Students blog

There’s a difference between walking to class in silence and walking with the right song playing. Same campus, same routine, but everything feels different. The walk feels lighter, and even my movements feel more intentional.

At some point in college, music stopped being background noise. It became a tool I used to shape my mood and make everyday moments feel bigger than they were.

When Everything Felt Heavy

My first year didn’t go as expected. I came in as a biology major, got overwhelmed quickly, and ended the semester sick and drained. I was stressed all the time.

Looking back, I wasn’t really listening to music then. When I did, I would just pick songs that matched how I already felt: slow, sad, and melancholic. I wasn’t trying to change my mood; I was just sitting in it.

A Gift That Changed Everything

At the end of that year, my best friend, CJ, got me a pair of headphones for my birthday. It felt like a small gift, but it changed more than I expected.

I moved off campus for my sophomore year, so my walk to class went from ten to thirty minutes. Without really thinking about it, I started doing something different. I stopped choosing music that matched my mood and started choosing music to change it.

From Campus Walks to L.A. Flights

It started small. On my walks, I’d play my “hot girl walk” playlist, full of upbeat songs by Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Katy Perry that made me feel more confident. My walks began setting the tone for my day, and I noticed I was in a better mood.

Soon, I started making playlists for the mindset I wanted. I wanted to create social media content but was overthinking and worried about being judged. Knowing I had to change my mindset, I made a playlist: “cool girl content creator.”

I built it around the confident person I wanted to become, with songs like “Applause” by Lady Gaga and “Money” by Cardi B. I listened while getting ready, filming, or even just thinking about creating. It made that version of my life feel real.

A few months later, my content took off. I grew to more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, worked with brands, and was invited to YouTube headquarters. Listening to that playlist on the flight to Los Angeles, I felt it all come full circle.

Set the Tone with a Soundtrack

Music went from passive to powerful, helping me move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling in control.

Start small. Make one playlist based on how you want to feel, not how you feel now. Play it while you’re getting ready or walking to class, and notice the difference.

Next time you put your headphones on, don’t just press play. Think about how you want to feel for that moment, that day, or that week, and choose your soundtrack from there.

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Choosing to become a mother while in graduate school was a decision that added a profound layer of complexity to my life. While I knew pregnancy brought physical, emotional, and mental demands, I found that layering on the discipline and commitment of my graduate program intensified the experience.

There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and discouraged, especially as my due date approached. I discovered, however, that this unique combination of graduate school and early motherhood could also be a source of motivation and personal growth. Rather than hindering my success, this journey has become a source of strength, purpose, and transformation.

The Challenges I Faced

One of the most immediate challenges was the physical toll that pregnancy and a busy schedule were taking. I experienced fatigue, back pain, and fluctuating energy levels that made reading-intensive assignments and late-night study sessions a new kind of challenge.

As my due date approached, my symptoms intensified, and I found it harder to maintain the pace my coursework demanded. Tasks that were once easy required more time and patience than I could have imagined. Emotionally, I felt the combined pressure just as heavily.

My pregnancy brought waves of anxiety and self-doubt. Balancing doctor’s appointments, preparing for labor, and managing all the changes in my life while trying to meet academic deadlines felt like a demanding juggling act. I constantly worried about falling behind, disappointing my professors, or not meeting my own standards.

I also wasn’t prepared for the unsolicited opinions and assumptions of others. I often felt an unspoken pressure to choose one priority over the other. This forced me to rethink my entire approach to time management; I had to start assignments earlier, recognize breaks as essential, and make multitasking a daily reality.

Finding Strength in the Struggle

Despite these challenges, I found the experience of being pregnant while in my graduate program to be incredibly empowering. I believe the reality of becoming a mother strengthened my own qualities of patience, resilience, and determination—traits that served me well in my academic work. I felt newly motivated to succeed, knowing I was building a future for my child, not just working for myself.

This new sense of purpose fueled a discipline and ambition I hadn’t tapped into before. My pregnancy forced me to develop stronger planning, communication, and problem-solving skills. In my own life, my priorities became clearer, and distractions became less appealing.

I learned to work smarter, focusing on effective strategies instead of last-minute stress. Navigating this path strengthened my sense of identity by showing me that I could achieve my personal, academic, and professional goals all at once.

Completing my degree under these circumstances became my own testament to resilience and commitment. This balancing act taught me grace and showed me that it was okay to rest, ask for help, and progress at a pace that honored both the mother and the student within me.

A Defining Chapter

My experience of being pregnant while finishing grad school was undeniably challenging. It brought physical strain, emotional hurdles, and constant adjustments.

Yet, it also became one of the most rewarding and transformative chapters of my life. I found that instead of hindering my academic success, my pregnancy was a powerful motivator that drove me toward a greater sense of purpose and focus. It strengthened my skills and reinforced my resilience.

I share my story as an example of how motherhood and higher education can coexist. For me, this journey was not only possible but became a defining chapter of courage, dedication, and triumph.

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! 

College can be one of the most exciting times in life, but it can also be extremely challenging. Students juggle demanding coursework, strict deadlines, high expectations, and life-altering decisions; it’s understandable when a college student faces an academic setback.

Whether it’s failing an exam, struggling in a difficult class, or feeling overwhelmed, these moments can feel discouraging. However, many students don’t realize that these setbacks are not signs of failure, but opportunities to grow.

Shift Your Perspective

Experiencing a poor grade can be frustrating, especially when you’ve put a lot of effort into something. Instead of viewing it as a reflection of your abilities and getting down on yourself, view it as feedback.

A bad score can highlight areas where your understanding is lacking. It can also show where your study strategies might need adjustment. Reflecting on what went wrong and why can turn a negative experience into a valuable learning moment.

To bounce back, you must shift your mindset. Avoid being overly critical of yourself. One test, assignment, or class grade does not define your intelligence or future.

Instead, focus on what you can control. Create an improvement plan. This could mean dedicating more time to studying, seeking a tutor, or trying new learning techniques.

Prepare Proactively

Preparation is an important factor when facing challenging coursework. Instead of waiting until you fall behind, take a proactive approach.

Review course materials regularly, stay organized, and break large tasks into manageable pieces. Developing a consistent study routine can make a significant difference.

I’ve made the mistake of cramming the night before an exam too many times. Spacing out your studying over several days will improve retention of the material and reduce stress.

Use Your Resources

Another way to overcome academic challenges is to use the resources available. Many students, including me, hesitate to ask for assistance, but professors, teaching assistants, and tutoring centers are there for a reason. Attending office hours or joining study groups can provide clarity on difficult concepts and offer different perspectives.

Adjust Your Study Habits

Adjusting study habits can also lead to better outcomes. If your current approach to studying isn’t working, trying something new may help.

For me, it was changing my study setting. Finding new areas to do my work gave me a change of pace, and different settings made studying less boring.

You can also adjust your study habits with active learning strategies. Try working through problems, writing summaries, or teaching the material to someone else, which is more effective than just rereading notes.

Build Resilience

The most important lesson from academic setbacks is resilience. Learning to handle disappointment, adapt, and move forward is a skill that extends beyond the classroom. It allows you to grow as an individual.

Life will always present challenges, and developing the ability to persevere is essential for long-term success. Maintaining a positive outlook is crucial.

It’s easy to feel like a single failure is the end of the world, but it’s just a small part of your journey. Every successful person has faced setbacks; their response is what makes the difference. Reframing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow can reduce stress and build confidence in your ability to improve.

Academic setbacks are not obstacles to success; they are stepping stones. Embrace them, learn from them, and use them to become a better version of yourself.

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! 

Plenty of college students have experienced the panic of realizing they forgot to submit an assignment before the deadline. Staying organized between classes, work, and social commitments can feel overwhelming.

For a long time, I felt like I was constantly trying to catch up. I eventually concluded that the problem wasn't a lack of motivation. I simply hadn't found the study habits that worked for me.

1. Consider Your Environment

One habit that helped me stay focused was being intentional about where I studied. I found that studying at home made me too comfortable. It often led to procrastination since I associated home with relaxation.

For busy work or easier assignments, I liked going to cafés instead. The relaxed atmosphere made studying feel less overwhelming, especially on days when I wasn’t yet in full panic mode.

Then, when midterms and finals hit, I switched to the library. The quiet environment made it easier to concentrate and lock in for longer periods of time.

Being surrounded by other people working also helped me stay accountable and focused. This worked even without interacting with anyone.

2. Study with Friends

One of my favorite study habits was studying with friends. We would go café-hopping or do a study crawl, which is similar to a bar crawl but for studying.

We planned out an entire day dedicated to getting work done, choosing different locations ahead of time. After a couple of hours, we switched spots and tried somewhere new. This made studying feel more enjoyable while also giving us new experiences.

3. Create an Assignment Tracker

One of the most effective changes I made was creating an assignment tracker. Instead of relying on memory, I kept all my assignments in one place. I organized them by class, assignment, and due date.

I like to use Google Sheets for my assignment trackers, but I know people who use other programs like Excel or Notion. Seeing real-time progress made me feel productive and relieved, especially during weeks when I was super busy.

Dividing larger assignments into smaller steps also made a big difference. Tasks became more manageable, and I stopped putting them off since I knew exactly what to work on next. Plus, every time I checked off a part of a bigger assignment, it felt like a small accomplishment.

That feeling of control helped reduce stress. It made staying organized feel rewarding instead of exhausting.

Build Your Own System

It takes trial and error to find your ideal study habits. What works one semester might not work the next, and that's okay. Once I focused on making consistent progress and giving myself flexibility, my routine felt much more sustainable.

You don't have to completely change how you do things to stay organized in college. Taking small steps, like using assignment trackers and knowing where to study, can make a big difference.

College felt less stressful and more manageable once I found systems that worked for me. Finding your own study rhythm can help you keep up with assignments while truly enjoying the college experience.

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! 

The semester is over, and you can finally take a break. After late-night study sessions, final exams, and homework assignments, you've earned this time to relax and reset. As the next semester approaches, use these tips to plan ahead and start preparing.

1. Map Your Route

A new semester brings a compelling catalog of locations for your scheduled classes. No matter how big or small the campus, it’s handy to know how far you’ll be traveling and how long it’ll take. Check a campus map on your device and plan your route.

If you have the chance, you can even test the route a day or two before classes start. When planning your route, note which buildings you’ll pass.

If you have time between classes, you can look for the perfect break spot on campus. A library? An outdoor bench? Anywhere that suits your needs. Maybe you’ll pass a trendy new campus coffee shop serving a shaken espresso with your name on it.

2. Organize Early

Before the next semester saunters in, taking time to get organized can set the stage for a smoother, less stressful experience. As soon as they become available, review your class syllabi. Note what you’ll be reading, the projects you’ll complete, and the exams that require scheduled study time.

You can also take this time to gather all the supplies for each of your classes. Hit up your local bookstore to grab any required reading materials. Make a day of it by purchasing a new set of notebooks, pencils, and other supplies.

A little planning in advance can ensure you’re prepared to stay on track when deadlines start piling up.

3. Prioritize Self-Care

Starting a new semester is exciting! And it’s chaotic. Sometimes it’s downright overwhelming.

Among all the essays written, homework completed, and all-nighters pulled, it’s essential to carve out time to take care of yourself. This can mean something different for everyone.

For some, it might mean going to bed at a decent hour (or at least giving it a shot). For others, it’s setting up a class planner so that projects don’t sneak up on you.

Taking just a few minutes out of your day to let your brain and body relax will pay off when you reach the finish line. Find time in your weekly schedule to take care of yourself. After all, you’re doing a lot of heavy academic lifting.

Starting a New Semester

Starting a new semester doesn’t have to devolve into chaos. With route planning, self-care, and organized supplies, you can confidently walk into your first week of classes.

Enjoy your well-earned break, and know that when the semester rolls around, you’ll be more than ready.

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! 

Leadership is a key skill in industry. It shows you can think innovatively, express your ideas, and inspire others to execute them.

Leadership has been central to my college experience, and this year, I am holding three executive positions while being a full-time student and working part-time. So, what have I learned on this journey?

First, always pour into your own cup before pouring into others. Second, give people the resources to do their job well. Third, respect and welcome everyone's ideas, because nothing great can be done by one person alone.

Fill Your Cup First: The Foundation of Leadership

Being a student leader requires patience, time, and energy. Balancing multiple responsibilities can feel overwhelming, sometimes to the point of not delivering. To prevent burnout, you must prioritize taking care of yourself before you can effectively lead others.

For me, self-care looks like eating nutritious meals to fuel my body, staying active through yoga or regular gym sessions, and taking daily moments for mental and spiritual grounding through prayer and meditation.

These practices keep me centered and energized. They allow me to shift my mindset from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this.” When you fill your own cup first, you show up for others with more patience, clarity, and enthusiasm.

Equip for Success: Empowering Your Team to Thrive

A key part of leadership is ensuring your team has the tools and information necessary to succeed. When delegating tasks, be clear about your expectations and provide a structured path for execution. Encourage questions and create space for dialogue so everyone understands their responsibilities.

Equally important is setting clear deadlines. This allows team members to build their own work timelines and deliver high-quality results without unnecessary stress. A well-informed team is a confident team, and confident teams deliver.

Embrace All Ideas: Leadership is a Collective Effort

In group settings, it is common to see one person take on the bulk of the work. During my first year, that person was me. At the time, I hadn’t learned how to connect with my team, foster innovation, or delegate effectively.

Through practice and experience, I learned that true leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about creating an environment where everyone’s perspective can shine. Today, I prefer working in teams because incredible ideas emerge when creative people work toward a shared goal.

The key to unlocking that collective potential is strategic delegation: identifying each person’s strengths and aligning them with meaningful tasks. When you welcome diverse perspectives, you elevate the final product and the team's sense of shared ownership and pride.

Being a great leader is a process of continual growth. The more experience you gain, the more comfortable you will become with aligning people to a common goal and leading with confidence.

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! 

After the excitement of graduation, you transition to a new period of independence in college. While it’s an exciting time, staying on top of schoolwork, commitments, and clubs can be challenging. In the process, it’s easy to neglect your health and well-being.

I learned this the hard way during my first semester. I prioritized assignments and social activities over my own self-care, which led to moments of intense stress when I felt there wasn’t enough time in the day.

After winter break, I started to find ways to prioritize myself. When I began to move more slowly, I noticed I had more energy, which allowed me to contribute better to my schoolwork and activities. Here are a few things that helped clear my head.

Log Off by 6 p.m.

First, shut down your computer by 6 p.m. A typical workday ends around 5 p.m., so there’s no reason to keep working late into the night. Having this set time allows you to wind down and still have a few hours to yourself.

This practice helps me manage my time because I know I need to have everything finished by then. It also reduces stress levels before bed. Your head won’t be spinning with everything you need to do; instead, it will be clear and ready for the next day.

Nurture Key Relationships

Next, make time for the relationships that matter. When I started college, I focused so much on school stress that my friendships began to suffer, and at times, it felt like I had few people in my corner.

Eventually, I learned the importance of making time for friends and family. I now go out of my way to see my friends and call someone in my family every day. This not only helps me clear my head but also reminds me that many people care about me. You’ll see a burst of energy when you prioritize friendships and allow yourself to have fun.

Make Time for Movement

The last tactic is exercise. It may not be everyone’s favorite topic, but I have found it to be an outlet that can clear my head in an instant. My brain knows that the gym is my time and nobody else’s. I put my headphones on, listen to my favorite music, and get to be with myself for an hour or two.

This is a great way to clear my head, get some movement in, and stay healthy. I switch up my exercises among running, lifting, Pilates, and walks, which keeps things new and exciting. Once I started prioritizing exercise, I saw a huge shift in my mental health and well-being, which has made my college transition smoother.

Prioritize What Matters

Starting a new college routine brings challenges that require effort and adaptability. However, with these tactics, you can make the transition a little easier.

The most important thing is to do what you love. When you make time for the things that matter most, your well-being and the transition will automatically become easier. Remember to show up for yourself and your health because the next four years are 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! 

College life can feel like a constant juggling act. Lectures, part-time jobs, club meetings, and social plans all compete for your time and energy. It is easy to feel like you are just trying to keep your head above water.

The good news is that staying organized and consistent does not require becoming a productivity robot or living by a strict schedule. It is about building small, sustainable habits that make your day feel less chaotic and more intentional.

As a college student myself, I have realized that organization is not about perfection; it is about consistency. You do not need a dozen planners, five apps, or color-coded everything. What you need is a system that actually works for you. Here are a few strategies that have helped me maintain balance without burning out.

Time-Block Your Day

Instead of listing twenty tasks and hoping to fit them all in, try time-blocking. This means dedicating chunks of your day to specific tasks: 9–11 a.m. for studying biology, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. for errands, and 1–3 p.m. for work.

This helps you be realistic about how much time tasks take and prevents that “where did the day go?” feeling. I use a digital calendar to plan my time, so I can quickly and easily move things around when plans inevitably change.

Set Micro-Goals

Big projects and exams can feel impossible when you look at them as a whole. That is where micro-goals come in. Break down large tasks into small, doable steps, such as outlining a paper section or reviewing one lecture’s notes.

Checking off small goals gives you momentum and keeps procrastination away. I once broke a ten-page paper into ten short writing sessions, one per day. It was the first time I submitted a large assignment early.

Use Digital Tools Wisely

Apps like Notion, Todoist, and Google Calendar can be game-changers, but only if you actually use them. Do not overcomplicate things with endless tabs and templates. Start simple.

For example, I keep one Notion page for weekly tasks and one for ongoing goals. The less friction there is in updating your system, the more consistent you will be with it.

Recover from “Chaotic Weeks” Gracefully

There will always be messy weeks. You might forget an assignment, skip laundry, or live off vending machine snacks. The key is to reset, not spiral.

I like to do a quick “Sunday reset.” I clean my desk, check upcoming deadlines, and plan one fun thing for the week ahead. It is a way to start fresh without guilt.

Treat Organization as Self-Care

We often think of organization as discipline or control, but it is really a form of self-respect. Having a plan means you are protecting your time, energy, and peace of mind. You are not trying to be perfect; you are trying to make life easier for your future self.

When motivation inevitably dips, rely on consistency rather than willpower. Even ten minutes of focused work or a quick schedule review can keep you grounded. Over time, those small efforts add up to a steady rhythm that keeps you moving forward.

In the end, staying organized is not about doing more. It is about doing what matters most, consistently. When you build systems that fit your lifestyle instead of fighting it, college stops feeling like a balancing act. It starts to feel like something you can truly thrive in.

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! 

High school prepared me to face many challenges. Unfortunately, managing my free time alongside the emotional stress of becoming an adult with real-world responsibilities was not among them. Even when my parents explained it, the reality might not have fully hit home. I often enjoy my downtime a little too much and struggle to find the motivation to get started on my responsibilities.

Those “random bursts of energy” only work so often, and sometimes not when I need them most. Still, I value my free time and don’t plan on getting rid of it, so I gave myself a reason to be productive during those lulls: my hamster. Now, in an apartment with fewer restrictions than the dorms, an animal provides a motivational responsibility with a serotonin boost.

A Newfound Freedom

Coming into my sophomore year, I felt like I was in a completely new universe compared to my first year. There was an unbelievable amount of freedom and free time. Living in a dorm and being on my own was a huge wake-up call in terms of becoming an adult.

Of course, the dorm had many restrictions for good reason. Pets were completely off the table, except for service animals. Now, I find myself in my apartment, often wondering what to do with my free time.

I needed to find the school-home balance I’d been seeking, and I could only annoy my significant other so often. I got my pet inspiration from a TikTok I had seen about a specific animal that was entertaining and relatively low-maintenance: a hamster. Just my luck, there were Labor Day sales coming up, so the timing could not have been more convenient.

Productive Pet Care

What better way to give me a boost than watching a tiny creature run in a little plastic ball, knocking into things? Using my free time for the upkeep of an adorable animal gives me the satisfaction of seeing results. Completing these smaller, real-world tasks helps get the ball rolling for that “burst of energy,” but it’s no longer random. It’s my way of tricking my brain into staying productive and giving myself a purpose that is both selfish and selfless.

Finding Your Balance

Balancing free time with responsibilities is a common struggle in college. While everyone’s solution is different, my hamster provides the structure and satisfaction I need to stay on track. Whether it’s a pet, a plant, or a new hobby, finding a small, meaningful responsibility can be the key to building the momentum you need.

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!