Monthly Archives: March 2022

Spring has Sprung!

By Caroline Buck

A couple of people sitting on a bench in front of a house Description automatically generated with low confidence

Spring is finally here, and campus is starting to get warm! Yes, there are still some chilly days, but for the most part we can start putting our winter coats away. With this shift in the weather, there can now be a shift in study spots and new possibilities for outdoor activities both on and around campus. 

On campus you could have a picnic or watch the sunset on O-Hill. Get a group of friends together and play volleyball on the sand courts. The lawn at the center of campus has multiple Adirondack chairs/tables that could make for relaxing study spots. You could explore the Tropical Greenhouse on campus, where you can soak in the natural sunlight while checking out the koi fish swimming the 4,000 gallon pond. You could spread out a blanket or sit on one of the benches surrounding the campus pond. The campus pond is in between the Integrative Learning Center (ILC) and Fine Arts Center. You could shoot some hoops at the basketball court in Southwest or throw around a frisbee/ball on the field below those courts. The rooftop courtyard in the John W. Olver Design Building has tables and chairs that could make for an awesome study spot. Behind the McGuirk Alumni Stadium there is a walking trail that wraps around almost to the Sortino Softball Field Complex. 

If you are looking for places to go a little way off campus, there are some beautiful hiking trails surrounding campus. You could check out Puffers Pond for a short stroll. For something slightly more challenging you could hike up Skinner Mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views from the Mt. Holyoke Summit House. Sugarloaf Mountain is another good hiking spot about a ten-minute car ride from campus. 

There are a few farms near campus where you can visit the cows and grab some homemade ice cream (Maple Farm & Cook Farm). If you are looking for something more active there is a driving range that also has batting cages a little over ten minutes from campus (Western Mass Family Golf Center). 

Whether you have free time for an outdoor activity or need a place to study, there are so many options to be explored on UMass’s campus! So with the weather starting to taking a turn you should 

Tips for Staying Motivated Through the End of the Semester

By Sarah Walsh

Welcome back to UMass! I hope that everyone had a restful and fun spring break. I spent my week off at home with my family and dog and caught up on some much-needed sleep and quality time. 

It’s also finally Spring, which means the weather is getting nicer, the walk through the DuBois wind tunnel is getting more bearable and our classwork is picking up as final projects and papers begin to loom. For some, the sun coming out and setting later can bring more motivation, but for many, it can be just the opposite, as the thick of the semester school work picks up. Staying motivated as the flowers bloom is important for keeping up with your school work and being the healthiest you can be. Our peer advising tips for staying motivated this Spring are: 

  1. Set time aside for fun: All too often, we hear, “I don’t have time to enjoy X, Y, Z.” Whether that be spending time with your friends or doing something you enjoy, too often college kids use that excuse. College is about academics, but setting aside time for activities you enjoy is just as important and prevents you from burning out too quickly. 
  2. Plan accordingly! Check those syllabi: The last thing that you want as we near the end of the semester is to get caught off guard with a big project or test written in the syllabus that you’ve forgotten about. That kind of stress is a sure-fire way to kill all motivation. Check your syllabi, write down important dates and plan ahead! 
  3. Check-in with professors and TAs: Along with checking your syllabi, it always pays to meet with your professors and TAs during their office hours. Touching base on assignments, dates and concepts will have you feeling more prepared and supported. 
  4. Set aside time for mental and physical health: Whether that’s exercise, meditation, or calling loved ones, you need to prioritize your wellbeing. Nothing leads to faster burnout than a student who is only doing work all the time. 
  5. Get outside: There’s nothing like a warm Spring day in Amherst. Do your work outside, change your environment, go for a walk. Getting some Vitamin D after a long and cold New England winter will keep you happy and motivated till May! 

Don’t be too hard on yourself if a lack of motivation finds you this Spring. Take care of yourself first, and the rest will follow. If you are feeling burnt-out, come to the peer advising office for drop-in hours, and we will work together to help you find a solution! 

Landing a Summer Internship

By Mia Ransom Yance


Summer is slowly but steadily approaching. No matter what year you may be, you may be starting to apply for internships or are actively seeking job/internship opportunities. Here are some tips on how to find internships and set yourself up to be a great candidate!

Finding an internship: 

  1. Start Looking Now

It is never too early to start looking for internships. Many summer internship programs open in December-January, so keep that in mind for your future research. As internships continue to open, search Handshake, LinkedIn, SBS Pathways, and Google. There are plenty of opportunities and you will find one that connects to your interests. Make sure to actively read your emails as opportunities are frequently featured in the Comm Connection and SBS Pathways newsletters. 

  1. Apply to more than one internship

I know it can be easy to find one thing that interests you and stick with it, but it is super important to apply to more opportunities. Having more options and being able to get your foot into different fields is always better than not having a backup plan. Apply to internships that interest you and even apply to something you are on the fence about. You can learn transferable skills and strengthen your experiences. 

  1. Network 

UMass is a large campus, full of people who have had so many diverse experiences. Consider talking to a friend, professor, alumni, or even just connecting with someone on LinkedIn to learn about new opportunities. You can connect with SBS advisors to learn more about your specific interests and needs at 128 Thompson Hall or Zoom. The Communication Peer Advisors are here to help you, so if you ever want to talk about our experiences come to our office hours! 

Applying & Finding Support 

  1. Resume & Cover Letter  

Make sure your resume is updated prior to applying. Add in any experiences and skills you feel will successfully reflect your work ethic and personal goals. If you find yourself struggling with formatting or want to see a reference, check out SBS’s resume tips and tricks linked here. As a general note, keep your resume to one page, make sure the font is clear, and ensure that your bullet points are cohesive. A cover letter is not always required but is something you should learn how to do in case it is ever requested. A cover letter outlines why you are a good fit for the job, what draws you into the specific company you are applying for and gives a hiring manager a feel of who you are. For more details on cover letters, click here. 

  1. Scholarships 

If you have secured an unpaid internship there are resources to aid in your funding. Academic Works provides hundreds of scholarship opportunities that can help support you financially. 

Good luck with your search and let us know if you have any questions!

YAY! It’s Spring Break

By Nusrah Azeez

Spring break time is a fun time. The countdown is finally over. Spring break is here!!! If you are thinking about what to do over the break, check out these budget-friendly activities you could do with friends.

Road trip

Hit up some of your friends and go on a fun road trip, you can choose a new place nearby, or explore close to home. It could be a planned out trip or you can make it spontaneous. This trip should not break the bank because everything can be split. Gas costs, food costs, down to the hotel costs, can be shared between you and your friends. You can even take turns driving. Road trips are adventurous and can be a great way to bond. Remember to be a responsible traveler and make sure to pay attention to local COVID policies.

Night out

If you have been away from some of your friends while in school, this is the time to reconnect and catch up on missed moments. A night out is always a good move, you can do anything. Get dressed up and go to a fancy restaurant, go to the mall, go to the movies, visit an arcade, go rollerblading, ice skating, skiing, or go bowling, the list is endless. 

Hike

Being active is beneficial for your mind and health. Ditch the gym this time and go on a hike. Explore nature and take in all its beauty. You can visit some of Amherst’s hiking spots like Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Mill River Recreation Area, and Amethyst Brook Conservation Area. Don’t forget to bring your friends or dog along. 

Host a Potluck

Hosting might sound like too much work but you can make it an exciting experience. Invite a few friends over and get them involved. Everyone should bring a fancy home cooked meal, set up together, and clean up together. Hosting is less stressful when there are people to help.

Go to a concert or see a sports game live

Find some cheap tickets to a concert and have some fun. Seatgeek, Ticket club, and Vivid seats have some of the best deals on concert tickets. It is a different experience being at a concert and hearing the music live. You could also find new bands playing at local restaurants and discover some new music at no cost.

Internship

Summer is fast approaching, if you want to be a little more productive, work on your resume and apply to as many summer internships as you can. Having professional experience is a good way to learn more about your major. You can also gain a little insight into what career path interests you.

Try out food from new a restaurant 

Getting food from new places might be risky because you never really know what to expect in terms of service and food quality, but it’s time to give your taste buds something different. Go to a restaurant you have never been to and get something you have never tried. You might be surprised at the different great delicacies you find. Check out Pita Pockets, Pasta E Basta, and Miss Saigon here in Amherst.

Wishing you a happy spring break. Do not forget to have fun and stay safe.