A Bear's Life: Student Stories

Student stories from our peer counselors

Tips for Successful Online Learning (Fall 2024, Week 12)

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Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! Registration for the Spring 2025 academic term has begun and you may find yourself enrolling in online classes for the first time. I wanted to give tips I’ve learned for success in a virtual classroom as I’ve completed several online courses. Everyone has different learning styles and may therefore prefer or avoid the online structure however some courses are only offered virtually so it’s important to learn tips before you start. Universities are moving towards hybrid learning for a number of benefits, and students are learning how to lean into it.

 

Time Management 

When I took my first online course at Missouri State I was overwhelmed with the “free time” that I then had on my schedule. I began to fill it with outings with friends, organization meetings, more hours at work, spontaneous adventures, etc. It didn’t take long before I realized I was struggling without the accountability piece of meeting each week for attendance or working alongside my professor/classmates. I then had to work hard to create a schedule for myself that made appropriate time for the class. Before you begin an online course I recommend reviewing your schedule and building a designated class time into your calendar. This suggestion will help students avoid the mistake I made and start out the course with an action plan to find success in the class structure. A great benefit to an online course is the flexibility that it allows so use this to your advantage while setting boundaries to put academics first.  

 

Communication

Any course’s goal is to allow the student to take away new information, collaborate with classmates to share ideas, and ask your instructor questions to further understand concepts. How are you supposed to do that when you never see any classmates or when you do it’s pre-recorded or over a Zoom call? This is where the act of responsibility, organization, and accountability take place. At the start of your course take note of the course syllabus and write down your instructor’s office hours so that you’re aware and use them as needed. Communication with classmates looks different when done virtually but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Engage in discussion boards, send emails, and plan times to meet in person on/off campus to study together. 

 

Takeaways

Online learning is becoming more and more popular as universities discover the benefits it brings to staff and students. As you register for courses don’t let online courses intimidate you; instead, read over these tips and start the semester strong. As you finish out the semester and start a new one it is good to know when to ask for help. Consider visiting the Center for Academic Success and Transition office to meet with a Peer Mentor or a Success Coach. You can request to meet or stop by during drop-in hours. (Drop-in hours change every semester; see the Student Academic Assistance page for this semester’s hours.)

 

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, and I am a senior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I’ve read over 15 books this year!)

Transitioning Back (Spring 2022, Week 3)

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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.)

The Daily Life of an Online Student (Fall 2021, Week 9)

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Hello Bears,

We are rolling into week nine after the chaos that was week eight, at least for me. I hope your semester at Missouri State is going well and that you are excited about what’s to come.

Due to the pandemic, I have been an online student these last few semesters and I’ve been actively figuring out how I operate during the day and with each individual class that I’m taking. I’ve discovered that being online and being on campus are two entirely different experiences. For this blog post, I thought I would give you a look at my daily life as an online student. Hopefully, you find my daily life to be a little interesting — I know I do.

The Daily Life of an Online Student (Me!!)

7 a.m. – 8 a.m.

I wake up for the day around 7:30 or 7:45 a.m. I like to help my mom in the morning with getting my little brother and sister ready for school. I often go along for drop off so I can spend a little time with them before seeing them off.

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

After dropping off my siblings, my mom and I spend some time talking about the day or things that have been going on. While we are in the car, I usually make phone calls or schedule meetings, such as with my advisor.

10 a.m. – noon

My mom and I make a couple stops on the way home; it’s easier to get in and out when it’s just the two of us. We typically get groceries, shop for clothes and just eyeball shops to see what they are offering. We may eat breakfast out or get something to have at home. I spend most of my mornings with my mom and my sister because we don’t usually have any other time free.

Noon – 1 p.m.

This is the time when I typically have my meetings, plan which assignments I’m going to do for the week and handle emails or things that I need to do for my job. I work as a peer mentor for the Center of Academic Success and Transition, so I could be drafting a blog post, filling out my timesheet or checking in with students. I’ve found that my afternoons have become the most chaotic for me as an online student, so the more organized I can be, the better.

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

During this time, I’ll work on my assignments. I could be taking notes, reading, typing up a discussion board or even taking a quiz. I start with the assignments that are a priority; otherwise, I might forget about an assignment or think that I have done it already. At some point I’ll also get a snack and take a break from sitting at my desk.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

I try to have lunch at this time so I can take my eyes off my laptop and catch up on some tv shows. (I’ve learned that if I don’t have a set time for lunch, I will sit at my desk all day.) If I’m not in the mood to eat or if I finish early, I might take a nap.

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

These next few hours, I help my mom with my siblings again, especially with my younger brother and his fourth-grade homework. My mom and I will also see my dad off to work.

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Unless I have an assignment that I couldn’t get to or that’s due at midnight, I usually spend this time with my siblings. We’ll watch a movie or play games like Uno or Roblox.

8 p.m. – 9 p.m.

I eat dinner, take a hot shower and spend some time reading. Nights are when I take the most time for myself and attempt to unwind from any stress from the day. I like to read, so you can catch me reading a mystery book, my Bible or a textbook for class so that I’m ahead in the reading.

9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

I could be doing anything but typically I’m getting some clothes washed and cleaning the disaster that is my room. With online classes, I have to keep everything orderly so that I can keep up with all my classes and all the papers that I need. I do sometimes work on assignments at night, if something is due or if I want to work ahead.

11 p.m. – midnight

I should be asleep and on my way to dreamland or watching some television to help me get there.

Takeaways for the Week

Everyone has their own daily routines. Take some time to think about how you operate throughout the week because it can help you in the long run. Taking notes on what you do during the day can help you figure out when you are the most productive and what you need to do to get your work done.

See you next post! There are some interesting topics coming up.

~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.)

Getting Engaged: Online Student Edition (Spring 2021, Week 13)

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Tips to Get Engaged from an Online Student Perspective

Can you believe it? We only have four weeks left in this semester and three weeks until finals week. With everything going on, I wouldn’t have expected time to go by so fast.

I’ve been taking online classes for the last couple of semesters. I’m enjoying my classes this semester, but it’s been a challenge to stay engaged in all of my classes. In addition to my classes from Missouri State, I’m also taking one course from a local community college, so staying involved has been hard. Here are my top five tips for getting and staying engaged during the semester as an online student.

  1. (If your class has a scheduled time to meet) Attend class even when you don’t want to

You might be feeling burnt out or too tired – you should attend class anyway. When you don’t attend class, you risk the chance of falling behind and not being able to understand course materials. Attending class can help you with quizzes or tests and with understanding what you’re being taught.

  1. Always ask questions

Asking questions is a good way to stay active and is a way to use your voice, especially in an online class where we don’t have those face-to-face interactions that seated classes have. Asking questions helps you understand the material, stay alert during class and feel a part of your class.

  1. Stay prepared

Some professors plan out the class for the entire semester and some don’t so staying prepared is a great way to stay engaged. Review the main points and prepare for class beforehand. You’ll be able to take more interest in your class, participate more and make connections when you do.

  1. Talk to your professors

Knowing your professor can help you feel more connected to them and more invested in the class. Whenever you have questions or don’t understand something, you should feel comfortable enough to ask your professor. Talking to your professors can also help prevent boredom with your class. And, in addition to helping with your grades, getting to know your professors also provides a possibility of someone going the extra mile for you if you ever need a recommendation letter. This is especially important since some of us are relying on online relationships.

  1. Have a positive mindset

Mentally you have to be ready to perform and do any tasks that you need to complete. Don’t think negative thoughts like that you’re never going to understand the material or are unable to do the work. Have thoughts that will help you establish a mindset that will work for you and not against you. Everyone is unique and works at their own pace; don’t bring yourself down by focusing on negative thoughts.

Something to Think About

The pandemic has been challenging everyone in so many ways and because of that, we’ve been challenged to keep ourselves together and work our hardest. I’ll be the first to tell you that not everything goes as planned; however, that shouldn’t stop you from being engaged in everything that you do. Hopefully, these tips are as helpful for you as they have been for me these past few semesters.

~Alexandria

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

New Approaches (Spring 2021, Week 4)

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New Semester, Different Challenges

If we learned anything from last year, it’s that plans change and it’s hard to not “know” what can happen. Last semester was a little hard for me, but I came out of the semester stronger, and I’m happy about that. I’ve struggled with mathematics my entire life so when I took my math class last semester, I was terrified of the outcome and wondered if I could even pass. To be completely honest, I crashed and burned in the course but, through that experience, I learned that not every class structure works for everyone. I took the advice of my advisor in the Business Advisement Center and a specialist over in the Career Center and I made some pretty interesting moves.

Two colleges and only one of me

I had been reminded that different teachers often teach the same material in different ways, so why not try a different school, course structure, and professor. As a result, this semester I decided to branch out from Missouri State and take my math course through St. Louis Community College. Don’t get me wrong…I love MSU. But when you know things aren’t working out, you have to try something else. Both schools are great at what they do for students and their departments work in similar fashions, so knowing how I wanted to do things, and what I was even doing, to begin with, was very helpful.

So far so good

It’s week four and I can say that I’m doing a pretty good job managing my coursework through both schools so that I’m not falling behind or stressing myself out to get everything done. All my classes are online this semester, but the math course is the first class I have had with a scheduled class period for using video conferencing. I know that I have to work hard to get the best results while staying in tune with my four other classes from Missouri State but I have to take on the challenge to get where I need to be.

During the break after the fall semester, I took time to figure out what I wanted and I made the big decision to declare communications as my minor. My classes from MSU are COM-focused for the term while my class from St. Louis Community College is just a math course, so everything at this point is balanced nicely. This is probably best described as dual enrollment from both MSU and St. Louis Community College.

Here’s the lesson I’ve learned the hard way: doing things a little differently can help you out more than sticking with something that doesn’t work for you.

I wanted to share this experience because many students take classes from other places for financial reasons or because it’s more convenient or fits their needs better. It’s okay to try different things or to find help in other places; don’t let a challenge stop you in your tracks for too long.

~Alexandria

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