Warming Up those Winter Blues

Contributer: Alanna Bouhl, Marketing Intern

You know that feeling after New Year’s, when the holiday excitement has worn off, you seem tired all of the time, and you’re unmotivated to study or even go to class? You’re sick of winter dragging on and spring break can’t come soon enough. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing the winter blues. Luckily, I have some tips on how to spark your semester:

 To curb the winter blues try these creative options!

·         Walk! Walk to class, the gym, the grocery, wherever! Getting outside and breathing fresh air and getting your heart pumping will help clear your mind and cheer you up.

·         Have a Support System! Utilize your friends, professors’ office hours, and The Study. We are here for you!

·         Come to The Study! Enjoy our new and expanded space for quiet studying areas or stop in during free peer tutoring. The Study is also here for you with Individual Academic Consolations, giving you the opportunity to discuss any academic stressors.

·         Open your blinds. Letting in the daylight will help boost your mood almost immediately. Sun is one of the best natural sources of vitamin D.

·         Unplug from Social Media. This is a good stress eliminator. Even if it’s just for a day, taking away this distraction will help you focus less on what everyone else is doing and focus more on your own priorities.

·         Make To-Do Lists! Your brain loves lists. This will jump start your organization and reaching goals. Work on projects daily, even if for a few minutes. Try working on the toughest tasks to first that way you work towards the easier ones.

·         Structure your Schedule. Discover and utilize your prime mental time. Know when your best times for studying are and arrange them into your weekly schedule. Designate times for reading, review, breaks, and organization.

·         Reward Yourself! Whether it’s a weekend get away, spring break or just a shopping trip with your friends, having something to look forward to will help lighten your mood and make you happier.

·         Eat Healthy Foods. Eating more protein and complex carbs will help give you energy and make you feel better.

·         Get Plenty of Rest. Getting a healthy amount of sleep, regularly, will help eliminate the tired and lethargic feeling. Try 20 minute power naps.

·         Get Involved! UK currently has 444 student organizations. Connect with your peers, check out a new interest group, or get reacquainted with an old hobby!

·         Exercise! What better way to get those natural endorphins flowing than working out? It will energize you, relieve stress and is an awesome mood booster. Plus you will get a kicking bod!

·         Most importantly, be positive! Nothing makes life better than a positive attitude and it will help you get through times when you’re feeling a little blue.

Try some of the tips to lighten your mood and triumphantly tackle the stretch between the holidays and spring break! 

University of Kentucky Bucket List

List compiled by The Study's Outreach Team. 

Between going to class, attending club meetings, and spending time with friends, it is hard enough to find the time to study, let alone visit Lexington’s attractions.  Although our time in college may be limited, there are many fun and exciting things to do in Lexington. It would be a shame to miss out on these opportunities during your time here at UK, so our team has put together a list of forty must-sees that we think everyone should experience while at the University of Kentucky.

1.    Camp out for tickets to Big Blue Madness.

2.    Go to Louisville for the  Kentucky Oaks. 

3.    Watch the Kentucky Derby. Televised or in person, this is a Kentucky tradition worth celebrating. 

4.     Participate in UK FUSION during K-Week every fall. 

5.     Use the underground tunnel between CB and POT, especially on a rainy day. 

6.    Attend an  SAB event. With a wide range of activities ranging from concerts to comedians, they are guaranteed to have something interesting for you!  

7.     Tailgate for a UK Football game. Want to take it up a notch? Road trip to an away game. 

8.     Participate in Fish Racing at Two Keys Tavern. A nice break during the week as well as a fun game with friends.  Fish are provided.   

9.    Visit Keeneland, particularly on College Scholarship Day. 

10.  Go to the 5/3rd Pavilion downtown for Thursday Night Live during the summer and early fall.

11.  Indulge your sweet tooth with frozen yogurt at Naticakes. Each purchase goes towards the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation. 

12.  Make it to at least one UK Basketball game. 

13. Visit the Kentucky Horse Park and take a private or group lesson to experience what horse culture is all about.

14.  Watch the sororities and fraternities showcase their moves at Greek Sing.

15. Dance the night away at  The Penguin. This dueling piano bar is also the perfect place for a private party. 

16. Go for a run at The UK Arboretum.

17.  Watch a film showing or attend a concert  at The Kentucky Theatre.

18. Grab dinner at  Charlie Brown’s. 

19.  Love chocolate? Go on a shopping spree at Old Kentucky Chocolates. 

20.  Cheer on the Cats at a UK Hockey Game.

21.  Catch a live show at the Lexington Opera House.

22. Grab lunch at Tolly Ho. Greasy food never tasted so good. 

23.  Play a day of golf at The University Club. 

24.  Visit one of the area's many great wineries. 

25. Chow down at Ramsey’s Diner. Don't forget to get some pie for dessert! 

26.   See Kentucky's proud history of bourbon making through experiencing the Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. 

27.  Go to a concert at the Lexington Convention Center. 

28.  View the collection at the University of Kentucky Art Museum, open daily. 

29.  For an original burger experience, visit Sawyer’s, located downtown.  With a burger-bar full of toppings, the possibilities are endless.

30.  Grab a slice of pizza at Pazzo’s Pizza Pub. This pub offers the best pizza and pretzels around, as well as the largest draft selection in central Kentucky.

31.  Party the night away at Beaux Arts Ball. Hosted each semester by UK College of Design students, the ball proceeds  benefit scholarship funding and local charities.

32.  Take a tour of Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Company. You can watch how Kentucky Ale, Kentucky Light and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale are each made, as well as discover your favorite in the sampling pub. 

33.  Release the stress of finals week by participating in the Undie Run. 

34.  Be a part of Dance Blue. Since 2006, this student run 24-hour dance marathon has been raising millions of dollars for the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic. 

35.  Get scared looking for ghosts at Waverly Hills Sanatorium. If you enjoy a night of good frights, than March-August take some friends and visit this historic site.

36.  Have a true Southern dining experience at Merrick Inn.

37.  Take your friends and test your knowledge at Old Chicago's Trivia Nights.

38.  Support the UK Fine Arts student's and come to Open Studio. Every December, these students host an open house in the Reynolds building showcasing their work. There is a juried art show, art for sale, and food. It is a great way to support the arts!

39.  Help break a world record during K-Week at CSF’s Water Balloon Fight.

40. Come to The Study for Individual Academic Consultations, GRE Prep Courses, and FREE Peer Tutoring!

Valentine's Day Ideas

Written by Laura McGehee, Marketing Intern

February marks a popular holiday for those in a relationship. Buying flowers, chocolates, and gifts can get expensive, so we have come up with some ideas for creative and inexpensive Valentine’s Day gifts and dates!

·         A box full of compliments or inspirational quotes- Great for a sensitive partner or someone who enjoys a good pick-me-up

·         Personalized m&ms- Put your anniversary or partners initials on these tasty treats

·         Coupons- Create a booklet containing coupons for anything from a home-cooked dinner to a back rub.  Extremely inexpensive yet thoughtful

·         Scavenger hunt- Create a scavenger hunt that sends your partner searching for his/her favorite goodies or to an ending point where you wait.  You can design it any way you like and your partner will be sure to appreciate your effort

·         Bake cookies or a heart shaped cake- A small but tasty gesture

·         Dinner at home- Getting a reservation at a nice restaurant can be a hassle and extremely pricey.  Take the time to look up your significant other’s favorite dish or a delicious recipe online or in a cookbook.  Homemade pizzas or sundaes make for an inexpensive and delicious meal

·         Fondue- Regular or even chocolate!

·         Gift basket filled with treats or gadgets- Gift baskets can be designed to accommodate any type of personality.  From the candy lovers to the movie buffs, creating a caring gift basket is an extremely easy gift

·         Ice skating- An alternative date that is fun and exciting

·         Picture frame- Find an old picture of you and your partner or take a new photo to frame

·         Gag gifts- Not every couple enjoys the stereotypical sappiness of Valentine’s Day.  If you and your partner like to make this holiday a little less serious, go for a funny gift that will have you two laughing

·         Favorite movie- You don’t have to pay $10 to see the latest flick in theaters! Head to a Redbox or search through a roommate’s movie collection to find a movie both of you will like

·         First date do over- If you have been with your significant other for awhile, take him/her back to where you had your first date

·         Cooking or dance class- A nonconventional date idea that could be beneficial for the both of you

·         Enlist the help of his/her friends and family- Plan the surprise your significant other is hoping for by asking friends or family members for ideas he/she will like

·         Playlist- Burn a playlist of songs you think he/she may like or ones that have meaning to the both of you

·         Make it Valentine’s week- Celebrate all week with small surprises for each other.  They don’t have to be expensive or elaborate, just a small reminder each day of your love

·         Get roses in her favorite color- Red roses are great, but getting flowers that are her favorite color can be more thoughtful

·         Make a memory box- Gather old ticket stubs or pictures and create a memory box for the time you have spent together

·         Complete a chore the other person hates to do- If your significant other hates to pump gas or grocery shop, offer to help them accomplish a dreaded task with your assistance

·         Surprises for a year- A cute idea I found via Pinterest: Put 12 envelopes in a basket, each one containing a surprise date request that the person can redeem once a month! Thoughtful and extremely creative

·         Indoor picnic- It may not be warm enough to dine outdoors, but a picnic can be made in the comfort of your dorm, house, or apartment

·         Anti-Valentine’s Day- Watch scary movies or comedies instead of your typical “chick flick”

·         Celebrate on a different day- Cheaper flowers and a less crowded restaurant may be a smart route for you and your mate.  Who says you can only celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14^th?

Don’t have a Valentine this year? Take this time to remind your friends and family how much you adore them.  These people can be just as important as a significant other and they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.  Good luck in your search for the perfect Valentine’s plans and remember, no matter what you do, give from the heart.

Cover Letter Do's and Dont's

Chelsey Duncan, Marketing Intern

2011 University of Kentucky Commencement  

For graduating seniors, this time of year is filled with job searches, career fairs and writing the dreaded cover letters to each prospective employer. In the midst of midterms and spring break, writing a cover letter may be the last thing you want to start working on, especially because it can be so intimidating. As a crucial aspect of any job application, a cover letter can be the reason why you did or didn’t land that interview.  If you’re looking for ways to stand out against the others in such a competitive job market, here are some dos and don’ts to guide you along the way:

DO

• Use resume paper. You may have gotten away with copy paper for part-time jobs and internships in the past, but now it is time to invest in the first thing that potential employers will judge.
• Address your letter to the person who will receive it. If the job application doesn’t indicate who that is, look it up on the company’s Website or call to find out.
• Name your connection to the company. If you know someone who works there (and will vouch for you), mention it. Networking can be one of the most helpful ways to secure an interview and possibly job.
• Research the company and tell how you will be an asset. Your experience and skills will likely be on your resume, so apply these to the position and indicate how you will benefit the company and its goals.  
• Praise the company for its accomplishments. Tell what you like about its mission and the initiatives it has taken to reach it. Demonstrate knowledge of any awards or honors the company has received.
• Tailor each cover letter to the company/position you send it to. Yes, you may use a template, but be sure to customize it for each company. Show that you did your research!
• Request an interview and let the employer know that you will follow-up. Provide your contact information, and make sure that you use a professional e-mail address.
• Proofread. If you used a template, make sure the correct person and company are named in every personalized part of the letter. Double-check your spelling and grammar. A careless mistake could jeopardize your whole application.

DON’T

• Don’t use the same cover letter for every job application.
• Don’t address your letter “to whom it may concern” or “dear sir or madam.”
• Don’t summarize your resume. Instead, apply your experience and skills to the position at hand.
• Don’t brag; rather highlight how your strengths will benefit the company.

If you need more guidance or maybe just some inspiration, then Google can provide a good place to start. You may be tempted to copy and paste a template, but remember to use your own words and personalize the letter to the company.

Also, be sure to check out the UK Stuckert Career Center after writing your letter. Career counselors are available to meet with you and to provide feedback before you apply for the big job.

Good luck and happy job-hunting!

***For a break from all of your hard work, take a look at these sarcastic cover letters. Although entertaining, don’t try at home!

Unemployed J.D. Candidate

Funniest Cover Letter

Epic Cover Letter