What I’m Looking Forward to as We Near Graduation

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As the semester progresses, the inevitable slowly creeps in. The realization that I will graduate this semester, concluding my undergraduate years at UMass Amherst. 

I still remember the first day at UMass. I remember the anxiety of waiting in line behind Mullins to park our car in front of Sycamore. It was a wholly new world — my first time truly on my own, without the immediate support of my parents. 

Those first few weeks, I was terrified. Imposter syndrome hit me every day. I was too scared to go to any dining halls besides Worcester, attend club meetings, or even venture out with the few friends I had. Yet as I reflect, I feel immense gratitude for all that the university, my friends, my family, and everyone I have encountered has given me. Never would I have thought, coming into UMass, that I would become the person that I am today. From student organizations and fulfilling job opportunities to diverse classes and the occasional late-night run, I would like to say thank you.

But with a few weeks left in the semester, there are still things I'm looking forward to as it wraps up!

The Frank Deli.

It seems like every other article I write is about food. This is no mistake — food holds deep meaning for me, as it should for everyone. When I say food is meaningful, I don't just mean its role in survival — everyone needs it, but it’s so much more than that. Food is the ultimate unifier; it brings us together, drives innovation, and breaks through the barriers that separate us.

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My favorite sandwich at the Frank Deli

The Frank Deli will always have a special place in my heart. I've had lunch there more times than I can count. My go-to order: turkey and provolone on a ciabatta roll with banana peppers, red onions, tomatoes, and pesto mayo. This sandwich has fueled countless papers, meetings, classes, and grueling work shifts.

But that’s not the reason I cherish the Frank Deli. I cherish it because it has been the catalyst of my community. A visit to the Frank Deli is usually preceded by a 'Frank?' text from my friends. How could I resist? A chance to sit down, chat about the day’s happenings, land a couple jokes and share a meal with treasured people.

This is what I’ll miss about UMass. Sure, the sandwiches are great and the ice cream is plentiful, but as I reflect on my undergraduate years, I will fondly remember these lunches — a time when everything else stood still, and I simply got to enjoy my turkey sandwich.

A Busy Day.

This semester, Wednesdays are my busiest days. To give an example, here’s a glimpse of my upcoming Wednesday. I’m up by 6:30, quickly change, and head over to the Rec. I come back and get breakfast, shower and rush to my car for class at Smith College. Class ends at noon, and I head back for a quick lunch before settling into the library to get the last few assignments done before my 4 p.m. class. But I have to be quick — I have a work interview at three. Then it's class until 5:15 at Herter, after which I hurry to the Student Union. I’m there from 5:30 to 8, but I can’t stay a moment longer — I have tickets to a movie at 8:30 with a couple of buddies from the Collegian. I’ll get back around 11, where I’ll inevitably wake up my roommate and do work in the living room until I pass out.

You might be wondering — how could I possibly miss this? Honestly, I ask myself the same thing. Especially on days when the thermometer barely hits freezing, I think: I should be on a beach in a tropical country, sipping on a coconut and bathing in the sun. This winter, I had the chance to do just that — I spent a month in Brazil. And while I loved living my dream lifestyle, I was itching to get back.

There’s nothing like the feeling of finishing a long day and collapsing onto your bed. All the day's worries, anxieties, and hurriedness melt away on this twin XL. I don’t resent the tiredness, nor do I resent doing it all over again. Once my body hits that pillow, I feel an immense sense of pride and accomplishment. I got through the day, and I know I can get through the next one.

Living through this routine has taught me a few valuable lessons, like time management, a hard work ethic, and how much caffeine is 'too much.' But it has taught me something I will never forget: take pride in what you do. Every day feels like a slog, but we work to achieve what we set out to do. Take pride in a hastily eaten sandwich before class. Take pride in a five-hour study session. 

Take pride in everything you do, because that’s what has gotten you to where you are today.

Western Massachusetts.

This musing doesn’t fully pertain to UMass, but UMass is what brought me here. I was born in Cambridge and lived in Central Massachusetts for most of my life. My family was never a Berkshire family. We were loyal to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Truthfully, in my eyes, Western Massachusetts was a barren landscape which possibly held dragons.

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Shelburne Fire Tower

Thankfully, I am a changed person. To those who say this is dragon country, I challenge you to venture out like I have. Take Route 116 all the way to Savoy and find Tannery Falls. There is no peace like the one found when water cascades next to you. Head north from Amherst to Shelburne and take a hike up to the Shelburne Fire Tower. The summit graces you with views of all the surrounding states and a stunning glimpse into the beauty of the Northeast. Or you could drive up to the Pelham lookout and gaze in awe at the four towns that were flooded to create the Quabbin.

Don't enjoy a good hike? Take Route 9 to Northampton. Pop into one of the dozens of small businesses or spend a relaxing evening at one of the many restaurants. Make your way up the valley to Shelburne Falls, bowl at one of the oldest bowling alleys in the country and stroll down the famous Bridge of Flowers. Catch a hockey game at Mullins, go to a show at underground venues around the area, get a new book at the Montague Bookmill or do one of the many other things this area has to offer. Western Massachusetts, to my initial surprise, is not a barren wasteland filled with mythical creatures. It is a vibrant region with a natural beauty hidden from us out east. 

The world is a massive place filled with wonders I want to discover. My journey isn’t finished here, and I look forward to exploring whatever else I can during my time here.

One more year.

So far, I’ve written this piece as if I were being exiled from a place I’ve called home all these years. But don’t fret — I’m returning for one more year! I’ll be completing my Master’s in Public Affairs at the School of Public Policy. There’s still so much to learn and so much I want to explore. Not only will I gain the career benefit of a Master’s degree, but I’ll also have the chance to cherish these moments for another year. So here’s to my final semester as an undergraduate — and here’s to a new chapter in my life, right here at UMass.