Getting Home for the Holidays

Allyson Lough, Marketing Intern

Melanie Stoeckle, Marketing Intern

With midterms already somehow in the past, everybody is starting to look towards Thanksgiving, finals week and winter break. For a lot of us, that means going home to finally relax and unwind from the semester and spend some much needed time with our family and hometown friends.

Now here comes the reality of it: If you live out of state like us, going home takes some advanced planning. Here are some tips from us on the best ways to get home for the holidays.

Flying Home

MS: I’m from Connecticut, so the 14-hour drive home isn’t always my transportation of choice. Buying a plane ticket is the usual route for me, which can cost a few hundred dollars. If you’re thinking about flying too, here are some things I’ve learned in the past three years.

• The cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Now this isn’t always the case, but it doesn’t hurt to compare plane ticket prices to those days when you’re looking to go home during the week – It could make a big difference!
• As with one of the cheapest days to fly, Tuesdays are one of the cheapest days to buy as well.  You might just find a great deal when browsing airline ticket prices.  Pay attention to sales that airlines have going on as well, I know Southwest typically has good sales if you check frequently.  Also, check out our Student Discounts story to see the travel deals that you can get with your student ID!
• Buy early!  I’ve already been searching my options and watching the prices of certain flights to get the best deal, so I suggest that you do the same.  The Bing Price Predictor is a really good tool to tell you if they think the prices will rise or drop soon as well.
• You can use websites like Travelocity, Kayak or Hotwire to search multiple airlines (and airports!) at once for the best price as well, but some major airlines, such as Southwest, aren’t on these sites.  When you think you’ve found your flight, head to that airline’s website to see if the price is lower – It should be the exact same or even a little bit cheaper sometimes.
•  Finally, I suggest buying directly from the airline instead of the travel sites I mentioned earlier.  They’re great to compare prices on, but if you ever need to change a flight for some reason, the process will go a lot smoother when just dealing with Delta or Southwest rather than going through those sites first.  And like I said, it shouldn’t cost you any more to do that.
• Here are some major airline’s websites to get you started on searching: Delta, Southwest, American Airlines, US Airways
• For those of you that will need a ride to the airport, UK offers free airport shuttles at specified times for Thanksgiving, winter and spring break.  You can find the information for those here.  I used this service many times freshman year when I didn’t have a car, and it was great!

I promise you that this is all worth the effort!  Following tips like these gets easier the more you do it, and often saves $100 or more on a flight.

Driving Home

AL: I’m originally from Virginia, so I’m very familiar with the eight-hour trek from Lexington to the east coast. For those of us who live four to eight hours away, the plane ticket and arranging a ride to and from the airport is not worth the hassle. A long drive can be hard to settle into but here are some tips to make the time on the highway go faster.

• Before you leave, check your car for any problems. The last thing you want is to break down during a road trip. Check your oil and tire pressure at the least! Check out our car maintenance for college students story here!
• Leave as early in the day as possible. A long drive can take a huge chunk of time out of your day and drains your energy. Make sure you are rested and don’t start driving after an all-night cram session and final exam. Also think about rush hour. Try to avoid passing through a large city during the morning or evening commute times.
• Find a driving buddy! Even if you aren’t from the same hometown, someone on this campus is going your general direction. It helps you split the gas expense, means you have another driver if you need a break and gives you some entertainment along the way. Make sure you set a limit to how much luggage each person is allowed if space is tight! Check UK Facebook pages and rideshare groups for students who are traveling. Don’t be afraid to ask around- your friends may know someone who is searching to carpool.
•  Know where you’re going! You may have taken the route with your family before, but any drive is much different when you’re riding in the backseat and someone else is driving. Map out the easiest route (I prefer using interstates—traffic moves faster and it’s more direct), and have a GPS or phone holder for your dashboard if you plan to use a mapping app. Beware of dead spots for different service providers.
• Have a playlist for the road! Dig out your old school iPod or burn a CD and load it with music that is easy to sing to and keeps you awake. iPods typically have longer battery life than phones do.
• Invest in a phone charger for your car. You never want to be stranded on a highway without a charged phone.
• Plan your driving breaks. You’ll start to find which exits are good stopping points and which ones are in the middle of nowhere. I segment the drive into do-able sections so I can take a break, especially if I’m driving alone. I prefer to pull off and use rest stops if I don’t need to refuel because they are quick to get off and get back on the road.
•  Download the Gas Buddy app! It will register your location and tell you where the closest and cheapest gas is located. It will even give you directions after you select a station.
• Keep snacks with you in the car! I have a mini travel cooler that I load up with Ale 8 (for the caffeine) and my water bottle. I typically get some trail mix or Goldfish for an easy snack if I’m tired, bored, or just have the munchies.
• If you find yourself feeling tired, find an exit as soon as possible! Buy an energy drink, coffee or some drink packed with caffeine. Don’t hesitate to recline your seat and take a power nap (about 20 minutes) while you’re stopped. It may sound strange, but it won’t really lengthen your drive and by the time you wake up, you’ll feel better and the caffeine will have kicked in!
• Wear comfy clothes! There’s nothing worse than sitting in a stiff pair of jeans for multiple hours.

Driving home for the holidays can seem like a hassle, but most of it is just preparing to take a road trip. It’s probably not a drive you make frequently so when you do, it’s worth the long journey!

We know that the most common ways home are to fly and drive but there are other options. The University of Kentucky offers a Ride Home Express bus and Greyhound and MegaBus tickets are always worth a quick search. You may find they work better with your schedule and have a special stop near you.

Finding the best deal is all about research. Keep these tips in mind when you’re planning trips for Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks! Happy traveling!

Building Blueprint Series: Barker and Frazee Halls

Nicole Brown, Marketing Intern Coordinator

Allyson Lough, Marketing Intern

Welcome to the Building Blueprint series!

Just joining us? Check out The Annex Building Blueprint.

This time, we’re focusing on two buildings near the Student Center: Barker Hall and Frazee Hall. After reading, be sure to watch the video tour, with Madalena as your guide.

Barker Hall

Originally built in 1901, Barker Hall is a historical brick building located in the heart of campus. It is named after the second president of the University of Kentucky, Henry Barker, who served from 1910 to 1917. The first basketball game hosted by the University was played in Barker Hall. Today, Barker Hall is the home of Buell Armory, the Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC, Kinesiology and Health Promotion fitness courses and assorted classes.

To find Barker Hall, the best starting point is behind Patterson Office Tower (POT). But instead of walking down the long, steep steps that lead towards the Student Center, veer to the left. The building directly to your right is Barker Hall—you’ll see a Buell Armory sign first, but keep walking around the building. You’ll find two separate entrances. If you are looking for the dance studio or the stairs to reach classrooms on the upper floors, enter through the leftmost door. If you are looking for Buell Armory or ROTC, enter through the right one. If you continue walking past Barker Hall, you will end up on the bridge leading to the Student Center.

The dance studio at Barker Hall also hosts some really awesome campus organizations like UK Swing Dance club and the UK Dance Ensemble. You may also have a class there if you sign up for a KHP elective like Zumba or Yoga.

Hidden necessities: The bathrooms in this building can be tricky to find! If you are in the dance studio, there are restrooms and changing areas down the flight of stairs in the back of the room. If you’re elsewhere, the bathrooms can be harder to find—they are co-ed and look suspiciously like closets. There is one directly across from the main entrance in the back of a classroom and another on the third floor.

Frazee Hall

Frazee Hall was completed in 1907 and later named after D.F. Frazee, a member of the Board of Trustees. It is located across from Barker Hall, with the split steps at the front.

Frazee Hall is home to the Division of Student Affairs, which encompasses tons of resources, including the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center (VIP Center), the Counseling Center and much more.  

The VIP Center entrance is down the front stairs that have a green banner hanging over the entrance. The Division of Student Affairs offices are up the stairs and on the main floor in room 103. The Counseling Center can be found on the second floor, in room 201.

The VIP Center hosts many campus events to spread their Green Dot message, but their offices are also open during business hours to assist students who have witnessed or experienced any kind of violence. Plus, there are lots of volunteer opportunities. The Counseling Center offers free counseling services, including individual and couples counseling and workshops, to students enrolled in at least six credit hours.

Hidden necessities: The handicap accessible entrance is difficult to find because it’s actually through the Student Center—ask somebody at a Student Center help desk or the Cats Den and they’ll point you in the right direction!

Explore Barker and Frazee for yourself, and be sure to let us know if we left something out! In the next blueprint, we’ll highlight Erikson Hall and Funkhouser Building.

Academic Enhancement Hiring Marketing Interns

Madalena Pierangelino, Marketing Intern
 

Got talent? Well Academic Enhancement, located in The Study, is searching for interns with creative talent to join the marketing and outreach team. For students pursuing a degree in Integrated Strategic Communications, Marketing, Communications or Design this marketing internship provides the perfect outlet for creative thinking and a great opportunity for professional development.

Interns are responsible for promoting student use of Academic Enhancement’s resources on campus and increasing brand recognition in a variety of innovative ways such as managing social media, writing blogs and designing posters and flyers to distribute. The internship also offers a chance to become familiar with Adobe Creative Suite software and Final Cut Pro, allowing you to develop technological expertise and build a professional portfolio. Skills in web and graphic design are preferred, but also not required. If you are looking for the chance to grow and hone your artistic and technical talents, working for AE is the perfect place.  

This job is for driven, reliable, independent and synergetic students. All applicants must be willing to commit to this internship for a minimum of 2 concurrent semesters (counting summer as a semester) during 2014, but students available for all three are preferred. The internship is paid, as well as being eligible for JAT 399 credit. Many of the tasks are individual, but there are also weekly meetings in which we brainstorm and build ideas as a team. Specifically, this upcoming semester the AE marketing team will work together to take on the challenge of launching a second location on North Campus.

If you are looking for a rewarding, enjoyable internship where you can employ your talent and work with some pretty cool people (Watch the video below if you don’t believe us!), then the Academic Enhancement marketing internship is the right place for you. Don’t miss this opportunity! See the official job posting and apply now on ukjobs.uky.edu.

Marketing Intern Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrkKsJOUxHE.

Student Spotlight: Brad Hagan

Madalena Pierangelino, Marketing Intern

The winding staircase up to The Study can seem intimidating, but make the short climb and you will be greeted with friendly faces and a smiling staff. One star staff member is Brad Hagan, who has been a desk worker at The Study for about three years now. Brad always greets incoming students with a welcoming and positive attitude, which is why he is our featured Student Spotlight this week. Brad has some awesome advice for fellow students and is just one more reason to stop by The Study!

Name: Brad Hagan

Major: Plant and Soil Science

Occupation: Desk worker at The Study

Hometown: Whitesville, KY: a small town outside of Owensboro

Describe yourself in three words: I would say I am pretty laid-back, hard working, and outgoing. I could also add sarcastic, but that would be four.

Favorite Starbucks drink: Iced Mocha

Favorite movie: It is hard to narrow it down, but Billy Madison is up there.

What are some of your other hobbies? I enjoy exploring the great outdoors, and I play the guitar.

What influenced you to come to UK? I came to UK mainly for my friends and the well-known Agriculture program, since that is my major.

Best memory at UK so far: Winning the national championship was an awesome experience as a student.

Most embarrassing moment: My phone going off in a group meeting with a professor to Shania Twain's song "Any Man of Mine."

Favorite class at UK: Soil Science. I found that class to be very interesting because of my agriculture background.

Favorite spot on UK's campus: You will usually find me at the Ag Deli.

Favorite part of Lexington/UK: There is always something going on in the city. You can never be bored.

What is the number one thing on your UK bucket list? I want to tour the famous Bourbon Trail before I graduate.

What is the best part about your job with Academic Enhancement? My co-workers make the job a lot more entertaining. 

If you won $1 million, what would you do with it? It is highly unlikely, but if I did win I would take a year off of school and travel the world.

What do you want to achieve after college? Move away from Kentucky for a few years and start working for an agricultural company, but I will eventually go back to my hometown.

What advice would you give to other students? It is very important that you find the right balance between school and your social life. Get out and enjoy college while maintaining your good grades as well.