Image

Although I often relish the fact that I get to spend the next few years with some of my friends from elementary school and my older brother, I also worry how I am going to separate my high school self from my college self. I grew up in a small farm town, Hadley, just minutes away from the center of campus, and I recently successfully finished my first semester in the Isenberg School of Management as a sport management major. I can confidently say that I am a different person than I was when I came to school over four months ago. I have learned about the ins and outs of campus life along with the various student clubs and organizations. I have even discovered new places that I never knew existed in my 18 years of living in the Amherst area! 

Join a Residential Academic Program 

Although I had already planned to join a Residential Academic Program (RAP) before my first semester, it is something that I strongly encourage other students to do. It made the transition to college simply so much easier. As I am in the Isenberg RAP, I live with people who have similar academic interests, and we take two classes together. 

Image

Enjoy the first week of school without classes

At the end of the semester in my Transitions Seminar, a required class for Isenberg School of Management first-year students, the TA asked us to reflect on the semester. She asked each person to identify the highlight of their semester. A majority of the students mentioned the five days before classes began in which a variety of activities were offered. Cherish the time you have to learn about UMass, get comfortable with the campus, and meet new people without having to balance academics for a few days. 

Say yes to new opportunities

Always say yes! I cannot remember a time this semester where I regretted saying yes to an opportunity. More often than not it will lead you in a much better direction. If I hadn’t said yes to going out to do something—whether it was eating at the dining hall, going to a sporting event, or even a class at the recreation center—then I would have never met some of the friends that I have now. 

Image

Use your resources to your advantage

One of the biggest lessons that I have learned being a student at UMass Amherst is that everyone wants each other to succeed. Although UMass is one of the larger universities in the state, the tight-knit culture amongst the students in the 12 different schools is evident. In many of my classes it is consistently talked about how important connections are and it is so much more about who you know that what you know. So, go up to your professors and introduce yourself because you may never know what opportunity could come about. 

Attend admissions events (in-person if possible!)

I attended a Destination Day event for the Isenberg School of Management in the spring of my senior year of high school and it truly helped set me up for success coming to UMass in the fall. Isenberg has become a very competitive school in recent years, so learning more about the school and my intended major was extremely helpful.