Navigating Your First Week: Essential Tips for First-Year Honors Students

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As a first-year student, the first week of classes is an exciting experience but one that can be a bit stressful as you navigate uncharted territory. Fortunately, I've been through it, as have my friends. So, I asked some of my UMass peers, "What advice do you wish you had for your first week of classes during your first year?" Here is what they said.

Walk to each of your classrooms beforehand
Knowing where your classes are before the first day of school is a great way to become comfortable with the campus. It will also take away any stress you have about not being able to find your classes on the first day. My roommate and I did this together our first year and it was a great way to become familiar with our surroundings. But don’t worry if you can’t find it when the first day of classes come around - because during the first few days of classes, there will be tents set up around campus that will guide you to where you need to be!

Knock on your neighbor’s door
While introducing yourself to strangers might seem hard, it is a surefire way to make friends. A lot of students will also prop their door open during move-in day and some days that follow to encourage others to come in and say "Hi".

Many of the friends I made during my first semester were those who lived in my hallway in Oak Hall, and we still hang out to this day! 

The Honors dorms foster friendship and community — so be sure to take advantage of it, you never know who you might meet.

Go to any club that piques your interest
While it may seem like cliché college advice, trying out new clubs is a great way to meet friends with similar interests and even explore new interests. Head over to the Campus Pulse website, and you will find the hundreds of clubs offered at UMass — so be sure to check the website out and attend the annual Student Club Expo. Every club or student organization is always looking for new members and they highly encourage you to join. If I could change anything about my first year, I wish I had taken this advice and got involved in campus life earlier on.

Enjoy the splendor of downtown Amherst!

Explore the Amherst area
As a first-year student, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) bus will likely be your best friend, as it was mine until I brought my car to campus. The bus is a great way to explore Amherst, Hadley, and Northampton, so be sure to use it to your advantage. If you need to go to stores such as Walmart, Target, or the grocery store, the B43 PVTA bus will bring you right to the shopping strip. You can also take the bus for a short ride into downtown Amherst and explore the local shops and restaurants, or feel free to walk, as it is a little under a mile away from the center of campus.

Get plenty of rest and eat well
One key to success is prioritizing your health while at school. As you likely already know, UMass dining is incredible, so enjoy the splendor of the dining hall. 

You should also familiarize yourself with Roots Café which is located in the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community. This is a great spot to grab breakfast, lunch, or a coffee as it is right outside your front door. 

Also, while you may be eager to stay up late with your new friends, getting enough sleep is crucial during your first few weeks, as this is a busy time filled with many new activities and experiences.

Your first week of classes is going to be amazing and is the start of the next four years of your life! We at CHC wish you all the best for the first week of classes and we cannot wait to get to know you! Best of luck and we are always here to help!