You’re a freshman, and you’ve got 4 fantastic years ahead of you to make the most of your time here in Isenberg and at UMass. Believe it or not, but many seniors yearn to be in your very position righ

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You’re a freshman, and you’ve got 4 fantastic years ahead of you to make the most of your time here in Isenberg and at UMass. Believe it or not, but many seniors yearn to be in your very position right now, and this isn’t because they’ve messed up in any sense: it’s because these are about to be some of the very best 4 years of your life.

In order to make the most out of freshman year, consider the tips below:

Spend time in Isenberg

Sit in the atrium and do homework, walk through on your way to another class, or meet with a friend to study. No matter what you do, getting exposed to the “Isenberg Environment” is a borderline magical experience that you can only have once you’re there. As a freshman, you may not have the majority of your classes in Isenberg, so simply just going into the building will make the school feel more like home. It’s also a great way to meet other friendly Isenberg students!

Join a club… or two… or three

Get involved and join a club! This is one of the best ways to meet other students in Isenberg who may have the same interests as you, and it’s also a great way to meet upperclassmen. Your networking circle begins now, and the more connections you make, the better!

Pay attention during Transitions Class!

Transitions is one of the most valuable classes you can take during your freshman year. You’ll learn about how to write resumes, cover letters, how to network, study abroad opportunities, and so much more. The other students in your class are now part of your network, and so is your Teaching Assistant, so be sure to make the most of this class.

Go to class, talk to your professors, and learn the material

Professors love speaking to students, especially if you’re in a large lecture hall styled class. One way to make the class seem smaller and to get recognized is to go to office hours and to speak to your professor. Introduce yourself and visit often. You’ll no longer just be another person in a sea of faces.

Seek out advisors and resources

It may seem scary at first, but walk into advising and figure out what you may want to do for a major and what you would need to do to get it done. You don’t want to be a second semester senior and realize that you have to take more classes than you were thinking of having to take because you weren’t prepared. Plus, everyone wants to help you as much as they can!

Don’t cut corners

Don’t take the easy way out of your education here at Isenberg and UMass. You’re here to learn! So go to class, take notes, and learn as much from your professors and peers as you can. Taking the easy way out of doing things will just result in a lack of success, and we all know you’re here to be the best that you can be.

Make time for yourself

Things can get a little crazy, and decompression time for yourself is essential to maintaining your sanity. Find some of the hidden gems in Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, and on campus, and be sure to enjoy the next 4 years that will bring some of the best experiences that you could ever ask for.


Article by Stephanie Berenson