Dealing with Stress at School

Author: Gabriella Sears

In such a fast-paced environment, it is so easy to become stressed about work load, grades, social life, and any other inconveniences life decides to throw at you! Below are some sure-fire ways to diminish stress and keep going when the going gets tough!

1.    Talk it Out! 

One of the best ways to cope with stress is by talking to a close friend or family. By discussing your problems, it is easier to acknowledge and deal with them. Your friends and family can also offer their own advice on how they deal with stress. In addition, talking about things going on at home or in their lives can make you forget about your own for a moment!

(UMass also offers 3 free therapy sessions!)

2.    Hit the Gym!

Although you may have what seems like a million things to do, hitting the gym is a great way to relieve stress and clear your head. It’s also great to gather some friends and take a class together at the Rec Center! In addition to relieving stress, you’ll also be keeping your body active and healthy.

3.    Make a To-Do List

It may seem cliché but making to-do lists and writing down tasks in the order you need to do them will help you cross things off your list efficiently. Start with small things and work your way up to bigger things based on importance. Things can be as simple as doing laundry, and as difficult as studying for exam. Decide what is most important for you to get done, and you’ll be crossing off tasks in no time!

4.    Take a Moment for Yourself

With so much going on, it is important to maintain good mental health. You cannot complete the things you need to do if you are sick or in a bad state of mind. To fix this, take a small amount of time to do something for yourself whether it’s going for a walk, watching an episode of your favorite TV show, listening to some music, or taking a nice nap.

5.    Take a Deep Breath

It’s easy to get caught up in all of the things you have to do, but you have to remind yourself that you will get all of it done. Think about all of the college students in the same boat as you and remind yourself that you are not alone! Take a moment out of your day to look at the bigger picture, and realize that you will complete everything, although it may take some time.

#GIRLBOSS Review

Author: Cat Simonds

Calling all “#GIRLBOSS”es !!!

This past summer I picked up the book #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso expecting to mindlessly browse it while laying on the beach. After the first chapter I was hooked, Amoruso’s writing was honest, relevant, and extremely inspiring to me. Lessons I learned from reading will stick with me throughout my life and career in business.

Now what exactly is a #GIRLBOSS? Amoruso answers this question telling the story of how her life changed completely after establishing a rudimentary E-Bay shop selling vintage clothes. This small business run by one eventually turned into a multimillion dollar company with over four hundred employees. Sophia’s rise to success while influential also comes with many life lessons in which she teaches over the course of the novel. Although some of the decisions she made in her life may have been questionable, Sophia explains to readers that sometimes it is okay to break the rules and that there is no one perfect way to build a successful business or company from the ground up. By addressing and including the stories of other effective business women Amoruso displays a variety of lessons and a plethora of advice for her readers apart from her own experiences. On top of that each chapter begins with an uplifting image depicting a “girl-boss” at work. These images all scream girl power which is something so pertinent and necessary in the business world currently dominated by men.

Sophia Amoruso quickly became an inspiration to me following reading her book and learning her story. #GIRLBOSS gives hope to those who may be at their lowest and push us women to do what we want when we want in order to get ahead in the world. I strongly recommend that every girl read this book and explore all that #GIRLBOSS has to offer. From girlboss.com to Girlboss the Netflix original series, the rise of Nasty Gal presents so much more than cute clothes and fashion advice. We all are “#GIRLBOSS”es and should rock that title with immense pride every single day.

Summer 2018 Bucket List

Author: Tyler Spellman

As the stressful school year comes to a close, I bet everyone is looking forward to a relaxing summer. Although we are done with homework and studying for exams, most college students know that summer break also means going to work. To break up those weekly shifts, I have created a summer 2018 bucket list to work into your summer schedules. It is extremely important to find time for friends, fun, and sun during summer vacation.

1.    Relax on the beach

Living twenty minutes from the coast, relaxing at the beach is always for me during the summer. From the hot sand, to the wavy, salty ocean, the beach is a perfect place to unwind and get a nice, summer tan. No matter where you live, getting to a beach or even lakeside is the perfect day trip for you and your friends. Pack a cooler with drinks, sandwiches, and fruit and you are all set.

2.    Bonfire

Personally, summer is not complete without having a bonfire. Whether it is in the backyard of your house or a nice spot on the beach, a nighttime bonfire always makes people happy. Of course, a bonfire cannot be complete without smores.

3.    Summer Concert

The best part about summer break is the warm weather. After a long, bitter cold winter at UMass, I am always searching for exciting, outdoor activities to soak up the warm sun. An outdoor summer concert is a great way to have a fun time with a group of friends, wear a cute summer outfit, and listen to some good music. One of my favorite moments of the summer is listening to my favorite country artist sing live in 75-degree weather.

4.    Baseball Game

Summer season also means baseball season. Even if you don’t like the sport, going to a baseball game with your friends is definitely a summer bucket list experience. Plus, baseball is much more exciting to watch in person. If you are from Massachusetts and are a Boston Red Sox fan, make sure you get a Fenway Frank to enjoy during it!

5.    Waterfront Dinner

Although the dining hall food is great, it is always a treat to go out to dinner. Eating out with friends over the summer is a nice escape from home-cooked food and dining hall food. Since it is summer, why not enjoy dinner with a nice breeze and a spectacular view. It sets the scene for a light seafood dinner with a refreshing drink. 

6.    Go for a Hike

Working out over the summer can be difficult with busy work schedules and weekend plans, so why not make working out an adventure? You can make working out a fun experience by turning it into a hike. The view at the top will make it well worth the climb.

7.    Go to a Fair

As summer rolls around, so do the local town fairs. Make a night out of it by playing the carnival games and riding the Ferris wheel after dark to see the colorful lights below.

8.    Movie Marathon

It isn’t sunny every day. On those lousy, rainy days, grab your favorite movie series and have a movie marathon. If you are not a huge fan of movies, play your favorite TV series. A lazy day is most definitely needed during a rainy day.

9.    Summer Barbeque

Ever since I was little, the summer menu consisted of cheeseburgers, hotdogs, watermelon, and corn on the cob. Grab your friends and family and host a cookout. Nothing beats food from the grill and fun backyard games. 

10.  Make a Summer Scrapbook

Along the way, make sure you snap a photo of all the fun things you do. At the end of the summer, put them all together into a scrapbook to keep the memories. You will thank yourself later. Hopefully these activities will make your summer fun and eventful. Make summer 2018 your favorite summer!