Category: Academic Dean Advice

Published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, 9/15/2020

This week my kids started remote schooling in Easthampton. One is in middle school and the other is in high school. It’s pretty stressful but they’re glad that they won’t be in face-to-face classes. As they say, “Mom, kids don’t know how to social distance.”

I’m a couple of weeks ahead of them. I’ve been teaching remotely since Aug. 24. School this year is not what anyone is used to, and the adjustment is frustrating for students and teachers alike.

Technology doesn’t always work seamlessly. Wi-Fi cuts out at inopportune times. Instructors at the college level don’t have to use the same platforms or teach synchronously. New college students, in particular, are struggling with time management and how to make friends in this remote environment.?

At UMass, our first-year students are eager to figure out how to make this semester work so I turned to some experts for tips on how they are thriving in college during a pandemic.

Rachel Green is a junior from Shrewsbury. She’s a Civil War buff, an experienced archer, and a fencer. She says:

“My quarantine survival tip is to take breaks and get some sunlight. It’s really easy to just stay in my bed or at my desk. I could probably go a few days without setting foot outside my apartment. Which is why it’s so important to get up and walk around outside! It’s basic self-care, but it is something that can be easily forgotten about.”

Kimiko Daniele studies economics and spent her pre-COVID summer as a legal intern. She’s been a peer advisor, helping students understand UMass systems.

She says, “This semester has been chaotic with each class using different websites, some classes have online lectures in addition to regular classes, etc. Every Sunday I take 10 minutes or so to write down all my assignments for the week. I create a weekly planner that clearly states what tasks I have to do, and on which days. Having some type of weekly planner allows me to understand my expectations and responsibilities and helps me manage my time.”

Makayla Fucile is a Massachusetts native, a legal studies major, and a member of Commonwealth Honors College. Her advice to students is this:

“It’s been incredibly important to keep a strict schedule for classes, homework, exercise, and personal time. I’ve used an agenda more than ever this semester. It’s been very easy to get stuck at the computer for hours, so I’ve worked hard to set aside time to step away from my work.”

Ayla Thorntona graduated in May with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and Spanish. Currently she’s working on her master’s degree in public policy at UMass. Ayla was a peer advisor, an undergraduate teaching assistant, and a campus tour guide. She says:

“To survive remote learning as a college student, I change up my environment a couple times per day, depending on the workload. If the day is full of Zoom meetings and homework follows, I’ll start at my desk, maybe end up at the kitchen table, and when weather allows I will head to my backyard with a blanket, my laptop and some snacks. That has been helpful in ‘restarting my brain’ a bit and allows me to not get stuck sitting in the same spot all day, which is very possible sometimes!

“Another thing I have been doing to survive remote learning is taking a lengthy break in between classes to do something that takes my mind off of work. I’ve recently gotten into cooking and I find that putting music on and cooking lunch or dinner has been a good time to take a break and focus on something different for a bit.”

Lily Giannasca is a senior in the legal studies program who spent the summer as an intern for the Massachusetts Appeals Court. She shared the following:

“School right now feels surreal, so staying motivated is draining. Staring at Zoom squares can feel impersonal and isolating.

“When I feel isolated, I cannot begin to focus on academics, so I have been actively creating opportunities to connect. Normally I would avoid such blind boldness, but last week I reached out over email to say hello to a student I’m in classes with now and last semester. I casually checked in and offered to discuss lecture or share notes if she was interested. She was receptive, and we’ve been chatting over text since. It makes Zoom squares feel a little more human.

“Remote learning is disappointing for all students, but especially for students missing out on their year of firsts. My first year of college was impactful because of the friends I made and the experiences we shared. Just because we are not in person, does not mean that you cannot make your first college friends.”

And finally, even though I’m on the other side of the Zoom screen as a teacher, my advice for students who are working on remote school is to learn to ask for help. Instructors want to help students be successful and each school has resources set up to assist but students have to practice asking for help when they need it.

Published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, 8/21/19

It’s mid-August and colleges are getting reading for the arrival of new and returning students. Those of us who work on these campuses try to help the incoming first year class get acclimated to college. We also recognize that it’s challenging to expect students to listen to us when most of us haven’t been in their shoes for many years.

That’s why for this month’s column, I turned to a bunch of experts on the first year experience – current students and a few recent graduates – to ask them for their best advice for this year’s incoming freshman class.

Jessica Williams, a communication major who graduated a couple of years ago and is now gainfully employed in television production, wants new students to remember, “There’s a fine line between challenging yourself and overworking yourself. Figure out where that line is and then push a little further to make sure you are always challenging yourself.”
She also advises that students get enough exercise and sleep so that they don’t have to rely on coffee too much.

Sarah Carroll, a legal studies major who managed the UMass Marching Band and was my awesome teaching assistant, now works for a commercial property management firm.

She says, “Freshman year is magical, but it’s also tough. Know that you are going to make friends and you might lose them, too. One student’s plan for college can be different than another’s. If everyone around you is making choices in a way that doesn’t fit who you are, that can be difficult. Try to remember that it’s OK to move away from friendships that are not working for you.”

Tenzin Thargay, who studied political science and international relations, just finished a Fulbright Fellowship in Korea after graduation. He credits mentors and advisors for helping him succeed. For students going to UMass or one of the other five colleges in the area, he recommends that they consider finding out about opportunities like doing research with a professor, participating in a study abroad program, or taking a class through the Five College Interchange.

Kassidy Jean-Charles, an economics major who works at a recruiting and staffing agency, wants first-year students to know that they don’t have to do everything according to some plan they have in their heads. College may work out differently than you expected. It’s important to build a support network that they can turn to if things don’t go the way they thought they would. Find friends, professors and advisors who can help you advocate for yourself.

Carol McCormick is going into her senior year as a communication major. She’s been a UMass tour guide, a peer advisor and was an amazing teaching assistant with me last year.

She says, “I think as an incoming freshman, it’s really important to be open-minded to new people and opportunities. Leave your door open and say hi to people as they walk by.”

She also recommends that students find one or two spots on campus to go to have “me” time – whether that’s the gym, a coffee shop, or the library. It’s important to have a place to go and unwind and check in with yourself. Her motto is: “Challenge yourself but stay true to who you are.”

Theo Schanz, a rising senior sociology major, spent much of the summer advising new students. He wants students to know that, “needing help doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong or are inadequate.” He encourages students to learn about the many resources available to them on campus and seek them out when they need help.

Mikayla Viscione, who studied political science and middle eastern studies, was a longtime teaching assistant for first-year seminars. Her advice to new students is that “it’s OK to feel overwhelmed at times. Remember that you are not the only one feeling that way. It’s important to reach out to others.”

She also says that sometimes students “think that if they are not having the most fun or best experience as a freshman that they are doing college wrong. That is certainly not true. People move and adjust at their own pace and that’s OK!”

Luwane Pipkins graduated with a degree in sociology. He was a student athlete, team captain and an excellent mentor to younger players. His advice to new students is “make sure you don’t stress yourself too much and try to enjoy college.”

There you have it, advice on doing college from the real experts. Of course, I would be remiss in my duty if I didn’t add my two cents here. College is one of the places where you get to figure out who you are, what you are interested in and who you want to be in the world.

To make the most of it, be sure to study things you enjoy. You will do better in classes if you are actually interested in the subject matter. Take chances and try new things. Join a club or two. Consider learning a foreign language and studying in another country.

Look for challenging internships so you can learn what you like and what you don’t in a workplace. There is so much that you can do in these next four (more or less) years.