UMass Amherst is a beautiful campus with great professors and a lot of students that will be going through the same things you are. But it’s not all peaches and cream there are definitely aspects you should avoid while attending Umass. Here are just five of those aspects.
1.) Walking into Town after a Snowstorm
This winter has been a rough one for all of Massachusetts. Western Massachusetts, where Amherst is located, can get very cold and very snowy. That being said, black ice can be a serious problem especially once you leave campus. I recall so many outings heading downtown for pizza at Bertucci’s or beers at Amherst Brewing Company, where I would fall flat on my butt as soon as I left campus. Watch your steps on the walk to town; it could very quickly go south!
2.) Waiting to Finish your GenEd’s
Gen-Ed’s, or General Education Classes, are mandatory for graduation. They are essentially classes in different realms of academia meant to broaden your mental horizons and provide basic college level knowledge. Some of them are mundane, but they are important! I have known a number of my fellow students who were unable to graduate because they took too long to sign up for their Gen-Ed classes.
My advice is to get your Gen-Ed classes out of the way your first two years at University. It’s inevitable, the more acclimated you get to UMass the more lazy you will get in certain aspects, so get the classes done nice and early! Then the rest of your college career can be solely focused on the types of classes you want to take.
3.) Kinesiology
I’ve never personally taken a kinesiology class, but from what I’ve heard and witnessed, it’s serious business. The classes are very intense, and are fit solely for students who are committed to the study. I remember seeing the anxiety and lack of sleep with some of my friends who were taking kinesiology classes.
Many of them entered UMass with that intended major and ended up opting out. Now of course these classes are not impossible, and if your passion is Kinesiology, you will assuredly gain first class scholarly knowledge on the subject. But for many, it wasn’t a fitting decision.
4.) Southwest
Southwest is a region of Umass Amherst where the majority of freshmen live and the majority of the on campus parties happen. If you are a heavy partier to the point where it will mess with your grades, don’t live there. If you are an introvert looking to stay an introvert, try Sylvan, just don’t live in Southwest! Southwest consists of 13 dorms jam packed with empty beer cans and textbooks. Granted, I had a good time living there, but I could have probably thrived a bit more living in a more serene part of campus.
5.) Not Doing Study Abroad
This one is self-explanatory. Umass Amherst is a fun place to be, the dining commons are equipped with tasty food, there are plenty of things to do, and there are plenty of people to see, but there’s more to the college experience than staying on campus. The study abroad programs at Umass are really great, and definitely something that should be taken advantage of. You have the choice of more than 50 countries to live in and thus, delve into their culture.
I went to Costa Rica for a semester, and I can truly say that I was changed by the experience. Having the opportunity to be immersed in another language, culture, and geography is second to none. The best thing about Study Abroad is that you have the ability to travel while in a safe setting surrounded by support, assistance, and guidance.
Studying abroad opens up doors of opportunities you could not have seen if you had stayed on campus. A few of my fellow classmates ended up staying in Costa Rica because they found career jobs, or really just found themselves. Do yourself a favor and visit the International Programs Office.
There are rules to the game of UMass, there are places and things to avoid and programs to take full advantage of. But ultimately you create your experience!
Sue Callender graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2011. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a specialization in cultural studies and media analysis.