Why (Amherst) College?

Me standing in front of a giant purple Mammoth balloon

I cannot believe it’s April! As many of you are probably thinking about your future home, I thought it would be nice to share some of my thoughts on “Why college?” After all, to pick the best college or university for yourself, it’s important to understand why one may want to go to college in…Continue Reading Why (Amherst) College?

From Idea to Impact: Hack the Herd! AI in Sustainability Hackathon

The Spark: A Lost-and-Found App Born from Chaos This March, I joined an unforgettable 24-hour adventure at Hack the Herd 2025, Amherst’s very own sustainability-themed hackathon. Hosted in the Science Center and supported by the Office of Sustainability, the Ideas 2 Innovation Venture Accelerator, and AI in the Liberal Arts, this year’s hackathon challenged students…Continue Reading From Idea to Impact: Hack the Herd! AI in Sustainability Hackathon

Being Busy at Amherst

Chapin Hall on a sunny day

If I had to describe my past few weeks in one word, it’d be “busy.” In fact, it’s one of the first things I learned when I came to Amherst — everyone is busy here. I remember the day Fall classes started, many people I was talking to during Orientation just… disappeared! Everyone started having…Continue Reading Being Busy at Amherst

Who Will I Become?

Thu posing in front of Frost Library

I’m currently in my second semester at Amherst, and many things have changed since I applied to college. As I’m thinking a lot about my future life paths, I think it’d be fun to share some of them with you. One of the best things about Amherst is that there is little pressure to figure…Continue Reading Who Will I Become?

Litzy Castañeda ’28 — Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Litzy Castañeda, and I’m a first-year student (Class of 2028) from Bridgeport, California. I am currently pursuing a major in Psychology. In addition to my academic pursuits at Amherst, I contribute to The Amherst Student as a features writer. Outside of school, I enjoy volunteering with leadership and journalism-focused non-profits,…Continue Reading Litzy Castañeda ’28 — Introduction