The Last Time Around

Senior Year holds several  "last time" events, such as: my first last day of school on campus, my last time as a student at UKAg Round Up, my last semester as a CAFE Ambassador, my last semester to pull all- nighters with friends in the Ag North Lobby studying, and my last time going to CSF to get pancakes at midnight to take a break from studying for finals. Thinking about all of these things that I will do for the last time this semester makes me a little emotional. It is so hard to believe that my time here at UK as a student and ambassador in the College of Agriculture, Food and the Environment  is coming to a close in a few short months.

            The thought of senior year brings up all these "last time" events, but because of a bold step that myself and 26 other girls took last year I also had a "first time" experience this semester which I will always be grateful for. The Beta Omicron chapter of Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority for Women in Agriculture was activated March 23rd, 2013. I was blessed enough to be a charter member with 26 other brave and wonderful girls.

            Last week we held our "first" rush to find the alpha class membership candidates to help grow our organization. The numerous bonds that were created and strengthened last week is a true testament to what this organization has done for me in the few months that I have been a member. I'm blessed that I had an amazing leader ask me to be a part of this group and I will continue to talk to girls about the wonderful things personally and professionally that this organization will do for women in agriculture.

            My first and last time events will continue throughout these next few months and they will be nothing short of amazing, just like my career here in the College of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. I am thankful for all of the "first" and "last time" events that this College and University have been a part of because it has played a huge role in the forming of the woman I have become. 

Gabrielle is a senior from Gamaliel, Kentucky.  She is majoring in Career & Technical Education and will student teach in the spring.

A Thankful Wildcat

This statement was taken from the University of Mount Union's blog &
couldn't be more true.

This week many students across campus are heading home for the holiday break, and the holiday season itself has really made me think about everything that I am grateful for. My college experience is definitely such a blessing- and what has made it so special- in particular, is my time in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky. Agriculture has always been a passion of mine, and for every question and passion that I have had related to agriculture, I have found a class or an organization that helps me further explore my interests in agriculture. So during this time of thanksgiving, I’d like to go through a few of the reasons why I chose the College of Ag at UK, and the many things that I am grateful for within UK Ag.  

When I began applying to colleges I had a rather large list of things I wanted to have- a great academic program, opportunities for jobs, the opportunity to meet new people in social outlets, hands-on-experience within my program, and a great campus. After visiting UK’s College of Agriculture, and attending the college for about two years now, I realize that everything I could have wanted in a college is right here. I am thankful for small class sizes where the professor knows my name and I know I can talk to them any time. I am thankful for a hands-on program with a fantastic farm that I can access for labs and to further extend my knowledge of agriculture. I am thankful for the numerous clubs and activities within the College of Agriculture that allow for me to meet other people within the college of agriculture, and enjoy my time in college. I am grateful for the professors who teach the classes within the college of agriculture; who are knowledgeable about the subjects they teach and want to help students succeed. I am thankful for the jobs and internships that the College of Agriculture attracts everyday that will help me secure a job after I graduate and prepare for my future endeavors. I am thankful for my advisor, who meets with me every semester to make sure I am on track with my classes and offers helpful suggestions to continue to support me in my journey through college.

Overall, there’s a lot to be thankful for in life- family, friends, and for me, my education at the University Of Kentucky College Of Agriculture. I hope during this holiday season that you will enjoy being around family and friends, and take time to think about what you are thankful for. If you are preparing for college, it may also be a time to really consider what you are looking for in your college experience, and what you want to one day be thankful for. I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving and we hope to see you soon here at UK!

 

Veronica is a junior majoring in Equine Science & Management.  She is from Annapolis, Maryland.   She is a Resident Advisor with UK Housing and an Ag Ambassador.

The College Bound wAGon

 [Writer’s Note: This will be part one of a multi-post installment on preparing yourself for college and truly taking a look at how to make the process easier on you and your family.  I hope you enjoy.]

     For seniors in high school, this is the time of year when lots of things are happening- and probably very fast.  Between running to band practice and Friday night football games and working your part-time job at the local sub shop, you are a student on a path to your future.  People ask where you are going to college, what you are going to major in, and a part of you is always asking yourself the same question.  You may be getting these questions as a junior or sophomore, too. 

     After working in college admissions for nearly ten years, let me pull you inside the inner circle and let you in on some “inside” information.  I am going to discuss some of the questions I get the most often and offer some advice.

Anything I can do before I start applying to make it easier?   

     Simply said, yes.  Think of these steps as stretching before the big race.

     Ask yourself why you want to go to college.  The two most common answers I hear are to reach your goals and to start a career.  These are great answers and everyone will have different factors.  Use these factors to begin narrowing your college search down to the schools that fit you and what you are looking for.  There are over 7,000 higher education institutions in the U.S. according to US Department of Education statistics, so it is important to narrow your choices.  Ultimately, campus visits are great ways to narrow the search and can put you inside the action to see if that campus is for you. 

     Get a planner.  [Note: You are going to hear this a few times, so just stop reading now and head to the store.]  This can come in very handy when you start interacting with the colleges on your list (see above). 

     Take the ACT or SAT.  Each student tests differently and some states are more geared on taking one or the other.  Let that be up to the individual student.  We suggest taking each test at least twice in order to power up your score and so the student can have a good grasp on the format.  I’ve met students who take it once and score near-perfect and I have met students who have taken it seven times to reach their goal.  Seven is excessive.  That takes the power off of the student and gives it to the test.  Get a study guide and go through it for 5 minutes a day at least leading up to your test.  Don’t cram the week before by reading the special hints and working on the sections you know or don’t know.  Read the whole thing.  You can also get some great help from your smartphone or email inbox by checking out the different apps out there and online features of the sites below.

ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/ (Check out the Question of the Day box.)

SAT:  http://sat.collegeboard.org/home (They also have Question of the Day.)

Okay- that’s enough reading for one day from me.  I’ll be back with another installment of “The College Bound wAGon” next week where we’ll talk about applying to college and what to major in.  In the meantime,  send your questions to me at Jason.Headrick@uky.edu.  I’m glad to hear your questions or get your feedback on this and other posts.

Jason

Director of Student Relations, UK Ag

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