University of Massachusetts Lowell is the largest university in the Merrimac Valley. It is the third largest state institution following University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Massachusetts Boston. With more than 1,100 faculty members, 16,000 students and 120 degree choices, one can imagine how overwhelming entering a semester may feel to any student attending UMass Lowell. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to prepare for the incoming semester and several resources and locations at the University meant to support students and assist them in their preparation for the new semester.

Some great ways to prepare for the second semester of the 2012 to 2013 academic year can begin right now during vacation. In order to feel and be more equipped for your new classes, try to get your textbooks as soon as possible. You can order them online from the UMass Lowell bookstores from North or South campus and call their staff Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 4:00 pm with any questions, or you can order them from an online site such as Amazon or Chegg.

Another helpful task you can complete during this vacation to prepare for next semester is taking a good look at your class schedule. Print out a copy and take a long look at it. Highlight and organize the times in which you have few classes and the days where you will be the busiest. In doing so, you can plan out the time you will have free to work, to study and to do other recreational activities. This may sound like a silly task, but an organized schedule will serve as a solid base for your success this semester!

In returning to school, enter the semester with a strong start. Definitely take your time to settle back into the busyness of the school year, but don’t forget your mission in attending school: to learn! In order to do so, get plenty of sleep and meet your new classmates and teachers with a positive outlook. Also, if you have the time, try to learn a little bit about the course you are about to attend and the professor who will teach the class. The UMass Lowell website provides information on all of this and can assist you in becoming knowledgeable about all of your classes.

Upon looking at your schedule, if you see that you have free time, keep in mind that this time can be used to attend tutoring sessions or meetings with advisors. You can find both tutors and advisors at Southwick on North Campus. In room 308 is the Centers for Learning where there are many knowledgeable staff members who can assist you with your iSiS account, your class schedule, transfer details and much more. In room 321, there are numerous tutors who have taken the classes with which you may need help and can offer you suggestions and directions in best completing the work that brings you difficulty.

With all of this in mind, make sure to live happily and healthily second semester! All of the staff at the University is there to help you and there are many services put in place to guarantee your success. Rest up this winter break and plan well for the beginning of second semester and the ending of the school year!