Hi! My name is Carolyn. I am a sophomore communications major and vocal performance minor at UMass. I also participate in choir and take full advantage of the campus Recreation Center. After having spent a full year at UMass, I can confidently say that this campus has become my second home and I love to stay busy and engaged by exploring all opportunities our campus has to offer!

Hometown

Sterling, MA

Major(s)

Communications

Minor(s)

Classical Performance

Clubs, organizations & involvement

I have participated in University Chorale, held a job with UMass catering, and plan to join the Daily Collegian next semester. Additionally I participated in community service by being a student notetaker for Disability Services.

Describe your college experience

I was really excited to begin college at a school as large and diverse as UMass - my high school was quite large as well, but the vast range of opportunities at UMass has absolutely amazed me. At first it felt a bit overwhelming, with hundreds of classes to choose from and even more clubs and organizations to explore, but after developing valuable time management skills, I have found routines and schedules that work best for me so that I can easily balance my academic and social lives.

Tip for future students

I would absolutely recommend attending the events the university puts together at the beginning of the semester. After I visited an event specifically for the college of Social and Behavioral Sciences, I met some great people who are now some of my closest friends on campus! These events are so valuable, not only for learning more about your chosen major, but also for connecting with other students who are in the same boat as you.

Favorite class

My favorite class so far has been Bio 105 Biology of Social Issues with Dr. Riley. This class is a Gen Ed requirement, but I really enjoyed the course's content. Rather than simply learning about scientific concepts that may not have anything to do with your major or career path, the course dives into how society and culture shape how we view health, focusing specifically on the gut microbiome to help us understand how our everyday choices as well as outside forces influence our health. These concepts have been applicable in my daily life, and the professor did a wonderful job making the content engaging and enjoyable to learn.

Career goals

I am not entirely sure what specific career I want to pursue, but I am interested in digital media and content creation, and I would love to combine this interest with my passion for music. I can see myself potentially working in music production or marketing.

Ideal way to spend a free night

If I have a free night, my first thought is to invite a friend or a group of friends to go downtown and get a late-night snack or some boba. This gives us an opportunity to bond by debriefing our days without spending a lot of money or traveling too far from home.

High school or secondary school

Wachusett Regional High School, Holden, MA, USA

Previous college

None