Building Blueprint: The Annex

Nicole Brown, Marketing Intern Coordinator

Welcome to the Building Blueprint series!

We know that campus can be confusing. There are so many buildings and so many offices, that a campus map doesn’t always lead you to the right place. Looking for the Education Abroad office, a random classroom, or something else? We’ll help you get there.

First in our series, we are focusing on The Annex. After reading, be sure to watch our video tour with Samantha Stein, Marketing Intern!

The Annex

Formerly known as Hamilton House, The Annex has been around since 1942. It was originally an all-female dormitory created to teach women to live cooperatively and later served as housing for those in need. The space was acquired by Academic Enhancement and renovated to become The Annex during Spring 2013. The Annex first opened to students for use over Summer 2013.

The Annex is home to some of Academic Enhancement’s offices, but, more importantly, houses Peer Academic Coaching (PAC). PAC is free and offered by appointment only for specific, high-stakes courses.  Sessions help students develop learning and study strategies tailored to a course. The schedule can be found here and appointments can be made on myUK.

To find The Annex, the best place to start is North Campus. It’s a white house situated on South Limestone, directly across from Chipotle. Coming from the Student Center, it’s the building to the left of Keeneland Hall.

Hidden necessities: The actual “front” door from the front porch on South Limestone can’t be used—you must use the back entrance, closest to Keeneland Hall, instead! Walk on in and the desk worker can answer any other questions you have.

Go check out The Annex yourself, and let us know if we left something out. Check back soon for our investigation of Barker and Frazee halls.

Fall Photo Contest: Swag, Tag, Win

Alright Wildcats, it’s finally fall in the bluegrass, and it’s also time for our Fall Photo Contest!

Enter to win this!

This year we have given out t-shirts, buttons, koozies, pens, cups, and more!  Now we want you to show your love for Academic Enhancement by entering our contest on social media!

The contest will begin Oct. 1 and run through Oct. 31. All you have to do is take a picture of you with your favorite Study swag, then post it on Twitter and/or Instagram and tag us in it, with the hashtag #FallForTheStudy!

If you don’t already follow us make sure to follow us on Twitter @TheStudyScoop and on Instagram @TheStudyUKY. Each photo can be entered once on both social media sites, but multiple entries are also allowed, as long as you are creative enough to come up with different pictures each time.

On Oct. 31 we will be announcing the winner via our social media.

The winner will receive an awesome fall-inspired prize basket! So grab a friend and your favorite Study swag and take lots of awesome pictures!

To recap: Fall Photo Contest!

• Contest runs from Oct. 1- Oct. 31
• On Twitter: @TheStudyScoop
• On Instagram: @TheStudyUKY
• Tag us in your picture and use #FallForTheStudy
• Can use same picture on each social media once, after that it must be a new picture!
• The number of posts you send us equals the number of chances you have to win!
• Must have The Study swag in your picture.
• Any Study swag works, even if it’s from previous years.
• Stop by The Study to get some swag if you don’t already have any.
• The winner of the prize basket will be announced Oct. 31

Apps to Think Twice About

 Kasey Prater, Marketing Intern

 For many incoming freshmen, college is the most freedom they have yet to experience. While this new found independence can be exhilarating, it also comes with a great deal of personal responsibility and decision-making. Since most incoming freshmen own smart phones, it is important for them to think before they download the latest popular apps. Like Facebook in its early stages, most of these apps are geared toward the college demographic. But be careful: Many of them require that students submit sensitive personal information, and require phone users’ Facebook or location services to be accessed by the app. Before downloading controversial apps, it is crucial to consider how much you are willing to share and how important privacy is to you.

Snapchat

One app that practically all of my college friends (and yes, even my mom) use frequently is Snapchat. Given that my mom graduated from college about 20 years ago, she still sends some pretty hilarious snaps. Snapchat is an app that allows Android and iPhone users to send photos and videos with optional text and illustration to a controlled list of recipients. Snapchat users can set a limit to how long their images will be seen, ranging from 1 to 10 seconds, after which they are deleted. However, if you thought these snaps could never come back to haunt you, you are wrong. There are some Facebook pages for “Adult Only Content” snaps. These pages feature screenshots of photos that some Snapchat users thought would be gone forever. So next time you send a risky snap, remember that you could be one screenshot away from becoming internet famous.

If we can thank Snapchat for anything, it would be the decline of “selfies” on my newsfeed. Not everyone wants to see how excited you are about the upcoming episode of Pretty Little Liars.

Tinder

I have to admit that this app sparked my curiosity. I was surprised when my friends started talking about an app that allows you to scroll through the other users’ pictures, and either “pass” or “like” a person based on what you see. The app even pairs you with singles who are your age and live within a certain radius. Tinder is considered a dating app; if you like a person’s picture and they like yours back, it gives you the option of a message introduction. Sounds a little creepy considering all you have to base your “pass” or “like” on is a couple of Facebook photos and a short bio.  Also remember that Tinder pulls personal information and selected photos from your Facebook account through the terms you agree to when downloading the app.

Some people say you should never judge a book by its cover, but not Tinder. If you are considering creating a Tinder profile, always remember that appealing angles matter when taking photographs of yourself.

Lulu

This females-only app allows women to anonymously, yet publicly, rate and objectify men (from what I understand). These men, via Facebook, are ranked on a scale of 1-10 based on their romantic and even sexual value. For example, an ex-girlfriend or “hookup” may rate a man a “4,” including hashtags like #BadBreath and #Womanizer for further explanation.

If you are an angry ex who wants to vent about a crappy boyfriend through ratings and hashtags, Lulu is the app for you.

In summation, it is all too important that you research an app before downloading it all willy-nilly. Just because an app is all the rave (and not to mention, free), it does not mean you have to get it. Think about your privacy and the issues that could arise before agreeing to the terms and conditions of an app.

No Major? No Problem!

Allyson Lough

Marketing Intern

During your senior year of high school, I’m willing to guess you got asked these three questions at least 100 times:

• What do you plan on doing after graduation?
• Where are you going to school?
• What’s your major? 

It can feel like those three questions begin to define your college experience before you even arrive on campus. My first piece of advice is to avoid obsessing over the answers you give to people when these questions come up. Your future plans and major will most likely change- and that’s just part of the process!

Is this a permanent or temporary move to Lexington?

Overall, keep in mind whether your journey to Lexington is your big break away from home or if you plan on finding a job in your hometown after graduation.

Consider your interests and how they will affect your future location. If you love the feel of a rural town, you’ll have to put in effort searching for an interior design job in that kind of area. Likewise, a career path in Plant and Soil Sciences isn’t going to be relevant in an extremely urban area. Where do you see yourself living in the future? The best way to ensure you end up there is to explore careers that have ample opportunities in those areas.

Extracurricular Scheduling

You already scheduled for classes, but it’s also a good time to go ahead and think about the other things you want to do on campus. Ask yourself what interests are you going to continue from high school and what organizations does UK have that your high school didn’t? Explore them!

You can use extracurricular organizations to supplement your potential degree programs. Many of these student-centered clubs provide additional volunteer opportunities and sponsor guest speakers from the academic field they are geared towards. In addition, job shadowing is an invaluable experience to have as early as possible. First hand experience in the job environment can help you steer clear of a particular field or add to your excitement for your future career!

Use Your University

You’ll network with so many new people every day that one of them is bound to be studying something that perks your interest. Actively seek advice from the people around you as a way of discovering what programs are available. College is about studying subjects that intrigue you, not just a required curriculum designed by someone else.

Take the UK Core classes you are enrolled in seriously. Develop relationships your professors, because they are experts on employment opportunities specific to their fields of study. Decide if a follow-up course would be worth exploring, especially for the classes that you really enjoy. Your academic advisors and the James W. Stuckert Career Center specialize in guiding you future goals. Play to your strengths and honestly assess what skills you have to further develop.

Look Beyond Income

Don’t be preoccupied by an income number associated with a particular degree program. The biggest predictor of success is genuinely enjoying your career. Years of organic chemistry classes and demanding residency will give you a six-figure salary, but it may not provide you with the creative outlet you’ve always loved. If dollar signs are calling your name, being an established professional is something you can accomplish in any field. Keep this cliché adage in mind as you search for a good fit: “Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” Income is secondary to finding a curriculum, and eventually a career, that fits you.

My biggest advice is to not rush into declaring a major. You have plenty of time. If you’re feeling indecisive about committing to a degree, be honest about it. Select a program when you’re ready, but understand it doesn’t bind you for life! You can change your major if you find have a change in career goals. Ask for help and use these tips to establishing yourself without a definite degree!

50 College Student Discounts

Samantha Stein, Marketing Intern

We all know college is expensive, but what you may not know is that your Wildcat ID card can save you money on almost every type of purchase. We have put together a list of discounts students can receive on any shopping trip. Even if somewhere isn’t on the list, be sure to ask if there is a student discount when making an in-store purchase and to use your “.edu” email address for online purchases.  

Technology- In college, software, laptops and computer accessories are used daily. Luckily, technology is greatly discounted for students. Even if you’re about to graduate, definitely make any relevant technology purchases beforehand. Clicking on the links below will take you to the company’s student deals webpage:

• Adobe
• Apple
• Dell
• HP
• Microsoft
• Sony

Entertainment- Everyone needs some time to relax and have fun with his or her friends! These businesses help students unwind.

• AMC Theaters
• Cinemark Theaters
• Collin’s Bowling Center- Tuesdays from 9 p.m.- 1 a.m., $9.95 all-u-can-bowl and $1.00 shoe rental with student ID!
• Movie Tavern
• Regal Theater

Transportation and Insurance- Whether you need to get home, you’re planning a weekend trip with friends or you are studying abroad, these companies help students stay on budget when traveling.

• While traveling:
• Amtrak
• Greyhound
• ISIC – With an International Student Identity Card, ideal for studying abroad, you can take advantage of the entire world’s student discounts
• STA Travel- International and National flights, hotels and hostels, and tours for students!
• Student Universe- International flights and discounts for studying abroad
• Cars and car insurance
• Allstate- Save up to 20% with proof of full-time enrollment in school and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Esurance- Save up to 10% with proof of full-time enrollment in school and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• General Motors- Save thousands of dollars off a purchase of a new Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicle.
• Geico- Save up to 15% with proof of full-time enrollment in school and a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Jiffy Lube-  $10 off or 10% off your purchase when showing your Student ID card.
• State Farm- Save up to 25% with proof of full-time enrollment in school and a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Cell Phone Service – If you are now responsible for your own phone plan, these service carriers give monthly discounts to their customers who are students.

• AT&T
• T-Mobile
• Verizon

Apparel –These businesses discount their merchandise to meet students’ fashion and appearance needs. When shopping for clothes for your internship or scrubs for your observation requirements, be sure to show your student ID and ask for their student discount.

• Ann Taylor- 20% off your purchase
• Banana Republic-15% off your purchase
• Charlotte Russe: 10% off your purchase
• Club Monaco- 20% off your purchase
• Eddie Bauer- 10% off your in-store purchase
• J. Crew- 15% off your purchase
• Juicy Couture- 15% off your purchase
• The Limited- 15% off your purchase
• Madewell- 15% off your purchase
• Medelita- 15% off scrubs and lab coats
• Ralph Lauren Rugby- 15% off your purchase
• Sally Beauty Supply- sign up for their Student Discount Card for access to discounts
• Steve Madden- 10% off your purchase
• Topshop- 10% off your purchase
• Vineyard Vines- 15% off your purchase

Food – When visiting these popular franchises, be sure to ask for their student discount and show them your student ID.

• Arby’s- 10% off your purchase
• Buffalo Wild Wings- 10% off your purchase
• Burger King- 10% off your purchase
• Chick-fil-A- Free drink with purchase
• Chipotle- Receive a free drink with purchase
• Dairy Queen- Varies by franchise, but most common discount is 10% off your purchase
• McDonald’s- 10% off your purchase
• Qdoba- Receive a free drink with purchase
• Sam’s Club
• Subway- 10% off your purchase
• Waffle House- 10% off your purchase

Reading Materials- These companies help students get books, newspapers, and textbooks at a discounted rate.

• Barnes and Noble
• New York Times
• Wall Street Journal

Online Services- These websites are great resources for students to check regularly for brand new discounts. By subscribing to these services, you will unlock extra student discounts and save even more money.

• Student Rate – For a yearly fee of $20, you will unlock more than 250 student deals on their website.
• Student Buying Guide – This blog is for students to keep up with the most recent student deals.
• Amazon Student – When they sign up for this student version of Amazon Prime, students get their first six-months of access for free. Benefits include free 2-day shipping on most purchases, deals and promotions exclusively for students, a $5 credit for each friend you refer, unlimited access to streaming over 40,000 TV episodes and movies and the ability to borrow Kindle books for free.
• College Budget – By enrolling with a “.edu” email, students can make purchases from second-party merchants on the College Budget website. They also offer textbook rentals and student loan comparisons.

Saving money is hard for many students, but you just have to know where to look. If you come across any student discounts we didn’t include, we would love to hear about them. Don’t forget to always ask about a student discount, whether it is on this list or not, and always keep your student ID on you to show every time!