Tuition rises, but cost of living falls at UT Tyler

As most college students understand, saving money is everything.  College expenses will eat up 90% or more of one’s typical monthly income.  Be sure to buy the cheapest of every item while shopping for groceries.  However, according to recent information published by the US Department of Education, college tuition may be rising at a mostly steady rate, but the cost of living is actually starting to decline.

Have you heard of the UT Tyler College of Pharmacy?

     Whenever there's something new it always adds a fresh appeal. This is true when it comes to new programs here at The University of Texas at Tyler. The Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy is expected to open Fall 2015! This will add new resources and qualities to the growing university!

UT Tyler Cowan Center: Enjoy high class acts!

     Texas is right down center from the two states infamous for entertainment wonders: California and New York. Although mostly two cities make these states popular, the value consumes the states with visitors. New York City is well known for having great performance acts, whether it be musical, comedy or Broadway. It has it all. So when those acts come to The University of Texas at Tyler, there is an opportunity for East Texans and UT Tyler students to experience Grade A entertainment without traveling far. This is what the Cowan Center provides here at the university. 

     This will be the 18th season for the Cowan Center. This season will provide an array of world class acts where audiences will only crave more and come back every year.

There's different series categorizing different acts. Each one providing an entertainment experience like no other.

Is College Worth It?

Every year around this time, the same question is asked  and debated on between academics, college administrators, officials in the public/private sphere, and students--is college worth it? The question is of the utmost importance for recent high school and college graduates, along with their parents, who often participate in paying for the college education. They generally want to know if the experience is actually worth the cost, and if the time and money spent will increase the chances of finding a better job in an expanding economy. No doubt that students currently attending or planning on attending UT Tyler have asked this question during their time here.

The answer, according to David Leonhardt from the New York Times, is an unequivocal yes. Leonhardt looks to the college wage premium to make this determination. The college wage premium is how much more college graduates earn than everyone else, based on changing job requirements and overall economic health. Leonhardt finds that the premium is the widest it has ever been, meaning the benefits of a college degree outweigh the potential benefits of finding a job straight out of high school.

Leonhardt also note that, despite mounting fears about student debt levels in the United States and their potential deterrent effect on matriculation, the average student's loan burden pales in comparison to the long-term benefits of a bachelor's degree. That effect is strengthened with more time spent in the higher education setting; i.e. obtaining an MBA, PhD, M.D., J.D., etc.

However, one should not assume that attending college grants the same premium effect as graduating from college. Leonhardt finds that the wage premium for people with some college experience but no degree has been stagnant for years, even as debt levels has been rising. The result is that college dropouts may be worse off than people who never even enrolled. Thus, when one asks themselves "Is college worth it?" they must evaluate both the potential of a college degree and the likeliness of obtaining said degree.

FiveThirtyEight Blog's Ben Casselman breaks down the numbers for the chances of graduating from college in today's social and economic environment. He finds that less than 60 percent of full-time students enrolled in college for the first time graduate for six years. This number decreases for part-time students, racial minorities, and older and low-income students. This means the potential to work within the college wage premium decreases based on various demographics, but it does not mean that the effort to obtain a college degree should be changed. Leonhardt argues that these numbers are not reasons to decide against college; they are an argument for strengthening programs aimed at improving graduation rates.


For future and returning college students reading this post, refrain from reading this in a skeptical or pessimistic lens. Take this as motivation to finish what you started, or what you are about to start. If you have decided on attending UT Tyler, or if you are questioning your return in the Fall of 2014, keep in mind the benefits of a college degree in today's economic climate versus dropping out or not enrolling in the first place. College is a great catalyst for future success, but the only way to achieve that effect is to graduate.

4 tips on meeting class deadlines!

     Meeting deadlines has got to be the most stressful thing to a college student. There is the looming date of a project, essay or report deadline. Each day it sits in the back-burner simmering. It hovers on top of everything you do to remind you that you still have to do that task. Sometimes it is hard to  balance homework, work and a social life, so here are some tips to help you out!

UT Tyler Student Money Management hosts "Eating Healthy on a Budget"

     As a college student, there is really no time nor is there money to consider healthy eating. There are times where life is going at a fast pace. Deadlines approach and the dollar menu may be faster and more efficient. These habits should be reconsidered and there are resources available to you in the university to help you if you'd like! The University of Texas at Tyler Student Money Management is hosting their event "Eating Healthy on a Budget" to inform you!

UT Tyler CAB hosts hypnotist

     The human mind is the most complex, and intricate wonder of the world. It controls your thoughts and actions. You are in control of your own mind. Have you ever wondered what would happen when you no longer have conscious control? This is where Sailesh, the hypnotist comes into play!

UT Tyler Student Life and Leadership offers multicultural events

     The University of Texas at Tyler offers students different recreational events. These can include Homecoming festivities, or simply different Campus Activities Board sponsored events. The most interesting events the Office of Student Life and Leadership has offered are cultural ones. In the past there's been events where food from around the world is catered to show a different cultural aspect of the world to students. On Monday, March 17, at 12 p.m. there will be a Holi Festival held at the University Center Patio and Ornelas Hall Fields.

Textbook analysis at UT Tyler

As an English Graduate student a large part of what I want my future to include is teaching. I am a self-admitted loud mouth who always has something to say about everything and this includes wanting people to have the best future possible. In my case I take 'best future possible' to mean 'you can understand why rhetoric and writing are important and you can use this skill to go where you want to go in life.' Every student has different needs and so, as a wanna-be-teacher, my interest often turns to subjects like 'teaching with unorthodox materials,' ie: graphic novels, movies, images, etc...

UT Tyler Resident Assistant positions available!

     Have you ever thought about impacting students living on campus in a different way? Would you like to live on campus and take on a leadership role? Try becoming a Resident Assistant! The University of Texas at Tyler Department of Residence Life is now hiring for RA positions!

UT Tyler reschedules College Showcase: Education and Psychology!

     The College Showcase event for the College of Education and Psychology is rescheduled to occur on Monday, March 3 at The University of Texas at Tyler. Due to the icy conditions on its original day on February 12, the event could not take place. This time around should be beneficial for students who are looking at majoring in education or psychology!

Creative Writing Through UT Tyler #3

   This blog (previously entitled 'Adventures Through Creative Writing') is being changed up a little but to better apply to broader variety of creative writing projects. While I will still finish my next two World Building entries, the next entries will focus on blogging, poetry, Twitter, Tumblr, using other content forums (like Medium for example) and such things ....

Freebirds is flying into town!

      Have you had cravings for Mexican food lately? Look no further. A new restaurant is rolling into town. Tyler seems to gain a new restaurant edition every year now, allowing new tastes for the locals to try. Freebirds is coming to town!

Hypothermia, Meggings, and Flip Flops: Oh My!

So even though Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Epiphany have all passed- it is still cold outside sometimes. Now, I know I already made a post about ideas of what to wear before, but when I was sitting in my apartment and drinking my Caramel Flan Latte, I realized: when explaining the rules of a game to someone, one does not tell them what all they can do, but rather what they shouldn’t do. I mean, seriously- everyone has that memory of being in elementary school gym class and not always sitting out right away when it was time to play dodgeball. And what happened? The coach saw! Best case scenario? You could play it off as being on your way out. Worst case scenario? How about being branded a ‘cheater’ in front of the class and having that incorrigible ‘ooooooh’ sound when your classmates know someone’s about to get it.

A flashback could happen at any moment!

Horrible, awkward gym class memories aside- here is an interesting phenomenon that usually happens every year around when it is just after the winter holidays and just before spring. A few mornings ago, I was outside walking to my 8 am class and it was about 40 degrees outside when I checked my weather app. Needless to say, I was wearing boots, a coat, jeans, and a scarf. In front of me were two people (not one but TWO!) wearing short shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. They were complaining about how cold it was and all I could think of was, “Of course you are going to be cold when you don’t have any clothes on!”

To avoid looking seasonally confused, I have compiled a list of What Not to Wear:

-If there’s a risk for your lips to be turning blue, save your flip flops for another day. Why subject your toes to below freezing temperatures willingly? Blue toenails? Cute! Hypothermia? Not cute.

This captures the essence of a college student perfectly.

-If there’s frost on the car windshield, there’s your sign that you need a jacket, coat, sweater, whatever warming agent you would like to warm yourself with. There’s no shame in walking wrapped up in a blanket either.  

-Want to wear something bold and daring? Go for it. Wait! My neck is exposed! What if a winter loving vampire attacks me! That is okay. Wear a scarf and foil their attack. What scarves are also good for is keeping your neck warm and toasty. Don’t like having the ends dangling in the breeze? Wear an infinity scarf like a necklace. There are some really cool tricks on Pinterest on ways to tie them up too!

-Please, on behalf of all humanity, wear something to cover the lower half of your body. Jeans are a beautiful invention and they come in a wide variety of styles and shades. Yes, I know- tights are a “thing” and so are “meggings” (can we all just join together in a collective shudder of revulsion here?) But honestly if you want warmth, coverage, and durability (how often do jeans snag?)- jeans are the way to go?

Wear to even begin?

This cold weather isn’t going to last very long, but it is okay. Let’s make the most of this beautiful, fleeting time while it lasts!

College Showcase- Education and Psychology!

      The University of Texas at Tyler will host an event on campus called College Showcase from Monday, February 10 to Thursday February 13. Every college will have its own day to showcase their degree programs to prospective student. The College of Education and Psychology will present their programs on Wednesday, February 12 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Take an internship in D.C.!

     The University of Texas system partners with former U.S. Representative Bill Archer in the Archer Fellowship Program to provide students the opportunity to attain varying internships. The program also provides classes in subjects ranging from economics to policies.

The Path

   College can be stressful? I am not sure that such a phrase is exactly the kind of wisdom you will find carved on a stone near the oldest human settlements on account of how obvious it is, but there is a lesson that comes from it. College is the beginning of something bigger and better. I know, I know - you probably heard that about High School, too. The thing is, High School prepares you for social interactions with others on a large scale where-as college prepares you for ... well, being you.
So,

The end of the semester!

                The semester is over! Now it is officially Holiday break!  Well for me anyway. This semester was packed with upper level classes for the first time ever. I was able to handle it pretty well. One of the classes that gave me most joy was Visual Design. This is the last class I will take concerning designing. This is truly saddening. I loved every opportunity to make a project in class. This course has evolved my skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Visit other towns/cities!

                I've lived in Tyler, Texas for 10 years. This has allowed me to know the small city pretty well. This does not go without saying that I want to branch out to different places. I have yet to visit any part outside Texas. This has to change. Traveling seems like a great thing to do, yet I am still here. Not complaining, just observing. I actually visited Dallas last week for the second time ever.

                Yes, I am that guy that has stayed in the town he grew up in. I have sadly never been anywhere in the U.S., let alone other parts of Texas. I have only gone to Waco, San Antonio and Dallas. This is sad. I need to travel more.

Preparation tips for Finals!

               That dreaded time of the semester is just around the corner! Finals week is the time of the year where everyone tends to stress over, and where coffee becomes your best friend. Even though this week can be full packed of preparation and anxiety, there are resources on campus that can help you get mentally prepared for finals.