Gift Guide for Graduates!

Alex Newby, Marketing Intern

Gone are the days of buying graduates paperweights and bookends. Whether it’s your sorority sister or older cousin, every graduate deserves a personalized and fun gift to celebrate the end of their college career! Can’t think of anything? Check out our list below and find the perfect gift in your price range!

Under $15:

A Guide to the City - If your grad is relocating to a new city for a job or grad school, compile a guide of fun things to do, hangouts, and local must-sees. Moving to a new city can be intimidating but  your guide could make it less scary!

A Good Ol’ Fashioned Card – Although this might seem boring, this is a great chance to tell your grad how much they’ve impacted your life & college career. Slipping in some money or scratch offs isn’t a bad idea either!

A home-made gift – Find out your grad’s favorite quote or lyric and paint it on a canvas. Bake them a batch of their favorite cookies. Hand-made gifts can sometimes be the most personal!

Books- Find a fun book about hosting a dinner party or a beneficial one about smart saving! Every grad could use a little advice as they step off campus into the professional world!

Picture Frame –Now’s the perfect time to bring back that picture of the night you met or the one you laughed at for hours. Nothing says “Happy Graduation!” like a quick visual reminder of how far you’ve come since Freshman year together!

Giftcards: If they had an addiction to Starbucks or Orange Leaf before graduation, chances are your graduate will still have the addiction after graduation!

Business card case: Professional accessories are necessary for any graduate and their fun to shop for!

Stationary/Office Supplies: Cute and professional stationary, thank-you cards, or office supplies is a thoughtful yet inexpensive gift!

Under $30

A Photo book:  There are plenty of online photo sites that allow users to create a personalized scrapbook and then have it printed like a real book. For graduates that you have a lot of memories and pictures with, this could be a fun way to capture the fun you had during your college years!

A Good Pair of Heels/A New tie:  Whether guy or girl, every graduate could use a hand in boosting their professional wardrobe!

Alumni Gear: The Campus bookstore and surrounding Lexington stores have plenty of UK gear labeled just for Alum. Whether they’re moving out of the state or staying in Lexington, they can represent UK wherever they go!

Coffee Pot- If being grown-up means being excited about new appliances than so be it! Chances are your grad needs a few new appliances like a Coffee pot to furnish their apartment!

Cook book – Ramen Noodles and T.V dinners aren’t considered dinner once you’re out of school. Give your grad your favorite cookbook or a compilation for recipes that you’ve tried and loved!

Diploma frame – Give them something to show that hard work off in! (Note: The price could be more expensive depending on the frame)

Home goods for a new apartment – Monogrammed Towels, salt & pepper shakers, margarita/wine glasses, key holders, sheets, cookware etc. The amount of stuff that you realize you don’t have is amazing when you’re moving out on your own!

Under $50

A Massage – Four years of built-up undergrad stress is a lot to get rid of!

A watch-These are one of the top things interviewers usually check to see if you have on.

Jewelry – A nice necklace, earrings, or ring

The Secret Weapon to a Timely Graduation: APEX

Written by: Chelsey Duncan, Marketing Intern

            Many students know the courses they plan on taking next semester, but what about next year? The next two years? Senior year? The truth is, too many students rely on the semiannual advising appointment to find out which courses to take next. Although it may seem far off, that “distant” semester will arrive sooner than later, and it’s a good idea to have a framework laid out to keep graduation in sight and on time. As it so happens, UK offers a program for students to do just that. It’s called APEX, and access is as easy as logging onto the MyUK portal.

            APEX stands for “Academic Program Evaluation and eXploration.” Not only is it a valuable resource for evaluating progress of current and past courses, but it also allows the exploration of future classes and their usefulness towards a particular degree. This assessment can be applied to the student’s chosen degree program or possible minors, second majors and second degrees.

            Along with reassurance of being on track, APEX can make those semiannual advising appointments much more productive. Instead of spending time discussing required courses, students prepared with APEX can maximize advising sessions to examine possible electives, internships and career goals. In addition, students’ academic standing is easily reviewed and academic issues such as course pass/fail eligibility, duplicate credit and repeat options are addressed.

Students aren’t the only ones using APEX. In a Q&A with George Scott, the Robinson Scholars Program college services coordinator and advisor, he shared how APEX helps with advising sessions and how it benefits his students’ academic careers.

What advice do you have for students to make the most of advising appointments?

To experience the most positive and beneficial advising experience, the student needs to recognize that they need to be their own advocate.  The advisor does not exist to take care of everything for the student.  They are there to help, guide, and assist when needed.  Students need to prepare their schedule before their advising appointments, have an idea of what they want to do or where they want to go, or at least be prepared to have that kind of conversation with their advisor.  I’ve had students come in and say “You need to do this,” and that is the wrong approach.  Understand that the advisor is there to guide you and make sure you are on track for your graduation and requirements, so have the right mindset before going into an advising appointment.

What do you wish students did to better prepare for appointments?

As mentioned earlier, I have had a lot of great advising appointments with prepared students eager to learn and understand their program, but I have also had those who have put no thought into their college career, their schedules, or any other facet of their academic life.  These type of students need to develop a new attitude toward advising and the advisor, and recognize that they are just as much a part of the advising process as the advisor.  They need to contribute and indulge themselves in the conversation.

How important do you consider the APEX program to be and why?

APEX is very important.  Mike Shanks and the team within the University Registrar have spent a lot of time and effort to make APEX a wonderful tool for students to use to plan out their college careers and schedules.  It’s a great way for students to get an idea of what they need before they go into an advising appointment, that way they are prepared, and instead of wasting time in the appointment picking out classes, can actually discuss the major and the classes that the student has already learned about in APEX.  For an advisor, APEX is very important, in that it helps us keep track of what has or has not been completed, how many hours are left for a student to graduate, and how close they are to graduation.  APEX is becoming the number one tool on campus to review regarding students’ graduation.  Students want to make sure their APEX is correct, that they are doing what they are supposed to do, because it could affect their graduation later.  APEX can tell you not only what you’re doing, but you can also run multiple audits regarding other majors, in case a student is thinking about switching majors or just seeing how far off they are from minors.  APEX is very important and it is something I definitely spend a lot of class time in UK 101 teaching the students, so they are prepared for how to schedule, see what they need, and learn how to be their own advocates.  

As an undergraduate advisor, how useful is it for students who are considering different majors?

For students considering different majors, APEX is the ultimate tool.  A student can run any audit on any program in any college, even minors.  Students can see how far off they would be if they would want to switch majors or how close they are in another program, or even how easy it would be to double major.  APEX is an awesome source of information that can basically answer any questions regarding programs, majors, minors, paths, and options within those minors and majors. 

How do you use the program/how does it help you do your job?

APEX is very important to me as the Robinson Scholars advisor because, while my students are still mandated to see their primary advisor, I am their secondary advisor, and I see them on a daily basis.  They are constantly asking questions and want to keep up with their scheduling and programming, and without APEX, it would be a huge undertaking on my part of memorize and learn every piece of every curriculum that is out there.  I have so many students who are in so many different programs I am certainly not the expert on each and every one.  Thanks to APEX, I am able to look with my student at the requirements, the time it would take to graduate, the different tracks to graduate, and to help figure out majors and possible minors for the student.  I am a huge advocate of APEX, not only for advisors in signature programs like mine, but also for everyone on campus.

What advice do you have for students to stay on track and graduate on time?

Continue to meet with your advisor even if you think you know everything, because trust me, things can go wrong.  Sometimes APEX isn’t as accurate as you think, or sometimes it can be nuanced.  Trust your advisor and never think you know it all, because I have been a part of many situations where something was misread or misinterpreted.  In order to stay on track to graduate, do well in class and constantly meet with your advisor.  UK is home to the Advising Network.  We all talk, communicate, and truly care about our students.  There are great advisors everywhere on campus that want to see our students do well. 

Anything else students should know about advising appointments, graduating on time or APEX? 

Use it!!!

           

How to access APEX:

·         Go to myuk.uky.edu

·         Login

·         Click Student Services tab

·         Click Degree Planner (APEX) tab

·         Select Primary Program Audit or What-If Feature

·         View Audits - Refresh List (if needed)

Go to uky.edu/degreeaudit to learn more.

Surviving Summer Session

Written by: Chelsey Duncan, Marketing Intern

As summer looms around the corner, many students struggle to stay focused in classes. Days of warm weather, laying out by the pool and being “school-free” for three months can distract from daunting term papers and semester finals. Motivation is even bleaker for others who signed up for summer courses. Depending on which session students enroll in, classes could start the week after spring finals. All hope is not lost though.

Taking summer courses offers many advantages. For starters, parking is cheaper and more convenient, with less Lexington traffic during the summer months. Smaller classes provide an easy way to meet new friends and to get to know professors, who could possibly turn into future recommendations. Enrolling in independent study and internships are simple ways to earn both resume-building experience and to receive academic credit. Additionally, classes can be taken to fill hours with easy electives, to knock out difficult courses, and to get ahead or to catch up for graduation. It’s possible to earn a whole semester’s worth of credit in one summer.

Decide which options are best, depending on course availability. UK offers a four-week and an eight-week summer session, and a six-week combination of the two. In addition, distance-learning courses are available during both sessions. Choose a schedule that is realistic. And remember, the work doesn’t end there. Because summer session is taught at an accelerated pace, expect many hours of homework each night. Look into Pass/Fail credit options to potentially relieve some stress about grades.

A great alternative to earn credit is the Distance Learning Program. Online courses can help save rent money by moving home for the summer and also allow more flexible scheduling around summer jobs. However, they do not necessarily mean less work and can actually be more strenuous than regular courses, so be prepared to put in the time and effort. Distance learning courses can be taken at UK or transferred from less expensive institutions, but first make sure to check transfer equivalencies and if on-location proctored tests are required.

Try not to overload summer break with courses. Taking sessions back-to-back is an option, but realize that spring semester ends May 4, the first summer session runs May 7 to June 5, and the second session runs June 7 to August 2. If this route is unavoidable, plan a short vacation between the end of session two and the beginning of fall semester as motivation to get through classes. Above all else, don’t forget to make time for yourself. Do homework by the pool, go golfing after class or take mini-trips on the weekends. You only live once!

Find out more about UK summer course options here:

http://www.uky.edu/Summer/

http://www.uky.edu/DistanceLearning/index.php

http://www.uky.edu/Registrar/AcademicCalendar.htm

And read these articles for more tips to surviving summer session: 

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-survive-horrors-summer-school-1515405.html?cat=4

http://www.saycampuslife.com/2011/05/11/how-to-survive-summer-at-college/

http://www.hackcollege.com/blog/2011/07/20/three-ways-to-take-advantage-of-summer-school.html

Diary of a Server

 Alex Newby, Marketing Intern

“Can I have some more ranch dressing?” “Bring me hot tea with lemon.” “We have 2 adults and 8 children.” To most students, these phrases seem random and probably don’t mean anything. To a select group of students however, ones that work as servers at a restaurant, these phrases take on a whole new meaning. These phrases, though short and simple, can have the power to make or break a shift, a mood, or even a whole day.

When I first applied to be a server, I was terrified. As a server, you’re required to know the menu of your restaurant, take orders, juggle tables, and above all, keep a smile on your face. Admittedly, I’m very forgetful. I’m also known for being a bad multi-tasker. On top of that, I’m told my normal, deep-in-thought face looks a little on the grumpy side. Despite my lack of required skills, however, I decided to give it a go. The stories I've gained and the lessons I've learned since then have been well worth it.

To all those who have served:

Even if some people don't understand -- I do. I understand how awful it is to get sat with a party of 11 people 15 minutes before you're supposed to get off. I understand that when that same party orders only 4 entrees to split, it gets frustrating. I once had a family of 6 people eat for 20 dollars because they decided that sharing the unlimited salad was the best option. Try and remember that one day you’ll have a family of your own and finding the best bargain will be important.

When you find yourself picking up the pieces to a broken plate that the toddler at your table threw on the ground, take heart. His family is almost finished and they will take him when they go. In fact, everyone will eventually go. The man who has already chugged 6 sweet teas before his appetizer, the woman that keeps snapping at you, and the Grandpa that insists on asking you the price of every menu item. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel when you’re a server because eventually, whether in 5 minutes or at closing time, every table will have to leave. 

That said, remember that for every bad table, there is an equally fantastic table. This past Christmas my apartment near campus was robbed and a week’s worth of tips stolen. I had planned to go on a road-trip with my sister and wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it happen anymore. The subject came up at one of my tables one night and before leaving, the family gave me a tip AND gas money for the trip. A friend of mine received a $100 tip when her table found out she was missing out on ballroom dancing lessons she had been invited to take. For every strange, horrible, or awkward table that won’t talk to you, there are always people who will brighten your day and appreciate the fact that you are running around like crazy to give them the best service possible.  

You are also learning lessons that will last you a lifetime. I started serving with the idea that it wouldn’t be something to put on a resume or brag about in future interviews. Now that I’ve served for almost a year, however, I feel like I’ve learned enough to benefit me in any future endeavors I choose to take. The patience it takes to deal with someone who has sent back their food twice or who thanks you for the great service and leaves no tip is something that no one but a server can understand. 

(NOTE: Tip! Tip! Tip! Most servers are only making $2.13 an hour and rely on your tips to make minimum wage!) 

When you get into a time-crunch or overwhelming situation in your future career, you will remember the infamous lunch rush of 2012 and know that you are capable of keeping things together. I’ve learned to hold my tongue in tough situations, to work as part of a team when things get busy, and most importantly, to smile and nod when I’d rather not. So, if you find yourself in an apron and non-slide shoes at some point during your college years, don’t be worried. Serving tables may not be the internship you hoped to have, or the glamorous nanny position you dreamed of, but you will forever have the lessons you learn while trying to remember someone’s order. Not to mention a whole lot of great stories.  

  

Student Spotlight: Matthew Durham

The Study is excited to announce Matthew Durham as our next  student spotlight! Matthew started as a desk worker this semester and his friendly personality and enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed.  Read on to learn more about what makes this Study employee special! 

NAME: Matthew Durham

MAJOR: Accounting
HOMETOWN: Harrodsburg, KY

CLUBS/EXTRA CURRICULAR: Ultimate Frisbee, Intramural basketball

HOBBIES: Hanging out with people back home, playing basketball, reading, and listening to all kinds of music.

FAVORITE FOOD: Steak and mashed potatoes

MUSIC: Mostly Rap and Hip-Hop. Drake and Tyler the Creator are my favorite artists right now.

FAVORITE MOVIE: 500 Days of Summer, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, and Juno

PET: One cat named Isabel and one dog named Ace

FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT ON CAMPUS: Ovid's, their Chicken Caesar Salad is amazing.  

COLOR: Blue and White!!

HOLIDAY: Christmas. The snow and everyone is cheerful. 

BEST PLACE TRAVELED TO: Florida, nothing beats going to the beach.

MOST DARING MOMENT: Celebrating the Final Four victory over Louisville on campus!

WHY UK: I grew up in Kentucky and from the first time I visited it, it felt like home. 

FAVORITE CLASS AT UK: PSY 100. I've never had a class that made me think deeper than this one. 

FAVORITE PLACE TO STUDY:  5th floor of Willy T Library.

FAVORITE TEACHER: Gail Hoyt. She manages to make a subject like microeconomics and make it fun and entertaining. 

ADVICE TO OTHERS AT UK:  Do what you love. You only have one life to live, so don't waste it on doing something that you're not happy with. 

LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Work for an Accounting firm and eventually own my own firm and obtain high standing clients. 

WHY DOES HE LIKE WORKING AT THE STUDY: The environment is incomparable. From the moment you walk in you feel as if you've made tons of new friends! 

Keeneland Basics

Written by: Chelsey Duncan, Marketing Intern

Spring is finally here! Which means a celebrated Kentucky tradition is quickly approaching. That’s right; Keeneland Race Track opens Friday, April 6. Here are some tips to remember for the fashion-conscious and money-minded in the upcoming days at the track. 

Fashion
Ladies, wear color! Although Keeneland season always marks the start of vibrant spring attire, color blocking is back as an essential trend this season. This means pairing up bold, complementary colors within outfits and accessories. However, there is a method to the madness and colors should not just be “thrown together.” Carefully think about how the colors balance out, and consider referring to a color wheel for guidance.  The “rule of two-thirds” should be employed when pairing up colors from a color wheel, meaning to utilize 2/3 colors from an equilateral triangle formed within the wheel. Be sure to keep this season’s colors in mind when shopping. These include pastels, metallics, sheer whites and tangerines.

Show off bold prints! Floral dresses are always a go-to for Keeneland season, which is perfect amidst Easter. Keep a conservative length and cut in mind when shopping, and dresses can be re-worn for the Sunday holiday. Art deco graphics, tribal and animal prints are also hitting the stores this season, which provides much leeway for fashionistas to get creative with spring wardrobes.

Peplum accents are a must-have for Keeneland this spring, meaning a ruffled overskirt is attached to the waistline of jackets, blouses and dresses. This trend is figure flattering for all body types and will definitely be spotted around the track. As for accessories, crazy-shaped and patterned sunglasses are all the rage. Wedges, chunk heels, pointed-toe shoes and loafers will also most likely make their way from the runway to the racetrack. Don’t forget to top off outfits with big earrings and bangle bracelets.

For the gentlemen, Keeneland fashion tends to remain simple. Lightweight suits or khakis and blazers are always appropriate. Sunglasses, dress shoes and bow ties are also essential, unless a regular necktie is preferred.

Betting

Here is some common betting jargon so the well-dressed can put their money where their mouths are!

• Straight: Choosing a horse to only win. Straight bets are the most popular and are usually made in $2.00 increments.
• Win bet: Choosing a horse to finish first.  
• Place bet: Choosing a horse to finish first or second.
• Show bet: Choosing a horse to finish second or third.  
• Across-the-board: Combining Win, Place and Show into one bet. A $2.00 bet will cost $6.00 across-the-board. If your horse wins, then the three combined payoffs are collected. If your horse places second, place and show payoffs are collected.  If your horse places third, the show payoff is collected.
• Exacta/Perfecta: Choosing two horses to come in first and second, in a specified order.
• Quinella: Similar to an Exacta, choosin two horses to place first and second, although in no certain order.
• Trifecta: Choosing three horses to finish first, second and third in a specified order.
• Superfecta: Choosing four horses to finish first, second, third and fourth in a specified order.
• Boxed bet: Choosing every possibility to win in a multi-horse bet (costs more).

Keeneland gates open at 11 a.m., Friday, April 6. The first race post time is 1:05 p.m., and races are run approximately every 30 minutes. General admission is usually $5.00 per person; however opening day is also College Scholarship Day. Full-time college students will be admitted for free and have the chance to win one of ten $1,000 scholarships after each race. Hope to see everyone there (unless you have class)!

***For more help with speaking the lingo, check out these links!

http://horseracing.about.com/od/helpfornewfans/a/blwagering.htm

http://casinogambling.about.com/od/racesports/a/horsebets.htm

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/betting-on-horse-racing-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

Below is a color wheel for reference and some outfit ideas to consider while shopping for a day at the races:

Keeneland Colorblocking by chelsey-leigh featuring clutch bags

Keeneland/Easter Floral by chelsey-leigh featuring string jewelry

Keeneland Tribal by chelsey-leigh featuring cuff jewelry

Keeneland- Men's by chelsey-leigh featuring striped tops