num_pages: 180
description: Introduction from the AuthorAt this point, four years is probably close to 20 percent of your life, so you can imagine how important college will be. Just because everyone in the world appears to go to UMass doesn’t mean UMass is for everyone in the world. And like everything, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst is undergoing significant changes, not the least of which are financial. So, if I have done my job, the way these changes may potentially shape the experiences people have at this particular school will be expressed in the following pages.With that said, “the Zoo,” a.k.a. UMass, is a great school in a lot of respects. Because of the variety in people, subjects, and ideas you will find here, UMass epitomizes the world you live in and the people you’ll work with upon graduation. Keep in mind that Amherst is a college town, and this is conducive to world-class parties, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. However, out of all the advantages over other schools UMass has to offer, the one that pertained most to me was the level of assistance UMass has for those classified as being “undecided majors.” Through an extensive array of general education requirements, first-year students get exposed to hundreds of subjects and different ways of thinking.There is no single “UMass culture.” Each residential living area and off-campus apartment complex has a different theme that you will soon become aware of and eventually prefer. Therefore, being open-minded at UMass is essential in avoiding the feeling of being overwhelmed. Certain academic departments here are strong and nationally acclaimed, and certain academic departments here are not. This will also become apparent as you read through this book.One thing about UMass you can be sure of is that you won’t be the same person when you graduate that you were when you got there, for better or worse. UMass is an exciting place, and more importantly, it is not your parents’ house! So, don’t focus too heavily on the many easily avoidable negative aspects of UMass, and always remember that you are also there to have fun.Seth Pouliot, AuthorUniversity of Massachusetts
language: English
title: University of Massachusetts: Off the Record - College Prowler
titlecomplete: University of Massachusetts: Off the Record - College Prowler
publisher: College Prowler