Students blog

Last summer while my peers were spending their time poolside or streaming shows, I made my summer break productive and educational. I took a full summer semester course load. Summer semester courses are certainly challenging, as you are expected to learn content and turn in homework at a faster pace. Here are three tips that will help you succeed if you decide to take classes this summer.

Summer Classes have their perks

Learning is much more focused. Teachers tend to give out less busy work, only giving out the assignments that are necessary for learning. And generally, only the teachers who love teaching choose to teach over the summer semester so you’re often getting the best. Finally, as fewer students are on campus, you have better access to campus services like the tutoring center.

Time management is essential

Since classes move through objectives at a faster rate, it’s important that you have a schedule to stay organized. I put all my classes in Google Calendar and also make sure to see my school counselor to plan out a studying schedule. My school counselor always recommends that you study a little bit before and after the lecture to keep the information fresh in your mind. Have you ever heard of the Ebbinghaus curve? Also called the forgetting curve, it shows how information is lost over time when no attempt is made to retain it. If you review it, your brain has less opportunity to forget. Another way to stay organized is to make study groups. This is a great way to create relationships with your classmates. Humans are social creatures. We learn better in teams, and in the summer semester, you need that advantage. My classmates made it much easier to learn the content in my courses.

Participate in your classes

In my Calculus 2 class, I didn’t shy away from solving equations on the board in front of the class. I made horrendous mistakes in front of the class, however, I did not repeat them on the test. Calculus is a subject where you learn best from your mistakes. You’ll learn more if you make them in front of people who can call you out on them. In Chemistry 2, I was passionate about my lab capstone project. I did a project on mouth bacteria. I was engaged in that lab project, and it made it easier to be more engaged in the class.

I encourage you to take some classes this summer! Pairing up my two most difficult classes led to a challenging – but exciting – summer!

What classes will you take this summer? Share with the Pearson Students community by commenting on my blog.

There is nothing worse than forgetting to do something because you were not organized. Whether it be a homework assignment or a test you didn’t study for – being unorganized causes stress! But establishing just a few simple organization tips will ensure you don’t neglect essential parts of your academic career.

During my first year in college, I was not organized at all. I would complete a homework assignment but forget to turn it in. Or once I forgot a lunch I promised I would have with my grandma. I knew I had to make a change. Here are a few things I use and do every day to stay properly organized. Now I feel so much better about meeting my obligations.

Use an agenda!

Find one with both a weekly and monthly view. There are electronic versions but I prefer a physical one. I currently use the Filofax inserts for my agenda. I always try to buy inserts that are both clean and enough space for me to write out all the things I need to remember. I emphasize this because some agendas don’t come with a weekly and monthly view.

Make your dates quickly accessible.  

I use paper clips on my agenda so I can quickly see my month and day. It is no fun to be constantly flipping through your agenda. That is why you need paper clips!

Make a “To Do” list.

If my week is very busy, I have note cards that I will paper clip to the front of my agenda. That’s where I write extra reminders of tasks I need to do that week. I love having these in my possession if I ever need to write a quick note.

Keep a record.

I have a college-ruled notebook where I write out everything from all areas of my life – personal, professional and academic. Writing it out gives my brain an extra reminder. I usually try to buy a bright colored college-ruled notebook from TJ Maxx because it’s a good deal and great quality.  I highly recommend college-ruled since it’s more narrow and you can write more!

The key to staying organized is writing things down. Whether that be an agenda, notebook or paper, write it all down! I strongly believe having both an agenda and college-ruled notebook will help YOU stay organized this semester! Read more organization tips from another Pearson Student Insider here.

Pearson Students: How do YOU stay organized? Please share by commenting below!

When we think of summer productivity, much emphasis is given to the “what” to do to make the most of your summer – including internships, summer jobs, and traveling – but it’s also important to consider the “how” – how to emphasize the importance of taking action and doing something meaningful with your precious summer time. Here are my tips to have an inspirational summer.

Take care of your physical and mental health.

Although an important factor in making sure to make the most of your time is to be active in doing things that you care about. But it’s also important to take care of your health, which is the foundation of your well-being and should also be a priority when planning your summer time. Eat well, get plenty of exercise, take a break from the computer, and do things create physical, mental, and social well-being. Although the summertime can be used to be active in internships and other activities, make sure to leave some time to relax and take care of yourself – this will not only help you prepare for when school starts in the fall, but also to make the most of your summer activities.

Consider your goals.

Think about your future career and educational aspirations: what do you want to do? What is important to you (including values, activities, and aspirations)? What will help you get there? Once you’ve considered that, think about the activities that can help you get there. Maybe an internship will allow you to gain the necessary experience for your career. Or taking a summer class can help you get a certification. Or simply, maybe you opt to not do any educational or career activities, but instead choose to dedicate more time to improve your creative portfolio. It’s about considering your unique goals and what exactly you need to do to reach them.

Have a positive attitude.

Although often dismissed, simply having a good attitude can go a long way. Having a positive attitude can open your mind and help you see things more clearly. Every morning when you wake up, think of at least 5 things you’re glad to have in your life or that you’re proud of yourself. Maybe you passed an exam you’ve studied hard for or you’re proud of your family or how you treat others. It’s about finding the good in your life. Although sometimes taken for granted, having a good attitude can help you keep healthier relationships, get more job opportunities, and simply feel great about yourself. Having an open mind can help you explore ideas that you hadn’t thought of before which can benefit you and your future career.

Do what inspires you this summer.

Inspiration is the key to motivation, and can also serve as an outlet for stress. While we don’t always have the time to do recreational things, try to accommodate them according to your schedule. Find things that you’re passionate about – maybe partaking in photography or playing a sport. It’s about doing something that keeps that spark of inspiration within you.

While taking actual action is important to make the most of your summertime, it’s also important to consider the “how”, and how your actions will have an impact on your life, well-being, and future. So now get set, and go have an awesome summer!

How will you make an impact this summer? Share when you retweet this blog!

Securing an internship can be one of the most stressful parts of college life. Each step along the way – the career fairs, the networking events, and the interviews – can overwhelm students. The work doesn’t end there though. Performance in the internship is just as important. As a junior at North Carolina State University, this is my experience through the internship process.

Learn to open doors

As a freshman, I found myself scrambling to create a perfect resume to get my dream internship. My older sister, who was a junior when I was a freshman, was out getting internships left and right. Without studying her strategy, I tried to expose myself to my dream companies thinking that I had what it took to get in the door. Wow, I was wrong! After getting shut down, I asked my sister what I needed to change in order to get recognition in front of these companies. She advised me to learn how to make connections in the areas I was interested in. I also had to learn how to use those connections appropriately to network for available internships. Once I got a handle on that, the internship offers began to materialize.

Tips to Success from Day 1

After building up my resume, attending networking events, and getting interviews, I landed a summer internship my freshman year. From this internship, I learned six key experiences and tips along the way that any incoming intern should know:

1. Come prepared on the first day. Know about the company and what your role will be.
2. Meet as many people in the organization as possible. Linking names and faces will allow you to share experiences with more people, while creating a positive association with your coworkers and superiors.
3. Try new things. Just because you don’t know how something is done doesn’t mean you can’t try! Putting yourself in new situations will allow you to learn new things and become more useful to the organization.
4. Build relationships and connections. Just meeting people won’t be enough to be a good intern. It is important to continue conversations and build relationships with the people around you. This makes the workplace more fun, plus you can receive great recommendations from coworkers.
5. Ask for advice and tips. The people around you would love to give you feedback on your experiences – good and bad. Never hesitate to ask for tips for your future or how to improve. Nobody’s perfect, but learning will make your next internship even better!
6. Stay connected after you leave. Just because the internship is over doesn’t mean the communication has to stop. Some companies would love to have you back for another internship, or stay connected for job opportunities after college. Any connection you make during an internship is an important one, so make sure to keep the connection going forward.

By utilizing these tips, I was able to get a great recommendation from my freshman year internship. That helped me land a Marketing Specialist Intern with Cisco for this summer. By getting the help I needed with my resume building and sales pitch, I got in the door to show off my skills to employers. Remember to be confident and honest throughout the interview and internship process, and you won’t go wrong!

Which one of the tips do you like the most? Any tips you think are worthy? Start the conversation in the comments below!

Finals are looming and summer plans are beginning. Are you one of the many students planning to remain in your college town for the summer? If so, be aware that the activity slows and boredom can rise. Being in a small town for the summer has its benefits. I’ll be spending my summer taking classes, working, meeting new people, and exploring my town. Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer in a college town.

Seize opportunities to meet new people

Whether you’re staying to take summer classes or to work, it can be difficult to find friends who have also stayed in town. There are a collection of people also facing classes, so it’s an excellent opportunity to make friends. Rather than going home, go get lunch with someone you see in your class! I have had the opportunity to meet people in my major I likely would not have talked to in the regular semester classes.

Get outside!

Outside of class and homework, it is important to be creative. Take time for exploration. During the school year, it may be difficult to find time to really explore the area. Take a drive, or go to a beach. With the summer sun shining, find a lake, river, or beachfront nearby. I have enjoyed many sunny afternoons with friends at the nearby river. Whether hiking, swimming, or playing a friendly game of frisbee, summertime brings opportunity for many activities. Keep a lookout for school events, or even host a potluck barbeque.

 Get ahead

Finally, spending the summer in a college town provides the chance to get ahead. Rather than sitting around with nothing to do, use the time to learn skills that may be useful in the upcoming school year. While campus may be quiet, it will be active again in the fall. Use quiet time now to prepare for the future, so more time can be spent having fun in the school year.

With the right people, and new friends, simple activities become a blast. Even a simple trip to the grocery store can be entertaining. With the proper level of creativity and some new friends, empty college towns can become the foundation for an epic summer.

How are you planning to spend your summer? Share your ideas when you retweet my blog!

Right now, I am both a high school senior and a student at my local community college. I am pursuing a pre-health associate’s degree and hope to one day major in dentistry.  My life can get hectic balancing classwork, clubs, and activities at both schools, but it is all worth it.  I have constantly taken classes that have continued to challenge and push me to perform my best.  That is part of the reason why I am a dual enrolled student.  

Sisters in college

I am also one of four daughters who all happen to be attending college at the same time.  My motto is, “the faster I get through school, the more money I can save.”  This is big because there are a lot of expenses for a higher education.  If you multiply that number by four, it might give you an idea of how my parents feel as they work to pay for all of us to complete college. My parents have always been very supportive of all of us.  They taught me to always work hard to stand out.  

Have you ever started off a semester by making a goal that you would go workout every day, even if it was for 15 minutes? I sure have. In the first few weeks, when homework is light, I make it to the gym daily. My goal starts to slip through my fingers when the first set of exams rolls around. This is also the time when the unhealthy eating begins. I look for things that are convenient so I can focus a majority of my time on studying. However, when it comes to health, there are two important thing you need to keep in mind: nutritional and physical. This last semester, I have made significant progress in keeping my goal of being healthy, and I want to share some tips I have learned.

Make a schedule

I started to make a strict schedule that would detail everything I need to do per day and week. With all this laid out, I knew what I needed to be doing at every moment of the day. I would start the week off by going to get groceries on Sunday morning. This allowed me to carry out my next tip.

Prep your food for the week

Meal prepping can be hard at times but think of it as saving you loads of time throughout the week. One of my favorite things to do is prep and marinate several chicken breasts at once and then freeze individual servings in plastic bags. When I’m hungry and in a hurry I can simply dump out a bag and toss a serving into the oven to cook while I focus on my school work. I also prep snacks to take to campus. They’ll hold me over until I can make it home for lunch. There are always options on campus that aren’t the healthiest, so this really helps curb any temptations I may have. I also carry a water bottle around so I can stay hydrated throughout the day. I even use an app to remind me when to drink water.

Make exercise part of your schedule

I try to go to the gym on my way home from class. If I go home and sit on my couch, it will be tough to motivate myself to come back to the campus gym. As students, we have access to amazing fitness facilities and classes. Most people do not want to workout towards the end of the day, so you will most likely find an empty gym in which you can feel comfortable working out at your own pace.

Work out at home

On the days I cannot make it to the gym, I use a high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout video. This is super simple, and it requires little to no equipment. These videos that are available online are so incredible that they even provide substitutes for equipment. For example, if you do not have three-pound hand weights, you can easily use two water bottles.  

Reward yourself

There is nothing wrong with having a cheat meal when you feel the need. At the end of the day, you need to think of this as a lifestyle change instead of something you must do and feel forced to do. I have days that aren’t the healthiest, but I don’t give up there. Even one small change such as drinking more water or taking the stairs to class are changes that can make a difference. If you have a mindset and are true to it, you will be successful!

How do you stay healthy throughout the semester? What healthy habits to you incorporate into your daily schedule? Share your thoughts with students by commenting below!

When you first hear the phrase, “you need to put yourself first,” you might have a voice in your head telling you that this is a selfish thought.  Throughout your day, your friends, co-workers, and family rely on you for help and support.  You are pulled in hundreds of different directions which often forces you to put your own priorities and goals on the back burner. While it is extremely important to be there for others, your level of stress can elevate if you are not there for yourself!  Here are a few benefits that will come from allowing yourself to value YOU!

Your health depends on it.

Reflect on a time when you had a busy week filled with meetings, tests, long hours of studying or work.  Now, remember the way your body felt after that week.  Most likely, the feeling you remember is depletion and exhaustion.  Avoid reaching this point by making sure you allow yourself to relax and take breaks when needed.  Your immune system and general health will thank you, trust me!

Happiness will come from it.

There is nothing wrong with prioritizing your happiness. Taking time in your week to read your favorite book, go to a workout class you enjoy, or watch your favorite show will ultimately help your overall energy levels.  Everyone needs a break, so do not feel guilty about saying ‘no’ to a few events throughout the week if your body is telling you to lay low for a bit!

Your friends, family, and coworkers will benefit.

It’s simple.  If you give to yourself, then you will in turn have more to give others.  Recharging your mind and body will give you more energy for the responsibilities that you are accountable for!  This is a key to success in your school work, relationships, and occupation.

Balance is everything, and becoming more self-aware in your daily tasks will help you lower stress and put yourself, your happiness, and your health first.  So next time your body is telling you to step back and take a break, please listen!  

Why do you volunteer? What motivates you to go out and do something in your community – without monetary compensation? The encouragement to make a difference is unique for everyone. I realized this when I was recently asked:  “what would make you feel appreciated as a volunteer?” Gift cards? Plaques? Thank you notes? At first I didn’t know how to respond. Then I started looking around my room and seeing everything I have collected from volunteering over the years. I have emails from coaches, thank you notes from students, a coffee cup from a Girl Scout event last year. So what did I want as a volunteer?

Watching eyes light up

That’s when it hit me. I don’t look for a thank you email in my inbox or a note at the end of the day. I look for the moment when a student finally solves a problem and their eyes light up. I watch 20 little faces glued to the experiment I’m doing at the front of the room, and I wait for the questions they ask once their walls come down and their imaginations run wild.

Finding answers together

A few months ago at a FIRST LEGO League meeting, one of my students asked me a question that I didn’t have the answer to. I told the classroom full of 5th graders that we will learn together! We brainstormed ideas on why the question was important and possible alternatives to answers. It was exciting to see everyone engaged, and eager to participate! Together, we came up with what we thought to be the answer to the girl’s intriguing question. It may not have been perfect or scientific, but it was a good experience for everyone in the room – myself included.

Exploring new experiences

Similarly, when working with preschoolers at a STEMfest, I came across a girl who was afraid of the Sphero, a remote control robot. She was three years old and had never experienced anything like the rainbow ball currently rolling around in front of her. I brought her the iPad and asked if she wanted to drive the robot. As she pushed around the control pad, the Sphero began to go wild across the room – bumping into things and changing colors. By the time we got around to doing the actual session, she was no longer afraid of the robot and instead became a pro at running it through the maze we created.

Embracing and building on new ideas

So, when it came time to answer the question: “what would make you feel appreciated as a volunteer?”, I clicked “Other”. No plaque or gift card could mean as much as the experience I have as a volunteer. I do cherish the thank you notes hanging around my room, but the notes themselves don’t mean anything to me. They are reminders of the places I’ve been, the memories I’ve made, and the mountains I’ve helped conquer. But I can remember my students without that reminder. I can picture every hand and every shocking question. What I want as a volunteer is to continue creating atmospheres where children can ask questions and not be judged by the complexity of their answers. An environment that embraces ideas and builds upon them. As a volunteer, I want to learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

What makes you feel appreciated as a volunteer? Share your thoughts when you comment on my blog!