Entries tagged with “Lowell” from Hawk Talk - Steven

                Hello!

                This has been a great long weekend so far!  After my class yesterday, I decided to go home for a couple nights.  Then, at around five, I get a text message from my friends and they decided to go to the hockey game.  I’m really glad I decided to go back to Lowell to watch the game.  UML won 4-1 over BC!  This is why I love UML.  I am able to live on campus and my house is only a quick 15 minute drive away.  If I decide to go home for a weekend, I can always go back to campus if something exciting is happening. 

                I sent in my application to become a Freshman Orientation Leader for this summer.  The last weekend of February is called Selection Weekend.  I have interviews all weekend.  I’ll update you all on how it goes!

                This week will be very busy for me because I have 3 tests and a lab report due next Monday.  Hopefully I’ll have time to write a quick post on here.  If for some reason I can’t write this week, I hope you all have a great Valentine’s Day and a great week!.  Talk to you soon!

                It finally snowed!  Now it finally feels like the Christmas season!

                Anyway, this has been a pretty busy week or two.  I did end up going to UNH to see some high school friends which was awesome.  I also went to the UML vs. UNH hockey game on Friday night at UNH too, but Lowell lost.  That is what I love about Lowell.  I can go see some friends at almost any local college.  It’s great!  And here at UML, the semester is winding down which means one thing: exams, assignments, and then finals.  I’m not stressed out so I’m feeling pretty good though!

                But back to what everyone cares about: snow.  I actually love snow.  So far, I don’t even mind walking to class in the snow.  Although this afternoon trying to jump over puddles 6 inches deep was an adventure.  Now, it finally feels like winter and the holiday season.  Speaking of holiday season, winter break is coming really fast.  I go home in about 12 days.  My first semester of college is almost over!  I can’t believe it!

                I hope you are all enjoying the snow like all of us here at UML. (Although a snow day would have been awesome…)  And don’t forget, less than 16 more days for Christmas shopping!  Wow, I guess I should get started on the whole shopping thing…

Opening week has been amazing! 

Move-in for freshman was on Saturday August 29 and if you all remember, it was pouring!  The entire day went by very smoothly and move-in was very organized.  UMass Lowell had tons of volunteers ready to help unload cars and bring stuff to the dorm rooms.  I was all settled and unpacked in under an hour.  Other activities on the 29^th included an inspirational speaker named Ed Gerety and a Casino Night.

            On Sunday, upperclassmen moved onto campus.  A couple of friends I made over the weekend and I took a drive to the mall and Nashua, but somehow ended up getting lost in Dracut. (I have no idea how we pulled that one off!) But somehow we reached Nashua and got some stuff for our rooms.  I bought a Ferris Bueller poster, which is one of my favorite movies of all time.  Also on Sunday, another new friends and I explored downtown Lowell and even went in some of the art museums.  I’m usually not that interested in art, but I thought it was pretty cool.  I would add some pictures, but unfortunately, I left my camera in my room.  Sunday was a great day.

            On Monday, the same new friends and I drove to Kimball’s Ice Cream in Westford, Massachusetts.  One of my friends bragged about it so we decided to take a road trip.  I had Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and it was amazing!  If anyone wants to take a ride, I highly advise you to go to Kimball’s.

            On Tuesday (Today), we had our convocation.  It is literally the complete opposite of Commencement.  The university and faculty welcomed us, the Class of 2013!  There many speakers, but the keynote speaker was Reverend Dr. Jamie Washington.  The marching band played the usual commencement tune (I don’t know the name of it, but everyone has heard it at graduations) and the faculty even wore their commencement robes.  Immediately following convocation, there was a BBQ and a club fair.  This was where incoming freshman could see/join the 80 clubs the university has to offer. Like I mentioned in an earlier blog, I did join the Ultimate Frisbee club.  In the afternoon, there was an event called “Riverhawks on the Roof”.  It was a BBQ on the roof of the parking garage on East Campus overlooking LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners.  The park is literally on East Campus, right across from the Recreation Center.  Later, my friends and I went to the Spinners game.  It was awesome!  We had like 30 of us and we were easily the loudest section in the whole park.  (Section 100!)  We never stopped chanting for 3 hours and half of us even lost our voices.  I just got back from a great night, but unfortunately, classes start tomorrow, although you wouldn’t have known that fact as we kept chanting even after we left the stadium and while we walked across campus.

            If anyone is nervous about making friends, don’t be!  I’ve already made so many great friends and it’s only been 4 days!  And remember, everyone is in the same boat as you.  You are all at a new school and do not know many people.  Just be yourself, keep your room door open and people will walk into your room and introduce themselves.  And don’t be afraid to walk into other open doorways and introduce yourself!  Now, I’m back in my room, writing this blog and preparing for classes tomorrow.  Even though it’s been a short time, I already feel like UMass Lowell is my home.  Although the last couple days were a blast and a great way to start college, I’m looking forward to starting class and beginning a new chapter in my life.  Wish me luck!

For a full schedule of opening week events, look here: http://www.uml.edu/openingweek/schedule.html

Hello! My name is Steven Lacourciere and I am an incoming freshman at UMass Lowell.  I’m from Methuen, Massachusetts. If you aren’t from the area, Methuen is about a 10-15 minute drive from Lowell. I graduated from Central Catholic High School.  I will be majoring in Biology and I will be living on campus.  Many people find this weird, but I love to run and I’m really excited to use the Recreation Center on campus.  I am planning on joining the Ultimate Frisbee club in the fall too.  In high school, I ran cross country and played soccer.  I learned in high school that getting involved is great way to meet new people and really feel that you belong in the community, so I’m trying to do the same here at UMass Lowell.

Well this was just a mini introduction and I will try to blog as often as possible to keep you all updated on student life on campus.  And if any of you have any questions about the school, student life, being a freshman etc, do not be afraid to ask me in the comments section.  You can ask me about anything!  I will answer all of your questions honestly.  I can’t wait until August 29 to move in!  I’ll talk to you all very soon!