Eric's Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving Break and the Emotional Tolls

Hey Everyone! Thanksgiving break is coming up in a few weeks, and for some of you, it might be your first time going home this semester! Thanksgiving break can be a very emotional time between seeing family, explaining how you manage to live in a 11x12 room, and explaining to your parents what you plan on doing in college. Here are some ways to prepare for the trip home and the trip back!

1) Explaining To Your Parents You Are Undeclared:
  We all have that fear about our parents and grandparents asking us,"What are you majoring in? What is that going to do for you when you graduate?" This can be particularly scary for undeclared students. I don't blame you: I was in your shoes when I was undeclared. But here is the thing, BEING UNDECLARED IS NOT A BAD THING! Many people at UMass are undeclared and around 80% of declared students change their major! You can tell them what classes you like, and let them know you are receiving help and exploring many different major possibilities along the way! At our site we have a sheet that relates interest to majors. Check that out and if your parents ask show them it! The more you prepare to answer those awkward questions the more impressive you will look! Also check the UMass website to explore your desired major and see not only what that major entails, but also if it sounds interesting to you.

2) Try To Enjoy The Thanksgiving Break, but Not Too Much:
  It is nice to hear that you have a 4-day break, but that doesn't mean that once it hits school is over. Classes are going to start the next Monday after as if you didn't have a break at all! Don't fall out of the rhythm! You can enjoy the break and still keep sharp with school. Try to stay motivated to keep up with your work. Keep in contact with your roommate and new friends here and ask how they are doing. Thanksgiving is a nice break in the semester but it doesn't mean it's over yet!

3) The Journey Back:
  Some people have a hard time leaving home to go back to school again. They don't want to leave their warm house and pets to go back to a small dorm room, but it has to happen. You still have to finish the semester and get through finals. You have come so far already this semester and have situated yourself in the UMass community. Your parents will be proud to see you overcoming your fear and pushing through the hard times to get where you have to be. If you found the strength to move in on day one, then you can come back after Thanksgiving break!

But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown. -Marcie

Resource Economics- Info Session Thursday November 20th!

In order to declare Resource Economics you must attend an Info Session. So, if this is a major on your mind you should attend an Info Session, this Thursday, 11/20 at 4pm in Stockbridge 303! 

In the meantime, explore the "So You Want to Be a Resource Economics Major?" section of the department's website. If you like what you read there and like what you hear at the Info Session, complete an Online Statement of Interest by Wednesday, 11/26 online in order to access spring classes as a Res Ec major.

Civil & Environmental Engineering and Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Information Session

Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, classes will not be held today and most university offices are closed. Don't forget that Wednesday, November 12th will be a Tuesday schedule! The rest of the week will follow a normal schedule. The Academic Advising Link in the lower level of the library will be open for normal hours, so feel free to stop by with any advising questions!

Resource Economics Info Session 11/14 at 12:20pm in Stockbridge 303.

In order to declare Resource Economics you must attend an Info Session. So, if this is a major on your mind you should attend an Info Session, this Friday, 11/14 at 12:20pm in Stockbridge 303! 

In the meantime, explore the "So You Want to Be a Resource Economics Major?" section of the department's website. If you like what you read there and like what you hear at the Info Session, complete an Online Statement of Interest by Wednesday, 11/26 online in order to access spring classes as a Res Ec major.

Writing Placement Exam Info!

Students who want to register for English Writing 112 in Spring 2015 need to take the Writing Placement Exam by November 12 to receive their results by November 20!  The Writing Placement Exam is now offered online.  To access the Writing Placement Exam, log in to OWL, select Assignment List from the Course Home Page, and choose Writing Placement Exam. Contact owl-help@cesd.umass.edu with any problems logging in or accessing the exam.  ENGLWRIT112, College Writing, is the only course at UMass Amherst that fulfills the First Year Writing (CW) General Education requirement. To enroll in ENGLWRIT112, you must first take the Writing Placement Exam.  

Sociology Deadline!

Wednesday, November 12 is the deadline to declare Sociology in order to take majors only classes in the Spring.  For more information and to declare, contact the Sociology Undergraduate Advising Office in 712 Thompson, or the Sociology Peer Advisors in 722 Thompson.

Weekly Preview: November 10 - November 14

Tuesday, November 11 is Veterans Day.  Classes are not held and most university offices are closed.  Wednesday, November 12 will be a Tuesday schedule.  The rest of the week will follow a normal schedule.  The Academic Advising Link will be open normal hours.  

UMass Veteran Services will be holding a Warrior Breakfast on Monday, November 10 from 8:00am - 11:00 am in Memorial Hall.  All current and former military members are invited to join in camaraderie at the annual Warriors Breakfast. Dependents of current and former service members are also welcome! Join key leaders from campus to talk about being a veteran, or about current events and services on campus.  For more information, contact David Vacchi at dvacchi@acad.umass.edu or 413-545-0939. 

Thinking about Pre-Med or Pre-Dental?  There will be a one-hour information session for pre-med/pre-dent students on Monday, November 10 from 10:15am - 11:15am in 163C Campus Center.  If you have questions, contact Cathy Eden at ceden@cns.umass.edu.

Wednesday, November 12 is the deadline to declare Sociology in order to take majors only classes in the Spring.  For more information and to declare, contact the Sociology Undergraduate Advising Office in 712 Thompson, or the Sociology Peer Advisors in 722 Thompson.

Students who want to register for English Writing 112 in Spring 2015 need to take the Writing Placement Exam by November 12 to receive their results by November 20!  The Writing Placement Exam is now offered online.  To access the Writing Placement Exam, log in to OWL, select Assignment List from the Course Home Page, and choose Writing Placement Exam. Contact owl-help@cesd.umass.edu with any problems logging in or accessing the exam.  ENGLWRIT112, College Writing, is the only course at UMass Amherst that fulfills the First Year Writing (CW) General Education requirement. To enroll in ENGLWRIT112, you must first take the Writing Placement Exam.  

Join ALANA for Careers in Library and Information Science Networking Night on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm in Room 2601 of the Du Bois Library.  The Careers in Library and Information Science Networking Night is an ALANA (African, Latino, Asian and Native American) diversity recruitment event for students to learn about regional library science graduate programs and funding opportunities, hear from professionals in the field, and get a chance to interact with librarians and library school representatives.

Are you hoping to become an Engineering major?  There will be two information sessions for interested students this month.

• Civil & Environmental Engineering and Mechanical & Industrial Engineering will meet on Thursday, November 13 at 5:30pm.  
• Electrical & Computer Engineering and Chemical Engineering will meet on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00pm.  

Both sessions will be in 604 Goodell.  Bring a copy of your unofficial transcript!

Are you interested in Public Health and want to know more about the major?  You're in luck!  There will be an information session for all prospective students on Thursday, November 13 at 5:00pm in the Campus Center, Room 911.  If you are a first year or transfer student majoring in Public Health, be sure to go to Public Health Enrollment 101!  The workshop will be held on Monday, November 17 at 5:00pm in the Du Bois Library, Room 720.

Do you want to be a Resource Economics major?  There will be an information session on Friday, November 14 at 12:20pm in 303 Stockbridge.  Students must attend an information session and complete the Online Statement of Interest before being invited to schedule an advising appointment to complete the change of major process.  There will be one more meeting on Thursday, November 20 at 4:00pm.  Your Statement of Interest is due online by Wednesday, November 26 in order to register for Spring 2015 courses as a Resource Economics major.

Five College Interchange

Ready to take a course at Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke, or Smith?

Pre-registration requests are being accepted in 613 Goodell from November 12-November 21. These dates may be different than your UMass enrollment appointment! Anyone can request to pre-register starting on November 12 even if they can't start enrolling in UMass classes until later.

The registration procedure for Five College Interchange classes is different from your regular UMass enrollment process. Once you find the course(s) you want,read the detailed instructions on our website very carefully. The Five College Enrollment Request Form is available on your SPIRE account under enrollment in the main menu. Fill out the form online, but it must be submitted to the UMass Five College Interchange office located in 613 Goodell.

Important information:

• You must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• You must be registering for at least one 3-credit UMass course.
• You also have an opportunity to register for Five College Interchange classes during the UMass add/drop period in the Spring. So this is not your only opportunity to register!
• You can only pre-register by handing in two copies of your interchange request form to the UMass Five College Interchange office located in 613 Goodell.
• Make sure you read the course description for each course which gives important information like "instructor consent" which would mean you would need the instructor's signature to pre-register for that course.
• Pre-registration is a request; you do not find out your enrollment status immediately.

Questions? Visit our website, come see us in 613 Goodell, call us at 413 545 5352 or send an email to 5collreg@acad.umass.edu.

Dr. Shakti Butler- Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity