Starting Off Strong!

We are officially three weeks into the semester! With all of the changes that have been made, it seems like everyone is getting off to a great start. For me, I was fairly concerned about getting lost in my blackboard and falling behind, but so far it has been great! And I hope the same can be said for you.

This semester I began working with a GEP class twice a week, and so far it has been a great experience. But the most impressive thing I have found is the first year students are having a decent transition to college, despite this blended format we are in. This is great news! I’m happy to see that students are able to still find success in their college career amidst all of this madness!

Keep Pumping Those Arms!

Obviously some things can still be slightly difficult. For some people, they still have yet to make a routine, or may not have even been to one of their classes in person yet. Personally, my major consists of a lot of labs. Because faculty still wants us on campus as much as possible, they split our labs up to where I am only in-person once every three weeks. Yesterday was my first day in the actual lab! However, making a solid schedule of each week and what I have to get done has done well to keep me on track. Plus, I have realized that having online lectures has given me a little more flexibility with where I can watch them, which allows me to find new settings to learn in each week.

Stay Positive and Stay Safe

As the weeks have progressed, it’s very noticeable that some of our classmates and peers are being affected more and more by COVID-19 each day. For those who are, I wish you well and hope that you get better soon. With this in mind, I hope that everyone is continuing to be safe and sanitary as much as they can. It can be scary being on a campus not knowing what might happen each day, but our campus is working very hard to help the situation. However, it is great to be back on campus, which is always a plus. So no matter how you may feel, remember that you attend one of the best campuses out there, and each day is an opportunity to become a better student and a better you!

~Michael

(Bio: My name is Michael Rexroad, a transfer student from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. I am a junior currently studying cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry.)

It’s The Final Countdown

The time has come: finals week. Per usual, finals week is always a stressful time for all of us, and I can tell that I’m feeling it. I definitely didn’t expect the semester to turn out the way it did, and something also makes me feel glad that we at least made it to the end.

Take a Deep Breath

Now, I can guarantee that I’m not the only one who is slightly stressed about finals. However, I think that good preparation will be key. Since we are home, we have plenty of time to get studying done! Also, I want to make sure to meet with and email my teachers as much as I can in order to receive help. Plus, coming up with a schedule for the week will be really important. Keeping track of your tests and when to study is always a good idea to help us stay on track.

Don’t Stop Believing

Along with our stress, I understand that a lot of us will face fear and anxiety as well. With this in mind, I think that there is one thing everyone should remember going into finals: There is always an opportunity to do amazing. No matter how you stand in a class or how the past few months have gone, there is always a chance to do amazing on the final! So this semester, go in facing finals with confidence and I know we can do great.

~Michael

(Bio: My name is Michael Rexroad, a transfer student from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. I am a junior currently studying cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry.)

Home Away From Home

During my time at Missouri State, I have realized this campus is not only where I come to learn, it is where I am comfortable, where I can focus, and where I go when I need help from someone. It has become my home. And although this COVID-19 pandemic has sent all of us back to our homes elsewhere, it feels like it has done the complete opposite.

A Few Weeks Later

These few weeks of quarantine have been interesting to say the least. We are currently in the midst of registration, regular school work, and finals week creeping up on us. It’s almost like a cherry on top of our COVID-19 sundae! All jokes aside, it’s easy to see how all of this can be stressful for us, and makes it seem scary moving forward.

So What Are We Going To Do?

As things have progressed, I have heard from a lot of people about their struggles and fear of what has been going on. Some people feel like they have lost valuable time on campus, found work harder in our current format, and are worried about what will happen in the following semesters. First, I would like to say I am always thankful that people share with me their feelings and concerns, because I am always glad to do my best in helping others get through hardships. So with this in mind, I want to help reassure everyone that things will be okay. Our Missouri State staff are working hard to find every way to help us through these tough times because they truly do care about us. And we have to remember that we are MSU students most importantly. I have seen some of the most amazing students in my time here, and it makes me have great confidence that we will all find success moving forward. We are all here for a reason!

Finishing Strong

Because our semester is coming to a close and finals week is on it’s way, I wanted to remind everyone of some great ways to feel prepared and relax in these last few weeks. When it comes to studying, make sure to cut out time during the day for studying. Because we are at home, it’s easy for us to overlook what we might need to get done. If you get a little stressed out, always make sure to take a break. This could be playing video games, talking with your family, or wrestling with your dog. As long as it’s something you can enjoy, because I think having a little fun is always important. Lastly, find some time to truly relax and take your mind off things. Possibly take a walk, sit outside and watch a sunset, or maybe even lay down and close your eyes for a while. Finding some time to reset your brain and get a fresh head is super important for our health and academic success. I hope all of these tips help everyone out, and I wish everyone the best of luck.

~Michael

(Bio: My name is Michael Rexroad, a transfer student from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. I am a junior currently studying cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry.)