Author Archives: fatin_rahman@student.uml.edu

I Don’t Know

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

Like many of you, “I don’t know” is my default response to questions when I’m simply unsure.

“What are you eating later today?”

“I don’t know.”

“How do you think you did on the test the other day?”

“I don’t know.”

“How do you feel overall?”

“I don’t know…”

It can be hard to grasp how we feel because emotions invoke something inside of us that can’t always be tangibly put into words.  We constantly try to chase how we feel. We might be able to articulate how we feel in a fleeting moment, but rarely overall. I can tell you what I feel in a moment but not how I feel as a complete human being, which leaves me with the phrase: ”I don’t know”. 

For a long time, it was something I struggled with because I never liked the response “I don’t know”. To me it meant uncertainty and failure of knowing, which meant I lacked the ability to understand my own mind. It meant I was emotionally unaware of myself, and in a way, I felt lost. Who am I to others if I don’t even know who I am to myself? 

Responding with “I don’t know” felt like I solidified my emotions into a permanent state of confusion. It felt like a concrete answer, and therefore unchanging to who I am, so I felt like I would never know and I wouldn’t be able to discover the version of myself who does. However, one conversation really shifted my perspective and it made me realize that phrase is what makes me innately human. 

I was sitting by the Charles River with a good friend, talking about life and how we were feeling.

Everytime she asked me how I really felt, I kept saying “I don’t know, I just don’t know”. I was getting frustrated with myself because I couldn’t give her a real answer. She could tell that I wasn’t satisfied with that response. I kept saying “I don’t know why I don’t know”. She reassured and me and told me it’s okay to not know. I told her that I wish I knew why I didn’t know, and that I had an answer. However, she said it takes time to know how you feel, and not having an answer doesn’t mean you’ll never have one; you just need to talk and live to better understand. In that moment, a switch clicked in me. I didn’t know now; I just didn’t know yet.

You may not know in the moment, but you are always searching for the version of yourself that knows. Self-discovery isn’t pre-written; you are actively writing your life as it happens, so not knowing now doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t know later. When you feel lost because your emotions may be too complex or unstable to label, tell yourself “I don’t know … yet”. You may not know now. You may not know later. You might never fully figure it out. However, life isn’t about having that answer; it’s about chasing that “yet.” You have your whole life for self-discovery and understanding who you are as an individual; it doesn’t stop when someone asks you, “How are you?” You’re not confined to the individual you are in the moment when you answer that question. Your answer may change; it may stay the same, or you might not even have an answer.

So when I ask myself how I feel overall, I tell myself, “I don’t know yet”, because my life and emotions are not yet finished; I’m still living. 

Enjoying the In-Between

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By Adhishree Shah, Francis College of Engineering Well-Being Leader

Lately, I have been trying to make ordinary days feel a little more fun. Not in a dramatic, “change your life” kind of way. More like putting on a good playlist for the walk to class, getting a drink I like, wearing an outfit that makes me feel good, or convincing myself that doing laundry with music on is somehow a whole experience. Most college days are honestly ordinary. Class, assignments, food, errands, repeat. So, I have started appreciating the small things that make those days feel nicer. 

Romanticizing the Ordinary 

I used to think that for a day to feel “good,” something exciting had to happen. Maybe I had to go somewhere, accomplish something important, or have some kind of memorable experience. But most days are not like that. Most days are classes, assignments, meals, errands, laundry, and trying to remember everything on your to-do list. And honestly, if I only wait for the exciting days to enjoy myself, I am probably going to spend a lot of time waiting. 

That is why I have started romanticizing the ordinary a little more. If I have to walk somewhere, I might as well put on a playlist I like. If I have to get groceries, I might as well take my time, look around, and pick up something I am excited to eat later. If I have to study, I might as well find a comfortable spot and bring a snack. It does not magically make homework fun, unfortunately, but it helps. 

The Candy Basket 

One of my favorite little habits has become my candy basket. College somehow always has free candy somewhere like at events, tables, offices, or random places around campus. Whenever I see one of my favorites, I pick up a piece or two. Every now and then, I also buy a few that I really like. 

Little by little, I ended up with a whole basket full of candy. Now, if I feel like I handled my day well, finished something I had been putting off, or just need a small pick-me-up, I grab something from the basket. It is such a tiny thing, but that is kind of the point. Not every reward has to be big. Sometimes a piece of your favorite candy at the end of a long day is enough to make you smile. 

The Small Things Count Too 

I have also started giving myself more credit for the little wins. Finishing an assignment I had been avoiding. Cleaning my room after a chaotic week. Cooking instead of ordering food. Getting enough sleep for once. Laughing for no reason on a call with a long-distance friend. Making it through a day I was not really looking forward to. 

We are so used to celebrating the big things, like a good grade, an internship, or a finished semester, that we forget to notice the smaller moments in between. But those moments make up most of our days. I think that is what romanticizing your life really means. Not pretending that everything is perfect and not ignoring stress. But just paying attention to the parts that feel good. 

College moves fast. It is easy to spend one week waiting for the next and suddenly realize the semester is almost over. So lately, I have been trying to slow down enough to notice more of it: the walks, the music, the random conversations, the candy after a long day. None of it is huge, and maybe it does not have to be. Sometimes finding joy is not about waiting for something exciting to happen. It is about giving yourself something small to smile about, even on an ordinary Tuesday. 

Midterm Chaos and the Bigger Picture:Why This Moment Won’t Last Forever

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By Yara Belguendouz, Manning School of Business Well-Being Leader

When exams, projects, and deadlines are piled on your desk, time seems to stand still. Every test feels huge. Every hour feels heavy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure of trying to get through the week.

As I was chatting with my mom the other day about how stressed and busy everything seemed. She listened, then said something that changed my entire mindset: “College is just a small part of our lives, and it’s going by faster than we think.” In fact, looking forward, I realized I only have a few semesters left until it’s all over.

When you’re stressed your world shrinks to the next exam or the next assignment. But zoomed out, you see:

The stress will be temporary, but the momentum is real. You are building your future study session by study session.

Time flies. The hard weeks feel long when you’re in them, but you’ll soon find yourself looking back at this semester as just a quick step on your journey.

You’re getting through it. Every day you push past the anxiety or complete another task, you’re proving to yourself that you can handle tough moments.

A Quick Reminder for the Week Ahead

As your Well-Being Leader, my advice to you right now is not just, “study harder.” It’s to take a breath.

Give yourself credit for how hard you’re working, but don’t let the intensity of this week fool you into thinking this is permanent stress. Do one day, one exam, and one assignment at a time. You are pushing through it and before you know it you are on the other side looking back at how quickly it all went.

You got this. Take care of yourself, take breaks when you need them and don’t forget to look up at the big picture every once in a while.

Top 5 Ways to Stay Connected on Your UMass Lowell Campus

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By Spencer Dowden, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Well-Being Leader

As a second-year college student I can say staying connected to campus is one of the most important things for a student. During my freshmen year I had such bad social anxiety that I ended up just not being a part of our campus and community. Now this can happen to all and any students and most of the time isolation and loneliness can have some really negative effects not just on your social and emotional health but also your academic and long-term successes. So I’m here to talk about my top 5 ways that helped me stay connected to UMass Lowell and how it could make you feel more successful by the end of this school year.

1. Joining at Least One Club or Activity

I know joining a club might be a little scary but taking that jump just to join one can make a big difference in your life! The amazing thing about UMass Lowell is that we offer over 200 student clubs, things like sports, academics, art, music, and so many more special interest communities. The other good thing about clubs on campus is Campus Groups which is a UMass Lowell website and app that shows you all the clubs on campus and you can join through there or reach out to the students that host the group and learn more about their club. As long as you make the effort to join that club or even reach out, you’ll find your place on campus.

2. Going to Events on Campus

Another thing that could help you stay connected to campus is going to events. Events happen on campus almost every week; they can be small or big ones, but they do happen, and you just need to know the right place to look. The first place I look is on Campus Groups that will have all events for all the clubs and student groups. Campus Groups can be helpful to see what time, date, and how many people are going to the event. A big plus about this is that you don’t need to be in these club organization to join in on these fun events and activities. The second place I look for fun events is in my own resident hall. In your resident hall, your RA (Resident Advisor) will do events throughout the year; this can also be a good way to meet people and connect you more with your peers.

3. Spending Time Outside

The last thing that I found that really helped was spending time outside. That might sound like a silly thing but, walking around and exploring new places can be very exciting and fun. Finding a new place for coffee, study time, or a place to just take a break at can be really beneficial. For example if your a north campus major and never stepped foot on south before it might be a good way to meet new people and find a new spot! Spending time on campus can make you feel more connected but spending time off campus can also make you feel more connect to the city of Lowell. Our east campus is just a short 10-minute walk from downtown Lowell which is full of activities, good food, and beautiful views. Meeting up with friends at our local game store, bakery, or parks can be a good way to connect with people outside of campus in a less academic setting. Finally, walking is just really good for your mental wellbeing no matter where you’re walking. It really helps you take that mental reset that your brain needs sometimes!

Learning to Belong Without Losing Myself

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By Adhishree Shah, Francis College of Engineering Well-Being Leader

I packed almost my entire life into two suitcases and moved nearly 8,000 miles away from home. For the first time, there was no parent waiting outside to pick me up, no familiar routine to fall back on, and no one I could immediately rely on to figure things out for me. Everything I knew; my family, my friends, my culture, even the small habits that made me feel like me was suddenly far away. 

Feeling Out of Place 

When I first started meeting people here, I quickly realized how much shared context everyone seemed to have. My peers had grown up with similar shows, jokes, childhood memories, slang, and cultural references. Sometimes a conversation would begin, and everyone around me would immediately understand what was being talked about. I often did not. There were moments when I sat there trying to understand what everyone else already seemed to know, and it made me very aware that I had not grown up here. 

At first, I thought this was something I needed to hide because I was embarrassed. I worried that if I kept asking what things meant, people might think I was awkward. I worried that if I did not understand a joke, I might seem boring. I worried that being different would make it harder for me to belong. So, like anyone trying to find their place somewhere new, I tried to blend in. And the cost of it? My confidence. 

Trying to Fit In 

There were many times when I laughed because everyone else was laughing, even when I did not fully understand the joke. I wanted to seem easygoing and not draw attention to the fact that I had grown up somewhere else. 

Looking back, I realize how much energy I spent trying not to look confused. I was constantly asking myself: Should I know this? Should I ask? Will I sound weird if I say I do not understand? 

The more I tried to fit in, the more I started hiding parts of myself. 

Letting Go of the Embarrassment 

A lot began to change when I realized I did not feel like the same person anymore. At first, I thought that meant I was growing. But then I started wondering: since when did losing the parts that make you “YOU” become growth? That question made me look at my own behavior. 

I started to realize that maybe I had been too hard on myself. Of course, there were things I did not understand right away—I had grown up in a completely different environment. That did not mean there was anything wrong with me; it simply meant I was still learning how to navigate a new place. When I accepted that, I became much more comfortable saying things like, “Wait, I actually don’t know what that means. 

And something surprising happened: people just explained it. There was no dramatic reaction. No one suddenly decided I did not belong. I realized that so much of the pressure had been coming from me. I had convinced myself that belonging required me to know everything everyone else knew. It did not. 

Appreciating My Own Story 

Once I stopped focusing on what I did not know, I began appreciating what I did know. I had my own stories, traditions, food, culture, and way of seeing the world. Instead of thinking only about the experiences, I had missed by not growing up here, I started thinking about everything I had experienced because I grew up somewhere else. 

I am fortunate to be living this life. I get to study in a country I once dreamed about, meet people with completely different experiences, and learn something new almost every day. 

I do not want to spend that opportunity pretending to be someone else. I want to experience it as myself. 

Finding Belonging 

For me, belonging started when I stopped trying so hard to belong. It sounds strange, but that is exactly what happened. Once I became comfortable admitting that I did not know certain things, I became more comfortable in conversations. Once I stopped worrying about whether my differences made me “uncool,” I became more confident sharing my own experiences. And once I stopped treating my background as something I needed to hide, I started feeling more at home. 

I still have moments when I do not understand a reference. I still ask questions, and I am still learning. The difference is that I no longer see those moments as proof that I do not belong. They are simply part of living somewhere new. 

Now, when I look back, I think about what I would tell the 18-year-old version of myself who arrived here with two suitcases, trying desperately to figure out how to fit in. I would tell her that finding a home in a new place is not about changing yourself enough to fit into it. It is about finally feeling comfortable enough to let that place know who you are.  

When Being Busy Starts to Feel Like Falling Behind

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By Betania Zelalem, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Well-Being Leader

As college students, I think a lot of us have gotten used to being busy. Between classes, work, extracurriculars, friendships, family responsibilities, and trying to figure out what we are doing after graduation, there is almost always something that needs our attention.

I know for me, my schedule can get pretty hectic. There are times when I am going from class, to work, to another responsibility, while also thinking about assignments I need to finish and everything else I have coming up. Even when I finally have free time, sometimes it doesn’t actually feel like free time because I am already thinking about what I should be doing next.

Something I have been learning, though, is that constantly being busy does not necessarily mean that I am being productive.

I think there is a lot of pressure in college to always be doing more. Get good grades. Work. Join organizations. Get experience for your résumé. Exercise. Maintain friendships. Plan your career. Save money. Somehow get eight hours of sleep. And then, on top of all of that, make sure you’re “enjoying college.”

It can become exhausting.

Sometimes we become so focused on the next assignment, shift, exam, internship, or goal that taking care of ourselves becomes the thing we keep pushing to later. We tell ourselves, “I’ll relax after this week,” but then another busy week comes.

I’ve realized that well-being doesn’t always have to mean completely changing your lifestyle or having a perfect self-care routine. Sometimes it can be something as simple as giving yourself an hour where you aren’t thinking about school. It can mean eating an actual meal instead of grabbing whatever is convenient, getting enough sleep before an exam instead of staying up all night, going for a walk, calling someone you care about, or saying no to something when you genuinely don’t have the capacity for it.

One thing I am personally trying to get better at is not feeling guilty when I rest.

Rest can feel unproductive when you have a long list of things you want to accomplish. But I’ve started looking at it differently. If I am exhausted, overwhelmed, or mentally checked out, forcing myself to keep going usually doesn’t result in my best work anyway. Taking care of myself allows me to come back to my responsibilities with more energy and focus.

I also think it’s important to remember that struggling to balance everything doesn’t mean that you aren’t capable. Sometimes it simply means you have a lot on your plate.

College is already challenging enough without constantly comparing your progress to everyone around you. Someone else’s productive day, internship, GPA, graduation timeline, or career plan doesn’t take anything away from yours. We are all dealing with different circumstances, even when we don’t see them.

So, if you’ve been feeling like you’re constantly running from one thing to another, maybe this is your reminder to check in with yourself.

Ask yourself: When was the last time I did something that wasn’t for school, work, my résumé, or someone else?

You don’t have to earn rest by completely exhausting yourself first.

Your goals are important, but so are you. And sometimes taking a break isn’t falling behind. Sometimes it’s what allows you to keep moving forward.

2023 Me

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

In my eyes, in my smile, in the mirror sometimes I see her: 2023 Me. Four years, I’ve found, can change a person more than you think it can. I was excited for a new chapter, for independence, and to start over from the, quite frankly, the awful years of being a high schooler. When I’m brushing my teeth in the morning, I see her. 

She’s worried if she’ll fail. Worried if she’s not smart enough, talented enough, ready enough for the next step. You can see it in the way she walks with her head down, earbuds in. Locked in so intensely on every assignment, as if each perfect score will be her personal valor. I can see through the mirror as she’s getting ready for her first day of college. Like always, she’s carried some habits from her childhood: She picked out a perfect first day of school outfit, and woke up extra early to have time to do her makeup just right. She’s looking in the mirror, a smile full of joy, and wondering if she looks “cool” enough. 

From the other side, I want to tell her she already is. But the past can’t be talked to, only seen.

She’s packing up her new backpack, and slipping on a black hoodie with a raven design on the back of it. It’s his. She feels happier knowing he’s near, even if he lives in another state. She thinks this hoodie is forever. It feels like his hugs. She liked hugs. What she doesn’t know is that she’ll have to give him back his hoodie two years later, and it will have gained more loose threads than it was given to her with. And, her love for it will have patched its many, many, holes. From where I stand, I want to know how she’s so doubtful of herself but so determined, so steadfastly believing in others. I want to know why she loved him so completely but forgot about leaving some of it for herself. 

When I enter the Starbucks on North Campus to pick up my morning coffee, I see her in every cup. She’ll post and take pictures of everything, sending them to family and friends. In fact, the most exciting thing about the meal plan to her wasn’t the dining hall at all. Somehow, it was about getting Starbucks coffees when she hadn’t had the taste in years. It always made her feel like royalty. In fact, she always gave all the employees compliments when she put in her order, and got to know each of their names by Winter Break. 

I feel her close when I take exams, her nervousness and anxiety is like a spark on a pile of papers. It catches quickly, and it grows bigger than she or I can handle sometimes. I want to tell her to breathe, but it’s hard for her to listen. All her mind is thinking of is how fast that clock seems to tick, and how blank her mind seems to be. Afterward, it’s so hard for her to breathe that she escapes into the bathroom – and hopes no one hears – as she splashes water on her face and dries her tears. She tells herself she just needs to be better. That she’s not enough, she needs to be smarter. She’ll just study even more. She’ll just go to more office hours. She’ll just spend every bit of free time she has with tutors. 

I want to tell her that doing more doesn’t mean she’s doing it right. That there’s more to why she’s struggling. That people don’t learn in exactly the same ways. That she’s doing all she can, and she needs to stop putting so much pressure on herself. I want to hold her hand and say that she doesn’t have to do this all by herself – that there are people around her who care.

But she’s stubborn. I know that better than anybody. 

I know she doesn’t know it, but despite what she’ll go through… I’m happy for her. She’ll get scared, and worried. She’ll cry over bad test grades, call her family and tell them she thinks she’s dumb… and yet: She’ll find a new calmness within herself, a strength she never thought she could ever have. 

She’ll have a father who will teach her all his best-kept test taking secrets. A sister who will always know how to brighten her day and give her hugs when she needs them. Friends who can make the worst classes into the best ones, and become her best study buddies. Teachers who will show her potential when she’s blind to it. Mentors who will become her biggest cheerleaders. She will have a village. And even if it takes a lot of mountains to get there, she’ll find what she’s looking for. 

And one day, when she looks like me, she’ll look back at herself and smile.

Yes, you can’t talk to the past. But you can cherish what you’ve become, and I don’t want her to regret any of it. <3

Progress Over Perfection

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By Oluchukwu Okeke, Francis College of Engineering Well-Being Leader

As a computer engineering student, one thing I’ve figured out is that I don’t learn much when things come easily. I learn when I’m staring at a problem that makes no sense, trying a fourth approach, or going back to a concept I was sure I understood. Engineering has made me a lot more patient with myself. It’s also taught me that struggling with something doesn’t mean I can’t learn it.

A lot of this major is breaking problems into pieces, testing ideas, and learning from whatever goes wrong. Sometimes I spend hours on something and still don’t get the result I expected, which is frustrating. But I’ve started to treat those hours differently. Instead of hunting for the fastest answer, I try to slow down and figure out why my approach isn’t working. That usually teaches me more than getting it right the first time would have.

This has also made me think about intellectual wellness, which is about staying curious, developing new skills, and remaining open to different ways of thinking. You don’t need to know everything or get every answer right. You just have to be willing to keep learning, even when it feels uncomfortable.

So, how can we make room for intellectual wellness while balancing the demands of college? Here are a few things that have helped me.

  • Break challenges into smaller steps when an assignment or concept feels overwhelming. Focus on one part at a time to make problems easier to approach.
  • Learn from your mistakes instead of treating them as failures. Understanding why something didn’t work can be just as valuable as finding the right answer.
  • Ask for help when you get stuck. Professors, classmates, office hours, and tutoring resources can offer new perspectives and help you understand difficult concepts.
  • Stay curious outside of class by trying a personal project, learning a new skill, or exploring a topic that interests you outside your coursework.
  • Notice progress that isn’t a grade when you understand something better than you did last week, developed a new skill or when a topic feels less intimidating than it used to.
  • Take breaks when you need them instead of forcing yourself to push through frustration. Coming back with fresh eyes can help you approach the problem better.

It’s easy to get so caught up in deadlines and grades that we forget learning is supposed to be process. It’s about getting comfortable asking questions and not giving up when things get tough. You don’t need all the answers to be a good learner. You just have to keep asking questions.

The Beauty of Bedtime

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By Rosalie Casavant, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Well-Being Leader

Balance is hard to achieve at any stage of life, but especially in college. From classes and exams to clubs and jobs, relationships, and other activities, it can be hard to find time for yourself. But that doesn’t mean you should push self-care aside. One of my favorite ways to practice self-care is winding down at the end of the day, specifically through a bedtime routine. There is always so much focus on curating the perfect morning routine that often we forget the work you do the night before makes it that much easier. I wanted to share some of my top bedtime tips that help me maintain balance as a college student!

  1. Clean Up Your Space

Your mindset often manifests in your space and presentation. A great way to reset is to take care of your space as you get ready to wind down for the night. Folding the pile of laundry in the corner, wiping down your desk, and making your bed are all tiny things you can do to your space that make a world of difference. Beyond your space, clean up yourself. One of my favorite ways to reset at night is by taking a shower. It helps signal to my body that it is time to settle in for the night and wash my worries from the day away. If showering at night isn’t your thing, you can always take other simple steps to signal that it’s time to unwind, like brushing your teeth or washing your face. Now that you’ve cleaned up, it’s time to move to tip 2!

  1. Put the Phone Down

Scrolling endlessly on social media before bed is a fantastic way to ruin a good night of sleep. That being said, it is hard to do. And I will be the first to admit, I am not perfect at this. Research shows that when you put away your screens before bed, all of the factors that impact overall quality of sleep improve. You can start small and try putting the screens away 30 minutes before bed. From there, work your way up to an hour, and that is typically where you start to see a significant improvement in sleep quality.

  1. Set Up Your “Zen Zone”

I am an overhead light hater. When it comes time for me to get ready for bed, I need to get my room out of daytime mode, which means turning off my big light and turning on my ambient lighting. One of my favorite ways to make my space more relaxing is turning on some white noise or ambient music. This helps calm the buzz in my brain and get my eyes, ears, and mind ready for bed.

  1. Thank Yourself Tomorrow

The most life-changing quote I have ever heard is “Do something today that you will thank yourself for tomorrow”.  This is something that I try to implement in my nightly routine. Usually this looks like packing my bag or lunch before going to bed, setting out my outfit for the next day, and putting my laptop on the charger. These things prepare me for success when leaving my house the next day, and they are all simple things I can do to make my morning simple and my evening stress-free.

  1. Unwind

Finally, before going to bed, find an activity that you enjoy doing to unwind. Here I will list a few of my favorites:

  • Journaling before bed is a great way to get all of your thoughts from the day out and quiet down the noise in your head before bed. It can be as simple as writing down one thing that brought a smile to your face, or something that hurt your feelings today. This way, those thoughts aren’t on your mind while you are tossing and turning.
  • Reading before bed is wonderful if you have a lot on your mind. It allows you to escape from your day into another world and take a break. My personal favorite genre to read before bed is fantasy, and my current read is “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien. As I said, it is so relaxing to take a break and experience a world so different from my own.
  • Coloring is another great way to unwind at the end of the night. You can find tons of coloring pages on Pinterest or Google. Just turn on some music, take out something to color with, and relax!

Hopefully, hearing my bedtime tips has inspired you to take on some of these habits yourself. I can assure you that when you take some time at the end of the day to take care of yourself and unwind, you will wake up feeling refreshed and recharged. Sleep is important, and so are you, so don’t be afraid to take the steps you need to feel your best!

Financial Wellness: Small Money Habits, Big Peace of Mind

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By Pratham Jariwala, Manning School of Business Well-Being Leader

As college students, we have a lot on our minds. Between classes, assignments, exams, and social life, managing money can sometimes feel like another stressful responsibility. Whether it is paying for food, textbooks, transportation, or going out with friends, expenses can add up quickly.

Financial wellness is not about being rich or having a lot of money in your bank account. It is about understanding how to manage the money you have and making choices that support your goals and peace of mind.

Start Small, Stay Consistent

One of the easiest ways to improve your financial wellness is to understand where your money goes. You do not need a complicated spreadsheet or an expensive app. Simply writing down your income and expenses can help you notice spending habits you might not have realized before.

Here are three simple habits you can start practicing:

  • Make a budget: Set aside money for important expenses first, then decide how much you can spend on fun activities.
  • Save a little at a time: You do not need to save hundreds of dollars every month. Even putting away a small amount regularly can help you prepare for unexpected expenses.
  • Think before spending: Before buying something, ask yourself whether you really need it or whether you can wait a few days before making the purchase.

Your Money and Your Mental Health

Money and mental health are more connected than we might think. Worrying about expenses can make it harder to focus on school, enjoy time with friends, or get enough rest. Having a simple financial plan can help you feel more organized and confident about your decisions.

It is also important to remember that everyone’s financial situation is different. Some students work while studying, some receive financial support from family, and others depend on scholarships or financial aid. There is no single right way to manage money, and you should not compare your financial situation with someone else’s.

Take the First Step Today

You do not have to figure everything out at once. Start by checking your recent expenses, setting one small savings goal, or learning something new about budgeting. If you need support, UMass Lowell also offers financial wellness resources, including The Financial Seed, which helps students learn about money management.

Financial wellness is a journey, not a competition. The goal is not to stop enjoying life or worry about every dollar. It is to build healthy habits that help you feel more prepared for the present and the future.

Remember: small steps today can lead to greater financial confidence tomorrow.