Author Archives: michael_pueschel@uml.edu

Ashley looks inside the UML Myth: “There’s nothing to do here on the weekends, so I go home!”

Posted on by
I’m sure you guys have all either felt this way or had this conversation with someone before:
“Hey, what are you doing this weekend??”
“Eh, going home.”
“Why?”
“Well, there’s nothing to do on campus so why stay?”

Once Friday afternoon hits, the Residence Halls become eerily quiet and the parking lots empty. Why is this happening? Is there really NOTHING to do here at UML?? 

The answer to the last question is deffinetly NO. I think the reason that many students go home on the weekend goes deeper than just ‘there’s nothing to do.’ There could be a number of reasons:

1. Students go home on the weekends to work.
This is an important aspect because UML has many students that need to support themselves or want some extra cash to throw around.
2. Students are homesick.
There’s nothing wrong with being homesick! I live about 2 miles away from campus and STILL get homesick! Go show your family some love every once in a while!
3. Students simply JUST DON’T KNOW that there ARE things going on.
THIS IS IT, GUYS. THE BIG ONE. The main reason why students travel home on the weekends is because they DON’T KNOW that there are things going on!!!
Let’s change that!! 
I just became a Resident Adviser in a Freshman building this semester, and I see this happen EVERY weekend! Students complain that the weekends here are soooo boring and that nothing is going on. So dramatic!!!  Well, scratch that thought out of your minds!!
I’m gonna try to shed some light on the weekends here at UML and how YOU, yes Y.O.U!, can stay involved (aka NOT BORED) on campus (and get you’re friends in on the fun, too!!)
1. CHECK OUT THE “GOTTA BE HERE” CALENDAR EVERY WEEK!!!!!! 
I can’t stress this point enough. Our relatively new slogan of “Gotta Be Here” embodies the idea of staying on campus, getting INVOLVED, and just EXPERIENCING all that the University has to offer!! Seriously though, I know all you hear is “GET INVOLVED! GET INVOLVED!! ARE YOU INVOLVED??” But what is the point of going to a school with all of these great opportunities and experiences without even TRYING??  A number of students, at all sorts of Colleges and Universities, say that getting involved in things on campus was what really made their ‘college experience.’ The “Gotta Be Here” calendar highlights all the activities that go on at UMass Lowell.  If you go to — http://www.uml.edu/student-services/gottabehere/—- and click the right hand side under “What’s Happening? Campus Calendar” and look at all of the things that really DO GO ON!!
  
 2.  FIND OUT ABOUT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN JOIN!!!!
Yet again, I cannot really stress the importance of this. It follows along with the ‘Gotta Be Here’ slogan! If you’re going to be HERE, then be here and DO SOMETHING! Do something fun, like Underwater Hockey or other club sports! Do something geared towards campus, like CAPA! Do some charity work, with WISE! The point is DO…SOMETHING. DO ANYTHING! Get motivated and work towards something, whether its increasing your social network or doing something that you believe in. Check out this website — http://www.uml.edu/student-services/student_activities/student_organizations.html —- to check out some FAQ’s on clubs/organizations.
Well, I can only say so much in a blog, but I really hope I got my point across.
There are TONS of things going on around campus, you just have to find them! Opportunities don’t just fall from the sky! 
Have a productive week! -Ashley

Taking too much at one time?

Posted on by

Hello there fans and readers!

         Are you a victim of taking way too much on and then being swamped in the end like Ben N.?  Everyone gets that way sometimes.  Being young and foolhardy, it can be difficult to balance work and play.
                                                                                                                                                             
        Then you factor in that good ol’ Mr./Ms./Mrs. Procrastination and BOOM!  You’re on a one way ticket to being tied to a back of a yellow rental truck being packed in with fertilizer and fuel oil. PUSHED over a cliff by a suicidal Mickey Mouse.
                                                                                                                                                                   
        Lucky for us, there is a way to redirect that enthusiasm and pull the e-brake.  Although it is definitely a good thing to do extra-curriculars, you must remember that school comes first.  Use a planner and try to write down everything you need to do ahead of time.  Try taking a day to write down in detail your plans for the week and check your planner every night.  It’ll save you from certain doom. 
                                 
         Doing things ahead is also never a crime.  Start projects early so you can finish them early and watch while everyone else is squirming at 4 in the a.m. sucking down coffee and energy drinks like a panda on bamboo and trying to finish the paper that’s due in 2 hours.
 
         Another thing that’s important is prioritizing. 
                                                                                                                                                                   

QUIZ TIME! 
What’s more important?  Studying for the quiz in 3 days or helping a buddy get the last few achievements in Modern Warfare 2? 
A) Quiz
B) Modern Warfare
C) Quiz
D)Quiz
If you picked A, C, or D.  You’re absolutely right. 
                                                                                                                                                                  
That doesn’t mean you can’t study for a few hours and then enjoy some game-play for an hour or so.  It’s all about managing time so you don’t explode in the end and complain to people (professors) who won’t give you mercy because they knew you were too busy doing something else.

 

         Little things like these take a bit of effort.  But hey, you’re paying for it. 

          I don’t know about you but I don’t generally have 16k laying around for me to go on facebook and play video games all day instead of going to class and balancing my life. 

Make it happen, UML students.  Live the dream.

-Ben N.
        

Credit Cards… just don’t get them…

Posted on by
 
Everybody loves money. It would be inhuman to not enjoy having, spending, and wanting more money. However considering credit cards as an additional or alternative source of revenue during your college years is the WORST HABIT you can get into! 
Those credit card deals in your mailbox might seem sweet, but they are really just stomach souring. Sure, there’s 0% APR for the first six months and a giant credit limit, but the contractual fine print is loaded with fees, interest rate conditions, and credit terms that can change in a matter of 15 days or less!
 
Don’t fall for any of it! Just tear up the offers!

You are better off surviving on a small working budget than mounting credit card debt which could cost you in interest payments and fees, especially if you make minimum payments or are consistently late paying.

The recent government stimulus bill has gone after credit card companies to prevent them from overextending credit to customers and to give credit holders more flexibility and awareness. Thus lenders are re-framing their conditions to maximize profits and keep their customer base in a constant state of payment.
JUST DON’T DO IT!
Be smart… Save and Budget !!!!
Allan

What’s up for this weekend!??! – Asssssk Ashleyyy!

Posted on by

Hey guys!!!



Well, it’s finally here. The weekend!!! I hope you all had productive and stress-free weeks. 🙂 There are a few things going on around campus this weekend to keep you guys busy and involved!! 

Friday 2/12 TODAY:

RIVERHAWK HOCKEY VS. BOSTON COLLEGE!!!

TONIGHT @ 7:00 PM at the Tsongas Center
FREE FOR STUDENTS!!


Fresh Friday Dance
Tonight @ 10:00 PM at the Fox Common!
FREE FOR STUDENTS!!

Saturday 2/13 TOMORROW:
OAP Winter Hike Trip @ Mt. Liberty, Franconia Notch, NH 

http://www.uml.edu/campusrecreation/OutdoorAdventures.html

Sunday 2/14 VALENTINE’S DAY:
MOVIES THAT ROCK SERIES: MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS
8 pm in the Fox Common, FREE FOR STUDENTS!!

If you attend any of these events, shoot us a message and let us know how you liked it!!!

Have a great weekend guys!
-Ashley 

We’re Back!!! And this is Jeff

Posted on by

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!


Your Orientation Ambassadors are back and kickin’ for another semester of keeping you all in the loop about what is going on here.  Each of your Orientation Ambassadors will be posting their own blogs and posting them to the Facebook page so you can spend countless hours reading what we are doing with our lives.  Anyway, I have been busy doing a lot of different stuff like classes and work.  I recently landed a job as an RA in Sheehy Hall which is really fun but a lot of work at the same time.  I still give my campus tours to prospective families and I will also be doing Orientation over the summer as well.


Speaking of Orientation,if you all think back to your own orientation session you probably remember how much fun your Orientation Leaders were having while you acted like you were all really bored.  We know you all were having fun though so its cool yo.  Anywho, applications to become an Orientation Leader for this upcoming summer are now available in Dugan Room 104 or online at this website: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A7VZPMDNZ.
This year the theme for Orientation is “20X: X Marks The Spot”.  Applications are due by February 26th and selection weekend begins February 27th.  Hope to see some of you there!


Now to some on-campus stuff.  The Movies That Rock series is still going on and this Sunday CAPA will be showing “The Men Who Stare at Goats”.  It will be shown at the Fox Common on East Campus.  There will be no showing on Monday since there are no classes.  There is also a dance, which I believe is new, called Fresh Fridays on, you guessed it, Friday.  It starts at 10PM so all you that are going to the hockey game, which you all should, can do both the game and the dance!  I am sure there will be a ballin’ DJ.  As far as the game goes, it is against BC so make sure you and all of your friends go to support your Riverhawks.


Well, that’s it from me so have fun with your long weekend!


Alright, I’m Done,
-Jeff

We’re baaaaa aaaackkk!!

Posted on by

Hey there students!!

   Ashley here. Finally back from break! I’ve had such a busy last few weeks back!! I’m sure you all have, too. 

I was hired as an RA for this semester, so I’ve been busy learning the ropes in Bouge the last few weeks. 

I also have a pretty tight course schedule so I’m trying to catch up. I was sick a few days and have been kind of letting my academics slip. I’m locking myself in my room tonight to get to work on the things I need to get done!

I’m also taking a class at Northern Essex Community College this semester. It’s American Sign Language!!! I’m so excited about this class because 1) it’s super fun and interesting! 2) I’m learning a totally new language that not many people speak 3) I can now sign the chorus to Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The USA”….great accomplishment!!

You should check this out!! It’s so cool!! 


For any psychology majors, you can take ASL (American Sign Language) to fill your language requirements!



The class is at NECC in Haverhill, so you would have to drive there…but honestly, it’s totally worth it. I feel like I’ve learned so much already and I’m becoming a lot more aware of disabilities that other people have that we might not notice day to day.




Well guys, make sure to root on the Riverhawks this weekend against BC! The last game we played with them was SOOO INTENSE! Make sure you don’t miss it!


FRIDAY, 2/12 
7 pm @ The Tsongas Center!



Have a good weekend & Happy Valentine’s Day!
-Ashley



Healthy Patterns

Posted on by

Hello everyone.  Ben here!

So, as a resident advisor here at the school, I see a lot of students in their respective residence halls.  However, as of late, I’ve noticed that a lot of students have been staying up into the wee hours of the night either studying or doing nothing. 

By the way, this is a bad idea especially if you have finals coming up. 

A healthy sleeping pattern is  an important part of having a healthy mindset to study or take exams.  Fortify the sleep with heathy food choices and you will be golden.

Make good choices and good luck/ break a leg on your exams!

-Ben

FINALS!

Posted on by

Hey everyone it’s Cynthia. You’ve  probably noticed that the blog has been lacking posts in the last couple of weeks. I know I’ve been super busy preparing for finals and finishing last minute projects. Talk about CRAMMING (not a good idea).

This semester I have five finals spread out on five days. Not too bad in my opinion. But one thing I’ve learned from previous finals is that now is the most important time to be organized and on top of time management. I know the calendar on my iPod has helped me sort out my time a lot.

Now more than ever it is super important to organize your time. Make sure you spend enough time studying, but don’t over-work yourself. You need to balance your time so you dont stress yourself out. To relieve stress, try going to the gym. It helps you focus more when you return to studying, and it relieves stress. If physical activity isn’t your thing try something else.

You can try playing a board game or a video game with your friends. DON’T OVER DO IT THOUGH! If you let your stress-relief take over the time you spend studying you won’t do as well on the exam.

Good Luck!
-Cynthia