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Showing posts from November, 2021

My One Year Student Loan Payoff Update

  January 28, 2022 marked my one year anniversary of paying off my student loans . Reflecting back on choosing to pay off my student loans leaves me with several take a ways that I want to share with you! In September 2020 I decided to become debt free by utilizing the debt snowball method to pay off all my debt. Before this I had struggled to save and really understand basic financial principles. As a first-generation college student, I received a scholarship to attend undergrad for free, but the scholarship did not cover summers. During the summers I took out student loans to cover costs without paying interest rates or how much I was taking out. By the end of undergrad I had amassed a little under $17K. Fast forward to graduate school I received another scholarship that covered my education. At the time I was a teacher in a new very expensive city and I had missed the cutoff to have my paycheck last me throughout the summer. So, I decided to take out a loan for two summers to ...
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The Mid-Semester Crunch

  It’s the week of Thanksgiving and everything you could imagine is due or very close to being due! I remember being here as an undergrad student; I always felt the most stress around this time. Now as a doctoral student, this stress is gone because I have turned in everything early and my semester is almost over. I figure someone reading this is probably running around like a chicken with their head cut off so here are a few tips on how to beat the dreaded mid semester crunch. Figure 1: This is a thumbnail of my latest YouTube video where I am sitting in my office looking at the camera with a confused look. I am wearing an orange floral top, with silver hoops, and my hair is short and curly.   First things first have you checked your grades? Around this time, I find that many students do not know their grades and are hoping for the best. While I appreciate the optimism, it is important that you actually know your grades so that you can make informed decisions on your next ste...
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Top Six Services in College!

 College can be hard to navigate with many students not knowing what resources to utilize. I remember feeling this way as a first generation college student who faced many barriers. Now being in a doctoral program and working in higher education I’ve learned several things along the way that I often share with students who were just like me.  Figure 1: This is a photo of the thumbnail from my latest YouTube video on "Top 6 College Services You Need!" where I am holding up 6 fingers while looking at the camera. I am in my office wearing a Coral colored shirt.  Let’s take a look at my top six services that every student should know about: 1. TRIO: A federally funded program to help disadvantaged students succeed in college. They provide 1:1 tutoring, purchase students books, and other helpful services. 2. Student Health: Provides little to no cost medical assistance. You can even have medication prescribed, X-rays, & other helpful services. 3. Counseling: We are in a me...
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Working for Campus Housing

  I recently had a colleague who worked in campus housing for several years before transitioning to a new position. When I first met him and learned that he lived and worked on campus my initial thoughts were why would anyone would want to live where they work?!   I remember my experiences of living on campus in undergrad and although it was fun, it was pretty hectic at times. I actually had to teach my first roommate how to wash clothes! In addition to her boyfriend staying in our room for an extended period of time. I almost assumed that he would be subject to the same things but I was totally wrong.   Figure 1: This is a thumbnail of my latest YouTube video “Working for Campus Housing” where there is a photo of me looking at the camera and a photo of a dorm room on a pink background.” Working in Residential Life has many perks that include a meal plan, no rent, a grocery allowance, and/or a tuition stipend if you choose to take courses. Imagine all the things tha...
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Reflecting on National Disability Employment Awareness 2021

 Last month ended another National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This years theme focused on “America’s Recovery Powered by Inclusion”. In light of COVID ensuring that PWDs have access to the workplace is a pertinent issue among those with disabilities. Prior to COVID the fight for workplace accommodations was an ongoing one that limited access within the work environment.  Figure 1: This is a map surrounded by people with various disabilities with the words “America’s Recovery Powered by Inclusion NDEAM” on a red background.  I can imagine the shock for most PWDs when accommodations that were previously denied were quickly approved and immediately put into place during the pandemic. Things like remote and hybrid work could have been in place much sooner than 2021. With many stigmas surrounding those with disabilities and the workforce the month of October is meant to combat these incorrect beliefs by recognizing the many contributions to that PWDs make t...
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