Living in a house means the amount of times I eat on campus has diminished severely since last year. As a result I often like to change it up by going to the different eateries around campus. At least twice a week I eat at Franklin in Central. During the day both sides are open and I find myself taking a couple laps to decide what I want. The short walk to my science classes is a huge plus as well.
On the other days of the week I almost always eat in the Campus Center. There are just so many choices! Sunset Strips and Pitas 101 are great for the sandwich equivalent. Or you can try the Noodle Bowl with a variety of different Asian dishes. Burgers 101 is right down the hall alongside Tamales; with awesome burrito bowls. And it is always enjoyable to walk through the Campus Center and see what clubs are being advertised. The Hatch and Franklin are where I eat the most, but I always enjoy taking advantage of a free YCMP swipe at Berkshire on Fridays!
Visit the Dining Services web site to see what is on the menu at the different Dining Commons!
The first Career Fair’s of the year are this week! Career Services hosts several events that allow a wide range of employers to present students with current and future job and internship opportunities. Businesses and Organizations in the fields of Technology, Engineering and Natural Sciences will have numerous booths set up in the campus center auditorium (down the escalator) this Thursday. The career fair is a great way to gather information on careers that interest you and are directed towards your major. Of course your major never has to designate a specific field!
Finding one or even more career paths that you’d like to follow provides the extra motivation to learn as much as possible in the classes that are related. In my opinion, knowing how a class subject pertains to a possible job can only make the information and learning process more enjoyable! And if you find that there is no one job you can see yourself in, you can always visit Career Services in Goodell Hall to make a career advising appointment. There are numerous services that will work with you and your interests and find a job or internship that you will enjoy.
Be sure to stop by the campus center this Thursday! And if you’re serious about introducing yourself to future employers I recommend dressing appropriately and having a few resume’s handy. Below are the dates of the upcoming fairs.
September 27, 2011
Isenberg Career Day 11:00am – 3:00pm
September 28, 2011
Engineering, Natural Sciences and Technology 10:00am – 3:00pm
October 21, 2011
School of Public Health and Health Sciences Fair
Time TBA
February 7, 2012
ALANA (African-American, Latino, Asian and Native American) Fair
This summer I had the opportunity to live on Martha’s Vineyard. Of course the only way this was happening was if I was able to find a job. With some help from friends I was hired at Flatbread, a pizza restaurant. I can honestly say I have never had a better pizza. And with their methods of preparation, it was only obvious why. Although I cannot go into too much detail about ingredients, I can say how Flatbread thrives on sustainability. Products that were not available locally were imported within the States and were always organic. All other pizza toppings were bought locally on the island and were also organic. As a result all of Flatbread’s ingredients are pesticide and preservative free and all their meats are free range. But Flatbread’s contribution to the Environment does not stop there. All food waste that is generated at the restaurant is used for compost; which provides a positive feedback loop for local farms. Along with composting, Flatbread recycled at a very high rate. These methods reduce a large amount of solid waste and are also very similar to the methods of sustainability that occur here at UMass.
Last semester our community started the conversion of the lawn outside Franklin Dining Commons to a one-quarter acre permaculture garden. Permaculture gardens are designed to mimic natural processes and therefore require little maintenance. No fossil fuels were used during the process and as a result required 250,000 pounds of organic matter to be moved by hand. The garden is gradually growing and will eventually be considered organic. The garden provides awareness in growing food by using ecologically friendly methods and also helps reduce our campus’s greenhouse emissions. If you haven’t already seen it, I definitely recommend taking a walk in the garden between classes.
One garden is not enough to provide produce for all food at UMass’ dining commons. However, this does not mean that the food is attained in ways that are not sustainable. Dining Services is heavily involved in a local program called “Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown”. The campaign helps provide consumers with the ability to buy local products at a heavy rate. As a result, local farms in Massachusetts are sustained providing greener methods of acquiring produce. This is a green method, primarily, because fewer fossil fuels are being used for transportation. Dining services is also very adamant about recycling. UMass removed 4,572 tons of waste to be recycled or processed for energy recovery in the fiscal year of 2006. This means that 56% of UMass’s total solid waste was recycled. Such a large recycling rate means a large reduction in disposal charges!
UMass is definitely taking environmental initiative and Dining Services plays a major role. However, we as students can play an even bigger role. It is quite easy to be sustainable with just a little more effort. Below is a list of multiple ways to be sustainable. And although some of them don’t apply to living in a dorm, there are many that you can participate in everyday!
Although there are an infinite amount of experiences that UMass has to offer, we are here to learn. Staying ahead in all your classes allows you to do a lot more than just stress out when it’s crunch time. If you have the motivation to actually take the time out and do what your classes require, good grades will be on the horizon. College is quite different from high school. It is your responsibility to learn the information. In this case, a little bit more effort goes a very long way. Therefore, I’m going to give you guys a few pointers for a little bit of a head start.
First and foremost, go to class. One day lost sets you back a long way. Even if the lecture notes are online, it is always worth it to go and listen to the professor explain the material. And although it can be tempting, try not to go just to fall asleep. Sitting towards the front allows for fewer distractions and you should always ask questions when you have them. And of course paying attention helps a lot!
Do your Homework! Several professors have homework as a big part of your grade. Slacking on it can often mean a difference of a letter grade. Doing your homework always helps to learn the material and prepares you for future exams. Giving yourself a couple days to do an assignment provides ample time to ask the professor any questions. If daily assignments only include reading, make sure you stay ahead of the lectures. Professors see lectures as a time to reinforce the information you are reading about.
Exams are by far the heaviest burden of a college student. Most classes tend to have between two and four exams including a final. Using your time wisely and starting early provides a greater opportunity to do well. There are plenty of opportunities that prepare you for exams. Almost every week classes have Special Instruction sessions. A Teachers Assistant is often the one to instruct SI sessions and is there to help with homework and answer any questions. If you would like to ask your professor a question they always have office hours. And as exams approach professors will have review sessions in the day’s prior. If you feel that you need extra help outside of what the classroom has to offer you can always go to the library for free tutoring. The Learning Resource Center is located on the tenth floor of W.E.B Du Bois.
Use all the resources available to you and you can only succeed. There are people everywhere that are there to help. If you take the initiative to use these resources school will be a lot easier. And you will find that you have the time to be part of things other than the classroom.
When I moved in, I realized how completely unprepared I was. To be honest I showed up with the bare minimum and this did not allow for the most comfortable transition. I found myself in need of things for my room that I know feel are a necessity. In order to allow for all incoming freshman and transfer students to be prepared when moving in, I am going to provide my own comprehensive list of dorm supplies. Of course feel free to add anything you were going to bring to begin with or anything that will make your dorm room feel like your own space.
The Necessities
Things that have to do with bed. A mattress pad is key and I definitely recommend memory foam. Twin sized sheets. The university provides a linens program but I feel that picking out your own sheets guarantees comfort. Numerous pillows help out a lot too. The only chairs in dorm rooms are desk chairs. So if you want a comfortable place to sit you’ll be doing a lot of it on your bed. Therefore I feel it is important making your bed as comfortable as possible.
Towels, toiletries, and other things needed for personal hygiene are a must, obviously. But I also recommend a bathrobe and shower flip-flops. The robe is in case you get locked out and have to go the cluster office and the flip-flops are helpful in preventing athlete’s foot from a shared shower. Band-Aids are a small first aid kit is a good idea if you ever get a small cut.
Clothes Hangers! I got to school and had nowhere to put half my clothes all because I forgot clothes hangers.
Certain electronics make for an easier transition. Computers (desktop or laptop) make it easier if you like to do school work in your own environment instead of at the library. Along with that I definitely recommend a coffee maker for the late nights or the early mornings. This way you can always pick your own flavors of coffee. For weekends when studying can take just a little bit of a break, you’re going to need speakers because who can live without loud music? The dining commons do close so if you’d like a midnight snack you will need a mini fridge. Lastly, I suggest buying a fan seeing as the rooms get warm when the semester starts.
Some people need extra storage outside of the provided dresser and desk. If you’re the type of person who has a lot of stuff, I recommend bringing plastic bins for things that you will only occasionally need. Plastic bins also make it easier to pack things up when the semester is over.
Aesthetics
Posters and pictures add a personal touch and definitely make it feel like your own space. The campus center also has a poster sale during the first week of the semester. If you want something that takes up a bit more space I would go with a tapestry. They are colorful and original and definitely make your room feel comfortable.
Dorm rooms have fluorescent lights on the desks and one on the ceiling. In my opinion these lights just give off too much of a sterile and cold feeling. As a result I brought my own lamps (and still used fluorescent bulbs). No octopus lamps are allowed but lights with shades are. Bringing your own lights definitely makes a room feel more welcoming.
Most dorms, apart from a few in southwest and orchard hill, have linoleum floors. Getting out of bed in the morning and putting your feet on a cold, hard floor can be quite unpleasant. Although you might want to wait until you get to your room, carpeting just adds a final touch on making your room comfy.
I left out TV’s and gaming systems because sometimes they can be a distraction but also because these are items you want to talk about your roommate with. Having two Xbox’s or TV’s in your room seems a little redundant so make sure you communicate. Hope this list clarifies anything you were not sure about bringing.
The first day of college life is like no other. Moving into your dorm gives you that first sense of independence and the realization that you are about to have the time of your life. This does not mean we always know what is coming when we move in. The college transition can be an easy one, especially if you try starting day one. That’s why I am going to let you know what to expect when you arrive on campus for move-in day so that you can focus on enjoying the first moments of college.
As I am sure you all know, move-in day is the first of September and by now you have been given a housing assignment. With your housing assignment come certain directions to your building and specifics on where to park. Campus will be a lot busier than it was during orientation and will only get busier as upper class men start moving into their dorms and off campus housing. The directions help keep it a little organized when the other 4699 students of the class of 2015 move in.
Once you have arrived at your dorm you will want to go to your cluster office. Clusters are often composed of two or three buildings. The cluster office deals with everything related to it’s accompanying dorms. If you want the equipment for pool tables or table tennis, the cluster office is where you will find it. However, on the day you arrive, its primary function will be for you to pick up your key and fill out paper work having to do with room inventory. This process will take about ten minutes and afterwards you will be all set to find your room and move in!
Do not fret or feel down if your room feels a bit bare when you cross the threshold. Unpacking your stuff and adding a personal touch will instantly change this and make it feel like your own space. If your roommate has not moved in yet, pick a side and get to un-packing. I recommend getting set up early so that you don’t have to worry about it later that night and also in case you see anything you need, mom and dad are still there to give you a ride to Target or Wal-Mart.
Once you are all moved in, it will be about time to say goodbye to the family. But before this happens, I always think it’s nice to have one last meal with your loved ones. During move-in day all parents and family can eat free at the award winning dining commons on campus. And this is always a good way to show mom that she does not have to worry about you eating hardy meals.
So now that your life is in your hands, it will be time to meet some people. I’m sure most of you have already met your roommate personally or through social media. If you haven’t though, now would be a good time to get to know each other. During the first night there will be a building meeting where your Resident Director will introduce himself and go over some of the policies. Soon following you will divide into your floors and meet the Resident Advisor of your floor. During this time you will get to do some icebreakers! Do not hesitate to introduce yourself and be yourself. Being extroverted and participating in these silly activities let people get to know you and is the first step to making some great friends! And if anyone is still hungry, the dining commons will all be open late for food and entertainment!!
As much as I always look forward to summer, it does not always mean rest and relaxation. Several college students see summer as a chance to make some money for next semester’s expenses. The past six weeks I have been flying under the radar and have been hard at work at an Irish restaurant in downtown Washington D.C. Working as a waiter at the Dubliner sums up my previous two summers that I have spent living with my parents. However, this year I have decided a change of scenery was in order. This past week I made my great escape to New England and am now living with my girlfriend. For the rest of the summer I will be working on Martha’s Vineyard at a different restaurant. Working, being the operative word for yet another summer.
Saving some extra cold hard cash for the school year is always a good idea. Especially for this upcoming year seeing as I will be moving into a house with four other friends in South Amherst. With so many fun things to do in the Amherst area; you never want to miss out on an opportunity because you didn’t have a job over the summer. But do not fret if you are the person who enjoys taking the summer off to relax and do things that are a little bit more fun than just a job. You can always wait till the semester begins. UMass and the surrounding area have numerous job opportunities for students.
The Financial Aid Services provides a list of both work-study and non-work-study jobs during the summer and the next academic year. These jobs are on and off campus and differ in expertise. Several of these jobs are directed towards students to give them the opportunity to select a career path. As mentioned above, there are two different ways you can get a job. The work-study program is a federal financial aid program that provides students who qualify with a maximum earning of $1800 for part-time opportunities. Several jobs are reserved solely for the work-study program and you will need to submit a FAFSA form to see if you are eligible.
There are still plenty of non-work-study jobs to choose from. Auxiliary Services provides several job openings all over campus. Numerous students work at the dining commons near their dorms. They have flexible hours and you always see someone you know while working. Other Auxiliary services jobs include positions in the campus center and campus hotel as well as maintenance around campus.
UMass’ version of a subway, Pita Pit, is located in Worcester Dining Commons, on the Southwest horseshoe (the area by the basketball courts), and in the Campus Center. Pita pit is almost completely student run and they hire regularly during the beginning of the semester. Another popular on-campus job is working for UMass Transit Services as a bus driver. Working as a bus operator allows you to obtain your Class B Commercial Drivers License for free! All of these job descriptions and further details about work-study and non-work-study jobs can be found on the link I have added below.
If you would really like to work during the year I recommend applying early in the semester. With over twenty thousand undergraduate students, the UMass job market is competitive. It is always in your best interest to take any job opportunity that arises on campus. Feel free to leave me any comments regarding job hunting and the job process. And if you are already working like me, keep at it!
Hi there, my name is Alex McCarthy and I am going to be a junior majoring in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology. I was born in Washington D.C and soon after moved to Africa for the majority of my life. Returning to the States and the D.C area for High School, I would have never pictured myself coming to Massachusetts for school. I decided to come to UMass on a whim and could never imagine myself anywhere else.
This school is full of opportunities; some that present themselves and others that need a little bit of digging. There is really something to do for everyone and it is almost impossible to ever be bored on campus. And if you really cannot find a club that interests you, there are plenty of fun activities to do in the area. During the winter I am an avid snowboarder and am therefore a member of the Ski and Board club, the largest club on campus. But seeing as it is the beginning of summer I do numerous of other outdoor activities. The rivers in the area allow for great fishing and there are amazing golf courses and I always take advantage of an open tee time. But if I’m not feeling either of those, I can always go for a long hike up to the Summit House of Mount Holyoke State Park for a gorgeous view of pioneer valley.
Other than that, I participate on intramural sports teams. They are never completely competitive and always allow for a fun game. I have been on both soccer and volleyball teams and have always enjoyed them. However, seeing as I am at school, it is not all fun and games. The majority of my time is dedicated to doing well in my classes and making the most of the learning experience that UMass has to offer. Although I am a science major, my interests spread far and wide and it is always nice to take a general education class to take my mind off the requirements of my major. But of all the amazing things that I have come to love at UMass, the people have had the biggest impact on me. Everyone I meet seems to have a different major and always brings something new to the table. Dorm life has given me some of the greatest friends imaginable and hearing about their different lives has been one of the most memorable experiences.
With half of my college life as great memories, it only seems fit to have to think about the future. Although I’m not sure what a possible career would be for me, I have thought about what I am going to do after I graduate. Traveling is one my favorite things to do and I want to take every opportunity to explore far and wide. As a result, joining the Peace Corps is quite the possibility. But for now, I am going to enjoy everything that UMass has to offer. And don’t you worry, I’m not going to keep it all to myself! I hope this gives you a little insight into my ever-changing life and I will do my best to keep you updated on the numerous opportunities that are so unique to the University of Massachusetts Amherst.