By: Madelyn Archambault, Francis College of Engineering Well-Being Leader

Some days can feel really hard. The best advice that I have ever been given is to find a reason to smile everyday. It doesn’t have to be a big reason; it can be small things like personal victories or tiny accomplishments. Maybe you just finished a project or finally managed to clean a small corner of your room.

If you are having trouble finding a reason to smile or something to uplift your day, I have created a list of things, big and small, that personally make me smile. I hope they can brighten your day too. 

Animals: 

1. A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope. 
2. Otters hold hands when they float.
3. Squirrels help plant thousands of trees each year by forgetting where they leave their acorns.
4. Cows have best friends. 
5. A penguin is knighted in Norway.
6. Every dog’s nose print is unique, just like fingerprints!
7. Goats have accents by region.
8. Dolphins have unique names for each other. 

Environmental News: 

1. The EU recently released a new massive ocean protection project in Portugal.
2. New eco friendly electric wallpaper is being trialed in Glasgow.
3. In Scotland, herds of wild cattle are being reintroduced to help aid the environment. 
4. Recent breakthroughs can help reduce materials used when creating batteries. 

UMass Lowell: 

1. The Office of Student Life and Well-Being has created a Hope Garden on North Campus. It is located next to Lydon Library/Starbucks. 
2. UML has taken on many projects focused on sustainability, and continuously works towards sustainability education.  

I hope reading this brought you some joy, and that every day you can find a reason to smile and achieve at least one small victory.