The Truth About College

        It's been a year and a half since I was a mere freshman at UT Tyler, "moving out" from home and experiencing a whole lot of independance. I remember how excited I was. No curfews, you get to eat whatever and whenever you want, and no one telling you to do chores?! Oh yeah, I remember the feeling. It was quite nice wasnt' it? But then the reality of college than the media doesn't emphasize creeps in before you know it...



   

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...

March Madness at UT Tyler!

So this is the end of sweater weather! As of March 22, 2014, it will be the first of spring. With Spring Break a mere few weeks away (it starts on March 8!) and the weather warming up, I think it is safe to say that the cold weather is a thing of the past. Long live the days of rolling the windows down and cruising down the highway to your favorite jams on the radio! Okay, maybe that is just me.

Let's just take a deep breath and say it with me!

UT Tyler Student Money Management: Valentine Edition

     Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! This is the time of the year where you and your significant other celebrate your relationship. The harsh reality though, is that as a college student, you may not have the funds to treat your loved ones with the right date or gifts. Don’t fret though! The Student Money Management program here at The University of Texas at Tyler has all the resources you need to get you financially prepared!

     The Student Money Management will host an event on campus called “Date Night on a Dime.”

Arriving In Tokyo with UT Tyler Gate

      As promised, I am so incredibly excited to share my experience with The University of Texas at Tyler's Gate Program trip to Japan! I am posting different blogs for each major place I visited. This will definitely be an on going project for the rest of the semester cause I just HAVE to share with y'all five weeks worth of such an amazing experience.

Happy Doodle Enrollment Services Story at UT Tyler

Sometimes a tough class just doesn't go your way. It is a lot like in the Oh the Places You’ll Go book when it discusses how sometimes you’ll fail at a certain thing. Don’t beat yourself up- you’re not a failure and it is not the end of the world. There are options. As an undergraduate, you get three grade replacements and with your graduate plan, one has two grade replacements. Whether it is a failure of getting the grade you want or getting into the class you want, it is likely we will all encounter failure of some sort in our lives. 

Some mountains are bigger than others

This is what happened to me in the chaos that was last week. Now, let’s have a pause and take a deep cleansing breath. We all survived! So, we all know the importance of checking to make sure you are enrolled in all the desired classes before the first day of school and checking Blackboard for grades, but for some reason or another, it just snuck up on me. It was awful.  Please learn from my mistake. Running around campus trying to get enrolled in a closed class two hours before the 5 o’clock drop deadline, begging for a seat in a closed class is absolutely no fun. It is stressful and chaotic and you realize all the people you need to talk to are either a) out to lunch, b) out of the office but “very interested in your call”, or c) you just missed them and they are unaccounted for.

Pingu believes in you!

Always remember: you are more than your transcript and you are more than your GPA. Remember that this is not to say don’t take your studies seriously and blow off your classes, but don’t let those numbers define your sense of self-worth.

Plan For Next Semester ... TODAY!

   One of my favorite things is to plan for the upcoming new semester before the old one has officially ended. My eyes light up with the thoughts of diligent studying, well-taken notes, and the constant stream of A+ grades I will receive.

Fizzing out on treats!

                As young adults we sometimes forget how it was to be a kid; to let loose, have fun, and enjoy every moment. But there is one place where your memories as a kid can come back and you become full of joy and cheer once you’re inside. This place is Rocket Fizz!!!

Crossing the finish line!

           Who knew September 3^rd of this year would mark the beginning of something that would change me. Fraternities were never something I saw myself joining. I felt that I didn't fit in the mold of what was portrayed through television and movies. Ever since recruitment began on that day, I have been so thankful of my decision to go through with it. I am thankful to have chosen Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

If You're Happy and You Know it... Why?

This is the time of year where the temperatures start dropping and hearts start warming up. There’s a magic in the air, whether it’s from holidays impending or just knowing that we the students (and professors!) are so close to the end of the semester and Winter Break! However, is it actually from knowing that we’re so close to a fresh start (Here’s looking at you, spring semester 2014!)? What makes us happy? 

Look at these happily levitating students! (ok, ok, they're jumping..)

Feeling Greek?

                The thing about small cities is that they aren't small enough to the point where Bealls is the mall and the mini supermarket is the Wal-Mart. That being said, Tyler, Texas lacks some excitement, but it still has enough amenities to not be considered a small town. Even though there is no three story malls, there is something you can count on being in Tyler; Restaurants. Tyler has a lot of restaurants with new establishments already being built. What does this mean? You have options.

Discreetly Terrified of Being Forever Alone: How to Make Friends Edition

 Do I have my financial aid turned in? Done! Am I moved in to my apartment? Yes! Have I learned the wonders of Tide Pods and Tide to Go? You bet, young grasshopper. I think I’ve got this whole university life thing down pat At least until lunch time comes rolling around and my stomach growls. Begrudgingly, I leave to the Met, terrified for some reason of eating alone. There’s something about being in a new place and wanting to have that companionship to make adjusting easier.

Forever Alone totally looks like a potato with arms!

Fast, cheap and good!

               When it comes to college students, there’s nothing better than fast, cheap and good food. These three words describe the perfect concoction of dining options off campus. We don’t always have money to eat anywhere too fancy, but we also don’t settle for scraps. There are a few fast food joints that provide good food under $5.

                Yes, you may be thinking…”nothing good comes with cheap. You can’t compare candy corn to Reese’s pieces, so you can’t have good food for low cost.” This is false. Cheap doesn't necessarily mean that it is lower quality. I have liked store brand products better than famous brands. Why? I don’t know. Maybe the cheaper cost makes me subconsciously love it. It serves its purpose.

New restaurant opening next door

                In a small city like Tyler, nothing ever goes unnoticed; especially when there’s news of new restaurants being built. Why? BECAUSE WE LOVE FOOD. This is America. Even though we stopped super sizing everything, we still enjoy every single gram of salt and sugar. This includes burgers, hot dogs and milkshakes. We are a culture of living life to the fullest so we enjoy eating things that are delicious and satisfying. #YOLO.

                Right next to Ornelas Hall across University Boulevard there is a new plot being prepared for a new establishment. This will not be another bistro or fancy place, it will be an all-American burger joint where you will be happy digging into steak burgers and succulent fries. Steak ‘N Shake has come to Tyler!!

Video Gaming on a budget at the University of Texas at Tyler

Shigeru Miyamoto, often referred to as the father of modern video gaming, once said that "Video games entertain people by constantly surprising them with new experiences." The video game industry's sole objective is to constantly surprise and wow its audience.  In the past couple of years, this industry has definitely taken off. 

According to the Entertainment Software Association, 58% of all Americans play some form of video game.  This has both positive and negative implications.  It is a good thing because it means that there is more support and money going towards improving gaming.  However, it is also a bit troublesome because according to the laws of supply and demand, the prices will inevitably go up.  Most video games now-a-days start at a price of $60 and don’t get any cheaper for several months.

A while ago, Dallas wrote a blog about how the steam summer sale can easily get the best of you.  Hopefully, this blog will help you embrace the sales, while still maintaining fiscal responsibility. I have compiled a list of things you can do to still enjoy everything that gaming has to offer, without bankrupting yourself.

1.       Buy used games -
Buying a used game can drastically reduce the price you pay for games.  Stores like GameStop and online retailers like Amazon usually have a pretty quick turnaround from new to used games.  In my experience, in a few weeks, you can buy a game used for 40 dollars or less that would usually cost 60 dollars new.

2.       Trade in old games -
 Most stores that sell games will also buy them back from you.  You won’t get much for them, but if you have 5 or 6 old games then you can sell them back to the store for enough to buy a game or 2.  Just recently, GameStop did a special where you   got way more credit for games than usual.  Take advantage of these kinds of opportunities to maximize your access to those awesome games, while minimizing your spending.

3.       Wait for sales -

Game stores will also do special sales for the purchase of games.  Some stores do something like a “Buy 2 games get one free,” or something similar.  My advice for you is to wait for these deals and take advantage of them.  If you play your cards right, you could end up getting that game you've been waiting for AND two other games that you were excited about as well.

4.       Play old games –

It’s always fun to take a stroll down memory lane, especially when that lane involves lots and lots of video games.  If you haven’t traded in your old games, browse your collection and see what sounds fun.  Find an old open world or sandbox game and just explore and see what mischief can be made within that virtual world.  Even if the graphics are a bit outdated, it can still be loads of fun.

5.       Get games with high replay value -

This is kind of similar to the above tip, but I gave it an individual section because I feel that this can also apply to games you buy
in the future.  If you base what games you buy around whether or
not you can play through the game multiple times, or if you can just waste hours of the game wandering around the world and exploring, you can save lots of money because you will end up buying fewer games, but playing just as much.

6.       Play more indie –

Not all amazing games are made by big time studios like
Bethesda or BioWare.  There are plenty of fun, playable games made by independent developers. While these games may take longer to develop, and may not look as beautiful, or play as smoothly, they can still offer hours of fun for the casual gamer.  Plus, most indie games are extremely cheap and easy to obtain.

7.       Be more picky when deciding what games you want –

As gamers, it is in our nature to want every single game.  However, that just isn't feasible unless you have an unlimited source of financial support.  What I suggest is to only buy the games that you are 100% certain that you would enjoy and want to keep playing.  Read every review that you can from websites like IGN, GameInformer, or other reviewers.  Watch gameplay videos to make sure that the game will play like you expect it to.  You can also even ask your friends who have the game about it, and possibly even borrow it from them for a short period of time to see if you like it.

8.       Just be patient -

The easiest thing to do is just be patient.  This will be hard, but if you just wait a couple of months after a game is released, the price will begin to drop.  This can also be beneficial because sometimes when games are first released, there are several bugs that need to be ironed out, and the developer will have to release a patch to fix it, and if you have waited, then you don’t have to bother with a bugged version of that game you've been waiting for.

 Playing video games is an awesome way to just escape from everything for a little bit and have your own little world to play around in.  It's a great form of stress relief, and can even help some people overcome disabilities.  Unfortunately, prices are on the rise, and some people are losing access to the gaming industry. Hopefully, with these 8 tips you, too, can enjoy all that video gaming has to offer.

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.

  

Students on a budget? Make birthday presents more special by making it more personalized.

                Your best friends are having a birthday coming up, great you’re excited! Then you look at your bank account… $3 balance, not so great. No money? No problem!

                The way to make your friend’s birthday better is by specializing their presents to things they actually like; Especially if you get them something that they love, such as their favorite candy or if they collect something in particular, like cows.

                You could also try baking their favorite pastry or cooking their favorite dish. Why? Because everyone loves food and what’s better than having someone making something for you? Nothing, because you don’t have to do anything.

                Don’t get me wrong, I love spending money on clothes or other things that my friends would want, but getting little things that are more personalized shows that you’re really thoughtful and actually listen to what your friends like.

                For example, July 1 was my friend’s birthday and I was running really low on money, so I couldn’t get her the shirt she wanted, so what did I do? I baked chocolate bread and bought her a bag of her favorite Mexican candy.

                She loves chocolate pastries and always enjoys this sweet and spicy powder from Mexico. BAM!! Best friend status: elevated. I got her something that she actually liked and it was relatively inexpensive to get.

                You can get some ideas on DIY presents from different websites. Try some of these ideas at:

http://crafting.squidoo.com/diy-gift-ideas-for-men-women-homemade-present-tutorials-crafts-christmas

http://www.the36thavenue.com/2011/11/25-handmade-gifts-under-5.html

                Also check out Chrissy’s blog about DIY dorm decorating items that you could give a friend.

Tips for new students!

As we all know that August 26^th is the first day of classes here at The University of Texas at Tyler. Yayy J And most of you especially our new freshman might be nervous to start the college life.

Well don’t be! 

Here are some few things you can start doing to prep yourself in to a new start.

1.     Make sure your classes are registered, and you have your schedule done by now! That way if you can start with locating your classes right now to make it easy and less hectic on the first day.
2.     Purchase your parking ticket early to avoid the line at the cashier's office and at the police department on the first week of classes.         
3.     Make sure you already have your student ID made, again to avoid lines during first week.
4.         If possible, try to stop by at our book store at the University Center (UC) to see if you can rent or buy used books. From personal experience, I have always waited till last minute to purchase my books and they had to pay more for new books because I was too late to purchase the used ones L
5.           Last, but not the least, have an agenda ready to start your semester. Classes can sometimes be overwhelming and it always helps to plan out your week ahead of time to keep you on track.

I am not trying to scare the new students, but just giving you guys a heads up on what to expect here at UT Tyler from  personal experience.

Good Luck!

Is it Senioritis?

For past couple of weeks I have been procrastinating about my summer classes. It’s just hard to concentrate on classes during summer as a senior. Besides that I have been delaying to go meet my advisor and apply for graduation. As much as I was excited about graduation last semester, I think I just don’t want to graduate anymore for the following reasons:

                

 - Too scared to face life without school for a while

               

 - Finally graduating…reality kicking in?!?

                

 - Terrified of graduate school

Maybe it’s just the fact that I still want to stay at The University of Texas at Tyler. This university has given me so much that I am scared to move on.

When I first moved to Tyler, TX 4 years ago, I had no clue on what I wanted to do with my life until I came to UT Tyler. And throughout my time I spent here at UT Tyler, I have learned so much from my amazing professors at my Health Studies department that it’s hard for me to leave all that behind in a semester. 

College sure is stressful, but the experience of living a life as a college student is incredible. The things you learn, the people you meet, the friends you make, and most important of all the type of person you come out to be is just hard to leave all that behind when you finally graduate.

So to all the students here at UT Tyler, make this wonderful experience a memorable part of your life.

Live, Laugh, Love, and Learn. You just might miss this life style once you graduate from here.

The Steam Summer Sale: A Horrible Time for College Students

The title for this blog might be somewhat of a misnomer.  The Steam Summer Sale is a fantastic yearly event for PC gamers, in which fantastic video games for the PC are on sale for outrageously discounted prices.  Renowned PC games go on sale with upwards of 85-90% discounts on their original prices, creating a cycle of endless spending for an eleven-day period.

While this is a grand time of jubilee and careless spending for PC gamers across the world, an interesting spending trend resurfaces on a yearly basis.  The game’s prices drop so low, gamers are blind to how much they spend overall; they only remain cognizant to individual purchases, and the attractiveness of each discounted game in particular.  The inevitable result is the rapid emptying of wallets and bank accounts in the name of cheap video games.  Being frugal with video game purchases in this time of year can make the Steam Summer Sale not something to fear, but rather, unconditionally loved.

Here is a quick explanation of Steam, as well as the Steam Summer Sale.  Steam is a digital distribution platform developed by the Valve Corporation, which most commonly distributes games and other media online.  In laymen's terms, it is a computer program designed to manage purchased PC video games, as well as function on multiple computers.  For instance, I could buy a video game on my laptop using Steam, and install that game on both my laptop and my work computer.  Along with being a hub for your purchased games, Steam also utilizes social media functions via the community of gamers that you are part of, allowing for multiplayer gaming, as well as basic chat and sharing capabilities.

The Steam Summer Sale is arguably when Steam is the most popular; it’s the week and a half period where games are highly discounted, yet they accrue a larger amount of purchases than any other time in the year.  Amazing games are offered up for extremely low, attractive prices.  It is a successful marketing tactic, to the point that gamers will make false promises to themselves that they will not spend more money than they can afford on video games.  A vicious spending cycle like this one deserves attention.