Monday, March 2, 2009

Patience

I was never a very patient guy, but that's changed recently. I've been in college for the better part of 4 years now, with still almost a year to go. That means I'll have my bachelor's degree in 5 years. (Really hard math, I know)

I've learned to be patient with things, though. If you're always speeding through things, always wanting results instantaneously, then you aren't learning anything in the process. I am a results-oriented guy, so I love doing things...but enjoy the process every now and then.

That can especially be said for those of you thinking about grad school. Be patient, learn, and enjoy the experience. If there is anything that we can help you with at UCO's graduate college, please let us know!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Some of my favorite Oklahoma diners

Sorry for not posting as of late...I've taken a bit to re-think how I want to approach this blog. I've also been in the middle of a big research project. Thanks for understanding.

Today, I'd like to let you know about a few of my favorite places to go in Oklahoma. Some you may have been to; others you not even know existed. Let's get started.

1) Meer's Restaurant | Meers, OK | Map | Website




This place is awesome. They have some of the best burgers around, and it's cheap for college kids. The only problem is that it's way down around Lawton, OK. The best thing to do is take a day trip and explore the Wichita National Wildlife Refuge. It's a great place to spend the day, and then go to Meer's for dinner.



2) Pops | Edmond, OK| Map | Website




Pops is located right on historic Route 66 just a few miles east of UCO. The food is okay...the selection of soda pop is what sets this place apart. If you ever decide to go here, make sure you get a "Kickapoo Joy Juice".



3) Pete's Place | Krebs, OK | Map | Website




Pete's is located in SE Oklahoma, just outside of McAlester. Another great day trip is to go down to Robber's Cave State Park and explore the caves, and then make Pete's a dinner stop. Some of the best Italian food (especially the Italian sausage...mmmmm). This is one of those must-try places, even if you don't like Italian food all that much.

Well, there you are. These are, of course, in no particular order. I have a few other places that I'll be sharing later on, but I felt like it was a great time to let you in on these favorites of mine. The weather is beginning to turn nice, and day/weekend trips are always a great way to relax your mind and get away from the stress of college, even for a small amount of time.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Jackson Graduate College at UCO

If you're considering grad school, please, please take a look at the Jackson College of Graduate Studies. At the moment, I'm working for them to help improve the website and their presence in the online environment.

After spending several weeks working with the people, I can tell you they will help you 100% of the way through your graduate studies. Questions, concerns, and issues that you need help resolving are their specialty.

UCO undergraduate studies are great, but I've been told (and see it with my own eyes) that the staff at the graduate college is superb!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Oklahoma

For those of you that are international students, you might think: "Why would I want to move from my country to the USA, only to end up in Oklahoma?" Most people that live in the United States and have never visited or been to Oklahoma would probably ask the same question. The answer is pretty simple: Oklahoma is a great state to live in and to explore.

First off, the cost of living is dramatically lower than other areas of the U.S. However, this does not mean that the area is in bad shape. Nothing could be further from the truth. With a new NBA team and a city government forging ahead on efforts to renovate the downtown area, there is a vibrant and diverse selection of things to do around OKC.

Other areas of Oklahoma offer great lakes, state parks, mountains, and caves. We have such a broad selection of geographical features that makes living in Oklahoma exciting and fun.

For more info about state parks and things to do, check out www.travelok.com.

Come back soon to find out some of my favorite places in the state.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Settling in

Just as the warm weather is starting to get here (although it looks like we may get some cooler weather again soon), I have really started to settle in to the rhythm of this semester. Not that things have calmed down or are slowing down, but I just feel a bit more comfortable now. I was letting a lot of things pile up on my plate without addressing them...which is not good.

What do you need to address in your life/career/school studies that will help you settle in?

Friday, February 6, 2009

Suggestions?

I always love suggestions from readers. What do you suggest that I blog about? Is there a particular issue about UCO or college in general that you care to know about? Do you want more tips, techniques, and musings? Or would you rather just have more informative posts?

Let me know in the comments or by sending an email. You can reach me at csmith133[at]uco.edu

International Students

Here at UCO, we have a very diverse student body. International Students are welcomed with open arms and we love to celebrate and learn about the cultures of these students.

If you are an international student seeking to gain more knowledge about going to school at UCO, I will be blogging soon on a few issues I think you will be interested in. For now, be sure to check out the International Student Office website, and also the list of master degree's available while attending UCO.