Student Stories

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“Despite the pandemic the sky is the limit”

Amidst everything we are going through right now, whether it be academic, work-related or personal I want to keep some positivity in the air. There are still ways to achieve your goals, you just have to face your obstacles with the mindset that you are going to make it happen. Personally for me, before COVID surprisingly took the world by storm I was struggling to pay for school and stay on track with my major change. I made a mature decision to leave my 4-year university to come home to Grand Rapids. With a specific plan in mind: to focus on my grades and make enough money to move back with a definite financial timeline, I was well into February and my year was going fantastically! I landed my second job and started classes at my community college… in 5 months I would have secured 12 credits, reached my monetary goal for a car, have a loan payment plan and move back campus to continue my full-time education. I had created a constructive routine and did my best at both of my jobs, I was so excited to be checking off boxes on my “To-do” List.  

Then March came around and the news was filled with reports of this new, deadly contagious virus. My hours began to decrease at both of jobs which immediately set my financial plans back, classes began to shift online, so it was hard to get in touch with my advisors and I started struggling with my assignments while they were also figuring things out, my friends started to get sick and family started to worry about me working. As a result of all these issues coming at one time I decided not to take a break but to follow all precautions so that I could stay healthy but also get my work done. Despite the pandemic, I still encouraged myself through all my options and was willing to take risks that would allow me to make progress toward my personal goals! 

-T2C Student

COVID-19 Kent County Resources

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Food Resources

Up-To-Date Information

General Help

Mental Health Support

Academic Support

Follow the T2C Studio on our Facebook page (click here) for more updates, resources, and space where you can let your voice be heard during this crisis.

DOWNLOAD COVID-19 RESOURCES

Mental Health

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General Mental Health Help

College is a stressful time, and it is completely normal to need some extra help maintaining your mental health. Check out some of these resources if you feel like you need extra support, or contact the T2C Studio for extra support or resources.

Click the link for a helpful guide to maintaining your mental health in college.

Mental Health Guide for College Students

Click the link for an article on dealing with feelings of “otherness”.

To The Ones Who Always Feel Left Out

Click this link to check out this free, professional helpline for those struggling with their mental health.

The Steve Fund & Crisis Text Line

Wellness

Your academic success is dependent on your level of wellness. You cannot expect to reach your full potential when you are not feeling your best and in balance with yourself. Check out this link for some tips on maintaining balance in college with your mental, physical, and intellectual well-being.

101 Wellness Tips for College Students

Affordable Basic Needs

Sometimes students find themselves in difficult financial situations in college, including having the experiences of housing or food insecurity. If you feel you are going without basic needs like food or shelter, reach out to us at the T2C Studio for help.
Click the link for a guide for college students experiencing housing insecurity.

Homeless Youth and Higher Education

Click the link to be brought to the site for State-based resources.

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

This is a great first step to getting help. If you would like help navigating these resources, please contact us at the T2C Studio.

Adjusting to College Life

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Transitioning from high school to college can be challenging. Utilize these resources to understand what changes to expect at college.

Tips for adjusting to life at college

Prioritize

  • Finish classes and homework first, then work and extracurriculars (if possible).
  • Don’t procrastinate! Break up big tasks into smaller pieces if necessary.
  • Study your most difficult subjects first.
  • Stay healthy by trying to eat enough fruits and vegetables, and taking advantage of your campus fitness center if one exists.
  • Schedule time to rest and take care of yourself so that you don’t get burnt out.

Organize

  • Use a planner either physically or electronically, and set reminders to keep you on track.
  • When your classes start, read your syllabus carefully and mark any important deadlines or events in your planner. Compare the syllabi of all of your classes and talk to your professors if there is a lot of overlap as far as important assignments being due at the same time. It’s always best to communicate earlier rather than later.
  • Set midterm goals both academically and personally.

Socialize

  • Get to know your campus. Challenge yourself to go to events on campus, including some that you are interested in but wouldn’t normally go to.
  • Introduce yourself to your professors. Attend their office hours (especially if you feel you are struggling in a particular subject). This will benefit you in the long run.
  • If your schedule allows, get involved on campus. Join a student organization or club sport.
  • Don’t overextend yourself. Maintain balance between your social and academic life.
  • If you are living far away from your family, don’t turn down the opportunity to be “adopted” by a friend’s family.

Oklahoma College Assistance Program. (2019, August). Your Transition to College.

Academics Help

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Study Help

Utilize the following resources to learn how to study better in college.

Click the link to watch a video with tips on college note-taking.

How To Take Notes in College

Click the link for a great guide on how to improve your study skills.

Study Skills Guide

Writing An Essay

Writing essays in college is sometimes more challenging than it was in high school. Check out these resources for writing collegiate level essays.

Click the link for a guide to writing collegiate-level essays.

College Writing Guide

Click the link to be connected to great resources for writing essays.

Resources for Writers

Click the link for access to collegiate level essay resources.

Hardvard Writing Resources

Click the link to access a complete grammar, citation, and style guide.

Purdue OWL

Click the link for a great tool for citations in various formats (APA, MLA, etc.)

KnightCite

Using Microsoft Programs

For more information on using Microsoft Office tools like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, explore the links below.

Click the link for some great tricks for using Excel.

20 Microsoft Excel Tricks to Help You in College

Click the link for a helpful cheat sheet for using Excel.

The Excel Cheat Sheet for College Students

Click this link for important tips for using Word.

11 Time-Saving Microsoft Word Hacks

Click this link for great tips for maximizing the way you use Word.

10 Tips and Tricks to Become a Master of Microsoft Word

Click this link for help using PowerPoint.

14 PowerPoint Presentation Tips

Class Presentations

Learn how to make your presentations in class stand out using these resources.

Click here for tips on making on making clear and interesting slideshows.

Top Ten Slide Tips

Click here to learn more about doing presentations in college.

Presentation Tips for College Students

Click here for useful tools for creating presentations using other tools than PowerPoint.

15 Online Tools for to Create Presentations

Click here for guidance on how to give an effective presentation.

Oral Presentation Tips

Scholarships and Financial Help​

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One of the biggest barriers that students face when attempting to attend college is the massive costs. We at T2C Studio want to see you succeed in college and to prosper financially. Contact us for assistance with financial tasks like applying for scholarships and completing your free federal student aid (FAFSA) application.

Contact the Studio for help with things like:

  • Navigating your FAFSA application
  • Navigating being chosen for verification for your FAFSA
  • Finding and applying for scholarships
  • Understanding your financial award packages
  • Getting connected with your institution’s financial aid professionals

FAFSA

One of your first steps after deciding to attend college should be to complete your free FAFSA federal student aid application. This application helps the federal and state government assess you for grants (free money) that you might be eligible for, work-study, and other funding. This also is sometimes required for you to receive funds from scholarships you’ve been awarded.

Click the link for a comprehensive guide from the Federal Government for filling out your FAFSA

Applying For FAFSA

Click the link to learn more about what steps to take to complete your FAFSA application.

6 Steps of FAFSA

Click the link for an instructional walkthrough of how to complete the FAFSA.

How To Complete FAFSA

Scholarship Application Help

T2C Studio has staff able to help you review and workshop admissions and scholarship essays. Stop into the Studio or submit your essays online for review.

Essay Submission

Scholarship Finder

Scholarship Finder