You are finally on your way to the UMass Amherst for your first visit, and the air has never smelled sweeter. As you pass through the Berkshires, you see the verdurous mountains and hills that stretch for miles and miles. You see the occasional farm, equipped with cows, horses, and manure. Thick trees line the forgotten highways and you know you’ve finally reached the pinnacle of your high school experience. As you pull into the Visitors Center at UMass Amherst, so many thoughts, feelings, and emotions pulse through your body. Firstly, the campus is massive and very beautiful. The vibrations of studying and good times swirl through the air, you may have just found your home for the next four years. But before you make the big decision there are a few questions you should ask while on your campus visit.
1.) Ask About Your Intended Major, Or Lack There Of
Not everyone knows what they want to study in college before actually getting there. I was certainly one of those doe eyed freshman who thought she knew what she wanted to do, but my path changed completely.
Whether or not it’s known which subject you intend to study, it is always a great idea to ask questions about certain academics and the lifestyles that go along with it. For example, if your goal was to do Hospitality and Tourism Management, you would find that the Isenberg School of Management would be your home for the next four years.
Or if you have scoured the list of possible majors and don’t see any that appease you, you will discover that there is a program called B.D.I.C (Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration), where you can create your own major and your own path. There are many other great things to discover about what you would like to study, all you have to do is ask!
2.) Not Ready for Bedtime Players
If you are a soon-to-be student at UMass Amherst you will definitely encounter the Not Ready for Bedtime Players. This was probably my favorite party of orientation, so definitely ask your tour guide about them. The Not Ready For Bedtime Players is a peer sexuality education troupe.
They perform multiple short skits that deal with STD’s, birth control, healthy sex habits, domestic violence issues, gender issues, and much more. But what is so great about NRBP, is that they talk about these taboo issues with humor as their forefront and education as their backbone.
Spreading knowledge to young adults in a manner that we can actually retain. They perform every Wednesday during the academic year and at all freshman orientations.
3.) Your UCard
A day will not go by where you don’t need to use your UCard, so be sure to ask about its usage and benefits. The UCard is your picture student ID that you will get during orientation, and it is vital for essentially all things that have to do with campus life.
This card will allow you access to the library, recreation centers, dorms, the dining commons, on campus debit card, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) bus pass, and off campus discounts. That’s right; with your UCard you can get student discounts on various museums, movie theaters, and even restaurants.
If you become a Student Advantage member, there is a 10% discount for the Amtrak anywhere in the country, all made possible by your UCard. Ask your guide to give you more details on how essential that piece of plastic will be during the duration of your stay at UMass!
4.) E.B Du Bois Library
This place will become your closest friend at UMass, so it’s pretty imperative to know the ins and outs of this place. The W.E.B. Du Bois library, named after the Massachusetts native civil rights activist, is 26 floors full of books, computers and study cubbies. Knowing the best floors to go to study is key to your success at UMass, so ask your tour guides about that! During my many nights spent at the library I loved going to the higher floors. The higher you go the less people you will find.
If you are looking for the best view of campus, the 23rd floor is definitely the place to be, and it’s also really quiet so you can get a lot of work done! The basement level is known as the learning commons, with many computers, work space, and even tutoring services. If you are looking to work on a group project or study groups the learning commons is a great place to do so!
5.) UMass Amherst A History
Having opened its doors in 1863, UMass Amherst has a very rich culture and history. It’s good to know what kind of heritage your college has, because in fact, you uphold that heritage as a graduate. For example, UMass was primarily an ‘agricultural, mechanical, and military arts’ school, and as the years grew so did the variations of studies. During World War II, the campus was used for military training and it is also during this time that the population of women grew quite a bit, and continues to grow more and more each year.
Also, up until 1966 there was a curfew for women on campus, which was swiftly taken away. And during the tail end of the 1960s African American presence grew astronomically. It is little ‘fun facts’ like these that can make one feel proud, or perhaps discourage, to be a student at UMass Amherst. The interpretation is up to you!
There will be a number of thoughts and questions traversing your mind as you enter the UMass Amherst campus, during a visit. It would be in your best interest if you asked about the majors available, got the skinny on the Not Ready for Bedtime Players to be well prepared, learn more about your UCard and the amazing benefits it holds, know ahead of time the best floors to get your study on in the W.E.B Du Bois Library, and learn some really cool facts about your prospective school.
Upon your visit to UMass Amherst, you will see how amazing this institution is, and it is almost a guarantee that you will leave wanting more!
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.