Many incoming students have a hard time deciding where to live at UMass Amherst; I was no different. My freshman year, I lived in Dwight Hall, which is located in the Northeast Residential Area. From the environment, to the dining hall, I found that there are numerous reasons why living in Northeast freshman year was a very good decision.
In high school, chemistry was the bane of my very existence. I would sit there as my teacher mindlessly droned on and on. Each word he spoke went in one ear and out the other. My focus was always on the clock, never on the material. I realize in hindsight that the problem was in fact me and my lack of attention, not the teacher. So, I decided that in college I would start taking some personal responsibility and pay attention in lectures. I expected that this would allow me to succeed in the class, but not necessarily enjoy the material. Surprisingly, I was wrong.
UMass Amherst’s location is perfect for college students because there is so much to do around the area. Between nearby Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst itself, there are dozens of places to eat and shop. However, you might want to do something else with your friends sometimes. One of the hidden gems that not many students know about is The Quarters, which is located roughly 10-15 minutes from campus in nearby Hadley.
There’s no better place to be living in the Fall than in Amherst. From the colorful leaves to the cool air, you’ll get the authentic seasonal experience. Now it is possible to find all of this on campus, but I recommend stepping out once in a while to see what the surrounding towns have to offer. That’s exactly what I did last weekend.
UMass Amherst is the largest public research university in New England. Many incoming students are worried about the size and getting around campus. I was in that same situation my freshman year, and I'm here to tell you that there are a few things you can do to make getting around UMass a lot easier!
Are you more of an “early bird gets the worm”or a “worm that sleeps in doesn't get eaten” kind of person?If you’re the former, you should definitely consider taking some 8 a.m. classes during your college career.If you’re on the fence,here are some pros and cons:
As a first-semester freshman at UMass, chances are high that you will be enrolled in multiple gen-ed classes. Gen-ed's are introductory courses that introduce you to the range of subjects UMass has to offer!
Upon returning to UMass this school year, it was to student’s dismays that both the Baby Berk and Baby Berk 2 food trucks were running on an irregular schedule.
If you ask people around campus where they live, a majority of them will probably tell you Southwest. Being the home of several 20+ floor towers, along with low-rise halls, it makes sense that a majority of people would reside there. Southwest accounts for 5,500 students on campus, making it by far the largest residential area at UMass. However, it is often misconstrued that being the biggest living area on campus makes it more social, and therefore the best. The “best” residential area, though it may sound cliché, is really wherever you best fit.
What a time to be a sports fan in New England. The Red Sox just won their fourth championship in 14 years. The Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins are rolling as we speak, and UMass Athletics just went on a hot streak of their own.
