A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Ways to Save Money (Spring 2022, Week 13)

by

The semester has been going by so fast and it is really getting close to final exams.  

Throughout the semester, I have been trying to get used to being back on campus after being at home since the pandemic started. Coming back to Missouri State was a huge decision to make, and more followed since then. As a student, you are deciding where your money goes, and in most cases that is towards tuition, food, and outside activities. I utilize parts of the money that I save to pay my tuition and to buy the weekly necessities like toilet paper. Learning or figuring out how to save money as a student is a challenge because you are balancing other things in your life. Throughout the semester I have re-taught myself how to save money, find good deals, and just avoid unnecessary purchases. I like to have fun outside of classes and be able to purchase things when I need them, so money is a key factor in my life.  

I want to share the top things that I do to save money through finding good deals and avoiding unnecessary purchases so that you can utilize this information and become more financially comfortable.  

Saving Money 

Avoid Unnecessary Purchases 

One of the things that always gets to me when I shop is seeing new things or finding great deals for items that I do not really need. I try to keep my mindset on what I need, not what I want because I would like to have lots of things. However, wanting unnecessary things can be a problem for my bank account. I tend to change my mindset when I am shopping for fun so that there are boundaries. Once those boundaries are created then you can see a return in your account, just like I did. 

Shopping Boundaries  

In order to avoid buying the things you don’t need, it’s important to set boundaries that can stop you from making those purchases. I like to have a set budget or create a list of what I need so that I don’t get off track. After you purchase what you need, that money that was saved after making those purchases can go towards things you want or future activities. I like going out with my friend and exploring the parts of Springfield that I’ve never seen before.  

Finding Good Deals  

Paying full price for things is simply fine, but when I can find a good deal, I tend to take advantage of online extensions and student offers. Missouri State has a coupon book with great deals inside it that you can pick up at Meyer Library and you can sometimes catch some deals on the bulletin board area in Plaster Student Union. Some websites do offer student discounts if you are a university student so that you can avoid paying full prices. I also use online extensions that have coupons and deals that you would not be able to find online just to make shopping easier. 

Takeaways  

Being an adult and being a student can be really hard because not only are you trying to further your education, but you are also trying to do things on your own without going broke. I have been using the methods that I have shared for a while, fortunately they have saved me big and small amounts of money. Information like this can last you for a lifetime and help you out when you need it the most, so I encourage you to see if this information can help you or the people in your life. To help you out even more, take a look at Missouri State’s resources to help you manage your costs of being a student.  

~Alexandria  

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

 

Sharing Springfield Experiences (Spring 2022, Week 10)

by

The semester is really starting to fly by the more I think about it because it is already close to April.  

During this semester I have challenged myself to try new things and to destress away from campus to save myself from burnout. I have learned throughout my time at Missouri State that taking time for yourself is important for your mental health, peace of mind, and overall happiness. I had to learn that there must be a separation between school and work, especially if you are someone who values spending time by yourself or with friends. I have recently visited a few places in Springfield that I have never been to, so I wanted to tell you all about my experiences.   

I have a close friend that I met at Missouri State in my sophomore year art class, and we have been friends since then. I have visited some unfamiliar places in Springfield with my friend and we have been able to share the experience of going to various places with each other.   

Springfield Experiences  

Coffee Shops 

Coffee shops are a great place to go to relax and Springfield has lots of great coffee places, including several within walking distance or near Bear Line access. My new favorite coffee shop near campus is where a lot of students or Springfield residents can come in and relax. This isn’t just any ordinary coffee shop because they also sell tea, malts, and sweet treats like brownies. There is a warm and welcoming ambiance when you first walk in because it takes place inside of a house-like structure and the people that work there are nice. I highly recommend getting a chocolate brownie and an iced white mocha coffee, which has become my personal favorite. This particular coffee shop has three levels, so I can sit on any level to hang out with friends or just relax. I can spend time together with my friend for hours in a coffee shop and will be trying some new coffee spots whenever I get the chance, especially with finals approaching.   

Chinese Restaurants 

I think finding a good, affordable restaurant that you enjoy and can visit when you need a break from on-campus dining is an important self-care step. Personally, I crave Chinese food on occasion but after being in Springfield for so long, I have found it hard to find good Chinese food and not just some sushi rolls. I went on the hunt a few weekends back to try to find a Chinese food place that was affordable and had some good options. My friend had given me some recommendations since she had tried a few places, so after hearing about her experience, I went to a buffet-style restaurant close to campus. This restaurant was less than ten minutes away from campus and had food options for just about anything from chicken to sushi rolls; they even had a dessert section. I enjoyed the open floor plan so that I could see not only the buffet but also the other people coming in to eat as well. I was really happy with the food choices and the fact that they serviced your drink when you needed a refill. I paid less than twenty dollars and was given a complimentary fortune cookie when I paid my bill. Overall, I was happy with my experience at this affordable restaurant and will visit again whenever my craving hits.   

Takeaways for this week  

After being a student for so long, it can get tiring to the point that you start to question your career path or the major that you chose, so I am always finding outlets to keep myself going. It is important to remember that your life is not just about your education but what you make it. Get out, try some new things, and discover what Springfield has to offer whenever you get the chance. Hopefully, hearing about my experiences and the places that I visited has encouraged you to explore and find your own favorite coffee shops, restaurants, or other spots to relax or enjoy a break from campus.   

 

~Alexandria 

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

Networking with Peers and Instructors (Spring 2022, Week 7)

by

Can you believe it? Spring break is literally two weeks away already! I will be making sure to have fun when I can and finish strongly in all my courses during the remainder of the semester.  

Networking with Peers and Instructors 

Switching back to being an in-person student after being an online student for so long has turned out to be quite a challenge. The transition has been helping me to grow and figure out just how much I have changed after being a student for so long. One thing that I have always struggled with was meeting new people and maintaining those potential relationships or connections that I could make. Being on campus at Missouri State quickly made me realize I’m in charge of interacting and communicating with other people, not someone else. In this post, I wanted to share some of my tips for networking with your peers and instructors that can help you out if you get stuck.  

Instructors  

Attend office hours 

Your instructors or professors have office hours so students can discuss the course material, ask questions, and even genuinely just learn more about each other. Office hours give you the opportunity to have one-on-one time with your professor that you would not have in the classroom so you can learn even more about your professor.  

Email them  

Email your professors if you have questions about a specific area of expertise that they are knowledgeable about or even to let them know how the course lectures or material are working out for you.  

Ask for advice/help 

Instructors and professors come from all walks of life and have their degrees in addition to their careers to show for it. Have a conversation with your instructors about your own career path or ask about the real-life experiences that you will encounter outside the classroom. 

Peers 

Start conversations

Even if it is just in passing sometimes it works out to speak with people or even just be polite to someone and hold a door for them. The Missouri State campus is so huge and there are lots of people that you can get to know by just starting a random conversation. You never know what will happen until you try.  

Make groups 

Try creating a group with your classmates or connecting with each other on social media platforms. You can connect with people that have similar interests and potentially make some long-lasting relationships with people. This also helps if you have questions regarding a class that you are in with people. You could even create a study group with them.  

Find common interests  

It might be hard to just talk to random people, especially if you are shy or have some social anxiety like me so try to find someone that you could talk to about something that you like or enjoy as well. You can find a student organization that matches your interests and connects with other people through the Office of Student Engagement.  

Takeaways  

I really wanted to give these tips because when I was a freshman at Missouri State University, I was struggling to just talk to people. I learned that I was not helping myself by being afraid and limiting who I was communicating with on campus. Meeting new people and networking with them has become such a fun thing to do and some great people have become a part of my life because of these tips. Networking helps you on so many levels whether that is socially or professionally so try not to be as afraid as I was to start. 

These tips keep me on my toes and upgrade my social skills over time so I hope that they can yield some positive results for you all.  

Happy Week Seven!!! 

~Alexandria 

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

Transitioning Back (Spring 2022, Week 3)

by

It feels so good to be back in action, not only on campus but also in the Center for Academic Success and Transitions (CAST) office. 

My Online to In-Person Transition 

One of the things that I love about creating blog posts is that I am given the chance to share my life, experiences, and anything that can help other students to succeed. This time around, I wanted to bring the spotlight to myself. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I had been at home with my family and taking online courses. Online classes were a learning experience, but I was able to figure things out and keep not only my grades together but also my priorities. However, keeping all that in mind, I am getting ready to graduate in about a year, so I decided to come back to campus. I was not sure when I would get the chance to return, and I really missed campus along with some particularly important people in it. In this post, I wanted to talk about how I am transitioning to being back on campus, my emotional state of mind, and just some difficulties that I have been faced with recently. 

Campus Life 

This semester I am living in a residence hall, and it has been one of the weirdest things that I have had to do. It has been about two years since I have lived in a residence hall and have had to be sociable with people outside of my family members. Fortunately, enough my family was here to move me in and help me to unpack my things so that I felt a lot more at home. My suitemate is also a nice person and someone whom I can see myself having a good relationship with for a long time, even after my journey at Missouri State ends. I have adapted to my schedule, so I am able to get to my classes on time, get assignments done, and find some time to call home. I can still remember where specific buildings are, how to get around campus faster, and just the small things regarding my student account. 

My Emotional State  

These past few weeks have been hard for me to adapt to, but I expected that to happen, which is why I have been taking everything one day at a time. Things were much easier for me to balance when I was at home because not only was my family there, but everything was going on within one place; my room was my residence hall and classroom all in one. There have been and will be, times when I’m lonely or just want to hear my mom’s voice. However, I talk to my mom every day, and my parents continue to remind me that they are proud of me. My emotional state does fluctuate but that is to be expected given the change from living at home to now being on campus. 

Difficulties  

Rather than a long paragraph, I’m listing some of the difficulties that I have had to face since being on campus for the past few weeks. What’s most important is that I am overcoming the listed difficulties and enjoying my time on campus as I settle back into everything. 

  • Missing being closer to my family members
  • Working face-to-face with people and in-person 
  • Adjusting to having a meal plan, cooking for myself, and not skipping breakfast 
  • Getting up and going to my classes rather than just opening my laptop 

Takeaways for this Week 

Being a student at Missouri State online and in-person are two very different experiences. I don’t think that I would have changed my decision to come back to campus because it will pass by so fast; I will look up and the spring semester will already be over. The pandemic has made things difficult, but I am always working to keep myself safe and keep my mind on my ultimate goal, obtaining my degree. I have so many things that I am going to continue to look forward to and so many things to experience myself, but I am hopeful that my experiences can help you in some way. Be sure to look out for more blog posts from me throughout the semester and from my fellow CAST members.

~Alexandria 

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

Formed Habits (Fall 2021, Week 13)

by

Can you believe it? We are almost done with the fall semester and much closer to the holiday season.

Habits that I’ve formed since starting college

Switching from high school to college was a huge adjustment for me. I had to figure out how to operate in ways that allowed me to succeed and, if I did fail at something, to learn from my mistakes. In this post, I want to share with you habits that I’ve formed since starting college.

Habit: Planning more time to study

College exams are definitely different from high school exams, so I have learned to prepare well in advance especially if it is a subject I struggle with, like math. I’ve recently been using two planners, one to keep track of things for my job and the other for stuff that relates to my courses during the semester. I make sure that I have enough time to get time-consuming assignments done and study within a good length of time, so I won’t need to cram at the last minute. When I do plan time to study, I also plan time for myself. I find that I work better when I spend time on things that I like to do before studying and when taking breaks.

Habit: Organizing and planning any assignments

Losing points and having late work isn’t appealing to me so I focus on maximizing the number of points that I can get for each class that I take. I organize my assignments in my planner so that I know when an assignment is due and the time leading up to those due dates. This helps keep me on track with what I need to do to avoid missing out on any points.

Habit: Studying and completing assignments in a good environment

Before attending Missouri State, it didn’t really matter to me where I studied, but now I’ve found that it’s very important to limit distractions because I absorb the most information when I’m in a quiet environment. Having classes online during the pandemic presented a challenge because I have younger siblings (they love being loud). That experience reinforced for me that a good environment for studying or just getting work done can help you to be more successful in your classes.

Habit: Going to class, even if you don’t feel like it

There may be times when you’re feeling lazy or you just don’t want to go to class. I’ve felt that way myself throughout my college journey and most likely still will. However, if I get to a point where I’m questioning going to class or not, I usually think about what I’ll miss out on or what additional work I’ll have to complete to catch up. You can miss out on important material or the chance to communicate with your professor if you don’t attend class.

Habit: Asking for help

I have been guilty in the past of not asking my instructors for help and thinking that I can do it all on my own. I’ve found, though, that when I do ask for help, I have a better understanding of the course material and struggle less than when I try to get by on my own. Don’t be afraid to communicate, whether through email or face-to-face. In addition to talking to your instructor or professor, you can always seek out upperclassmen, who can be a great source of information on campus, instructors, classes to take, fun hangout spots, etc.

Thoughts for this Week

Being a student at Missouri State has challenged me to adapt and develop good habits that can last me a lifetime. Your habits might not be exactly like mine but I’m hoping that learning about mine will get those wheels turning about your own.

~Alexandria

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