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!

Pushing Through those Mid-Semester Blues

By: Payton Wright

Every college student has fallen victim to a case of the Sunday Scaries at some point, most more than once. Once the initial back-to-campus excitement and energy settles down it can be difficult to stay motivated. Exams are starting, assignment deadlines are coming up faster than you can keep track of, you’re stressed, tired, and probably starting to get home sick. With Columbus Day right around the corner, I am here to give you some tips to reenergize and refocus, so you can get back on track to ace this semester.

The first step I always take to “getting my life together” is sitting down in a quiet, comfortable place.  Whether it’s your bed, desk, favorite floor of DuBois or the Isenberg Hub – just make sure the distractions are minimal. Take out your planner, update/add assignments, quizzes, and exams. Then, prioritize, so you have a better idea of what needs to be done immediately, and what you can worry about later. Visually seeing what needs to be done can help simplify the information and pinpoint your focus on the top priority.

I’ll admit, that step can make you feel even more overwhelmed than before when you see all the upcoming assignments you have to complete. That’s okay. Step away from the planner. Get some fresh air, a good workout in, watch an episode of your favorite show, or talk to a friend.  Whatever you need to do to come back with a clear mind. 

Now how the next step goes is up to you, you can allow yourself to become overwhelmed and welcome the negative thoughts of “it’s impossible” or “I’ll never get all this done” to take over OR you can make the conscious decision to turn those thoughts into positive, attainable affirmations. You are more than capable of whatever equation, writing prompt, or study guide is staring back at you. It is all a matter of initiative, focus, and maybe a little will power.

Personally, I have begun to try and find the excitement in everything I do to fuel my motivation to keep working. Right now, I find myself using my eagerness to find an internship I am truly passionate about to push myself to keep working hard. Finding a purpose to be proud of the work you are putting in will make school much more enjoyable than simply passing in assignments to get by.

The stress will pass, as it always does, and soon enough that to-do list will be all checked off. The real trick is being able to identify when you are allowing that list to take over you, and then realizing that you are the only person who can control how it is handled. It can be easy to get buried in schoolwork. Taking the time to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and appreciate the work it took to get where you are will not only validate all of the work you have done but will motivate you to keep it up!

“So many people wait to feel ‘motivated’ before they do anything. Here’s a newsflash: happy productive people do not wait for motivation, they just get on with it'' 

- Marie Forleo