Storytime

Hi Bears, it’s me again. I wanted to try something a little different with this blog post because I’ve experienced a lot as a Missouri State student and it really helps to share. This is my third year of being an MSU student and each semester is different from the last. Being an online student right now has been a huge adjustment after my first two years on campus and I’m still working my way through it. I’ve also had my fair share of joining organizations, studying for hours on end, or just trying to find myself outside of my coursework. I’ve met some great staff and campus organizations and I want to share with you part of my Missouri State story…

The story

Coming to Missouri State I didn’t know much about financial aid or how everything worked so I visited Financial Aid and Financial Services frequently. I found myself in a tough spot during my freshman year trying to pay off my balance and keep myself from charging my own account and accumulating more fees. Through my constant visits to the financial offices, I found Mr. Lamar Curtis, who helped me understand and pointed me in the right directions. I could talk to Mr. Curtis about anything or let him know any of my concerns. Mr. Curtis also introduced me to TRIO, an organization on campus that could help me find scholarships and provide access to other services, like tutoring.

The program

After learning about TRIO, I decided to sign up and see if I could get into the program; as a freshman, I wanted to try something new, but I also wanted to take advantage of some good resources on campus. TRIO is a good program for students because they assist students in attending and graduating from college and they do so by providing tutoring, a supportive environment, and academic advising. Without TRIO, I think I would have been lost during my first year at Missouri State because everything around me was new and campus had so much to offer its students. I am happy that I found a really good program that has kept me on track, given me options, and has allowed me to experience things that I could never imagine doing on my own.

How It’s Going

I’ve continued to be a part of the TRIO program and I don’t regret it one bit. TRIO has kept me on my toes and has helped me to reach my goals.

Missouri State has some great programs, clubs, and groups that not only make college fun to experience but also give students a humongous number of opportunities. I want to challenge you to try different things; you might just find something you weren’t looking for yet.

~Alexandria

(Bio: I’m the middle child of seven kids in my immediate family. I’m currently a junior business major at Missouri State University.)