During the month of March I got to experience one of the coolest opportunities I have had at UMass so far — I participated in our Alternative Spring Break program. Back in October, a fellow coworker and close friend motivated me to apply to be a part of the program and embark on the service trip in the spring. When an idea is planted in my head — even if I tell myself I might not do it or go after it — most often I know that I am ultimately going to follow through with it one way or another. This can be a flaw sometimes, although it is also one of my greatest strengths. Alas, I did apply.
On any tour of UMass Amherst you will hear the guide rattle off some incredibly bizarre sounding clubs that are offered on campus. The tour group will laugh, students reflect on how cool UMass must be, and then the tour will move on to a more in-depth discussion on housing availability for freshmen. However, how many UMass undergrads have actually experienced these bizarre clubs?
After my first year at UMass, when the dust seemed to settle and I felt more comfortable at the school, I knew I wanted to try to get a job. When I first began to check out the UMass job board and pay more attention to all of the flyers on job boards, I realized that I could really do whatever I wanted.
Coming to college can be scary — that’s undeniable. You are uprooting the life you’ve known for 18ish years and moving somewhere different to live among 30,000 other students. But, it’s also a truly amazing experience. Something that definitely made the transition easier for me is joining a Residential Academic Program (RAP).
Whether you are a freshman or an on-campus transfer (also known as an "internal transfer"), being new to the Isenberg School of Management at UMass is an exciting experience. I switched into Isenberg my sophomore year and was baffled by how different the business school was from other colleges on campus. Below, I’m going to delineate some of the must-know things about Isenberg for any student considering business.
Before I was accepted to UMass Amherst, I had visited many many times. In fact, my first visit was in 8th grade, dragged along on college tours as a younger sibling usually is.
Coming to a school like UMass, there are bound to be places on campus that you do not visit regularly. There may even be places around campus that you never visit!
Amidst all the delightfully difficult classes you will take in college, sometimes you will stumble upon an incredibly fun one! Whether you’re trying to check off gen-ed requirements or just want to get credit for having fun, UMass Amherst gives students the opportunity to make some incredible memories. Below are five of my top recommendations for must-take classes that are guaranteed to broaden your horizons.
As wintery mixes of snow and homework blues swirl around January and February, there is always one thing that college students alike will look forward to…spring break! I have spent two spring breaks at home enjoying extra sleep and relaxation and two breaks traveling around the world. Last year I was abroad in Europe, so I spent my break in Florence, Rome, and Dublin! This past week I was in Iceland for my last spring break. This trip was a lot different than many of my previous travels, but was one of the best adventures I have ever been on!
You’ve heard a million stories, I’m sure, about the roommates who met on the first day of college and went on to be best friends. It’s a classic tale of bonding over TV shows, nights spent doing homework, and joking with the people across the hall. It is one of the best parts of college, a unique friendship that comes entirely from a random, computer generated assignment. At the end of the day though, it is just that: random.
Depending on how you study, you may like to listen to music while you do your homework. Or, you may like to sit in total silence. Either way, it’s totally up to the you and how you may learn best.
