Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Top 10 Fall Date Ideas

By: Laura McGehee, Marketing Intern

The aroma of pumpkin spice lattes wafts from Starbucks, everyone is stocking up on oversize bags of Halloween candy, and the trees lining campus are starting to change into beautiful shades of orange and brown. While the weather may not be perfect for pool parties, ice cream dates, or outdoor concerts, fall is here with exciting and new date opportunities! We have searched the web, interviewed college dating pros, and experienced some of these dates ourselves, so here is a list of our top 10 favorite fall date ideas.

1. Pumpkin and Apple Picking- Tis the season for picking some of your favorite fall produce and why not take your special someone to share in the experience! Once you have handpicked your favorites from the patch or orchard (Boyd Orchards is popular and in driving distance from campus), spend time making some delicious treats together. Apple cider, pumpkin or apple pie, and pumpkin bread are all sure to please your taste buds.

2. Carve a Pumpkin- Whether you pick it yourself or purchase one from a nearby store, carving a pumpkin with your date can be a great way to get your hands dirty together and show some creativity.

3. Enjoy the Arboretum- As the leaves begin to change colors and cover the ground, now is the perfect time to take a stroll together and enjoy the scenery. The best part? It’s free!

4. Halloween Movie Marathon- If the weather is gloomy, spend time cuddled up on the couch watching some of Halloween’s most classic movies. Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, and Young Frankenstein are perfect funny movies to enjoy together. More adventurous? Try watching The Hollow, The Omen, or the Exorcist. Not exactly romantic, but these movies will have you moving closer and closer together.

5. Hayrides and Corn Mazes- These activities make for the perfect group date as you and your friends can all enjoy this unique experience. Kelly Farms, not far from campus, offers hayrides, games, and 10 acres of corn mazes. This year’s maze honors Coach Calipari!

6. Horseback Riding- Kentucky is known for its beautiful horses so why not take a ride together before the snow starts to fall. There are plenty of places close to campus and most places can accommodate all levels of experience.

7. Haunted Houses- This thrill is perfect for group dates. Screampark, located on Manchester Street here in Lexington, is Kentucky’s largest haunted event. With an “Insanity Hospital,” “Castle of Fear,” “The Abyss” (a twisting maze of darkness), and other attractions and events, there is plenty of horror to entertain the whole crowd.

8. Farmers and Flea Markets- A whole new experience of shopping and eating, enjoy the fresh foods at local farmer’s markets and the interesting finds at your closest flea market.

9. Wine Tasting- For our of-age couples, head to a local winery for wine tastings together. Talon Winery off Tates Creek offers group and guided tours for only $10 a person!

10. Enjoy the Weather Together- Have a day picnic, go for a hike, or snuggle up next to a bonfire. The cooler weather has its perks and your special someone will appreciate these simple, yet fun fall activities.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Top Ten Places to Study (On Campus)

Top Ten Places to Study (On Campus)

Whether you're a student living off campus with short breaks between classes or an on-campus resident, there's no doubt that all UK students will have a reason to study on campus. Thanks to numerous campus facilities students should have no problem finding a space that matches their unique studying style. If you haven't found your on campus study haven yet, check out The Study's top ten locations list.

10. The Student Center

If you don't mind some background noise or people moving around while you're studying, the Student Center could be a great study spot for you. There are plenty of tables and couches scattered around the building, making it a comfy and convenient place to go. If you need a little caffeine boost before hitting the books, stop by the Starbucks located on the second floor. The Student Center is open from 7 am to 10 pm Monday through Saturday and from 3-9 pm on Sunday.

9. Intermezzo

Intermezzo is a great option for students who are living on-campus but have short breaks between classes. You can grab some lunch and tackle some homework, making great use of your free block of time. This is also a great option if you need to meet with a group about a project or to just touch base and make sure each group member is understanding their components. Located in Patterson Office Tower, Intermezzo can also be a convenient place to meet most professors if you have questions about material or need help with an assignment. Intermezzo is open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am to 4 pm and on Friday from 7:30 am to 3 pm.

8. Johnson Center and other Campus Recreation facilities

Love to work out? Why not take that time to get some extra studying done? Consider reading a textbook while running on a treadmill or flipping through a power point presentation while using an elliptical machine. Perhaps not the best way to study for a major exam, but these are definitely ways to make sure your readings don't put you to sleep. For the latest information on what is going on with Campus Recreation, follow them on twitter, @ukcampusrec.

7. Shaver Engineering Library

Open to all students, not just engineering majors, the Shaver Engineering Library can be a great place to study. Lesser known than some of the other campus libraries this one has an advantage for attracting students who are serious about studying and looking for a place where they can easily focus and plow through assignments. The Engineering Library is open Monday- Thursday from 8 am to midnight and on Friday from 8 am- 4:30 pm. It is located in 355 Anderson Tower.

6. Science Library

The Science Library is often commonly referred to as the King Library, because of its location in the King Building. The Science Library is reached through the South entrance to the King Building and contains many science-related resources from astronomy to geology. The University's Map Collection is also kept in the Science Library on the 4th floor. This area is great for studying and is hardly ever crowded, making it another place for students who don't like a lot of distractions while they study. The Science Library also has group study rooms available. This library is open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to midnight, Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and on Sunday from noon to midnight.

5. William T. Young Library

From quiet study areas to the hustle and bustle of The Hub, you’re sure to find a space that fits your study habits at Willy T. In addition to the quiet study areas and the Hub, students may also request group study rooms, which are equipped with large whiteboards. These rooms are a great resource for study groups cramming before a big test, but beware; around midterm and final exams you may have to be placed on a wait list for a group study room. For the library’s hours, visit the UK Libraries webpage at libraries.uky.edu.

4. Fine Arts Library

Not quite as well known as Willy T, but just as accommodating is the Fine Arts Library, located behind the Fine Arts Building and across from King Library. Eight group study rooms are available through a first come basis and through reservations. For the library’s hours, visit the UK Libraries webpage at libraries.uky.edu.

3. The UK Art Museum

If you are looking for a quiet place to do some reading for a class, one of the most interesting places on campus to get your work done is the UK Art Museum. The Museum has a serene atmosphere and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing locations on campus. If you need to do work of some creative nature, perhaps writing a short story or sketching, the Art Museum provides just the right environment. Admission to the UK art museum is free for all UK faculty, staff, and students. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Fridays from noon to 8 pm.

2. Outside!

Kentucky weather is unpredictable, to say the least, however when it’s good, it’s great. Take advantage of a sunny, crisp fall day by hitting the books outside at one of many great outdoor study spots around campus. Suggested locations include the amphitheater behind Memorial Hall, the picnic tables under the Gatton College of Business and Economics Building’s bridge, and the Engineering quad.

1. The Study

The Study may be known for it’s free peer tutoring, but it is also a great place to come and work on homework assignments. If you happen to get stuck on a problem, then the peer tutors will be right there to help you. Other students from your courses are bound to be visiting The Study as well, meaning you will have more of an opportunity to get to know your peers outside of the classroom. Located on the 3rd floor of the Commons Building on south campus, The Study is also convenient for the majority of students living on campus. The Study’s peer tutoring hours are: Monday through Thursday 3 pm to 10 pm, Friday from noon to 5 pm, and Sunday from 6 pm to 10 pm

The Study Offers Common-Hour Exam Prep

As the first round of common-hour exams begins this week, one can already sense the anxiety mounting around campus. For many students, this will be their first time taking a college exam, while for others, this first week of exams has become second-nature. Regardless of how many times students have experienced the frenzy that is “Common-Hour Exam Week,” these exams are often stressful and overwhelming for everyone. The staff at The Study understands the importance of common-hour exams; thus, The Study is providing students several resources and opportunities to help them not only perform well on their first exams, but to also help them relax during this stressful time.

As usual, students are encouraged to utilize the Peer Tutoring Program, a free, proactive, and preventive program that promotes peer-to-peer tutoring. With over 100 Peer Tutors who have previously taken these exams, coming to the Peer Tutoring Program will be sure to give students an edge when studying. With the Peer Tutoring Program’s new expanded hours, students can now access peer tutoring six days a week, including Fridays! Offering peer tutoring in over 50 courses, the Peer Tutoring Program is a great resource for students to review content and ask questions before their exams.

Outside of the Peer Tutoring Program, The Study is also offering Intensive Tutoring, a two-hour session geared towards preparing students for their common-hour exams. As a supplement to the regular Peer Tutoring Program hours, there will be three Intensive Tutoring sessions offered on Sunday, September 18th from 4pm-6pm for MA 109, MA 123, and CHE 107. In case students are in need of an extra boost, Intensive Tutoring is a great way to get additional help and more one-on-one attention with the Peer Tutors.

If content isn’t really a concern for students, but they would like to learn how to study better or avoid test anxiety, The Study has the solution. Students can register for an Individual Academic Consultation, where they can discuss a topic of their choice with a learning specialist. In these free, hour-long consultations, students will take a learning inventory to assess their strengths and areas of needed improvement, and they will also have the opportunity to speak with a graduate student. To help students maximize their studying time and to best prepare for exams, the Individual Academic Consultations are another great resource for students to utilize before and after Common-Hour Exam Week.

While the Peer Tutoring Program, Individual Academic Consultations, and Intensive Tutoring sessions all aim to help prepare students for the first round of exams, “The Study Break” is a great way for students to relax. On Tuesday, September 20th from 8pm-10pm, students can come to The Study for food, games, and fun. Entitled “The Study Break” for a reason, The Study hopes that this event will give students a much-needed recess from all of their hard studying.

The Study hopes that through their services and events, students will not only successfully prepare for their exams, but relax during the process.

I Wish I Knew then What I Know Now

Contributor: Katie Avra, Outreach Coordinator at AE

Often we look back on our college years or even from our sophomore to our freshman year and think “I wish I knew then what I know now.”

The Senior Staff at Academic Enhancement was asked “What is something you know now that you wish you knew in college?”

We hope the knowledge shared will enhance your college journey.

Mike Sosnowski, Placement Testing Coordinator, "Nothing happens until I have a thought. Whatever I do during the day starts in my head.” University of Wisconsin at Green Bay Alumnus

Jim Breslin, Associate Director, “It is ok to ask for help. Go out and meet people because most people want to meet others too! The awkwardness fades.” University of Notre Dame Alumnus

Austin Wilson, Student Program Coordinator, “Not to take it so seriously, have a life too!” University of Kentucky Upperclassman

Blake Dickens, Student Program Coordinator, “It is way too tough to pull up your GPA so establish a good one from the beginning.” University of Kentucky Upperclassman

Megan Beach, Assistant Director, “There is no need to pull all-nighters; it is more effort than needed.” University of Kentucky Alumnus

Bailey Grossl, Instructor and TRP Coordinator, “Trying to balance everything makes you worry academically. Get involved in your residence hall; enjoy getting to know people on your floor.” Georgetown College Alumnus

Stephanie Sipp, Student Program Coordinator, “It’s better to get a B and enjoy college than to never have fun and study all the time to get an A.” University of Kentucky Upperclassman

Will Stone, Writing Workshop Instructor, “Setting up a visual color-coded calendar, maybe have a digital and a hard copy at hand as well.” University of North Texas Alumnus

Jill Page, ACT Prep Instructor, “Reach out to professors, take advantage of contact with them, talk about the subject, visit them during their office hours, even if it is 5 minutes.” University of West Florida Alumnus

Kyle Mullen, Reading Workshop Instructor, “How many great opportunities are out there. Talk to your professors and find out about their interests. Be proactive!” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Alumnus

Russell Williamson, Accounts Coordinator, “Knowing the difference between process and product: education is a process and knowledge is the end product. Instructor interactions give you an opportunity to learn how they process information and it gives you the learning tools.” University of Kentucky Alumnus

Emilia Witt, Student Program Coordinator, “Being an out-of-state student, it is very important to get involved on campus.” University of Kentucky Upperclassman

Bethany Sharpe, Reading Workshop Instructor, “How to do research.” University of Louisville Alumnus

Amanda Smith, GRE Prep Coordinator, “Do research as an undergrad.” SUNY Geneseo State University Alumnus

Amanda Karls, EPE 174 Instructor, “There are plenty of opportunities to work with faculty and staff if you are willing to take the step to interact with them. Undergraduate research is a great opportunity. Everyone should try it.” University of Wisconsin at Madison Alumnus

Dana Malone, EPE 174 and APP Instructor, “I wish I knew to take reading notes when I read for class. It takes longer on the front end but pays off in the end. I retain more of what I read and then have something to study from later.” Lee University Alumnus

Kristen Hamilton, Student Program Coordinator, “Not to take more than 18 credit hours as a freshman.” University of Kentucky Upperclassman

Beth Neiser, Assessment Coordinator, “Knowing my learning style really helped me in understanding myself and how I learn. Just because my friend can understand all the material after listening to lecture, doesn’t mean I should! I just need to think of the ways in which I can learn the information. Being a kinesthetic learner, I need movement during studying.” University of Kentucky Alumnus

Dr. Karin Ann Lewis, Assistant Provost and Director of Academic Enhancement, “Organizing and planning is key. Time how long it takes you to walk from one location to another so you leave enough time to get place on time. Everything takes longer than anticipated, so build in extra time to complete work. Also, divide up large assignments and do chunks each day.” Cornell University Alumnus

David Pascale-Hague, Study Smarter Seminar Instructor, “Ask for help when you feel out of your depth. Whether it’s a classmate, professor, or service like The Study, get to know what’s available and build connections early so you can ask for help when needed. Learn to see asking for help as a show of strength and not an admission of defeat. Secondly, take a break when needed. Plan self-care into your schedule so you don’t implode (or explode for that matter.)” Asbury College Alumnus

Katie Avra, Outreach Coordinator, “Be your own educational advocate. No one can represent you better. Also, be brave and say hello to someone new each day. You will likely meet friends you will have the rest of your life.” Northern Kentucky University Alumnus

Anna Gatewood, Assistant Director, “Don’t take no for an answer.” Valdosta State University Alumnus

Penny Robinson, Math APP Lecturer, “You don’t have to have it all figured out. Don’t let yourself get boxed in one area, get out there!” Maryville College Alumnus

Eric Snyder, EPE 174 Instructor, “Networking is key. Nothing could be more true than ‘It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know.’ There are thousands of students and hundreds of faculty on campus. Build informal and formal relationships with the people around you, they can help you in the future. California University of Pennsylvania Alumnus

Ian Banta, Math APP Instructor, “College isn’t about grades it’s about learning. Meeting people isn’t scary; it is fun!” University of Kentucky Alumnus

Eric Weinberg, Technology Coordinator, “Doing something incorrectly can be the first step in doing something great. You can’t be afraid to fail.” University of Wisconsin at Lacrosse Alumnus