Students blog

Getting involved in college is essential for a well-rounded and enriching experience. It allows students to make friends, explore new interests, and build valuable skills that will benefit them in their future careers. Here are some ways to get involved.

One of the key ways to get involved in college is to go out of your comfort zone! College is a time to meet new people, form connections, and build a support system that will last a lifetime. Forming new connections can be as simple as joining clubs and organizations, attending social events, or even just striking up a conversation with someone in class. Building a strong network of friends can provide emotional support, help with academic success, and create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Greek life is another popular way for students to get involved in college. Sororities and fraternities offer opportunities for leadership, community service, and social activities that can enhance the college experience. Joining a Greek organization can provide a sense of belonging that is valuable for many students. I have gained so many important skills from my chapter that I will carry with me post-graduation and have made so many lasting friendships and memories!

In addition to forming connections and participating in Greek life, getting involved in college can also include joining student organizations, volunteering in the community, or taking on leadership roles such as Student Government. These activities can help students build valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving. Involvement in extracurricular activities can also enhance a student's resume and make them more competitive in the job market post-graduation!

Another great way to get involved is intramural sports! Most universities have a list of intramural sports right on their website. Participating in intramural sports can greatly enhance your college experience by providing a sense of community and fun! It allows you to meet other students with similar interests. There are also so many great benefits, such as physical fitness, stress relief, teamwork, and social connections!

Overall, getting involved in college is a key component of a fulfilling and successful educational experience, and it is so important for students take advantage of the opportunities available to them to make the most of their time on campus.

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When I was entering my freshman year of college, I was extremely nervous and anxious, especially since this would be my first time being on my own. College is a thrilling time and all these possibilities were spinning through my head – what will my day to day be like? How will I make friends? What should I bring with me and what should I keep at home? I understand the magnitude of questions that can go through someone’s head when just entering college, so I want to offer a guide I wish I knew about for anyone going down this journey.

1. Get involved quickly:

Something I wish I did faster was to put myself out there. Join student organizations and extracurriculars. These spaces are great if you are trying to meet people and make friends, and it is also an amazing resume builder. Also, it is completely normal to feel intimidated when considering what activities to join, especially when you don’t know anyone there. But that’s the point – to make connections with others who have similar interests as you. Student organizations are generally very warm and welcoming to new students and showing your interest can be a great place to make meaningful connections!

2. It’s normal to be homesick:

Being away from home for the first time on your own, no matter the distance, can be tough and might be one of the biggest adjustments in the whole college process. Videocall your family as often as you can, and plan out visits to see them when your schedule permits and your workload is minimal. Staying connected is very important to keeping your support system throughout this experience.

3. Learning when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’:

Your friends will want to do things with you when you know you have a lot of work to get done or have a hectic day. Start by assessing what your priorities and goals are, and then figure out how this might impact you in your personal and academic life. This is the time you are young and figuring yourself out, so find what works best for you and which opportunities you don’t want to miss out on.

4. Get organized:

Academic, personal, and professional life can become chaotic if you don’t set a general to-do list for yourself. Try setting aside certain calendar apps or writing down in a physical planner the tasks and events in all areas of your life. Stay on top of updating that system as often as you can and take one thing at a time. (I personally use Notion and Google Calendar to organize.)

5. Take care of yourself!

Sleep, eat, stay hydrated, and get in some physical activity. Taking care of both your physical and mental health in college is essential if you want to succeed. Practicing selfcare will not only make you feel awesome and less stressed, but also is a great way to connect with yourself. Take time to listen and follow what your body wants.

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!

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! 

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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The construction industry is something that generations of my family have been involved in. From both sets of grandparents to my own parents, construction work is in my blood. A degree in Architecture is something many people know about and is considered a popular major here in Texas, but a degree in construction management is a lot less popular and acclaimed.

The first thing that needs to be known about the construction management industry is that there are currently less people entering the field than retiring from it. This is extremely important to point out because most construction companies are now requiring a Construction Management degree to fulfill this position. Because this is just now becoming a more popular degree, not many established workers in the industry will be able to take on this position. Here at Texas A&M, graduates with a construction science degree can plan on receiving on average 8 job offers the moment you walk across the graduating stage. This is because the demand for this position is so incredibly high in volume.

Although this degree can sound like an easy time, you are expected to put in the work. Taking classes like estimating, where you are expected to understand the entire construction processes of creating a building to price every screw, can be extremely difficult. You are required to fully grasp and comprehend blueprint drawing’s involving electrical, landscaping, architecture, and even plumbing. This degree requires you to be well rounded and understand the construction industry more than you would expect.

If you are thinking of majoring in structural engineering, business, or architecture, right now is a great time to look at construction management. You get an understanding of all these different sectors of study, as well as become specially trained with knowledge construction companies are desperate to find. 

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Participating in formal recruitment at a major Greek Life school is an experience that is incomparable to anything else. In the past I had heard many of my friends talk about it, but it is truly like nothing you can imagine. There was so much going on, and I had no clue what had happened until it was all over. Here is an inside look at how recruitment works and what to expect before you embark on this amazing journey.

Anticipation

Before coming to school in the fall, I was anticipating what rush would look like. My future roommate and I had talked about it over the summer, but it became real when we submitted our credit card information to pay. I hadn’t prepared for this experience and when I got to Florida State, I realized I had no outfits, no energy, and no clear idea of what was to come.

Each chapter put in so much time and energy during the preparation week for the sororities the week prior to rush, and it did not go unnoticed. There was also plenty of terminology to learn and remember, such as those going through recruitment being referred to as PNMs (potential new members), ladies in the chapter referred to as chapter women, and the sorority house called the chapter facility.

The Week of Rush

The week kicked off with an all-day orientation session to familiarize the PNMs with the recruitment process. The Panhellenic Association provided the shirt to wear, and most girls paired it with trendy pants or a cute skirt. The next two days served as round one and featured short visits to each of the 17 chapters at FSU. The PNMs went from house to house and spoke to the women of each chapter. Those felt like the longest days of the entire experience!

PNMs would narrow down their choices after each round. In round two, PNMs could visit a maximum of 12 houses. And in round three, they could visit a maximum of seven houses. By round four the PNMs had made the hardest choices and narrowed their final seven houses down to two. That day came with the highest emotions and intense decision-making.

At the end of round four, PNMs could either put down their two choices in order, or they could single preference selection and choose one house. This selection then determined which house the PNM received a bid for on the final day, called Bid Day. That morning, all the PNMs gathered together, opened their bids, and then ran to join their new sorority, spending the day celebrating their new sisterhood and forever home.

The Conclusion of the Experience

Through this experience, I met the most wonderful ladies in every house, every line, and in my sorority now, and I could talk about every one of the amazing people for hours and hours.

My favorite part of rush was waking up every morning and seeing almost two thousand girls gathered and helping each other with makeup and accessories. All the dressing up, all different girls going through the same process, the whole experience made me think of the recent Barbie movie. This truly is a girl’s world.

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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!

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! 

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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Jobs and internships that require skilled writing will almost always request a writing sample with your application. Luckily, college is filled with writing, and I’m willing to bet you already have a rough draft ready to refine for your sample. With some fine-tuning, essays, memos, and creative pieces can become excellent examples of your work. Revise papers with the appropriate tone and style for the company or industry and showcase the skills you highlight in your resume for a compelling writing sample.

Setting standards for your writing sample

A good place to start when refining your paper is to decide what you like about it. Do you like the topic? The format? The impact of the prose? Depending on what you like about the paper, refine it to strengthen its other attributes. Ensure your paper meets your writing standards for writing quality, tone, style, and formatting.

Select an excerpt or revise and set your focus

Ultimately, you’ll want to trim your piece down and create two versions: a one-pager and something under five pages. Consider whether your writing sample should include your entire essay or just an excerpt (or both to account for both versions). When revising an excerpt or full piece, focus on the job and your brand. Make sure the tone is appropriate for the job you’re applying to. Recruiters in every industry want to see your ability to synthesize information into something that is clear and concise. Then, consider your primary skills and your personal brand. Does your writing sample represent you, your resume, and your talents?

Polish your writing sample and add an intro

Every job will be different and will likely specify their word count or page length preferences for writing samples. As mentioned in the section above, having a one-pager and something longer (3 pages is a sweet spot) should help you cover your bases. Add an introduction to all your writing samples that briefly explains where the piece comes from and why you selected it as your sample. Here’s an example:

This paper has been revised from a March 2024 submission for an American Politics assignment that analyzed shifts in dominant political parties in the United States. I chose this as one of my writing samples because it demonstrates my ability to synthesize original research into a concise summary and accessible visuals.

Note: While you want your writing sample to be polished and professional, you still want it to be representative of the quality of work your future employer can expect on a regular basis. Make it pretty but keep it real.

Prioritize your objectives for your writing sample

1. Show you can do the job — What does the job require? Memos, articles, visuals?
2. Support your resume — What skills are you highlighting? Research? Communication?
3. Make it memorable — What do you want the recruiter to remember about you?
4. Make it relevant — Bonus points for pieces relevant to the industry or job.

Polish your writing sample to submit to jobs and be on the lookout for future opportunities to add to your portfolio. When you have that magical moment at the end of a project where you review it and think, “not bad, Me,” set it aside to refine into your next professional writing sample. Revise it to show: (1) you can accomplish the job you’re applying to, (2) you can do what you claim in your resume, (3) you’re a culture fit, and (4) you have an interest in the work.

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! 

Many students, myself included, have struggled to figure which major to choose in college. Having the opportunity to add concentrations, minors, and certificates to your degree allows you to pick a major while adding other interests. Pursuing multiple majors, minors, or certificates is a strategic approach that not only enhances one's personal development but also their professional marketability. Having a multifaceted education offers a comprehensive and complex skill set as well as adaptability, which are highly sought after attributes.

Customize Your Degree

Multiple academic qualifications facilitate the development of a diversified skill set. In today’s job market, employers are looking for individuals who have a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge, not just an expert in a singular field. For example, a student majoring in Marketing might choose to concentrate in Marketing Research and Analytics and add a minor in Sales. That combination of studies allows the individual to have a unique blend of skills, making them versatile and capable of contributing various things to a project or company.

Combines Disciplines

Pursuing multiple disciplines encourages a holistic understanding of complex issues. This is particularly beneficial in careers that integrate different perspectives, leading to innovative solutions and breakthroughs. For example, combining Environmental Science with Political Science and a certificate in Sustainability equips graduates with scientific knowledge, policy understanding, and sustainable knowledge needed to take on environmental challenges. This not only enhances problem-solving skills but also prepares individuals to address issues with a well-rounded perspective.

Proves Work Ethic

The pursuit of multiple majors, minors, and certificates is a testament to an individual’s commitment, work ethic, and intellectual curiosity. The individual’s willingness to go beyond the bare minimum expresses an eagerness to engage further in the learning process. These are specific qualities that employers are looking for because they suggest a motivated and dedicated approach to one's professional development. The connections between multiple departments also offers significant advantages. They offer diverse perspectives, mentorship opportunities, and access to a broader array of career paths and networking opportunities.

The enrichment of one’s academic and professional development can be enhanced with the completion of multiple majors, minors, or certificates. It equips students with a broad skill set and adaptability needed to excel in today’s workforce. This lays a foundation for lifelong learning and career development.

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!