A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Spring 2021 Week 14 – Michael

by

So Close Yet So Far Away

We are in week 14 of the semester, which means we are almost at the end! I can practically feel summer already. Vacations, spending time with friends and sleeping in are just a few of the things to look forward to when summer rolls around. However, like every obstacle course, there is always one last obstacle you have to overcome before the end. I think we all know what it is: Finals.

The Final Boss Battle

College is kind of like a video game. We level up by gaining knowledge, we defeat small enemies like homework, we make companions through classmates and we win boss battles when we take exams. However, there is always a final boss battle in every game, and for us that is our finals. I know for me, it can be a very stressful time, so here are some tips and tricks to make finals week a little bit better.

The Keys to Success: The Michael Way

For me, exams are all about comfort. The worst feeling during an exam is when you feel like you didn’t study enough or maybe didn’t prepare the right way. However, have no fear, because there are a few easy steps you can take to prevent that feeling.

Step 1: STUDY!

I don’t want it to feel over simplified, but for me beginning the studying for a final is like getting the ball rolling. Even when there is a lot of content to study, after each study session I know more than I did when I started. Then, when it comes to test time, I can tell myself that I do know something.

Step 2: Make a schedule

Laying out a schedule allows you to keep track of when your exams are going to be and when you want to study for them. It’s always good to study in advance; a schedule will tell you how long you have and how frequently you want to study leading up to the exam!

Step 3: Build some confidence!

Even if a final is comprehensive, don’t be intimidated. You have already made it to the end of the semester, so give yourself a pat on the back! Take a little pride in the hard work you have done all semester to reach this point. As you study or prepare for your exams, remember that you have been in the class all semester and already have some knowledge stored that will help you. Trust yourself!

No matter how tough finals get this year, keep your head up and trust in yourself. We are all at Missouri State because we deserve to be here and work hard! Good luck!

(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.)

Spring 2021 Week 11 – Michael

by

A Week in the Life of a Cell and Molecular Biology Major

At some point in college all of us will come around and find out what major we fall into. Usually our choice lines up with our end career goal or a research interest that we want to study one day. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a different major for a day? Well, luckily today I am going to share what it’s like to be a Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) major!

Whenever I tell people that I am a CMB major, they usually cringe and tell me it’s too much science for them. Little do they know that’s the best part! Because of all the science we do in our major, every class we take is always something a little bit different. This semester I have four different classes: Molecular Cell Biology (BMS 521), Peer Instruction in Biomedical Sciences (BMS 490), Introduction to Physics II (PHY 124) and Abnormal Psychology (PSY 304).

In BMS 521, we learn about the small processes and cell functions that make life possible. For me and other students who are planning on going into a medical field, it is important to understand the little complexities of the human body. BMS 521 also has a lab attached to it. This year we have a semester-long experiment revolving around a desensitization pathway in our cells. This requires us to be in and out of the lab many times throughout the week, culturing cells, making solution calculations and observing changes in our cells that lead to a better understanding of what we are trying to study.

BMS 490 is a class that gives undergraduate students a view into the life of a professor and shows us ways that we can help teach students. In my case, I work with a professor in her BMS 321 (Biomolecular Interactions) lab. Throughout the week, I do lab prep, zoom meetings with the students and help facilitate labs that the students do during the semester. Along with this, I meet with the other students in BMS 490 once a week to talk about teaching strategies and how we can use our own past experiences to make a better learning experience for students taking the labs. This course really does give a great opportunity to step up and do something for the students following in our footsteps, while also reinforcing our own knowledge and interest in our field.

Although I am a CMB major, I also have the opportunity to dive into some other fields of science. In the case of Physics 2, we get to learn things about electromagnetic fields and magnetism. Believe it or not, learning physics can teach us a lot about medical machinery and even some cell processes driven by physics concepts. Who would’ve guessed!

My last course this semester is Abnormal Psychology. This class is very interesting, and I know many people agree with me. As the name describes, we learn about people who face psychological disorders that cause distress in their lives and how those people can find help. I get a lot out of this course because it gives me another way to understand people and be able to help them in any way they need!

It is true that my week consists of a lot of reading and lab work that is required to be successful as a CMB major. In some people’s eyes, this may seem horrible and hard to keep up with, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Every day I go to class or the lab I learn more and more about how the world and the human body works. In the end, I hope to be a genetic counselor and use all the knowledge from my classes to help people one day! In my opinion, as long as you love what you’re doing, you can never go wrong!

(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.)

Spring 2021 Week 9 – Michael

by

A Meeting with a Familiar Face

Talking to faculty is one of the greatest resources students have at any university. Faculty knowledge and experience go such a long way in helping us figure out where we want to go in life. I figured today I would share a meeting I had last week that definitely helped me get my head straight about what I want to do from here on out!

I am about to enter my last year at Missouri State. As most people know, coming near the end of your college career can be scary, especially the idea of not knowing what comes next. I feel this right now. I am currently planning on pursuing a masters in genetic counseling and I have a lot of decisions to make about where I am heading.

I ran into a previous professor of mine a couple weeks back and decided it would be nice to catch up with her and talk about some things. She is a professor in the biomedical sciences department and was my genetics professor during my sophomore year here at MSU. She knows that genetic counseling is the field I want to pursue, so she was willing to talk to me and give me some pointers. During our meeting, we discussed how I have been doing since taking her genetics class, including my peer counseling position and my current classes. After that she asked if I had any questions about genetic counseling. Through her experience as a medical geneticist, she knows a lot about genetic counseling. She told me what to expect in a genetic counseling job, schools with good programs and what things make somebody prepared for going into genetic counseling. Once we were done, we said our goodbyes and made sure to find a time to meet again.

This professor gave me so much amazing information that I feel a lot better about what I am doing with my future.

As simple as these little meetings are, they can go a long way. When you are faced with a difficult decision or aren’t sure where you are heading in life, it is always good to get help. Whether that is an academic advisor, a teacher, a staff member, or even a friend, getting advice can be very useful.

(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.)

Spring 2021 Week 5 – Michael

by

A Blast to the Past?

Hello everyone! I hope your semester has been going well so far! For me personally, I have found this semester to be an interesting change. It has been almost a year since we went into this crazy COVID-19 lockdown system for college. What I find funny is that some of us have already gotten used to it! Since last April, many of us have made it our routine to wake up five minutes before class, open up our laptops in our pajamas and tune into a lecture. If you are hungry, you can carry your laptop to your kitchen to grab some food and go right back to learning. If you have to use the bathroom, you could get up and go without distracting the class. Initially, this was difficult for sure, but after some time, it almost felt comfortable.

Seven months ago, I would’ve said that online school was so difficult for me and I wanted nothing more than to be back in a classroom! But, per human nature, we find our ways to adapt and now I honestly don’t mind taking classes through zoom or blackboard collaborate. What I find interesting is how it has felt transitioning back to being on campus more. In the same way we had to learn how to do online classes, we may have to relearn some stuff about being back on campus. Luckily, most students I have been able to talk to and meet with have had a decent transition back and haven’t faced too many issues getting to class and learning well.

A Historic Moment that We Will Never Forget

In light of it being February, I think back to where we were a year ago. For me, it was the second semester of my sophomore year here, and I had been taking Organic Chemistry 2, Human Anatomy and Human Genetics. Although the coursework was difficult, I had found a rhythm of coming to campus, studying before class and meeting with my friends to get work done. In our cadaver lab, my classmates and I would sometimes go at 1 a.m. just because we enjoyed it so much. Around March, there had been rumors about this thing called the coronavirus. Being a cell and molecular biology major, I had just felt like it would be a new flu situation that would be sorted out early on and easily, especially since there hadn’t really been many cases in the United States. Come spring break time, there was talk about us having an additional couple weeks for spring break for the purposes of discussing what the plan of action would be for Missouri State. At one point, I talked to a couple of my professors about what would happen, and they even seemed unsure.

Over break, it was a weird situation. My mom had been telling me about how I might have to start wearing a mask in public to avoid getting the virus, which I didn’t really understand. Near the end of break I was home with my parents and I finally understood how serious the situation was. I heard from family that their regions had been going into a lockdown, telling residents to stay home and only leave if completely necessary. With a small sense of panic, my mom and I made a quick run to the Walmart to grab as much stuff as we needed; I had to return to my apartment in Springfield and I didn’t really have much.

From there on the rest is history. When all of us get older, we will have this crazy story about how we lived through a massive pandemic, similar to the ways our parents and grandparents faced their own diversity throughout their lives. We have come very far since this all began, and I am proud of how all of us students have done our best to make the situation better and take care of ourselves. Hopefully in the near future we will be able to overcome this whole situation but, until then, keep pushing forward and working hard!

(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.)

Fall 2020 Week 10 – Michael

by

It’s Midterm Season!

In the past couple weeks, it has truly felt like fall has hit us. Here in Springfield the leaves are changing colors, the air is getting colder, and the nights are coming faster. It’s so great! However, there is another thing that always sneaks up on us this time of year: midterms! The dreaded exams that come right in the middle of the semester. Whether you are scared or excited, I wish everyone the best of luck. If you are worried and feel some anxiety about midterms, here are some good tips for success!

  1. Schedule out the dates for your exams
  2. Find time to study at least a week or two in advance
  3. Study with other students in the class to try and bounce ideas off each other
  4. Find some time to relax and clear your mind
  5. Show up with confidence and do your best!

Midterms are the Gateway to the Holidays!

Something that always motivates me to keep moving through the semester is remembering that the holiday season is closing in! Within the next couple months, we get to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and eventually winter holidays near the end of the semester. I am especially excited for Halloween so I can throw on my banana costume and go get special deals from Chipotle! Either way, for those who are stressed out about class, just remember that as soon as we make it past our exams and assignments, we will get to have a fun time with our friends and family during the holidays!

Things are getting ~Spooky~ in Springfield

Obviously, Halloween will be difficult to celebrate this year due to COVID. However, if you aren’t sure how to celebrate Halloween this year, here are some good ideas!

  • Decorate your apartment/dorm with Halloween-themed items
  • Figure out fun costume ideas
  • Don’t be afraid to wear your costume on campus!!!

I know it feels like the current pandemic may be a struggle for all of us right now, but I hope all of you still find fun ways to celebrate!

(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.)