Students blog

Summer break is often seen as a time to relax, travel, or work, but for many college students, it also raises the question: Should I take summer classes? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Deciding whether to enroll in summer courses depends on your academic goals and personal priorities. Here’s a guide to help you make the best decision for your situation.

Pros of Taking Summer Classes

1. Stay on track or graduate early: Summer classes can help you catch up on credits or get ahead in your program. This could allow you to graduate a semester—or even a full year—early, which could offer a financial advantage!
2. Lighter course load during the year: Spreading out your credits over the summer might reduce your fall or spring workload, giving you more flexibility during the regular school year.
3. Smaller class sizes: Summer courses often have fewer students, which can mean more personalized attention and better access to professors.
4. Fewer distractions: With less activity on campus, you might find it easier to focus on your coursework without the usual hustle of a full semester.
5. More focused learning: With fewer classes to juggle compared to the regular semester, you can concentrate more deeply on one subject.

Potential Cons to Consider

1. Condensed pace: Summer classes move quickly. An entire semester’s worth of material is often compressed into just a few weeks, making the coursework more intense and demanding.
2. Burnout risk: After two full semesters, it can be difficult to find the stamina for a summer session, which could lead to mental fatigue or a lack of motivation.
3. Limited course offerings: Not all classes are available during the summer, especially electives, labs, or upper-level major requirements.
4. Missed break opportunities: Taking summer classes could mean giving up time spent with friends and family, internships, travel, or earning income from a summer job.
5. Reduced financial aid options: Some schools offer limited or no financial aid for summer courses. Extra summer fees might offset any savings from cheaper classes, so be sure to check carefully before enrolling.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do I need these credits to stay on track or graduate early?
2. Will I be able to manage the fast pace of a summer course?
3. Are the classes I need even offered this summer?
4. How will this impact my summer plans: work, internships, family time, or rest?
5. Am I doing this because it supports my goals, or just because I feel like I "should"?

Taking summer classes can be a smart move, but only if it aligns with your academic goals, financial realities, and personal needs. Take time to weigh the pros and cons, and don’t be afraid to ask your academic advisor for input. After all, summer is what you make of it!

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Let’s be honest… student teaching is exciting, challenging, and a little nerve-wracking all at once! You’re now stepping into the classroom not just to observe, but to actually teach, inspire, and learn alongside your students.

As someone who has completed two semesters of student teaching, I’m here to pass along what I’ve learned. These five essential tips will help you make the most of your journey with stability, preparation, and confidence.

1. Build Strong Relationships Early

From day one, invest time in learning your students’ names, interests, and personalities. Show genuine curiosity and care, and don’t be afraid to have some fun! This is one of the fastest ways to earn your students' trust. It will also help you design tailored lesson plans and determine which classroom management techniques will work best.

Building rapport with your mentor teacher and other school staff is equally important—they are your greatest allies and support system!

2. Keep a “Lesson Journal”

After each lesson, jot down what worked, what didn’t, and what you might tweak next time. Include any ideas you have for future lessons, planning, or student feedback. Don’t just focus on your mistakes (because you will make them, and they are valuable lessons to learn); remember to celebrate all the little victories too!

This reflective habit will accelerate your growth and provide a record of ideas and strategies to carry into your first teaching job.

3. Prepare… But Stay Flexible

Detailed planning is important, but classrooms are living, breathing spaces. A fire drill, a tech glitch, or an unexpected student question can take you in a new direction: embrace it! Flexibility doesn’t mean losing control; it means adapting to the moment while keeping your learning goals in sight.

4. Develop Your “Teacher Voice” (Literally and Figuratively)

You don’t need to shout to command respect, but you do need presence. As a student teacher, you’re in a unique spot. You’re not the main authority, but you’re still a key leader in the classroom.

Practice speaking clearly and calmly, and use pauses for emphasis. Finding your voice takes time, so don’t be afraid to experiment and reflect on what works best for you.

5. Take Care of You!

Teaching is exhausting! It’s easy to burn out when you’re pouring so much energy into lesson planning, grading, and managing a classroom.

Prioritize rest, nutrition, and downtime (yes, you’re allowed to have a life outside of teaching!). Lean on your mentor teacher for support, both academically and emotionally. A rested teacher is a better teacher.

Student teaching isn’t just about proving yourself; it’s about learning, growing, and discovering who you are as an educator. Keep your survival kit close, be a sponge, and remember: you’ve got this!

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 fall semester comes to an end and finals begin, college students face endless readings, problem sets, and late-night study sessions. But once the work is finally done, exams are submitted, and essays are written, nothing feels better than sinking into the couch, grabbing a snack, and launching a good old-fashioned, TV marathon. Here are four shows worth lining up to pass the time during winter break... so go relax, you've earned it!

1. Yellowjackets

If you haven’t been pulled into the chaos yet, now is the time. Yellowjackets is the perfect mix of psychological thriller, survival horror, and messy coming-of-age drama. The show follows a high school girls’ soccer team stranded in the wilderness after a plane crash. The story bounces between their terrifying fight to survive in the ’90s and the dark fallout in their adult lives. It’s got cult vibes, mystery boxes, and the kind of “I need to know what happens next” cliffhangers that will absolutely ruin your sleep schedule—in the best way possible.

2. We Were Liars

Based on the wildly popular YA novel by E. Lockhart, We Were Liars is gearing up to be an experience when it hits Prime Video. Set on a private island off Massachusetts, the story follows a wealthy family hiding dangerous secrets. It’s told through the eyes of Cadence Sinclair, who is struggling to piece together the events of a previous and pivotal summer. Think Pretty Little Liars energy but with more psychological twists and a beach-goth atmosphere. Perfect for curling up and losing track of time.

3. Timeless

This recommendation is a personal favorite of mine! It’s not a new show, but it has a timeless plot (no pun intended). This time-travel adventure follows a historian, a soldier, and a scientist as they chase a rogue operative through America’s past, from the Hindenburg disaster to Watergate. Each episode blends action, clever storytelling, and real historical events while weaving in deeper questions about identity, morality, and the power of rewriting history. Suspenseful yet heartfelt, Timeless is perfect for anyone who craves high-stakes drama, fascinating “what ifs,” and a touch of history.

4. Stranger Things, Season 5

The long-awaited final chapter of the Hawkins story will arrive in three volumes. The first drops on November 26, with later releases on December 25 and December 31. Expect Eleven, Mike, and the gang to face their darkest, most harrowing threat yet, with all the supernatural scares and nostalgic charm we’ve come to love in the previous seasons.

Bonus Watch: The Bear

And if you’re hungry too, check out The Bear. This award-winning dramedy follows “Carmy,” a young chef who takes over his family’s sandwich shop in Chicago. He tries to transform it into something great while barely holding his own life together. It’s chaotic, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt, with dialogue that moves as fast as the kitchen itself. Just be warned: you’ll probably find yourself craving Italian beef by the second episode.

Whether you’re in the mood for survival horror, family drama, or supernatural throwdowns, these shows are tailor-made for late-night marathons after long days of school and life. Stock up on snacks, silence the notifications, and let mind wander around new worlds for a while!

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! 

Gift giving is tough! It’s so difficult to find that perfect gift every year around the holidays for those that are important in your life. Personally, I love receiving handmade gifts, and why not add a personalized touch for those that are most important in your life?

Not only is crafting your own glassware super easy, but it allows you to create a thoughtful one-of-a-kind gift that can be used all year round! Get ready to raise a toast to craftsmanship and creativity this holiday season!

Materials:

• Glassware of your choice (ex. mug, cup, wine glass, etc.)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Glass paint (non-toxic and oven safe, there are so many options on Amazon or in stores!)
• Paintbrushes
• Oven

Step 1: Clean the Glassware

• Wash the glasses thoroughly with soap and water, and then dry completely
• Rub the surface you will be painting with rubbing alcohol to remove any fingerprints or remaining residue

Step 2: Pick Your Design and Start Painting

• Tip: Research and sketch out the design you want to make! Try to think of something meaningful to the person you are gifting your glasses to!
• Tip: Try to leave about 1 inch of empty space around the rim of your glass for more comfortable drinking!

Step 3: Let It Dry

• Allow the paint to dry completely! I recommend allowing 24-48 hours for the paint to dry and cure.
• Tip: Check out the box that your paint came in to see if there are any special instructions!

Step 4: Cure the Paint in the Oven

• Place the glasses in a cold oven
• Then set the oven temperature according to the paint’s instructions (usually around 350°- 400°F)
• Leave your glasses in the oven for about 30 minutes and then let the glasses cool inside of the oven

Step 5: Gift Away!

• Your glasses are now ready for use!
• Tip: Wrap up your glass set in a cute gift box and add a note that they are handmade and personalized! And don’t forget to remind the recipient that if they want them to last, don’t put them in the dishwasher!
  

Happy crafting and Happy Holidays!

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! 

So, you’re thinking about a master’s degree. Or maybe you’ve already started one. Either way, welcome! You’re in good company.

I entered college knowing I wanted to apply for my school’s five-year Master’s of Education program—but honestly? It was still scary.

Course planning, advisor meetings, recommendation letters, and essays were all part of the climb. When the long-awaited acceptance finally arrived (yay!), I felt like I’d climbed a mountain.

But then came the reality check: I still had to complete the program. Cue the overwhelm.

Master Your Master’s

Whether you’re at the beginning or somewhere in the middle, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement, nerves, and questions. The good news? You’re not alone.

Here are some tips I’ve learned that can help you not just survive but master your master’s.

Know Your Why

Before anything else, ask yourself why you’re pursuing this degree. Is it to deepen your expertise? Pivot your career?

Your “why” will guide you in choosing the right program and opportunities. Importantly, it will also keep you motivated through challenges.

Make sure your path reflects your goals—not just what seems like the “next step.”

Adjust Your Mindset

Grad school isn’t undergrad 2.0. Expectations are higher, and the learning is more self-directed. You’re not just absorbing knowledge anymore—you’re contributing to it.

You’ll lead discussions, apply theory, and think like a future leader in your field. Passive participation won’t cut it.

Be your own advocate, seek help when needed, and navigate uncertainty with confidence. The earlier you embrace this shift in mindset, the more empowered you’ll feel.

Schedule in Structure

Organization is everything. Grad school assignments are often long-term and not built for last-minute cramming.

Use your planner, calendar, or apps to break big projects into small tasks. Schedule time for deep focus—and for rest.

My favorite tip? A “Friday Reset”: spend fifteen minutes reviewing your week and prepping for the next. Small habits like this can keep you grounded and on track.

Build Relationships

Grad school can feel isolating, especially if your social circle shifts. I stayed an extra year at my university while friends graduated, and I felt that loneliness. But building connections in my program helped immensely.

Your peers share your goals (and your fears). Invest in those relationships.

Take Care of You

Be gentle with yourself along the way. Despite my preparation, I struggled with imposter syndrome when I started student teaching. I regained confidence by reminding myself that I’m still a student and new challenges are opportunities to learn.

You might start your program focused on one career path only to discover a new passion. That’s not failure; that’s growth.

Sustain Your Success

Pursuing a master’s is a decisive step. Whether you’re still considering it or are already enrolled, remember that you’ve already chosen growth—and that process requires sustainability.

By knowing your purpose, participating proactively, and planning your time, you can stay ahead of the overwhelm. Building relationships and taking care of yourself will make that success sustainable.

Now go out there and master your master’s!

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 the semester kicks off, staying organized and on top of your coursework is more important than ever. Many students- including myself- choose to take notes on a tablet, and finding the right place to organize those notes is crucial for success. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the one that suits your needs. That’s why I’ve tested some note-taking apps so you don’t have to! Here are some pros and cons of note-taking apps I’ve used in the past to help you find the perfect fit for you!

Notebook

This app is perfect for typing notes and is fully compatible with digital pencils, making it easy to take handwritten notes as well. You can enrich your notes by adding text, images, audio recordings, and sketches, offering a versatile way to capture information. Each course can be organized into larger notebooks, keeping everything neatly categorized. While you can’t customize the paper type, you can select unique covers for your notebooks and assign colors to each note, giving your study materials a personalized touch. Best of all, you have access to unlimited notes and notebooks for free, making it an excellent choice for students.

CollaNote

This app is my personal favorite for school, and I absolutely love it for all the features you get for free! It allows you to add photos, scan documents, insert links, use a calculator, and even add fun stickers to your notes. Whether you prefer typing or using a digital pencil, this app is perfect for both. One of the coolest features is the built-in translation tool, which is a game-changer for studying in different languages. You can easily organize your notes by creating folders for each course, keeping everything neat and accessible. While you can't change the color of your folders, you can customize each note by choosing different paper types and even changing the color of your pencil. The best part? There's no limit to the number of folders or notes you can create, so you’ll never run out of space for all your ideas and study materials!

GoodNotes 6

If you’re looking for something a little bit more sophisticated and are willing to pay $9.99/year (or $29.99 for a one-time purchase), GoodNotes 6 is a great option for you! In the paid version, you have access to unlimited notebooks with lots of customization (max 3 notebooks in the free version). You can choose your paper template, including a variety of grid and lined papers. You can also customize the style and color of your pens, giving you more creative control over your notes. One really cool tool is the search functionality in the paid version, where you can find specific information quickly, even in handwritten notes. You can also import PDFs and annotate them, which is great for reviewing class materials or documents. Both the paid and free versions are compatible with digital pencils. Overall, the paid version unlocks a wealth of additional capabilities that can be incredibly useful for power users, particularly those who need advanced organization, customization, or collaboration tools.

Test out these options for yourself and see what fits your note-taking habits the best this semester! Happy studying!

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! 

Being stuck inside during the winter sometimes sends me looking for some unplugged activities. Thinking back to my summer as a camp counselor, the “it” way to pass the time was to make friendship bracelets! Whether you’re a seasoned bracelet maker or just getting started, I want to welcome you to the color world of friendship bracelets!

I’ve been making friendship bracelets for years and I can tell you it takes a lot of practice! The foundation of friendship bracelets is very simple: a forward knot and a backwards knot. If you know how to do these 2 knots, you can read what are called “alpha patterns” and make any design!

How To Do a Forward and Backward Knot

If you know what the number “4” looks like, you’re already 99% of the way there!

To make a forward knot: simply grab on to one string in your left hand - let’s call this String A - and the string to the right of it in your right hand - let’s call this String B. String A will form a “4” over String B. The end of String A will cross under String B to form the knot, and then you pull upwards to tighten.

To make a backward knot: simply make (you guessed it!) a backwards “4” where String B crosses over String A, the end of String B crossed under String A, and pull.

How To Read an Alpha Pattern

An Alpha pattern is essentially a visual representation of a bracelet design arranged in a grid format with arrows corresponding to either the forwards or backwards knot. There are 4 types of arrows to be aware of.

During the Spring 2024 semester, I had the opportunity to work as Pearson Higher Education Mathematics Micro-intern. As a mathematics major, I was intrigued by the chance to get a behind the scenes look at the product development, marketing strategies, and data analysis in an area that directly affects me as a student. Over the course of four months, I worked with Siby Sabu, a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Pearson, to learn about the ins and outs of the world of marketing and sales! I entered this micro-internship with very little knowledge. I had never taken any business-related course in college and had only had exposure to marketing through the Pearson Campus Ambassador program. Nonetheless, I was eager for this learning experience, prepared myself to become a sponge, and was excited to get started and expand my repertoire!

Gaining Product Insight and Compiling Feedback

One of the highlights of my micro-internship was getting to learn more about Pearson’s MyLab, textbook integration, and how the books are updated or improved. This opportunity allowed me to familiarize myself with key features and functionalities, making me feel more prepared for future projects that would inevitably come my way as a Pearson Campus Ambassador.

Part of this process also involved listening to feedback from customers. I had the chance to sit in on some virtual calls as well as transcribe recordings aimed at reviewing a competitor’s software and comparing it to Pearson’s MyLab. As someone who has used MyLab for almost their entire college experience, it was interesting for me to hear a professor's point of view of the onboarding process, how to set up class portals and assignments, and how to organize a gradebook. This helped me to grasp the importance of customer-centricity in product development and marketing efforts.

Research, Research, and More Research!

One of the most surprising aspects of my micro-internship experience was how important research was. I always assumed marketing was internal, a boomerang of collaborative ideas that flowed through an organization rather than exploring outside sources, but I realized that there was also much to learn from competitors.

I also researched topics related to marketing, specifically, different types of emails and loyalty incentives as well as sales and revenue enablement. There was so much information available to me! I was able to broaden my knowledge of effective communication techniques and learn how to craft engaging content to gain more “clicks” through concepts such as journey emails and dynamic emails. In connection to email avenues, I compiled ideas for loyalty incentives aimed at fostering customer engagement and loyalty. My research on sales collateral equipped me with a deeper understanding of the materials needed to support sales efforts. From brochures to product training workshops to demos and focus groups, I explored various collateral formats, their role in driving sales effectiveness, and possible implementations for Pearson. I even had the chance to interview my own sales representative as a Pearson Campus Ambassador to gain insight on her experience, get feedback on my research, and gauge interest. This firsthand perspective gave me a clearer perspective of the opportunities and challenges within the sales environment.

Creativity is Key

Creativity was a major aspect of my micro-internship which I thoroughly enjoyed since I do not have many creative outlets in my major. I was tasked with coming up with ideas for on-campus contests for college students and professors. This was an extra fun project as I got to survey my peers to gauge interest and gather feedback from current college students, ensuring that the contests would resonate with the target audience.

As my micro-internship journey ends, I find myself reflecting on the valuable experiences and lessons learned throughout the process. Each component of the micro-internship contributed to my growth and development and opened my eyes to the wide world of marketing! Special thanks to Siby for all his mentorship, and I look forward to applying what I learned to my position as a Pearson Campus Ambassador and in all of my future endeavors!

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 do you want to be when you grow up is a common question that children are asked in their youth. I feel very lucky that I always knew my answer. I want to be a teacher. Maybe it was because of the “superhero” teachers I met during my grade school years or maybe it was my love for learning, but I’ve always known exactly where I belonged: in the classroom.

This led to me to my dream school Rutgers University for their undergraduate Mathematics program and Graduate School of Education where I could earn my teaching certificate. As part of my undergraduate journey, I took a class called Undergraduate Supervised Tutoring in Mathematics for aspiring high school math teachers. Through this class, I had the opportunity to work with real high school math students one day a week for a whole semester. I was able to dip my toe into what my future could look like and became a teacher... come along my journey with me!

The First Day

As a student teacher, you step onto a path paved with lessons and experiences both in and out of the classroom, shaping the learning experience for your students while foraging your own personal identity. I was both excited and nervous stepping into J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, New Jersey on my first day of student teaching. I knew my role was to help the teacher in any way they needed and aid student learning in three different math classes – Geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II – but I wondered what the students and staff would be like and wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. I walked through the familiar high school-esque concrete walls, metal lockers, and colorful bulletin boards. My shoes squeaked on the floor tiles as I finally made my way to room 217, period 1 Geometry where I was met with 17 pairs of curious eyes. Even though I was a stranger in their classroom, the teacher gave me a welcoming smile and introduced me to the students who I could tell were intrigued, albeit confused, at the new face in their room.

Building Relationships

I went into student teaching knowing it would take some time for the students to become comfortable with me. I was a new personality coming into their classroom halfway through the school year, altering their classroom dynamic and everyday habits. Some of the students were intrigued, asking me where I went to college, what I was studying, and how long I would be in their classroom, while others were more hesitant to approach me. However, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching in general for me is having the opportunity to form meaningful connections with students and establish a safe relationship, so I spent much of my first day introducing myself to every student and getting to know them. For the next couple of weeks, I continued this practice and engaged with every student during the period, asking how they were doing or if they needed help on a problem. Eventually, walls crumbled and shells opened up to the point where the students came up to me as they entered the room before class started to tell me about their weekend or the test they just took. Externally, I was as cool as a cucumber, but inside I was jumping with joy at the progress I had made!

Embracing Growth

There were definitely moments of doubt and uncertainty during my student teaching when I questioned my abilities as an educator. Especially in the beginning, I often second guessed myself and overthought every single action I made. Did I explain that clearly enough? Maybe I should have said ___ instead? That was definitely confusing for that student, I’m an idiot! And sometimes, I didn’t even have an answer to a student’s question which just left me thinking wasn’t I supposed to be the one with all the answers?

This is where my mentor teachers really helped me. They shared stories from their days of student teaching and how they felt the exact same way at first. Phew! At least I wasn’t alone. Even though I was in a “teacher” role, it was easy for me to forget that I was still a student at the same time, and this was meant to be a learning experience. I tried to adopt a growth mindset and learn as much from my students as I hoped they were learning from me. As the weeks passed, I witnessed a profound transformation within myself. Each interaction contributed to my growth as an educator, a student, and a person. I searched for feedback from the students and mentor teachers and applied it to future lessons, recognizing this as a catalyst for improvement. Through reflective practice and continuous self-assessment, I learned to spend more energy on trying to improve rather than putting myself down for mistakes or missteps. By the end of my student teaching experience, I felt I had honed my teaching skills and gained infinitely more confidence in my abilities.

So what is one piece of advice that I would I give to future student teachers? The best piece of advice that comes to mind is to be fearless. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to accept criticism and use it to better yourself, don’t be afraid to get to know the students, and don’t be afraid to be yourself!

Looking Towards the Future

The end of my first student teaching journey was bittersweet. I was sad to bid farewell to my students, but I was proud of what I had accomplished and my personal growth. Amidst challenges or lack of confidence, there were so many moments of triumph – seeing the spark in a student’s eyes as they grasped a difficult concept or watching a student have an “ah-ha” moment while working on a problem. These small victories served as reminders of the profound impact that teachers have on the lives of their students, reaffirming my passion for education.

I also knew that my student teaching journey was just getting started! Next year, I will begin my clinical phases and expand to full time student teaching! I’m so excited to embark on the next chapter of my teaching journey and learn more about what it means to be not just a good teacher, but a great one, before I have my own classroom!

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!