Overall, changing majors is an important decision that takes time to fully flesh out. The two challenges are learning more about it and being totally convinced you want to make the switch, and being sure you won’t fall behind if you do switch. However, UMass Amherst does a fantastic job when it comes to ensuring all their students end up in the place they are most happy with.

For me, one of the biggest changes transitioning from high school to the University of Massachusetts Amherst was the sheer size of the lectures. Freshman year, I was in lectures that had hundreds of students in them; when only a handful of months ago I was used to classrooms of twenty people. When it comes to note taking in a large lecture, it can be challenging at first, but if you follow these tips, excelling in these classes becomes easier! 

With college admissions becoming more and more competitive, having something extra besides your grades and test scores might give you that extra edge. One of these things are references and letters of recommendation.

One of the best things about going to University of Massachusetts Amherst is the fact that tons of renowned companies all over the country visit and recruit on campus.

Here at the University of Massachusetts, I am a student in the Isenberg School of Management majoring in Operation and Information Management.

Ever since freshman year, I have lived with my childhood friend who is currently an industrial engineering student. Throughout all three of his years here at the University of Massachusetts, he has been in the program and loved it. I decided to sit down with him and ask him about his overall experience in the major, and any tips he had for current and prospective students.

Are you the kind of person who does most of their schoolwork in the library, ISB or anywhere else on campus? Regardless of where you choose to work, one thing is for certain — you are tired of going to the same exact study spot day after day! As for most students, and especially with finals coming up, everyone is dreading studying. Although I can’t help you with studying for finals, I can surely help you with one thing… Finding a new study spot!

Sometimes students decide to stay at UMass in the summer, whether it is to take summer classes or maybe they got a job or internship in the area. I have numerous friends that have done this in the past and one of the most difficult things is deciding where to live and finding summer housing. Here are some ways to find summer housing, depending on your preferences.

As the warm weather approaches, one of the worst experience I had freshman year was trying to survive in the dorms when the temperature outside was well above eighty. Although the dorms are nice, truth be told, the weather can make it quite uncomfortable. Here are some tips on how to deal with the spring heat, both in the dorms and around campus.

Let’s face it, going through college without any source of income isn’t fun. Sure, you can get an on-campus job or find a job off campus, but both require you to have free time in your schedule on a consistent basis and sometimes that isn’t feasible, especially if you are overwhelmed with academics. I was in a similar situation but began to use Upwork, which is a freelancing website that I recommend to any student looking to earn money on their own time. Here are some of the reasons why you should be using Upwork!

Living in a dorm is a brand new experience for most people. It can be daunting and a bit overwhelming at times, but for the most part it is a very valuable and important part of the college lifestyle. With that being said, it is vital that your dorm room is the most comfortable it can be. After two years of living in a dorm, here are some of my tips to make your room as comfortable as possible.

Your first year at college can be a very intimidating experience because it might be the first time you are totally responsible for yourself. That’s how it was for me. After being at UMass for three years so far, I would like to say that I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and have become a better student, friend, and person. Out of my entire time being here, my number one tip throughout college is to step out of your comfort zone. I know this may sound awkward and a bit confusing, but being uncomfortable throughout college made the entire experience that much more rewarding and memorable. To be a little more organized in my life, I make sure to be uncomfortable academically, socially, and personally.

Freshman year at UMass is one of the most memorable because you are experiencing everything about campus and the school for the first time. I vividly remember numerous moments from freshman year that I consider to be some of the best highlights of college thus far. There are tons of things everyone should experience their freshman year at UMass Amherst, and here are a handful of those things.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has an enormous campus that will definitely take more than one day to explore. Although the library is the hottest spot to study and get homework done, there are tons of other places scattered throughout campus that are just as good, maybe even better, for those long study sessions. One of my favorite places to go is the Integrated Science Building, located in the northeast area of campus. Here are some of the reasons why the ISB is an excellent place to get stuff done:

Starting college is one of the most exciting times of any student’s life because it is the beginning of a brand new chapter. You're finally off on your own without your parents to tell you what to do, and your success is entirely dependent on you. It may seem intimidating at first, but it’s an unforgettable experience that will allow any individual to mature and grow. With that being said, here are some common mistakes all UMass freshmen should avoid.

Sometimes during the school year, you just need a break, and that’s what three-day weekends are perfect for. Throughout the academic year, there are a handful of Mondays everyone gets off because of various holidays, and they are an excellent way to get your bearings after going nonstop with tons of school work. Here are some ways to take advantage of those three-day weekends.

Although the first semester at UMass is an unforgettable experience, the second semester actually has a few perks that make it better than the first.

Spring Concert

If you are low on cash or need a source of income throughout the school year, getting an on-campus job is definitely on your to-do list. Whether you have a work study or not, getting an on-campus job is possible, and positions can be found throughout the entire campus. Here are some steps to follow, if you are looking for a job at UMass, and the perks to having one!

UMass Amherst has tons of places to study, but an overlooked place that not every student knows about is the Newman Center, which is located right next to the Isenberg School of Management. I wish that I had known about this facility as a freshman because now I go there to study and get work done on a weekly basis. Here are some of the reasons why the Newman Center is the perfect location to study.

We're moving into that time of year now when snow becomes fairly common. When I first came to UMass, I didn’t realize how unprepared I was to face the snowstorms that we can experience here in Amherst. Even though I am from the area, my winter gear was still back home. Having experienced the best and worst firsthand, I'm here to offer some helpful tips to make it through those UMass snow days.

I recently signed up for spring semester classes, and it made me think about freshman year when I would be so stressed about class registration. Looking back, I chuckle at myself because there was no need to be so uptight about it. Here are some of the reasons why students shouldn’t be so stressed when it comes to choosing their courses.

Going into freshman year, I knew that the introductory lectures were going to be big, but actually attending them was an entirely different story. Coming from a rather small high school, the 400 to 500 students paying attention to one professor was a bit overwhelming. There is definitely a learning curve on how to get the most out of these lectures, and here are some tips that will help you do exactly that.

What I love about UMass is that it offers a ton of free academic resources on campus for every student. If you can think of it, there’s likely a place on campus you can find it. One of my favorite places and resources to use is the Digital Media Lab. In my classes, there are often projects or extra credit opportunities to create a video. Sometimes I just want to use some high-end equipment and create my own videos. Regardless, the Digital Media Lab is the perfect place for this. Conveniently located on the third floor of the library, the Digital Media Lab has awesome equipment you can use for free.

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.

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!

The University of Massachusetts is known for its wide array of majors and academic programs. While UMass has more than 100 majors, it also has a variety of minors. But should you add a minor to your major? To me, the answer is easy. Minoring in an area of study can actually be a invigorating and wholesome experience. Here are a few of the reasons why you should also pursue a minor at UMass Amherst.

If you clicked on this post, one reason must have been the picture of the giant boot vehicle you see.

Getting an internship as a business student can be one of the most valuable things to do during your time at college. Not only do you get to gain real world experience in what it is you are interested in, but you also get to network and learn even more about yourself and the field you are studying. Some internships can certainly be selective, but luckily, there are dozens of resources you can use to help you get that summer gig you have always wanted!