A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Supporting Student Activities (Fall 2024, Week 5)

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Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! This past weekend the Missouri State football team celebrated a winning first home game of the season. I stayed for the entire game and even watched the drone show at the end. Coming together as a student body to support our athletics, band, student organizations, and clubs I was inspired to find other activities to support. Some of my best memories on campus have come from attending events and watching my peers do what they love or having the same people attend my events to support me. Missouri State offers many avenues to find organizations and teams to support but how can you take part?

 

What Organizations and Teams Can I Support?

If you are looking for events to attend on campus or want to dive into the university experience and explore all there is, the Missouri State Calendar is the place to go. On this page, you can find galleries, career expos, panels, recitals, fairs, plays, games, concerts, and more. If you find space on your calendar I recommend visiting this page and finding a friend to bring along with you to experience the activity you chose. In addition to this page, there are also flyers posted throughout residence halls and academic buildings, chalk art, or social media pages so always keep an eye out!

 

Why Should I Support Student Activities?

Community engagement is one of three pillars of the Missouri State Public Affairs Mission. Engaging in student activities will not only grow you but also the community around you on campus. For example, if you attend a play under the Theater and Dance department you might learn something you would have never otherwise known or you may meet someone new. For activities such as sports that encourage crowd participation, you can play a part in getting the team excited for their games. Lastly, some student activities that are smaller in member participation may need outside support to continue in their programming. Playing your part in supporting student activities is what you make it but think about the bigger picture and the impact you could make. 

 

Takeaways

Missouri State University has a full calendar of events ranging in forms of interest all year long. Events are open for student body attendance and all information can be located on various platforms. Supporting fellow students is a chance to learn something new and connect with others. Bears supporting bears is a sure way to create a campus everyone would be happy to attend.

Need help finding events to attend, student activities to support, or ways to get involved at MSU? Meet with a Peer Mentor!

 

~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!)

The Power of Active Learning (Fall 2024, Week 4)

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Welcome back bears! I hope the first weeks back at school have treated you well and that you’re starting to find a rhythm in your classes. As a university, we are at a point in the academic schedule where test materials, essay drafts, and project assignments are starting to be assigned for the weeks ahead. We have several blog posts from previous semesters that cover these topics (Finals / Test Taking and Study Tips) but I wanted to write about strategies for engaging in the college classroom before the midterm point. Engagement is achieved through both active listening and learning in the classroom so the terms have been used interchangeably in this post. 

What are Practical Ways I Can Start Actively Listening?

I wanted to break down three practical steps you can apply to your learning this week:

  1. Participate in class discussions. If you find that your instructor relies heavily on discussions and breakout groups then you can start prepping before class with the provided materials if you were assigned a reading the week before to analyze it and create discussion questions to share with your group or to carry the conversation with an instructor. 
  2.  Ask your instructor questions. Arriving early to class, staying after, or utilizing office hours shouldn’t feel like an intrusion because they are there for you to succeed. If something isn’t making sense, you want to seek clarification on an assignment or a grade. If you have school/career-related questions, take advantage of the opportunity to ask an expert—your instructor!
  3.  Follow along at the pace of the course. Attending each class and following along with lecture notes and assignments will keep you on track making it easier to listen. If you fall behind or skip a class period you’ll be playing catch up as opposed to coming in prepared to learn new material. 

How Engaging In The Classroom Will Impact You Outside The Classroom

Each of the actions I listed will push you as a student to become more academically driven as you grow more comfortable in these practices. Connecting with classmates and instructors is a networking technique that will advance your career opportunities. In addition, practicing now will set you up for success in the post-grad world where collaborating with others and participating in discussion is the expectation. Lastly, active listening is a key component in relationships of all kinds.

Takeaways

Active learning is not something that will come easily especially if it’s not already a common practice for you but starting somewhere is important. I challenge you to try one of the tips I listed to listen in the classroom and see if you note any differences. I hope that this blog post served as a motivation to put your best foot forward and take charge of your education. If you want more advice on what success in the classroom looks like, the Center for Academic Success and Transition Success Coaches and Peer Mentors would be a great resource to contact. 

 

~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!)

Senior Year Perspective  (Fall 2024, Week 3)

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Welcome back to campus, Missouri State Bears! School is back in session for the Fall 2024 semester and I am so excited to be writing blogs once again. This year is extra special as I am a senior. I wanted to take the time to reflect on my past years at Missouri State and set the tone for the year ahead. As you read I encourage you to reflect on your own school year ahead. 

 

My Time at Missouri State

I started at Missouri State University in the Fall of 2021 and I have loved every second of it since then. I was quick to get involved in fraternity and sorority life, campus ministries, and an organization that aligned with my academic interests. I chose MSU because of the community and I’ve stayed for the same reason. There is a sense of belonging and a knowing that I am welcome anywhere on campus that provides a sense of home. 

Every year has looked different depending on the classes I’ve taken, those I’ve lived with, the leadership positions that I’ve held, and the people I’ve met along the way. My best memories over the years are with the people I’ve met through my involvement on campus and the experiences I have had are all thanks to the university. It excites me to think about all the ways students are bound to fall in love with MSU in the months ahead. I hope that I can help first-year students on campus feel the same way. 

 

Going into Senior Year

I am so fortunate to be going into my last year with a community stronger than one I’ve ever known before. The support and guidance that I have found have set me up for a great year ahead as I navigate what is next after graduation. The Center for Academic Success and Transition provides this exact avenue of resources and I recommend all students utilize it. Serving as a Peer Mentor has allowed me to connect with students all across campus to help them create their own Missouri Statement just as I did. 

This year I am making the most of every class, campus event, leadership position, and other opportunities that come along. My advice to those who are just starting their college journey is to find people who will celebrate with you, support you, hold you accountable, and adventure with you. Your time in college will be over before you know it but the memories will last a lifetime. Wishing everyone a great school year!

 

~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 for Success During Finals Week (Spring 2024, Week 16)

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Welcome back to another blog, Missouri State Bears! This week marks the last week of the spring semester with finals following. Each semester has looked different for me depending on my final schedule and I have found that to be true for other students as well. In this blog, I wanted to discuss what a finals week can look like and ideas to implement throughout the week. 

 

Start of the Week

At the start of the week, I would advise all students to create a schedule of finals, studying times, planned breaks, and other activities. Having a plan at the start of the week will hold you accountable and keep you on track to success. All professors will communicate when the class final or project is due and this will help create a timeline of what courses will need to be prioritized before others. Once you have an agenda of when finals will be tested and when projects and papers are due you can create a study schedule and implement brain breaks. I have found this to be an extremely helpful practice because you can ensure that you study in even increments of time and take fair amounts of breaks. 

 

Middle of the Week

At midweek you may have already taken a final or you may be on your last day of preparation before heading into one. If you have already taken one or many, pat yourself on the back and take a moment to reflect. Reflecting on all of your hard work and what you took away from the course will aid you in your next endeavors. If you are still preparing for finals that take place at the end of the week, remember to look back at your schedule of studying. Looking back at what you wrote at the start of the week will allow you to see if you have stayed on track with what you planned to achieve by this point. 

 

End of the Week

You made it! You completed a semester of hard work that you should be proud of and celebrate. I hope that everyone has great success during finals week, but I also know that finals week can be a hard week with final grades being determined. Regardless of your results at the end of the semester, if you feel that you would benefit from meeting with someone to discuss your options, joys, or concerns you should consider the Center for Academic Succes and Transition. Success Coaches and Peer Mentors are available to meet with students through request or drop-in hours. (Drop-in hours change every semester; see the Student Academic Assistance page for this semester’s hours.) Come by and see us in Meyer Library 116 if you need help or have a question!  

 

Takeaways 

If preparation is completed beforehand, finals week does not have to be a week to be afraid of. Before next week, write out all of your end-of-semester requirements and deadlines, plan study times, and plan brain breaks. Stay strong throughout the week utilizing the resources offered at Missouri State University including meeting with a Success Coach or Peer Mentor. Good luck!

 

~Aubrey

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

Advocating for Yourself (Spring 2024, Week 13)

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Welcome back to another blog, Missouri State Bears! We are in week thirteen of the semester and there are no signs of slowing down. At the end of a semester, there can be a lot on a college student’s plate. In moments of stress or feeling overwhelmed, it can be easy to lose sight of what to prioritize, what battles are worth fighting, and when to advocate for yourself. I’ve recently learned the importance of self-advocacy and want to share it with others to feel empowered. 

What is self-advocacy?

Self-advocacy is when you identify what you need and make fair decisions and requests based on those needs. You can compare this to giving a presentation without doing any prior research: the chances of you being taken seriously are less. Once you have an understanding of yourself and what it is that you need, you must communicate with others. Bringing in others will give you the support you may need in a time of vulnerability. Advocating for yourself can be daunting and uncomfortable so letting others in helps. 

When would I need to advocate for myself?

Not every situation will require you to advocate for yourself but there is a list of situations that commonly arise during your college years. When creating this list I wanted to brainstorm scenarios that are typical towards the end of the school year and I came up with the following:

  • Deciding which roommate will get to keep certain items.
  • Concerns regarding the final grade in a class.
  • A conversation with a parent about summer plans.

How to Advocate for Yourself

Every situation will look different but there are some important steps that you should consider before stepping into advocacy. Once you understand what is upsetting you and your needs, you can make a plan. Making a plan helps you have your points laid out and ensures that you’re being fair. Communication then comes into play, you want to be sure that your voice is heard and your message is delivered. For example, if you have a job offer in your college town instead of being home for the summer you should create a plan before talking to your parents. Write down what they may ask you so you have an answer prepared and know why you feel the way you do. 

Takeaways

Learning to advocate for yourself is an important asset to have the older you get as new situations arise. Self-advocacy isn’t mastered overnight, and it can be uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. The Center for Academic Success and Transition office offers peer mentors and success coaches who can help guide students. Every individual deserves to feel heard, and our team is here to listen. Consider visiting us during our drop-in hours (Spring 2024: Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) or requesting a meeting online. 

~Aubrey

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