Rock and Roll Saved My Soul

1. Tap Your Support Network Your support network is made up of the people who are in a position to help you get your degree. Your support network might include your family, friends, significant other, children, and your fellow students. A group of students that enter a program together are called a cohort. Often, these students will follow a similar education track and complete the program around the same time. Your cohort might have a mixture of traditional and adult students, but it’s okay to seek out those who are balancing work and school, just like you. Your family may be able to offer support at home by maybe taking on more domestic tasks, but your cohort at school can offer support in the form of resources and empathy as they’re going through the same experience that you are. Build your support network to include as many people as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for help and support when you need it. 2. Manage Your Time Well When you’re looking for bala...

Drug use and experimentation tend to proliferate on college campuses. For those who can afford this experience, campuses are often a sanctuary for drug use. In high school, drinking alcohol was my only experience with substance use. Right before college, I was required to partake in an online program about alcohol – one that demonstrated how to minimize harms associated with drinking, such as not drinking if you are planning on driving, staying well hydrated, eating before you drink, knowing how many alcoholic beverages you’ve had, or spacing out the drinks you are already consuming. These strategies help to keep people safe and prevent deaths, and are referred to as harm reduction. In my freshman year, I found myself in a position where drugs of all kinds were almost literally falling into my lap. How did this happen? I was encountering drugs I had never even heard of left and right, and with the emergence of online drug markets, it could be as easy as shopping on Amazon. I ...

Alcohol abuse is becoming an increasing important topic among high school students. Although we try to teach them to not to ever start drinking and that it's illegal to for a minor to consume alcohol, the reality is that they will be likely try it before they finish high school. In the Saturday's edition of the Advertiser, a survey conducted by Chilton Shelby Mental Health Center showed that 79 of 187 students had at least tried alcohol and over half of the students said access to alcohol was easy because they got it from either friends or family members. When it's easy to get alcohol while hanging out with friends at parties, then you will be more likely to drink because of peer pressure or plain curiosity. The best way to avoid alcohol abuse is to not start drinking. That is something that is taught in schools by showing them images and movies about what can happen to you when you drink. That can work for some students, but today it seems like the students w...

Sexual assault on college campuses is a common problem that often goes unreported. It includes any unwanted sexual activity, from unwanted touching to rape. Alcohol and drugs often play a role in sexual assault on campuses. If you have been sexually assaulted, it is not your fault. You are not alone, and you can get help. How common is sexual assault on college campuses? Sexual assault is common among female students of all ages, races, and ethnicities. One in five women in college experiences sexual assault. Studies show that students are at the highest risk of sexual assault in the first few months of their first and second semesters in college. Women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, or gay are more likely to experience sexual assault on college campuses than heterosexual women. Why is sexual assault on college campuses so common? Sexual assault happens everywhere and to women and men of all ages. But it is common on college campuses, and, among adults, sexual a...

Be unapologetically yourself: “You will never influence the world by trying to be like it.” I wish someone had reminded me of this more often. You are you and you couldn’t find someone who was made up of the same wonderful characteristics as you are even if you looked forever. Be proud of that. Care about yourself, love yourself, be yourself. Going into college, especially going away to college, you suddenly find yourself (literally) in an entirely new world made up of entirely new people. It is an exciting time, a new adventure, and it can be a wonderful test of your personal independence and growth. But it can also be a test of your recognizing that you are who you are for many reasons. You do not have to be who other people want (or expect) you to be. And you do not have to feel pressured from other people around you. You never have to do what other people are doing or join something you know is not a good idea. Your actions, too, bring these values to life e...

7 Best Study Tips for College Students 1. Good Notes = Good Grades The correlation between good notes and good study habits is undeniable. However, taking good notes doesn’t come naturally to everyone. The trick is to record the key points of the lecture or textbook without writing down too much extraneous info. If you’re worried you’re missing important details, feel free to ask your professor during office hours. Many students also record lectures so they can listen to them later to verify their notes; just make sure you get permission from your professor first! 2. Stay Organized Keep a detailed calendar with all your commitments, including classwork, social events and extracurricular activities. This way, you can block out time each day to study. Organizing your class materials is also one of the most important study tips for college students. Use sticky notes to remember important textbook pages, keep your returned assignments, and make flashcards for key te...