Finding Your Place in College

By: Prisha Mark

Entering college is a huge milestone for a lot of individuals, and usually is coupled with anxiety about keeping friends, making new friends, and establishing yourself while staying true to who you are. Though this seems like a very individual experience, every single college student goes through these same emotions and struggles. As we slowly start meeting new people and start new friendships, we begin to wonder: Who are our actual friends? Who will stick around for the future? Where can I establish myself on campus? 

For me, I struggled a lot during the first few weeks of college. As an ambivert, sometimes meeting new people can be incredibly overwhelming and draining, especially when I value alone time a lot. As freshmen, we were thrust into so many club expositions, welcome activities, syllabuses, and new classes. I tried my hardest to keep up with everything, sign up for clubs to find my groups on campus, start new friendships, and keep up with classes all at the same time. At first, I thought I was doing ok, but homesickness crept in and lingered despite my attempts to push it away. Certain friendships started falling through. I felt overwhelmed trying to keep the few friendships I have while working on campus and keeping up with clubs, and the number of assignments in my classes started picking up. During this time, my homesickness and feeling of not belonging grew, and finally reached its peak one weekend. This weekend I, unfortunately, fell sick with food poisoning, and if anyone else has ever gotten sick at college, you’d know it feels terrible. All I wanted to do was go home forever, and I struggled to find the positive characteristics of college. I seriously considered transferring, but my parents and friends helped me realize that I needed to give college another chance. 

I ended up going home that weekend, but I came back with a fresh mindset. I started doing a similar morning routine I had back at home, which helped with some of the homesickness, and I also started taking things more slowly. For example, instead of exhausting myself trying to meet people, I started focusing on the few friendships I had and furthering the relationships I have with those people. Eventually, I started meeting more friends of friends, which helped me realize that there actually are people on campus similar to me. I also started focusing on a few clubs that I’m actually interested in versus spreading myself too thin among multiple clubs. Now, I’m able to put my time and effort into the clubs that I enjoy and benefit from. Lastly, academics. I’m still struggling to find the proper time to finish my assignments, but slowly I was able to figure out the schedule for when all my classes have assignments due. It still is a little confusing, but it eventually gets easier and you find ways to be productive with any free time you get. 

College is definitely a huge shift, emotionally and physically. If I could give any advice to incoming freshmen or anyone who is struggling with this change, I would say this: stay true to yourself, find routines you did at home, and be patient and give yourself time to adapt to college. Everyone adapts at different rates, but it’s important not to push yourself too hard the first few weeks to establish yourself, especially when you have all the time you need to find the right clubs, organizations, and people to surround yourself with.

Self Care Essentiality

By: Lauren Trongone

As college students, we are susceptible to a substantial amount of negative thoughts, school-related stress, and pressure to fit in. Come the end of each week, the exhaustion sets in, our social batteries are drained, and we are all in need of a reset. When we neglect to take care of our mind and body properly, we are left with this feeling of dissociation and it infiltrates our perception of reality. All of which contribute to my main point, which is that self care plays a monumental role in the life of college students. That said, I have some tips I practice here at UMass that I would like to share to help others combat these intrusive thoughts that leave us feeling disconnected. 

Firstly, as a form of physical self-care, I often like to take advantage of the wide variety of workout classes that the UMass recreation center offers. Depending on the class, they all range from thirty minutes to an hour and they are running continuously throughout the entire day so it is easy to accommodate with the busy schedules most students are on. Additionally, the recreation center is conveniently located right on campus so it is never a lengthy commute and this comes at no additional charge. I have tried many of them and I must say that my two favorites have to be spin and barre! 

Secondly, I like to treat myself from time to time. I will often go to the Starbucks on the first level of Hampshire dining hall and get a coffee as a reward after a class or a long day to recognize my hard work. This can be done with literally anything, not just coffee! You can go to Blue Wall in the campus center and grab a cupcake or gelato. It is simply the principle of splurging on a little something you enjoy to fuel your soul and boost your spirits.

Another activity I like to do when I start feeling mentally tired, usually towards the end of a lengthy day is to take a hot shower. This gives my mind a break and helps me reset while also completing a necessary daily task. I come out afterward feeling clean and reenergized. Or another alternative when feeling exhausted is a nap. That little bit of extra sleep can be extremely productive and will go a long way when it comes to reviving your body for a second wind. 

In terms of social self-care, I recommend setting aside time to be with your friends. What my friends and I like to do is meet up for a movie night once a week with a big screen projector and snacks in the common room. We obviously see each other more than this one time a week, however, this allows for us to have a concrete window of quality time allocated to hang out all together as a group and relax. 

Moreover, therapy is a fantastic, yet extremely overlooked form of self-care. In the same way people go to the doctors to check up on their physical health, people should go to therapy to check up on their mental health. Contrary to popular belief, therapy has no prerequisites - you do not need to have suffered from mental illness or have some kind of trauma in order to attend. I prefer to think of it as a preventative measure as a way of servicing your brain and talking about what is going on in your life. Emotions, no matter how big or small, are better when you talk them aloud and acknowledge them. UMass agrees on this and has made it a point to devote an entire department to it. The Center for Counseling and Psychological Health offers a range of therapy options that cater to whatever your needs are in hopes of promoting mindfulness among the student body. All these services are readily available so we might as well make use of them. 

Ultimately, our perception is our reality. Self-care will make or break your outlook on life and that is why it becomes so essential for moldable young adults to take care of themselves in

meaningful ways. Mindset is everything and it is only a matter of finding what works best for you. These are some suggestions that I like to exercise during my time here as a UMass student and I hope they are helpful in giving you some ideas of your own or, if nothing else, they at least inspire you to work on your own self-care routine. Take care, UMass!

Fifty Years of Magic: Disney World Celebrates Its 50th Birthday

By: Olivia Vadnais

On October 1, 2021, Magic Kingdom - one of the four main theme parks of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida - turned half a century old. The 18-month-long celebration will take place in Walt Disney World through March of 2023, and is slated to be filled with many new attraction openings, exclusive snacks and entertainment, as well as plenty of merchandise and other experiences available to commemorate the event.

Magic Kingdom is kicking off its birthday with some brand-new entertainment. The park gained a new cavalcade in honor of the celebration as well as a new fireworks display (Disney Enchantment), replacing the beloved Happily Ever After, which has been running since 2012. Magic Kingdom isn’t the only park celebrating the anniversary though. The other three parks - EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom - are all getting in on the festivities. EPCOT debuted a new fireworks show as well, titled Harmonious, which is the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park. Hollywood Studios has “Beacons of Magic”, where its Tower of Terror is lit up in celebration of the anniversary in addition to the other four park icons. Animal Kingdom has a new daytime show in the Discovery River Amphitheatre called Disney’s KiteTails, which performs multiple times daily. And of course, throughout the resort there is plenty of merchandise and snacks specially themed to the celebration.

In addition to these celebrations, quite a few openings will be occurring through the next eighteen months at the resort. Magic Kingdom will be welcoming a new TRON coaster hopefully sometime in early 2022, as construction delays have pushed it back multiple times due to the pandemic. Splash Mountain is supposed to get a retheme to the 2009 film Princess and the Frog, but a timeframe has not been given yet. On October 1 EPCOT’s France pavilion unveiled its expansion including a new trackless ride called Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and a new creperie restaurant. EPCOT is also set to open Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind sometime in 2022, which is another brand new state-of-the-art coaster. Space 220, a full-service restaurant where diners feel as though they are dining on a spaceship circling Earth. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is slated to open March 1, 2022, and this three-day experience immerses guests in the Star Wars world like never before: from sleeping, eating, and daily activities, a stay at the Starcruiser is not to be missed for fans of the franchise.

Magic Kingdom and the resort as a whole have changed greatly over its fifty-year lifespan, but its charm persists. It is a welcome celebration and shows how successful Walt Disney’s vision for the Florida park could be. If you want to join in the fun, you have plenty of time, but make sure to book quickly, because high crowds are expected throughout the span of the celebration. Hope to see you real soon!

Fun Local Fall Activities

By: Page Cole

I know everyone is feeling the stress of the beginning of the school year start to weigh down on them. Transitioning back to in-person classes and normal campus life has been a huge adjustment for most of us. Taking time to relax and unwind with friends is super important for our mental health and wellness. With my favorite season right around the corner, there are so many fun fall activities that are available locally for us students to enjoy, on campus and off campus. I encourage everyone to take a break from homework and treat themselves to a good time with old and new friends! 

Atkins Farm, 1151 West Street, Amherst MA 

When most people think of fall, they think of apple picking and enjoying a delicious, warm, apple cider doughnut. Personally, apple picking is my favorite fall activity and I just had to start off with Atkins Farm. Atkins Farm is located just about fifteen minutes from campus and is perfect for a stress-free afternoon. They provide services to go apple picking in their orchard, as well as an adorable locally grown grocery store with fresh fruit, vegetables, produce, and even a flower shop. They also have an ice cream shop that features two delicious fall ice cream treats. They serve an apple harvest shake as well as an apple cider donut sundae. Don’t walk, but run to Atkins Farm to feast on all of their delicious apples and treats! 

Pumpkin Painting, W.E.B. Du Bois Library 

I know a lot of us don’t have a ride to off-campus locations, so if that is the case then this is the perfect opportunity for you! Right in Umass’s own library, the Library Outreach Series is offering pumpkin painting from 7-8 pm on October 21st, which is a great way to end your busy day and meet other Umass students who you might not usually be able to meet. But, this is not any normal pumpkin painting like we are all used to. Participants will be using a 3D printer to print their own pumpkin to paint. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, sign up now! Spots are limited and they are being filled up fast. 

Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm, 23 S Main Street, Sunderland MA 

About thirty minutes north of campus is Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm, which offers a corn maze, shaped into the word “Imagine”. If you are the type of person who is up for a challenge, then this is the fall activity for you. Grab a couple of friends and use your navigation skills to find your way out of this challenging maze. If you find yourself out, (don’t worry, you will), then treat yourself to a delicious meal at the Corn Cafe. They have a wide variety of foods and even some specialty desserts. If this isn’t enough for you, they also have a petting zoo and hayrides. It is a little far, but definitely worth the drive for all of this fall fun! 

Get outside and enjoy one of these activities in this beautiful fall weather. Remember to make time in your busy schedule for yourself, it is just as important as schoolwork. Happy Fall!

Struggling to Find a Balance

By: Victoria Boyne

As we all return back to in-person classes, it is impossible not to recognize the common juggling act that many students are facing. This is the act of balancing a full course load with extracurricular activities, jobs, family commitments, social life, and self-care. Unfortunately, many students are unable to balance their commitments and thus some are forgotten about. If this is a problem that affects you, don’t worry. Below we will explain how to stay organized and balance all of your commitments! 

1. Use a calendar! This is such a small habit to adopt that can make a world of difference as you try to plan out your time. This can be an agenda, a desk calendar, or my personal favorite calendar apps such as Google Calendar. Regardless of the medium, adopting a calendar system that will work for you will allow you to plan out your classes, extracurriculars, homework time, etc., and thus leave you with ample time to complete your day-to-day tasks. 

2. Put your electronics away! This is a skill that I still struggle to adopt. The amount of time that we, as a society, unknowingly spend on our phones is insane and could likely be more efficiently spent. For example, aimlessly scrolling through Tik Tok and Instagram before bed not only takes away our beloved sleep but also makes it harder for us to wind down after a busy day. Furthermore, having your phone next to you as you study and do homework is a known distraction that I, and many others, struggle with. Taking the time to disconnect from electronics and focus on work, friends, and family could be a really valuable change to focus on as we get deeper into the semester! 

3. Find a good study space! This is different for everyone, but I truly believe that a good study spot can make all the difference in your productivity when completing your work. Personally, I love working in the Breakout rooms in Isenberg, the top floors of the library, and any coffee shop. But recommend trying new study spaces until you find the best working environment for you, this is likely somewhere that is free of distractions! 

4. Take good notes! This is so important as we begin to adjust back to in-person learning and can save you so much time when you need to go back and study. Prioritizing notes not only allows you to stay focused in class but also helps tremendously when searching for content, as you will no longer have to search through lengthy PowerPoints for formulas and simple concepts.

5. Create study groups! This allows you to meet so many new people in your classes and be social while also giving you an outlet to ask questions. This can be extremely beneficial when studying for a test or in classes that have a focus group assignments. 

One last tip is, don’t be too hard on yourself! It is okay to take breaks, miss events to focus on yourself, or do poorly on an assignment here and there. Though we all want to do everything perfectly, that is not always attainable and that is okay! Remember that you are not alone and so many other students are struggling to balance everything.