Entries tagged with “UMass Lowell” from Hawk Talk - Steven
Hello
again!
This
past weekend, me and my friends walked around Lowell again. It was really fun and we are definitely going
to do it again soon. We probably walked
around for over three hours. There is
always something to do here, whether it is walking around, going into the small
shops, restaurants, etc. Or even just
going to the recreation center to work out, going to a Spinners game, going to
the various sporting events on campus, or joining the 80+ clubs on campus. Let’s just say that I’m never bored while I’m
on campus. I’m actually almost disappointed
when I have to go home!
And
Sunday might have been my most interesting day on campus so far and probably
will be for awhile. On Sunday morning at
breakfast, one of my friends said randomly that he wanted a turtle. One of the RA’s in my dorm mentioned that he
had a turtle at his house and that he would let us borrow it for the year. (This is just an example of how nice and
friendly the RAs are. This particular RA
sometimes even hangs out with us) So like six of us travelled to Tewksbury to
pick up a turtle. Then the house next
door was having a yard sale so we checked it out. Combined, we got a coffee table, small
speakers, an ice bucket, and an old laptop from like the 1980s or something for
12 dollars. (They threw the laptop in
for free) In one day we all got a
turtle, a coffee table, an ice bucket, and speakers, plus an extremely
old-fashioned laptop that might even be worth something because it’s vintage. Out of all of us, 4 have a quad so they got
the coffee table and we decided to put the turtle in their room too. I did miss the Pats game, but from what I’ve
heard about it, I’m kind of glad I missed it.
Now that’s a Sunday afternoon!
I’m
having a lot of fun and loving college life.
Well, that’s all for now. Now you
all just have to wait to see what’s going to happen to me this week!
Today is Monday and this is the first full week of
classes! Like I mentioned in an earlier post, all the teachers are really
nice and are eager to help you learn the material. UMass Lowell does
offer tutors in various buildings on all the campuses. I have a Calculus
exam next Monday and a Biology exam next Friday. Now I'll get to see what
college academics are really like. Wish me luck! I had
my first labs last week too. They were
mostly about laboratory safety, but I can’t wait until we start doing actual
labs! Summer is officially over!
I mentioned in an earlier post that I joined the
Ultimate Frisbee club. I had two
practices last week and it was really fun.
We threw the Frisbee around and scrimmaged. There were about 30-35 players total. We play different college teams and attend
many tournaments, but freshman usually do not play since the upperclassmen are
more experienced. My friends and I are
considering making an intramural softball team, but we’ll see how that goes
because we are running out of time since rosters are due in a couple days. I highly advise getting involved in different
clubs and activities. I already met so
many people and made new friends!
Well I’m going to go grab something to eat and get ready
for the Pats game at 7. GO PATS! Talk to you later!
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 29th
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
Freshman
Orientation was awesome! I was able to make new friends, sleep in the resident
halls, and even find out my schedule.
At
orientation, we were split up into about fourteen groups. (I was in group 7) For
most of the orientation, we stayed on South Campus, but we did take a tour of
North Campus. Other activities included seeing a skit performed by the
orientation leaders and some ice-breaker games.
The skit showed all the stereotypes of college and it was actually
hilarious. The games were a great way to meet new people and start
conversations because it can be a little awkward when you don’t know
anybody. The best activity was
definitely staying in the Campus Recreation Center for a couple hours on the
first night. This was where you got to
spend a lot of time with your new friends and play basketball, ping pong, pool,
and much more! I’m not very good at ping pong, but I did win a game of HORSE so
I guess it balances out. There were also
some seminars and speeches, but if you pay attention, volunteer, and answer
questions, you win prizes so they are still fun. Everyone was really nice and the leaders were
helpful and they answered all of our questions.
Being able to sleep in a residence hall was a good experience too. We were actually able to order some pizza at
a local place at night and there was a huge thunderstorm at about two in the
morning, but I love thunderstorms so it just added to the great
experience. And we even got our
schedule at the end of orientation! I have an 8:30 class four days a week and I
think that’s way too early for a college student (just kidding), but I guess I
might need some caffeine. The university
tried to put the people in your orientation group in the same classes so at
least we recognize some faces on the first day of classes.
The two day
orientation was a very informative and fun experience. And don’t forget to be FIRED UP!
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!
