Taking up new and relaxing hobbies is great for self-care. With everything going on right now, lowkey activities like baking, coloring and cross-stitch are having moments.
Unable to get your hands on a coloring book? No worries. I created a handful of coloring pages of major campus landmarks. All you need to color your way across the UMass Lowell campus is a printer and some coloring supplies.
Continue reading
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the financial situation of many families. That’s why we wanted to share some ways that you can stay informed and aware of your financial aid options at UMass Lowell no matter where you are in the college search process.
Continue reading
Staying active at this time is a big ask for most of us. But it’s probably the highest-ranking self-care task you can do for yourself. Some good news: UML’s Campus Recreation Center (a.k.a. CRC or the Campus Rec Center) has you covered.
Certified Functional Strength Coach and CRC Fitness Instructor, Rebecca Olivieri (who is also working on Ph.D. in Physical Therapy at UML), recorded herself doing a fitness routine with everyday household items.
Don’t have a full gym in your house? No problem.
Rebecca’s DIY gym is fantastic. You’ll be able to get your heart rate going—easy-peasy—with these five exercises that target your core, legs and arms.
Our videographer, Alfonso, spruced up the video so you could follow along.
There are five exercises in this routine. Do each exercise 12 times before moving on to the next one.
Once you finish 12 reps of all five exercises, rest for 60 seconds. This should be an active rest for recovery—don’t come to a complete stop. You don’t need to do anything intense—light movement will work (walk around a bit, step side to side, etc.).
You should work through the routine three times all together. Obviously, only workout within your comfort range and ability—don’t feel bad about doing less reps or taking a longer break after you finish the five exercises.
1. Single Arm Swings
What you’ll need: A jug of laundry detergent
How many reps: 12
2. Backpack Squats
What you’ll need: Your backpack filled with some textbooks
How many reps: 12
3. Backpack Good Mornings
What you’ll need: Your backpack filled with some textbooks
How many reps: 12
4. Canned Food High Plank Stacking
What you’ll need: Two cans of food
How many reps: 12
5. Basketball Russian Twists
What you’ll need: A basketball, soccer ball, volleyball or something similar
How many reps: 12
Check out more of Alfonso’s videos.
Good luck. You got this. See you next week!
Miss last week’s Self-Care Sunday? Catch up here.
Spring isn’t on hold just because we’re all practicing social distancing. The daffodils are in bloom and trees are starting to bud. I’m sure if you look outside your window, you’ll see signs of spring and pops of color.
This week, take some time to go outdoors. Walk a trail, sit on your stoop, smell some flowers—just spend time outside. It’s a literal breath of fresh air and can do wonders for your mental well-being.
And if you’re local, you’re in luck. Not only has the Campus Recreation Center gone virtual, they’ve also updated their list of local outdoor recreation places to visit.
In this list, you’ll find information about local nature trails, bike paths, river walks and rock climbing spots you can visit. Most of it is within walking distance of the UMass Lowell campus. There are also places you can visit that are within 10 miles of campus as well.
*Check that the parks are open before you go— some places may have limited facilities operational. For example, a quick peak at the Nashua River Rail Trail’s website tells you that they’ve closed their restrooms, visitor center, playgrounds, etc.
The list includes outdoor spots in the following towns and cities:
We’re fortunate in New England that spring came early this year. Take some time to enjoy the nice weather this weekend at these local spots or in your own backyard!
Want to see more Self-Care Sunday? Check out all the posts.
See you next Sunday!
Today (it’s Sunday btw), we’re one week closer to the end of this.
Social distancing and COVID-19 is impacting us in ways we couldn’t have expected. We’re all living with this weird blend of stress and hopefulness, anxiety and generosity, uncertainty and togetherness.
But we won’t explode.
We will get through this together because we’re in this together. That’s why, every Sunday until this is over, I’m going to share a Self-Care Sunday post on this blog. I’ll share things happening in the UML community that will boost your spirits and simple and actionable steps to help you thrive while staying socially distanced.
One of our business administration students, David Seybert, is writing a book called “One Student to Another: 200 Tips to Ensure College Success.” He shared seven simple ways to stay positive and focused while transitioning to online classes.
As always, know that we’re here to help you. Even though many of us from the university are working from home, we are available to chat and answer any questions you have. Our admissions counselors are as excited as ever to help you figure out if UMass Lowell is the place for you. You can schedule a personal, one-on-one virtual meeting with us through Zoom, Skype or by phone at any time.
See you next Sunday! You got this.
The university has cancelled all on-campus activities until further notice. This includes all Undergraduate Admissions visits, events, group sessions and tours. Accepted Student Welcome Day on April 4 is also postponed.
Please refrain from visiting campus on your own during this time, and instead visit our virtual tour. Our counselors are available to talk at admissions@uml.edu or via phone at 978-934-3931.
You may have heard that UMass Lowell was recently recognized as the highest-rated campus in Massachusetts by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). This means that we’re in the top 10 of over 900 colleges and universities across the nation who use this sustainability rating system.
It’s an incredible accomplishment, but we’re not doing it for the recognition.
We’re doing it for you and the planet. Whether you hope to major in one of our sustainability-focused majors or minors or just want to learn the ins-and-outs of every day sustainable living, we’ll be here to show you the ropes.
These are a few of the programs we have in place that will help you learn to make a difference in the world:
In the latest poll by UMass Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion, 440 New Hampshire Democratic Primary likely voters were asked a simple question:
Which of the following outcomes would you prefer occur on November 3, 2020?
64% chose death by meteor.
Continue readingDid you know that UMass Lowell has a polling center? Like, one that collects data from people about their opinion and then analyzes the information so that the world can learn what people really think about esports or the link between sports and concussions?
Fun fact: Both of those were topics for polls and surveys conducted by the UMass Lowell Center for Public Opinion. The polls the center conducts are sent to media outlets all over the world and helps a variety of different fields gain necessary data to move their missions forward.
Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know about our polling center. Honestly, I didn’t know we had one either until about a month ago. Even after working here for a year-and-a-half, there’s so much to do and see here at UML that I’m still learning and surprised pretty often (in a good way!).
“The world in your hands” is something we say a lot here at UML. Guiding you as you realize your potential to take on a world of opportunity is our number one priority. But these words we live by have another meaning.
Literally.
We want the actual, physical world to be a better and more sustainable place for you, your loved ones and for future generations. That’s the literal world we want to put in your hands.
But we’re not here to check a box for the show of it or to make a splash (we’re pretty big into conserving water and resources tbh). That’s why lot of our sustainability efforts are ingrained into the very fabric of the university—even down to the design and construction and furniture we use in our buildings. It’s all hidden in plain sight.
Most people, myself included, don’t realize at first a lot of the things they see around campus are actually calculated, sustainable choices UML has made.
Today, we’re going to explore these choices in a building you might be familiar with if you’ve toured campus: University Crossing.
Continue reading