REMINDER: Application Deadline Fast Approaching!

Still thinking about a Public Health major?  Well, don't delay any longer!  Applications are due this THURSDAY (March 1st).  The clock is ticking... click here to review the application.

IdeaLab: The Sustainable University

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student passionate about protecting and preserving the planet and interested in learning how to create an innovation or viable business that addresses critical sustainability issues on your university campus?  We invite you to apply to attend NCIIA's IdeaLab:  The Sustainable University. You'll learn how to develop and commercialize products and innovations that promote and support productive and environmentally sustainable universities.

IdeaLab is a new, intensive, experiential workshop for students that takes you through a highly dynamic process proven to create viable initiatives and business concepts.

You will explore ideas in a highly creative environment, learn to evaluate them and quickly iterate to come up with the best solution to a problem or opportunity. You'll form a team and determine the next steps to move your idea forward. Serious teams committed to advancing their idea may receive some seed funds.

The application deadline is March 1 and the event will be held on March 30-April 1 & April 20-22, 2012.

Visit their webpage to learn more!

Network with UMass Alumni in Public Service and Politics

Nine alumni involved in federal, state and local politics will take part in Leap into Politics, a night of networking for students interested in campaigns, public service and political careers, on Wednesday, February 29 at 6:00pm in the Student Union's Cape Cod Lounge.

Leap into Politics is an alumni networking event for students interested in political careers, campaigns, or public services. Please join us for a night of speed-networking with alums who are now leaders in local and state government.

Alumni scheduled to take part are Michael Clark '12 of the Longmeadow School Committee; Rebecca Lisi '14, a Holyoke city councilor; Roger Lau '00, deputy state director for Sen. John Kerry; state Rep. Paul Mark '08 of Pittsfield (right); David Narkewicz '90, mayor of Northampton; Pavel Payano '07 of the Lawrence School Committee; state Sen. Stan Rosenberg '77 of Amherst; Aaron Saunders '03, a selectman in Ludlow, and Joseph Sullivan '81, mayor of Braintree.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Political Science, Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Undergraduate Board and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

RSVP with your name and class year to Michelle Goncalves at mgoncalves@polsci.umass.edu.

Weekly Preview: February 27 - March 2

The Mid-Semester date is approaching!  Stay tuned for information on W Drop and Pass/Fail.

The final Public Health Information Session will be on Monday, February 27 at 4:45pm in Room 201 LGRC.  The deadline to complete the Public Health application is Thursday, March 1.   

The next R1 (Tier 1) Basic Math Skills Exemption Test will be on Monday, February 27 at 6:30pm in Marcus 131.  Your student ID and a #2 pencil are required. A calculator is recommended.  The final exemption test of the semester will be held on Monday, April 30.

The next RefWorks workshop will be on Tuesday, February 28 at 3:30pm in W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Room 1620. Contact refworks@library.umass.edu or 413 545 0150 to register or ask questions.

There will be a Regional Economic Models Inc. Information Session on Tuesday, February 28 at 5:00pm in 419 Goodell.  Come speak with REMI representatives about their available internship opportunities. REMI has consistently hired UMass interns for years and looks to continue that relationship with you.  For more information, contact Career Services at ccnhelp@acad.umass.edu or 413 545 2224.

The Spring 2012 Final Exam Schedule will be posted on SPIRE on Thursday, March 1.  We'll post information about exam conflicts and tips on time management soon.

Take a break from studying at UMass Night Out on Thursday, March 1 starting at 7:00pm.  Music, theater, games, food and more!

Upcoming Events

March 7 Hospitality & Tourism Management Career Day. 

You must have 20 copies of your resume in order to attend.  Visit Career Services now to prepare.

March 13 - Last day to W Drop or change a class to Pass/Fail

March 13 - Writing Placement Test

March 16 - Deadline to declare Sociology in order to take for Fall 2012 majors only classes

**REMINDER**Student Panel TODAY 4-5PM Campus Ctr Rm 101

The first of three Student Panels sponsored by the Undergraduate Advising Office is TODAY!

Campus Center Room 101, 4-5PM. Click here for more info!

Foods to Help you Study by Ashley K.

Hi everyone! I am Ashley K. I’m an undergraduate peer advisor for undeclared students. Here is some advice that I read and saw in multiple articles about foods that help you study. I’ve tried out a couple during past midterms and have seen great results due to it. Enjoy!

Foods to Help you Study

Now that the dreaded midterms and papers are on the way, most students rely on energy drinks, soda (diet coke was always my go to), coffee and junk food to keep them going through long nights at the Dubois Library. Yet, all of this junk students are eating may not be helping them study and are definitely not helping their bodies.

Caffeine: There is nothing wrong with a cup of coffee. Coffee allows you to be more alert and keeps you focused. When one cup suddenly turns to six, then there is a problem. Caffeine in moderation is important because once you go overboard you will just become jumpy and uncomfortable.
Dark Chocolate: I know what you’re thinking, chocolate! Yes, this delicious treat has powerful antioxidant properties and a natural caffeine stimulus. Just remember, moderation is the key.

Oranges: This fruit is my personal favorite. The sugar in oranges, and I am not talking about the sugar you find in cookies but glucose, which is the brain’s favorite fuel of choice.  Drinking some orange juice or even just eating a piece of orange can offer short-term memory boost, thinking processes and mental ability.
Breakfast: I am sure that this is not the first time you have heard this. Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast improves short-term memory and attention. Great breakfast foods include high-fiber grain, dairy and fruits.


I hope what you have noticed in these foods is that they offer short-term memory. I am not suggesting that these foods will magically help you memorize everything for your test the night before or write your 10 page paper for you 3 hours before its due. These nutritional tips are meant to aid you in your already good study habits that you should have such as:

            -Planning.

            -Starting ahead.

            -Balancing the workload so that you only have to do a little a day instead of a cram session.

-Sleeping!!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!

Student Panels--You Are More Than Your Major!

If you've ever been interested in a major but have hesitated because you wondered "what can I do with it after I graduate?," or if you want to get some inspiration for ways to do more than just meet requirements for your major, this is a good opportunity to come and hear how some of your peers have begun to address just that.

The Undergraduate Advising Office is sponsoring three student panel events this semester. These panels will consist of upper class students discussing the ways in which they came to choosing a major, declaring that major, and their varied experiences that have helped them get the most of what UMass has to offer--within their major and beyond. Items such as internships, volunteering, domestic exchange, study abroad, five college courses, minors, certificate programs, and RSOs will be covered. The panelists will also discuss how participating in these activities has shaped and enhanced their academic life and begun to prepare them for life after graduation. The schedule of events is below.

 *Please note the room change for the second panel on March 7

YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR MAJOR! 

 

Weekly Preview for February 20 - 24

Monday, Februrary 20 - Presidents' Day - No Classes
The rest of the week will follow a normal class schedule.  The Academic Advising Link will be closed on Sunday and Monday.

The next RefWorks workshop will be on Tuesday, February 21 at 11:15am in the 3rd floor classroom of the Science & Engineering Library. 

Public Health Info Sessions will be held on Tuesday, February 2/21 at 5:15pm, Wednesday, February 2/22 at 4:45pm, and Monday, February 2/27 at 4:45pm in Room 201 LGRC.  Are you interested in declaring Public Health as your major or switching to Public Health from another major? If so, applications are due March 1st!  You should attend one of the info sessions to learn more.

Know Your Rights!   A lively and interactive Q&A about what your rights are during police encounters, featuring Attorney Corey Carvalho from the Student Legal Services Office and Officer Mark Whelihan from the UMPD. Tuesday, February 21 from 6:30pm – 8:00 pm in the Baker Conference Rooom, Central Residential Area.

U@UMass: You Are More Than Your Major!  Maximize your academic program! In this panel presentation, upper class students will talk about their specific major, minor, and certificate, and how they got there.  They will also talk about related experiences - study abroad, domestic exchange, Five-College Interchange, internships/field work, community service, research opportunities, RSO involvement, etc. - that have enhanced and furthered their academic experience. The first panel will be held on Thursday, February 23 from 4:00pm – 5:00pm in Room 101 of the Campus Center.  This event will be held again on Wednesday March 7 and Wednesday March 28. 

Join Derrick P. Alridge for the 18th Annual Du Bois Lecture "Ideas Have Consequences: The Radical Pedagogy of W.E.B. Du Bois". His talk will explore Du Bois’s many meanings of pedagogy and offer a genealogy of Du Bois’s ideas about a variety of issues faced by black Americans during the 20th century. Thursday, February 23, 4:30pm in the Student Union Cape Cod Lounge.

Wondering how to leverage your Economics degree? Come network with successful alumni who have done just that and learn how many different ways your degree can shape your career path!  Register for the Economics Career Networking Night being held on Thursday, February 23 at 5:30pm in Memorial Hall.  Space is limited; register today!

  Upcoming events and deadlines

March 1 - Deadline to declare Public Health for Fall 2012
March 1 - Applications due for 2012 - 2013 Fall and Spring Domestic Exchange
March 1 - Spring 2012 Final Exam Schedule will be posted on SPIRE
March 7 - Hospitality & Tourism Management Career Day 
You must have 20 copies of your resume in order to attend.  Visit Career Services now to prepare.
March 10 - Fall 2012 enrollment appointments should be available on SPIRE
March 13 - Last day to W Drop or change a class to Pass/Fail
March 13 - Writing Placement Test
March 16 - Deadline to declare Sociology for Fall 2012
March 20 - The Fall 2012 course schedule should be available on SPIRE

Apply Now for Your 2012 - 2013 Domestic Exchange!

Want to try a different school for a semester or a year?  Have you wanted to explore different parts of the country?  Try a Domestic Exchange!  The National Student Exchange is a network of over 180 universities and colleges in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can study at another college or university, live in another geographic area, and access courses and facilities not offered at UMass. 

Here's what some past UMass participants have to say about the program:

"I took a fun variety of classes that challenged me and taught me some cool new skills.  I met some interesting new people and made friends that will last me a lifetime. If I could do it again, I definitely would!"

"Best experience of my life."

"I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about doing an exchange to go for it.  It truly is a huge, personal growing experience."

"It was the best decision I have ever made. I had the most AMAZING four months. In a completely new culture, new climate, and new state, I found what I want out of life."

With so many schools and programs to choose from, this is a great opportunity to try something new.  Visit NSE to search schools by area or major and come to an information session to learn more.  It is mandatory to come to an information session in order to get your application.

 

Information Sessions are being held in Goodell 613 on Wednesdays at 4:45pm and Thursdays and Fridays at 2:30pm.

Applications for Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 are due Thursday, March 1, 2012. 

Public Health Info Sessions

Are you interested in declaring Public Health as your major or switching to Public Health from another major? If so, applications are due March 1st!  You should attend one of the following info sessions to learn more:

Wednesday, 2/15 at 3:30 in room 201 LGRC

Tuesday, 2/21 at 5:15

Wednesday, 2/22 at 4:45

Monday, 2/27 at 4:45

Locations for the later info sessions will follow soon--stay tuned.

TRANSFERmation Thursday

The third Thursday of the month is a special night for transfer students in the Off Campus Student Center. Stop by and learn more about UMass Amherst, connect with other students and check-in on your transfer experience! Each night will explore a specific topic while you enjoy a free meal and get entered in a raffle.

On Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, join in to learn more about academics, resources, campus organizations and clubs.  The OCSC is in Room 208 of the Student Union, across from the Hatch and next to the Craft Center.

Questions?  Send an email to ocsc@stuaf.umass.edu or call 413 577 1005.

Weekly Preview: February 13 - 17

There will be a RefWorks workshop on Thursday, February 16 at 4:00pm in the DuBois Library, Room 1620.  Attending a RefWorks workshop will teach you how to manage your citations and create automatic bibliographies. 

It looks like it will be a somewhat quiet week.  Now's a good time to meet with your professors and TAs, check in with Career Services, or learn more about International Programs or Domestic Exchange.

Don't forget about the Learning Resource Center!  Need a some help or want to stay on top of your work?  Check out the Tutor Schedule and Supplemental Instruction Schedule.

The Writing Center is also ready to serve your needs!  Make an appointment and get help during any part of the writing process.

And, as always, you can meet with Peer Advisors in the Academic Advising Link or make an appointment to meet with an Undergraduate Advisor to talk about majors, academic issues, and where to go to access the information you need to succeed.

It's the beginning of February.

Now that Add Drop is over, the semester's completely underway, but you probably haven't yet done any major assignments. It's the perfect time to meet faculty. Their office hours won't be crowded and they'll be happy to see your interest.
Teaching assistants and teachers can be valuable resources to you. They can write recommendations, explain assignments, and provide other guidance. They can help you find and follow your interests.
Professors are people too. Go and meet them!

Thinking about declaring Sociology?

Sociology is an open major, but has a limited window of opportunity in which you can declare each semester. This semester's window opens TODAY and runs through Friday, March 16th.  If you want to pursue upper-level courses/requirements for the major in the Fall, you should declare by March 16th to gain access to the widest range of course options. You can declare by going to the Sociology office in 720 or 722 Thompson Hall to have a Change of Major Form completed.

Career Fair Time!

The Career Services Office sponsors a number of career fairs throughout the year - and several will be happening in this week.

As the Career Services website tells you, many employers use career fairs to promote their job opportunities and to pre-screen applicants. Most of these fairs consist of booths and tables staffed by recruiters and other representatives from each organization. For students, a fair can be an excellent place to gather information about potential employers, make contacts that could lead to a job, learn more about an employer’s application process, and discover new options.

Not sure how to proceed? Stop by Career Services (5th floor, Goodell), take a look at their website, and/or download their handouts on "Make Your First Professional Contacts at the Career Fair" and "Sell Yourself at the Career Fair" for tips on making the most of these events. 

Take advantage of the ALANA Career Fair and Career Blast 2012 this week.  Even if you aren't looking for a job this summer or next year, it's a great way to meet new contacts and practice your networking skills.

Add/Drop Ends On Monday!

Add/Drop ends Monday, February 6 at 10PM!

You can make changes to your schedule via SPIRE until then. After that point you can no longer add or drop courses through SPIRE and it will require additional paperwork/permissions to change your schedule.

Don't wait until the last minute to make any necessary adjustments!

And remember, not attending a class doesn't mean you've dropped it! Just to be sure, double check your schedule on SPIRE before 10PM on Monday to make sure everything looks as you expect it should.

As always, if you have any questions about your schedule, you should see an advisor. Undeclared students can set up an appointment by calling (413) 545-2191. Undergraduate Advising also has Drop-In hours daily from 10:30-11:30am and 3-4:00pm.

Learning Resource Center--FREE Tutoring

The Learning Resource Center (LRC), located on the 10th floor of the library,OPENS SUNDAY FEB 5th! The LRC offers UMass Amherst students free peer-to-peer tutoring in lots of different courses! You can also participate in Supplemental Instruction sessions for several math, science, and economics courses. Tutors and Supplemental Instruction Leaders are available Sundays-Thursdays 1:00 PM-10 PM.




Don't wait until you've fallen behind--check out the schedule for your course tutoring times!

Weekly Preview: February 6 - 10

The first major deadline of the semester is this week!  You must complete all changes to your Spring class schedule (adds,drops, swaps) by Monday, February 6 at 10:00pm.  Double-check your enrollment to make sure it is complete and correct.  After Monday's deadline, changes require a petition through your Academic Dean.  You have until the mid-semester W Drop date to change a class to Pass/Fail.

Five College registration paperwork is due in 613 Goodell by 5:00pm on Monday, February 6.  Read this earlier post to find out more about taking a Five College class. 

Career Services will be offering Resume Editing and Interview Tips on Monday, February 6 from 12:00pm – 2:00pm, in the Off Campus Student Center in Room 208 in the Student Union (across from The Hatch).  Sign up for 15 minutes of one-on-one time and get help perfecting your resume and learn some tips to use at the upcoming career fairs. Sign up ahead of time to reserve your block of time by emailing ocsc@stuaf.umass.edu or calling 413-577-1005.  This event is open to all students, but you must register.

Students interested in Sociology can start declaring on Thursday, February 7.  The last day to declare in order to take majors-only classes in Fall 2012 will be on Friday, March 16.  For more information, stop by 720 Thompson Hall or visit their website.

The ALANA Career Fair will be held on Tuesday, February 7 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm in the Student Union Ballroom.  There will be more than 50 prestigious national leading companies representing career opportunities ranging from engineering, computer science, and business to social science and education. The ALANA Career Fair is an efficient tool for all students from all majors to gain knowledge of the job industry and build a network with business professionals.  Bring your resume and dress for success!

The Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) will sponsor a workshop on Managing Career Stress on Tuesday, February 7 at 4:00pm in the Campus Center, Room 905-09.  There will be a second workshop to learn how to Dress for Success at 6:00pm in 201 Wilder Hall. 

On Tuesday, February 7 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm on the Campus Center 10th Floor, there will be a Meet & Greet Employers Event.  Make connections with recruiters and UMass alumni in a variety of career fields.  Interested students will need to RSVP to attend: ccnhelp@acad.umass.edu.  Students who are registered should arrive promptly at 6:15pm. Refreshments will be served. Bring copies of your resume and dress professionally. 

Career networking continues with Career Blast 2012 on Wednesday, February 8 from 10:00am - 3:00pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.  Learn more about full time employment, internships, co-ops, and summer jobs.  Over 90 organizations will be represented.  Come prepared by reviewing the organizations that will be attending, dress professionally, plan on enough time to visit organizations of interest, ask well-researched questions, and give out flawless resumes.  Some employers do schedule follow-up interviews, so have your schedule available.

The next RefWorks workshop will be on Friday, Feb 10 at 9:00am in the Science & Engineering 3rd floor classroom.  For more information: refworks@library.umass.edu or 413 545 0150.