What's Happening at The Nine at Louisville

Final Exam Prep and Tips

May 13, 2020

It's May 1st, which means finals are right around the corner. We want to ensure you do your best even while distance learning so here are some tips to help you prepare!

1. Turn off all distractions- Whether this is your phone, a television, or finding a separate room from your parents/roommates on a work call, it is important to separate yourself and find a clean space to focus.
2. Don't get too comfortable- Avoid working from a place you may forget to work on: whether that be a comfy couch or your bed. Find a place that keeps you accountable. 
3. Utilize Zoom for study groups- Although you may not sit next to your classmates every week anymore, that does not mean they have to be out of sight out of mind. Promising to study together is a tool you can use to keep yourself working and motivated.
4. Set a goal amount of study time each day- Try not to study too little or too much in one day, you can burn out either way. If you dedicate specific time to work and include breaks, you will be much more productive.
5. Keep an updated calendar for each lecture or exam you have- While sleeping through a final is a nightmare we have all had before, this becomes much closer to reality as we take them from home. Make sure you are on top of your schdule for the week, knowing what time you will need to be up and present for your exam.

These past few weeks have been difficult for all of us. If you find yourself feeling unmotivated to take on the day in front of you, make to-do lists, take breaks, make sure you eat healthy snacks and have enought water throughout the day,  but just know that these days will pass. We hope you find these tips helpful as you prepare for your final exams. Good luck!!

Spring Break Tips

Mar 02, 2020

It’s March, and that means one thing- Spring Break! Here are 12 tips from CBS News to help keep your week in the sun fun! Before you go though, make sure you #RENEW your lease!

1. Don't be stupid in the ocean. 
If you are going to be swimming in the ocean, do you even know what rip currents and rip tides are? These strong currents can quickly carry you out to sea if you aren't careful and how you swim out of these currents is counterintuitive. Talk to a lifeguard about swimming conditions before getting in the water.

2. Protect your location on social media sites.
Sharing too much information on your location on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare may endanger your safety, warns the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. Adjust your privacy settings and use your best judgment when checking in on Facebook and Foursquare. Be cautious about revealing personal information and location through status updates or tweets with Twitter trends like #SpringBreak and #SB2020 

3. Consider travel insurance.
Unfortunately, most student health policies don't cover individuals once they leave U.S. soil. Stephanie Kaplan, Her Campus co-founder, recommends that students obtain a good travel insurance policy that covers illness, injury and emergency evacuation coverage.

4. Create a code word.
Create a secret signal or code word to let your friends know when you are uncomfortable and need them to intervene. When you are with friends, arrive together and leave together. Establish a place to meet in advance if you get separated.

5. Don't drink in a hot tub.
Forget about all those MTV videos that makes drinking look essential for a hot-tub experience. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. The effects of drinking are felt faster and stronger if you're sitting in a hot tub.

6. Before traveling get up-to-date on your vaccines.
That advice comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Click on the CDC's vaccine quiz to find out if you need to be vaccinated.

7. Take a copy of your passport. 
There is no worse way to end a vacation than to discover that your passport has been stolen or lost.

8. Practice safe drinking. 
Never leave your drink unattended. If you lose sight of it, order a new one. Don't accept drinks from people you don't know or trust.

9. Tan safely.
To prepare for a beach destination, opt for spray tanning or self-tanning instead of a tanning bed. The risk of skin cancer is too great to spend time at a tanning salon.

10. Don't stay on the first floor.
Avoid first-floor hotel rooms because they are bigger targets for thieves. If you bring your laptop, keep it in a hotel safe.

11. Carry phone numbers and cash. 
On spring break, carry emergency cash and the phone numbers of cab companies. Keep in your wallet the address of the hotel or rental property that you are staying at.

12. Consider an alternative spring break. 
Many schools and religious organizations offer alternative spring break options, including networking retreats and community service trips. Choosing one of these alternatives should make your parents happy.

Let's share the love!

Feb 03, 2020

February is the month of showing that extra love and appreciation for that special someone in your life. It can be overwhelming and very expensive to come up with something each year. The key is to not overspend on gifts but to include the small touches that your loved ones will appreciate.

Here are some creative and inexpensive gift ideas!

1. Make a card (or at least include one). Write a heartfelt, sentiment note and couple it with your gift.

2. Put a twist on the plain old box of chocolate. Unwrap the box before you present it and beneath each chocolate, insert a slip of paper that says something you love about your partner. You could also write down favorite memories or song that remind you of that special someone.

3. Eat in. Prepare a nice dinner with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert. Don’t forget to set the mood with your favorite Spotify station.

4. Share a playlist of the songs that have been special to your courtship. Include your “song,” songs from movies you’ve seen together, and songs with lyrics that are meaningful to your relationship.

5. Cozy up and play your favorite game of cards.

6. Write 100 things you love about them and slip it under their dinner plate. Or write down 100 of your favorite memories that you’ve spent together so far.

7. Save some money by planning a lunch out, instead of a dinner. You’ll spend less on lunch and then you’ll have the entire day to do something together. During the meal you spend together, make a special point to listen more than you talk. Ask questions. Make them feel engaged and truly heard.

8. Share a favorite recreational activity together. Do you both love to hike, bike, run or ski? Plan an outing that involves your favorite (free) and shared activity.

9. Make an inexpensive photo book that documents your relationship. Online photo processing sites make it simple to create a nicely designed book. Or you can save money by purchasing an inexpensive photo book and filling it out yourself. Another idea: frame a favorite photo of the two of you together.

10. If you have a little money to spare, look for online jewelry coupons. Some of the leading online jewelers have special coupon codes for the days leading up to Valentine’s Day and many have deep discounts on “deals of the day.” You can also easily find deals on other traditional Valentine’s Day gifts, including roses and chocolates.

Combine several of the ideas to be sure they will remember this Valentine’s Day for years to come!