A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

End of an Era (Spring 2025, Week 1)

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Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! I hope you enjoyed your winter break and that you’re ready to come back for the start of a new semester. The start of a new academic semester is a great opportunity to instill good study habits, join new organizations on campus, and connect with the Missouri State community. Tips on all of these topics and more can be found within our previous blog postings and more to come this semester. The Spring 2025 semester will look different for the Center for Academic Success and Transition office but nonetheless our support remains consistent for Missouri State students. 

What Will Aubrey Be Up To?

I have had the opportunity to write blogs for the CAST office in my role as a Peer Mentor for five semesters and now the era is coming to an end. I am in my final year as an education major so I will be Student Teaching for the entirety of the Spring 2025 semester. My assignment is one that excites me, and I feel confident going with the leadership experience I gained at the University. While I am so incredibly excited about this new course load, I am sad to leave the Peer Mentor role. 

What Will Happen to the Blog?

Writing the blog has been a fun project throughout my time in the Peer Mentor role and I think the topics we cover provide college students with helpful information. In other words, the blog isn’t going anywhere! I am excited to see the direction my colleagues take the blog in as I plan to remain a consistent subscriber. The Center for Academic Success and Transition office has a goal to support students through our Success Coach and Peer Mentor program and additionally the blog. The Spring 2025 semester will look different for the Bear’s Life: Student Stories blog for the Center for Academic Success and Transition office but nonetheless, our support remains consistent for Missouri State students.

Takeaways

I am leaving the blog in good hands as I transition from one era to the next, and I hope you feel supported through our office. If at any time this semester you find that you need a Success Coach or Peer Mentor, you can request to meet with one to discuss your needs of support. I want to wish you all the best of luck this semester and Go Bears!

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, and I am a senior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I’ve read over 15 books this year!)

Planning an Effective Study Day (Fall 2024, Week 16)

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Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! Congratulations on a semester full of hard work and achievements. We are nearing the end of the fall 2024 semester and finals have been assigned! Each year Missouri State recognizes the Friday before finals week as a study day where no classes are scheduled to allow time for studying. This blog is written in hopes of inspiring students to take advantage of the study day and add success to final results as opposed to “taking the day off.” You’ve worked towards this end date all semester long and it’s time to show what you know and celebrate the new knowledge you’ve obtained.

 

Start the Prepwork  

Prior to starting your day of studying it’s good to know what the day will look like. Review each course, and the syllabi, and create a list of all of the items you need to complete to feel prepared for the final. Once you’ve created your list you’ll be a better judge in deciding how long you’ll need to spend on each item, if you should dedicate other days of the week to studying, or if you have more flexibility than you initially intended. Prep work can also be messaging your classmates and creating a study group, emailing instructors with any questions, or booking office hour appointments if needed. Lastly, be sure to get a good night of rest before the study day and the days following as you take your exams and complete the projects. The more prepared you are going into the day the better you’ll feel starting and the more productive you’ll be. 

 

Make the Most of the Day

You’ve done the prep work, but now the day is here! After a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast choice, your day can begin with the list you created prior so that you have direction for how the day should go. The location you choose to do your studying in should be a space where you feel you can be productive, inspired, and motivated. This can be on or off-campus as you prefer. In a recent blog post, CAST staff named a few of their favorite study spots on campus. Once you’ve arrived at your location it’s time to “lock in” and start studying! Don’t forget to take breaks to eat, socialize, rest, or get some fresh air!

 

Takeaways

We have written several posts on Finals/test-taking that I recommend checking out as you prepare for your academic studying the semester. As we finish out, remind yourself of all the hard work that you’ve put in and make yourself proud! Finals are an evaluation of what you’ve learned not who you are as an individual – remember that and good luck! 

 

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, and I am a senior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I’ve read over 15 books this year!)

Meet The Success Coaches (Fall 2024, Week 14)

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Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! This semester we’ve added more success coaches to our office staff who are here to support Missouri State students, it’s time to introduce them! Success Coaches guide students in academic and professional skills to ensure success in college. Success coaches are graduate students who have been in your shoes as an undergraduate before; they are relatable to the college experience but have the wisdom and knowledge of a graduate student. The Center for Academic Success and Transition office is equipped with Peer Mentors and Success Coaches who are here for all bears! 

Kuper Jones
Photo by Kevin White/Missouri State University

Kuper Jones

  1. Academic Area of Interest: Industrial Organizational Psychology

  2. What is Your Personal Philosophy as a Success Coach?: Success comes from passion and effort. If you are willing to work for something you will find opportunities to grow your skills and knowledge.

  3. One Thing You Wish All Students Knew: That the resources on campus are there to be used.

  4. End of Semester Advice: Make sure to take a breath, you have come a long way from the start of the semester. Enjoy the break, but do not forget all that you have learned through your academic journey.

  5. Why Should Students Meet with a Success Coach?: We offer a way to organize the chaos of life. We work with you to overcome obstacles so that you can focus on what is most important to you as a student and a person.

 

Erica Batson
Photo by Kevin White/Missouri State University

Erica Batson

    1. Academic Area of Interest: Industrial-Organizational Psychology (or I-O Psychology for short)

    2. What is Your Personal Philosophy as a Success Coach?: My personal philosophy as a success coach is to meet students where they’re at. Success looks different for everyone. For some, it might be getting an A on a test; for others, success means joining a club and making friends. I am here to help students attain their goals, so I tailor my approach to help each student as an individual.

    3. One Thing You Wish All Students Knew: I wish all students knew that they’re not alone. Whatever challenges they might be facing, there are surely others struggling with something similar, and there are people (like us coaches) who can help support them. 

    4. End of Semester Advice: Work hard and take care of yourself — drink water, eat some vegetables, go for a walk, and keep in mind that a break is near :).

    5. Why Should Students Meet with a Success Coach?: We are here for YOU. It can help tremendously to talk through challenges with another person and have someone in your corner to help strategize tackling those challenges. We are trained coaches who are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your experience here at MSU.

Kelsey Campbell
Photo by Kevin White/Missouri State University

Kelsey Campbell

  1. Academic Area of Interest: Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

  2. What is Your Personal Philosophy as a Success Coach?: Focus on consistent progress, not perfection. Small steps lead to big results.

  3. One Thing You Wish All Students Knew: Acknowledge your wins and learn from losses.

  4. End of Semester Advice: Give yourself grace and make sure to take care of yourselves as finals approach. 

  5. Why Should Students Meet with a Success Coach?: As a success coach we want to support students as much as possible and help them through hardships that come up throughout the year.

Takeaways

My hope is that through this blog you’ve gotten a glimpse into the great Success Coaches our office has to offer. We have ten other Success Coaches and four Peer Mentors who work in the office this fall semester.  You can request to meet or stop by during drop-in hours. (Drop-in hours change every semester; see the Student Academic Assistance page for this semester’s hours.) Make your time at Missouri State something you’re proud of and use the resources offered to you!

 

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, and I am a senior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I’ve read over 15 books this year!)

Networking in College (Fall 2024, Week 13)

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Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! It is that time – internship opportunities, clinical/practicum assignments, and job applications are starting to get posted as students finish their fall semester. Whether it’s your turn or you are watching classmates start the process, learning the skill of networking is important. In college, you are surrounded by classmates, instructors, and a community with knowledge and connections that can advance your opportunities. Read along to learn what networking in college looks like and learn how it can benefit you. 

 

How Do I Network in College?

There are over 20,000 students who attend Missouri State, over 2,000 faculty and staff members, and an even larger supporting community. Each person you meet comes from a different background, education, and life experience and has something to teach you. Outside of class, there are opportunities provided by Missouri State such as career fairs that support student networking. Building connections and establishing a relationship with others not only provides support but also allows you to leverage your personal connections to network. Establish a relationship with someone who shares a career path, post-grad interest, or volunteer passion and ask them questions and advice. This will further your relationship and allow you to learn what it is you are looking forward to or what you may want to do differently. Share with others what it is that you are looking for, the strengths you possess, and your gratitude for their time. Establishing this relationship and allowing them to understand who you are and what goals you have will increase your chances of them sharing your name with future employers. 

 

How Can Networking Help Me Post-grad?

When you graduate from the university and apply to work you’re going up against recent graduates and professionals who’ve been in the field for some time – how will you stand out? Having someone speak on your behalf or give you an inside look at the hiring process can give you a leg up in the application process. After you’ve accepted a job the networking will continue to benefit you. As you advance in positions, you may be given unique opportunities/experiences, and you can continue the relationships you previously established. 

If you find yourself wanting to better your networking skills or you want to discuss what you can do now that will help you after graduation, consider meeting with a Success Coach or a Peer Mentor. You can request to meet or stop by during drop-in hours. (Drop-in hours change every semester; see the Student Academic Assistance page for this semester’s hours.)

 

Takeaways

Networking is a skill that is beneficial for all college students to learn to advance their opportunities at the university and post-grad plans. Connecting with students, staff, and the community of Missouri State University allows students to seek out what they want to do and find success after graduation. I encourage students to collect contact information and extend a note of gratitude to instructors of courses ending in the coming weeks. As the fall semester concludes, and you prepare for next semester’s opportunities save this blog to reference!

 

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, and I am a senior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I’ve read over 15 books this year!)

Tips for Successful Online Learning (Fall 2024, Week 12)

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Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! Registration for the Spring 2025 academic term has begun and you may find yourself enrolling in online classes for the first time. I wanted to give tips I’ve learned for success in a virtual classroom as I’ve completed several online courses. Everyone has different learning styles and may therefore prefer or avoid the online structure however some courses are only offered virtually so it’s important to learn tips before you start. Universities are moving towards hybrid learning for a number of benefits, and students are learning how to lean into it.

 

Time Management 

When I took my first online course at Missouri State I was overwhelmed with the “free time” that I then had on my schedule. I began to fill it with outings with friends, organization meetings, more hours at work, spontaneous adventures, etc. It didn’t take long before I realized I was struggling without the accountability piece of meeting each week for attendance or working alongside my professor/classmates. I then had to work hard to create a schedule for myself that made appropriate time for the class. Before you begin an online course I recommend reviewing your schedule and building a designated class time into your calendar. This suggestion will help students avoid the mistake I made and start out the course with an action plan to find success in the class structure. A great benefit to an online course is the flexibility that it allows so use this to your advantage while setting boundaries to put academics first.  

 

Communication

Any course’s goal is to allow the student to take away new information, collaborate with classmates to share ideas, and ask your instructor questions to further understand concepts. How are you supposed to do that when you never see any classmates or when you do it’s pre-recorded or over a Zoom call? This is where the act of responsibility, organization, and accountability take place. At the start of your course take note of the course syllabus and write down your instructor’s office hours so that you’re aware and use them as needed. Communication with classmates looks different when done virtually but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Engage in discussion boards, send emails, and plan times to meet in person on/off campus to study together. 

 

Takeaways

Online learning is becoming more and more popular as universities discover the benefits it brings to staff and students. As you register for courses don’t let online courses intimidate you; instead, read over these tips and start the semester strong. As you finish out the semester and start a new one it is good to know when to ask for help. Consider visiting the Center for Academic Success and Transition office to meet with a Peer Mentor or a Success Coach. You can request to meet or stop by during drop-in hours. (Drop-in hours change every semester; see the Student Academic Assistance page for this semester’s hours.)

 

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, and I am a senior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I’ve read over 15 books this year!)