Students blog

Approaching the Stage

There’s something surreal about stepping into a room full of people, knowing all eyes will soon be on you. That was me at my very first live panel with Modern Campus: heart racing, palms slightly clammy, but my mind was sharp and ready.

As I walked up to the stage, I could feel the quiet vibration of anticipation in the air. The lights were bright, the microphones were live, and the audience was a mix of professionals, students, and changemakers. They all gathered to hear about the student perspective and our college journeys.

I wasn’t just representing myself; I was representing the voice of students, the power of inclusive programming, and the impact of authentic communication. I spoke about being a nontraditional college student who’s completed most of her education online. I also shared how my journey as a communications student led me to become a Pearson ambassador.

It was more than a panel. It was a moment of clarity as I realized that the work I’ve been doing behind the scenes is part of a much larger movement, and I was right there in the middle of it.

Moment of Truth

At first, I felt calm and confident. I had prepared all week; I knew my talking points, and I was excited to share my perspective. But when I turned and saw the room packed with attendees, the nerves crept in. It wasn’t fear, exactly; it was more like a wave of realization: This is really happening!

I started strong, but as the conversation unfolded, the butterflies fluttered a little harder. Still, I pushed through. I reminded myself why I was there: to grow, to learn, and to show up fully so others could understand the obstacles I’ve overcome. I wanted them to see that I’m still succeeding, still working toward my bachelor’s degree, and still finding my place in the higher education community.

By the end, I was a little shaky, but I walked away with zero regrets. In fact, I walked away with so much more. I’d participated in panel to a live audience, and I’d met incredible people: fellow panelists, attendees, and even a senior-level associate from Pearson. Those connections alone made the experience worth it.

Growth through Challenge

This panel reminded me that growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. It happens when we lean into the unknown, when we say yes even if our voice shakes, even if our inner critic whispers doubts. That moment, standing in front of a live audience, sharing my story and insights, was a stretch beyond what felt familiar.

But it was also a powerful reminder that discomfort is often the doorway to transformation. The real value lies in those moments of vulnerability, when we choose courage over certainty.

That’s where life teaches us the most. It’s not through perfection but through presence: through showing up, speaking up, and trusting that our experiences matter.

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of the conversation and for the connections sparked in that room. I’m also thankful for the quiet realization that I’m capable of more than I often give myself credit for.

This experience didn’t just challenge me; it affirmed me. It reminded me that my voice belongs in these spaces and that the work I’ve been doing behind the scenes is already making an impact.

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

As a student working toward a career in Engineering, I had a lot of classes to take to get there. Thankfully, my university has professors who bring real-world experience to the table, which makes learning more hands-on. However, since they can’t always be on campus, many of my classes are held online. With so many online classes this semester, it can be tough to stay focused and keep distractions at bay. Over time, I've picked up a few helpful strategies for staying on track and getting my work done efficiently while learning from home. Here’s what’s been working for me!

1. Leave Your Room

The main tip that anyone can learn while trying to be a successful student and to make use of all their time is to leave the comfort of your room. With the different online classes that I have, it can get hard for me to find the motivation to get up at a reasonable hour and utilize that time for studying. During these times my bed looks extra comfortable and if you were like me, getting things done while lying in bed is not a successful strategy. Finding a routine that allowed me to get ready for the day and take my work anywhere that is not my home or dorm put me into an environment to have complete focus to finish tasks.

2. Pomodoro Method

Sounds like you’ve never heard it right? How about the 25-5 method? Well, I didn’t know that there was an official name for this type of study method. It is when you study hard for 25 minutes uninterrupted, then once the timer is up, you take a 5-minute break, before going back to studying. This is a really good method for people who tend to procrastinate (like me). It keeps you focused on your work for a good amount of time and allows you time to take a mental break. If you get super advanced at this method, try increasing your study timer to 30 minutes.

3. Invest in a Computer Monitor

You know, for us STEM majors, it can get a little crazy trying to manage everything at once whether you're working on an assignment or running software that’s eating up your computer’s energy. It’s easy to feel like you're drowning in tabs, or like your computer’s just not keeping up with the workload. That’s why getting an external monitor is honestly a game-changer. It helps you keep everything organized and gives you some extra space to breathe. I can't even tell you how many times I’ve opened something like AutoCAD and realized how much easier it is to see everything clearly on a bigger screen. It’s one of those small upgrades that totally makes your life easier when you're juggling all those tasks.

4. Take Written Notes

This is a tip for keeping yourself engaged in online classes or in class. Writing notes while the professor is speaking can distract you from anything that will take your focus away from your work. It also encourages you to ask questions on topics you don’t understand or any questions that you have. Studies show that people tend to remember handwritten notes better over the long term because the act of writing helps encode the information into your memory. If I am studying for a test, I can retain a topic better because I remembered that I wrote it down.

5. Actively Participate

Tying this in from the topic above, actively participating in lectures in class and voicing your opinion can help reduce the amount of study time you need to review a topic. So, whether it’s through active recall, applying what you’ve learned to real-life scenarios, or teaching someone else, the key is to make the learning process as hands-on and engaging as possible. The more you interact with the material, the stronger and more lasting your understanding will be!

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! 

Have you ever stalled out on blogging because of your schedule, writer's block, or lack of direction? Blogging is trickier than it seems. Curating topics that interest your audience and delivering consistent quality content requires more than just literary or marketing skills. Generative AI can help you brainstorm relevant and engaging topics to have ready for when inspiration strikes (or your schedule allows). 

Blogs often go unnoticed for their value in academic and career development, but they hold immense potential. Blogs can significantly enrich your portfolio by showcasing your passions and interests. Blogging also allows you to delve deeper into subjects, explore intriguing topics from your classes, and establish your unique voice in your industry. 
 

How Generative AI Can Help 
 

Generative AI like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can help define your blog's theme and discover related topics. Currently, these tools are best for ideation and brainstorming, rather than full-fledged copywriting. 
 

These tools generate content based on patterns from vast training data. However, it's important to note that generative AI has limitations and requires regular auditing. While AI provides the foundation, your creativity and direction turn those ideas into compelling content. Think of AI as your brainstorming partner, not a replacement. 
 

Here's a simple guide to get you started! 

Identify Your Blog's Subject 

Your subject could be as broad as environmentalism but works best with a narrower subject like sustainable fashion. Understanding your audience and their interests early in planning ensures you create content they care about. For example, prompt the AI: "List the different people interested in sustainable fashion with a summary of their perspectives and motivations." 
 


Brainstorm Topics Related to Your Subject 

While you can certainly ask the AI directly for article ideas, the real power of generative AI lies in its collaborative potential. Use multiple prompts to brainstorm diverse and creative topics, such as unexpected ideas, different perspectives, ideas for new studies, and a summary of academic thinking about your subject. For example, continue with the prompt: "You are a consumer interested in sustainable fashion. What questions would you have?" 
 

Organize and Expand on Your Topics 

Collaborating with generative AI is a non-linear process, and you are encouraged to circle back to prompts from a different writing "phase" whenever you need to ideate and elaborate on a previous idea. Still, a great prompt to use at this stage is to ask the AI to generate a mind map of your subject to visualize how topics connect. For instance, prompt: "Create an organized mind map about sustainable fashion."  
 

Bringing it All Together 

After this collaboration with generative AI, you should have a clear vision for your blog with topics and sub-topics to expand on during future writing sessions. Use this tool to streamline your blogging process and spark creativity. No more endless brainstorming sessions that exhaust you before you even start writing.  
 
Blogging isn't just about posting; it's about sharing your unique perspective, building expertise, and connecting with a broader audience. The benefits are substantial enhancing your portfolio, deepening your knowledge, and establishing your voice in your field. AI can assist you in creating a structured plan that allows you to focus on what truly matters—writing compelling content that resonates with your readers. 

Note: Generative AI is developing rapidly, and these prompts may need tweaking to adapt to updated models. 

Credit (and thanks) to Dave Birss for inspiration on these prompts! 

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! 

Podcasts have become a valuable tool in higher education, offering numerous benefits to students and educators. For students, podcasts offer a more conversational and engaging approach to learning. They can be accessed anytime and anywhere, allowing students to engage with educational content at their own pace. A study conducted by researchers at Kent State University found that students felt weekly podcast summaries enhanced their comprehension and helped with test preparation, resulting in higher mean test scores (Francom et al., 2011). For educators, podcasts offer a medium to extend their reach and share their expertise with a wider audience. Podcasts can also supplement in-person lectures by providing additional explanations, examples, and real-world applications. 

In my experience, having access to a podcast that was hosted by one of my professors, who also wrote the textbook for the course, provided a credible resource that enhanced my knowledge of the subject. What made it particularly valuable was that all the information was seamlessly synced across various learning platforms, including online lectures, podcast episodes, and eText. As a student who appreciates multitasking, I found the availability of a podcast format to be a game-changer. It allowed me to engage with the course material without being glued to my screen or textbook. I could listen to the podcast while going for a walk, cooking, or commuting, which helped me make the most of my time. Moreover, one of the standout benefits of podcasts is the conversational tone they provide compared to traditional in-person lectures. The podcast format made learning feel more interactive and engaging, as if I were conversing with the professor. Additionally, I had the flexibility to pause, rewind, and replay sections, which allowed me to reinforce key concepts at my own pace and ensure a solid understanding. Overall, the availability and convenience of the podcast format, along with its conversational nature and self-paced learning opportunities, enriched my education.

I am a fan of the Pearson Body Unboxed podcast episodes because they provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the concepts discussed in the textbooks, all while maintaining relevance and covering trending topics. What I truly appreciate about the episodes co-hosted by Dr. Joan Salge Blake is that every episode features real-world issues from some of the top nutrition scientists, writers, and researchers. This is especially important to me because I want to know that the information that I am listening to is current and accurate. Moreover, the podcasts have the perfect duration. As a student, I often struggle with extended periods of listening to a single person discussing a topic. Thankfully, the podcast episodes are around 30 minutes in length, allowing them to cover the key concepts effectively. This concise format also proves beneficial when it comes to note-taking for studying purposes. The Pearson Body Unboxed podcast episodes are invaluable resources that encourage students to focus on the essential concepts and provide a refreshing break from in-person lectures and textbook reading.

Podcasts have revolutionized higher education by offering a wide range of benefits for both students and educators. The availability of podcasts from reputable sources provides students with additional resources and insights to enhance their understanding of course materials. Incorporating podcasts into higher education can enrich the learning experience and support student's academic success.

Source:

Francom, J., Ryan, T., & Kariuki, M. (2011). The Effects of Podcasting on College Student Achievement and Attitude. Journal of the Research Center for Educational Technology, 7(1). Retrieved July 12, 2023, from https://rcetj.org/index.php/rcetj/article/view/117/236

Lab-based science courses have always intimidated me because, as a Business Management major, I have no lab experience. I was excited to try the Pearson Interactive Science Labs because their design allows you to work through online labs conveniently from anywhere at your own pace. After working through the virtual labs, I consider them an essential tool because they provide a meaningful science-based experience that includes a real-world scenario introduction, a step-by-step lab walkthrough, reflective analysis, and a wrap-up quiz. The interactive labs are easy to navigate, even without a science background, and are an excellent resource for applying the knowledge learned.

Engaging Introduction:

College can be overwhelming, which leads me to rush through assignments without understanding the meaning and importance of what I am learning. The Pearson Interactive Labs effectively explain the significant realistic scenario of the lab before you begin, which grabs your attention and encourages authentic participation. Background information for the case is also presented, and embedded questions ensure you fully understand the material and can move forward successfully to the lab. One feature I found beneficial was the multiple formats for the embedded questions, such as multiple choice, select all that are correct, and matching type questions.

Straightforward Guided Lab Experience:

After viewing the case scenario and relevant background information, the simulation allows you to familiarize yourself with the lab equipment location and tool names, which is extremely helpful for non-biology majors like me who may have never completed a college-level lab. Once you have walked through the tools necessary for the lab, you are given a set of self-paced step-by-step instructions to accomplish the lab goals. I feel the lab instructions are valuable because they are thorough yet easy enough to follow for any student including those with no prior lab experience.

Impactful Application of Knowledge:

When finished with the lab, you are guided through how to analyze the data and apply your knowledge to other related cases. Following the final analysis of the lab results, you are prompted to answer case-related questions in a quiz format. As a student, I appreciate opportunities to apply the knowledge I have learned because it creates a sense of accomplishment and cements the learned concepts into my memory for future use.

The interactive lab structure offers a guide through the complete science process including formulating a hypothesis, conducting a lab, and analyzing lab results. Having all the information and virtual tools needed for a lab assignment accessible in one place is crucial, especially for non-science majors. Busy college students like myself seek convenience in school work, which is why the virtual interactive labs are a fantastic tool for anyone taking a science course, regardless of their science background.

Busy college students like myself seek convenience in school work, which is why the virtual interactive labs are a fantastic tool for anyone taking a science course, regardless of their science background.

Learn more about Pearson Interactive Labs today! 

ChatGPT is a revolutionary language model developed by OpenAI that can generate human-like text. This model has the capability to complete a given prompt by providing a coherent and fluent response. The model has been trained on a massive amount of text data, making it capable of understanding and responding to a wide range of topics and questions. One of the most significant impacts of ChatGPT is on the field of education, particularly in the realm of college-level learning. With the increasing use of technology in education, ChatGPT can be used as a powerful tool to enhance the learning experience of students.

Study Assistance

One way that ChatGPT can be used in college is as an educational assistant. The model can be used to generate answers to students' questions, providing them with quick and accurate information. This can be especially useful for students who are struggling to understand a particular concept or topic.

Writing Assistance

Another way that ChatGPT can be used in college is as a writing assistant. The model can be used to generate high-quality written content, such as essays or research papers. This can be especially helpful for students who are struggling with writing or for those who need to produce a large amount of written work in a short amount of time.

Productivity Assistance

The application of ChatGPT isn't only limited to education; ChatGPT can also be used in various industries such as journalism, customer service and more. The model can be used to generate news articles, customer service scripts, and even software code. This can significantly increase productivity and speed up the process of completing tasks, making it a valuable tool for businesses.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful language model that has the potential to revolutionize the way we learn and work. Its ability to generate human-like text makes it an invaluable tool for students, educators, and professionals alike. And the exciting part of this blog is, it was written by ChatGPT. This showcases the capabilities of the model and its potential to be used in various fields. With the continued development and advancements in natural language processing, the possibilities of ChatGPT are endless.

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! 

Every student knows how hard it is to study for lab exams. You spend hours in lab making observations, doing experiments, collecting data, dissecting specimens, etc. just to leave and hope that you took enough photos and wrote down enough information to be useful later. These pictures are often blurry, and you can’t go back and look at your work to take better ones which makes it feel impossible to study for exams! This frustration is what makes Pearson’s PAL (Practice Anatomy Lab) 4.0 the perfect study tool for students! PAL 4.0 is a program composed of 3D models, diagrams, real life cadaver photos, flashcards, and so much more. It is designed to help students get the same experience online that they did in the lab. Now you don’t have to scour the internet looking for “sheep heart dissection” photos!

PAL Learning Program 

PAL 4.0 is designed to help students with challenging anatomical concepts. The program consists of all the body systems and provides students with various options for learning. These options include anatomical models, a manipulatable 3D model, cadaver photos, histology, and flashcards. All these different styles appeal to different learners! Some students may be wary of the cadaver photos so they can use the anatomical model instead. Some students are visual learners, and some are not. I love all the different formats; I always struggle trying to find diagrams that teach me what I want to know. PAL 4.0 allows me to study in ways I haven’t been able to before!

Mastering 3D simulation

In the PAL 4.0 mastering 3D simulation, you can interact with an anatomical model. The model can be manipulated and viewed from any angle. With the muscular system model, the muscles included in the group you’re studying are highlighted on the figure. If you click on a muscle, a textbox will appear and tell you the name, give you the pronunciation, allow you to hide the muscle, or isolate it. The isolation feature separates the muscle from the body and gives you a 3D image perspective of every angle of that muscle. This feature is incredibly useful because it demonstrates how the muscle looks on its own and how it fits with the body.

See the real thing

I always struggled in classes that didn’t have hands-on applications, like theoretical math, biology at a cellular level, etc. I always learn better when I can see what something looks like in real life. While seeing a cadaver can be shocking at first, being able to identify things you’re learning about, in real pictures, can change how you see them. A drawing of a deltoid muscle doesn’t show the detail that a picture of the real muscle can portray. The PAL 4.0 cadaver photos allow you to see the intricate details of the human muscular system. This has helped me with exams because I remember where those muscles are in my own body. 

Who doesn’t like flashcards?

I haven’t met a college student who doesn’t use flashcards for at least one of their classes; they are an easy way to learn definitions and simple topics. In anatomy, flashcards can be hard to use. How can I make flashcards for something I have to identify? Pearson’s PAL 4.0 provides students with excellent flashcards for every body system and specific region. Once you select a deck, you can choose to study them all or just some of the structures. PAL 4.0 then creates the personalized deck just for you. You’re then presented with an image of the structure you want to study; the other side of the flashcard has the definition. You can zoom in and out of the picture and pan it to get the full idea of the image. There is also an option to quiz yourself. A multiple-choice question will appear and ask you to identify the structure you saw. This amazing feature prepares you for any anatomy diagram a professor might throw at you.

Between the flashcards, the cadaver images, and the 3D simulation, PAL 4.0 really has students’ success in mind. School can be incredibly overwhelming, especially when you don’t have the materials you need to succeed. Thankfully, Pearson consistently equips students with resources to minimize the stress of college.

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! 

MyLab, if you didn’t know, is a Pearson online learning platform that covers over 50 subjects and classes. MyLab has great features for both students and instructors. Two of my favorites are the homepage calendar and the “Show Me an Example” button.

Instructors also have a wide variety of ways to customize the platform. In the end, the wide range of features in Pearson’s MyLab benefit both the students and the instructors.

Getting Organized with the Homepage Calendar

The homepage calendar is one of my favorite features on MyLab. On the calendar, the days with assignments due have a small blue dot. The assignments are listed under categories. The most helpful is the one with the upcoming assignments. The homepage calendar is a terrific tool to help students get and stay organized.

A Little Help from the ‘Show Me’ Tool

Another one of my favorite features is the “Show Me an Example” button. This feature comes in especially helpful when taking math or math-related courses. If a student is having trouble working out a particular problem or part of a particular problem, clicking the “Show Me an Example” button will create a very similar problem. The platform will then walk the student through how to do the problem or part of the problem. It can help the student learn, reinforce a concept, and help with homework all in one. When I don’t fully understand a concept in class, I know I can use the “Show Me an Example” button to gain more mastery of that concept.

Instructor Resources

Instructors have some options in how they structure MyLab to align with how they want their students to learn in their class. An example of one way they can change MyLab for the students is by setting the maximum attempts each student has to answer a question. Another example is that an instructor can turn off the “Show Me an Example” button if they don’t want their students to use it. They can also pick the quantity of questions they want to assign as well as which specific questions. There are many more customizable features at the disposal for instructors to use at their preference.

Pearson’s MyLab is a great online learning platform no matter what class you are using it for. The wide range of features make it a valuable resources for both students and instructors.

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! 

During my freshman year of college there was a constant joke going around about how online classes were so much easier than in-person classes. But during the past two years, I have learned that online classes are not easy at all, and I would argue can be much harder. I found it more difficult to grasp curriculum, and easier to focus on everything besides school and fall behind.

If you are currently taking an online class, or are planning to take one soon, this blog is for you. Below are the five key ingredients I found to achieve success in online courses. These ingredients are tried and true and will never fail you.

1. Organize your time – This is perhaps the most essential ingredient to success. You need to set aside time each week to focus on your class rather than simply doing assignments when you remember to do them. Setting aside time during the week is critical to getting your body in a groove and helps keep you on track in terms of due dates, leaving you ample time to study. My rule of thumb is to set aside two hours a week per credit hour for each online course you are taking.
2. Write down all your assignments and due dates – It is easy for students to fall behind on work when they rely on a syllabus to tell them when an assignment is due. Syllabi are often complex and may not be organized in the most logical or coherent manner; it is easy to forget what assignments are due when even after reading them. That is why another key ingredient is to write down all the assignments and due dates. I use Microsoft Excel to write down all my assignments for all my classes into one sheet with each class designated by a different color listed by due date. This way I can quickly see what important projects are approaching.
3. Utilize a calendar – When you organize your time, put your designated focus time for each class in your calendar. This way you won’t schedule other events like dinners, dates, or whatever, on time you already designated for your classes. Simply telling yourself that you will do the class material another time is a recipe for disaster! Keep yourself in the routine and use a calendar.
4. Communicate – This may sound easy, but it is critical to communicate to others in the class, and to those in your life about what you are working on. Communicating with others about class work is an easy way to reinforce course material and keep your mind in the academic mindset. Additionally, communicating with family or friends about the fact that you are taking an online course allows an external check to exist as they might ask how your classes are going and what you are working on.
5. Attend office hours – There is a reason why your professors or TAs have office hours each week and that is to help you. Take advantage of this opportunity to get one-on-one time with your instructor as they will help you fully grasp the course material. Plus, you will begin to establish a relationship which can help in the future should you need to ask them for letters of recommendation.

Online classes aren’t easy, and that’s okay. But following these five ingredients are the key to success in online classes.

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!