Budgeting Tips 101

By: Kajal Rohatgi

Almost every college student's biggest stressor is money. Whether it's paying off their student loans or just day to day pocket money, everyone is trying to save. Saving can be very hard sometimes. Here are a few tips on how to budget yourself for the rest of the semester that have not only worked for me, but for many other students as well.

1. Get rid of Netflix and get the deal with Spotify and Hulu for college students 

Netflix costs $9 every month, which adds up to over $100 every year for just shows and movies. In order to save money on not only TV and shows but also music, Spotify has a student discount deal that costs only $4.99 a month. With this $4.99 you get premium Spotify, Hulu, and SHOWTIME all for a low monthly fee of $5. Not only will you have saved $4 every month, but you will also have gained access to music, TV, and movies which you did not have before.

2. Wait until Black Friday to go shopping

As we enter November the holidays start to approach fast, which means money tends to leave your wallet even faster. However, this next tip is very helpful when thinking about saving during the holidays. Black Friday is typically when stores sell a lot of their products for discounted prices. So instead of waiting to buy your holiday gifts in December, buy them during Black Friday. This will definitely save you money as you will not be buying any item full price. This can also work when it comes to buying winter clothes. 

3. Thrifting and outlets

Instead of buying clothes at the mall, there are many alternatives that save a lot of money. First, shop at thrift stores as they have super cheap clothes that you can wear how you find them or can DIY them to make them fit your own style. Shopping at outlets can also help you save a lot of money if you don't want to purchase used clothes. Outlets are products big brands can’t sell very well at a regular price so they send them to an outlet to get rid of all the products they had made and reduce the price drastically. This is a great place to shop at if you like name brands but don’t usually like their prices. 

4. Sell old clothes you are getting rid of on PoshMark 

A way to make money while essentially putting in no effort, is to sell old clothes you were about to throw away. Poshmark is one of the top apps used to sell clothes ranging from new to old anywhere in the world, meaning someone is bound to buy some of your clothes. While on the topic of selling used items, selling old textbooks on amazon is also a great way to make back the money you had spent when buying them. Setting up these accounts are super easy and convenient making it so that anyone can start making money by simply doing nothing. 

5. Meal Plans 

If you live off campus or have a limited meal plan and don't want to spend too much money on food, prepare a big meal, like lasagna, on Sunday and eat it for dinner for the rest of the week. Eat fruits for breakfast and lunch on campus instead of going out for every meal. You will only need to spend money on buying a few groceries at the start of the week just to buy ingredients for the meal you are preparing. 

I hope these budgeting tips help you keep your bank account alive until the end of the semester!

Social Media & How it Affects Us

By: Rachel Hall

It’s 2019 and social media has been ingrained into our lives. There’s no denying it and at this point, no getting rid of it. So let’s talk about it.

Social media can be used for lots of great things, but as a girl in college I’ve found that it can lead to negative things as well. I think it’s important to talk about the ways that social media impacts us so that we can share our experiences and learn how to use it in a positive and beneficial way. Social media is a highlight reel. It showcases the best moments in our lives, the ones we want other people to see. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but it’s something we have to keep in mind when we scroll through Instagram, Twitter, and whatever else we use. Confusing real life with social media is a huge trap and it’s one of the most dangerous things about social media. It’s so easy to edit pictures, to filter reality, and make it seem as if we don’t have a care in the world all the time when we’re online. We tend to forget that other people do that too. Comparing our real lives to other people’s highlight reels can be mentally unhealthy, but it’s a habit we all fall into sometimes.

Social media can also be tough during recruiting season. Now that it’s so easy to search for someone online, it’s important to think about what we post and who can see it when applying and interviewing for jobs. It seems unfair that we can get judged based off of a single picture of ourselves online, but it’s a reality that comes with the presence of social media. 

Next time you open your phone and log on, here’s what I propose. Forget facetune and photoshop and any other fancy editing app you have. Remember that everyone is living a life outside of the internet where they can’t edit out their problems. Post a picture unedited, and don’t compare it to anyone else. Try not to judge people based on their profiles, because those are two separate things no matter how hard we try to forget that. Taking these small steps to be more true to yourself online will not only lead to a happier and more positive mindset but create a better community online for everyone else. 

Let’s all put some more unfiltered positivity into the world, both online and off.

Healthy Habits for College Students

By: Meaghan Maguire

The lifestyle of a college student can pretty much be summed up in one word: hectic. While juggling classes, extracurriculars, sports, job searches, and much more, your health can sometimes put on the back burner. Here are some manageable, healthy habits that will help make sure you are taking care of yourself during these busy times: 

1) Keep hydrated 

Health authorities recommend drinking half a gallon of water each day. While this may seem like a lot, carrying around in a reusable water bottle can help remind you to stop and take a drink. Reusable water bottles are portable, keeps the water ice cold and refreshing, and are environmentally friendly! Though if you decide to invest in a Hydro Flask, try not to drop it on hard surfaces unless you're trying to start an earthquake. 

2) Set aside time for exercise 

Regular exercise not only keeps you physically fit, but it is also beneficial for your mental health. Set aside time each day to move your body, whether this means taking a spin class at the rec center or choosing to walk to class instead of taking the bus. Exercise gives you a chance to clear your mind and do something for you. 

3) Don’t skip meals 

Amongst their busy schedules, students often sacrifice a meal to make time for other obligations. Food is essential in keeping your energy levels up, which actually makes you more productive. Utilize our award-winning dining halls and make sure you are eating regularly. If you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, pack nutritious snacks in your backpack to eat throughout the day. Two of my favorites are apples and peanut butter or carrots and hummus! 

4) Sleep!

Pulling an “all-nighter” is frequent in the chaotic life of a college student. Staying up all night to cram in last-minute studying for the big exam. What students don’t realize is that a good night's sleep is far more beneficial than those few extra hours of studying. Sleep deficiently can actually make it more difficult to retain and remember information. To avoid this set a mandatory bedtime for yourself and stick to it! 

5) Go get your flu shot 

UMass gives their students plenty of opportunities to get their flu shot at one of their flu vaccination clinics. Take a few minutes of your day now rather than risk being out sick for a week in the future. If needles scare you, bring a friend to hold your hand! They can get their shot too and will thank you later when they are healthy and happy. 

It is easy to forget to take care of yourself but following and establishing these habits can help. Your number one priority should be maintaining your physical and emotional health. Put the book down and drink some water, go for a walk, have a snack, or take a nap. Start remembering to put yourself first!

My Transition: High School to UMass

By: Lara Pereira 

College is greatly different from high school. As a first-generation college student, everything is a new experience. I did not know what to expect when coming to UMass, but the transition has been much better than I expected. In High School, the schedule is laid out for you. We attend class, lunch, club meetings, and sports practices at the same time every day. We are stuck in a schedule that is made for us using a standardized system. College on the other hand is the complete opposite of this.

I did not expect to have as much free time as I do. It is almost shocking how much time I have every day to do what I’d like, yet somehow it still feels so short. In High School, the days dragged, but in college, the time flies and you don’t even realize how much time has passed until you notice. Luckily, my schedule is spread out enough that I have had the opportunity to take time to myself. I even developed a workout schedule, which is something I did not do in High School. I also have time for clubs and time to study after class so I can enjoy the night to relax or hang out with friends.

The workload was also a major transition. High School seemed to be a lot of work, but it is drastically different from college. College is very fast-paced, so you have no option but to keep up with the pace and not fall behind. Luckily, I have been managing my time well. I was always a big planner in High School, so I have been adopting my organizational skills from there.

Socializing is also very different than before, specifically in classes. In High School, I knew everyone in my classes for the most part, but not everyone in my school because it was a very big high school. But now, I am on a large campus where I have very little connections with my classmates. However, I have been able to make new friends at clubs and around where I live. College is overall a never-ending camp where I get to see my friends everyday, but instead of following a schedule, I make my own.

Coming to college is a major transformation and a big routine changer. But with the right people, mindset, and goals, it is conquerable and everything begins to fall into place. There have been bumps here and there (mental breakdowns, Google Maps not loading, not finding a table at Berk, etc.) but they are part of the growing and learning process which luckily never ends. I am grateful to be part of clubs and a living community where I can relate to others and be able to share my voice.

The Best Fall Activities: Amherst Edition

By Callie MacPherson

It’s officially spooky season out here in Amherst! Everyone has their favorite fall activity at home, whether it be apple picking with friends or hiking through the fall foliage. I am here to help you make the most of your fall season here on campus with all of the best activities to do around Amherst.

Amherst can be absolutely breath-taking, and now is the prime time to experience all of the fall foliage. If you want to feel one with nature, I recommend renting bikes with a group of friends--valley share electric bikes are so much fun--or taking a nice jog through the bike trail in Amherst. It surprises me how many people are unaware of this beautiful path! This is a great way to stay active on the weekends and experience the crisp fall air. The bike trail is about one mile from campus, right past the plaza with CVS and the Big Y. If you want to immerse yourself even more in nature this fall, grab some friends and head over to Mount Holyoke State park. It is only about a 10-15 minute drive from campus and a great hiking experience. You will not want to miss out on the view of campus surrounded by all the fall foliage.

If hiking and biking isn’t your ideal “fun fall day”, I have some more suggestions! You could take a drive to one of the many pick your own apple orchards in the area. I suggest doing your research beforehand because only a few orchards offer the warm and delicious apple cider donuts--I suggest Apex orchards in Shelbourne. You could also walk downtown to Glazed Doughnut Shop for some of the best apple cider donuts only 5 minutes from campus. Pro tip: ask for them warmed up! 

If you and a couple friends want to switch up your usual weekend routines, take a drive or a Peter Pan bus to Six Flags! Fright Fest is the best way to get into the spooky spirit, also while going on some of the best rides in New England. 

I definitely recommend making an effort to get off campus and enjoy the fall season before it’s too late. Sooner than later, we will be snowed in for the long winter months!