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ONLINE COURSES!

So in your studies as Arts & Science students, you may have the opportunity to take online courses. TAKE THEM! You get three hours of credit or more. Usually, the class does not occur at a certain time, there is just a certain amount of work to be done by a weekly deadline. Which means you can get up and take a semester long class in your PJ's (unless you're one of those people that goes to class in your PJ's anyway). Although, some classes require you to be more involved in the online coursework than others. I am currently taking NFS 101, Nutritional Food Studies, online. It honestly requires about 20 minutes of work a week, with the occasional test and one paper. If you do take online courses, you have to make sure to keep up with the work. It is really easy to forget to take an online test if you don't have a class to go to.

-Luke

#online courses #university of kentucky #UK #Luke Glaser

University of Kentucky Women's Choir

Among the various activities on UK’s campus, one of the standout options is within the choral program. The Women’s Choir at UK, and the other choral ensembles, are amazing groups that not only allow students to receive college credit but also enjoy music and be a member of a well-respected and talented organization. As a member of the Women’s Choir for three years and a student without a music major (just a interest in singing) I have been very pleased and happy in this exceptional group.

The Women’s Choir has become a well-known group nationally and internationally for its talent. We have traveled through much of the United States and in 2009, we went and performed in various cathedrals and churches in Italy, such as Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.

There are around 150 members in the choir, ranging from specializations in the music department to different colleges on campus, including the College of Arts and Sciences – being a music major is not a pre-requisite to be a member… just a love for music! This ensemble also allows students from all over campus to receive 1 hour of college credit to genuinely enjoy themselves and have fun in a class. It does have some outside-of-the-class obligations, but amazing ones. For example, we has the unique opportunity to perform during the opening ceremony of the World Equestrian Games this Fall, an event that was exciting and not exactly attainable for most college students!

The Women’s Choir holds a choral concert twice a year and also performs along with the entire UK Choral Program in a Christmas Concert every December. If being involved in choir is something important, or even just fun or a reprieve from schoolwork, consider joining this ensemble, or any other UK choir. It has been a decision that I’ll never regret!

-Rachel Hensley

#choir #university of kentucky #women's choir #world equestrian games #college of arts and sciences

What to do with a Math degree...

As a math major, I often get people asking me what I'm going to do with my degree. What people don't realize is that math majors have a ton of options, so I'm going to introduce a few. Actuary A popular job among math majors is to become an actuary. Actuaries manage risk, often for insurance firms or big company's. Actuarial jobs are consistently rated among the top jobs for job satisfaction, opportunities for advancement, and pay. Actuarial jobs use statistics and math on a daily basis. Applied Mathematics Jobs in applied mathematics work on solving problems in other fields, such as physics, chemistry, and engineering, from a mathematical perspective. There are a ton of different jobs that fall under this category, from a climate analyst to a population ecologist. There are also applied mathematics job opportunities to work in industry. Epidemiology Epidemiologists study the spread of diseases, and use math to model how to respond to epidemics. Financial Mathematics Jobs in financial mathematics use math to manage finances. These jobs can involve managing stocks and commodities and working with foreign exchange. You can even work on Wall Street. Research Mathematics Some mathematicians go to school for math and want to continue to just study mathematics. If you want to study a specific field in mathematics, being a research mathematician might be a good career for you, although it does involve going to graduate school. And of course, Teaching Many math majors go on to grad school to get their masters to teach math in middle schools or high schools. Other people get their doctorate and want to teach in college. Teaching is a popular job for mathematics majors. Many companies higher mathematics majors to analyze information, help with finances, work on equations, and for many other purposes. A math degree is a great degree to have, and allows people the opportunity to do many different things. It is also a major that involves writing almost no papers, which is great! Anyway, if you think you may be interested in pursuing mathematics, I encourage you to look more into the opportunities, as there are a ton of options for people with a math degree.

-Jenna Noll

#university of kentucky #math #actuary #applied mathematics #epidemiology #financial mathematics #research mathematics

Studying Abroad

One of the main reasons I went to the University of Kentucky was so that I could leave it...for just a little bit! I spent my junior year studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain. Studying abroad during my college experience has been the most exciting, most educating, and most wonderful experience of my time at the university level.

As a Spanish major since my first semester at UK in Fall 2007, I was at the intermediate level when I left for Spain. However, many people study abroad without knowing a second language or study abroad in a country that has English as their official language. A lot of people also study abroad to learn another language. Whatever your situation is, the opportunities are endless with Education Abroad.

My favorite memory during my time abroad was my time spent with my host family and Spanish friends. Although traveling around Europe was fun, it was the moments I spent immersed in the Spanish culture that ultimately meant the most to me. For example, I spent Christmas and my 21st birthday with my host family. Although I missed my real family back in the states, my host family made Spain my home away from home.

Toward the end of my stay, my host family took me to "el campo" (the countryside).for a lazy Sunday afternoon. **Here's my entry: http://holaerin.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/el-pico-cervero/

Studying abroad for a year changed who I am. Coming back to UK and leaving Spain was bittersweet--but it is through UK that I was able to study abroad. All of my classes transferred back to UK from my Spanish university and I still keep in touch with my friends and host family. For more information on Education Abroad at UK, visit: http://abroad.ad.uky.edu/

-Erin Melwing

#university of kentucky #spain #salamanca #college #el campo #education abroad

Solutions to the Winter Blues

No more procrastinating!

This means reading the material before going to class and turning off reality TV to start hitting the books.

Make healthy choices.

This doesn’t mean hiring a personal trainer and become a fitness model in 3 weeks. Just make small changes like exercising 3 times a week or eating more leafy vegetables or fruits per day.

Find fun, cheap ways to manage stress.

a. Organize everything!

b. Play and instrument or sport (turn your backpack into a punching bag?)

c. Karaoke/Trivia night out

d. Netflix and Chocolate Chip cookies

e. Green Roasted Mint Tea

f. Feeling pale….Spray tan!

-Kristina Pescosolido

#university of kentucky #resolutions #stress relief #health #procrastination

Undergraduate Research: Humanities

Already, as a sophomore, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in undergraduate research with a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. I have designed and will facilitate an independent project that examines the role of Lexington museums in defining local identity and encouraging active public participation in the Humanities. The goal of this project is to assess how public programming in museums serves as a median between the public and the collection, or stories, of the museum. When I was first presented with the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research, I shied away, thinking that there wasn’t much I could research as a non-science major. However, I believe in the value of the humanities and the contribution they have made to our society. In fact, there is much going on in the fields of English, History, Language, and other humanities, and many topics appealed to me. I chose to research museums because of my personal interest in the institution. The University of Kentucky, as a research institution, offers its students many opportunities. While the first impression most get from the term “research” usually relates to the hard sciences, the University of Kentucky offers its resources and opportunities to all students, encouraging an environment of learning and growing in disciplines that are particular interest to the individual.

-Maddie Wright

#undergraduate research #university of kentucky #humanities #english #history #language #museum #Lexington

Important info for incoming freshmen: THERE IS NO FREE PARKING ON CAMPUS!!!!

Getting the Most out of Your College Experience:

When first arriving on campus, it can seem pretty intimidating. With such an enormous campus community, it can be difficult at times to meet new people and branch out. Meeting new people and developing relationships with others is a pivotal part of the college experience, and many first-time college students find it daunting to venture out of their comfort zones to interact with other college students. As a freshman, I also struggled to meet new people at first. From my experience, one of the most effective ways to facilitate meeting new people is to become involved in campus organizations.

There are more than 400 student organizations to choose from. Of course with such a diverse and vast selection, it may be difficult to choose which organization to become involved in. Every year during K Week, the University sponsors an event known as the Student Involvement Fair. During this fair, a plethora of student organizations provide valuable information about the goals and values of their respective organizations. It’s a great opportunity to interact with other fellow Wildcats who share similar interests and be a part of an ever expanding community of motivated and dedicated student leaders. I strongly urge every student new and old to get involved, establish lifelong relationships, and leave a lasting impact. Check it out! You won’t regret it!

-Zaheen Rabbani

#university of kentucky #parking #wildcats #freshman #campus organizations

University of Kentucky PEPP Program

As a pre-medical student at the University of Kentucky, I have had the opportunity to participate in many programs and opportunities related to medicine, but the program that has had the greatest impact on me is called PEPP. PEPP stands for Professional Education Preparation Program. This program is stationed at the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and at Pikeville College/School of Osteopathic Medicine. PEPP is specific to students interested in medicine or dentistry, and students must be from a rural and medically underserved county in Kentucky.

I have had a long lasting interest in medicine ever since the age of five, and as a child, I was always that kid that wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. As the first person of my family to have an interest in medicine, I always sought guidance from family physicians, teachers, and other resources. Always on the pursuit of my dreams, I looked for ways to become involved in the field of medicine, and this bridge was provided to me through PEPP. I had participated at a two-week PEPP program at Pikeville College, and it was here that I knew this was the career choice I definitely wanted to pursue. At the PEPP in Pikeville, I learned about the PEPP program that was offered at the University of Kentucky. There were two steps in the program, one to be completed the summer before entering college and a second one to be completed after having at least two years of college.

After completing the program in Pikeville, I enthusiastically completed both PEPP Scholars in 2008 and PEPP II in 2010 at the University of Kentucky. PEPP has been a tremendous help in guiding me on the path of pursuing my dreams of becoming a physician. This program educated me about how to succeed in college and what things to be doing in order to make myself competitive when applying to medical school. I was able to shadow many doctors and observe in rotations such as emergency medicine, labor and delivery, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and many more. Watching the birth of a newborn baby, seeing a beating heart with my own eyes, and observing the hard work and determination of doctors trying to save a life are some of the greatest things anyone can ever experience in a lifetime, and I had the opportunity to do so. Having been in the delivery room, OR, and ER witnessing these miracles first hand has shown me this is where I want and need to be.

Not only are PEPP students granted opportunities to shadow doctors, but we get to listen to and meet many inspirational speakers. Hearing from individuals who have bravely fought against cancer and those who have coped with lifelong medical conditions were all very humbling experiences. Listening to these individuals and hearing the patient side of these struggles made me realize how much I want to be a part of medicine. They gave me the determination to keep pursuing my dreams so that I can become a part of their lives. I want to become the doctor who has the privilege to treat these courageous people.

PEPP also gives their students the opportunity to have biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry reviews. For PEPP II, there is even a review session for the MCAT. Reviews like these come in handy when preparing for classes and the ever so challenging MCAT.

This program has impacted me in so many ways, and I can’t explain how appreciative I am to have been a part of this experience. The doctors, nurses, speakers, students, and staff are some of the most caring, inspiring, and wonderful people I have ever had the chance to meet. I am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet such amazing people and be a part of something so remarkable. PEPP has given me the confidence to keep pursuing my dreams, and for that, I am forever indebted to the program. I think anyone who qualifies to apply for PEPP should definitely do so. Applications are now available for PEPP Scholars and PEPP II. Don’t miss out on a chance to become part of the PEPP family. PEPP truly has changed my entire life. If you need more information, feel free to email me at [email protected].

-Randi Barnett

#Professional Education Preparation Program #PEPP #pre-medical #medicine #university of kentucky #pikeville college #MCAT

Sarah Houseman

My name is Sarah Houseman. I am a junior political science major with a double minor in history and economics. I am from Edgewood, KY and was a Governor's Scholar in 2007.

Campus life at UK, just like with anything else, is what you make of it. The more you put into your experience here at UK the better your time will be here. I have been involved in a Greek organization since my freshman year, have played intramural sports, participated in Dance Blue for three years, joined the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors, served on the Student Development Council, and have attended numerous sporting events and other activities on campus. While we are all here primarily to take classes and receive a degree, I have found that my most memorable experiences have come from outside of the classroom. Being in the College of Arts and Sciences has allowed me the freedom to try out different courses and majors until I finally found the track I wanted to go down. I have changed my major several times and am still going to graduate in four years. You truly receive a well rounded education inside and outside the classroom in this college because you are able to meet so many diverse people with a wide range of interests. I strongly recommend branching out as soon as you move to Lexington and finding just where you fit in at the University of Kentucky, whether it's joining or starting a club, running for student government, or simply grabbing coffee with the people from your dorm. College is the best time of your life to reinvent yourself into who you want to be.

-Sarah

Cameron Hamilton

I’m Cameron Hamilton, one of the Arts and Sciences Ambassador Coordinators. I’m a junior biology major from Elizabethtown, Kentucky. I joined the ambassadors because I wanted to have a say in how our college is run and how we help out our students. On campus, I also am a member of FarmHouse Fraternity and a coordinator for K Week, the annual welcome week for freshman. I will take the MCAT this April in hopes of gaining entrance to medical school and becoming a physician.

-Cameron

Kayla Nichelson

Hello! My name is Kayla Nichelson. I'm a junior Psychology major from Shelbyville, Kentucky studying to become a physician one day. Currently, I'm part of the A&S Ambassador program for students who promote the college of Arts & Sciences. I'm also a member of PSI CHI, NSCS and PMAC and I'm considering joining the running club to encourage me to continue training for the Kentucky Derby MiniMarathon. I love going to UK and hope to attend their medical school in the future.

-Kayla

Morgan Hartlage

Hey guys, my name is Morgan and I am one of the two coordinators this year for the Arts & Sciences Ambassadors. I have been part of the group for two years and have loved getting to meet so many new people! I am a biology major, hoping to enter UK's Pharmacy School in the fall. While I do spend a lot of time focusing on biology I also love cooking, drawing, and just recently picked up knitting :)

-Morgan

Randaline Barnett

I am a junior biology major from a place no one has heard of called Lost Creek, KY. I am heavily involved in school and activities on campus as a UK 101 Peer Instructor, AMSTEMM mentor, and peer chemistry tutor at The Study. I will be taking my MCAT in April and beginning the application process for medical school in the next cycle. As an upcoming candidate for medical school, I am very excited to begin pursuing my dreams of becoming the first physician in my family.

-Randi

Tasia York

My name is Tasia, and I’m from the small town of Monticello, Kentucky. I’m a sophomore psychology major / biology minor at UK, and after graduating, I hope to continue onto medical school and pursue a career in psychiatry. On campus, I work as a Research Assistant at UK’s Center on Drug and Alcohol Research where I assist doctors and psychologists monitor the psychological and physiological effects of drug and alcohol usage. In Lexington, I live off campus and have two roommates, a shih tzu named Bella (not a reference to Twilight) and a peekapoo named Bridgette. They’re probably the two most stylish dogs in the city and never leave home without hair bows and doggie sweaters. When I’m not busy with school and work, two of my favorite pastimes are playing guitar and going to see bands play at local venues. I have also been a vegetarian for more than six years and love trying to cook new vegetarian dishes when I get the chance. (I almost burned my kitchen down once when trying to do this, but don’t tell my landlord.) This is my first year as an Ambassador for UK’s College of Arts and Sciences, and I’m having such a great time getting to know the college faculty and my fellow Ambassadors.

-Tasia

Madeline Wright

My name is Madeline Wright, and I am a sophomore English major in the College of Arts and Sciences. I’m originally from Louisville, KY, where I attended Sacred Heart Academy. In high school, I was an ambassador and worked with a recruitment team to encourage prospective students to come to my school. Because of my love of recruiting and talking with new students, I chose to be an ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. I love being an English major in this college; my classes are small and engage my interest in the subject further. In my free time, I love to read and write as well as craft. My most recent craft projects have been making headbands out of materials I find around my house. I’m also involved with UK’s co-ed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. This organization helps me stay active in the Lexington community by volunteering to help many other organizations in the area.

-Maddie

Jared Techau

My name is Jared Techau and I am a senior here at UK from Paris, KY; my house is seriously 25 minutes from campus. I am in fact a triple major in Biology, Spanish, and Psychology (don’t ask me why) and will be completing all of these degrees in just 4 years of undergrad like a normal college student completes 1 degree. I am pre-medicine and hope to become a successful doctor in the future, but interestingly enough I am taking a year off of school once I graduate in May to relax and travel the world and country (hopefully). MCAT is my last obstacle to overcome and is the only thing that will be holding me back from getting what I want out of life so pray for me and wish me luck when I take it in April.

-Jared

Kristina Pescosolido

I am a Senior Biology Major/ Psychology Minor at the University of Kentucky. I grew up in Prestonsburg, KY but have also lived in several places across the state. I have a great passion for medicine and have been fortunate enough to obtain a job working in the Gynecologic Oncology Department within UK Healthcare. I am also extremely excited about working for a second semester in Dr. Edmund Rucker’s Transgenics laboratory exploring the cellular process of Autophagy and attempting to uncover its relation to certain cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Even with a difficult academic schedule I have still made time to participate in the UK Women’s Choir and Co-ed Intramural Soccer. I am proud to represent the college as an Ambassador for the college of Arts and Sciences and I enjoy having the opportunity to Volunteer in various departments of UK Hospital.

-Kristina

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