Students blog

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

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

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

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

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

Online Learning

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

Organize with Planners

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

Establish Support

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

Practice Self-Care

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

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

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

Plan ahead

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

Consider your future

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get adequate sleep

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

Surround yourself with a strong community

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

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

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

Creative hobbies can be some of the most influential pieces to maintaining a healthy balance within your life. Having a creative outlet is human nature, it is how we have all the things that exist around us.

Avoid comparisons

Through our hobbies, we express ourselves by putting our passion into what we make. It is important when you are creating to avoid comparing your work and output to others, as every process is not the same. Even if we follow directions step-by-step, the end will never be the same result as others. It is important to keep in mind that regardless of what you create, you are learning and exploring just like everyone else. As you continue to advance into your practice, you’ll find that you start making the patterns that help you tie together a community that grows from the simple fact of creation itself.

Be open to exploration

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep creating; things in life come up and the world seems to spin faster than it did before. It is okay to then branch out into new things. When you find yourself in a rut you might feel lost, but it is thinking and learning outside of what you know that will get you going again. As humans we were not meant to stay in one place forever, our brains won’t allow it. Simply exploring one corner for all time will leave you there. It is only when you turn around that you find a whole space full of your interests. And don’t think that you must give up on the medium you love if you need a break. Sometimes it is those breaks that enhance our comeback to our creations.

The world is full of countless crafts; whether physical, digital, auditory, etc. You can find creative practices all over. When creating, we become attuned with the world around us, taking a break from the pressures of our environments and allowing us to escape into a world of expression.

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! 

For most college students the transition from high school studies to college studies can be very difficult and hard to adjust to. There are many ways to learn how to study and succeed. During my freshman year at the University of Alabama, I felt very prepared to do well in school from my high school experience. As a current sophomore at the university, I have had to learn new ways to study since the difficulty of my classes has increased immensely. 

I am a nursing major and am delving further into my program now more than ever before. When I took a challenging anatomy course last semester, I sought help on how to navigate this class, because there was so much to learn in such a short amount of time. I found it necessary to devote the most time to this class while still putting in the most effort I could for my other classes. Here are the actions I found to be most helpful in succeeding.

Show up for every class session

The best tip and piece of advice I can give to any college student is to attend class no matter what, regardless of how easy the class may seem. I have learned that I am more successful in the future because of it, and it makes studying outside of class much easier. My notes are more organized because I write them in or before class. 

Take notes before, during, and after class

A good way to study for a hard class is to take notes before with the required reading and then solidify the information during class. This way you can incorporate extra details the professor might add during class. Even though this is very important, what a student does outside of class makes or breaks how a student does in a class. Being able to have a good work ethic and studying outside of class helps a student remember the information. That way when it is exam day, you are prepared to take the exam and pass it. 

Solidify your study skills

A good study habit to do well on a test is to find a good study environment. Go in a quiet room, without any distractions, and study the material. The way to solidify the information is to also take breaks when necessary. It is always best to refer to the detailed notes and the PowerPoints. Looking back at these are necessary to understand the information you have learned, and to best answer the questions on the test. It is also essential to never cram study in college. That will not be beneficial for the future, as it does not allow for you to fully understand the material.

In most academic situations in college, the work and effort you put into each class will pay off in the future. If you study for your classes, it'll show, even if not right away. You will never regret the amount of effort you put into a class in order to succeed.

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 ability to be creative is important to the human experience, but many people find it difficult to reach their full creative potential. Embracing the art of everyday innovation can put us on a transforming road, regardless of whether we feel "uncreative” or confined by the routines of our daily life. Let’s examine the depths of creativity, dispel common misconceptions, and explore doable solutions to help you tap into your creative potential and introduce innovation into every aspect of your life. 

Understanding the Creative Mind: Debunking Myths and Unveiling the Truths 

Creativity is often misunderstood, surrounded by myths that limit its potential. Here are a few common misconceptions and reveal the truths about the creative mind. 
 
Myth #1: "Creativity is only for the chosen few." The truth is that creativity resides within all of us. It is not exclusive to artists or geniuses but is a universal human trait waiting to be nurtured. 
 
Myth #2: "Creativity follows a specific formula." In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creativity. Each individual has their unique creative process, and it's essential to embrace and trust your own way of thinking and creating. 

Overcoming Creative Blocks: Tips to Rekindle Inspiration and Break Through Barriers 

At times, creative blocks can hinder our creative flow. Let’s explore practical techniques to overcome these blocks and reignite inspiration. 
 
Tip #1: Reframing Problems: A fresh perspective can breathe new life into creativity. By reframing challenges as opportunities, we can shift our mindset and discover innovative solutions. 
 
Tip #2: Embracing Constraints: Limitations can fuel creativity. By embracing constraints, we are forced to think creatively and find unconventional approaches. 

Nurturing Creativity in Daily Life: Small Habits with Big Impact 

Infusing creativity into our daily lives can have a profound impact on our overall well-being and ability to generate innovative ideas. What practical habits and rituals nurture creativity? 
 
Habit #1: Journaling: Writing down our thoughts, ideas, and observations can stimulate creative thinking and serve as a valuable resource for future inspiration. 
 
Habit #2: Engaging in Mindful Practices: Mindfulness cultivates a state of present-moment awareness, allowing us to tap into our creative flow. We'll explore mindfulness exercises such as meditation, deep breathing, and sensory awareness. 
 
Habit #3: Allowing Time for Play and Exploration: Engaging in playful activities and exploring new hobbies can spark creativity by encouraging experimentation and curiosity. 

Embracing Multidisciplinary Thinking: Finding Inspiration Outside Your Comfort Zone 

Cross-pollination of ideas from different disciplines can lead to breakthrough innovations. Here are two benefits of multidisciplinary thinking and how to embrace it. 
 
Benefit #1: Fresh Perspectives: When we venture beyond our comfort zones, we expose ourselves to new perspectives, ideas, and approaches that can inspire innovative thinking. 
 
Benefit #2: Connecting Dots: By drawing connections between seemingly unrelated fields, we can uncover unique insights and create original solutions. 

The Power of Collaboration: Fostering Creative Synergy with Others 

Collaboration has the power to amplify creative potential. How can collaboration enhance creativity and provide strategies for effective creative partnerships? 
 
Strategy #1: Active Listening and Empathy: By truly listening to others' perspectives and empathizing with their experiences, we can foster an environment of trust and respect, which fuels collaborative creativity. 
 
Strategy #2: Constructive Feedback: Constructive feedback plays a vital role in refining ideas and pushing creative boundaries. We'll delve into techniques for giving and receiving feedback that encourages growth and innovation. 

Embracing Failure as a Catalyst for Innovation: Lessons from the Great Creatives 

Failure is an unavoidable part of the creative process.  
 
Lesson #1: Resilience and Persistence: Failure teaches us the importance of perseverance and resilience. We'll examine how successful creatives embraced setbacks, learned from them, and kept moving forward. 
 
Lesson #2: Learning from Mistakes: Failures provide valuable insights and lessons. We'll explore techniques for analyzing failures, extracting lessons, and applying those lessons to future creative endeavors. 
 
Lesson #3: Embracing the Growth Mindset: Adopting a growth mindset allows us to view failure as an opportunity for growth and improvement. We'll delve into strategies for cultivating a growth mindset and embracing the iterative nature of the creative process. 

Mindfulness and Creativity: Cultivating Presence for Enhanced Imagination 

The practice of mindfulness can significantly enhance our creative thinking. Mindfulness practices cultivate presence and nurture our imaginative abilities. 
 
Practice #1: Meditation and Mindful Awareness: Regular meditation practices help quiet the mind, increase focus, and tap into the depths of our creative potential. 
 
Practice #2: Embracing Flow States: Flow states, characterized by deep focus and immersion in an activity, are fertile grounds for creativity. We'll discuss strategies for entering and nurturing flow states.

Tapping into the Subconscious: The Role of Dreams and Daydreaming in Creative Thinking 

The subconscious mind holds untapped creative treasures. Dreams and daydreaming can unlock the depths of our imagination. 
 
Practice #1: Dream Journaling: Keeping a dream journal allows us to capture fleeting insights and symbolic imagery that can be used as creative prompts. 
 
Practice #2: Intentional Daydreaming: Carving out intentional time for daydreaming nurtures our ability to wander into unexplored realms of imagination and generates new ideas. 
 
Practice #3: Mind-Wandering and Incubation: Allowing the mind to wander freely and taking breaks from intense focus can provide the subconscious with the space to connect dots and form novel connections. 
 
By embracing these strategies and practices, you'll embark on a journey of unlocking your creative potential, infusing innovation into your everyday life, and experiencing the joy and fulfillment that come from living a creatively inspired existence. 
 
Unlocking your creative potential and embracing the art of everyday innovation is a transformative journey that can enrich every aspect of your life. By adopting a mindset of curiosity, exploring new perspectives, and nurturing your creative energy, you'll discover the power to think differently, challenge the status quo, and bring forth innovative solutions.

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! 

Is it February already? I’ve always found it super fun to set some New Year's resolutions for myself in January... but they can be so difficult to maintain once the month is up! And I’m not alone; about 50% of people will give up on their resolutions by the end of January, so, now that it’s February, how are you doing with your resolutions? Whether you’ve restarted a couple of times or have been going strong since the ball drop, here are some tips to get your momentum back and keep your resolutions going all year long!

1) Reflect on your progress so far.

Take some time to reflect on how close you are to reaching your goal or how many goals you’ve accomplished already! Take pride in the progress you’ve made so far. This can be a great motivator to continue working hard for the rest of the year!

2) Set new goals.

Setting new goals can also be a great way to inspire yourself. If you achieved your goal in January, think of a new challenge. If you did not reach your goal, that’s okay! You can always reevaluate your resolution throughout the year to accommodate your current lifestyle and availability.

3) Reward yourself!

It is so important to be kind to yourself and reward your achievements. Maybe you get to go to your favorite restaurant, order your favorite drink at Starbucks, or buy those jeans you’ve been eyeing for weeks. Whether your reward is big or small, make it something meaningful to you that will help you stay on track.

4) Get a friend or family member involved.

It’s always so much more fun to accomplish a goal with someone else! Get someone close to you to join you in your resolution, so you can hold each other accountable and track your progress together. If you’re super competitive, get a whole group involved and see who can stick to the resolution the longest!

5) Make your resolutions fun!

The best advice I can give is to make your resolution something you will enjoy doing. Maybe you want to get more exercise in 2024, but you dread going to the gym. Instead, choose a place nearby to explore, grab your headphones, and go for a walk or run outdoors! Or maybe you want to maintain a better diet, but raw veggies aren’t your thing. Look up some recipes for healthier versions of your favorite dishes. There are so many ways to make your resolutions more fun!

Overall, resolutions can be hard to keep. But give yourself some grace and try one of these tips if you are feeling down on yourself this new year. You might be surprised by how much of a difference a small change can make!

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 challenge of being a productive college student is that, for the first time in the traditional student's life, he or she has so much freedom in how time is spent, a sharp contrast from high school. It can be intimidating, but it should really be viewed as a terrific opportunity. Interests, hobbies, class times and majors influence the exact responsibilities each student has, but students should apply themselves in specific ways to make the most of their time.

Here are 6 areas to prioritize to achieve a productive lifestyle.

1. Studying

This is both most obvious and vital, hence it is placed first on the list. Most professors in three credit hour courses recommend a minimum nine hours of study per week—If a student takes 15 credit hours, that’s a recommended 135 hours of study weekly, excluding class time! Realistically, some classes, especially core courses and prerequisites, demand maybe two hours, while a major course could demand 12. Every student is different; just make certain you review regularly and stay on top of the busy work for easy points.

2. Physical Fitness

An active, healthy body makes for a strong mind. Lift weights and run long distances if you prefer, but that isn’t at all necessary—just keep moving to stay fresh. For me, I play basketball with my friends two or three times a week at the campus rec center, push some weights around or hit a treadmill two more times. Choose whatever you prefer; keep a strong body and have some fun while doing it.

3. Campus Involvement

Staying tied in on campus is a great way to get the most out of your college experience. There is plenty of overlap here with other points, but getting an on-campus job and being involved with clubs can help a student immensely. Most schools have student organizations centered around each major or college and are great ways to get involved. However, get out of your comfort zone and try other areas: student government, intramurals, and more.

4. Nutrition/Meal prep

This one can be tricky, especially for those living on campus with no kitchen. As I said in point 2, a healthy, strong body makes for a strong mind, so work on yourself in every aspect. Nearly every eating location on campus is required to offer low calorie or vegetarian meal options, so take advantage. Eat at regular intervals; eat with constraint. Take care of yourself to perform at your best.

5. Outside Work/Side Projects

This one encompasses both short- and long-term development. Some students may need to work full time jobs to help fund college. For a traditional student, part-time on-campus employment opportunities may need a little digging but should be very easy to find. Any good part-time college position will be flexible with your classes. Have new experiences, get some cash to have fun with your friends, and maybe save some away if you can. At the same time, look at career development—work on those LinkedIn profiles, reach out to established professionals in fields you’re interested in. Work on your own projects that excite you: research a topic you often think about, coach a youth sport you love, read a book, or, maybe, even write one. There is no limit to the applicable options here, work hard on whatever piques your interest.

6. Rest and Recovery

Getting to all of those above can feel like a lot to tackle. But what’s just as important as any of those is personal time. College is meant to be enjoyable. Work hard, live hard. Go watch your school play any and all sports, go out with friends on a Friday night. You’ve earned it.

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! 

At the beginning of every semester most students are very motivated to achieve their academic goals – whether that be to achieve straight A's or just passing all their classes. We get to start fresh at the beginning of the semester with the belief that this will be our best semester. Typically, the first couple weeks go by smoothly but when tests start coming up and work piles up, things can go downhill. We may start settling and not working as hard as we did at the start of the semester, losing the vision of our goals. Here are a few tips I use to help me stay motivated throughout the semester.

Write Out Big Goals

The first thing I do at the beginning of the semester is write down my big goals for the semester on my whiteboard. Some of the goals I may include are:

• more A’s than B’s
• no C’s or worse
• complete all homework assignments on time

…or whatever else I may be trying to focus on. By writing these goals on my white board I see them every day and remind myself of what I am trying to accomplish. If I have fallen behind in one of the goals, I have set for myself I know I have to lock in more. Whereas if I am on pace to meet my goal, I know that what I am doing is working and to keep doing what I am doing.

Write Out Smaller Goals Through the Week

Next, I also have smaller goals written down. These can be daily or weekly goals that help you reach your big main goals. I will also write these down on my whiteboard so that I can see what I have to do and get the satisfaction of crossing it off my list. An example of some of the smaller goals I may set for myself are:

• go to all my classes
• complete my upcoming homework assignments
• study for an hour

Breaking down my main big goals into smaller goals makes it seem easier and motivates me to do my work because I know that it will directly affect my big goals.

Reward Yourself Whenever You Accomplish Something

One of the great ways to stay motivated is by giving yourself something to look forward to. It can be something as small and simple like you get the rest of the day to just relax and do what you want or something bigger like buying new clothes or going on a little trip. Last semester I tried this and ended up completing my goals because I wanted a couple of new sweatshirts. For each goal I completed, I allowed myself to buy a sweatshirt. It was the first time I was engaged and motivated through a whole academic semester. Giving yourself something to work for keeps you engaged with your schoolwork, and you’ll learn a lot more.

Remember the Big Picture

Whenever I am dreading to do an assignment, I will look at the big picture and examine the path that leads me to where I want to be. All the little assignments, projects, and tests matter and are just little steps leading me to my goals. This visualization helps keep me motivated because I want to accomplish my larger goals and I will get my work done to insure the best future for myself.

A certain amount of self-management is needed to achieve academic success. Whether it be long term and short-term goal setting, establishing rewards for yourself, or examining the big picture, figure out what motivates you to complete your work and implement it early in the semester before you get off track.

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!