Write Your Way To An A

Amanda Laborio

Marketing Intern

As the semester wraps up and finals quickly approach, so are the deadlines for end of the semester papers and research projects.  You may have already turned in other written assignment, but you may still be hesitant about how to best tackle a longer paper or project. No fear, the following is a list of suggestions for making the writing process less stressful and more rewarding.

Don’t wait until the last minute.  I know for most students this sounds impossible, but I promise it is not that difficult. You don’t need to have your paper finished a week in advance. This tip simply means to take some time to think out your topic before you start writing. While you're riding the bus or walking back to your dorm after class, take some time to reflect on what themes have been covered in the course and how they relate to the assignment. Even if you don’t have time to sit down and type until the night before the paper is due, organizing your thoughts prior to the last minute will make developing your paper much easier.

Get other people to read what you write.  After working on a paper for an extended time, it becomes increasingly difficult to spot simple mistakes. Let one of your peers read over your paper to check for these types of errors and they will be much more likely to spot them. In some cases, also try having someone from outside of your field of study read over your writing. They will be able to pick up on issues of clarity and making sure that what your writing is understandable to others.

Pay attention to your professor. Professors each have a special pet peeve when it comes to the writing of their students. Whether it’s an English professor who harps on transitions or a Biology professor who hates commas, listen to what your professor is asking for and then give it to them. At this point in the semester you have probably had a written assignment returned to you, complete with a grade and some comments from the professor. Read those comments and don’t make the same mistakes in your next paper. 

If you can use fewer words, do. Using the words “really,” “very,” and “actually” repeatedly may make your paper reach its ten pages, but they won’t get you an A. Not only do these words not add any meaning to your paper, they distract your professor from the point you are trying to make.  Also, this is not the first paper your professor has graded. They can see right through any shortcut attempts you make to hit that page count without adding worthwhile content.

Cite. Cite. Cite. Every teacher since the fourth grade has more than likely drilled this into your head. Using information without citing the source is a form of plagiarism. At the University of Kentucky, plagiarizing is not taken lightly, with possible punishments being an “E” in the course, suspension, or even expulsion from the University. Luckily, there are numerous resources available to you for citation assistance. The Purdue Online Writing Lab, or OWL has information on all aspects of paper writing, but is especially good for citation information and keys to formatting your papers in the appropriate style. There are also many sites that will help you create the listings for your works cited or bibliography pages. My personal favorite is KnightCite. 

Still struggling? For extra help with tackling your next paper, visit The Writing Center located on the 5^th floor of William T. Young Library. You can schedule an appointment through their website, http://wrd.as.uky.edu/writing-center.

Is Thanksgiving just a Retail Holiday?

Contributer: Katie Avra
For many, this time of year is about family, good food, and warm memories. For others, November 24^th is a green light to the approaching holiday shopping season. Before the leftovers have cooled, these Black Friday shoppers are out the door in search of the best Black Friday deals. The day's name originated in Philadelphia, where it was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic which would occur on the day after Thanksgiving (Wikipedia, 2011). Since its origin in 1966, Black Friday has become a holiday in its own right. It takes place the day after Thanksgiving and marks for many Americans, an anxiously awaited retail marathon.

Not being a Black Friday shopper, I wanted to find out about all the hype. If you Google search “Black Friday,” as I did, you will find numerous websites solely dedicated to this retail extravaganza. If shopping was a competitive sport than Black Friday would be its “Super Bowl.”

The Black Friday websites cater to the MVPs of shopping. The sites offer scanned copies of shopping ads for nearly all stores participating nationally. Many stores are closed Thanksgiving, like Best Buy and Target, but open at midnight on Black Friday cutting retail employees’ holiday short. This year some stores such as Toys ‘R’ Us and Wal-Mart will be opening at 10pm on Thanksgiving Day. Some stores have time limits on their sales, specials, or “door busters” that end at noon or midnight on Saturday. Stores are also advertising deals all this week campaigning for pre-Black Friday sales.

Check out the websites below for more information on Black Friday and getting the best deals:
Shopping and sales information:
o   www.theblackfriday.com
o   www.blackfriday2011.com
o   www.blackfriday.info

Tips for getting bargains: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/45385396#45385396

Consumer Report’s “Naughty or Nice List” of retailers and their return policies: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/45384317#null

Want to still participate in the shopping madness but you’re not into the crowds, parking nightmares, or fighting it get the best deal? Try Cyber Monday; it is the online alternative to Black Friday in-store shopping. Cyber Monday takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving and this year it is on Monday Nov. 28^th . You can have great deals with the convenience of staying home!

Here are a few Cyber Monday websites:

·         www.dealscybermonday.org

·         www.cybermonday.biz

·         www.cybermonday.org

Healthy Dining at Thanksgiving

Written by Laura McGehee, Marketing Intern

The holiday season is a time for celebrating, remembering, and sharing.  While the events, socializing, and goodies make for a great time, our waistlines may not be happy with our decisions.  Here are some helpful tips when deciding what to pack on your plate this Thanksgiving to avoid packing on the pounds!

            Thanksgiving is all about hearty meals with rich ingredients and major portions.  From cream-based dressings, to sugar-filled desserts, choosing the best option is sometimes a battle of “which worse is worse?”

·         Stop stressing! Family may be coming in from all over and you have a million things to prepare, but guess what? Everything WILL get finished (or done if we are speaking of turkeys).

·         Start your Thanksgiving with a big salad. You will be getting delicious greens and shaving calories off of your future meal.

·         Choose the foods most important to you and don’t waste precious calories on grandma’s cranberry sauce you barely enjoy or on rolls that may have been in the oven a little too long.

·         Help in the preparation of dishes or bring a healthy version of your favorite side item or dessert.  By being involved in preparing the food, you not only get to spend time with family and friends, but you can influence and monitor unhealthy ingredient choices.

·         You are not the turkey- you do not need to be stuffed. Eat until you feel full.  Drink a glass of water, socialize for a while, and then decide if you need a second helping.

·         Pay attention to portion sizes.  A serving size of mashed potatoes is ½ a cup or the size of your fist. A serving of pie should be 1/8^th of the pie- many pies are only cut into 4-6 pieces!

·         Track your food- if you are writing down what you are eating you will be less likely to grab that second, third, or fourth helping.

·         Holiday drinks pack on the pounds just as quickly as the food. Stick to water as much as possible and monitor juices, sodas, and alcohol.

·         Slow down! It’s not a race, so enjoy every bite.

·         Add a little extra cardio to your day.  Want to have that piece of pecan pie? Check out how long it would take to burn it off and you may think twice about going for the biggest piece.

·         When determining which leftovers to take home, choose foods you know you won’t crash your healthy eating.  If you could eat a whole pumpkin pie, forget about taking it home.

·         Leftovers can be made into very healthy options.  Turkey, sweet potatoes, and vegetables create a very balanced meal and there are many healthy recipes that include these foods.

The best advice to remember during the holidays is that you are there to celebrate the people.  Eat well, enjoy the atmosphere, and don’t sacrifice your health!

Pets in College

Written by Marketing Intern, Laura McGehee

            Moving away from home can be a big step for many college students.  To fill the void of missed parents and friends left behind, many students invest in a pet to keep them company throughout their college experience.  While owning a new pet can be a very positive experience, there are many factors to take into consideration when deciding if a pet is right for you.

            First things first- Check with your housing offices to make sure animals are permitted.  Many apartments and houses allow pets for free or a one time deposit, while others charge a monthly fee or may not allow pets at all.  Once you clear the details with your housing manager, check with your roommates.  Kelsey Sprang, college pet owner and UK senior to a Yorkie named Olivander, stated, “Make sure you have help from your roommates to tag-team caring for your animal.  It makes it much easier on you and your pet.”  If your roommates have no pet allergies and are on board with your decision, it is time to decide which pet is right for you.

            For many individuals with very busy schedules, a large pet may be too much responsibility to handle.  Fish are a low maintenance pet option and are permitted in most residence halls on campus.  UK graduate student Katherine Avra, owner of a gold fish, Bentley, and an emerald catfish named Gumpert, says, “I love my fish because they are happy, get along, and are fun to watch.”  There are thousands of types of fish available at pet stores and just the presence of an animal in the room can lift your spirits.  Other small pets suitable for college students include hamsters, turtles, lizards, and rabbits. 

            Hamsters, like most college students, are nocturnal.  They require minimal care, but can be very fun playmates.  Hamsters come in many sizes/colors and, if not woken up during their sleep cycle, can be very friendly pets.  Turtles and lizards are perfect for pet lovers with hair allergies.  They may not be cuddly, but they can be an interesting companion for many students. They are relatively inexpensive and require a small cage with little maintenance.

            If you feel you are up to the challenge of a larger, more dependent pet, a dog or cat may be an appropriate choice.  When determining if you are ready for such a responsibility, factor in the costs such as vet visits, food, heartworm medicines, etc., the demand of your class and work schedules, and if there will be someone to care for your pet in case you are caught with an emergency.  Sprang says, “Make sure you are financially stable.  Pets get sick unexpectedly and a trip to the vet can be expensive.”

Cats are great for college students because they can be litter box trained and would not require you to leave class to let them out.  They are loving and sensitive and most are very calm.  While they may not be a guard for your house or apartment, they are very quiet, allowing you to study while enjoying their company.

Dogs can be a little more work, but are considered man’s best friend.  Certain types of breeds are better than others when it comes to college living and choosing the dog perfect for your situation is extremely important.  If you are living in a spacious house, a Labrador or Golden Retriever can be a perfect companion.  Most college students, however, have limited space and a medium to small sized dog would be more appropriate.  Saving a dog from your local animal shelter is always a respectable choice. John Hughes, UK senior and owner of a Chocolate Labrador, says, “I saved my dog from a shelter and in return she has taught me a huge lesson in responsibility and care.”

While having a pet in college may not always be easy, if you can handle the responsibility, it’s definitely worth the work.  Sprang says it perfectly, “It’s hard to leave him everyday, and it can be stressful letting him out between classes.  But, he’s such a goofball and it’s fun knowing I have him to come home to everyday.” 

So weigh your pet options carefully, examine your financial and time responsibilities, and decide if a pet is the right choice for you!