While we are practicing our social distancing back in the comfort of our own homes, I have been thinking about my college bucket list. One experience I hope to have when I'm back to school is taking a day trip to Northampton with my friends.
With everything that is going on in the world, the term “social distancing”, is used now more than ever. Truthfully, before what is currently happening, I did not even know that social distancing was a term let alone how crucial it would be to our wellbeing. So, what is social distancing? As defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine, social distancing is “deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness”. Now, more than ever, we must follow the guidelines imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even if we feel like it is inconvenient or “boring”.
Like many other college students, I have little experience with online courses, let alone taking them from my childhood home. Despite the change, I am determined to make the most out of this situation by placing a lot of focus and passion into my academics. I have been thinking a lot lately about how I will maintain my usual productivity under such different circumstances than I am normally used to. So, how do I plan to remain productive in a time of change and uncertainty? Here are the three things I am doing to stay productive and motivated.
I originally planned to go to Vermont for a few days with some friends from the University of Massachusetts Amherst during spring break. Despite living in New England the entirety of my life, I have never been to Vermont before so I was excited about this trip. Sadly, with the current state of the world, my friends and I ultimately decided that it would be best to postpone the trip not only for our well-being but for those around us. It was a heartbreaking decision since it would have been my last trip with my friends up at UMass Amherst given that we are moving to online learning after the break, but it was what needed to be done.
A lot has changed in not only my life but the lives of everyone in the world. While my spring break plans have drastically altered, I still wanted to have an enjoyable and normal break as possible. So, how did I spend my spring break? Here are the three main things I did to make the most out of my time off.
With the university shifting to remote classes for the time being, we will be missing out on the vibrant campus life that is part of studying at a large institution. Not long before Spring Break, I attended the Sisters on the Runway annual fashion show, held on Sunday March 1, 2020.
Freshman communication major Grace talks about adjusting to life at the University of Massachusetts, changing her major, and things she likes to do on campus.
Studying is something I’ve always seen as doing while locked in my room, sitting at my desk, and suffering in silence (or loudly if the task was particularly frustrating). That’s how I basically lived during my first semester at the University of Massachusetts.
Besides writing, one my passions in life is learning new languages. I currently speak three fluently, and am basic in another two. My goal in life is to be fluent in all five by the time I’m thirty-five.
Time management is one of the most important skills for students entering college and I have a few tips on how I manage my time and keep up with assignments on my own here at UMass Amherst.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers more than 90 undergraduate majors residing in 10 schools and colleges. UMass Amherst even gives students the option to design their major through the Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC). On top of this, UMass is home to a multitude of minors and certificate programs, giving students even more pathways to explore their interests and passions.
