T-Town Tuesday: Nick's in the Sticks

Looking for a good steak in a casual setting? Try Nick’s in the Sticks on 4018 Culver Rd. (Google it or good luck finding it).  Nick’s in the Sticks is worth the drive off campus and has the charm of a small “Mom and Pop” shop.  The actual building is nothing much to look at, and if you blink you’ll miss it, but your meal will be noteworthy.  Come with a big appetite because burgers and steaks are their specialties.  Meals come served with a side (baked potatoes, onion rings, fries, etc.) and a small salad, all for a reasonable price.  The average meal is about ten dollars.  Salads are a little sub-par, but anything fried or grilled will leave your mouth watering for weeks. 

            If you trek out to Nick’s on the weekend, plan to get there early.  There will be a crowd, and there is not much space to accommodate.  However, this restaurant is the perfect place to go on a fall evening thanks to the patio and fun atmosphere.  If your parents come to town and want a piece of Tuscaloosa culture, this would be a great place to take them.  They can even enjoy Nick’s famous drink, the Nickademus (don’t even ask what’s in it... your guess is as good as mine)!  Take a date here to show them a good time, and if things get awkward, you can always try and count the numerous dollar bills taped all over the walls and ceilings.  So next time you are hungry, take a trip out to the Sticks for Nick’s!

Monday Major Madness: Business Management

Do you enjoy being a leader? When it comes to group projects, do you enjoy giving others direction and developing a plan? I DO! And this is why I have decided to major in Business Management. Whether you want to manage a local restaurant or work on Wall Street, this is a major that gives you the opportunity to have a wide variety of career options. Some career options that are available with a Business Management degree include: Business Analyst, Human Resources Manager, Sales Director, and Regional Sales Manager. What do all of these have in common? Their average paying salaries range between $69,000-$130,000! In addition to these high paying salaries, there are potential perks that come with these positions such as all-expense paid for travel time and paid vacation time (depending on the company you are working for, of course).

Did you know UA’s “undergraduate business program was ranked in the top 50 nationally in a recent U.S. News and World Report study?” You can check out even more facts and information about UA’s business school at http://www.cba.ua.edu/prospects/rankings. If you are interested in majoring in ANY business field, make sure to check out http://www.cba.ua.edu/. This website provides several resources that are essential for business students! The website includes access to scholarship information, resume critique/mock interview information, and even upcoming events that are on campus. If you are interested in learning more about the business school, and/or Business Management specifically, please feel free to contact Amber Hersh @ amhersh@crimson.ua.edu.

Thoughts On Thursday: Things I Wish I Knew as a Freshmen

1.      This might sound really stupid, and it probably is but I wished that I knew how to operate the milk dispensers in the dining halls. If you have ever seen these, you know what I am talking about. My first few weeks here I was too scared to get milk because one day I stood there like a total idiot trying to figure it out and couldn’t. One night I waited at Late Night Lakeside for someone to come up and get milk so I could watch them. So you don’t have to do the same thing, I’ll give you the trick—you pull up on the triangular handle. I did this the first time I tried, but it didn’t work because you also have to make sure that the thick, white straw is sticking out. If that’s not there, there’s no milk in the container.

2.      On a more serious note, you can access your crimson email and elearning without going through mybama. This is especially helpful for the times that mybama is down.

·         To access your email go to mail.crimson.ua.edu

·         To access elearning go to elearning.ua.edu

3.      Sign up for your advising appointment the first week of the new semester. If you don’t do it quickly, spots will fill up, especially in the business school. With priority registration as an Honors Student, you need to see an advisor early because we register before everyone else.

4.      On a similar same note, plan out your schedule a few days before you actually sign on to register. You can look up dates and times for classes and find out exactly which sections you would like to take. It will save you a lot of time and frustration on the actual registration day. And make sure you do plan two or three days in advance because sometimes when I have planned a week or two early, they have changed the class times and professors.

Monday Major Madness: Art

What is art?  Art is the cultural expression of society. This is the emotion in human beings. Art can be a form of poetry, a creative story, a drawing, a statue to any form of dance or study. Art lacks a satisfactory definition. It is easier to describe it as the way something is done -- "the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others" -- rather than what it is.  
The arts are a powerful vehicle for communication, a way to express visions that are beyond the capacity of words and a medium for cultural enlightenment. Knowledge of the arts is an indispensable foundation for enlightened citizenship in our increasingly complicated world. Art teaches us that beauty is not the goal of all art; art is about understanding a particular subject(s) with extreme intensity and then expressing that intensity with the available means to the artists. Most people enjoy art not because it is beautiful but it is unique; how else would people recognize the diverse use of art from famous painters (Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci) or musicians (Beethoven, Mozart). Emotions matter in all directions; art teaches you to be emotionally connected to your work as an individual, and to also reconcile the emotional connection that will result with a judging audience. Sometimes there is no single, right answer; art teaches you to be open to multiple perspectives and interpretations that are often “gray”, not “black and white”.

The best place on-campus to study such a creative outlet is the College of Arts and Sciences. The College consists of 22 academic departments whose chairs and directors report directly to the Dean: African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Art and Art History, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Communicative Disorders, Criminal Justice, English, Geography, Geological Sciences, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages and Classics, Music, New College, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Theatre and Dance, and Woman's Studies. The College provides the fundamental liberal arts foundation necessary to the education of all University of Alabama students. It is dedicated to educating individuals based on the liberal arts philosophy of making each student a life-long learner.

Thoughts On Thursday: Mind over Midterms

Midterm. Sounds a little scary, right?

It’s really not. Treat it like any other test—this one just happens to fall in the middle of the semester.

That being said, you do want to come to class on test day rested and prepared, so here are five tips that will help you out:

1.       Bring your ACT card to class

Most professors require you to have proof of your ID when you turn in your test, so be sure to bring your student card with you on the day of your exam.

2.       Get to class early

Allow yourself about ten minutes to settle in before you start your test. Feeling rushed and flustered will only distract you during your exam.

3.       If possible, sit in your usual seat

Studies have shown that you recall information better in the same environment that you learned it. So, if you can, sit in the same seat that you do for class. Also, try to study in a quiet place, as you will be taking the test in a quiet setting.

4.       Minimize cramming

I know this is one that’s easier said than done, but really try to spread your studying out over a couple of days, or even better, weeks. You retain information better when your mind has time to process what you are learning.

5.       Take care of yourself!

Eat well, exercise, and… sleep! It’s tempting to put off studying and pull an all-nighter the day before the test, but you will concentrate much better and have a faster recall after a full night’s sleep. Sleep has been proven to help your brain consolidate information. Also, avoid eating lots of sugar to avoid the following crash. And, exercise. You will feel better, have more energy, and be able to focus more than if you hadn’t.

The following is a link to the hours of operation for libraries on campus—perfect quiet places for you to study!

http://www.lib.ua.edu/print/fall2011

Good luck, be calm and confident, and Roll Tide!