do not spend time around people who only influence you in recreational ways because there are times when work comes first!

Most importantly, staying motivated and productive starts with you. You must try your best to facilitate yourself. The world is yours for the taking, just make sure to have a strong will to do so!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!