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Allyson, a double major in kinesiology and public health on the pre-med track, comes from the town of Boxborough, Mass. Attending Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, one of the top high schools in the state, led to Allyson feeling a lot of academic pressure. “College was described to us as an expectation rather than a goal to reach,” said Allyson. With Ivy League schools being the top priority at her high school, UMass was deemed as lesser—but not to Allyson.

Ally applied to a few big-name private schools, but then focused her attention on many public state schools. When she visited the UMass Amherst campus for the first time she just got a feeling that she belonged.

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Ally’s adjustment to UMass was delayed due to the pandemic. She studied at home and took on a clinical bases nursing assistant class before making her way to campus. On campus Ally was quick to meet many like herself who were “academically motivated, but were not consumed by academics being their whole life.” She explained that as a student at UMass she is getting the best of both worlds. There’s a rigorous academic course load following her pre-med track, but also the opportunity  to fully envelop herself in her social life with clubs like the CHAARG organization, (Changing Health, Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls), and her friends from her floor and classes.

Joining those organizations, meeting people, and getting out there eased Ally’s transition to the post-pandemic world. Academics at times got tough, which is why supplemental instruction sessions at the LRC, or the Learning Resource Center, were so important to Ally. They reminded her that she is not the only student that can use some help. Making an active effort on campus, whether it was eating in the dining halls instead of her dorm or catching a game with friends from her floor, also supported Ally’s transition to the UMass community.

Coming to UMass Ally has learned to be an advocate on behalf of herself. UMass is a big school with many resources, and knowing which resources work for you is crucial—as is making sure to take the next step to ask for help.

Resources are not the only thing that feel endless at UMass. Allyson described that for her there is always something to do, whether it be events hosted by the school, dinner with friends, or study sessions. Her advice to new students is to get out there and make UMass feel smaller by building communities in all aspects of your life—academically, socially, and within extra curriculars.