1. You don’t have to do your homework.

False. Just like high school, homework counts as part of your final grade. It varies from class to class, as each professor will specify on their syllabus. However, you won’t have a homework assignment due everyday for the same class like in high school, as most classes meet two to three times a week.


2. You have to join every club or group you see.

Not true. College is about finding your niche. If you’re not sure what you want to do , you can try out different clubs until you find something you like. But, if you know you only want to join the Engineering Society and nothing else, go for it. It’s your life.


3. It’s a constant party.

4.You don’t have to go to class.

Just like in high school, you will have to attend class. Many professors include participation and attendance as a part of your grade. However, going to class is beneficial because you can meet fellow students, get to know your professor and get help on assignments. Also, you’re paying for it!


5.Social life, sleep or grades: pick 2.

If you can schedule your time correctly, you won’t have to choose.


6.The Freshman 15.

The Freshman 15 can be real, but it’s not inevitable. Just keep track of what you’re eating, and make time in your day to exercise!


7.“They won’t let you get away with this in college.”

Many teachers in high school tell students that things like eating in class or not asking to go to the bathroom are unacceptable in college. This in untrue, as professors understand that you are an adult, and as long as you are respectful they won’t mind if you have a snack or get up without asking.


8.There are no rules.

College does have rules, and they are to keep you safe, and make the campus a healthy environment to live in.


9.There are all the rules.

10. “You’ll never have to take___ class again.”

Many schools have core curriculum or general education classes that require students to explore other majors and departments outside their own. Chances are you will have to take another class in a major that’s not your own.


11. All your classes will be huge lectures.

Not necessarily. Here at UML, our student to professor ratio is 18:1, meaning the majority of your classes will have only about twenty students. However, it all depends on the class. Some, like Chemistry and Physics, will be large lectures, but they’re capped at 300 students. And even with larger classes, you can still connect with professors during their office hours. You will have the chance to get to know your professors, just like you knew your teachers in high school.

12. Everything will be like the movies.

Unfortunately, life isn’t like the movies, but that’s okay! Most movies perceive college as a huge party scene where somehow no one ever goes to class or does homework, but is always studying for “the big exam.” This is not true!

13. Everyone is judging you.

One of the best things about college is that no one will judge you for being you. Want to nap in the hallway? Sure! Most students will be wishing they were you. In college, just be yourself, everyone is too busy worrying about themselves.

14. You’ll be too busy to have any fun.

Not true! Some days workloads might be heavy, but there’s always time to take a break and enjoy life. Just make sure you don’t get too deep in your work and pencil in some you time!

15. “____ is just like the stereotype.”

In college, no one fits into a certain stereotype. Though you may see your typical athletes or sorority girls, these people have depth, and are not just who you see on the outside. You don’t have to fit into a certain stereotype either. That’s the great thing about college, everyone is their true self.

16. Your parents will never call you.

Parents will call! They do actually miss you, and are genuinely concerned about your new, independent life.

17. They put laxatives in the food.

If anyone tells you this, don’t believe them.

18. Your parents can fix any problem.

Since you are an adult now, you have to solve your problems on your own. This means that you have to personally email a professor if you have trouble in class. It also means making your own appointments if you feel sick or hurt. Your parents can give you advice on what to do, but you have to follow through with the action.

19. Your professors won’t know who you are.

As stated earlier, most college classes have about twenty to thirty students. You can always speak with your professor during their office hours so they can learn more about you. Most professors want to get to know you, that way they can help you succeed in their course.

20. You have to know exactly what you want to do with your life.

College is a time to find yourself. It’s okay to not know what you want. Don’t panic.

Our first 20/20 Video is up!  Enjoy!

About a month ago, but what seems like forever ago, we were stressing out over finals and saying good bye to our new, college friends. The holidays were celebrated, along with passing grades, and then suddenly we found ourselves packing everything back up and returning to UML. It’s crazy how time flies.
Even though we’re still stuck in the winter break mode of over eating and Netflix binging, we’re excited to be back, and excited to see all of you again. With that, here are some reminders and some advice to get you back on track.

First of all, the add/drop period ends on February 1st, so if you want to add a class or aren’t happy with another, you can change your schedule until that date.

Second, if you haven’t bought your books yet, the book store now price matches! If you find a book for a lower price elsewhere, such as Amazon, you can bring proof of this to the store. This can save you time and you won’t have to pay for shipping!

Third, make sure you get yourself out of that winter slump. It’s hard from going to having nothing to do to a full schedule, but you can do it. During the next couple of weeks take time to schedule out your time for homework, working out, etc., as well as when to get up and when to leave for class. This can put you back in your usual routine and set you up for a great semester.

Also, don’t forget about all the fun things that happen on campus! Pay attention to the Announcements emails you receive from UML, as they contain information about all the events going on every day. From hockey games to dinners to club fairs, you’ll never be bored. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet some new friends.

Lastly, we as Enrollment Ambassadors want to make sure you have the best semester ever, and this is why we will soon be posting weekly videos and lists, just for you. Each post will contain a list of twenty things (for the incoming class of 2020) about college or UMass Lowell that we believe is important. We can’t wait for you to see what we’ve come up with!

Good luck to everyone this semester, and keep up the hard work!

Finals have always been talk of the future, and now that time is here. Don’t be scared if you feel unprepared, because chances are you’re better off than you think. It’s easy to get caught up the hype and stress of finals, so here are some tips to help you keep your cool.

First, take the time to plan. Know what finals you have to take and when you have to take them. Also, find out what you have to know for each exam. Is it cumulative? Or is it just the last three chapters you’ve learned? Last, plan out when you’re going to study for each final. Making a schedule for yourself can keep you from wasting time and not being sure where to start when the time arrives.

Once you have your plans, put them to action. Make study guides, and study groups. Having all the information you need to know in front of you is extremely helpful, as well as collaborating with others. They can explain things to you that you may not understand, and discussing information out loud will help you remember.

Next, put your finals “survival kit” together. This usually include snacks, caffeine, water, headphones and anything else to keep you ready to go and in the zone.

Lastly, ace your finals! You’ve prepared for these all semester, and studied hard over the past few days. You’re going to do awesome.

Congratulations! You made it through a holiday at home!  Thanksgiving was the first holiday of the academic year to flex both your stomach muscles, and your communication skills.

Family can be great, and one of the most supportive networks in your life, but it’s really hard to come home and feel like your in an interrogation room with your aunts and uncles as the good and bad cops.

Fear not!  As winter break, and a bevvy of different winter holidays approaches, you can be prepared to nimbly dance around these verbal cross examinations.  Here are a few tips from someone with a a large number of holidays spent in the hot seat.

1. Don’t Panic

It’s so easy to panic when a relative starts asking you about school.  You’ve just returned from a stressful final exam period, had to pack everything to bring home, and you probably don’t even want to think about your major until after New Years, but the relatives are starved for information about what you’ve been up to, and if you’re panicked, they’ll be able to tell.  So take a deep breath, and keep a level head.  No one knows as much about your potential career path than you.  You’ve got this.

2. Talk About Your Successes, Not Your Struggles

Questions from relatives are often open ended, which can be daunting.  It’s hard to know what direction they may want to talk the conversation, and sometimes it seems like they know more than they’re letting on.  The truth is, they don’t.  Use the open endedness of a question to steer the conversation to what you’ve done well.  Talk about the work you enjoyed doing, what extracurricular you’ve gotten involved with, the job opportunities you’ve had.  This is what you’re relatives want to hear about.  They want to know you’re doing well, so don’t sell yourself short, and give them as many positives as you can.

3. Don’t Worry About Not Having Definite Answers

These questions are much harder if you may not be sure what academic or career path you want to take.  What’s important to remember is that you have so many different opportunities.  Uncle So-and-So may not  see it this way, but if you’re positive in front of your family, despite and doubts and existential dread you may actually have, they’ll believe it too.

4. Be Passionate

Not everyone can see the value of every major, and statistically, there’s a good chance that at least one person in your extended family has unsavory thoughts about what you want to do with your life. That’s ok though.  As long as you are passionate, and can walk away from a conversation, debate, or argument, knowing that you’ve made the best decision for your happiness, that’s what truly matters.  If you can convey that passion to the rest of your family, even better.

I wish you all good luck during this upcoming holiday season.  Be confident, rest up, and may you make it through the second Spanish Inquisition.

-Kelsey

There’s so much going on around campus, around Lowell, and around the state, but it can be tough to get around if you can’t have a car on campus with you.  Instead, here’s a breakdown o services the university offers to take in all the opportunities available in your surroundings

1. Walking

I’m sure this seems incredibly obvious, but walking around Lowell can be one of the most reliable ways to get where you want to go.  The vast majority of Down Town is about a 15 minute walk from East Campus.

2. Bikes

If you want to go at a faster pace than walking, try the Freewheelrs Bike Share.  Any UML student can register to use one of these bikes, which are available at UCrossing, North, East, and South Campus. Simply check out a bike, ride around to your heart’s content, then return it to one of the campus stations.

If you have your own bike, even better! There’s a Bike Shop located in the Campus Recreation Center, to not only help you maintain your bike, but also to teach you how to fix your bike yourself.

3. Shuttles and Buses

If bikes aren’t quite your speed, there’s the school’s shuttle system, running both day and night.  Here’s the rough layout of the shuttle routes

• Blue Line: South Campus (Wilder st and Riverview Suites), North Campus, University Crossing
• Red Line: East Campus, University Crossing, South Campus (Wilder, Sheehy/Concordia, Riverview)
• Green North: East Meadow Lane Apartments, North Campus.
• Green South: East Meadow Lane Apartments, South Campus (Wilder).
• Yellow North: ICC, East Campus, North Campus, Downtown (by request)
• Yellow South: ICC, South Campus (Wilder)
• Purple: Ayotte garage, Univerity Suites, North Campus, Wannalancit Mills

4. Trains

Shuttles are great, but they can’t take you out of town.  Luckily, there is a commuter rail located in Lowell.  The Lowell Branch of the MBTA is located on Thorndike St.  It’s roughly a 20 minute walk from UCrossing, and on weekends, you can request a Yellow line to drop you off or pick you up there.  Tickets are $9.25 for one way, and $18.50 for round trip.  The Commuter rail stops at Lowell, North Billerica, Haverhill, Wilmington, Woburn,Mishawum, Winchester Center, Wedgemere, West Medford, and North Station in Boston.  Check out their website for updates and train times.

5. Zip Cars

If you have a license and these other four methods don’t meet your needs, look into renting a Zip Car.  These are cars available for students who have applied and been accepted to rent for $8.50 per hour or $69.00 per day, with gas and insurance covered.  This can be a great way to have a day trip with some friends.  Cars can be reserved online, and to check if you qualify to sign up for Zip Car, check out their website:

http://www.zipcar.com/universities/university-of-massachusetts-lowell

Have some great adventures!

-Kelsey

No matter where you go on campus, you’ll see students with headphones in, listening to music. Whether they’re walking, eating in the dining hall, riding the shuttle or just doing homework, music helps them to get through the day.

For me, music is what gets me up for my 8 AM’s, and continues to keep me motivated for the rest of the day. I usually listen to music while I walk from class to class and while I’m studying because there’s nothing like listening to your favorite song as you trudge to a Friday morning lab or when you finally stop procrastinating and make yourself do calculus homework.

One of the biggest decisions when it comes to music is finding the perfect playlist to put you in an upbeat mood. Luckily, I have some great options to fuel your fire.

Here’s a short playlist that’s guaranteed to make you happy:
1) “Sorry”- Justin Bieber
2) “Cecelia and the Satellite”- Andy McMahon in the Wilderness
3) “Electric Love”- BORNS
4) “21”- Hunter Hayes
5) “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)”- Andy Grammer
6) “I Bet My Life”- Imagine Dragons
7) “Pumpin Blood”- NONONO
8) “Nobody Love”- Tori Kelly
9) “Shark in the Water”- V V Brown
10) “The Man” – Aloe Blacc

Enjoy!
Katy

   

It’s that time of year…You’ve all gotten comfortable with your rooms, roommates, classes, jobs and friends, and you’ve settled into your new lives at UML. However, another thing you’ve gotten comfortable with is hitting the snooze button over, and over again…until you’re late for class.

Long nights of homework and other tasks can take a toll on anyone, especially college students. We have to learn how to balance our work, our classes and our social life and somehow still find time for sleep so we can be fully functioning the next day. Unfortunately, most days college students don’t get much sleep, leaving us stressed and exhausted.
                           
However, there are some ways to solve your sleep deprivation. The first and most obvious, is time management. Making a schedule and budgeting your time is the best way to get everything done, and still have time for other activities. One of my strategies is to try and get most of my homework done the weekend before it’s due, giving me extra time during the week to do other tasks (such as sleep) or study for a test. Even if you have a lot to do always remember to make time for yourself!
                                                         
Unfortunately, I can’t promise that your schedule will always go as plan, and a full eight hours of sleep may not be in your near future. So, here are some other ways to get up, and stay up.

1) Caffeine! This is probably the most obvious. When you wake up in the morning, drink a cup of coffee or tea to wake you up. You can also bring a coffee to class to give you a boost while you’re learning. Though energy drinks provide a lot of caffeine, try to avoid them, as they are filled with chemicals and not a healthy option. Lastly, remember to watch your caffeine intake, as too much can be bad for you!
                                                
2) If you can’t have caffeine, or don’t like coffee or tea, drink a glass of ice water in the morning to wake you up.

3) Set more than one alarm in the morning. Many times, you’ll hit snooze and fall back asleep, so setting more than one alarm will continuously wake you up. Also, put your alarm far away from your bed so you have to get up to turn it off.
                                         

4) Take a shower in the morning. It’ll wake you up!

5) SNACKS. Bring food to class. Obviously be respectful of your professor when eating. But, you can’t fall asleep while you’re eating, and the fuel will keep your awake and the blood flowing.

6) Naps are also one of the best ways to catch up on sleep. Napping for an hour in between classes re energizes you and can help you catch up on lost sleep from the night before. Just make sure your nap isn’t too long, or you’ll wake up feeling more tired.
                                         
And with that, its time for bed.
Katy

Here are a few final tips for enrolling in classes;

• Make sure you go through the courses you need to take with your advisor.
• Plan your courses ahead of your enrollment date.
• Make a miniature schedule on a spread sheet or on paper to make sure there will be no time conflicts
• Remember that you need to take a minimum of 12 credits each semester to qualify as a full time student.
• Us the Class schedule listing to help pick with classes 

http://www.uml.edu/registrar/class-schedule/

Finally, remember to stay calm, and be prepared to ask questions if you need to.

-Kelsey