By: Minh Tran, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Well-Being Leader

As a Well-Being Leader, I serve as a guide, helping students manage stress and support their overall well being. However, it would be ironic to say that I myself struggle with my own well-being, but it is true; I am not shy to say I struggle sometimes. Being a Well-Being leader doesn’t make me “immune” or “cured” from these struggles, rather it makes me more aware of them in my own life and yours as well. It may seem counterintuitive to try to seek advice from someone who’s dealing with their own issues, but in reality, it just makes me more human because of it. In this blog, I’m choosing to be transparent about my own journey of well-being, and I hope this sheds light on how we all deal with our personal struggles and find ways to cope.

My struggles with Physical Well-Being:
This was something I struggled with the most as I navigated college and juggling work. It felt hard to prioritize my health over things I felt were dire, like my academics and extracurriculars. I would sacrifice sleep just to pull all-nighters to study for big exams. I would even sacrifice eating just so I could sleep longer before class. I struggled balancing life with my own physical well-being, as it felt like I needed to sacrifice one for the other. I am hyper-aware that I am not living my life as healthily or as physically as I could be, but this awareness is a step closer toward making a change.

My struggles with Emotional Well-Being:
Of all the things I’ve faced, my emotional well-being is the struggle I’ve carried most silently. It is an internal struggle that has been hard for me to face, as introspection can be difficult if you don’t understand yourself that well. I understand myself emotionally very well, but it is hard for me to let others in and share those internal feelings. When I have a problem, it is very difficult for me to open up, so I deal with my emotions on my own instead of with others. So a lot of the time, people find me very happy and optimistic because I keep the emotional side of myself hidden, which has hurt me more than it should.

My struggles with Social Well-Being:
This is something I have felt I have struggled with all my life. In social settings where I feel foreign or just not comfortable, I am always quiet and never speak up. I’d like to blame that on my introversion, but I feel like I am social when it is with the right people, not necessarily people I know. Small talk is something I feel like I could never do, and at times, I feel like my social well-being is at its lowest because I don’t have the confidence to socialize with people I am not already comfortable with. This is something I’d like to work on because I really do enjoy meeting new people, but it is hard to when you are at a social plateau in your life.

I hope my honesty and willingness to share personal struggles that are private to me can allow you to do the same and reach out for help, even if you think you can face your struggles alone. Everyone struggles, even the people you least expect. Make your struggles known even if you are scared to, because there is always a system of people out there who will support you in every which way.

By: Saryna Vith, Manning School of Business Well-Being Leader

I picked up my graduation gown the other day, and somehow that simple moment felt heavier than it should have. It’s just fabric, right? But putting it on, taking pictures with friends, laughing like we always do…it all felt different. Like something was changing, right in front of us.

We kept saying it to each other over and over: we made it!!

And we did. Through the late nights, the stress, the confusion, the growth, the breakdowns, the wins, everything. We made it to this point together.

Four years.  

It sounded like a long time when we started. It felt endless back then. But now? It feels like it passed in a blink. And somehow, picking up that gown made it all sink in…this is really about to be over.

It’s strange. You don’t just think about the good moments. You remember the hard ones too. The days you felt lost, the moments you thought you wouldn’t get through. And now they all feel meaningful, like they were shaping something you didn’t fully see at the time.

Standing there holding the gown, surrounded by people who became more than just classmates, I realized this isn’t the end just yet, but it’s close enough to feel it.

And that’s what makes it beautiful.  

And a little overwhelming.

Because we really did make it.  

And soon… we’ll have to let it go.

Sai Igiede, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Well-being Leader

It’s Sai, your local well-being leader, and today is different than normal, as this is my last blog post! I know I’m just as sad as you all are!

​As an almost graduating senior, I have served as a well-being leader for nearly three years, writing over 20 blog posts that span all eight dimensions of wellness. I wanted to not only recap my semester but also look at what’s in store for me!

First, what have I been doing this whole time?

Here’s a quick rundown of the past 6+ months for me, rapid fire! (Not really rapid-fire, but rapid-fire to me!

1. GRADUATION

WE ARE GRADUATING; LET’S GO! So I will be getting my B.S. in public health with a health science concentration and a minor in pharmaceutical science. This has been a very long time coming. I will also be graduating with honors (fingers crossed—I will get into more detail later). I am also pleased to say that I was chosen to receive the Chancellor’s Medal in Student Service, which I don’t take lightly! It was low-key a shock to me that I even got it, but I’m nonetheless happy! As for my future plans, I will be a graduate student here at UMass Lowell getting my master’s in public health, which I am very excited for, and then I will plan on pursuing more schooling after!

2. INTERNSHIPS/JOBS

When it came to working jobs on campus, let’s just say I was booked! I worked two internships during my spring semester. My second one was at the International Institute of New England as a shelter service legal intern in downtown Lowell. At this internship, I was working with attorneys, case managers, and employment officers to help asylum seekers and refugees with housing and employment throughout the New England area! This internship was extremely rewarding and beneficial as I was able to use my public health knowledge outside the classroom. My second internship is currently with both the Student Life and Well-Being office and also a company called Release Recovery. With this internship, I was able to sharpen both my hard and soft skills through tabling, data collection, and policy creation and recommendations. Both these internships made me not only a better student but a better worker as well. Lastly, I was able to continue my work as a wellbeing leader as well as being a residential advisor in Fox Hall.

3. WRAPPING UP SCHOOL

Lastly, looking back at school, I still have a few things pending, like my honors project presentation, which is on Wednesday, and some applications for external stuff. Looking back at my 4 years here, I am so happy that I chose UMass Lowell. I would’ve never met my best friend Nokomis, fallen in love with my major, met my boyfriend, and so much more!

​

As I wrap up both my semester and my undergraduate year at UMass, I wanted to thank everyone I’ve met and who has supported me throughout this crazy and fun journey here!

Until next time,

Sai

By: Nokomis Bramantecohen, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Well-Being Leader

Introduction:

Hello! It has now officially come to that bittersweet time of the year where seniors are buying their grad dresses, suits, heels, wrapping up all their capstones and thesis for classes, and finally… picking up their graduate cap, gown, tassel, and stoles. In complete transparency, going into University Crossing had made me really emotional. All of the friends, peers, and classmates that I have made along the way were all there and it was such a special moment. It is mind boggling to me that in just a month we will all be going on our own separate journeys. I am going to use this blog space to give me the time to reflect and write to past self and also write about my future self! 

Letter to My Younger Self: 

If I could go back and talk to my younger freshman year self, the first thing I would say is to be kinder to yourself. You spent so much time trying to map everything out, wanting a perfect plan, but life doesn’t work like that. The people you meet, the opportunities you get, and the paths that you take… none of it is guaranteed and that is okay! 

Another piece of information that I would want to say would be that no one is going to “save” you, and that is not a bad thing! It just means that you have more power, strength, and confidence than you think! Of course there are mentors, peers, and a social circle to help you out, but at the end of the day, you know yourself better than anyone else ever will. So trust that and trust your gut!

And lastly, stop being so hard on yourself! You’re constantly stuck either replaying the past or worrying about the future, and you often forget to be where you are. It’s much easier said than done, but try to let go of what doesn’t serve you, especially the hurt that is caused by others. Holding onto it only drains you. If it has no purpose within your life, then it doesn’t deserve your energy! Always remember to have confidence in yourself, you are way more capable than you give yourself credit for. 

Letter to My Future Self: 

I hope you’ve come to realize that you were always going to be okay, whether you reached milestones alone or alongside others. I hope you’ve learned how to take up space, to use the resources around you, and lean into the support systems you once hesitated to trust. 

Independence is important, but so is asking for help. I hope you’ve found balance in that. 

Right now, you’re working towards becoming a social worker, planning to attend Salem State University and fully commit to the program. I hope you follow through. I hope you found purpose in helping others, while still taking care of yourself too!

I hope you didn’t let rejection define you. That you learned to celebrate both the big wins and the small ones, like simply getting through a hard day or sticking to your routine. Not everything is meant for you, and that’s okay.

I also hope you made time to explore the world. To step outside of what’s familiar and immerse yourself in places, people, and experiences that changed you. Because at the end of the day, I hope you chose to be rich in memories rather than just money.

More than anything, I hope you become someone you’re proud of, someone who inspires others simply by being authentic, resilient, and open to growth.

By: Fallon Weiss, Kennedy College of Sciences Well-Being Leader

There’s a strange kind of quiet that comes with writing a final post like this.

Not the heavy kind, not an ending exactly, but something much more softer than that. Like the moments after a show closes, when the stage is empty but still holds the shape of everything that happened there. That’s a little like how this experience feels to me now.

Being part of the Off-Broadway Players here has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time in college. Not just because of the performances, but because of everything in between: the rehearsals that didn’t go as planned, the moments of doubt, the times when I wasn’t sure if I was doing enough or being enough.

The truth is, I’ve learned that growth rarely feels like growth when you’re in the middle of it.

Learning to be comfortable with struggling is difficult. It goes against instinct. We want to feel capable, steady, sure of ourselves. Struggle feels like a sign that something is wrong. But over time, I’ve started to see it differently. Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing: it means you’re in the process of learning. It means you’re stretching into something new, even if it feels uncomfortable or uncertain.

And a lot of that growth doesn’t happen alone.

Asking for help has been one of the hardest things for me to learn. It can feel vulnerable in a way that’s hard to explain, like admitting you don’t quite have it all together when it seems like everyone else does. But every time I’ve pushed past that hesitation and reached out, I’ve been reminded of something important: people want to support you. You’re not as alone as your mind might make you feel.

There’s a kind of quiet confidence that comes from that realization. Not the kind that says you can do everything by yourself, but the kind that reminds you that you don’t have to.

At the same time, I’ve learned how important it is to make space for yourself. Not just to rest, but to actually live. Making time for yourself means making time for the things that bring you back to who you are. Your creativity. Your joy. Your sense of play. The things that don’t have to be productive to be meaningful. It’s easy to let those things fall away when life gets busy, but they’re often the very things that help you stay grounded.

And maybe the biggest thing I’m taking with me is this: 

You are always more than you think you are.

More capable than you give yourself credit for. More resilient than you realize in difficult moments. More deserving of patience, care, and kindness: especially from yourself.

It’s easy to overlook your own growth because you experience it gradually, day by day. But that doesn’t make it any less real.

As I finish my time as a KCS Well-Being Leader, I don’t feel like I have everything figured out. But I do feel more comfortable not having all the answers. I trust myself more. I understand the value of leaning on others. And I know how important it is to make space for the parts of life that bring me joy.

If there’s anything I hope you take with you, it’s this:

Give yourself permission to struggle.

Give yourself permission to ask for help.

Give yourself permission to take up space in your own life.

And don’t forget, as I’ve always said: 

You are already more than enough, even while you’re still growing. 

This might be the end of this chapter, but it’s not the end of the story. 

By: Soham Sawant, Kennedy College of Sciences Well-Being Leader

Remember a time you felt wounded (metaphorically)? Maybe something happened, you saw someone, or something just didn’t work out as planned—that same old uneasy, unsure feeling. In a desperate attempt to improve your well-being, you try different things like revisiting an old hobby, meditating, or perhaps going for a walk. You regain your peace by using these tried-and-tested methods of well-being…Happy…..right? 

Then, a few days later, something similar happens. This time, you weren’t prepared for it. You thought you had successfully achieved calm, but suddenly your heart drops and your mood is destroyed. Tranquility lost! 

We are so used to trying to achieve emotional stability that we always jump straight to regulating and changing the emotions we feel. But we have to understand that, both psychologically and biologically, emotions are natural to us as a species. The fact that you feel makes you human; we just can’t let those feelings overpower us. Because an emotion is an internal feeling, it is felt by you and not by others—which is why emotional outbursts tend to garner negative feedback. Others simply don’t feel what you feel. I have been trying to overcome this challenge for a while, and only recently have I been able to get a grip on things. 

That’s why, in the first blog of this semester, I would like to introduce you to a concept I call RBR: “Recognizing Before Regulating.” It’s not complicated or groundbreaking; it’s just a simple tactic to give yourself space to recognize, understand, and eventually regulate your emotions. 

Before changing anything, the trick is to give yourself time to actually feel the emotion. Recognize where it came from, what caused it, and if it is a recurring thing. Try to find the trigger. Identifying the trigger is the most important part because it prepares you mentally, helping you realize that a certain situation will cause a specific emotional response. 

The next step is to put it into words. Before regulating, describing the feeling with specific “emotion words” is very important—words that go beyond just good, bad, nice, angry, or sad. Use words like grief, ridiculed, relieved, valued, or flustered. The better your emotional vocabulary, the easier it is to process what you’re going through. This lets you be more specific with your understanding; labeling it this way makes the feeling “known” instead of “unknown,” allowing you to express it in words that help instead of harm. 

I usually like to set three silent alerts throughout the day. When I see the alert, I take a second to become aware of my mental state and simply notice it instead of trying to change it. I also keep a list of emotion words in my phone’s notes app, which I refer to every time I want to describe a feeling. 

The goal is to become aware of yourself before trying to change. You cannot treat a wound unless you have recognized and understood what kind of wound it is. Only then can you provide the appropriate care. 

By: Nokomis Bramantecohen, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Well-Being Leader

Introduction

Hello! It’s been quite some time since my last blog, and I hope whoever is reading this had a fulfilling winter break! Whether that meant celebrating the completion of fall semester classes, having more time to focus on work and earn some extra cash, or finally slowing down to enjoy a well-deserved and refreshing break…I hope it gave you exactly what you needed.

Although I love writing about tips and tricks on how to better one’s mental health and well being through various topics, I’ve decided to put a little spin on things this semester. My goal moving forward is to share my authentic perspectives on college, the advice I would give to my younger self and future self, the goals I have beyond my undergraduate years, and what I hope to leave behind once I graduate. I hope you’ll continue reading these blogs and follow me on this new journey, because writing these pieces is one of my favorite aspects of this position 🙂

Let’s Reflect

In my personal opinion, I absolutely loved my winter break. I had the phenomenal opportunity to truly relax and take time for reflection amidst all the craziness. Finals week, working four jobs, and being involved in clubs and organizations! It’s a lot! While the fall semester brought plenty of success, it also came with an overwhelming feeling of burnout. And honestly, that deserves to be normalized and talked about.

Although I still worked a couple of jobs over winter break, I was genuinely excited for the slower pace. For the first time in a long while, I chose not to work on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or even New Year’s Day. Instead, I spent that time with family, friends, and loved ones during the holiday season. That choice meant everything to me.

Over winter break, I had the opportunity to drive to New York with friends to visit one of our closest pals who now lives in Manhattan. There truly is no better feeling than reconnecting with a close friend who has moved away from home. Even though he graduated from UMass Lowell just last year and moved away only six months ago, it felt like years had passed. Growth, change, and new opportunities are inevitable parts of life, and I genuinely believe they are some of the most beautiful concepts in the world. At the same time, missing someone you love and feeling sadness because of the absence of their presence are both just as real.

I also want to normalize giving out unconditional love, appreciation, and gratitude to the people we’ve met who have stayed by our sides. Whether they are the ones we see every day or the ones we see once a year, each relationship is held with the same care in our hearts. If there’s one piece of advice I can offer right now, it’s this: always make sure to check in on your friends, family, and loved ones…today and everyday. 

What’s Happening in My Life Right Now?

Classes, internships, more classes, research assistant, four jobs, graduate school applications, and somehow still more! People always say senior year is either the most relaxing or the most stressful time of their lives. It seems I chose to add even more to an already overflowing plate. While there are moments when it feels like I’m sinking, I remind myself that I love pushing beyond my comfort zone and challenging myself. But with the aspect of challenge I am trying to do a better job of having a balance between work and leisure. For example, learning that it is okay if I can’t get everything done in a work shift and not stressing myself out over school, academics, and other professional responsibilities. And when I feel like I am sinking to go to my support group, hobbyist and interests, and other activities that can regulate my emotions and bring myself peace and tranquility. 

This semester, I’m taking five credit-bearing courses. One of them is a research service lab through the Health Advancement & Resilience in Pediatrics (HARP) Lab, where we actively recruit children and families to participate in the Health Advancement and Wellbeing in Kids (HAWK) study. Another course is connected to my directed study with an Honors College professor. The Honors College offers a program called City-Ships, which partners with nonprofit organizations to provide students with hands-on experience working directly in the city of Lowell. Through this program, I am currently working with Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization that empowers girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” I wouldn’t trade these experiences for the world, and I am incredibly grateful for these opportunities. 

As for my other courses, I’m taking Psychology and Law (extremely interesting), Introduction to Professional Writing (also such a cool course), and finally Ceramics (I have always wanted to take this class forever, but it never fit into my schedule until now. Better late than never)! And lastly, I have chosen to audit a French I class. The reasoning behind this decision is because my partner and his family speak French. I’m hoping to educate myself more on the language and culture, as well as making my best efforts to understand their speech when they converse with one another. To make life more fun I have decided not to tell him and surprise him at the very end of the semester, hopefully the surprise does not get spoiled! 

You might also see me around campus! I’m extremely involved and truly love encouraging others to get involved as well! Campus involvement is incredibly rewarding, not only for yourself, but for the community around you! Being involved on campus shapes who I am to this day and I would not be me without it! Currently, I serve as a Well-Being Leader, Orientation Leader, Resident Advisor, AACEE mentor, and captain/secretary of UML Club Field Hockey. I really want to emphasize the beauty of balancing work and play! Sign up for roles because you want to, not because you feel like you have to.

One Goal for the Future

When I originally drafted this blog, one of my goals was to get accepted into graduate school! Well, yippie!!! I got in!!! I’ll officially be attending Salem State University to pursue my Master’s in Social Work. This position as a Well-Being Leader has helped me reach so many milestones along the way, and I’m incredibly thankful for that.

My passion lies within helping people who may be struggling silently or actively seeking someone who will listen. As a Well-Being Leader, I not only promote the eight dimensions of wellness, but I also connect one-on-one with students who may need extra guidance, advocate for mental health through presentations, workshops, and tabling events, and help provide support and resources during times of need.

As I reflect on everything I’ve done throughout my college journey, my hope is to inspire others through my actions, stories, and future goals. Whether in my personal or professional life, I strive to create a positive impact and foster safe spaces wherever I go!

By: Saryna Vith, Manning School of Business Well-Being Leader

Spring semester didn’t start gently. It showed up with a snowstorm. Campus covered in white, sidewalks icy, everyone already layered up before the work even began.

What’s strange is that this semester looks slower than Fall on paper. Fewer obvious commitments. More “space”, but somehow, everyone feels busier. Conversations are shorter. Walks are faster. Calendars fill up quietly.

The pressure isn’t loud; it’s steady. Assignments stack up one by one. Responsibilities expand. It’s not chaotic; it’s more focused, more intentional.

Maybe that’s what growth feels like.
Not dramatic. Not overwhelming.
Just consistent movement forward.

The snow will melt; the rhythm will settle, and somewhere in between the busy days, spring will actually begin.

By: Fatin Rahman, Francis College of Engineering Well-Being Leader

I’ve been taking fitness classes in Boston twice a week after my co-op, and they’ve changed the way I end my days. After hours of sitting, thinking, solving, and stressing, I walk into a 45-minute sculpt or cycle class, and everything else fades.

When I’m focused on engaging my core, pushing through intervals, or holding a pulse just a few seconds longer, work stress disappears. It’s replaced by something sharper. There’s something powerful about discovering how far your body can go when your mind wants to quit.

Your mind retires before your body does. But when you find that will, that quiet decision to become stronger than you were yesterday, the challenge becomes addictive. Not in a destructive way, but in a deeply affirming one.

Lifting weights I couldn’t have imagined touching a year ago makes me proud in a way that’s hard to explain. Sprinting on the treadmill, blasting Lady Gaga in my headphones, feeling my heart race, it all reminds me that I am capable of more than I think.

And it’s not just about intensity. It’s about slowing down too, stretching, and breathing. Letting the tension unwind from tight shoulders and sore hips. Feeling your body open up instead of brace. Sometimes it feels like therapy, the physical kind that releases what you didn’t know you were holding.

Moving my body has done wonders for my mental health. Long walks along the Merrimack Riverwalk. The feeling of strong feet hitting the pavement. The simple awareness that my body carries me through every season of my life.

In cycle class, at the very end, the lights go down. The choreography stops. For five minutes, you ride however you want. No cues. No structure. Just you and the music.

Those five minutes are when I feel closest to myself all day.

When I’m pulsing in sculpt class and my muscles are shaking, when I think I’m done but the instructor says, “So strong,” and I believe her — that’s where something shifts.

Going as hard as I can. Trusting that I am here for a reason, giving myself purpose, one rep, one breath at a time.

By: Minh Tran, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Well-Being Leader

I recently turned twenty, and I have been reflecting deeply on what I want my twenties to be and what they mean to me. They say that your twenties are some of the best years of your life, but there’s a catch that comes with it. Your twenties are what you make them to be. The “best years” of your life don’t just fall into your lap; you have to make the most of what you have. In such a pivotal moment of my life, I want to become the best version of myself I can be, and, in turn, my twenties will be a reflection of the person I want to become and how it will unfold. As I navigate my twenty-somethings, I imagine you all are doing the same as well. A decade known to be filled with growth, despair, love, hope, and most of all, finding yourself. I want you to reflect on what you want to see in the next 10 years of your life. In this blog, I am reflecting on closing this teenage chapter of my life and moving on, and I hope my transparency about my own thoughts and feelings can help you experience some introspection as well.

Emotional connectivity. This is something that I felt like I had struggled with growing up, but now more than ever, I feel like emotional connectivity, whether it be with myself, my family, friends, or any relationship I have, is important. As a teenager, it was okay to not understand how you feel, what you’re feeling, or how to display your feelings, but as I end that chapter of my life, I want to start being able to understand my emotions better to not only build a better relationship with myself, but others as well. Of course, you shouldn’t expect to be emotionally mature just because you’re no longer a teenager; that takes time, and sometimes it’s okay not to know how to feel. One way I want to become more in tune with my emotions is by journaling. Journaling provides an outlet to let all the emotions flow without limitations. It lets you write how you feel, why you feel, and just overall everything that is happening with you. I believe journaling is a major aspect of learning emotional regulation because it allows me to solidify my thoughts into something tangible I can read back on. If I didn’t journal all these feelings, they’d just sit inside me with nowhere to go, and it can be hard to regulate something that can overflow at times.

Physical and mental well-being. I’ve always told myself I would work out or eat better during summer vacation because I didn’t have the time during the school year. However, that was just a lame excuse I tell myself to make me feel better for not doing so. Starting to take care of your physical well being doesn’t have to be something absurd, like working out for 2 hours a day. It can be small, like going for a walk, doing stretches in the morning, or even avoiding the elevators and taking the stairs to class. Whatever it might be, it is important to incorporate physical activity into your life because one, it makes you a healthier person overall, and two, it can make you feel better mentally. I want to be proud of the healthy body I live in every day and build the mental fortitude it takes to become physically active. These things take time and, in turn, teach me about patience and self-discipline, which at times can be mental barriers to achieving the goals I want.

Procrastination. I always thought I barely had time to do anything, but that is quite the
opposite. I always put off the things I want to do to the last minute because I keep telling myself, “I want to enjoy the time I have right now, so I’ll do it later.” However, that just wastes more time, and in the end, when I procrastinate, I lose a lot of valuable time I could be using to delve into my hobbies. When I learn to use my time more wisely, will I be able to enjoy the things in life I want to do? I want to read every book in the world. I want to travel the world. I want to watch all these movies. I want to hang out with my friends. I want to learn all these piano songs. I want to do so many things, but time is what’s holding me back. Time is valuable. I don’t want to procrastinate living my life and doing what I want to do because ten years will go by quickly, and I don’t want to look back regretting all the things I could have done if only I had done my work earlier. Procrastination is a major limitation in my character, and I hope that as I continue living into my twenties, I can chip away at it until I become the person who can do all the things I’ve wanted to do.

As SZA says in her song 20 Somethings, “Good luck on those 20-somethings.” Don’t be afraid of change or risks. Life has its ups and downs, and when you realize you have some control over your own growth, take it. You are the only thing holding you back from becoming the person you want to be. It is important to enjoy all aspects of life, including the ups and downs. As I live through my twenties, I hope to make the most of what I have around me and become a version of myself I can be proud of when looking back on this crucial period of my life.