It’s the Little Things

In life, there’s always something that keeps you from moving forward.  For me, it’s the little things.  Like writing this blog.  I sat down many times to write it, but I didn’t know what to write about.  Or going for a run.  I wanted to run, but I didn’t have any clean socks.  These are the little things that are easy to fix- but that keep me from progressing.  Word of advice:  Don’t get caught up on the little things!  I feel much better when I can accomplish the things that I want to get done.  

An easy way to prevent a halt in your work  is to be prepared.  Think ahead when you start something and take time to plan.  For example, as I was going to sit at my computer to write the blog I should have been thinking about what I was going to write about.  Or, when I put on my last pair of clean socks I should have thought about doing laundry and planned a time to do so.  Then I would have clean socks the next time I needed them.  

This can easily translate into school work.  To make sure that we are progressing in our classes and exams, we need to be prepared.  Make sure that you know when things are due and when you have exams.  A planner is a great way to keep track.  Study a little bit at a time, instead of cramming the night before.  I heard once that for every hour you are in the classroom you should study 2-3 hours outside the classroom.  Studying for a few minutes a day may seem insignificant, or a little thing, at the time but when you get to the day before the exam you will feel much more prepared and significantly less stressed!

As you are reading this, I hope you learn that the little things should not prevent you from moving forward.  But let’s be honest.  You’re probably not doing something right now because of a minor bump in the road!  Make your own list of your “small things” and don’t get bogged down this semester.  Let’s do this Wildcats!

Marissa 

 

Marissa is a seniors studying an individualized curriculum in Sustainable Agriculture.  She is from Morrow, Ohio.  Marissa is a member of the UK Sustainability Council & an Ag Ambassador.   Ambassador.   

NYC was okay by me

What a CRAZY past couple of weeks!  As the school year creeps closer and closer to ending, I feel like I am getting busier and busier. Within the past few weeks I have taken two amazing trips out of town!

 As a member of the UK women’s club volleyball team, we took a trip to Kansas City, Missouri for our final national tournament.  We had a blast playing against schools from all over the country, and when we weren’t playing we got a chance to enjoy what the city had to offer. By joining a club team, I have met so many great friends, and become more involved.  I can’t wait for our season to start up again in the fall!

My classmate Charlie & I eating cannolis in Little Italy.

I also just got back from my class trip to New York City.  As landscape architecture students, our studio class takes an educational, five-day, trip to a different location each spring.  This year our class voted on going to New York.  Although New York left my bank account near empty, it was an awesome experience. I have never been to NYC before, so I was astounded to see how extraordinary it truly was. While we were there, we studied things that pertain to our major like parks, plaza spaces, markets, urban agriculture and the way people navigate through different public spaces.  We got to see places that we have talked about in class before, such as Paley Park, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, and Battery Park City. Of all the places our class went, I would have to say that Central Park was my favorite.  It was amazing to see the scale of such an amazing park and how it accommodates so many people and so many different activities. While we were in New York we even got to tour two landscape architecture firms and view some of their work! It was a trip of a lifetime, to say the least. 

If you’re headed to the "Big Apple" soon, have a slice of pizza for me at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn!

Hillary is a junior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Landscape Architecture.  She is from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Hillary is a member of the UK Club Volleyball Team and is a COA Agricultural Ambassador.   

A Semester Made Simple

School has just started back and I feel like I am in the middle of the semester already!  After filling up my planner with test dates and papers to be written I wonder if I will ever be able to keep up, and I know many of you are feeling the same way.  

But no worries!  The UK College of Agriculture has so many people who are here to keep you from feeling overwhelmed.  I am an ambassador for the College of Agriculture and we are always willing to help students keep their heads above water!  School can be very stressful, and as fellow students we have all experienced that stress.  Just take school one week at a time and remember that a planner is a student’s best friend!  Here are some helpful hints from me to you to keep this semester stress-free:

11.      Make sure that you write down all your important due dates. 

22.      Read for class ahead of time!

33.      Start studying when the professor suggests that you start studying, not the night before the exam.

44.      Write outlines for papers and have your professor or TA look them over.  They will give you helpful advice!

55.      Form study groups for classes that you feel are going to give you a hard time.  Even if you usually like to study on your own, other students can help clear up subjects you might not understand.

66.     Don’t pull all-nighters!!  This will not help to keep you stress-free.

77.     Go to class, and then pay attention.

88.     Communicate with your professors.  This shows them that you are a conscientious student and are trying to learn.

99.      Eat healthy balanced meals to keep your strength up!

110. And finally, make time for fun!  You need to balance school and work with time for you.

If you do your best, there is no reason to be stressed.  You did your best and that’s all anyone can ever expect from you!  Have a great semester.

 Marissa K. – Class of 2013     

Marissa is a junior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Sustainable Agriculture.  She is from Morrow, Ohio.  She is involved with Block and Bridle, UK Women's Choir, Alpha Phi Omega, Student Sustainability Council Representative.