Colin Nelson is a sophomore Natural Resources & Environmental Science major from Decatur, AL

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Why did you choose your program, and how does your program contribute to your career goals?

Though I did not enter UK in my current program, I did enter with a passion for the environment, and I knew I wanted to work with a focus on conservation of some kind. After my first semester in a different program, I realized that it wasn't exactly what I wanted. I was looking for a route that would spend more time outside in the field, hands-on with the world around me. This led me to the Natural Resources and Environmental Science major. It provides a broad foundation of social and natural sciences and the opportunity to focus on subjects that I care about. I'm now pursuing a career where I get to be a caretaker of wildlife, contributing to the greater picture of environmental work in a small way. NRES is preparing me for this by providing a versatile education and an avenue to related experiences through my focus on wildlife biology and management.

What advice would you offer an incoming freshman in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment?

To the incoming College of Ag freshman, I would offer three pieces of advice. First, don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you ask outside of class time. This gives you the chance to connect with your professors, which is an essential relationship to succeeding in college and potentially finding extracurricular opportunities. Second, spend as much time in the Ag North lobby as possible! People flow through here all the time, so spending time here can help you build friendships with people in your classes or major. Finally, explore as often as you can. College is a unique time where you have both more and less free time than expected. Take advantage of days and weekends with more free time to try new things, go new places, and enjoy new experiences. You may never get the chance to do something similar again!

Tell us about the city of Lexington. What surprised you? What places/people do you like most?

Coming from a mid-sized town, it took some time to adjust to a larger city like Lexington. Even with an adjustment period, the more time I spend here, the more I love it! One of the things that surprised me was how easy it is to navigate the city. With a handful of major roads that are pretty well-connected, it doesn't take much effort to get to and from some important locations like the mall. One of my favorite things about Lexington is the access to parks; Jacobson Park, Veterans Park, and Raven Run Nature Sanctuary are all wonderful places to enjoy the outdoors, and they're all relatively close to campus. A more cliché answer would be the food scene. Lexington is well-known for its wide variety of great food options, and I can confirm through experience! Some of my favorite restaurants are Dad's Favorites Deli, Wallace Station, and DV8 Kitchen.

Colin's Top 3 Places on Campus to Relax

The College of Ag Student Wellness Room in Ag North; This is a small, quiet, low-lit room with an assortment of comfortable chairs and space. It's a great place to take a nap or just rest in between classes! -The Hillary Boone Center Courtyard; Adjacent to the Study Central, this courtyard is a peaceful outdoor place away from much of the hustle and bustle of campus life. It's one of my favorite places to enjoy a beautiful day! -The Arboretum; A UK staple and yet still somehow a hidden gem. With a walking path through a world of native Kentucky flora and lots of green space to lay out a picnic blanket, this might be the best place on campus to escape and unwind!

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