A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Living Alone (Fall 2023, Week 14)

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Greetings, Bears! I can’t believe that we’re already at that point in the semester where things are starting to wrap up. One of the many changes that can occur with the change of the semesters is housing arrangements, as some students move to different residence halls, off-campus, or even potentially have a roommate move out. With those changes happening, I wanted to use my post this week to talk about a perspective that I can share, for any students who may be living alone or preparing to do so for the first time—especially if it was not your first choice. Unfortunately, the holiday season can also bring upon feelings of loneliness for many people, so I thought I would give you my tips, as a student who has lived alone both on and off campus, to help you combat those potential feelings and make the most of your living situation.  

Getting Involved

As I have mentioned in previous posts, getting involved both on and off campus can greatly aid in combatting feelings of loneliness, as well as help you get out of the house (or residence hall/apartment). This can look like a lot of different things, whether you join an organization or just spend time with friends. Either way, it’s important that you make time in your schedule for you to do those things, so that you can prevent feelings of isolation from others. Both the MSU campus and the Springfield community have endless opportunities for involvement. Try to find at least one thing you can start doing every week, even if it’s small, so that you have something to look forward to. I, for example, sometimes like to go roller skating on weekends when I find that I have nothing else to do. If you give it a chance, you are bound to find something that you enjoy, both on and off campus.   

Finding Hobbies

Something else that you can do to help yourself better adjust to living alone is find a hobby or two that you enjoy doing, or something that you will happily devote some extra time to. Occupying yourself at home can make the days where you don’t have class, work, or any other commitments that you are involved in feel more purposeful, as well as bring you joy! Filling your free time with hobbies is a completely necessary act of self-care. Your hobbies can be whatever you want them to be as long as they make you happy. Even in the busiest weeks of the semester, devoting time to your hobbies is a great way to relieve stress or feelings of anxiety about living alone.  

Making the Most of Your Space  

For those who are living alone or preparing to do so unwillingly, it can be hard to believe that there are good things about living alone, but I promise you that there are perks. One of the bigger benefits of living in a space by yourself is that you have full creative control! Another thing that you can do to bring yourself comfort in your living situation is make it your own, which can look like all sorts of things. I loved having the ability to decorate my first residence hall room however I liked, and there’s a chance that you will love that too! Feel free to experiment with décor to create a space that you feel at home in. Feeling comfortable in your space can also aid in combating loneliness and similar anxieties.  

Takeaways

I hope, especially if you are approaching an unexpected solo living situation, that these tips help you feel more comfortable with the idea of living by yourself. It might also be that you have chosen to live alone willingly, which I have done too. No matter what, though, any student is subject to potential feelings of loneliness, even if you live with several roommates, and hopefully these tips can apply to those situations too.

Remember that if you are experiencing feelings of loneliness or unhappiness regarding your situation, there are several on campus resources that can help you, including The Counseling Center and our very own CAST office! Our Peer Mentors would love to talk with you about getting involved on campus and finding other on campus resources. You can request to meet with a Peer Mentor online or come to our drop in hours (Fall 2023: Tuesdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.). I hope that you have a joyful holiday season (if you celebrate) and the best Winter Break. Good luck with the rest of your semester! 

~Hallie 

(Bio: I am a junior out-of-state student studying Creative Writing and Philosophy.)             

How I Manage My Time (Fall 2023, Week 12)

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Hello again, Bears! I am happy to be back for another blog post. This week, I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about something that I have struggled with throughout my college career: time management. Have you ever found yourself at 10 o’clock at night asking yourself “Where did the day go?” If so, we are a lot alike. There are many ways that you can conquer time management, and you might already have your set strategy. However, if after midterms or at this point in the semester you are second-guessing yourself or find that you need a new time management plan, you might benefit from my personal time management strategy. Here is what I like to do if I find myself at the end of day asking where the day has gone.  

Knowing My Commitments

Whenever I reach a particular moment where I feel like I’ve lost touch with my time, the first thing that I do is make sure that I know how much of my time I need to devote to all of my commitments. This usually looks like making a list of everything that I have or want to do, like class, work, studying, or hobbies and self-care. I am a visual person, so it helps me to have everything physically written out on a piece of paper. At that point, I usually write out any time that absolutely has to be given to something. For example, I’ll write down when I have class or work, as well as how much time each day I know I need to spend doing homework. Even if I don’t end up making a strict schedule or routine for myself, I find that being conscious of how much time I am spending doing certain things still helps me manage my time much better.  

Deciding My Priorities

When I figure out how much time I have outside of specific commitments, I’m left with an amount of time that I can delegate to whatever I want. This is when deciding what my priorities are comes into play. What I consider a priority can change depending on what I’m doing or what I’m involved in at any given time, but regardless of what they are, I make sure to set aside amounts of time left over from the previous step to be dedicated to those priorities. Lately, my priorities have been self-care, studying, writing, and spending time with my new cat! However, if I have a set of exams coming up, my priorities may change, and I might decide to spend more time studying than writing. The opposite also applies—if I find that I’ve been stressed out lately, I’ll tend to prioritize self-care over studying if I know that I’m in a good place academically. Either way, consistently reflecting on my priorities also aids me with managing my time, even if I don’t follow through with the next step.

Making a Routine

Once I rediscover my current commitments and priorities, I like to sit down and make a routine for myself. It isn’t usually super structured, mostly because I don’t like it to be that way, but even the loosest of structures helps me. Even if you’re like me and don’t like to have things strictly scheduled, a light routine might still benefit you, because it takes away the mental task of deciding what to do at a given time. For example, I like to schedule my time in blocks. In my current routine, I give myself an hour each night for homework or writing. If I come home from school or work that day and I know I have a lot of homework that day or coming up soon, I’ll typically use that time to do homework, but there are also days where I don’t and I choose to write instead. After that, I take a break from schoolwork or writing, and I give myself two hours of free time. I can essentially do whatever I would like, whether that be reading, watching TV, spending time with my cat, or sometimes I continue to do homework or write if I feel inclined to do so. The nice thing about creating your own routine is that you decide what it looks like, and you can also change it at any time if you’re having a hard time sticking with it or you’re unsatisfied with the amount of time that you’re dedicating to a specific thing.  

Takeaways

Even if you already have your time management plan set in stone, I hope you enjoyed learning more about mine. I think that it can be beneficial to learn about how other peers conquer the challenges that college brings, and if you’re wanting to learn more about my strategies or the strategies of the other amazing Peer Mentors and Success Coaches, come visit us in the CAST office! We are now offering drop-in hours on Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., so don’t hesitate to come see us if you are struggling or if you just want to talk. You can also request a Success Coach or Peer Mentor by filling out our Request Form. I hope that you continue to have a successful semester, and I will see you again soon in a future post! 

~Hallie 

(Bio: I am a junior out-of-state student studying Creative Writing with a minor in Philosophy.) 

The Little Things I Love About MSU: The Campus Squirrels (Fall 2023, Week 8)

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Welcome back to another blog post, Bears! This week, I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about something a little more light-hearted and humorous. Any Missouri State student or faculty member has seen them—when you leave a building or turn a corner, they are there, digging in the trash, hopping through grass, or climbing trees. I’m talking about the campus squirrels, of course! I love the squirrels on campus, so I thought I would provide you with a couple of personal stories from my encounters with them to give you a little brain break from your midterm studies. Here are two stories of mine from when I’ve run into a squirrel on campus.  

A Bad Day 

On a warm spring day last semester, I was walking back to my car parked in Bear Park South after getting out of a club meeting. I don’t remember much about that day, but I do remember being in a bad mood. I was tired, and the person sitting behind me in my club meeting had been kicking my chair, which happens to be one of my bigger pet peeves. I was ready to go home, and I was walking pretty fast. I was making my way under the trees behind Plaster Student Union when, all of a sudden, I heard something rummaging around in a nearby trashcan ahead of me. Before I could walk past it, a squirrel jumped out onto the sidewalk right in front of my feet and held a full-size burrito in its paws. Right in front of me, it opened its mouth and took a very large bite, but I don’t think that the squirrel liked it very much because it dropped the burrito on the ground and went right back into the trashcan. I thought the whole thing was pretty funny, and I also learned that squirrels probably don’t like burritos. The incident made me smile, and the rest of my walk back to my car was pleasant.  

An Unexpected Encounter 

A few weeks ago, I was once again walking back to my car in the parking garage. This time, though, it was much later in the evening, because I was coming back from a reading hosted by the English department. I remember being happy because they hosted a poet that I had been reading in my poetry class, and it was so cool to hear him read some of my favorite poems of his. I was walking directly under a tree in front of McDonald Arena when a huge bundle of leaves attached to a branch hit me on the top of my head, fell onto my left shoulder, and then onto the ground. It was big enough that I turned around and looked up into the tree, only to find a mischievous looking squirrel sitting at the end of the branch I was under where the bundle must have fallen, looking right at me. I still don’t exactly know what that squirrel’s intentions were at that moment, but I can’t help but think that it was at least somewhat responsible for the leaves falling on my head. Either way, I found the encounter funny, and I laughed about it to myself for the rest of my way back home. 

Takeaways 

After reading this post, you might be wondering why, of all things, I decided to write about squirrels. Well, as the title implies, the squirrel population on campus just happens to be one of the many little things about this campus that I love. I hope that my anecdotes, while silly, serve as a reminder to you to enjoy the little things in your life that make you happy. Sometimes, if you’re having a bad day like I was in my first story, a small thing like a squirrel eating a burrito can turn your whole day around, and it’s important to cherish those things. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed and you find that an encounter with a campus squirrel does not entirely lift your spirits, come and see us in the CAST office! We have amazing Success Coaches and Peer Mentors that want to help you succeed, and we are now offering drop-in hours on Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. I wish you luck on your midterms, and hope that you enjoy your Fall Break!  

~Hallie 

(Bio: I am a junior out-of-state student studying Creative Writing with a minor in Philosophy.) 

Building Your Support System (Fall 2023, Week 6)

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Greetings, Bears! I am so happy to be back for another semester of blog posts. If you happened to read my posts from over the summer, you may have noticed that there was quite a bit of discussion about the first-time freshman student experience. Chances are, if you are a freshman, you have had at least a little bit of time to adjust to your new life here on campus—but that doesn’t necessarily mean that things are perfect. At any stage of your life or college, you may encounter difficult times or have a hard time adjusting to change, and that is when having a support system becomes very important. Building and maintaining a support system is something that I have struggled with, so I want to use my post for this week to talk about something that you could be struggling with too.  

What is a “Support System” and Why is it Important?

“Support system” is a term usually used to refer to the people in your life that you can turn to for emotional support. In most cases, this can refer to your friends, family, or other close people in your circle. However, when you’re in college, your system can expand because you have access to so many different resources. It’s important to be aware of these resources, as well as build and maintain a support system, because even the strongest people need support during tough times. College is an amazing and fun experience, but it can also present its own unique challenges. Building a support system to help combat these challenges can look like all sorts of things, but most college students find their support in family, friends, and on-campus resources.  

How to Build Your Support System

Most people looking to build or enhance their support system turn to friends or family. Even if they are further away, your family can still be a great way to find support. Your relationship with your family members can change and vary while you’re in college, but if you feel comfortable doing so, there is absolutely nothing wrong with turning to your family for support when you’re in need. Sometimes, your family can know you better than you know yourself and provide helpful insight about things that you may be experiencing. Friendships are also important and can do great things for your mental health. Good friends want to provide you with support and can also provide validation and advice. Oftentimes, it also just helps to have someone to talk to about your troubles. If you are in need of support, don’t be afraid to ask friends or loved ones for help; they want to support you and see you succeed.  

As a college student, you also have the opportunity to expand your support system by utilizing on-campus resources. One of the many great resources available to you is the Counseling Center, which is located in Magers Health and Wellness Center. Counselors can help you build your support system, but also serve as support themselves. As a Missouri State student, you have access to 8 counseling sessions per semester, but the Counseling Center also hosts other forms of therapy and skill-building workshops. You can find those listed on their website, along with links to many other resources.  

There is also, of course, our office! The Center for Academic Success and Transition has both Success Coaches and Peer Mentors that are available to support you and guide you to success, both academically and as you navigate life at MSU. If you are interested in meeting with a Success Coach or Peer Mentor (or both), you can fill out the request form on our website. Other areas at MSU where you can find ways to build your support system include the department and college for your major, your academic advisor, the Bear CLAW, Foster Recreation Center and more. 

Takeaways

I hope that after reading through this post you feel reassured about all of your options for finding support both on and off campus. It can be intimidating sometimes, but everyone goes through hard times, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help and support from others. If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that there are many resources and opportunities available to you on campus and through MSU to help you succeed! I hope that your semester is going well so far, and I will see you again soon in a future blog post! 

~Hallie 

(Bio: I am a junior out-of-state student studying Creative Writing with a minor in Philosophy.) 

A Guide to Welcome Weekend (Summer 2023)

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Hi again, Bears! I am happy to be back for another summer blog post. If you are an incoming Bear, you may have heard some buzz about the week before classes start, which we call Welcome Weekend. There are a lot of events that happen at this time, so I decided that I would use my post this week to talk about Welcome Weekend and all of the fun things going on! While move-in and Welcome Weekend is an exciting time for new students, it’s also a lot of information all at once, and can be overwhelming. I hope that, if you are feeling that way, this post eases your worries and makes you even more excited to experience your first weekend on campus! 

The Events 

There are so many different things that go on during Welcome Weekend, and it is truly impossible for me to talk about all of them. I’m going to focus on one event each day of Welcome Weekend, but if you want to know more about everything that goes on during Welcome Weekend, there is a full schedule of events on the Missouri State webpage.  

The first event of Welcome Weekend that is certainly worth mentioning typically takes place on the Thursday of move-in week. This event, kicking off Welcome Weekend, is the Traditions Tour. Missouri State has countless traditions, and this guided tour will introduce you to a few of them. If you’re new to Missouri State, I would highly recommend taking some time to take this 30-minute tour!  

You will definitely want to attend Playfair and Rally in the Valley on Friday. This is a pep rally that takes place in Plaster Stadium. The incoming class photo is taken at this event, giving you a chance to participate in history as a new Bear. This event, and many others, is a fun way to meet other students and get involved! This year, there will be live music, free food, yard games, and more.  

One of the biggest events of Welcome Weekend and the entire school year is on Saturday night. Many current MSU students return to campus for this party that we call Bear Bash. This is both an annual event and a tradition on campus, and each year offers something different! If you are going to attend any of the Welcome Weekend events, I recommend Bear Bash as certainly the one that you don’t want to miss. This year, it takes place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., and features a hypnotist, mechanical bull, live music, and much more. Be sure to take some time during your first Saturday night on campus to experience the fun! 

The last day of Welcome Weekend is, of course, the Sunday before classes start. The most notable event that takes place on Sunday, also an annual and traditional event, is New Student Convocation. This is a welcome ceremony for new students, where you will hear from our university president, Clif Smart. This ceremony is also the start of a full-circle moment, as it takes place in the Great Southern Bank Arena, where you will graduate when you complete your degree. Following New Student Convocation, there is a Student Organization Festival, where representatives from some of our campus organizations will be present to help you find the right organization for you. It is so important to be involved on campus and find joy in other things besides academics. Taking the time to attend both of these events might just change the course of your college experience!  

Takeaways 

While this is just an introduction to some of the many events that take place during Welcome Weekend, I hope that you feel more knowledgeable about what is in store for you when you come to campus. Between move-in, Welcome Weekend, and the first week of classes, there is so much information to take in all at once, but moving to college really is such an exciting time. If you are still feeling overwhelmed when you come to campus (and don’t worry—most people do), there are so many resources available to you to help you adjust to college life. One of these resources is, of course, our CAST Office, where we have friendly Peer Mentors and Success Coaches that are excited to help students succeed. Either way, I hope that you experience an amazing Welcome Weekend, and that you make time to enjoy yourself on campus before classes start!  

~Hallie  

(Bio: I am a junior out-of-state student studying Creative Writing and Philosophy.)