Jazz It Up

I LOVE music. I can't make it through one day without listening to music for at least 3 hours throughout that day.

This is why I was very interested when I saw the announcement that The University of Texas at Tyler's Jazz Patriots, one of the 4 instrumental ensembles, had a performance THIS Tuesday! Just so there's no confusion, the performance will take place on Tuesday October 2, at 7:30 pm, in the University Center theater! 

As a fellow instrumental player, (see pictures below), I appreciate the hard work and time that these musicians have put into the upcoming performance, and I am so glad to have the opportunity to attend!

This is short-haired Kat playing the bass clarinet! 

See what I mean? I'm kind of a band nerd. :)

Although the clarinet is not a particularly jazzy instrument, I have always enjoyed jazz music. At the upcoming UT Tyler performance, guest artist J. T. Pundt will join the students on trumpet! You can read more about Pundt here.








So, needless to say, I am looking forward to event! I hope to see you there! 

You Shall Not Pass (Math)!!

Today I took my very first college math test EVER! I really didn’t know what to expect from it, mostly because in high school, I found the majority of my tests to be very easy to pass. I was friends with a lot of seniors when I was a junior, and when they went to college, they told me about how the tests in college are very different than in high school! So in remembering that, I was very nervous when I realized that a test worth a lot of my final grade was coming up. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one in my class that felt that way. In fact, most of the class was dreading the test.

                Another thing that I was worried about was how to study, because I’ve never really had to study for anything before. Since I don’t exactly have perfect study habits, it’s very beneficial that I go to the math lab.
                What’s a “math lab” you may ask? Well, the math lab is a magical place where you go on campus that has a bunch of resources and tutors to help you with any math homework, or to help you study before a test! If you don’t know how to do a problem, they sit there and help you figure out and learn what to do!

Penny Pinching for College Kids

We've all had those times where we get creative in finding ways to pay for things such as food, gas, and school supplies. Sometimes you might eat nothing but Ramen...or you might offer to do your friend's laundry if they'll buy you some McDonald's. 

But there are ways to avoid these struggles, or at least reduce the number of occurrences! 

Keep reading to find out some of my specific money-saving methods!

Laugh Your Stress Away

Are you like me and feel mid-terms sneaking around the corner? Do you feel stressed and overworked? Need some way to break the tension? well I have the perfect remedy... Laughter, tonight at The Coffin Shop. 

College Life, mid semester

When I'm not working UT Tyler's call center, vlogging, in my sexual health education internship, sleeping (if I'm lucky)- apparently I am galavanting along the countryside visiting my family, friends, and attending classes for my future career!

Though I despise driving, I do not regret one bit everything I am traveling to go do, but I am missing out on live music out with my friends. I went to visit some people related to me in Oklahoma, and I mostly shared a meal with each, running to my next brunch or lunch at all my favorite places. It was good to visit home.

Linda Maria, Pepe (Penguin Envoy for Peer Education), Rene Hernandez, Samantha Dwight and Megan E. Allen at The University of Texas at Tyler.

I hardly got to see my friends! I drove back and worked here the same day, training the New Kid on the Blog! School has me swamped. Yesterday, I ran my Stress Free Event, and "Stress Free" events can be stressful!

I am spreading myself thin here. :(

My personal scheduling solution? Google Calenders.

Dispatch, At Your Service!

  The University of Texas at Tyler

   UT Tyler Police Department

USC Room 125

3410 Varsity Drive

Tyler, Tx 75799

We can all agree that Mondays are always the hardest to get through. The start of each week always makes me want to hit snooze and pull the covers over my head, never having the drive to face the day head on.

So every Monday after history, I take a quick hour nap before I go to work in order to ease my bitterness against Mondays. But when I woke up yesterday feeling refreshed from my nap.. well let's just say, the day went spiraling down quite fast.

On my way out the door, I looked for my keys, and of COURSE they weren't where I thought they would be.
After turning my room inside out, I finally went to check in my car, and yes, they were sitting on the driver's seat in my LOCKED car.

The Power of Using a UT Tyler Planner

It started in Elementary. They just smiled and handed me a "planner". They told me they would monitor my use of it. So I wrote in my horrible handwriting what was due and threw it into my backpack never to be looked at again. It was a horrible cycle. It continued to middle school without a thought. 

Then dark times came (the fire nation attacked) when I entered high school.

It took about three years before my cycle was finally crushed and squashed between the pinky toe of a small bald man. My previous teachers were sub par in seeing the past the facade of my  "planners"

I was too disorganized and failed to turn in projects, my mediocre grades dropping even lower with the Texas heat. Then the short bald man lectured into seeing the light of using such devices to make sure I did everything I needed to do. 

Strangely, this use of the planner worked to my utter shock. I was strong, I stayed on the path for a good two years THEN I graduated high school.

I went down an even more dangerous path my freshman year of not writing down any of my assignments or when tests were other than in the margins of my notebooks. I somehow managed to do pretty well in all my classes both semesters. 

Now today, the below picture is my Google Calender , my "planner".

It pops up reminders on my phone with such strange magic. 

I really developed and started using the schedule because my life became so full that if I didn't schedule time for things then I would procrastinate and fail to do something and would be found crying under my desk. Now I breathe with a little less weight on my shoulders.

The point of that long dramatic sarcastic soliloquy was that if you've given up using some sort of procedure to schedule class work or your life, try again. 

If using a old school paper planner works for you, do it! this is how Kat does her planning!

if you are an electronic person like me, use whatever  applications work for you.

If something else works for you, do it that way.

Now I bide you all adieu. So I can go study for my two tests this week. 

Moving Day(s)

Most of you have been settled since the beginning of school and would rather not think about moving again until the end of the semester. However, I have different plans. This weekend I will be moving out of my current apartment and moving in with friends close to downtown Tyler. With my lease ending and my undergraduate career coming to an end I feel a need for change. But when it comes to change like this I prefer it sooner than later. So tomorrow afternoon I will begin moving my stuff from my current apartment across town to my new one.

This will be a task that will last through Sunday as I will still be busy with classes and work. Next week I'll be posting pictures of my move and tips on making your moving experience a pleasant one. (In hindsight of course)

Life Cheat #859074: Hindsight is always 20/20... Unless you forgot what happened 

Mid-Semester Madness

You know those stressful times where you have 3 tests to study for and homework in 2 other classes? I don't! Well, not anymore.

As a child, my Kindergarten teacher described my by saying "Her internal clock just isn't ticking!" I was all about the fun and socializing, and I easily lost my focus when a task was at hand.

At some point in my educational career, I really turned things around. REALLY. Now, most of my friends and family would describe me as a hyper-organized individual that almost plans too much!

This was a to-do list that I made for myself last semester. Intense...I know.

I made sure to cross things off as I completed them!

But fret no more, my fellow students! I'm about to give you the keys to the kingdom! Or...just my personal organizational habits that have VASTLY improved my time management skills.

Cause You've Had a Bad Day

Because you had a bad day. You're taking one down. You sing a sad song just to turn it around. 

      I'm pretty sure EVERYBODY has heard of this song by Daniel Powter. And this is EXACTLY how I'm feeling right now. I was in UT Tyler Chorale and Dr. Rose pretty much summarized how a majority of the students are feeling... "This is the pre- mid term times. When the reality of school finally sinks in." He could not be anymore right! 

Rules for the Road

Do you ever notice how every driver on the road, except for you of course, is a terrible driver?!?

For the first few years I had my license, this was definitely the mindset that I had. Whatever speed I was going was the right speed, and anyone driving faster was a maniac and anyone driving slower was a turtle.
(Exhibit A)

Luckily, some additional years of driving have changed that mindset. The most recent cause for change in my driving demeanor was buying a manual transmission Mustang, as seen in New Kid on the Blog. As a new driver to a stick shift, I have a few requests to you-my fellow drivers. They not only apply to me and other stick shift drivers, but also everyone on the road.

Let's agree to make driving more fun and stress-free for everyone!

Parking Update

As of this semester there are nearly 6,900 students currently enrolled at UT Tyler. Because of this the University as Dr. Mabry put it is undergoing growing pains with parking issues being one of them. Lots # 6, 9, & 15 have been restriped to gain an additional 140 parking spaces. There have also been temporary parking lots set up near the soccer field and one near the Cowan center holding a 80 spots each. Also a temporary parking area on campus drive has been set up which will provide an additional 20-30 spaces.

Also, a free shuttle has been set up for students to Park at Rose Heights Church (2120 Old Omen Road) and be dropped off in front of the RBN in parking lot 8. The shuttle will run daily from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. making runs every 20 minutes and will continue to do so day until the last class day of September. 

Take a Break from Stress (Fun Event!)

                Well, here at The University of Texas at Tyler, I'm sort of involved in all of the things. I, somehow, hold three officer positions this year in various clubs. A large body of the tasks that have been assigned to me, are to let people know about the events we are putting on all over campus for the rest of the semester! Aren't y'all lucky?


 Next Tuesday, September 25th, Peer Education is throwing a day of relaxation for all UT Tyler students and faculty/staff members!

Harvey Lake, taken by Josh Grijalva 

The line-up includes:

• chair massages from (8am-12) 
• "Yoga by the Lake" (11am-12) 
•  progressive relaxation with one of our licensed professional counselors (beginning at 10am) 
• a "free hug" from SWOOP!? a brief introduction to mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques - this will be INSIDE the UC (likely the Ballroom just after 2pm)
  
  This event is located on the deck behind the Administration building!
  
   Events like this are a wonderful way to take a break from a stressful day! So go between classes and tell your friends. I plan on working most of the event, so I'll be there! Sign up early for the massages... or I'll fill your spot with my name. :p

Art Walk This Saturday

This Saturday September 22 the city of Tyler will be hosting another Downtown Art Walk. you've probably seen our previous post and video about the June 14 Art Walk past art walks but this one will be slightly different. The official art walk will end at 9 but that is when the After Dark Art Walk at The Coffin Shop begins. (yes that place again)

The Downtown Art Walk will last from 4-9 but immediately following there will be a music/art show at The Coffin Shop. The show will feature local live music by Lauren Alexander and Risky on the Rocks. Lauren Alexander is a local singer/songwriter who has been playing around the state so if you haven’t seen her here’s your chance. Risky on the Rocks are a Tyler based band that helped establish The Coffin Shop as a great place to hear music and have a great time. There will also be local art on display for the art walk. It'll be a great time for your eyes and your ears. So come on out this Saturday to the Art Walk for some great artists and then head on down to The Coffin Shop for some good friends, good vibes, and Great music.

A Student's Letter To Parents

 First, let me say that I am approaching this article from a very unique standpoint and it deserves some commentary beforehand so as to have my thoughts make the most possible sense. First, I have spent way more time in college than I should have on account of having switched majors, as well as for the fact that my degree searching took me across two states. This journey caused a severe delay in my expected graduation date of 2013 ... and I started in 2005-2006. I hope you might listen to my perspective as I look forward to being a dad someday, I really do. I understand that I am going to have to watch my kid go from being wholly dependent on me; to likely know that they think that ( while trusting that he/she/they love and respecting me ) that I don't “get" his/her trials, tribulations, and difficulties. Or, who knows, we could be thick as thieves? The point is that I'll have to watch him or her go off to college.

Weather Vlog

Patrick decided to do a video blog about the change in weather. 

That was what was intended but the conversation went on to others thing.

Including renaming the RBN and RBS.

Anything more will ruin the video.

I edited this video!

New Kid on the Blog

My name is Kathryn Howell (Kat), and I am the new kid on the blog! Just to put a face with the name:

This was my "excited face" on the first day of school at UT Tyler this semester!

I am a senior General Studies and transient student at UT Tyler! This is my first and last semester here, because I will graduate from Henderson State University in December.

This was a very last minute (and certifiably insane) decision, but I knew that it was the right one from the moment I began the application process. All of the directions were clear and thorough, the faculty were friendly and helpful, and I was admitted in no time! Now that the semester has started, I am immersed in my very interesting classes and all of the homework that comes along with them.

Upcoming at The Coffin Shop

Hey everybody! I'm sure you all remember my previous post about The Coffin Shop and the super awesomeness this venue represents. Anyway my band The Problem Preachers will be playing there on Friday October 5th with local hip hop artist Retr05pect backing us up. Also check out these upcoming shows that have been organized since my last blog post.

• Sept 22: Art Walk After Dark featuring Lauren Alexander, Risky on the Rocks, and several local artists. This will serve as a continuation of the Art Walk
• Sept 27: Comedy Show featuring Brandon Davidson, Tyler Elliot, Alexis Nartia, Daniel Griffith, and Grant Price
• Sept 29: Hardcore Show featuring Steel Bearing Hand, Dead Line, Cleric, Hexed, and Dissolution    
• Oct 5: Rock/hip hop/art show featuring The Problem Preachers, Retr05ect, and several local artists
• Oct. 20: Acoustic/Art Show featuring Mike Acoustic Duo, David Bridewell, Morgan Kidd, Dillon Bevel, and several local artists
• Oct 27: Halloween Show featuring Man & Knife, the Bipolaroids, The Rest, Lulu and the Vipers, and Ian Power

Life Cheat #483406: The Coffin Shop is named so because it once served as a coffin factory.

Fight or Flight: Raccoon addition

.....After leaving the Open Mic Night at like 9.

I walked alone down the campus toward Patriot Village.

When I got to Harvey Deck, I saw a flash of gray and thought it was raccoon that I saw before.

I was right. The raccoon stood up on his hind legs inside Harvey Deck looking at me. I am a chicken. I am small. You can toss me over your shoulder and there’s nothing I can do. Instead my fight or flight reflexes kicked and I started walking back slowly back the way I came. I could probably have  taken the raccoon but I wouldn't bet on it.
    I called my roommate and begged her to walk and meet up with my wobbly legged self. She laughed at me and then still met me on the walkway behind Ornelas Hall and walked me home. 

Which I thank her for.

Dealing with an animal like that is really just… what it is.

If I hadn’t been walking alone, I probably wouldn’t have ran awwwayyy. Unless he actually showed some threat.

So that’s my interaction with the campus raccoon.

I saw a couple walk the same way and I didn’t see them running back. So I assume he just likes looking at us curious creatures.

   Does anyone else have any raccoon incidents?

Labor Day Weekend

I love being in new places. I feel like travelling is second nature to me since I've been doing it a lot since I was little. Travelling is one of my passions. The feeling of being in a completely unfamiliar surroundings, and so many things to explore at your finger tips. Even if it's just a new town or city close by.

Labor Day weekend my friends and I drove to the capital of Texas. Going to Austin is probably not a big deal to most people but it's my first time in that city and my first time in any place is always a big deal for me!

We stayed at my friend Mackenzie's family's home in Georgetown, which was 30 minutes away from Austin.

I had a blast exploring the city. I even went to my first American Football game and even though I didn't understand 90% of what was going on, I had fun screaming when everyone else did. And also... shopping! And finding a great new places to eat; I love me some good food!

College Food!!

College cafeteria food is WAY different than High school cafeteria food… at least the way I see it. In high school, the cafeteria ladies seemed really cranky all the time, and they don’t really enjoy answering questions. And do I really need to talk about the food?

Now, from what I’ve gathered so far by going to the Met, the college cafeteria food experience is quite the opposite. When I go in there, the first thing I do is give them my ID card, and use my meal plan. The woman at the register almost always has a warm smile on her face! Next, I go to pick out my food!  I must say, they have way more variety than high school had to offer. For lunch, they do offer some things every day, like pizza and burgers, but there’s another station that has something different every day. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the met here on campus.

Another upside to eating at the Met is that you don’t have to go out and buy your own food and make it if you don’t want to! Plus, it’s all you can eat at the met, which means that if you’re not full after eating just one plate of food, you can go back and get however much food you and your stomach can take. They even have to-go boxes if you want to take your food with you! Honestly, this is a HUGE change for me when it comes to quality and service of school food. I just wish the met was open later than it is, mainly because I get super hungry in the middle of the night. But really, it’s also good to have some food in your dorm with you, just in case you get hungry when the Met is closed!

For all students that live on campus, you're required to get a meal plan. Each meal plan comes with certain amount of dining dollars based on which meal plan you decide to get, so that you can get food from places like the on campus Subway or Chick-fil-a if you want! Also, Schlotzsky's Deli OFF campus accepts dining dollars too!

Have any questions about the Met or meal plans? Leave a comment below, or contact UT Tyler Dining Services at 903-566-7074!

Cowan Center Shows!

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! 

     I have a confession.... I am guilty of loving show tunes! Their just so catchy and definitely get stuck in my head for a while.... I thought I was alone in this until I realized that one of my roommate is an even BIGGER fan of show tunes.Any song actually.. I mean this girl can seriously go on and on and just have one song after another, singing her heart out in our apartment in PV. I feel like she's a human version of Pandora (she's not gonna be happy that I wrote about her :) hehe ) But of course I was delighted that we shared the same love for it! And you better believe that we are so thrilled that students get a free ticket to each show at The Cowan Center! 

Students Can Learn from Anything II - Superman, Part 1

Students can Learn from Anything II – Superman, Part 1

   DISCLAIMER: Superman’s symbolic shield is the property of DC Comics and any use of his symbol ( or any other terms or insignias owned by DC Comics or Warner Bros.) is strictly for educational purposes. Please do exile me to Apokolips, or worse, the Phantom Zone!

Open Mic Night...

  It's Thursday night, you've got one class the next morning (early but still) and all your friends are busy. 
What to do. What to do. 
   I have something you probably didn't think about attending but after you read my wonderful prose about Open Mic Night. You might in fact change your mind.
  
Open Mic Night is happening this Thursday night at the Patriot Zone.
      It's features a slam poet Colin Gilbert!
     This should be enticing for some like myself, who hasn't heard live slam poetry. 
So ya know.
  According to Layman Lyric Production:

Colin Gilbert, a native East Texan, grew up in the country with hard work and family values etched into his very being. But barbed wire fences couldn't make the man country. Soon enough, Colin found his new home in Dallas. In the summer of 2005, he began writing and performing his poetry and immediately received local recognition.

So those who hail from East Texas can come and support a former East Texan. 
Now due to our advance technology, Gilbert has uploaded some of his slam poetry (and yes this is a link to Myspace) that you can listen for those who would like to have a preview of what to expect. 

Take Advantage!

Whenever I get the chance, I am going to be buying some new music, the soundtrack to this legit musical called 1789:  Les Amants de la Bastille [The Lovers of Bastille], a French production based on the events of Bastille Day, the French independence day.  Were it not for French courses that I took a few years ago, I would not be able to appreciate and understand the music.  (Now I just have to get over to France so that I can actually see the musical. :D)

Every year, there are an increasing number of ways to experience different cultures, both in class and outside of class at UT Tyler.  Here are just a few of these opportunities:

• Language courses:  By learning a new language, you learn about another culture.  On top of that, you get something awesome to put on your resume; as companies continue to expand around the globe, they want bilingual employees.  Here at UT Tyler, you can study Chinese, French, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish, just to name a few.
• Culture classes:  There are several courses with a multicultural focus, including courses in art, English, history, political science, and sociology. Of course, the best way to learn about other cultures is to experience the culture at it's heart, which is possible through UT Tyler's travel-study courses.
• Multicultural Events: The Cowan Center offers numerous events that students may attend for free.  The GATE program schedules a variety of programs with a global focus throughout the year;  the Jazz Band and the Choir offer periodic performances as well.   Many of our own students get to have their artwork displayed at the Meadows Gallery, which is open to students free of charge.  If those do not pique your interest, then there are also lots of student organizations to participate in to broaden your horizons.

As you can see, there are lots of opportunities to explore the world around you right on your own university; try to take advantage of these opportunities if you can! :)

How to apply for a job via the school.

    Whilst waiting for my gyro from Grille Works, a group of students stood in a circle chatting as they waited for their food. I overheard one of them telling the others how he applied for a job via Patriot Jobs.

  This has made me think that Patriot Jobs may not be common knowledge to everyone. I was an overachiever and accessed it the summer before I attended my freshmen here. This fact is mostly because I'm big on researching everything I might need to know.
Anyway, I decided to do a little FAQ about Patriot Jobs. 
 Patriot Jobs is a online resource for students and alumni to find and apply for jobs(on and off campus) and internships. 
         

Advice for freshmen - from a freshman!

After being a freshman in college for a good three weeks, I have learned quite a few things about college. I’ve also relearned how to do things that I already knew how to do, but better. Here are just a few of the things I’ve learned so far!

·Get as much sleep as you can at night! When you stay up until 3 of the am and your first class starts at 8 the next day, you end up feeling more tired than you did when you went to sleep. And then once you get in the habit of going to bed late at night, it’s really hard to break that habit. Basically, if you know that you’re going to have to wake up early the next day because you have a class, don’t stay out too late.

·Don‘t wait until the last possible minute to do your homework. When you procrastinate, you feel rushed, and don’t necessarily have a lot of time to think about what you’re putting on your paper. And if you decide to do your homework the night before, make sure it’s not after midnight, because then you’ll get less sleep, and feel like a Zombie the next day!

·If you have a meal plan, don’t go out to eat while the met is open. When you go off campus and spend your own money on food, when you can just your meal plan, that’s a waste of your money. Now if you just don’t feel like getting the usual food and decide to eat somewhere else that’s fine, but I wouldn’t recommend that you make a habit out of it, or you’ll run out of money fast!

·Keep your things organized, and especially keep track of you syllabi. If you just put you papers just anywhere, when you go to look for them, you might not find them. So it’s just better to buy some folders and organize your things however you feel fit. You’ll be glad you did! Also highlight anything that you think is important on those syllabi, because your professors might not remind you about when things are due.

Basically, keep yourself together and don’t panic if you mess up. I may just be a wee little freshman, but think I’ve learned a lot these past 3 weeks! This is only the beginning of a new semester, and things are starting to get really interesting in my classes!

P.S- Feel free to leave me some comments! They really help me out! Tell me what you guys think about my blogs!

"Mysteries of Lisbon"

from: uttyler.edu/GATE

PRESENTS 

      Global Film Series: "Mysteries of Lisbon" 

The UT Tyler GATE (Global Awareness Through Education) is hosting a film night tomorrow night, September 11,  in The University Center Theater at 6pm! 

"Mysteries of Lisbon

                The film follows a jealous countess, a wealthy businessman, and a young orphaned boy across Portugal, France, Italy and Brazil where they all connect with a variety of interesting individuals. This film has won numerous awards and have been praised heavily. If you like mystery, suspense, a bit of old fashion action, and crazy, twisted, story plot then you should come and watch!! 

Watch the trailer @ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1236371/

The Coffin Shop

Before you start guessing what this post is about I'm gonna go ahead and stop you. No, this is not a fun nickname for the library. No my friends this post is related to a venue that has finally started to sprout it's wings and make itself known in the Tyler music scene. That's right people, Tyler has a music scene and it's full of beautiful people. This my friends is where the truly beautiful people of Tyler hang out...

Coffin Shop artwork by Mason Buchanan 

Break Ups and Other Tragic Things

Even attending college with professors that are understanding (every one of them that I have encountered at The University of Texas at Tyler), they still can't shelter you from personal drama.

I fell in and out (arguable) of love with a writer this year, lost another friend to suicide, and found out an awful lot about myself in the process. Painful, but necessary to grow from, and not linger in.

I also learned that heart-ache is not conducive to learning. I made an incomplete in my summer class.
My professor is working with me.
I get to make it all up.
It won't be a big fat negative on my record.
They didn't even ask for details.

It is moments like this that we could worry, but it helps to seek out help if you have a need.
I can't help but feel lucky.

Music + Me = LOVE

I finally enrolled into, and am now a part of the  UT Tyler Percussion Ensemble! I’m really glad I decided to add that course, because lets be honest, I can’t even go one semester without playing any kind of music. Music is what makes me feel happy when I feel lonely or sad or bored. If music didn’t exist, I would live in a constant state of boredom! Anyone who knows me knows that if I’m listening to music, I’m deep in thought, and don’t want to be bothered. But does that stop them? Haha, nope. But I feel like music is where my true passion and talent lies. Now don’t get me wrong, I do happen to be good at a lot of things, music just happens to be my favorite of them! Like I’ve probably said before, I’ve been playing instruments since I was in the fourth grade. In high school, I was on the drumline which, of course, was the most interesting part to play, and shall I say the most fun? Yes, and it was totally worth all of the sweat, hard work, and early morning practices.

      When concert season approached, I pretty much decided to stick to playing the marimba, unless it was a Sousa march, then I wanted to play bass. For those of you who don’t know who John Philip Sousa was, he was the man who wrote the Washington Post March, along with many many other famous marches. I’d say he is for sure one of the most famous music writers for concert band that there is in America! Anyways, if I could chose to do anything in the world at all, anything, then I would without a doubt play music in a symphony or something like that. But I’m nowhere near that level of skill when it comes to playing music, but I’d like to get there someday. Or maybe even compose music like the famous Michael Giacchino!

I’m very excited, needless to say, about what the upcoming semester has to offer me. I do have high expectations, and I will succeed at all costs. When I go to practice next week with the rest of the percussionists for the first time, I’m pretty sure I’m going to be really nervous. I’m excited to see what comes up for me next, and I’ll be sure to welcome it with open arms! 

So you never forget...

I have never been much of a person to journal daily events extensively or to take hundreds of photographs while on trips.  That being said, there are times when I wish I had taken the time to be more meticulous about recording my life in some way, particularly during the last few years.  Fortunately, I have written a little bit about my life in various journals and I have taken a few pictures here and there while at UT Tyler.

It's really interesting and awesome to read the words I wrote in the past, whether a few weeks ago or a few years ago, and see the ways in which I have changed.  Ditto for photographs.  Thus, I encourage you to take the time to chronicle your own college experience in a way that works for you.

Some things you could do include:

• Journaling:  Writing in a diary/journal is not just for girls.  Some of the most valuable journals of the past were written by men, including Lewis and Clark, who recorded their journey along the Missouri River.  There are all kinds of journals too, from the basic spiral notebook to fancy designer notebooks.  (The bookstore on campus has some nice notebooks available.) Furthermore, you can make use of a website like Livejournal.
• Photographs:  Take pictures of  everything, including the campus and your dorm room.  Years later, you will be able to look back upon the places and the people that were a major part of your life.  Furthermore, you can share these memories with other people.  If you don't decide to post the pictures online, display them in a scrapbook or picture frame.
• Autographs:  Get a blank book, a picture frame, or a stuffed animal, or some other item, and get your friends to sign it.  Some roommates here once painted decoy ducks in neon colors and autographed them.
• Make a vlog:  Make a video journal of events in your life.  Record the places that you want to remember.  Here is a great example of a vlog, composed by one of my fellow Student Bloggers, Emmy.

Quizzes are coming...

It's reached that time in the semester that quizzes and tests have started rolling like a menacing  fog at twilight.

So everybody has put on their "study hats" and buckled down. 
 I, myself, have only a quiz and test next Tuesday.That is all. I believe that is likely minuscule compared to other's course loads.
                      ---if you're a reader, still reading this post, and you are attending UT Tyler, how many tests and or quizzes do YOU have next week?

  The hammer of stress may have finally hit the ground for some students.
   Worry not my minions. Just remember three things:

1. Study the material when you can. Don't study if you are not going to be able to actually comprehend the material.
2. Take breaks. Don't overload yourself with the information. This should NOT lead to procrastination. If it does, rethink your study plan.
3. Use mnemonic devices as a last resort when memorizing terms.

    That is all for today. Now I must retreat into my study cave and memorize psychology terms til I dream about them.

Treating Your Body with Compassion

 

     As I wrote in earlier blogs, I was not too thrilled about turning 20. I am not a "teen" anymore and still a year short of being 21!:( The start of my birthday week didn't go as well as I hope and only added to the dreading of my birthday. Perhaps I don't like my birthdays because it just means another year of being older and another step into being an official adult.... so scary. So when Tuesday afternoon came and I started a mild fever, followed by fatigue and nausea ( I cannot remember to spell this word. EVER!) I thought, this is just my luck! The second week of school and I'm already sick! Fortunately The University Health Clinic was able to see me the next day.

     There are many preventive ways to avoid the spreading of germs and getting sick!

From:Getty.com

• WASH YOUR HANDS!-  This is the obvious and one of the most effective ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs. 
•  Hand Sanitizer-  Seriously you can get these sooo cheap! My friend went to the dollar store and got us a pack with two 2 oz. bottles for yes, ONE DOLLAR (plus tax of course) after watching the movie Contagion. We we're quite paranoid after that :)
• Sneeze and cough properly- Yes there are proper ways to do these! When you feel a sneeze coming, face away from other people, and sneeze into your elbows. This way you don't sneeze in your hands that you touch others and things with! 
• Don't share utensils or water bottles-  Taking a sip from a friend's water bottle or sharing a bite of their food with their fork is one of the easiest way to spread germs aside from kissing of course. 
• Disinfecting/ cleaning supplies-  Have lysol disinfecting spray at hand! They come with various fragrances :) Smells very nice. My roommates literally sprayed the WHOLE apartment when I told them I wasn't feeling well. They were a tad bit paranoid..  Also, Clorox Wipes are hands down the most vital things for cleaning and disinfecting. 
• Exercise and getting a good night sleep- Exercising and getting the recommended amount of 8 hours helps maintains healthy immune system. We all know that all nighters and very late bed times are usually happens in college but try to get the most sleep you can! And napping between classes are always nice :) 
• If you're sick, STAY AT HOME!- If you are not feeling well, and I mean really not feeling well, not just because you don't want to go to class, then stay at home! There is no need for you to put more stress on your body or spread what you have with your peers. 

Roommate Rules

Today, at UT Tyler, I was in class... on tumblr. 

Class hadn't started yet! ;) I was early for the parking, and killing some time. I ran across a question about what makes a good roommate! We have come on the blog about a few personal experiences, but not the bare bones of what is generally good practice with living with someone that isn't family! 

1. Mind your noise, and if they’re being too loud ask them to turn their netflicks down, or whatever. Or text them something nice like, “Volume, bro. :)” 
2. Find out our methods of communication! The text didn't work? Try a note! A conversation! 
3. I solemnly swear I won’t be too messy. If we lose the path from the door to our beds we have problems with more than each other, the fire marshal, too. Ask them to clean with you! 
4. If it smells, don’t just shut the mini-fridge or leave the trash bag there. Do something about it. 
5. Don’t move or mess with their stuff. If things get messy, see rule two. 
6. Respect their space! This means their territory and their body. Without their consent, you can’t see or touch their anything. 
7. Take medicine for your health? Some meds are considered controlled substances, so know where they are located at all times. 
8. Maybe stash things you consider valuable (cash, SS card, meds) in that cabinet in your room. You can attach a combination lock that only you know the code to open. 
9. Wash your hands. Actually, that should have been rule number one. OHall’s many door handles are the perfect place to contract the flu. Don’t play, you need to be healthy to study/work/do what you do. 
10. Know the rules and policies for drinking on campus (dry) and be sure to stay safe.
11. Do unto your roommate as you would have them do unto you.

So, after a few different experiences, these are what I decided to highlight. Does anyone have any other suggestions? 

Crisis Averted

This pass Tuesday while in the business building I was taken aside by my adviser and told there was something important she needed to talk with me about. About two months ago I submitted my application for graduation and had been eagerly awaiting word from my department since. However, she had some bad news. She said I was 2 hours short of graduating this December.

My first reaction was to flip over all the tables in site whilst screaming at the top of my lungs, "POR QUE!!!!!!!!!!!!" I instead decided to go with my second reaction and asked if there is anything that could be done. She said she had already begun to set up an independent study course with her that would make up those hours. In less than 10 minutes one of the biggest crises of my college career had been brought to my attention and then averted. I went and filled out the proper paperwork and am now registered for an independent study of 19^th century presidents.

I couldn’t imagine another University where this could have occurred. At any larger school I would have been treated like another number and simply pushed to the side. At The University of Texas at Tyler you are treated like a person with the respect and dignity you deserve and the professors here truly want you to succeed as a student. It’s times like these I’m glad I chose a school like UT Tyler.

Life Cheat #83042: Everything changed after the fire nation attacked

Who wants to go running?

I’ve never been an athletic person. I am small and twiggy even as a child (see the picture above)

I was the kid who got out of gym in elementary because of asthma.

I took my last half of my “gym” credits in high school at the local community college taking a weight lifting class.

I AM NOT ATHLETIC.

These are my "dino arms". This is the picture before I busted my butt while taking the group jumping picture.