Students blog

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! 

Picking out all the shortcomings in our diet is the easy part- figuring out how to make up for these shortcomings is a lot harder. “I should be eating more veggies, but I don’t have the time to prepare them; I should be drinking more water, but the taste is so boring compared to juice; I would cook more, but I don’t know what to make” are all common excuses students make when it comes to dining in college. Now that we have covered some of the nutritional deficiencies in college students and the most common micronutrient sources- how do we actually implement these foods into our diet? 

While I experimented in the kitchen growing up, most of my meals were not as appetizing as the ones I idolized on cooking shows. During my time in college, I have had more time to refine my cooking skills and build a modest collection of go-to recipes. Here are a few of my favorite recipes and quick meals that can help add back missing micronutrients to the everyday college student’s diet.

College is a great time to start developing new skills, especially when they help you in your success as a healthy, learning student. What skills am I referring to? You may be thinking of skills such as communication, time-management, or teamwork. Although these are very helpful and necessary to academic success, another skill you should explore as a college student is dancing! There is no better time than now in college to take a dance class. In addition to being a fun way to express yourself, dancing is also a great way to strengthen both your body and mind.

Strengthen Your Mind

Dancing benefits you in many ways that can result in better brain function. It has been shown to:

• Improve memory
• Improve critical thinking skills
• Stimulate new neural connections
• Reduce stress
• Improve physical health

Dancing requires a lot of memorization, and the practice of remembering moves and executing them helps build the brain’s ability to access stored information. Dancing also forces students to quickly learn that solutions to problems can take many forms and helps in developing better critical thinking skills. In addition to bettering memory and critical thinking, the combination of movement and sensory enrichment during dancing has been shown to improve neuroplasticity (the ability to form new neural connections). Talk about having a positive impact on the brain! Dancing stimulates the growth of new neurons, leading to a healthier brain and a lesser chance of developing neurological diseases later in life.

Strengthen Your Body

Just like other forms of physical activity, dancing reduces stress and improves overall physical health. Dancing releases dopamine and endorphins to make you happy, in addition to increasing levels of serotonin and reducing levels of cortisol to help alleviate stress. It also boosts creativity and provides a healthy way to express yourself. Dancing is a very aerobic form of exercise, so it helps overall physical health by improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, and increasing endurance. It also increases flexibility and improves balance and coordination!

Have I convinced you to start dancing yet? The number of benefits that surround dance completely outweigh the trouble of finding a dance class and fitting it into your schedule. The improvement of mental and physical health that dance provides will only make you a better college student. Improved memory, critical thinking skills, neural connections, physical health, and reduced stress are all things that will help you better succeed in college. Better dancer means better student, so start dancing!

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! 

In school, it is easy to get bogged down by continuous deadlines, assignments, and everyday stressors. Whether you chronically overwork or constantly procrastinate, school can stress you out if you're not conscious of your mental state. Even though taking walks, reading books, and meditating are great stress relievers, those practices and habits don't come naturally to everyone. If you're looking for some "outside the box" ways to relax, here are my two favorite ways to de-stress that are a bit less common.

Board Games

If you’re a more social person, I love relaxing by playing board games. Whether they’re collaborative or competitive, board games are a great way to schedule fun, non-academic, and inexpensive activities with your friends and peers. Board games are easy to find and only require a onetime purchase if you don’t already own a particular game. If you’re not looking for physical copies of games, you can also find many games for cheap/free online to play on-the-go or online. At Georgia State University, we are lucky enough to have a tabletop gaming club that can help facilitate these weekly games, but it’s super easy to meet up with friends on your own time to do so. Having a game night with my friends every other week has been a great way for me to stop worrying about what’s been stressing me out that week. I can shift my focus onto the objective of the game at hand while getting to catch up and laugh with my friends.

Jigsaw Puzzles

For more introverted people, the activity I’ve taken up most this school year to relax is doing jigsaw puzzles. With a range of difficulties and themes, it’s easy to decide on a puzzle that specifically fits what you want. Personally, I like to listen to a good album, catch up on a show, or relax in silence while focusing on the puzzle. Not only are puzzles a great mental workout, but they help you take a break from being on social media, staring at a screen, or stressing over an assignment. The best part is that your hard work helps create a beautiful finished puzzled that you can glue together and use for decoration or gift giving.

If you don’t know how to de-stress and relax, you can get overwhelmed in the blink of an eye. It’s great to work hard, but it is also necessary to spend time relaxing and having fun, so your brain can keep working hard without burning itself out. While I really enjoy playing board games and doing puzzles to de-stress, I encourage you to see what activity work best for you. It’s important to know what helps you relax and to set aside time to de-stress.

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! 

What is your earliest memory of going to a theme park? Why was that experience memorable to you? I frequented theme parks as a kid and by the time I was old enough to understand the career choices that were in front of me, I wanted to be a “roller coaster engineer”. During my first week of college, I found out about my school’s Theme Park Engineering and Design Club and I knew I had to join. At the first meeting, we talked about our favorite theme park rides, how we would change certain ones, and even some we dreamed of creating and I felt at home right away. I had found a community of people who shared my dream. Through actively participating in this club, I learned that I could alter my previous dream into a real career in theme park design.

Making the Dream into a Reality

In November of 2022, I was presented with an opportunity to travel with the club to Orlando for the IAAPA (International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions) expo. The first time I saw the show floor will forever be a core memory for me. Everywhere the eye could see contained booths, rides, arcade games, food stands, and more. There are no words to do it justice, so I’ll simply describe it as the most overwhelming yet invigorating room I’d ever stepped foot in. Every conversation I had and every company I met reinforced my dream of working in the themed entertainment industry. When I think about everything I learned, it all boils down to the idea that this industry is real and not just something I dreamt of as a kid. Suffice it to say, it was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life.

My Biggest Takeaways

I will forever be grateful for my experience at IAAPA, and I hope to return many more times in my life. For my first real-life introduction to the industry, I felt like I gained a much better understanding of the themed entertainment and attraction industry. Here are my biggest takeaways from the experience:

1. Classrooms are not equal to real-life experience. I had spent two full semesters hearing about the industry and participating in small-scale activities, but, until I attended the IAAPA expo, my knowledge of the industry barely scraped the surface.
2. Networking takes time and practice. I thought that networking would come easily to me, but I was sorely mistaken. It took me an entire day to even work up the confidence to initiate a conversation. I’m still working on finding the best ways to introduce myself, but luckily, I have plenty of time to get better at it.
3. Let passion drive your future endeavors. This was the biggest thing I learned from the experience. Nearly every person I met was excited to talk about their position, projects, and experiences. It was evident that these people had an honest love for their work. Their openness and honesty regarding their passions was incredibly inspiring. They taught me that if I let passion drive my career, I would get much further and be happier than if I follow superficial things.

If I could relay one piece of advice that I learned from this experience, it’s that there is truth to Walt Disney’s saying, “if you dream it, you can do it.” If you have a passion for something, life is too short to give up on it without even trying. Follow your dreams and they may lead you somewhere beyond what you could have ever imagined.

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! 

April 22nd. You might remember this day in elementary school as the day your teacher gave you coloring pages with themes of trees, the ocean, and recycling. However, the older we get, the more important this day becomes. Earth Day is all about educating yourself on the ways that you can practice taking better care of the planet. Excess waste is a huge contributor to pollution which harms the earth’s atmosphere which, in turn, will harm us.

There are tons of different factors that impact the planet and many small lifestyle changes that can make a difference. Here are 3 actions we can practice to take better care of our planet, on Earth Day and every day!

Help Clean Up

One easy way to celebrate Earth Day is to participate in a trash cleanup! Joining a big group event or getting together with some friends to remove trash from parks, lakes, beaches, and rivers, all makes a difference. Participating in these types of events helps reduce waste and plastic pollution, plus protects the environment for both wildlife and humans.

Shop Smarter

Fast fashion is another culprit of causing extremely high emissions of pollution into our atmosphere. Educating yourself on environmentally friendly fashion choices will help move the world closer towards sustainability.

Adapt To an Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle

There are many small lifestyle changes you can make that can make a difference. You can reduce your plastic usage by using reusable bags when you go grocery shopping. Further reduce your plastic usage by taking a reusable water bottle with you. Look for ways to regularly recycle plastic, aluminum, and glass where you live. Making a few of these small changes in the way you live your life can dramatically change the impact you have on the planet and the example you set for others.

Find More Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

It can be easy to forget the impact we have on the planet by the actions we take every day; therefore, Earth Day serves as an important reminder. There are tons of changes you can make today to help better the planet and focus on keeping it healthy and beautiful.

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! 

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

Social Media Branding

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

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

Networking

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

Interviewing

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

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

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

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 an Environmental Science student who cares about our planet, I believe small actions can make for big change. For many students, adopting a more sustainable lifestyle through the hustle and bustle of college can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Living a more sustainable lifestyle can be easy and benefits not only the planet but also your wallet! Saving the planet is a collective endeavor; all I can do is share my tips and wisdom on the matter. Just remember, it's not about perfection; it's about effort and mindset.

Tip #1: Unplug Electronics When Not in Use

A majority of things that have to be plugged in continue to use energy even when they are turned off or not in use. Things like phone chargers, computer cords, coffee makers, lamps, irons, and so many more drain your energy like a vampire. According to Duke Energy, vampire energy from these items can account for almost 20% of your monthly electricity bill. Taking just 5 minutes to unplug can save on energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and save money. 

Tip #2: Buy Less

Everything you buy has a carbon footprint, from the resources it took to grow or mine, to the energy and greenhouse gasses associated with its production, and to its life after you have finished using it. Our society has, unfortunately, normalized overconsumption. One thing that has helped me with impulse purchases is asking myself a series of questions:

• “Do I really need this item?
• “Will I use this thing more than once?” 
• “If I wait 30 days, will I still want to buy this thing”
• “When I am done with this, will I be able to repurpose it or dispose of it responsibly?”

Use up what you have before you purchase more. Will saying no to buying another perfume for your 20+ collection really make or break you? This does not mean you cannot buy things for yourself, but make sure that when you do, you do it like an intelligent consumer to help out the planet.

Tip #3: Buy Second Hand and Re-Wear Your Clothes

Grab a friend and hit up a thrift store for most of your clothing needs. A good 3/4ths of my wardrobe are things I got at thrift stores, garage sales, or hand-me-downs. It’s significantly cheaper than retail and forces you to be more creative with what you wear. Make sure you buy clothes you will wear more than once and can see yourself styling in different ways. Famous fashion designer Patrick Grant has said that we have enough clothing on the planet right now to clothe the next 6 generations of the human race. Stop feeding the dumpster fire that is the Fast Fashion industry. Be kinder to the planet and give an existing garment a new life. 

Tip #4: (For Anyone Who Menstruates) Invest in Period Underwear and Menstrual Cups 

Regular pads and tampons create a lot of waste, are wrapped in single-use plastics, and are often uncomfortable. I used to spend about $20 on these products each month, adding up to $240 a year. But now there are new options that are both better for the environment and more affordable over time. Period underwear is washable, reusable underwear that is designed to replace pads and tampons or be worn with tampons and menstrual cups for extra protection. A $20 pair of period panties are infinitely washable, comfortable, come in different flow capacities and last years. For menstrual cups, I recommend a Flex Cup because they are easier to use. A $40 medical-grade silicone menstrual cup is reusable for multiple years, washable, holds heavier flows, can be worn in pools, contains no additives, and can be safely left in longer than tampons. Cups come with a learning curve, but they're fantastic once you get the hang of them. By investing in these items, I've cut my menstrual expenses by 75% and create minimal period waste!

Tip #5: Use Reusable Bags 

If you're anything like me, you probably already have a few bags lying around that you got from freebies at school, events you attended, or an item you bought online. You most likely don't need to go out and buy these bags. I started using reusable bags when I grocery shop, and it truly makes you realize how many unnecessary plastic bags you were accumulating. I keep my reusable bags in my car, so I'm less likely to forget when I'm about to walk in. Bonus points if you own a giant Ikea bag; they are the best for hauling all your groceries in one go.  

Tip #6: Switch to Reusable Cups and Tupperware 

Hate to break it to you, but the hydro flasks VSCO girlies were onto something. My hydro flask has become my emotional support water bottle and keeps me hydrated throughout the day. When I go to sit-down restaurants, I usually order water, and I just pour the water I end up not drinking into my flask for later! Places like Starbucks will allow you to use your own personal cup as long as it’s clean, and you get a 10-cent discount! Ditch the single-use paper and plastic cups for good. I love to use my collapsible silicone Stojo cup for all my tea and coffee needs. One time the barista loved my reusable cup so much they gave me the drink for free! Cups like this will motivate you to make your drink of choice at home, saving some cash. Get caffeinated for that all-nighter while going green! 

Tip #7: Switch to Beeswax Wrap instead of Plastic Wrap or Foil

Beeswax wraps are a reusable, sustainable alternative to plastic or foil wraps. They keep your food fresh for a long time, create tight seals, are washable, and come in a variety of cute patterns. I recommend buying these from small businesses or making them yourself. I made my own beeswax wraps a few months ago, and they've worked so well I don't use other things to wrap my food. They come in different sizes; I use the small ones for wrapping items like lemons and the big ones for making snack packs or sealing a large plate/pan of food in the fridge. There are so many videos on the internet that you can reference to learn how to use and maintain them!

Tip #8: Drive Less, Carpool, and Use Public Transportation

For anyone who lives on a college campus, overpriced nightmare parking is a tale as old as time. An easy way to avoid this is by switching to a bus or train to get you places. Most universities offer free transportation around campus and have great shuttle systems. If you live in a big city, there is often a metro system that can get you to so many places. I personally try to commute to school on the metro at least once a week instead of driving. If you have friends on your route to school, go together and have the carpool karaoke of your dreams! Gen Z has a habit of “driving to clear our minds” when all it does is burn through gas. Try to limit the times you drive for “fun”; your gas budget and the planet will thank you. 

You cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do. Try something new today and tell a friend or two. Mother nature appreciates you for 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! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Works Cited

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

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

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!