A Place to Explore With Your UMass Amherst Student Locally

 

While spending time with your UMass Amherst student, a trip to Atkins Farms should be on the list for your next place to visit. Located 7.6 miles from campus on the corner of Bay Road and Rte. 116 in Amherst, is the New England farm responsible for bringing the first Macintosh apple trees to the area.  The aisles feature Mass farm fresh produce, pastries, gourmet cheeses, fresh meats, breads, sushi, and a variety of local dairy products including milk and ice cream. Cider donuts are probably the most popular item sold by Atkins Farms. Their donuts are shipped all over the U.S. We bought a dozen and split one in the store immediately.  Pure, moist, blissful apple and cinnamon flavor. It was so hard not to eat more, but we wanted to save room for lunch.

The specialty foods department features cottage industry products produced locally in New England but also stocks new and old favorites from around the world sure to complement the stellar UMass Amherst dining experience. Specialty coffees, a wide variety of hard-to-find teas, sauces, mustards, pastas, oils, vinegars, jams, jellies, chutneys, cake, scone, muffin and pancake mixes, marinades, dressings, and much more. I’m sure we were in that section of Atkins for half an hour. We just love scoping out different flavors for my husband’s culinary expertise.

Having intentionally eaten a light breakfast, we were ready for an early lunch. I am a self-proclaimed reuben connoisseur, so naturally I ordered the Atkins Orchard Reuben for $7.95.   My reuben made with Boar’s Head turkey breast, with sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and thousand Island dressing on grilled rye was sandwich perfection. My daughter, the avocado freak, opted for the Loaded Quarry for $8.75, which included blackened turkey, cheddar cheese, and avocado on sourdough bread. Lunch was approved by us both.

The Candy Shop was our next stop. After all, every well-stocked UMass Amherst Residence Hall room needs some good snacks. Colors of sweetness brought me back to my childhood when penny candy was actually a penny! It was hard to decide between hand-dipped fudge and a caramel dipped apple. So, we bought one of each!  Atkins has over 20 flavors of fudge available at all times.  My daughter’s fudge habit was satiated with a ½ pound of Amaretto Swirl Fudge. Every Italian appreciates this almond-flavored twist on fudge.

We paraded through the aisles loaded with different local products. “Look at the artisan cheeses and olive bar, come here!”, I called. We ended up with a mild cheddar in the shape of a black cat. Next, we ambled over to see the array of Atkins Farms brand products. Their Apple-Cinnamon Pancake Mix and syrup found their way into our basket in anticipation of my daughter’s next at-home Sunday breakfast (hope she brings her roommate!).

Finally, a sweep through the beer and wine department found us picking up a bottle of locally made pumpkin wine, (just to try something new for fall!) and a six pack of Berkshire Brewing Company’s famous Steel Rail. An afternoon with the smell of fresh, locally grown EVERYTHING, displayed in a rainbow of colors, was just what this foodie pair needed.

After our relaxing afternoon of poking through Atkins with just the right amount of conversation and discovery, we decided to check out the Atkins Farm website when we returned to my daughter’s dorm room. Discovering that there are actual Atkins Farms family recipes available, we planned out our cooking and baking to-do list options. Grandma Gould’s Apple Crisp recipe was requested for my daughter’s next trip home. Personally, I wanted to try the Apple-Butternut Squash Soup. Atkins Farms never disappoints and affords hours of calm, down time with your UMass Amherst student.

JoAnn Roselli is a member of the UMass Amherst Parents Association Advisory Council. She is the parent of a freshman.

Preparing for Commencement

Having gone through graduation in May 2017, I want to share some suggestions. Your student will be responsible for ensuring they have enough credits, the right courses for their major, for picking up the cap and gown, and for showing up in the right place. These recommendations are for parents and family:    

  1. Do plan early. Arrange your lodging a year in advance! We waited until August 2016 to book and by then, close lodging was not available. We ended up at a B&B (a llama farm!) in Northampton.
  2. Make reservations for celebratory dinners and also book early!  There will be lots of people wanting to go out (approximately 5,000 graduates) to eat after ceremonies!  When you explore possible places, don’t limit yourself to the Amherst area; there are many great restaurants in nearby towns. We ended up with a 7:30 pm reservation in Deerfield the night of graduation (and needed to change it twice because graduation took longer than expected) and a 5:30 pm reservation in West Brookfield (where my parents took me for my UMass graduation dinner in 1980 – A memorable choice). Both restaurants were no more than 30 minutes away.
  3. Plan on spending the weekend given the many graduation ceremonies. We drove to Amherst very early Friday morning and after checking in quickly at the B&B, drove to our daughter’s sorority for a 11:30 am luncheon, then headed to the honors college graduation for 1:00 pm, and the university ceremony at 4:30 pm. The next day (Saturday) was the College of Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) ceremony and her second BA’s school (the latter was at the same time as the SBS so we needed to make a choice and ended up missing this one). While the big university graduation only offers the individual schools standing up when degrees are conferred, the smaller ceremonies offer video screens, your student being called up to the stage and accepting their degree, and opportunities for pictures. I recommend families go to all of them!
  4. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for the free shuttle if you cannot walk the distance or have family members who are elderly and cannot. While the honors college and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences were at the Mullins Center, the university graduation was at the stadium (rain or shine – be prepared with an umbrella if needed), which is a good ten-minute sprint.
  5. Lastly, have fun. This is a huge day for your student and for those who love that student! But also realize that your student will want to share their last hurrahs with their friends. This is a stressful time for your student and they will need space, understanding and a balance with you and with their friends.

We are so proud of a daughter and graduation weekend was a great experience. Best of luck to all of you with graduating seniors!

Seena S. Franklin, UMass Parent Advisory member, parent of a UMass Amherst graduate, alumni, and resident of Tiverton RI.

Parenting an Out of State College Student

I was apprehensive, yet excited, when my daughter decided that she wanted to attend school in another state.   Happily, she would only be a 2 ½ hour drive away from home.  Along with the excitement was the reality that I wouldn’t see her every day and thus wouldn’t be able to parent the way I would if she lived at or closer to home.

As a “remote parent,” technology such as Facetime, email and texting simplifies staying in touch and increases the frequency of our communication.  Although she is not at home and doesn’t require my permission to go out, I stress to her the need to carry her phone at all times and contact me in case of an emergency.  As a parent, I want to know that she is safe so ready communication is a must.  Each time she informs me that she is going out with friends, my husband and I continue to reinforce the list of do and don’t messages…”When you go out with friends, do make sure you come back home with those friends”; “Never leave with someone you don’t know”; “Don’t drink from an open bottle”; “Don’t drink and drive; “Do know that we love you and call us if you need help.”  It’s also important to me to learn the names of the people who are closest to my daughter.  I know the names of her roommates and her close friends.  When we communicate via Facetime or phone, I ask about them just to improve my connection with her.  Staying in constant contact with my daughter makes me feel closer regardless of the physical distance between us.

As always, keeping my daughter healthy is one of my top priorities.  When she left for school in September, I purchased an inventory of cold medicines.  In October, my daughter caught her first cold.  She called me immediately and I suggested that she start taking the best medicines to treat her symptoms.   Although I wasn’t there to make her chicken soup, I found out that the dining halls offer “get well meals.” In addition to homemade soup, they have many of the other comforts of home like crackers, fresh fruit, ginger ale, tea, and Jell-o.   It’s comforting for both of us to know that in case she gets a cold/flu, she can contact the dining hall to prepare the necessary meals to get her on her feet again.  Additionally, sending a care package or card to her during her illness also helps when you are not there in person.

Although, we live out of state, I opted not to let my newly licensed daughter use a car.  Her two transportation options are the Peter Pan bus or parent pickup, thus eliminating my concern of her driving home alone during school breaks or holidays, especially during inclement weather.

Finally, I have joined the UMass Amherst Parents Advisory Council as a means of keeping abreast of what’s going on at UMass Amherst. In addition to providing an opportunity to get involved on another level, it gives me a reason to drop in periodically to see my daughter and make sure she continues to thrive. That’s what I call a win-win!

Mercel Meredith-Ault is a member of the UMass Amherst Parents Advisory Council and parent of a first-year student.

Life After College

Our daughter graduated from UMass Amherst last May and while it’s been great to have her home, it has been a major transition: for her and for me!  Her dad seems to be the only one who has seamlessly eased back into our three-person household.

Our daughter never looked back when she left for college. Perhaps primed for separation by being at overnight camp, she was excited to be on her own.  Fast forward to the end of May 2017! Our independent daughter is now living at home, working as a server at a restaurant and sending out resumes for positions that utilize her new degrees. Because she leaves for work hours after I arrive at my office and she comes home long after I am asleep, our initial mode of communication was texting.  That led to most of my communications targeting what she was not doing at home or inquiring about something. Thank goodness, our daughter felt comfortable giving me that feedback.

Living together again has been a journey. I’ve had to learn to not ask so many questions, trusting her judgment and ability to do what she believes she needs, including how many positions she’s applied to and whether she’ll be home for dinner (the latter is hard for a Jewish mother who wants her daughter to eat!); and she’s learned that my ways of interacting (all those questions) come from a place of wanting her to not miss a job opportunity and wanting to take care of her.

My advice for other families is to be sensitive to the transition. It’s okay to admit that the transition is hard for you but, for your student, it is probably harder. They not only went from living on their own to being with their families again but also they left many friends that most likely they will never be so near again (and certainly not in one place together).  And for our daughter, she left Amherst and UMass (a city unto itself!) and returns to a town of 17,000 far from many of her college friends. Huge transitions and huge losses!

There is life after college for your student and life after college for the family, but it is one big transition first which requires time, some compromise, readjustment, and understanding – nothing that won’t resolve overtime. So enjoy the new adult relationship.

Seena S. Franklin, is a member of the UMass Amherst Parent Association Advisory Council, parent of a May 2017 graduate, alumna and resident of Tiverton RI.

Re-Entry to Family Life: Talking to Your Student When they Come Home from College

We can’t say we weren’t warned: so many materials we read and stories we hear tell us that when our students come home from a semester/year away at college they will have changed.  However,  those changes can still be surprising for families.  Students who have never shared a political opinion may suddenly expound on a myriad of issues. Students come and go as they wish, empowered by their freedom and experiences during the semester/year.  Some may be critical of family members. They may challenge religious beliefs or have deepened their own belief systems.  So how do we, as parents/family members, navigate these uncertain waters and talk to our students when they come home during the year on breaks and for the summer?

When students leave home and come to UMass Amherst, they are exposed to many new ideas and beliefs. For many students, UMass’ diversity is new and exciting.  They are in classes that encourage them to question their knowledge and previous assumptions and to think deeply about their own frameworks. It is an exciting time of growth and exploration.  And just like any time when they have been exposed to new ideas, they may want to discuss them and share their newfound opinions.  As a parent, family member, or caregiver, this can be many things: exciting, unsettling, down-right confusing.  It’s ok to feel these and other emotions. Just as they are transitioning into adulthood, so are we transitioning into the parents/caregivers of adults. Below are a few tips to help you navigate these tricky waters and maximize your holidays, summer and vacation times with your UMass Amherst student:

  • Try to build an environment of mutual respect. Stick to your beliefs and values.  However, a good rule of thumb is to agree to disagree and then move on.
  • Set boundaries for conversations.
    • Be willing to table discussions if they become too heated. It’s good to model stepping away from a conversation that has ceased to be productive.
    • Try to keep conversations on topic and avoid accusatory tones and personal attacks.
  • While we are on the topic of boundaries, it is reasonable to have expectations for curfews, chores, and staying in contact. Discuss these and other issues before they come up.  Figure out the ground rules early and try to be reasonable. Common courtesy is important in life and it really is learned in the home.
  • Listen to what your student has to say and ask why they have reached that conclusion. This is an opportunity to develop deeper understanding of each other.
  • Ask questions about the things you don’t understand, but try to ask them in a neutral way.
  • Sexuality is a very complex subject. Being open-minded and caring is essential.  Remember, your adult college student is still your child and still needs you.
  • Try to maintain an open heart and mind; your student may have spent a long time coming to this place.
  • Be prepared for your student’s opinion to change. Part of late adolescence is trying on many different hats until they figure out the one that fits the best.

By modeling respectful behavior, we are teaching our student how to engage in these types of conversations as adults. College is a time of learning and that learning goes way beyond the classroom. As parents, family members, or caregivers, we still have a lot to offer our students.

Sometimes the discussions we have with our students bring forth issues and feelings that are bigger than we anticipate.  If you are still struggling with your student’s new opinions, reach out to your friends or even a professional. Maintaining a strong relationship with your student is paramount.  Taking the time to listen and learn goes a very long way in building more grown-up relationships with our students. And when they return to school, they will know that even when you “agree to disagree,” you will always love and support them.

Melissa Goldman is a UMass Amherst Parent Advisory Council member, parent of a UMass Amherst Sophomore and a proud alumnus.

My UMass Amherst Family Weekend Through the Years

I have been constantly thinking about my student.  I know she is an adult, but she is still my baby.  I cannot believe it has been six weeks since I dropped her off.  This has easily been one of the hardest times in my life.  Not hers.  Mine.

It began long before drop-off day with college visits, essays, acceptance day, check lists, New Student Orientation, back to school shopping. Then, in an instant, it’s here.  The final packing of the car(s) and that awful, gut wrenching drive. You are trying to keep it together to demonstrate to your student, and to yourself, that this will be OK.  This is a Herculean effort no one can prepare you for.  Then, it’s time to say goodbye.

Fast forward six weeks.  There has been lots of texting, a few chatty calls, a quick hello here and there, some tears.  Now it is finally time to visit your student.  There’s a private countdown happening in your brain.  You are dizzy with the excitement of seeing your student.  Has there been growth?  Will you meet their friends and/or their families?  Will you like them?  What are you going to do as a family?  There is so much to choose from.  You are likely to eat at one of the DCs, certainly more than once if you have any say.   You’ll park your car, get out, and restrain yourself from running through the residence hall calling your student’s name.  You are one of hundreds of other families desperately doing the same, looking for signs of their babies.  And then that moment when you spot them looking for you!  You can’t get to them quickly enough.  But, when you do, it is the greatest hug ever.  Tight and long!  You are feeling them for the first time because they have changed and they have grown.  Perhaps not physically, but you can feel the change.  It’s only been a few weeks, but it seems like a lifetime.  You realize that your baby isn’t really a baby anymore.  College confidence and spirit have replaced their uncompleted corners.  Conversation bubbles forth because there’s so much to say.  You listen and nod, smile and watch every little movement.  They wave to friends and introduce their families.  It’s almost overwhelming.

My family has done this transition to Family Weekend three times.  And, each time it has been exactly the same. The change is electric!  It is a true testament to the old adage: it’s not the destination, but the journey.  Both student and family have taken the journey and survived, learned, grown and thrived.  And Family Weekend is the proof.

Reconnected at last! This is their world and you let them lead the way.  You walk and talk.  They point out everything: where their classes are, where they have been, their clubs, where their friends live, where they want to live next year, etc.  They have so much to say.  You have your weekend planner in front of you.  What to do?

Family Weekend in 2011 was very different than Family Weekend today.  Each year has become much more fun and exciting.  In 2011, we did the Family Ice Skating, which was seriously awesome.  The girls still talk about it and gently chide each other.  I asked them in a group chat last night what were their favorite Family Weekend activities and their responses were skating, the Noodle Bowls, and sharing Sushi at Berkshire DC.  The older girls are amazed at the 2017 offerings and are hoping to join in the fun.

This year, I can’t even express the options in front of us! But here’s our tentative list:   Our oldest daughter, class of 2015, wants to do the Sustainability Bike Tour of UMass.  She and her friends truly appreciated UMass’ Sustainable Mission.  Then, she hopes to run the Multicolor Mile with her sisters.  My husband, the history buff, wants to do the Haunted UMass Tour.  The youngest, class of 2020, and I hope to be a part of the Saturday morning “Get Moving UMass”, a 40-minute fall foliage walk around campus.  We will be at Dare to be Aware, where a panel will discuss ways to encourage responsible drinking, and how to help keep students safe.  Maybe we will partake in a classic fall wagon ride through campus or a trolley ride into Amherst.  Another Family Skate at the Mullins Center is an option, too.  Time permitting, after dinner we will take in (my first) UMass Hockey game.

Of course, amidst all of these fun things to do with our student, we will enjoy our traditional family meals in the Dining Commons, especially the Taste of Home Lunch.  UMass Amherst Dining features some of the family favorites submitted for their Taste of Home recipe book.  To be honest, mealtime is my favorite time.  We have all been separated, and it gives us a chance to reconnect and meet our daughters’ friends and their families.  This has never changed over the years.  Family meals with our student’s “new” family is the one constant, all of us reveling in the coming of age of our students.  It is a sight to behold, and we silently pat each other on the back.  They are happy!

Before we know it, it’s time to leave.  It doesn’t matter that you have already survived the most important drop off back in September.  It’s time to do it again.  Hope you have tissues!  You’ll walk your baby back to their room, look at your feet, shuffle a bit, and then say it: “We are so proud of you.  We have had a wonderful time.  You are really lucky and UMass is lucky, too.  Be safe! Have fun! Study hard! See you at Thanksgiving! And we love you.”  You’ll hug.  You’ll keep yourself together.  You’ll try to smile. Emotions will stir as you walk away. You’ll cry in the car and maybe a little at home, but this time it’s different.  Dinner conversations revolve around other things now.  How grown up your student has become.  How alive the campus was.  How much there is to do.  How much your student is doing!  Sadness has turned into amazement.

Your baby — now your young adult — is fine and you are fine.  It’s all good!  Really!  Be proud!

Leslie Mitchell is a member of the UMass Amherst Parents Association Advisory Council, and the parent of two UMass Amherst alumni and a current sophomore.

Holding On and Letting Go: Reflections and Some Friendly Advice on What to Expect During Transition

As the last few days of August roll around, we can well imagine the frenzy and tempo picking up in each and every household that is gearing up to make that long-anticipated trip with their college-bound students to their new home and life on campus. As we reminisce about our own experiences from just a few years ago, our hearts are overwhelmed with the need to reach out to each one of you parents/caregivers that is going through this experience for the first time. Here are insights from two fellow UMass Amherst family members on what to expect during this exciting (albeit challenging) time of transition, and how to handle the process:

  • Take care of business before move-in by using both the students and family checklists as your guides.
  • Expect some degree of ‘organized chaos’ – for both you and your student.  If this is your first child going to college or attending UMass Amherst, this is a new experience and territory for both of you.  You’ll experience excitement, nervousness, anxiety, etc. all at once.  The most important thing is to check-in with your student during the next few weeks to see how they’re doing and handling things, listen, and offer words of encouragement. Showing your enthusiasm for this new experience will inspire your student to stay positive and embrace this new life, even when they feel overwhelmed.
  • Expect a few setbacks: At times, your student may feel a bit homesick, and you as a parent or family member may feel a bit “lost” without them.  Encourage your student to get involved from the start. Having a part-time job on campus, for example, is an excellent way for them to stay busy while learning new skills.  As for you, keep yourself busy by volunteering at different events and doing something new, or something you always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance to do it. In addition, take advantage of support from friends and family members who have already sent their young adult off to college. Joining our Advisory Council Facebook group “Family to Family” can also help. We offer advice on a range of issues including financial aid, tuition payment plan, roommates, traveling for breaks, being out-of-state, gym membership, dining facilities, course registration, final exams – and the list goes on and on.
  • Making friends can be a bit challenging for some students, especially during the first few weeks.  Encourage your student to participate in the Fall Orientation and Residence Hall activities.  There are numerous clubs, performing groups, and intramural teams on campus designed to help make a large school feel smaller.  As a parent/caregiver, try to strike a balance between asking about your student’s social life and giving them room to develop on their own.  “One of the best things my son did was join an online gaming team with fellow UMass students.  He met a number of like-minded souls in an activity he was interested in doing.  Not something his dad or I ever would have thought of suggesting, but he found some of his good friends there,” says Melissa Goldman.
  • Let your student know that it’s ok to not know all the answers, but that it’s not ok to not try to find out. Students should gradually try to become aware of the myriad of resources available on campus for every aspect of their academic and residential life; and they should learn to effectively use these resources as needed. During their college years, there will be countless times where they will have to ask a faculty member, a tutor, an RA, a coach, or a friend for help.  Let them know this is OK.  Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is an indication that they are mature enough to recognize their strengths and challenges and take responsibility for their situation.  Also, even if you are pretty sure of the answer yourself, encourage your student to find the answer out independently.  Working out your own solutions is one of the biggest lessons the college experience teaches students.
  • Adjustment is a process.  It takes time to get acclimated to a new situation.  It is ok for students to take a “wait and see” approach to some activities.  As parents/caregivers, we often want to swoop in and fix things or share our experiences from when we were in school.  While there is a time and a place for that, allow your student to work through things on their own terms.  Going through the adjustment process, while challenging at times, is really important to students’ growth at this time in their lives.  “As a parent, I have found it important to be a listener and a cheerleader, not the decision maker or head researcher,” says Melissa Goldman. Don’t expect an organizationally challenged student for example to suddenly develop great organization skills.  It’s ok to have a few missteps along the way.  Just as you let them fall safely when they were learning to walk, you also have to let them fall safely when they are adjusting to living independently.
  • Independent thinking is also a process but essential to being successful.  The most important advice you can give your student is to advocate for themselves and not necessarily through you. The University is well equipped to accommodate your student’s needs regardless of the situation.  Experts are available to help them navigate the University and find answers. Give them the space to make their own decisions and seek resources. “Even though my husband and I are both alums, we have stepped back and let our son do his own ‘figuring out,’” recommends Goldman. “Many things are different now and while we are excited he gets to experience some of the same things we love about UMass, ultimately he is the student and his experiences are his own.”
  • Remember, as a parent or family member, you still play a major role in your student’s success.  Don’t be ambiguous in your messaging around health, alcohol or substance abuse, and safety; your voice matters a lot. Share your counsel even as you let them be the key decision maker of their own lives. Be available as a sounding board – just listen – even if you may not always appreciate the content or substance of their argument. “I am so glad I just gave her the space to be heard without holding any judgement,” says Neena Verma, about her own daughter who is now a successful and happy senior, and one of the VPs of her sorority. “Soon enough, she seemed to always arrive at really sound and judicious decisions that always moved her in a positive direction.”

And last but not least, call, email, text, whatsapp…whatever…but do check-in using your student’s choice of communication mode – even if you don’t hear back. Remember, the adage ‘no news is good news’ still holds valid! They are most likely way too busy settling down, making friends, getting the hang of campus life and college academics, or just adjusting to a very new and different life. College students don’t usually run on a typical 9-5 schedule, so try to be flexible about when you all communicate. Trust yourself for having raised them to be capable and independent young adults … take a deep breath…and let go. They will be just fine, and so will you! Life soon becomes a balancing act of ‘Holding On and Letting Go.’

A very warm welcome to all of our new UMass Amherst family members/caregivers, and our heartfelt wishes for a smooth and successful transition!

Neena Verma/Melissa Goldman

UMass Amherst: Large University, Small Communities

Among current and prospective families and students, UMass Amherst is recognized as a wonderful, cost-effective university garnering increasingly positive recognition on the national and international higher education stage. The university offers a stunning array of majors, access to leading thinkers, and opportunities to support and participate in a wide range of sports teams, clubs and extra-curricular organizations. Campus is well-maintained and pride-of place is evident. And oh yeah, the food isn’t bad, either.

Yet some accepted students begin their UMass Amherst journey with trepidation beyond the usual first-year nervousness. For the very same reason, high-achieving high school students are sometimes reluctant to apply, with their families sharing their concern. The reason? They consider UMass Amherst too large. Yet, it’s been my family’s personal experience that the numbers are deceiving, and there is a welcoming community — or multiple communities — for everyone.

If one merely considers total number of students, it’s a fact: UMass Amherst is large compared to many universities. However dig a little deeper and you’ll soon discover what our family did. UMass Amherst actually consists of many smaller communities offering something for everyone and a comfortable place for all. Whether it’s a specific college, major, residence hall, fraternity or sorority, sports team or club or other extracurricular organization, there is an easily accessible group of friends sharing similar interests awaiting virtually every student who attends UMass Amherst.

Some students easily and naturally identify and jump right in to their community (or communities; there are often multiple potential communities of interest with varying degrees of overlap). Others may need more time, with the options being somewhat overwhelming initially. As noted earlier there are many choices, and not knowing where to begin may be intimidating. Here are some basic suggestions for where to begin to identify potential communities with your student:

  • The Student Life section of the UMass Amherst website offers a manageable gateway to numerous potential communities of interest. From community service options to Greek Life to hundreds of registered student organizations; this is a great place to start.
  • All Schools and Colleges offer various opportunities to get involved with a community of like-minded students, professors and others, including events, journals and other publications, institutes, lectures, and social gatherings. A great side benefit is the opportunity to meet others outside of the regular classroom setting.
  • UMass Amherst offers a wealth of living and learning community options as well. These options provide welcoming communities to students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, academic needs, and interests.
  • Early each fall semester, there is a club fair on campus known to students as the Activities Expo. It is publicized well ahead of time, so encourage your student to attend. They can gain useful information about various organizations on campus, and begin to get a better feel for what’s available. Their biggest challenge may be walking away with too many interesting options!

Bottom line, don’t let the overall student population numbers of UMass Amherst cause you or your student to overlook what could be a great academic and social experience. In the case of UMass Amherst looks can be deceiving. It is not the large, overwhelming place it appears at first glance. In reality, UMass Amherst consists of many smaller, highly accessible and welcoming communities. Viewing the university from a community perspective, this is one case where the parts are greater than the whole.

Chuck Kaufman serves on the UMass Amherst Parents Advisory Council. 

UMass Amherst Transfer: A Parent’s Perspective

After much careful consideration, during his freshman year at another college, our son decided that he wanted to transfer.  Although he did very well academically, started every match as a freshman on the men’s volleyball team, and made friends, he sought greater academic and extra-curricular opportunities.  Extremely outgoing, funny, and social, he wanted access to more clubs, activities, and a larger student population. After researching several options, and after a visit to UMass Amherst, he knew it was the school for him.  He was accepted as a transfer student and hasn’t looked back since, throwing himself into his classes and extra-curricular activities with great enthusiasm.

Naturally, we were thrilled for him, but as parents we had many questions and a few concerns. Going from a small college to a large university, we hoped he wouldn’t “get lost” or be treated as a number rather than as an individual. He had flourished academically during his freshman year. We wanted to ensure he would have ready access to professors and other academic resources when necessary, especially while adjusting from small class sizes to potentially much larger ones. As parents of a transfer student we were also concerned that his previously attained academic credits wouldn’t transfer into his UMass Amherst curriculum.  After reviewing his submitted coursework from freshman year, UMass provided clear documentation indicating his credit status. Much to our relief, our transfer student would be able to graduate on time.

As the academic year draws to a close our son is thrilled with his choice, and UMass has far surpassed our expectations in every way.  Commencing with comprehensive orientation sessions for transfer students and family and friends, the transition has been seamless for our entire family. Every new student attends an orientation session where they receive assistance in course registration, meet faculty, and get to know the campus. This is also a great opportunity to meet other transfer students.  As parents, we found the family and friends orientation particularly helpful. This detailed program proactively addresses several important topics in great detail, with plenty of time for questions and to meet other parents of transfer students. Topics include academics, financial matters, health services, living at UMass, student safety, technology, and student emotional health. All of that information coupled with a great lunch in a dining hall (yes, the stellar reputation of the dining services is well deserved!) made for an outstanding day. In addition, each fall, UMass Amherst offers a variety of programs beginning Labor Day weekend for transfers. These sessions, meetings, and activities are designed to create a supportive community for new transfer students. You can learn more at  UMass Amherst New Students Orientation – Transfer Students.

Once accepted, one of our initial questions was, where would our son live? While transfer students can live in other residence halls, many choose to live in Sylvan. McNamara residence hall in the Sylvan area is specifically geared for transfer students, enabling them to begin their UMass Amherst experience together.

Our son has found his place, thriving academically while pursuing numerous opportunities outside of the classroom. He’s interested in so many courses and potential fields of study that he’s likely to change his major…again! In terms of campus resources, he has availed himself of the writing lab and always finds his professors and TAs available when needed to discuss an upcoming paper or exam. This has empowered him to become an even stronger self-advocate, confident that his inquiries will be received with care and respect.  As parents of a transfer student entering a new environment, we have been impressed by the various resources available on campus. A great place to start for parents of transfer students is the Office of Parents Services . This outstanding resource contains campus offices, contacts for emergencies and campus safety, FAQs, a parent checklist, and links to other useful pages, among other information.

Similar to its outreach to families of incoming first-year students, UMass Amherst encourages family members of transfer students to get involved with the university. Involvement could start with a one-off blog post similar to this one on a topic of interest to others. Among other volunteer opportunities, family members of transfers are encouraged to apply to serve on the UMass Amherst Parent Advisory Council.  This is what I did. As the parent of a transfer student I have received a warm welcome to this group of like-minded parents working to serve as a resource and better the UMass Amherst experience for all of us. Information that families of transfer students may find valuable is available   from the UMAPA Advisory Council web page.

Created as a resource for students, families of transfers can also access the Dean of Students Office. Another helpful resource for families of both transfer and current students is the Office for Parents Services Facebook page: UMass Amherst parents page on Facebook.  Family members can ask questions, and valuable information is regularly posted there. In addition, every Tuesday the page offers a useful tip to help with our student’s success. Another useful Facebook page for UMass Amherst parents is UMass Amherst Family to Family, which is moderated by volunteers from the UMass Parents Advisory Council in collaboration with the Office for Parents Services.

Between the resources available and the welcoming culture of UMass Amherst our son has never been happier. Transferring to UMass Amherst was one of the best decisions he’s ever made. As parents, we could not be happier.

Submitted by Chuck Kaufman, parent of a sophomore at UMass Amherst, and a member of the UMass Amherst Parent Advisory Council.

 

Encourage Students to Exercise and Eat Right

As the weather improves our students often feel like they have no time to enjoy being outside.  The end of the semester is approaching and they need to double down on studies, projects and preparing for finals.  Many are also still on the hunt for summer jobs or internships and may be sorting out where they want to live in the fall.  Students may call home feeling overwhelmed and feeling like they have no control over the stress in their lives.

This type of call can be a true teachable moment to remind them that part of growing up is taking control of the choices we make and the way we spend our time. They can choose what to eat and how much to eat. They have control over choosing to exercise regularly and having enough sleep at night.  Helping your student to make positive choices about nutrition, exercise, and sleep can go a long way towards a successful semester.

Exercise can be particularly important for students who spend much of their time sitting in classes or labs. Help your student find solutions to typical justifications like:

  • I can’t find time
  • My knee is giving me trouble
  • It is too hot or too cold
  • I get tired so quickly
  • I hate running or exercising

We all experience challenges in our lives. That is a part of life. Ask your student: How can you tackle those limitations and make exercise or other wellness activities a routine part of every day?

If your student does not have a daily exercise routine, encourage them to start with just 15 minutes of low intensity activity a day. Encourage them to increase the duration and intensity about 10% every week (that’s about 1.5 minutes more in week #2). Note: Students with disabilities should work individually with the Rec. Center staff to understand the types and amounts of physical activity appropriate for them. Students can run, walk, go to the Rec Center, participate in wheelchair basketball, practice meditation and yoga, do aerobics, play intramural sports, and practice self-care activities to improve the physically strengths and stay mentally sound.  They will feel the difference every week as they get stronger. Talk to them about setting exercise goals for themselves and for their physical and mental health. In addition, encourage them to find a running/workout partner since this is very helpful to staying motivated. The joy of reaching the goal is one of the best personal achievements.

Eating right is very important for a healthy lifestyle as well.  Encourage them to follow these simple rules – eat a good breakfast and at least three meals a day; eat plenty of foods rich in fiber; limit sugar intake and drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration; and diversify food intake – UMass Dining offers countless choices of nutritional and healthy food options.

Here are some great links to UMass health and wellness resources:

UMass Amherst, with its magnificent Western Mass location and its beautiful campus, is a great place for students to prepare themselves to face the real world – academically as well as by building a strong mind and body.

Benny Joseph is an experienced Marathon runner and the parent of a Computer Science Major, UMass Amherst Class of 2018.