A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Weighing the Pros and Cons (Spring 2024, Week 10)

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Welcome back Missouri State Bears! Spring Break is over and the end of the second semester is in sight. With that comes registration for classes, post-graduation plans, summer job applications, and more decisions that oftentimes can take a lot of thought. Recently I’ve been faced with a lot of decision-making opportunities and I’ve learned a few things along the way that I wanted to share with you all.

First, Gather all of the Information 

When a decision is first presented it can be easy to become overwhelmed with all the known and unknown possibilities. If you can compile all important information into one organized space it will help in the next steps. You’ll want to find the benefits, drawbacks, time, place, people, price, or anything else relevant. With my most recent decision, I found this to be helpful because it helped me better formulate a case for both sides when presenting it to my peers and family. That leads me to my next step…

Talk it Out

Find who knows you best and ask them to weigh in with their opinion. Assuming this decision will be big enough to affect other decisions, you’ll want trustworthy input before anything else. I have found that often when talking it out you discover what it is you truly want and the answer is there for you. If that isn’t the case your community is right there to pour wisdom or guidance out for your choosing. It could be that these influences share a point you had yet to think of which can be helpful or a setback.

If you need additional support or just a new outlook, the Center for Academic Success and Transition office has Peer Mentors and Success Coaches available for you to meet with through 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 request online.  

Enter Your Evaluation Period

There is nothing wrong with taking time to think over a decision before making it. I would argue it is better and professional to take considerable time to weigh in on your choices. Once you have all of the information and have talked it out, do something that relaxes you and calms the mind. For me, this looks like going on walks or journaling in the colder months. Both are exercises that allow me to dump all my thoughts and isolate them into a session of evaluation. I encourage you to be flexible with this time as it could take a much shorter time than anticipated or longer. Once you feel that you’ve come to a decision, give yourself a pat on the back and lead confidently with the choice. 

Take Action

If anyone else is involved in the decision, let them know your choice and thank them for the time they allowed you to think about it. I also find it important to go back and thank any of the individuals who helped me decide with an update on what I decided.

Takeaway 

For many at the university level, we are entering a season of decision-making and it can be a stressful time but it doesn’t need to be. Gather all information given, bring in your community (or a peer mentor!), evaluate in solitude, and take action. Best of luck with all of the decisions you’ll soon be making!

~Aubrey

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

Surviving Midterms (Spring 2024, Week 7)

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Welcome back Missouri State Bears! We are already at week seven of the semester which means it is midterm season. When outlining my assignments for the week I realized I had several study guides to create and terms to study before the week ahead. Coming into college, I viewed midterms as a daunting task that I needed survival mode turned on. I have learned that with good study habits and preparation, midterms don’t have to be anything to fear but instead something to manage. 

Plan Ahead

The first tip I have for midterms is knowing enough time in advance when you will be tested. You can find most midterm dates in the syllabus of the class. I find it easiest to write all important assignment dates in my planner including midterms. You can pick up a free 2023-2024 planner in the CAST office if you need a fresh slate for writing important tasks out. Once you have the task written out you can better map out a schedule of when to start studying. 

Schedule Study Times

Setting aside designated time to study for each test will ensure that you complete the studying but it will also help avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed. I personally don’t study well in groups but for those who do, I advise planning at least two weeks in advance. Two weeks gives the group enough time to bring questions back to the classroom before taking the exam which is key. While you should have an understanding of the content being tested it is okay to ask questions for clarity.

Utilize Office Hours

One tip that I think many students tend to skip over until they hit survival mode is meeting with professors. Don’t wait until the week of or after the midterm to have a conversation with your professor. In the weeks leading up to the exam if you find yourself struggling or wanting further guidance, attend study hours. If fear arrives at the thought of meeting one-on-one with a professor, try practicing first with a friend or a peer mentor. A peer mentor is an undergraduate student who wants to meet and help students combat these fears and other issues that arise as college students.

Takeaways 

Midterms are designed to enhance your understanding, not to instill fear. So as midterms are just around the corner be sure to plan ahead, schedule study times, and utilize office hours.

~Aubrey

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

It’s Time to Apply to be a Peer Leader (Spring 2024, Week 4)

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Welcome

Welcome back Missouri State Bears! As the new month begins it is time to start thinking about the months ahead. Scheduling fall classes is just around the corner and what better idea than to search all your options? One option is to consider applying to serve as a Peer Leader. The application for fall 2024 peer leaders opens soon, learn more below. 

What is Peer Leading?

Peer leading provides students at Missouri State University with the opportunity to partner with a GEP 101 professor to lead and educate students on campus involvement, time management, critical thinking, campus resources, the public affairs mission, and more critical knowledge needed to succeed at the university. The exact role of a peer leader can be unique for each individual leader, but there are some general roles that all peer leaders fulfill. These roles include:

  • serving as a positive role model for students, 
  • aiding students in their questions, 
  • providing assistance to the course instructor, 
  • helping students become connected to the university, and 
  • gaining leadership experience. 

The time commitment for peer leaders includes attending the GEP 101 course twice a week, attending the IDS 310 leadership course once a week, and any additional preparation that is needed to appropriately fulfill the roles. This results in approximately only five hours per week to make an impact and enhance student success through leadership. Peer leaders gain other benefits as well such as receiving 16 hours of university service hours, earning one credit hour for the IDS 310 course at no cost, gaining desired skills, receiving peer-leading apparel, and more. Becoming a peer leader will allow students to grow in their own capabilities and impact the lives of first-year students at Missouri State University. 

 

“My Peer Leader in my GEP class helped me through one of my toughest semesters.” – 2022 GEP 101 student

Peer leaders on October 23, 2023. Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University

How Can You Apply to be a Peer Leader?

If you are interested in applying to become a peer leader, we encourage you to attend one of the two peer leader information sessions. These sessions will be on Thursday, February 8th, from 12:30-1:15 p.m. and Monday, February 12th, from 12:30-1:15 p.m. via Zoom. During the information sessions, although the information sessions are optional, they will give you the opportunity to learn about peer leading in more detail and ensure that you meet the needed requirements to apply. Next, fill out the application and ask two people to submit references for you. These application and reference forms can be found on the First Year Programs website the Peer Leadership section. After completing the application and the needed reference forms, Dr. Glaessgen will contact you via email to schedule an interview. 

 

Zoom Information Sessions

Thursday, February 8th, 2024: (zoom link will be available on the Peer Leader recruitment page on February 8th)

Monday, February 12th, 2024: (zoom link will be available on the Peer Leader recruitment page on February 12th)

 

The Impact of Being a Peer Leader.

When we reached out to previous peer leaders we learned that peer leaders make an impact but are also impacted greatly themselves.

 

“I feel that I have helped three generations of freshman students have a positive first experience in a college classroom which hopefully allows for them to become more involved and more successful during their time at MSU.” –Zoe

 

“Peer Leading has helped me learn what aspects of leadership I am good at and what aspects I still need to improve, and I think it has had a positive impact on me in this way.” – Daniel

 

“Peer Leading has helped me grow my leadership skills but also interact with others as well. I learned to adapt to new situations and to be flexible in my leadership abilities. I have altered my perspective on what it means to be a leader.” – Melyssa

 

“I felt like I positively impacted Missouri State through my role as a peer leader by speaking about the variety of resources offered here. Not many students take advantage of resources like the Bear Claw, Clubs, and others like the Bear Pantry. MSU offers these to help students challenge any problems they might have. By speaking about it, it helps more students understand the importance of accessing them.” – Grace

Takeaways

A list of requirements can be found in this post and on the Peer Leadership Recruitment website. Peer leading is a great opportunity for those who are looking to find new effective techniques, helpful resources, and problem-solving skills, as well as for those who want to make new friendships; have a positive support system, a networking opportunity, and develop leadership skills.

 

— Aubrey Hardy and Olyvia Buzzanga

Foundational Scholarship Application (Spring 2024, Week 3)

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Welcome Back Missouri State Bears! In my first blog post for the semester, I have a confession to make: I’ve never applied for the Missouri State University Foundation Annual Scholarship until this year. I’m writing this post to advise all who are reading to apply. Don’t make the same mistake I did!

 

What is the Missouri State University Foundation Annual Scholarship?

According to MSU’s Foundation Scholarship page, “The Missouri State University Foundation Annual Scholarship Application automatically applies students for nearly 1,000 donor-funded scholarship opportunities at Missouri State University for the 2024 – 2025 Academic School Year.” The application is available from November 1, 2023 – April 1, 2024. All current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as all incoming freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students starting at Missouri State University in Fall 2024 are eligible to apply. Something important to note is that the application is for “Donor-Funded Scholarships at Missouri State University only. It is not for University, State, or Federally funded financial aid.” To access the application students will login to My Missouri State University and locate the “Financial Aid and Scholarship” card. Students can click the “MSU Foundation Scholarships” link to access the form. The Application Deadline is April 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. 

 

Why I Didn’t Apply for the MSU Foundation Scholarship and Why I Wish I Did

As I confessed at the start of the post, this was my first year applying for the scholarship despite being able to able to apply for the past three years. I hadn’t heard of this scholarship opportunity as an incoming freshman so I want to ensure that others are aware that opportunity is available. For the following years, the university did a great job advertising the information and making it publicized and this is where I told myself the lie that too many students would apply and I wouldn’t stand out. The reality is that while a majority of the student body does apply for the scholarship, a wide range of criteria increases the opportunity for students to benefit. Examples of criteria that factor into the application are the applicant’s “major, high school attended, outstanding academic achievement, leadership and/or financial need.” Something else I had assumed before even opening the application was that the application would take a long time to complete. This year I opened the application over the holiday break so that I could sit down and focus on the task. What I found was that students can save progress on the application as they go so it can be broken down into smaller parts and done over time without losing your work. A progress bar was included at the top of the page which I found to be helpful motivation. After completing the application, I learned the process does not take long at all and that if you divide the requirements into smaller sections it becomes much easier to tackle.

Tips When Completing the Application

The biggest tip I have when filling out any scholarship application is to have an updated running list of all of your accomplishments, skills, grades, and leadership experiences. Remembering what all you’ve done or discerning what is worthy enough to go into an application can be tricky but I found talking it out to be helpful. The Success Coaches and Peer Mentors in the CAST office are a great resource before writing your application. Meeting with a coach or mentor can help you map out what experiences to write about and help name skills you might not have known you even had. Recommendation letters are always a good piece to include in a scholarship application but can be uncomfortable to ask for if it is your first time. Coaches and mentors can also help guide you in writing a request for a recommendation letter or brainstorming who to ask for one. 

 

Takeaways

If there is one thing that I’ve learned about this process, it is that I wish I had done it sooner. If you are reading this and you haven’t filled out the application, I strongly encourage you to do so. If you have already completed the application or you’ve started the process, pat yourself on the back and direct others to this post to encourage them to do the same. 

[Information found on the MSU Foundation Scholarship page ]

~Aubrey

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

Success Coach Introduction – Part 1 (Fall 2023, Week 13)

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Welcome back Missouri State Bears! This week I wanted to take the chance to start a new series introducing our Success Coaches in the Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) office. Our success coaches are a helpful resource to students and this is a chance to meet those who all work in our office. 

What is a Success Coach?

A success coach is a graduate student interested in helping undergraduate students succeed. Our success coaches can help with academic skills such as meeting deadlines, time management, goal setting and reaching, test preparation, and identifying strengths and weaknesses. You can use the form to meet with a success coach. This semester we are lucky to have fourteen coaches with a variety of backgrounds and available times to meet that work with you and your schedule. 

Emily Oster
Photo by Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University

Emily Oster

The first success coach I want to introduce is Emily. Emily received her undergrad at Missouri State University and is continuing to work towards her master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. When I asked Emily if she had any tips for first-generation students her reply was “Be proactive rather than reactive. Advocate for yourself early and get ahead!” 

I find Emily’s tip very timely at this point in the semester because for many students this is the time of year when change is occurring. Grades are coming out, schedules are being made, living arrangements are assigned, and more. In these situations, it is vital that organization and time management are used. Success coaches can help with managing all of these things. 

Emily believes students should reach out to a success coach/peer mentor because “we are here to help with the transition from high school to college life. The new lifestyle changes as a first-time college student can be confusing and hard. We are students just like you, so we were just in your shoes not too long ago. We are just here to guide you along the way, answer any questions, and hold you accountable.” 

To end Emily’s introduction off on the right note I asked her for the strangest thing in her backpack and it was a deck of cards. I also asked for a slogan and Emily created “coffee with a side of life.” Emily, among our other success coaches, does a great job and wants to see all Missouri State Bears succeed. 

 

Kyra Baker
Photo by Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University

Kyra Baker

The second success coach I am highlighting today is Kyra. Kyra moved to Missouri State University after completing her undergraduate at a different university. Kyra is here to study Industrial-Organizational Psychology (M.S.). When it was Kyra’s turn for a tip to undergraduate students she said, “Asking for help is a sign of strength and courage, not weakness.”

I personally needed to hear this so I am thankful for Kyra and her wisdom as an asset to our office. Asking for help can seem like an obstacle but it shouldn’t have to. Here in the CAST office, we are here to serve students who need or want help. 

I asked Kyra as well, why students should request a success coach. “College is hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Success coaches and peer mentors are a stable source of assistance throughout your college experience, and they genuinely want to help you accomplish your college goals. Never feel bad for advocating for yourself by asking for the help you need to reach your goals!”

The weirdest item in Kyra’s backpack was a pair of soaking wet socks from the torrential downpour of rain. I asked this question because knowing that success coaches are just like us can make us feel more comfortable approaching them. Kyras’s slogan would be, “Unleash your potential” or “Do you have any chocolate?”

 

Takeaways

Although I only introduced two success coaches today, we have fourteen coaches in total. If anything from this post stuck out to you or you want to meet the other coaches, you can navigate our website and find them listed under the staff tab or keep an eye out for future blog introductions. I hope your biggest takeaway from this post is that our success coaches are here for our students and they want to be a helping hand. 

~Aubrey

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