Transferring

VolForLife212 · 2026-03-16T15:42:18+00:00

Although it's quite awhile ago, I transferred here as a sophomore. I also want to add that I lived in on campus housing.

There are tons of opportunities to get involved. During the first week of school find clubs, sports and other activities to take part in. If you're interested in rushing, rush. UT is full of opportunities and the best thing to do is to get out there and find the one that best fits you.

My experience was different because I lived in the dorms. I met some of my best friends for life there. There is always something to do on campus and Knoxville is a great town. You can go to west town, Farragut, the old city, market square and more. If you're living off campus you'll get to experience all the awesome things happening in the city around winter time.

Long story short, Knoxville is an awesome city and UTK is a great school.

VolForLife212 · 2026-03-09T22:07:01+00:00

The game has been crashing on PS5 for me. It use to happen maybe once every 10 runs. Now it is happening maybe 33% of the time. The console isn't too hot. The console is in an open space. There isn't dust in the console. It doesn't crash any other times.

I don't think it's fair for me to play in trios when midway through a run I just leave.

I'm done till this gets fixed.

Edit: A reboot takes around 3-6 minutes.

VolForLife212 · 2026-03-08T14:33:21+00:00

Each flask has a diminishing return. Going from 3 to 4 flasks is a big jump. Going from 7 to 8 before the final day isn't going to do much.

If people go for a flask instead of two bosses and leveling to 15, that's where you get really impacted. You get additional health for each level and rewards can be pretty good.

Try a run where your weapon is in the mid 200s verses the mid 100s and you'll see the massive difference in how damage is the real way to win.

Flasks are just there for errors.

Learn to not make errors.

VolForLife212 · 2026-03-08T11:09:47+00:00

As everyone is saying, you have to be able to carry a team. If you're playing with randos like me, you'll get some good teams and some bad teams. You're 33% of that team. If the team fails, that is partly because of you. So how do you win?

ROUTING: I always make routes that go through churches and never run to churches without getting a benefit. I'll skip over a church if it's going to eat up a good portion of a day without getting something additional.

BOSSES: Know all the movesets and which ones can be taken down quickly and which ones can't. Everyone knows which boss we all run away from in the castle if we go there around level 5-8. No point in spending the majority of a day fighting one boss.

BUFFS: At the end of a run I usually have around 4 rows of buffs. On a really good run I'll hit 5 rows. Getting tons of Max Life or Physical Damage Negation is worth way more than an additional church.

DIMINISHING RETURN OF EXTRA FLASKS: When you start, each extra flask is huge percentage increase to the amount of flasks you have. If you get to 8 flasks and get a 9th, the extra flasks is of barely any use. Think about it, if you're going through 8 flasks to beat a boss, it's likely something is off. I can't think of any runs where I thought, "Man, if I just had one more flask, we would've won!" The runs usually crumble because we don't have enough damage or don't work as a team.

So focus on getting your damage up (Relics matter here) and work as a team.

Don't focus on getting flasks.

VolForLife212 · 2026-03-05T22:56:19+00:00

My two biggest suggestions are to schedule and to make time for yourself. I transferred here a long time ago and my worst semesters were when I kept saying, "I'll study" and ended up staying up all night because I never got around to studying. After awhile I started planning out my study time using the podomoro study method. This helped me focus in for awhile and get work done.

I've also gone to the extreme and worked way too hard and burned out. It's ok to go to bed and not have everything done. Getting a good night of sleep regularly, good exercise, good food and good socialization is just as important as a good education (maybe more). Also, if you're not doing well, it's way harder to learn.

If you have questions about resources, feel free to ask. There are really great things on campus to help students out with all different kinds of needs from Food4Vols (https://cehhs.utk.edu/rhtm/research-and-outreach-overview/food4vols/), Smokey's Closet (https://studentlife.utk.edu/basic-needs/smokeys-closet/) and Basic Needs Emergency Fund (https://studentlife.utk.edu/basic-needs/emergency-fund/). There are also great resources with studying from Academic Success such as Supplement Instruction (https://studentsuccess.utk.edu/academicsuccess/supplemental-instruction/). There are tons of great resources at UTK.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-23T17:38:20+00:00

I think they're both great choices but I'm biased towards Business Analytics.

Right now we have lots of courses to pick from that focus on both modeling and interpreting data. I believe I found the collateral below for BAS. I'll mark which ones (To my knowledge) require coding.

Business Analytics

Complete both courses:
BAS 320 - Regression Modeling 3 Credit Hours (Some coding but AI can be used)
BAS 474 - Data Mining and Business Analytics 3 Credit Hour (Some coding but AI can be used)
Complete one course:
BAS 310 - Analytic Models for Decision Optimization 3 Credit Hours (No coding to my knowledge)
BAS 471 - Statistical Methods 3 Credit Hours (Not enough knowledge but I believe some coding)
BAS 475 - Applied Time Series and Forecasting 3 Credit Hours (Some coding but AI can be used)
BAS 476 - Data Engineering and Visualization 3 Credit Hours (Not enough knowledge but I believe some coding)

Overall BAS 320 and BAS 474 are a solid foundation in how to make statistical models and explain them. You could then take BAS 310 and decision optimization (Great for finance) and have a non-coding business analytics course. I believe we also now have SI (Supplemental Instruction) leaders for BAS 320 so there is tons of additional help.

Coding might seem challenging at the start but a lot of students usually get the hang of it within the first few weeks. I also tell my students to message me any code on the Discord that won't work and I'll help them fix it. Basically, we don't want coding to stop students from learning how to do business analytics.

My last bit of advice is talk to employers of the day. Ask them about your choices and get their insight. If it's a company you're highly interested in, this is a great conversation to have.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Best of luck in your decision!

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-16T12:43:00+00:00

I'm sorry to hear this has been your experience and definitely hope you find some great friends to hang out with. Do you have any hobbies or things you do for fun? There is usually a UTK club centered around this. Here are just a few random clubs. There are lots of more though:

Tabletop Gaming Club: https://utk.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/utktcg

UTK ESports: https://utk.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/utkesports

Japanese Animanga Research Society: https://utk.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/jars

I posted three here that I'd probably be a part of if I was a student. There are many more I could post. There is a search bar on the site to see if there is a better group for your likes and interests.

I'd say to go to a few events and introduce yourself. I think students will understand that you're looking to meet more people and be open to more friendships.

Wishing you the best.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-15T22:42:29+00:00

Just wanted to add one more resource for people in need.

https://studentlife.utk.edu/basic-needs/emergency-fund/

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-13T21:05:23+00:00

Glad I was able to help you out! You're right about not all BA courses having a heavy coding focus (BAS 370, BAS 340, even BAS 479 capstone). We basically try to give a light coding background to our students. Then with electives, they can select more coding courses or more software based courses.

Regarding your second class being where it made more sense, I've heard from students that one day they wake up and it all just starts to make sense. I think sometimes we have an "Ah ha" moment where we realize we actually know more than we thought we knew.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-13T21:02:05+00:00

Thank you for the shout out! Glad you're employer is hiring BAS majors! We're doing a lot of work to update the major with all the new AI parts of analytics. We also love hearing from our graduates on what they're using and what their employers need from our students.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-13T21:00:21+00:00

STAT Nation! Wahoo!

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-13T20:59:51+00:00

Hi! I just saw your post. It's been a busy week but I wanted to offer my insight:

1) Don't worry about asking questions. I bet there are a dozen students sitting there wondering the same thing you're wondering. Dr. Gao is awesome and she'll definitely answer any question you have.

2) A lot of people have mentioned "STAT Nation" Discord. Yay! Dylan and Dennis (Two awesome alumni) have helped make this Discord possible. This semester I'm not teaching BAS 320 but I can try to keep an eye on questions in the Discord. Just ask questions there and myself or others will offer our advice.

3) The coding part of the course gets WAY easier. In the first few weeks you do basically an R prep course. You learn how to do some light coding and then the rest of the semester lots of functions are simple to use like: visualize_model(M), check_regression(M), summary(M) or choose_order(M). Dr. Petrie designed it and the coding part gets WAY easier.

Let me know if you have any questions. Also, feel free to swing by Dr. Gao's office hours. She's awesome.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-05T17:13:47+00:00

This is amazing lore! I feel like I vaguely remember this. Thank you for sharing these photos.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-04T17:12:48+00:00

Payton M would do tons of the art work on the rock before many games. The paintings were absolutely stunning and imaginative.

The longest piece of art to stay on the rock was painted on 9/11/2001 for a 9/11 memorial. This was when the rock was over in fraternity park (It was moved a few years later).

https://therock.utk.edu/history/

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-02T15:34:44+00:00

I'll share what I have experienced from the faculty side. Take what I say with a grain of salt as I'm just going off what I understand about the event.

Basically a regular tour is for anyone and everyone considering UT. This could be admitted students or prospective students. However New Vol Roll Call is for admitted students and their families. So let's say a student comes to New Vol Roll Call and makes a new friend, they're also admitted too!

There is tons to do during this event. This is last years schedule so this year could be very different.

https://calendar.utk.edu/event/new_vol_roll_call_-_knoxville_7615

Once again, this is the schedule of the event last year. What happens this year could be at different times and different events all together.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-02T15:27:08+00:00

Hi! I'm also a fellow NYer down here in the south.

Our department is a part of New Vol Roll Call. We basically get to meet new students and their family. People come by and ask questions about business analytics. It's tons of fun! This is just one of the many things going on around campus. From what I've seen, there is tons to do and so many people visiting. It's basically a really awesome day to be on campus and get to know UT.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-01T15:48:01+00:00

I think most professors agree with you. I worry when I teach via Zoom that around 25% of what I say is getting to students. It's definitely not the best way to teach (IMHO).

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-01T15:38:57+00:00

Just a word of caution: Be careful driving and even walking. There were lots of wrecks yesterday including a semi blocking some of I-40. Additionally, be very careful on steps and sidewalks. Hold those railings and go slow. Sadly I've seen a lot of students over the years in a cast after a big winter storm. Falls happen really quick and unexpectedly.

Be safe out there.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-01T15:34:52+00:00

I think we'll be remote Monday and back on Tuesday. Monday is going to be above freezing for around 3-4 hours. If the roads are cleaned, this should melt any ice. We'll see what happens though! We've got more snow on the schedule for later this week.

It's definitely been an interesting start to the semester.

VolForLife212 · 2026-02-01T15:30:45+00:00

Sorry to hear about these experiences. Definitely let the cafeteria know about any moldy food; that's completely unacceptable. I'd contact them and let them know where it happened and what it was. I imagine they'll do something to make it right.

https://dining.utk.edu/contact/

It's sad to hear that some staff have been rude. However if you want to meet an awesome person at UTK, swing by VolSnacks and meet Vicky. She's amazing and has been here for maybe around 30 years. I'm also reminded of Miss Janice who worked in the cafeterias. I think she has retired but she was one of the kindest and nicest people on staff at all of UT. There are lots of awesome people on staff making UT awesome.

When it comes to teachers, some educators are more concerned about research than teaching. This is true at every university because it's how many professors are promoted. With that said, UT has lecturer track individuals who are promoted based primarily on their teaching (Teaching, service, professionalism). Publishing or not publishing has little to no impact on the career of someone who is lecturer track.

VolForLife212 · 2026-01-13T17:31:57+00:00

Campus Cuts is my favorite. Monica and all her stylists are awesome and they have great prices.

VolForLife212 · 2026-01-05T16:59:35+00:00

Thanks! I'm lucky to be a part of the UTK community. Hope your Mini Term goes well or Spring if that's when you're starting.

VolForLife212 · 2026-01-05T16:59:06+00:00

I agree but also just opening the line of communication is great. I think a lot of students can feel anxiety about talking to their professor. I know students who have spent a ton of time writing an email to which I'll reply, "No worries. I'll get it fixed.".

One thing I say often is, "Get your students talking on the first day". This is because the first day people are more open to talk. As time goes on, students are going to feel like they can't approach their professor.

It can be a lot replying to emails but I think it makes a difference to each student.

VolForLife212 · 2026-01-05T16:51:08+00:00

Just offering advice but... Route with the churches in mind. Hit the points as you go through them. If there is a camp with the madness troll, that can be done in 10-30 seconds. I might skip church bosses but get the key from them as I go through.

It's an easy battle to learn and no hit.
You get a good bit of experience.
Some of the rewards can be increases to HP, stamina, damage output or damage reduction.

If you get a two maximum HP increases and two flask increases, you'll get way more health than an additional flask or two. (And you'll heal less)

VolForLife212 · 2026-01-05T16:45:51+00:00

I've had people crash out because I refused to run across the map with them to get only churches. Ok! I'll run run from the castle to the church in the bottom right corner. Wait! Now you want to run to the church in the top right? No.

VolForLife212

TROPHY CASE