Managing the Pressure of Feeling the Need to be Involved on Campus

By: Julie Dannevig

Between being surrounded by high achieving peers and juggling assignments from demanding professors, feelings of success and satisfaction can be hard to come by as a college student. While readjusting to pre-pandemic campus norms this semester, I have been painfully reminded of the added pressures that come with in-person classes, clubs, and events.  I’ve personally had to recognize and give myself credit for the effort it takes to jump full-swing back into this taxing lifestyle. This semester, in particular, I have been dealing with an ever-present sense of dissatisfaction and unrest. Having the opportunity to be in-person after a year and a half of restrictions was gratifying at first, as it inspired motivation and opened many doors for me. However, I found that gratification quickly turned to feeling overwhelmed and unable to keep up. 

Whether it be your roommate who is on the e-board of what seems like every club UMass offers or your lab partner who has already been accepted into their dream internship for next summer, it’s easy to feel as though everyone around you is running ten miles ahead. I have come to realize, however, this comparison is not only unproductive but for some, it can be downright debilitating.

As I entered the latter half of my college career this semester, I fell into a panicked mindset and felt as though if I didn’t get my life together immediately,  I would never get a job post-graduation. As a result, I found myself maniacally signing up for clubs, spamming my LinkedIn with posts, and applying to any and every internship position I could find on HandShake. My efforts, however, were not very fruitful and I wasn’t transformed into a stellar, standout student (shocking, I know). After a brief reality check followed by a strong dose of introspection, I forced myself to step back from this manic episode, take a breath and remind myself that college is not a competition and trying to do everything is only a recipe for exhaustion. 

It is so easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to peers and thinking you are not doing enough, but it’s important to remember this mindset rarely gets you far. In order to keep myself grounded, I try to take time out of the week to not think about work and do something for myself. Whether it be going to a class at the rec center or watching a movie with a friend, taking a step back from academics can be so effective in avoiding total burnout. I also make it a point to remind myself that college will not always be fun and in reality, it often just instigates stress and self-doubt. Recognizing that these feelings are normal and undoubtedly shared by many of my peers helps me to remember that hard times do pass and it’s important to remain realistic about my own abilities so I don’t push myself too far. 

Taking control of your college career by joining clubs you are passionate about, taking courses that are relevant to your aspirations and, most importantly, staying present to appreciate and enjoy your fleeting youth is ultimately what will enable you to build your strengths, develop confidence in your work and allow you to flourish in the many years ahead.

Transitioning BACK to In-Person Classes

About a year and a half ago everyone was talking about the challenges of switching to online classes. Now that we’re on campus again, no one is talking about the challenges of transitioning BACK to in-person classes. I’ll admit, it was extremely convenient to wake up 5 minutes before my morning lecture, hop onto Zoom, and listen with my camera off. This was a “new normal” that became very comfortable for me after a short period of time. With that said, I love being on campus and feeling the constant energy of nearly 30,000 people.

Strangely, transitioning back to in-person classes feels more difficult than the initial transition to online classes. Maybe that’s because in-person classes require a lot more attention and drain your social battery faster. If you’re struggling to make the transition like myself and many others, here are my best tips for overcoming the initial hump:

• Create a loose schedule. It doesn’t have to be hour by hour, but creating a day-to-day schedule may help you stay focused, prioritize your work, and minimize stress about turning things in on time. Ideally, you’ll create a routine that you can stick to, but won’t feel badly if you don’t follow it 100% of the time.

• Put yourself out there during classes. Don’t be afraid to speak up, ask questions, and talk to the people around you. Online classes made it feel awkward to answer questions over Zoom or difficult to strike up a conversation with a classmate. Talking to someone in class every day is a great way to start feeling more comfortable with being back in person.

• In person classes create a very social environment. This usually means a lot of stimuli happening at once, especially in those 470 person Mahar lectures. I have found it extremely challenging to focus during large lectures, and recommend having something that can stop you from fixating on those distracting stimuli. Even just having a pen in my hand to play with helps me focus so much more. 

• Be patient. So many opportunities and responsibilities were thrown onto us in the matter of a few weeks and it can feel overbearing. We must remember that we just came out of a global pandemic, and are arguably still in it. We’ve all had different experiences this past year and a half so remember to be patient with yourself, peers, and professors. At the end of the day, we’re all doing the same things in life, why not be kind and helpful to each other.

• In person exams. Realistically, online exams are way different than in person ones. Maybe you didn’t even bother to study or always kept notes out. With in person exams, that doesn’t fly. Give yourself ample time to prepare for in person exams, your brain isn’t used to cramming like it used to be! 

• Switch up your studying locations to avoid burnout and feeling like you’re living the same day over and over again. During remote learning, I found myself either studying in my bedroom, or on my kitchen counter. Having not been on campus before, I have pushed myself to explore new studying locations each week. The library is a great go-to, and the student union is another convenient place. Even your dorm’s common room is a small, yet significant change to feel refreshed.

WiB in Review

It is that time of year where we recap all that we have done, learned, and survived. WiB might have gone virtual, but that did not compromise the quality of the meetings. From learning about networking, to body positivity, to even politics and the role it plays in business, WiB has opened up opportunities to everyone this year that were not previously available. We have made new friends, connections, and expanded our realm of possibilities moving forward as Isenberg Women in Business.

We would not have been able to continue to present engaging meetings, events, and opportunities if it were not for our members, so here are some that were spotlighted this year through our Instagram:

Rachael Doyle, 2024

Rachael is a Marketing major from Dracut, MA. This is her first year in WiB and joined mainly for the sense of community the club brought her. She also loves how WiB gives her tips and tricks about the business world to better prepare her moving forward. Her favorite part about WiB is being a part of the Marketing Committee; she was able to learn more about the field and even get some more knowledge on design. Rachael had an internship this semester at Shantikan Wellness as their social media intern! Their Instagram is @ShantikanWellness if you want to check out what Rachael got to do this semester!

Hailey Roche, 2024

Hailey is an OIM major with a minor in Communications from Millis, MA. Hailey joined WiB because she wanted to get the opportunity to make more friends and connections while we were doing everything remotely. She also loves that WiB gives the chance for members to give back to the community. Her favorite part of being in the club has been meeting new people and building a nice and supportive network to kick off her freshman year.

Laura Balinski, 2023

Laura is Marketing major with a minor in Psychology from Wayne, New Jersey. Her favorite part of being in WiB has been joining the Peer Mentorship Program. Within the program she got to meet more upperclassmen that served as great role models for her coming years at UMass. It was her first semester joining it and she has loved every minute of it! Shoutout to her mentor Alyssa!

Aisling Gigandet, 2022

Aisling is Marketing major from Haverhill, MA. Aisling is a transfer student and was very passionate about finding a community within Isenberg, which is why she joined WiB. Her favorite part of WiB has been being a part of an empowering network of women and the Marketing Committee Meetings. She has enjoyed learning more about the industry and talk to students within the program as well as alumni. During her sophomore year, Aisling completed an internship with Infinite Marketing as their Marketing Coordinator.

Gina Zarcone, 2023

Gina is a Finance major from Tallman, NY. She joined WiB to be a part of an empowering group of women that motivate each other to thrive in the business world. She was a part of the Peer Mentorship Program and it was her favorite part of WiB this year, shoutout to her mentor Alyssa!

Julia Curto, 2023

Julia is a Finance and Sport Management double-major from Long Island, NY. WiB to Julia is a club with women just like her who want to support and empower other women in the business industry to thrive. Her favorite part about WiB has been the community it gave her as a student. She loves specifically how everyone wants to make sure everyone is supported and has loved getting to know more people during GB meetings.

Claire Knott, 2023

Claire is a Marketing major from Beverly, MA. Her favorite part about WiB has been getting to know and listen to amazing women come talk about their careers and experiences in business. It has given her a better understanding of the potential career opportunities she has and has been inspired by the speakers that have come to WiB meetings.

Jenna DiDonato, 2021

Jenna is a Marketing major from Easthampton, MA. Jenna joined WiB mainly to be a part of a female-empowerment club, like WiB. She has enjoyed particularly being surrounded by a number of supportive, powerful, and amazing women. Jenna is also a Marketing Intern in the Fragrance Division at Newell Brands.

Suzie Na, 2021

Suzie is an OIM major with a certificate in Business Data Analytics from Newton, MA. She is a transfer student and really wanted to be a part of a community both on campus and within Isenberg, which brought her to joining WiB. Suzie is going to be a Data Analyst Intern at Definitive Healthcare this summer.

Arete Giannetti, 2023

Arete is a Hospitality and Tourism Management major from Boston, MA. She wanted to learn more about Isenberg which led her to joining WiB after transferring into the school. WiB has helped her meet new people and make new connections since joining. Arete is currently a Wellness Intern at UMass Hillel.

Our members have been amazing this semester in connecting with each other and also the speakers that have come. This virtual semester would not be possible without the combined support of our executive board and our members. Additionally, our Co-Presidents Tyler Spellman and Alyssa Biscotti have worked tirelessly to ensure that our meetings were the best of the best and kept us all coming every Monday night at 7pm. We cannot wait to do it all again next semester and come back bigger and stronger! Thank you to everyone who made WiB so great this year, we hope to see you all again next semester, and congratulations to all of the graduating seniors!

Spring Activities to Tide You Over Until We Reach Herd Immunity

By: Aisling Gigandet

If you’re anything like me, you’re dying for summer days filled with family and friends. While herd immunity is almost within reach, we all have a responsibility to protect our communities until then. This spring, try out these activities to gear up for summer and safely pass the time.

Start up your summer book club

It’s officially set-up-a-blanket-by-the-campus-pond-and-read season. With hopefully just a few weeks to go until you and your friends are free for summer soirées, now is a great time to start up a book club! Grab your gals and choose a book or two to blow through this spring, before your first in-person book club meeting this summer or fall. 

Take a “trash walk”

Hear me out- if you’re sick of your normal quarantine walk route, this spring is the perfect time to accessorize your walk with rubber gloves and a trash bag. Affectionately dubbed a “trash walk” in my household, try spending just 30 minutes removing trash from a local area that you frequent. Cleaning up your neighborhood or a nature trail with your roommates is a great way to get outside and be productive. You’ll definitely earn some good karma- and I hear rubber gloves are very trendy this spring. 

Plant an herb garden

Most herbs don’t require a lot of planting experience or any major financial investment. While spring is a great time to start plants outside, you can grow herbs inside year-round, and harvest your fresh basil or cilantro as needed. For a more involved project, you can also test out your green thumb with summer squash, peppers, carrots, lettuce, or other fruits and veggies. Putting in the work this spring will set you up for a yummy summer!

Go stargazing

Between May 4-6, you just might catch a glimpse of shooting stars from the Eta Aquariid meteor shower. If you happen to live in the western U.S., you could view a total lunar eclipse on May 26th! On the east coast, while we probably won’t spot a lunar eclipse, May 26 and June 24th will both grant appearances of supermoons. Even if you don’t observe a meteor shower or lunar eclipse, stargazing (alone or with a roommate) gives you the chance to step back from your busy life, and appreciate the world we live in.

With finals in full swing, don’t forget to take time for yourself. It can be easy to overlook, but any one of these activities can get you outside and enjoying yourself! Of course, keep in mind any CDC and local guidelines that could apply to you while you undertake any of these activities.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html 

School Year Recap: Remembering the Good Instead of the Bad

By: Rachael Doyle

Looking back, this school year is definitely not what I had hoped for. I was so excited to get on campus to meet new people, try new things, and make plenty of memories. Instead I’ve been stuck in my room staring at my laptop for the past year wondering when my life will actually start. But I know I’m not alone. Students all around the world are experiencing the same thing, as life in a remote world seems to take an immense toll on our physical and mental health. Now that we have reached the light at the end of the tunnel, it is important to reflect on what got us through these hard times. Whether it be something as simple as a favorite snack or the help of a supportive teacher, remembering the good that got us through this past year will hopefully allow us to move forward from these hardships and into next year with a positive mindset. 

Here are some things that I wouldn’t have been able to survive this school year without.

The Morning Coffee Run

The only thing that got me up in time for my early classes was the thought of my morning coffee. Each day I would wake up, get ready, and hop in the car on the hunt for cold brew. My usual spot was (and always will be) Dunkin’, but sometimes when in the mood I’d take the 20 minute trek to my local Starbucks. This time to myself each morning seemed simple, but trust me when I say it was so needed. While it seems silly, these drives would always put me in a good mood and allow me to have a productive day. 

My Professors!!

This school year has been hard on everyone, including teachers and professors. My mom is a high school teacher, and watching her have to navigate the pressures of our constantly changing education system in 2020 has given me a newfound perspective on what our professors at UMass must be going through. Despite this I have yet to face any issues this year, as each professor I have had has been flexible and understanding toward the needs of their students. They constantly check in on us to make sure we are doing okay, and sometimes I even get extensions on assignments without even asking for them. Their kindness and transparency has been a huge help to me this school year, and has made my first year at UMass so much easier. 

Trying Something New

Another way I would fill my time usefully was by finding new hobbies and activities to try. I wanted to be able to do something that I would enjoy while also getting away from my phone. This led me to start learning how to play the piano! I got a used one from my local music store, set it up in my room, and taught myself the basics. This new hobby gave me something to feel passionate about, and I constantly practiced in hopes of getting better. It helped me feel productive while also getting a break from my schoolwork, and overtime I slowly started getting better. While I am still not great at playing the piano, I look forward to practicing almost every day and even hope to take formal lessons one day. 

Extracurriculars 

One of the things that I looked forward to the most this semester was my extracurriculars. Many students probably thought that clubs held virtually “wouldn’t be the same”, but I actually think that this year has allowed many clubs to be more creative and personable despite their setting. As a freshman that didn’t get to live on campus, I was scared that I would fall behind socially, and that I would miss out on what was happening at UMass. However, the clubs that I was involved in this year like WiB and the Isenberg Marketing Committee helped me connect to other students that shared my interests. I was able to listen to guest speakers that inspired me, participate in fundraisers for great causes, and even get advice on campus life that I can use for next year. Staying involved in as many extracurriculars as possible helped me do so many things that I wouldn’t have otherwise, and it is one of the best decisions I made for myself this year.

I hope my yearly reflection inspired you to think about some of your favorite things from this past school year. It can be something as simple as your favorite snack, or an event that inspired you to do something great. Be sure to write these things down, and think about how they will inspire you to enter next semester as a better version of yourself.