Countdown to Kentucky #UK2030's Official Source for all Things UK

Welcome to Countdown to Kentucky (#5), Campus is ready. Are you?

Bags are being packed. Residence hall room decorations are boxed up. Goodbyes - or see you soons - new beginnings and Big Blue Move-In are all getting very real. 

In a few days, you’ll arrive at the University of Kentucky, meet new people, experience K Week and begin a new chapter that you’ve been planning for all summer. 

Before you get here, there are a few important things you need to finish. 

As conversations pick up on social media, in group chats and among other incoming students, remember that Countdown to Kentucky is your trusted source for official UK information. Always rely on messages sent directly from UK and information found on uky.edu websites for deadlines, requirements and instructions. 

This edition is packed with final details that will help Big Blue Move-In and your first week go more smoothly, including setting up your WildCard Mobile ID, connecting to residence hall Wi-Fi, reviewing K Week events and finishing Big Blue Start. 

Before you arrive on campus, take a few minutes to set up your WildCard Mobile ID. Think of it as your all-access pass to life at UK. 

You’ll use it to enter your residences hall, access your room, access your meal plan, attend athletic events, enter campus facilities and much more. 

Setting it up now is important and will ensure that you have a smooth move in experience. 

Check your mailbox! Big Blue Move-In packets will be arriving at the home address we have on file for you. The packet will include a Route Map to your residence hall, a Hall Code Card for your vehicle and other helpful details. If your address has changed or you don’t receive your packet prior to move-in, you can download everything you need here.

MOVE IN PACKET & PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

When you submitted your UK Campus Housing and Dining application, you agreed to provide documentation showing that you received the meningococcal MenACWY vaccine on or after your sixteenth birthday. 

If you have not completed this requirement, upload your immunization record as soon as possible at go.uky.edu/selfreport. 

Before uploading, make sure your document clearly includes: 

• Your name 
• The date you received the vaccine 
• The type of vaccine you received

Documents that do not contain all three pieces of information will not be accepted. 

Please do not send health records to UK Campus Housing.

Welcome to your new home, Wildcat. 

As you move in, remember that this is now your campus, too. Every box you recycle and every reusable item you bring helps UK move closer to its goal of becoming a zero-waste campus.

Here are a few easy ways to begin your UK journey sustainably. 
 
💧 Bring a Reusable Water Bottle   
Hydration stations will be available across campus during move-in. Refill your bottle, stay cool and skip the pile of single-use plastic.  
 
👯 Coordinate with Your Roommate   
Talk before you shop. Sharing larger items means fewer duplicate purchases, less waste and more room in your new space.   

📦 Pack in Reusable Containers   
Bins and totes make move-in easier - they provide extra storage throughout the year and can be used again when it’s time to move out. 

♻️ Recycle Your Cardboard   
Look for cardboard-only dumpsters outside your residence hall during move-in. Break down your boxes before placing them inside. 
 
🛍 Bring Clear Recycling Bags   
When recycling at UK, place recyclables in the compactors either loose or in clear plastic bags. Never use black or opaque bags, as their contents cannot be identified. For your in-room recycling bin, use 7- to 10-gallon clear bags.✅

Recycle Confidently   
From paper and plastics to specialty items, UK makes it easy to recycle the right way.
 
Learn what goes where here.

Taking Care of Yourself

You are not alone. UKY cares a lot about the student, so do not be afraid to reach out if you are struggling. There are many great resources for students' well-being like TRACS and POWER.” - Maria, International Studies and Political Science 

“You are more than a transcript, a number, and a random student walking the halls. Obviously grades are important, we are here for school. However, if you aren’t mentally well you can’t be well academically either. Don’t forget to take time to get involved, have a social life or sometimes just to do nothing and take a breath. At the same time, you have to find the balance. It’s a scale that can shift easily but grades need to be a priority.” - Jacob, Community Leadership and Development 

 
“Bring basic medicines with you so that if you get a cold you have what you need on hand and you're not scrambling to find some.” - Kamili, Human Health Sciences 

“Build a routine. Having consistent times for studying, eating and sleeping keeps you balanced.” - Londyn, Accounting and Finance 
 

Academic Tips

“Make a schedule and stick to it. Set time to study or do homework and your calendar and do it. If you like having weekends free, carve that time out regularly in your schedule. A fixed schedule creates good academic habits. If you want to enjoy a break mid week carve time out on the weekend. Whatever is best for you, do it and stay with it.” - Jacob, Community and Leadership Development 

“Go to office hours, connections are so important especially when it comes to letters of recommendation in the future.” - Bailey, Public Policy 

“When studying, if you get stressed out or anything, take a break.” - Jay, Communications and Journalism 

“Go to your professor's office hours if you can! They can be very helpful and often have different opportunities to get involved in your field.” - Kamili, Human Health Sciences 

“Make sure you’re giving yourself ample time to study for exams. College exams are way different than high school exams, and it takes a lot more preparation for these exams.”  - Emerson, Human Health Sciences 

Before moving in, there's still one opportunity you won't want to miss. 

Complete your remaining Big Blue Start activities by August 16 to explore campus resources, prepare for your first semester and earn up to $200 through UK Invests for Students.

It's one of the easiest ways to arrive on campus feeling confident and connected. 

Reminder: Funds earned this summer will be deposited during the fall semester after you officially enroll in UK Invests for Students. We'll share those details shortly after the semester begins. 

Safety is a shared responsibility: Download the SafeZone app today  

Your safety is our top priority - and there’s an easy way to stay connected and protected on campus.  

📲 SafeZone is a free app designed to give you peace of mind and fast access to help whenever you need it.  

 With just one tap, you can:  

 🚨 Request immediate emergency assistance at your exact location  

🕵️ Submit anonymous tips to help keep campus safe  

🌙 Request a late-night virtual police escort  

Plus, SafeZone keeps you informed with real-time UK Alerts through push notifications, so you know what to do in any emergency.  

Download SafeZone today on your mobile device and start your journey at UK with confidence.

Learn More About SafeZone

Countdown to Kentucky (#4), You're Almost Here.

There’s a good chance that your room is starting to fill with boxes. By now, your shopping list is getting shorter and moving to the University of Kentucky suddenly feels very real. 

We also know this is about the time when advice starts ramping up from every direction. Group chats. TikTok. Instagram. Reddit. Facebook. 

Some of it’s helpful. Some of it ... not so much. That’s why these Countdown to Kentucky messages exist. 

This email series is your official guide to becoming a Kentucky Wildcat. Every reminder, deadline and resource comes directly from UK, so when you have questions, trust the information you receive in these emails and on uky.eduwebsites.
 
This week, we’re talking about campus safety, the people who’ll help make your residence halls feel like home, getting involved after K Week and a few final reminders before Big Blue Move-In.   

Every Countdown to Kentucky brings you one step closer to K Week. Until then, keep checking your UKY email, trust official UK communications and know that everyone here is excited to welcome you to campus.

When you move in, your resident advisor (RA) is one of the first people you’ll meet. They’re there to welcome you, help you settle in and make sure your hall starts to feel like home. Beyond that, they’re a great resource when it comes to navigating roommate dynamics, handling challenges and helping you get involved.  

Sharing space with someone new can feel overwhelming and that’s totally normal. Your RA will encourage you and your roommate(s) to complete a Roommate Agreement, a document that outlines expectations about cleaning, guests, quiet hours, thermostat preferences and more. Setting these ground rules early can help make the year smoother for everyone. Check out more here.

Not seeing eye to eye with your roommate? That’s OK too. RAs are trained to help you communicate, mediate and figure things out together. Don’t hesitate to reach out; they’re here for you. 

PRO TIP: Bookmark the Resident Resource Center page on the Wildcat Living website. This link provides a wealth of information and a library of documents that offer support to you. Policies, contracts, Wi-Fi instructions and maintenance requests for your residence hall are found here. We encourage you to bookmark this page on your devices for easy access.

Welcome to Countdown to Kentucky #3 (C2KY), It’s almost time ... Big Blue Move-In is almost here.

In a few short weeks, you’ll unpack your bags, meet your neighbors, pick up your iPad, attend K Week and officially begin your college journey at the University of Kentucky. 

It’s normal if you’re feeling excited ... and maybe a little nervous, too. 

That’s exactly why Countdown to Kentucky exists. 

Over the summer, we’re sharing the information you’ll need before arriving on campus, directly from the University. While social media and group chats can be great places to connect with other students, remember that your official UKY email and uky.edu websites are always your most reliable sources for information. 

This week, we’re covering everything from picking up your university-issued iPad and completing your required online courses to campus technology, support resources, Family Weekend and more. 

📱 Register for Tech Takeover to reserve your iPad pickup.
✅ Start (or finish) your required online training courses. 
💙 Complete your Big Blue Start activities before August 16 to receive $200 in your UK Invests account.

Before classes begin, UK Information Technology Services (ITS) has one mission: help you get connected. The Student Tech Checklist walks you through everything you’ll need before your first day of class, including: 

• Duo Mobile 
• Campus Wi-Fi 
• Canvas 

• WildCard Mobile ID (that you’ve already set up, right? If not, do it now!) 

  GET WildCard ID

Think of CatCash as your campus spending account.  

Linked directly to your WildCard ID, CatCash lets you pay for everyday purchases across campus and at more than 20 businesses in Lexington. 

Need groceries? 
Running to the UK Pharmacy? 
Grabbing dinner with friends? 

CatCash makes it easy. 

Pro Tip: Connect your UK account to GrubHub to unlock ordering, pickup and delivery from many campus dining locations and local restaurants. 

VIEW CATCASH LOCATIONS

Welcome to Countdown to Kentucky #2 (C2KY), you’re getting closer ... and we’ve got you covered. 

In just a few weeks, you'll unpack your room, meet your roommate, find your favorite spot on campus and officially become part of the Big Blue Nation. Every week you get closer to your Big Blue Move-In day, and we're here to make sure you're ready without feeling overwhelmed. 

This week's Countdown to Kentucky is packed with everything you need right now, from planning your residence hall room to getting a sneak peek at K Week, learning about campus resources and hearing advice from current Wildcats who were in your shoes not long ago. 

Take a few minutes to read through it. Future you will be glad you did.

Your residence hall is about to become your home base. It’s where you’ll study, recharge, decorate, binge your favorite shows, have late-night conversations and make some of your favorite college memories. 

Whether you’re wanting a cozy retreat, a colorful space or a room full of Kentucky Wildcat pride, now is the time to start planning. 

Reach out to your roommate(s), start a group chat or hop on a Zoom to talk through who’s bringing what and start planning your shared space together. 

Before you start shopping, visit the room types page on the Wildcat Living website. You’ll find room layouts, dimensions and a list of everything that’s already included. Comparing lists before you shop can save money, avoid duplicate purchases and make move-in day much easier.

Wildcat Living Website

The Next Chapter of Dining at UK

Big things are cooking this fall. 

You’ll discover exciting new dining concepts, expanded food options, upgraded facilities and improved service as UK begins an exciting new chapter in campus dining. 

Even better? Students will see a five percent reduction in meal plan costs thanks to UK’s new dining partnership with Compass Group. 

If you didn't make a meal plan selection by July 12, you were automatically enrolled in the All-Access White Meal Plan for the fall semester. Unless you make a change, your fall meal plan will automatically continue into the spring semester. 

Living off campus? An off-campus meal plan makes it easy to grab coffee before class, lunch between lectures or dinner after an evening study session.   

Explore all meal plan options and pricing at hospitality.uky.edu.

Follow us to stay up to date on all things dining on Instagram @ukyhospitality.

5% Reduction in Meal Plan Costs

View Meal Plan Options

Welcome to Countdown to Kentucky #1 (C2KY), your official guide to becoming a Kentucky Wildcat. 

Over the next few months, you’ll receive this e-newsletter filled with everything you need to know before arriving on the University of Kentucky campus this fall. From move-in and housing reminders to campus traditions, Lexington favorites, student tips and important deadlines, C2KY is designed to help you feel more prepared, confident and excited for your first year at UK!

When it comes to important dates, deadlines, requirements and next steps, always rely on Countdown to Kentucky, official UK emails and UK websites or UK-owned social media channels for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Think of C2KY as your summer roadmap to joining the Big Blue Nation.

Bringing a car to campus? It's up to you. Many first-time, first-year students choose not to, thanks to UK's convenient transportation options.

If you do bring a car, you’ll need to purchase a valid UK parking permit, which must be displayed at all times. Permits are available online, in person or by phone through UK Transportation Services. Check here for detailed information on permit types, prices, and sale dates. 

Permit Basics: 

• On-campus residents: you may be eligible for R (residential), RK (residential periphery) or X (remote) permits. R permits depend on your UK Campus Housing assignment. RK and X permits are available to all residential students, regardless of the location of your residence hall. 

• Off-campus students with less than 60 credits hours are eligible for CK (commuter periphery) permits. 

No car? No problem. 

UK offers free campus buses - no ID required, just hop aboard! Plus, we’re a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly University with an on-campus bike shop, Wildcat Wheels. 

Questions? Call 859-257-5757 or email Transportation Services. Visit transportation.uky.edu to sign up for the department’s e-news list and stay updated on X @UKParking and on Instagram.