A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Finding Balance in College (Spring 2026, Week 1)

by

How do you decide what to make time for? College is inherently busy. It’s hard to find the time for all of the things you want to do while still making time to have fun. Finding a balance is difficult, but it is also important to your success in college and beyond. 

 

The Core Considerations 

Finding true balance requires assessing three major areas of your life: Academics, Social Life, and Self-Care.

1. Academics

The first thing to consider when trying to find a balance is academics. As students, our primary goal is to excel in our classes. 

  • Know Your Limits: It’s important to know what you can handle when creating a schedule. While a full-time status often allows for up to 18 credit hours a semester, this is not the best choice for everyone. 
  • Adjust Your Course Load: If you know you want to be an active part of organizations, work a job, or have family obligations, then seriously consider lowering your number of credit hours to 12 or 15. Knowing your limits is crucial to a manageable workload. 

Your advisor is a great resource to help you manage your course load in a way that will also help you reach your academic load. 

2. Social Life

Another consideration when finding a balance is finding time for your social life. Spending time with friends and family keeps students feeling connected. Human interaction is how we feel and show love, support, fun, and connection. 

If you try to completely cut out your social life to focus on school, it often has a negative effect. Generally, grades drop and our mental health can be affected, which is neither healthy nor sustainable. Scheduling time with your people is a great way to combat this issue. It doesn’t have to be daily, even a weekly commitment can make a huge difference.

3. Self-Care

Self-care can be the first thing to falter when someone is struggling to find balance. They stop prioritizing sleep, exercise, and eating healthy meals. If students continue down this path, it can lead to depression and anxiety, only worsening their struggles with getting everything done. 

The best way to avoid this issue is to ensure you make time for yourself. It might sound counterintuitive, but literally putting self-care into your schedule can be helpful. Treat it like a mandatory class: “From 9-10 PM, I am going to shower, put my phone away, and watch an episode of my favorite show.” This carves out a designated time that is just for you. 

4. Job

For many students working is an important part of affording to attend school. However balancing a job on top of other responsibilities can be difficult.

To maintain balance, look for positions that offer flexibility and scheduling during hours you don’t have class. It’s important that you communicate your exam schedule to your manager early, and remember: you are a student first. If your work hours are consistently keeping you from maintaining the other areas of your life it may be time to reevaluate your shift load.

 

The Power of Saying ‘No’ 

Learning when to say no is the hardest part of finding a balance, but it is the key to maintaining it. If you say yes every time someone asks you to do something, whether it’s joining a new club or picking up an extra shift, you will inevitably overstretch yourself. Overstretching yourself can lead to productivity issues and burnout. This can be detrimental to not only your academics but your overall wellness too. 

Remember: Saying no to one thing means saying yes to something else—like saying yes to your eight hours of sleep, your mental health, or the time needed to study for a major exam. 

 

Combatting Burnout 

Burnout is the inevitable result of neglecting the “considerations” we just discussed. It’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. For a college student, it often looks like cynicism, a significant drop in academic performance, and a feeling of complete depletion. 

The good news is that the strategies you’ve already put in place, scheduling social time, prioritizing sleep, and knowing your academic limit, are your primary defense! 

If you start feeling burnout creeping in, take these immediate steps: 

  • Do a Mini-Audit: Look at your calendar and to-do list. Are you over-committed? Where can you drop a non-essential task or shift a deadline? Revisit your “Saying No” rule and apply it now. 
  • Double Down on Self-Care: If you feel overwhelmed, your self-care time isn’t a luxury; it’s an emergency brake. A walk outside or cooking a meal can be a great way to reset your nervous system. 
  • Talk to Someone: Reach out to a professor, a mental health professional, a friend, or family. Burnout thrives in isolation. Opening up about stress is the first step toward relief. Missouri State’s Counseling Center is a great free resource for students who are struggling with burnout. 

Success Coaches and Peer Mentors are a great free resource to help you determine how to balance your commitments. Request a Success Coach or Peer Mentor today.

Finding a balance isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s a constant adjustment. Every semester presents a new challenge. By keeping academics, social life, and self-care in equilibrium, you can navigate the demands of college successfully. 

 

Takeaways  

Finding a balance is possible if you: 

  • Take your academics, social life, and mental health into consideration when creating your schedule
  • Learn when to say no
  • Avoid and treat burnout before it becomes a bigger issue

 

~Eternity Lawson  

 

(Bio: I am a second year Agriculture Communications Students here at MSU. Fun Fact about me is that I love watching movies, especially musicals.) 

Conquering Finals: Essential Study Tips for College Success (Fall 2025, Week 13)

by

Finals are quickly approaching, so let’s leave the procrastination behind and find effective study methods that actually work. Many of us, including me, cruised through high school without really studying, but that doesn’t work as well in college. Learning how to study isn’t just about memorizing; it’s a key piece of doing well and keeping your stress levels down. 

Scheduling and Sticking to Your Schedule   

One of the best things you can do to set yourself up for success is to block out your study time in advance. College is super busy and intentionally putting that time on a calendar is a great way to make sure studying doesn’t get pushed aside. 

It might sound kind of boring, but seriously, grab a calendar or a planner (whatever you like: physical or digital) and write everything down. Your student Outlook email has an awesome calendar, but if you love writing things out, a physical planner can be super helpful. I honestly use both! 

Peer Mentor Tip: If you need a planner, stop by the CAST office in Meyer Library 116 for a free 2025-2026 academic planner! 

A great way to structure your day looks like this: 

  • 9:00 am – 10:15 am: Class 
  • 10:30 am – 11:45 am: Class 
  • 11:45 am – 12:30 pm: Lunch 
  • 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Focused Study (insert class Exam Review) 

This schedule is only helpful if you stick to it. One of the biggest challenges when trying to stick to a schedule: motivation. 

Motivation  

Motivation is one of the toughest things about studying. There are a couple of good ways I have found that work well when I am low on motivation. 

Change Your Location: Our bedrooms are amazing comfort zones, and that’s exactly why it’s so easy to lose our motivation to work there. Sometimes, just leaving your personal space is enough. I often struggle even in my apartment’s common areas, so I exit the building completely. I like to go to the library, an academic building, or a quiet spot outside when the weather is nice. Everyone is different, so it may take some trial and error to find your perfect spot. 

Implement a Reward System: Another way to stay motivated is to treat yourself after a productive study session. This doesn’t have to be anything huge or pricey; it just needs to be something you’re genuinely excited about. It could be your favorite snack or drink, finally watching that movie, or just spending time relaxing with friends. Think of it as a positive reward cycle that makes studying feel less like a chore. 

Limit Distractions  

In order to have a good, focused study session, you have to cut down on interruptions. My biggest distractions? My phone and my friends. If I grab my phone or someone starts chatting with me, I lose my focus quickly and struggle to get it back. 

Because I know this about myself, I take proactive steps: I try to separate myself from my friends when studying and I toss my phone in my backpack. 

My laptop and phone are linked, so notifications sometimes pop up on my computer which temps me to check texts and emails. My solution? I put both my laptop and my phone on “Do Not Disturb” when starting a study session. Finding out what your biggest distractions are and doing your best to limit or remove them is key to successful, productive study time. 

Finding a Method that Works for You 

There are literally hundreds of study methods out there. The trickiest part is finding one that fits your brain and the course material. It took me a while to find a way that ‘clicked’ and gave me the results I wanted. 

Here are a few proven methods. If none of these resonate with you, a quick search will offer many more tailored options! 

  • The Feynman Technique (Teaching Others): This method seems simple, but it significantly boosts memory. If you know the knowledge well enough that you can verbally and clearly express it to someone else, that’s a powerful sign that you truly understand the topic—you haven’t just memorized the words. 
  • Flashcards: These are fantastic for information that has one correct answer, like definitions, vocabulary, or formulas. While there are lots of great online flashcard apps, I like to physically write them out. That motor act of writing information can help solidify it in your memory in a way that typing sometimes can’t. 
  • Mind Mapping: This is all about organizing information visually around a central concept. Start with the main topic in the center of the page, then branch out with key sub-topics, and finally, add supporting facts and details to those branches. This method is great for seeing how complex ideas connect. 
  • Spaced Repetition: This technique takes advantage of how your brain naturally forgets things. Instead of cramming, you review the material at increasing intervals (like 1 day later, 3 days later, 7 days later). This forces your memory to work harder right before you forget, which leads to much stronger long-term retention. 

Takeaways 

Studying can be daunting, and it does take some trial and error, but there are ways to help make it easier : 

  • Limit Distractions
  • Create a schedule
  • Find a method that works best for you

– Eternity Lawson  

(Bio: I am a second year Agriculture Communications Students here at MSU. Fun Fact about me is that I love watching movies, especially musicals.) 

 

Registration at Missouri State (Fall 2025, Week 11)

by

It’s that time of the semester when the word “registration” starts floating around campus. For many students, it can feel overwhelming, but the good news is it doesn’t have to be. By following a few simple tips and tricks, you can make your registration experience run smoothly.

Know Your Registration Date and Time

Your first step towards stress-free registration is to know when your window opens. Registration is based on the number of credit hours you have completed (not including the hours you’re currently taking).

The easiest way to find this information is through the My Missouri State portal. Just find the card titled “Registration” and then click the “Registration Status Eligibility” link. This page is packed with vital information, including:

  • Your exact date and time for registration
  • Your assigned advisor
  • Any holds that would prevent you from registering

Meet with Your Advisor Early

One of the most common reasons students have a registration hold is because they did not meet with their advisor. Your advisor is a university staff member assigned to help you select the right classes each semester, so you can meet your academic goals and graduate on time.

Don’t wait! Try to schedule your appointment well before your registration date. If you wait until the week of, you risk not being able to get an appointment in time, which will delay your registration.

You can reach out to your advisor in a couple of ways:

  • Email them directly to set up a meeting.
  • Look up your college’s advisement center to find your advisor’s online appointment link.

Peer Mentor Tip: Don’t know who your advisor is? How to Find Your Advisor has a great step by step guide.

Come to Your Advisor Meeting Prepared

To get the most out of your advising session, go in with a plan. I highly recommend using the Degree Audit and Trial Schedule Builder tools to create a couple of draft schedules before your meeting.

While your advisor is there to guide you, having an idea of which classes you would like to take gives you both a place to start. Your plan might need to be adjusted to best fit your degree path and academic goals. Also, be sure to write down any questions you have for your advisor—this keeps you from forgetting and ensures you get all the information you need.

More tips for Preparing for Advising Appointments

Register as Soon as Your Window Opens

That 7:00 AM opening time might feel early, and it can be tempting to wait until the afternoon, but I strongly advise against it! Some classes have a limited number of seats and can fill up very quickly. Waiting even a few hours could affect your ability to register for your first choice in sections or even classes.

To avoid this, be logged in and ready to hit “send to cart” on your schedule right at 7:00 AM on your registration date.

Always Have Backup Schedules Ready

Even if you register right on time, a popular class section may still fill up. You’ll thank yourself later for having at least one, if not more, backup plans ready to go. This will save you from scrambling and stressing the morning of registration.

Focus on backups for classes with the lowest number of available seats. I always check the Trial Schedule Builder the day before to see how many seats are still available. If a class I want has five or fewer seats open, I immediately plan a backup option—whether that’s a different section or a completely different course. If you have any questions about what your backup classes should be, talk to your advisor.

Be Prepared for Technical Difficulties

With so many students trying to register at the same time, there is a chance the website may slow down or even crash for a moment. Do not panic!

If this happens, simply close the browser and try again. Technical difficulties are common and do not automatically mean you will miss out on your desired classes. Stay calm and keep refreshing.

Takeaways

Registration doesn’t have to be a stressful hurdle. By taking the time to prepare ahead, meet with your advisor early, come up with a plan (and backups!), and being ready for a few technical hiccups, you can ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Happy registering!

~ Eternity Lawson

(Bio: I am a second year Agriculture Communications Students here at MSU. Fun Fact about me is that I love watching movies, especially musicals.)