Academics, Activities, and Adventures: Things I’m Looking Forward to When Classes Start Again
By Samuel Cavalheiro
Content
As I write this I’ve begun to slightly anticipate the next semester! I say slightly, because I'm writing in June and am currently in denial over the fact that I will have to physically move my things into my dorm in the baking heat. I will vote for whichever SGA President uses the entire Student Activities Fund on personal movers.
Classes
Choosing courses can be some of the most stressful weeks at UMass. The moment classes open on SPIRE, you can hear the collective opening of laptops to scroll through Schedule Builder across the campus. Scrolling through what seems like endless options, professors, and questioning your major(s) are all common experiences during course selection. It’s one of many things that bond UMass students with each other. An easy way to start a conversation with a classmate is by discussing the whole process. I have somehow managed to have dozens of conversations like these over my time at UMass. It's the same conversation over and over, yet we all tell each other these stories time and time again.
I have used these conversations as inspiration for this article. Underneath the veneer of anxiety lies what I can only describe as an eagerness for these classes.
Dean Robinson's class will be a highlight this fall, Photo: Amy SilboOne course I will be taking embodies this eagerness: my Honors Thesis Course in Healthcare Inequality (POLISCI 499CD) taught by Professor Dean Robinson. To all Honors students, the Thesis is the culmination of a hard-fought four years. To first-year students and sophomores, it's the elephant everyone refuses to acknowledge; to juniors and seniors, it's the elephant that’s knocked on your door and sat on your couch.
The elephant paid me a visit midway through last semester. I received an email from the Political Science Advising Office advertising this course for incoming seniors looking to write about healthcare. I read the email and realized I had not given thought to the Thesis, but it was welcoming itself into my home.
As I have studied political science at UMass, the formulation and execution of policy, both domestic and international, have greatly intrigued me. Being the beneficiary of healthcare policy meant to reduce inequality in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts myself – this course seemed like the perfect fit. As I have written before, I am a creature of habit. I enjoy the structures and routines that guide my daily life. I am glad that the Honors College offers these structured courses for students like me. If I did a self-guided Thesis, it would result in severe procrastination and mixed results.
Granted, I may not have the same flexibility compared to a self-guided Thesis when it comes to choosing topics. If I were to do a self-guided thesis, I’d try to find a way to incorporate my love of Brazilian food into the thesis as an excuse to eat as much feijoada as possible. I even have the perfect title: “The Class Dynamics of Brazilian Culinary Tradition.” But my learning style does not align with the independence of a self-guided Thesis. To those who prefer independence and flexibility, this is the perfect option! I will also give anyone the previously discussed idea for a self-guided Thesis in exchange for making me a test subject in any culinary demonstration.
Collegian
During fall semester I will begin work at the Massachusetts Daily Collegian as an assistant editor for the Opinion section. I have been writing for the Collegian since my first year at UMass. Never would I have thought, coming here, that I would be writing for the Collegian. Writing was always a chore, something done for academic purposes only. I didn't spend my free time writing opinion pieces or researching news articles – I had better things to do. I joined the Collegian on a whim; I was looking for an extracurricular, and it seemed like a good thing to participate in. Two years later, I have written over a dozen articles and now am an assistant editor! I like focusing on state and national politics when writing for the Collegian. What the state government does affects us every day as UMass students and should be reported and discussed.
Food
When I think of UMass, the first thing that comes to mind is not the classes, or friends I have made, or the opportunities I have gained attending. The first thing that comes to mind is Miss Saigon in downtown Amherst. Going three months without Miss Saigon is like going three months without joy. Vietnamese food, in my opinion, is the second greatest culinary tradition in the world. Having this restaurant right next to campus has become a saving grace. It’s where I take all my first dates and friends, or go whenever I crave too many scallion pancakes and beef pho.
This brings me to something I never thought I would look forward to in college: the food. Growing up, hearing horror stories of ramen noodles and scurvy plaguing college kids made me fear the nutritional situation at UMass. Thankfully, we are blessed with some pretty good food and dozens of off-campus options. To those employed at the Frank deli and Hamp sushi stations, don’t worry, I'll be back in no time.
Fun Hiking Spots:
I always tell myself, “the view will be worth it!” as I gasp for air on what Alltrails calls a “moderate” hike. Every single time, the view is worth it.
One of the added benefits of being a UMass student is access to the best landscape in Massachusetts: the Berkshires. The tons of hikes that surround the campus give students ample opportunities to unplug and relish the beauty of Western Mass. On those odd 60-degree days in February, or the odd 40-degree days in September, you can find me and my friends hiking up one of the dozens of peaks that are minutes from campus. I cannot wait to get back and go on a weekend hike. If you are looking for recommendations, here are a few I’ve conquered while at UMass:
I hiked this trail my first year with a couple of friends. For about half of the hike, we were all completely silent as it got steep right before the summit. The only thing that could be heard was the desperate huffing of six “well-bodied” college students. But the view, as always, was worth it. I encourage you to check out this trail as the summit has a weather station with expansive views of the Pioneer Valley!
I hiked this in a group of almost ten friends, with all of us motivating each other to finish. Along the way, you’ll find critical power infrastructure, which also looks cool when photographed by film cameras. The W.E.B. Du Bois Library is in plain view of the summit, as well as the rest of the Pioneer Valley!
This was one of those trails hiked on a random 60-degree day in February. Snow was still on the ground, which made descending tough. However, at the summit lies a fire watch tower built in the nineteenth century, which is still in use today. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation staffs the tower during periods of high fire risk. Hiking this trail also has the added benefit of keeping the Pioneer Valley safe from wildfires!
There’s so much more to UMass than what I’ve discussed, but I hope you enjoyed this sample of some things I look forward to in the next year!
Featuring
Samuel Cavalheiro
Samuel Cavalheiro is a communications assistant in Commonwealth Honors College.
