Monthly Archives: January 2022

Getting Back Into the Groove of the Semester

by Estela Suarez

Creative office workspace Clipart Image

After six weeks away it can be difficult to get back into the groove of classes and campus life. Everyone deals with this transition differently, but here are a few things that could help you ease back into it all: 

Find a way to track your schedule

Whether it is an old-fashioned pen to paper agenda or using Google calendar, figure out the best way for you to track your schedule. Between classes, extracurriculars, and job schedules, being a college student can be quite hectic. To avoid double booking yourself, make sure to track your commitments through a calendar so you know what to expect each day and when you have open availability. 

Keep track of your syllabi

As a continuation from the last step, you’re going to want to make sure you include all due dates, exam dates, and other important assignments in your calendar. This way you are always on top of your work and can easily see when things are due throughout the week or month. In my opinion, it helps to have all my due dates as well as schedule dates on the same calendar so I can plan my time accordingly. 

Set yourself up for a successful semester

If you know that there are little things that help you succeed in school make sure you complete those tasks! So for me, I like to set alarms and reminders for assignments that are due so that I always meet my deadlines. I also know that I need a good night’s sleep before having a full day of classes so I try not to be up too late the night before. Try to figure out what your best practices are this semester and do your best to stick to them. 

Don’t stop doing activities that make you feel fulfilled

With the hustle and bustle of the start of the semester it can be  hard to keep up with things that we do solely because we enjoy them. Something I have found helpful is putting “me time” into my calendar. This is time that I schedule out of my week to do things that I enjoy and are not school or work related. Some days it’s learning a new recipe, some days it’s ordering take out and not leaving my couch, some days it’s going to the gym, and some days it’s seeing my friends. You can’t pour out of an empty cup, so make sure to not only keep filling your own cup but make it a priority. 

Here at the Communication department we look forward to a bright and successful semester. If you have questions or concerns regarding classes please come into the Peer Advising drop-in hours!

Welcome Back!

By Erin Diacik

Welcome back to campus for the 2022 Spring Semester! After a long, and hopefully relaxing, winter break, classes for the spring resume on Tuesday, January 25th. As we approach another on campus semester, keep reading for some helpful reminders and tricks to start this spring off strong. 

  • The Faculty Senate Rules Committee has approved extending the official add/drop deadline to be a two-week time period instead of one week.This puts the last day to add or drop classes with no record as Monday, February 7th. If you are a full-time student, you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits, so double check your schedule to ensure your status as either a full or part time student. 
  • Take note of the Spring 2022 Academic Calendar. This calendar provides dates for any holidays, including spring recess and important registrar deadlines. Make sure to keep track of these important dates to look back on later. 
  • As per UMass policy, all eligible students and faculty are required to have their Covid-19 vaccine booster prior to the start of the semester. As always, remember to mask up wherever they are required, and take advantage of UMass’s unobserved testing. 
  • If you have any questions or concerns, schedule an appointment with a professional advisor via Navigate, or drop in to the Peer Advising office, located in N323. No appointments are necessary to speak with the Peer Advisors. They are a great resource for quick or last minute registration questions! Their current drop-in hours are listed on the Department of Communication web page. 

As we begin another semester during a time of uncertainty, make sure to take care of yourself during the cold winter months. While you keep up with your academics, don’t lose track of your mental health. Whether that be starting a daily journal, speaking with a professional, or moving your body, take some time each week to do something for yourself. The Department of Communication wishes you a healthy and successful spring semester!