Students blog

Meeting new people in your field or interviewing for a new job can be stressful for everyone, especially introverts like myself. Gaining comfort with introducing yourself to a large group of people such as a club, prepares you for an interview where you are usually only meeting a couple of recruiters. Lucky for us college students now, technology provides us with excellent ways to present ourselves professionally and network with peers or recruiters virtually. First impressions are crucial to the networking and interviewing process, but with a few helpful tips, you will thrive whether you are originally an introvert or extrovert.

Social Media Branding

Nowadays online platforms such as LinkedIn are often the beginning of first impressions for professional relationships. Personal branding is crucial to create a consistent and qualifying image that will impress potential employers. LinkedIn is widely used by hiring managers to vet candidates’ experience, which is why it is very important to expand past your resume. Utilizing functions on LinkedIn, such as honors/awards or volunteer work can allow you to demonstrate your character beyond your resume and provide further insight to employers.

The most important aspect of building your LinkedIn account is the About Me section, in which you can summarize your current activities, interests, and goals relevant to your career path. Aside from professional media platforms, it is also important to maintain a consistent image across other social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.

Networking

As a college student, the first place to begin in-person networking is in your classes. From there you can meet people in different clubs or organizations. Joining a club is a great way to build your network, participate in something you are passionate about, and add to your resume. Many colleges have networking events for different departments that allow students to meet and converse with professionals in that field. One tip for success at formal networking events is to have a QR code on a mobile device that links to your LinkedIn profile, so you can continue the conversation and leverage that connection. Open-mindedness is key when meeting with new people, any connection, regardless of how small, could have a positive impact on a future job opportunity.

Interviewing

After social media branding and networking, interviewing is the next step in proving yourself as the perfect candidate for a position. The resume you submit for each job application should be tailored to the said job description. For example, if the job requires organization, time management, and teamwork skills, those should be the skills you highlight on your resume. The most common interview question is “tell me about yourself”, so having a pitch prepared that blends your past experience, present ventures, and future goals is a great tip for a successful interview.

In addition to framing your resume around the job description and preparing an introduction pitch, you should also have specific examples from your past experience that relate to the assignments of the job you are applying for. The final interview tip is to always have questions prepared regarding the role you are applying for. A couple of questions to ask include: What does a typical day entail in this role? How would you describe the company culture? How do you measure success for this role?

Maintaining a consistent social media image, employing network connections, and preparing an informative introduction will promote confidence and preparedness contributing to an excellent first impression during an interview.

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What were you doing before reading this blog? Scrolling through Instagram? Watching TikTok? Putting off your homework? All of the above? “According to the American Psychological Association (APA), anywhere from ‘80 percent to 95 percent of college students procrastinate, particularly when it comes to doing their coursework’” (National University, 2021, p. 1). Based on this percentage, nearly all college students procrastinate in some way. I am personally guilty of procrastinating and waiting until the last minute to get my assignments turned in. However, there are many different ways to overcome procrastination which will allow you to get the most out of each and every day.

For starters, the biggest distraction is that smart phone you are either using to read this blog or have sitting right next to you. Put the phone somewhere you can no longer see it and you will immediately see an increase in your productivity. In addition, before moving your phone, set a timer for 25 minutes so that way you have a time limit for your work. Once the timer goes off, set another one for a quick five-minute break. You can now repeat this exercise for however long you plan to do your work.

If you think I’m crazy, this technique is actually known as the Pomodoro Technique which was developed by entrepreneur Francesco Cirillo when he was a college student. In essence, “the Pomodoro Technique essentially trains people to focus on tasks better by limiting the length of time they attempt to maintain that focus and ensuring restorative breaks from the effort. The method also helps them overcome their tendencies to procrastinate or multitask, both of which are known to impair productivity” (Sheldon and Wigmore, 2022, p. 1). If you want to get rid of your procrastination habits, the Pomodoro Technique is a great place to start.

Furthermore, there are other simple methods for you to prevent procrastination. Rather than numbing your brain with TikTok’s or social media, go outside, take a walk, get some exercise. Everything I just mentioned is widely known to improve your mood and limit your distractions. These activities will also make your mind more refreshed and ready to work. Make sure you take time every day to just take a breath and relax so that way you can see an immediate increase in your productivity.

If you struggle with procrastination, you are not alone. I have heard this phrase a lot during my college career, and it really does hold true: “The problem college students face is not a lack of time, rather it is having too much time on their hands.” Instead of wasting valuable time, make a daily schedule for yourself that includes everything you want and need to accomplish based on the time you have. Put your phone away, start doing the Pomodoro Technique and set aside time for relaxation and things that will boost your overall well-being.

So now what? Are you going to sit on your phone some more or are you going to get the most out of your day so you can have more time for fun? To procrastinate or not to procrastinate, that is the question.

Works Cited

National University. (2021, July 6). Helping Students Overcome Procrastination. National University. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.nu.edu/blog/helping-students-overcome-procrastination/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20American%20Psychological,of%20every%20five%20students%20in

Sheldon, R., & Wigmore, I. (2022, September 15). What is Pomodoro Technique Time Management? WhatIs.com. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/pomodoro-technique#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20Pomodoro%20Technique,broken%20by%20five%2Dminute%20breaks

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Have you ever wondered what it's like to be part of the student government in your prospective school? Have you ever felt discouraged, as if you’re not good enough to join such an “elite” club? Is it too stressful to think about the amount of work you have to do if you do end up getting accepted? Here are 3 tips on how to get involved and how to stay focused once you’re in.

Apply Apply Apply

Don’t focus on the negatives or the what ifs, the first step to your success is to apply. If you’re truly passionate about the position, even if you don't get accepted the first time, try again! I applied early into the school year, and I even made it to the interview stage, but I ended up not getting accepted the first time. Although I was slightly sad, I wasn't discouraged, and at the start of the fall semester, I applied once more and got in! Not getting accepted is not failure, it's a small set-back, and although it might hurt at first, it's always good to keep pushing.

I'm In? Now What Do I Do?

The first step after getting accepted is always to talk to one of the managers who run the student government. More often than not, the other student council members don't know much about the paperwork, so always stick to speaking to the higher-ups. They will guide you through the steps needed so you can officialize your position. Once all the paperwork is done, the real work begins…

How To Manage School Work and Student Government Work.

Depending on your college or university, the student government might have different schedules or workload. Consult with your SGA president or another member with a lot of experience. Always contact another student for this, not a manager. While SGA work is important, it's important to remember that it comes second to schoolwork. Exams, homework, quizzes, projects, whatever it may be, they all come first. Always prioritize your schoolwork but work to figure out where you have extra time in your schedule to focus on SGA work as well.

You Got This!

After a while, you’ll start to notice that everything intertwines, and mixing SGA and schoolwork isn’t so difficult anymore; you now have a set schedule that you follow. Your multi-tasking and time management skills have increased. Being involved in student government is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor for any college student. Now, what’s taking so long for you to start the application?

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As I’m nearing the end of my undergraduate career, I’ve realized there are so many things I want to do, and it seems like they all require money. It’s incredibly hard to save money when you’re a student working minimum wage, especially when you’re experiencing “adult money” for the first time.

When I got my first job, I spent my first paycheck almost immediately. This was money I earned for myself and wouldn’t feel bad for my parents when I used it. This mindset made it so my paychecks were wrung dry hundreds of times faster than the amount of time I spent to earn that money. The money wouldn’t last, and I’d use it on large handfuls of small daily purchases like coffee or boba. My poor money spending decisions left my pockets empty and I began to realize I would never reach my larger goals, such as going on an international trip or affording my own place, unless I figured out a way to start saving.

Time is Money

What I began to do to save money included changing my mindset, purchases, and “piggy bank”. Let’s say I make $15 an hour and a single drink at a cafe costs around $5, sometimes much more. I realized that buying only three drinks would translate to me working for one hour. Once I started looking at purchases in terms of my time and effort, I made less of the unnecessary “luxury” purchases.

Buy in Bulk

Another thing I would do is buy “in bulk”. Rather than buying one drink, I’d buy the ingredients for it and make it myself. The $20 spent on 4 cups of coffee could be stretched further on groceries that would equate to a month’s worth of coffees.

Cut the Card and Correct with Cash

I also noticed that my primary mode of payment was my bank card, which made it too easy to overspend. I’ve rarely carried cash since the start of the pandemic, so I began to go to my bank and take cash out of my accounts. I’d then take the cash and place it in a small notebook that I keep out of sight. It helps to get newer dollar bills that are fresh and clean. It makes me want to keep them! By doing this I prevent myself from spending the money that is locked away in my room, and I occasionally even forget about it which makes for a nice surprise later. This action helped me curb my online spending, too.

These are small changes in my lifestyle that have resulted in a satisfying savings amount, and I look forward to seeing how much I can save up by the end of the year.

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April 15th is World Art Day! Whether it be paintings, music, dance, or something other, we can agree that art is all around us in our day-to-day lives. We may be surrounded by it, but many overlook ways that they can use art to better their own lives!

Discover Something New

A wonderful thing about art in all forms is that it is constantly changing and evolving, meaning that there is always something new and interesting to see. Look for art within your own community! Whether it be a school art show, a concert in a coffee shop, a local dance recital, or a small sticker store run by a classmate, there is so much art to be discovered.

Use Art to Bond with Others

It’s always fun to hang out with friends but incorporating a creative activity can add to the fun. Bring some cheap canvas and paint sets for a new and easy way for friends to bond. There’s no need to be the next Picasso or Bob Ross. Simply having fun and creating something new is good enough! This idea of creating something with a friend can extend even further to things like cupcake or cookie decorating, jewelry making, or even making up a song with random lyrics!

Better Your Community with Art

Whether it be a new artist or one that’s been around forever, supporting art in your community can strengthen community bonds and even benefit your community financially! Shopping small and supporting local artists helps not only their financial freedom, but also their artistic freedom. Going to see a local community theatre’s production can help them put on future shows. Hey, maybe checking out that local startup band can land you the right to say that you knew them before they were famous!

Art Can Better What’s Most Important: YOU!

We all know it’s sometimes easy to overlook how important it is to take care of yourself. Luckily, there are forms of art that can benefit you, as well! Dancing is an incredible form of exercise, keeping your brain and body healthy and happy. It doesn’t need to be professional dancing in the slightest. Something as simple as dancing to yourself in the mirror in the morning with your favorite song playing can release those feel-good endorphins! Yoga and meditation are accessible ways to calm yourself down through art and can even benefit your sleep health!

Art surrounds us, and it isn't going away anytime soon. So, embrace it and use art to better your life and the lives of those around 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! 

Pizza, the only word that will never offend, hurt, or discriminate against someone. When you ask a child what their favorite food is, a majority will answer ‘pizza’! It is the world’s most popular food, and for good reason. There are so many different types of pizza and different ways of eating it. You can dine in with a fork and knife, you can fold like a hotdog, eat the crust first, or just eat from top to bottom. These delicious Italian delicacies are created in so many ways: Detroit style, Chicago deep dish, Sicilian, grandma, rectangular, and the best of them all…New York thin crust. Let’s take a look at all the varieties and think of the impact pizza has had on our society.

Pizza In Our World

Our society is fixated on social media and entertainment. Pizza has been prevalent in all types of media. Beloved characters such as the teenage mutant ninja turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants have had pizza be a main factor in their episodes. You can hardly watch 1 hour of television without seeing multiple pizza commercials – Dominoes, Papa Johns, and of course, ‘no one out-pizzas The Hut!” It is all around us.

Pizza is a highly profitable business. All it takes is some dough, mozzarella cheese, and some tomato sauce and you will have a great pizza. There can be so many different twists on pizza, too. Countries such as India use a naan bread and ketchup instead of regular dough and tomato sauce. Different cultures and societies have their impacts on how they eat their pizza; New York is a gleaming example. People in New York are always in a hurry, so the thin crust pizza is something you can eat on the go without any hassle or mess. New York pizza is often quick, easy, and cheap. Some slices go for only $1, keeping the whole neighborhood fed.

Perfect For Any Event

Pizza is a great way to feed a crowd. It’s a common staple not only at college student gatherings, but also kids’ birthday parties, baby showers, bachelor parties, the list goes on. Establishments such as Chuck E. Cheese use pizza to entice children to have their parties there. It is the perfect food for any gathering.

As Michael Scott from the famous sitcom “The Office” once said, “Pizza…the great equalizer.” Michael understood that pizza brings everyone together; it is a food that anyone can enjoy. He said this because he wanted to bring his workers together, the sales representatives, the warehouse workers, and even the pizza delivery guy. It’s a food that excites nearly everyone - nothing beats that combo of dough, cheese, and tomatoes.

The Global Fascination

It’s no surprise that each year, more than 5 BILLION pizzas are sold worldwide, with 3 BILLION coming out of the United States. The U.S has so many different versions which make them unique. There are no rules in eating pizza, you can follow Burger King's motto and “Have it your way”. The flexibility of pizza is what makes it so great and profitable. Eat it with barbecue sauce, ketchup, Wisconsin cheese, it does not matter.

No matter how you slice it, just remember to appreciate this global phenomenon, “the great equalizer.”

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Regulating your health in college can become quite a challenge when you’re dealing with a million other things on your plate at the same time. This part of life can be very stressful and fast-paced which is why it’s so important to strive to keep your health in check during this time. That being said, here are a few tips I have heard or have come to learn throughout my ongoing journey to making my health a priority in college.

This year, World Health Day is on April 7th. If you haven’t started working on your health, today is a great day to start.

Find the Exercises You Like

Firstly, exercise is a great way to relieve stress and stay active. Furthermore, there are tons of different ways to get your exercise in. Some people love to run, other people hate to run (me), so this is why it’s really important to try and figure out which form of working out works best for you and more importantly, which form you enjoy the most. Some people really enjoy workout classes and different activities like swimming, playing basketball or volleyball. Something to keep in mind is that most universities offer different workout classes either free with your tuition or at a small cost to attend. These can be really fun to try out with your friends when you are wanting to switch your workout routine up. I really like to play pickleball with my boyfriend and our friends because it’s a lot easier than tennis but it’s still a really great way to get a sweat in.

Exercise With Friends

Another great tip for staying active during college is to arrange activities with your friends where you can workout all together. I’ve found that this can be a really great strategy because it is much easier to stay encouraged and motivated when you have a group of people you are completing the challenge with. If you are the kind of person that loves simply going to the gym to get your workout in, it can be really beneficial to have an accountability partner – someone you go to the gym with that pushes you to do your best, even and most importantly, on the days you don’t feel like it. Additionally, on those days where I don’t have a ton of time to get a good workout in or I just really don’t feel it, I’ll take a long walk listening to a podcast or do some light yoga in my living room. The small habits you form are what determines your lifestyle and priorities.

That being said, everybody’s workout style is different. As long as you are listening to your body and prioritizing your health, you are doing the best you can. Be proud of yourself and your body for doing all the incredible things it does for you. We need to make sure that as we are going through college and working really hard, that we are also taking care of ourselves, too.

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Some of the best things happen at night: late night talks with your roommates, warm cookies coming out of the oven, dance parties, social events, etc. It seems like there's always a reason to stay out and about, bright-eyed and experiencing whatever it is that's happening in the moment. Sometimes we stay up late for less exciting things too — whether it's slowly typing away at that essay that's due tomorrow, cramming for an exam, or finishing up something for work. No matter what incentive or obligation you're staying awake for, I'm here to tell you that this is your sign to PRIORITIZE your sleep!

How Much?

The age-old question: how much sleep do I really need? Can I get by on 5 or 6 hours if I just drink coffee? Well, yes. But the data has made it clear that the tendency to rely on caffeine and energy drinks in replacement of a good night’s sleep is not sustainable. With all the fun things in life in addition to our various commitments, it can be difficult to set aside the proper amount of time for sleep, especially when we can mask exhaustion with caffeine so easily. Caffeine, however, does not grant us the dozens of health benefits that sleep does. Mere attentiveness only scrapes the surface of sleep benefits. Some advantages to sufficient sleep include: a stronger immune system, regulation of your metabolism, lower risk for diabetes and heart disease, lower stress levels, heightened mood throughout the day, memory processing, reduction of brain fog and an increase in neural clarity, higher productivity, and much more. 

Think Of the Time You Waste Instead of Sleeping

It’s easy to snuggle into bed and stay awake for hours scrolling on our phones. As the minutes tick away, we sometimes don’t realize the comparative advantage we give up each and every night to others with time spent in the black hole of social media. Think of the extent to which you could truly apply yourself in all aspects of life with just a little bit more energy. If you weren’t dragging through the day looking forward to that midday nap, where would you see yourself? What could you be using that time for? 

Sleep Affects Your Immune System

Additionally, sleep deprivation makes us significantly more susceptible to falling ill. Why do you think college kids are constantly coughing and sniffling? I attend Notre Dame, and I’m confident we had 3-4 flu seasons at school this past year. I managed to remain mostly healthy throughout the year – until the very end. After one week at home after spring semester, I went to the doctor suspecting I might have pink eye. My eyes were a little swollen, and I felt exhausted and unlike myself. My doctor immediately insisted on testing me for mono, and 15 minutes later, I received results that I was positive for mono. 

The pure fatigue I endured with mono completely changed my perspective on sleep. While I can’t say that sleep deprivation towards the end of spring semester is directly correlated to my diagnosis, I do think I would’ve had a much milder case if I had prioritized sleep in the weeks prior. For two weeks after my diagnosis, I slept whenever I felt drowsy, which was very frequently. For someone who loves to keep busy and take on everything, this seemingly never-ending treatment of “rest” was horrible. All I wanted to do was go spend time with my friends, play tennis, and get out and about – but I legitimately would begin to feel exhausted after 20 minutes of activity. It took a while, but I fully recovered. Now, I’ve converted my schedule to prioritizing sleep – both to recover and to change my old habits for the future.

So, all this is to say – SLEEP! If you get between 7-8 hours per night as a young adult, your body will be well-equipped to protect you from illnesses and keep you performing at your best–not to mention you’ll have much more endogenous energy. Fun Fact: March 17th is World Sleep Day. But no matter what day it is, don’t sleep on sleep!

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This year the first day of spring falls on March 20th, 2023. This is right in the middle of my spring semester so I will have to be intentional about celebrating spring this year. There are a bunch of things that all of us as college students can do to celebrate the new season of spring on campus.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is about renewal, starting fresh. I like to start this season by really cleaning out my desk, drawers, closet, and under my bed. Not only do I get rid of things, but I deep clean the area to make sure not too much dust and dirt are building up. This is also a good time to put away your dark winter clothes and keep some lighter layers on hand. Having just a few key pieces and plenty of neutrals is sure to give you a spring capsule wardrobe that looks fun and colorful in any combination.

Get Your Greens

It is proven that green is a calming color and that plants increase levels of happiness. Whether it’s a flower, some succulents, or herbs, go get some plants to spruce up your living space. They help make fresh oxygen for us to breathe which helps us perform optimally.

Put Color in Your Life

Color is so fun and can brighten up your mood when you look at it. Paint your room a different color or just an accent wall. If you are in a dorm, then paint new colorful art. I like to get a huge canvas, plash some fun pastels on it, and then write a nice quote that speaks to me. This is also a fun time to put in more seasonal décor.

SMILE

The weather is more temperate, the flowers are blooming, the colors are bright, there are many reasons to smile. The more positivity you start showing to others, the more positivity you will receive. It also exercises your facial muscles and keeps you looking youthful. Improve your mood and those around you. Mother Teresa often said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Smiles are free! Shine them to others.

Try New Things and Start New Habits

Spring is like a second chance at any New Year’s resolutions you set. Review your goals - what haven’t you done so well on? What is a priority for right now? Make your goals specific and get started with one new habit at a time. Make a game plan by writing out how you want to achieve these goals every day, week, and month. Before you know it, it will almost be summer, and you will have these habits in the bag.

I love spring with all the flowers, fun weather, and pretty colors. I often make fun memories with my friends at this time of year even if it is in the thick of exams. Take time to literally stop and smell the roses this spring and celebrate this gorgeous season and what it may have in store for 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!