Social media use in modern society

                Social media has become a pop culture phenomenon since Friendster, one of the first social networking sites, was created. There is media outlets such as blogging, micro blogging, photo and video sharing, writing forums and even podcast sharing. These outlets include Facebook, Twitter, word press, Tumblr, Flickr, Pinterest, Instagram.

                Social media has seen different spectrums of uses. These range from business networking sites like LinkedIn to the six second video sharing Vine site. Yet the most popular ones are the ones where sharing content is unlimited and free from definition such as Facebook posts or sharing your everyday life in photo form with Instagram.

Activities close to campus for you to try!

                There are two places you must go to when you live on campus and have nothing else to do. Bowling and mini-golf. Yes, to some it may sound outdated and not for your age, but with the right people, it can be really fun.

                TheGreen Acres Bowling Center and the Putt-Putt mini golf center are located about a mile away from campus, so you don’t have to drive that far for entertainment.

                Bowling can be really fun depending on who you go with. If you have a fun group of friends who enjoy laughs and competition, you will have a great time. All you have to do to play is rent out a lane and shoes and you’re ready to go. For pricing and hours click here.

           

     If you happen to want to make a reservation for a small event, you can do so, as they provide special rates depending on a certain number of people. There are game machines if you want to relax from bowling. There is also a little food area where you can order things like burgers, pizza, nachos, hot dogs, or anything else that will soothe your hunger.

                Mini-golf is great. It can mentally challenge you as you compete with your other friends with who will get the better score. Personally, it is my favorite. I cannot really see myself playing in an actual golf course because I naturally fail at sports, but mini golf is the second best thing for sure.   

                There are different little courses where you have to calculate where and how you will hit the ball to get it in the hole. The entrance fee is $7 for adults and you can play all 18 holes. Click here to see the attractions page on their website.

                So go out and try both of these awesome places, there will be something about any of these two that will strike your interest!

                For directions to the bowling and mini golf center click here.

  

Shopping centers for UT Tyler students! Grab that plastic!

                You’re waiting patiently in line, machines beeping, associates speaking, and then it’s your turn. You turn over your future belongings and then you slide your card. There’s no other thrill like sliding a card and having bought something.

                People play tennis, others play soccer, but some play the sport of shopping. Yes it’s a sport. You compete against other buyers when there’s a sale, you make sure you get the advantage of the best price for your size; you hustle towards something you like hoping someone won’t take it from you.

                Shopping has a mental component. You constantly battle internally against what you need and what you want. Oh these shorts are what I need, but that shirt would look really great! But oh you have a million shirts already, but you don’t have that specific one. You fight the urge to spend what you don’t have.

                But it’s all alright, because shopping enables us to escape the stresses of the world as we try on different things. A great look can make you feel more confident and put a smile on your face. It can also impress that special someone.

                So I will tell you some great places you can go to in Tyler with the best deals.

                Yes we do have the Broadway Square Mall, but some of the stores are a little out of our budget. Except for some stores like The Body Shop and Wet Seal for girls, and American Eagle and G by Guess for guys.

                There are shopping centers around town that have great deals for marked down prices. Two of my favorites are Marshall’s and Ross. They have any brand you would like, well except for the high fashion brands. But that’s alright because not all of us can afford to spend that much.

                Marshalls is full of great brands like Polo by Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Guess, Chaps, and many more. They have shoes at great prices; they have shirts, pants, dresses, hair products, and even home décor. It’s a great pass time. But one of my favorite things about it is that they offer layaway, meaning you can put some items on hold and make payments on them. Convenient? I think so!

                Ross is just the same as Marshall’s, but without the layaway. If you can’t find something in one store you can go to another.

                There are other stores that really offer great quality of clothes, such as Macy’s, Khol’s, Target, and there’s even boutiques that offer unique items that you won’t find anywhere else in town.

                So take out that plastic, spend wisely, and feel great!

               

                 

The action happens at the Patriot Zone

                The University Center is always lively. Students take some down time from the late night studying to meet with their friends. Laughs are shared. Smiles are given. But what you don’t always see, is something that brings students together even if they’re strangers to each other; The Patriot Zone.

                There, past the smell of delicious Chick-Fil-A chicken, you will find one of the great extensions of the UC. The PZ is a great spot to spend your free time with friends or even complete strangers.

                Do you like TV and comfy chairs? They have more than you need. You can switch to whatever channel you want, so don’t be shy if you want to catch the new episode of the Vampire Diaries this fall. Why? Because everybody loves vampires. Blame Twilight.

                If you’re more of a video game person, you can go to the gaming center and play some. It’s easy, just go to the desk at the far end of the room and give them your student I.D. so you can play. They have a PS3, a PS2, and XBOX 360 and Wii! I know…uhhhhhh. You can play Mario Party on the Wii; you can play Call of Duty 3 on the Xbox.

                Are you a pool, ping-pong, or air hockey person? Bring your friends and share a game! You’re definitely welcomed to play anytime!

Me playing air hockey with friends at the PZ

                They can also help if your organization needs materials to help make posters! Save yourself the hassle of driving to the store.

                So don’t worry if you feel that there’s nothing to do this upcoming fall semester. Our university always offers great amenities to students that will make your experience here better every time!

                For more information about the Patriot Zone and what it has to offer, go to http://www.uttyler.edu/pz/



UT Tyler students get student discounts at movie theaters

                Who doesn’t love movies? No one…exactly. Watching movies should be the unofficial pass time in America, along with baseball. We all love walking into the theater and smelling the great smell of popcorn.

                Tyler offers three different movie theaters: Carmike, Hollywood Theater, and Times Square Cinema.  Hollywood Theater and Times Square offer student discounts. At Hollywood it costs $6.75 and at Times Square it will cost you $6.50. Great rates right? So take your student I.D. and show it as you buy the ticket.

                The closest ones to the university are Times Square and Carmike, but try to go to all three and see how each three is to your liking.

                Times Square is located in a shopping center appropriately called Times Square shopping center. There you will find other options to hang out such as eating at Double Dave’s Pizza, Julian’s restaurant, and other amenities.

                Carmike is located more down South Broadway Avenue, where in its own center there are dining options like Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s, with a TCBY frozen yogurt store, Wingstop and Smashburger right across the street.

                Hollywood Theater offers two dining options at its local such as Chicken Express and Rudy’s BBQ.

                Speaking of movie theaters, if you haven’t been recently, you really need to do so. There have been really great movies that you all should watch. Recently I have seen Man of Steel, Monsters University, Despicable Me 2 and the Heat.

                These four movies have been really entertaining to watch and you are sure to enjoy them. If you love comedies, Monters U, Despicable Me and the Heat are sure to get your funny bone going. For the animated movies, there are really entertaining moments, such as the appropriate college references in Monsters University and the hilarious shenanigans of the minions in Despicable Me.

Check out the trailer for Monsters U to the left!

                If you would like to reminisce on your childhood, definitely watch Man of Steel. This movie is absolutely amazing with the Superman storyline. It is packed with action, drama, and excitement that is sure to get your blood pumping as you sit in the theater. Check out the trailer to Man of Steel to the right!

So if you're ever just sitting at your dorm or apartment, get some friends and go enjoy these fun places that Tyler has to offer!

What Carver Does With His Free Time at UT Tyler

Being a full time college student, part time employee of the University of Texas at Tyler, and a member of the debate team, I don’t get a whole lot of free time.  However, in the rare instance that I do, I do what every other average American does…. I watch TV.

There are many options that one has when they wish to have access to their favorite TV shows.  They could go through Sudden Link and get a bundle package with their Internet; they could get Direct TV, or possibly even another provider.  Me? I chose to get Netflix. 

With so many options, you may find it interesting that I chose to get a service that doesn't offer me access to shows as soon as they air.  That isn't really a problem for me. 

The Olympians make me feel...

... like a total loser.
They are so talented, accomplished and so... world-renowned.

16-year-old athletes competing against the best of the other countries' and winning medals? I guess I'll just sit on my couch and eat ice cream while I watch them amaze the world.

You know that saying  "It's never too late"? Maybe it's not too late for me to train to become an olympian! (When I told my best friend this, she started laughing and her drink came out of her nose)

Okay, so maybe my college life and long-term goals won't allow me to train to perfect a sport or become a world-class contender. But I do believe that it's never too late to start something that's always interested you and become good at it.
Even after getting into college.

If you're going to be a student athelete... that's great! Going for your passion while getting an education.

And if you're not... that's fine too! Take it up as a hobby or join a club! UT Tyler has a vast number of student organizations that students can join.

When I was in high school, I was in a dance crew, a band, freelanced as a photographer, played in an Under-21 field hockey team and played basketball.

Although I can't be that active now (you know what I mean, fellow Engineering majors), I make sure that I still make time to continue doing some of the things I love doing; I still take lots of pictures and book shoots, I'm looking to buy a guitar soon so I can start playing again for fun, and I have a friend in Dallas who plays in a field hockey club and invites me to play sometimes! :)

I admire all Olympians competing at the games right now. They dedicate their every waking moment to something they love doing.

But again, as college students, even if we can't dedicate 24/7 into something we're passionate about, we can always use free time and weekends to still do what we love and get better at it.

Oh and do you know my co-blogger Patrick? When he's not too busy being a History major... he plays in a band. And they're awesome.