Hi everyone! Consider this one of my final blogs for 2024—though who knows, maybe there’s more to come! Today, I wanted to share a perspective that might differ from what you typically hear from students at Amherst. I won’t dive too deeply into personal details, but I do want to take a moment to highlight…Continue Reading Staying on Campus during the Winter Closure!
One thing that’s vastly different about high school versus college is the length of time you get for breaks. It’s typical to get almost all of January off, making winter break about 4-5 weeks long (my freshman year, we had a late start to the second semester due to Covid, so the break was six…Continue Reading Winter Break in Baltimore and J-Term in Amherst
In this blog post, I hope to share a glimpse into my journey as an international student traveling back home for winter break. For many of us at Amherst College, one of the most pressing concerns isn’t just the excitement of the holidays but also the logistics of transit. When I first arrived in the…Continue Reading Navigating Travel as an Amherst International Student and an International Journey to Japan
“All I want for Christmas is you~” As Mariah Carey “defrosted,” the Christmas season is finally approaching! Maple Tree Lighting On December 6, my friends and I went downtown to witness the 50-plus-year-old tradition of lighting a living maple tree in the Town Common. There was a market beside selling cute Christmas souvenirs, delicious snacks,…Continue Reading The Christmas Season
We’re now in the thick of finals period, so I thought I’d take a step back to let you all know how this whole thing works. Some high schools might have final exams, but mine didn’t, so the concept of finishing classes almost two weeks before you actually end the semester was foreign to me…Continue Reading Finals Period at Amherst
This past weekend (12/7-12/8), since it’s the last before finals begin, there were various winter formals held by the different clubs and teams on campus. So many clubs had formals this weekend, in fact, that I had three in one night. Now to answer the question: What is a formal? A formal is when a…Continue Reading A Very Formal Weekend at Amherst
In the beginning, I thought that “wasting time” was the ultimate college sin. Like many first-year students, I entered Amherst with an intense desire to prove myself—overwhelmed with assignments, a packed schedule, and a mountain of expectations. Every moment of downtime felt like a wasted opportunity. If I wasn’t studying or doing something productive, I…Continue Reading The Secret Life of College Study Breaks: What I’ve Learned from Wasting Time
Hi friends! Welcome back to the blog 🙂 For those of you who live in chilly places, I hope you’ve been staying warm (I personally use cold weather as an opportunity to wear the chunkiest scarf humanly possible). As we finish up our last week of classes for the semester and begin reading period for…Continue Reading Finals Season Peaceful Moments
Isn’t the snow just lovely? Last Wednesday (12/4) and Thursday (12/5) around 4-5 inches of snow fell on Amherst. I’m from Massachusetts and used to experiencing snow every year but it felt more beautiful on campus. People from warmer parts of the country and world were especially mesmerized by the feathery flakes dancing through the…Continue Reading Snow at Amherst
Embracing the Power of Routine When I first arrived at Amherst College, I felt the pressure almost immediately. Between rigorous coursework, adapting to a new environment, and the drive to succeed, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. However, I quickly realized that prioritizing my mental health wasn’t just essential for my well-being—it was crucial for…Continue Reading How I Balance Academics and Mental Health at Amherst