Yup. Pretty much. So my name is James Ham and I am a junior here at UML. My major is Music education, so basically one day I want to be a music teacher! Right now my life pretty much revolves around music, but we will get to that in a little bit! So I am an Orientation leader during the summer, and during the school year I am an Ambassador for UML (obviously you already know that).

SO MUSIC YEAH. I would say that it’s a bit cliche to go on and talk about how I pretty much breathe music at this point, but it really is true! I take an absurd amount of classes (11 this semester, 14 last), which also means a stupid amount of credits as well. Since most of these classes are music classes, I live in the music building (Durgin Hall). I go in at around 9am every morning and I’m in and out (mostly in) until 9-11 at night. I have also fallen asleep in one of the practice rooms and woke up very confused around 3am, but that is a story for another time.

When I first got here to UML, I was in my second semester of my freshman year. I transferred here from Middlesex Community College. Not something I’m exactly proud of coming from, but it makes for a great inspirational story. Basically my grades were not the best in High School. I wasn’t exactly the greatest student you have ever seen, so MCC was my only choice for college. I was in a program called the “connections program” at MCC and they told me that if my grades were good and I could get above a 2.5, they would transfer me over in a year. I went above and beyond and got a 3.7, so they decided to transfer me over in a semester instead of a year. I have been to UML ever since and I absolutely LOVE it here!

So during my first semester here at UML, I was appalled at the fact that there was no acapella group here. Pretty much EVERY college has an acapella group, it’s just one of those things! So I decided to make the very first acapella group (from what I gather) to ever be established and continue to be established at this college. So acapella music is pretty much my jam. It is my favorite style of music, I think that it is one of the most clever things ever created. Taking instruments out of the equation completely and just singing guitar parts instead? BRILLIANT. The best part is that everyone can do it. If you think you cant, talk to me sometime. You can. Now sounding really good, that is a whole new ball game.. but the main point is to be having FUN.

JAMES’ FAVORITE LISTS OF FAVORITE THINGS
Favorite quote: “This is a pie chart describing my favorite bars. And this is a bar graph describing my favorite pies.”
Favorite Food: Chicken Parm Sub
Favorite Band: TIE between the Beatles and the Barenaked Ladies
Favorite Movie: Mr. Holland’s Opus
Favorite Animal: PENGUINS
Favorite Meal: Lunch
Favorite T.V Show: SCRUBS (I’m obsessed)
Favorite Game console: N64
Favorite Childhood Game: Mouse Trap
Favorite Childhood Movie: THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER
Favorite Snack: Goldfish
Favorite Sport to play: Tennis

Well there you have it… who I am in a few paragraphs! Have a great long weekend!

~James (Gotta get down on friday)

Hey guys!!!

My name is Stefanie, i am a junior, my major is Community Health with a minor in Psychology. I am a tour guide as well as an Ambassador during the school year and during the summertime I am an orientation leader. I currently live in fox hall the 15th floor YIKES!!!!!!!! I am a very shy reserved person but once in the right atmosphere and group of people I’m outgoing.

One of the many things I love to do is travel and cook, I’ve been on over 10 crusies, a few different countries including London, Mexico and Canada. I am constantly traveling every year. My dad used to work  for US Airways, so I get to fly for free!! I recently went to my first cooking class and LOVED it!!!!!!! I have two loving parents who have supported me from day 1. I also have a brother who no matter what he does and how crazy he get’s I still love him.

I like Umass Lowell because of all the opportunties it has given me. Next spring I will be doing an internship hopefully at one of the Hospitals in Boston. I’ve definitely grown as a person since the first day I arrived here. Umass Lowell has thrown me a lot of curve balls and I’ve taken each one as a learning expereience.

Favorites:

Food: I don’t really have one but if I could name one it would be Dim Sum. 

Ambassador Week-Day 2: Cait

Hey Guys! My name is Caitlin, but I most people know me as Cait. I am a sophomore with a Psychology and Criminal Justice double major. As of right now I have a Biology minor too, but that may change. Aside from being an Ambassador, I also drive the shuttles here at UMass.


 I grew up all over the world until I was 10 because my dad was in the Army. My favorite place was Germany, which I lived in for 3 years. My hometown, however, is Pittsfield, MA (located 10 minutes from the New York border). Although I’m glad to be gone, it is not the boonies, haha. I chose to come to UMass Lowell because it is the perfect distance from home for me. I can’t go home all the time, but I can go home if I really need to. It was also the only non-private school that I applied to so it ended up being the cheapest place for me to go! 


What I love most about UMass Lowell is how awesome most people are. I have made so many life-long friends and tried so many different things. One of the things I have done that I don’t have time for and miss is Rugby. I love the girls on the team and it was just such a fun sport! 

(I’m number 17)

The Under the Sea Cake I made with my Best Friend Jenn for her birthday. The Lemon cake I made for fun and the Bunny cake was for Easter. Everything is edible! 🙂

Ambassador Week: Day 1: Meg!

Ambassador Week is a week all about your Orientation Ambassadors so that you can get to know all of us on a better level. You know us as your Facebook friend and the people walking around campus. But we want you to know us even better! So any questions, comments, or conundrums are welcome!

Hey Y’all!!!!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Thursday, it’s almost friday according to Rebecca black. Yesterday in class my professor showed us this video clip from the today show, the author of the eat this not that book (AMAZING BOOK!!!! You should buy it) was showing america Salty foods in restruants!!! It’s really shocking! On top of that check out these fatty FATTY FATTY foods in the nation… ask yourself would I eat it…..



So remember in high school when people asked you why would choose going to UMass Lowell rather than UMass Amherst? Although UMass Amherst is a great school, we are just simply better. UMass Lowell has been popping up in the news all over the place, from being on lists of the Top Universities in the world to our alumni winning awards for their great accomplishments. And I thought that would be a great idea to get all of these great stories together for y’all to read and be reminded about how truly amazing UMass Lowell is.

Why we love UMass Lowell:
SHE Students rock!
Increasing Graduation Rates!
Our Alumni Win Grammys!
Alumni make good money!
Top 200!

Of course these aren’t the only reason why we all love this University. My favorite thing is how welll prepared alumni are when they enter the ‘real world’. I haven’t heard one alumni say they didn’t feel ready for the world after going to college here. Personally, I think that there are soo many great things about UMass Lowell that one blog isn’t enough room for them all! Did I miss your favorite thing? Let us know what your favorite part about UMass Lowell is!

-Meg

Hello everyone!

The end of the year is approaching us at an extremely scary rate. We only have about a month and change left in the rest of our semester! This is crunch time for college students. A lot of teachers will be giving out final projects (usually all at the same), and also all your tests will be coming up soon as well. I’m not even talking about finals. There are still more quizzes and test to be had even before we get into final territory. Now how can we keep up with all of this madness? Easy. DONT FALL BEHIND. It is a lot easier to get things done if you are staying on top of all of your work, but it is nearly impossible to dig yourself out of a hole that you have put yourself in. Make sure you are writing down your assignments and getting them all done. Homework counts for a big portion of your grade in most classes! Make sure that you are also finding time for some fun as well though. This is the most stressful last two months of the year, make sure you are taking time out of your day to spend on you (just not too much though okay!).

Happy Tuesday!

~James (Tuesday comes after Monday.. Rebecca Black taught me that!)

Hey everyone!!!!!!!

It’s about that time of year to get in your $200 NON refundable housing deposit in ON TIME!!! If you do NOT get it in ON TIME you will NOT be guranteed housing for next year (if you are not living on campus next year don’t worry about it). Who did I give this deposit to? When is the deadline? The who is the Office of Resident life located in fox hall 1st floor, by THIS FRIDAY April 8th 2011!!!! Next question to ask is where can I live next year as an upperclassmen???

1. Log on to theOnline Housing Gateway and submit where you want to live.
2. You can live in Downtown lowell at the Inn and Conference center (ICC)
3. There are 2 off campus apartment buildings you can live in: East Meadow Lane and Moody Street
4. Wanna stop sharing bathrooms with everyone live in and live with a bunch of your friends: Sheehy or Donhue
5. How does 1 roommate sound: Boug and Concorida will be doubles
6. Wanna Live alone: Concordia…

You have alot of options!!!!! Submit now!!!

Stef

Vacation all I ever wanted Vacation had to get away Vacation meant to be spent alone.. lalalalalalala

Although it may not seem like it, we are nearing the end of the semester. And some of you (mainly everyone) can’t wait to be on summer vacation. I know I can’t wait to sleep in, get to the beach, and get a nice tan. But before all that can happen we need to focus on what is going on right now, which is classes and work. It may seem very overwhelming doing paper after paper and studying all night for the big exams but remember in about 45 days, it will all be over. So here are some tips to get you through the rest of the semester:

1. FOCUS! I know its hard to stop texting for 50 mins and pay attention to your professor’s lecture but keep this in mind: the more you learn in class, the less time you’ll have to pay studying the material later. Also, when you are trying to study, really try. Turn off the tv, phone, and music so you have no distractions. The quicker you get in the zone when you are studying, the quicker you’ll be done and get to go see your friends. So really focus when your books are open (even though it can be hard), it will save you time in the long run.

2. EXERCISE! Get to the gym and get that heart beating. I know some people think you don’t have any spare time and the little spare time you have is spent studying (or sleeping). But the truth is, exercising for only 20 mins can greatly impact your life. Exercise has been proven to increase brain capacity and allow you to focus easier when you are studying. In fact, after exercising is the best time for you to study because exercise creates new brain cells that are eager to be fulled with information. So if you study at that time, your brain is more likely to retain the information. You know those nights when you toss and turn all night and can’t fall asleep? Exercise can help with that too! Your body will feel tired a couple hours after exercising so it can make it easier to fall asleep at night. And plus, exercise can tone your body so you look extra good on the beach!

3. HAVE “YOU” TIME! You need to take time to yourself every day to recharge your battery. It doesn’t matter what you do, it can be going to get a coffee, watching a movie, or taking a nap. “You time” allows you to unwind and forget about the stress of class and drama that might be going on with friends.

4. SLEEP! I know everyone says that you need to sleep about 8 hours a night to be at your full potential during the day, but it is true. Sleeping 4 hours a night can lead you to sleep in class or take naps during the day, when you could be doing something else. It may be hard but you should try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

5. EAT RIGHT! Greasy, fatty foods are everywhere and are what most people crave when they are stressed but they aren’t good for you in large amounts. Greasy food can weigh you down and leave you feeling sluggish and tired. Try to get fruits and vegetables in to all of your meals, they can greatly impact your mood. Fruits have antioxidants that helps you feel awake and can keep you from getting sick. Not only is peanut butter delicious it is also good for you. It has a lot of iron and protein which can keep you feeling full longer and keep you focused in class.

I hope you all have enough strength to get through the rest of the year. I know it’s hard, but you can do it!
– Meg