A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Archives for September 2023

Building Your Support System (Fall 2023, Week 6)

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Greetings, Bears! I am so happy to be back for another semester of blog posts. If you happened to read my posts from over the summer, you may have noticed that there was quite a bit of discussion about the first-time freshman student experience. Chances are, if you are a freshman, you have had at least a little bit of time to adjust to your new life here on campus—but that doesn’t necessarily mean that things are perfect. At any stage of your life or college, you may encounter difficult times or have a hard time adjusting to change, and that is when having a support system becomes very important. Building and maintaining a support system is something that I have struggled with, so I want to use my post for this week to talk about something that you could be struggling with too.  

What is a “Support System” and Why is it Important?

“Support system” is a term usually used to refer to the people in your life that you can turn to for emotional support. In most cases, this can refer to your friends, family, or other close people in your circle. However, when you’re in college, your system can expand because you have access to so many different resources. It’s important to be aware of these resources, as well as build and maintain a support system, because even the strongest people need support during tough times. College is an amazing and fun experience, but it can also present its own unique challenges. Building a support system to help combat these challenges can look like all sorts of things, but most college students find their support in family, friends, and on-campus resources.  

How to Build Your Support System

Most people looking to build or enhance their support system turn to friends or family. Even if they are further away, your family can still be a great way to find support. Your relationship with your family members can change and vary while you’re in college, but if you feel comfortable doing so, there is absolutely nothing wrong with turning to your family for support when you’re in need. Sometimes, your family can know you better than you know yourself and provide helpful insight about things that you may be experiencing. Friendships are also important and can do great things for your mental health. Good friends want to provide you with support and can also provide validation and advice. Oftentimes, it also just helps to have someone to talk to about your troubles. If you are in need of support, don’t be afraid to ask friends or loved ones for help; they want to support you and see you succeed.  

As a college student, you also have the opportunity to expand your support system by utilizing on-campus resources. One of the many great resources available to you is the Counseling Center, which is located in Magers Health and Wellness Center. Counselors can help you build your support system, but also serve as support themselves. As a Missouri State student, you have access to 8 counseling sessions per semester, but the Counseling Center also hosts other forms of therapy and skill-building workshops. You can find those listed on their website, along with links to many other resources.  

There is also, of course, our office! The Center for Academic Success and Transition has both Success Coaches and Peer Mentors that are available to support you and guide you to success, both academically and as you navigate life at MSU. If you are interested in meeting with a Success Coach or Peer Mentor (or both), you can fill out the request form on our website. Other areas at MSU where you can find ways to build your support system include the department and college for your major, your academic advisor, the Bear CLAW, Foster Recreation Center and more. 

Takeaways

I hope that after reading through this post you feel reassured about all of your options for finding support both on and off campus. It can be intimidating sometimes, but everyone goes through hard times, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help and support from others. If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that there are many resources and opportunities available to you on campus and through MSU to help you succeed! I hope that your semester is going well so far, and I will see you again soon in a future blog post! 

~Hallie 

(Bio: I am a junior out-of-state student studying Creative Writing with a minor in Philosophy.) 

Why I Chose Missouri State University (Fall 2023, Week 4)

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Introduction

I felt that it was only right that I reintroduce myself and how I ended up at MSU to all of our readers as it’s been a while since I posted last. My name is Aubrey Hardy and I am a junior here at MSU. I am a special needs education major and I serve as the treasurer for Alpha Sigma Alpha. I also work in the Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) Office as a peer mentor. Some values of mine include leading, growing, and mentoring so I also got involved with peer leading in GEP 101 and I’ve found a lot of enjoyment in that service opportunity. I usually have a full schedule with everything I involve myself in but I am so grateful for all that I get to do. 

First Impression 

I toured three different colleges during my senior year of high school and honestly wasn’t sure where I could see myself. I am from the Joplin area and knew I didn’t want to go too far from home but other than distance I didn’t know what else should go into my decision for picking a university. Missouri State was the first college I visited and while I had a good experience I didn’t have anything to compare it to yet. After my other two college visits, I knew Missouri State was where I was supposed to be. When I walked onto the campus at each college I paid attention to how welcomed I felt and the energy of the student body. Maybe it was the time of day or year that I visited each of the colleges, but Missouri State had the most lively and happy-looking student body. The way I describe it is that something was different about Missouri State and I already felt a part of something just being guided on the campus. 

Present Day

As I mentioned in my introduction, I am a junior here at Missouri State. I can confidently say that Missouri State University was the right choice for me. I am only an hour away from home, making home visits easy and enjoyable. I get to interact, work alongside, and meet the student body each day on campus when headed to work or class or for a social event and everyone is even more welcoming and lively than they were on the day I toured. I also stated earlier my top three values, all of which I’ve gotten to explore since coming to Missouri State. I’ve led in the classroom, off-campus organizations, on-campus clubs, and my sorority. I have grown in so many ways; I am proud to say that I am not the same person I was three years ago. And I’ve gotten several opportunities to be a mentor including in the Center for Academic Success and Transition office. I’m sure I would have found a way to implement these values regardless of the university I chose but I am thankful Missouri State is where I get to call home. 

Takeaway

Whether you are reading this as an incoming student interested in Missouri State, or a graduating senior I hope you were able to relate to my experience in some way. Picking a college can be hard but it always works out the way it is supposed to. After picking a college many more decisions follow but don’t allow yourself to do it alone. Utilize your resources like a success coach to help narrow down choices or find what is best for you. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. 

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, a junior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I grew up on a farm.)