I've been back at UMass for a few weeks now, and I have to say that I am very grateful. I had a great summer and I love my hometown, but there are so many amazing things that are unique to the UMass experience. Here are some of the many things that I really missed about UMass over the summer.

1. UMass Dining

UMass boasts one of the best collegiate dining services in the country, and for a good reason. There are so many options for food, and it is available all over campus. Having so much good food close by makes me very excited to be back at UMass

2. School Spirit

UMass is a huge school, and we have the school spirit to match our size. I am in the marching band, so I am a big believer in school spirit. You can definitely see the school spirit at events like Homecoming. i can't wait to return to a place where so many people take pride in their education.

3. All The Resources

There are so many resources on UMass' campus, whether they are academic or not. In the library alone, there are so many peer tutoring and editing series to help improve your grades and study habit. I definitely missed having so many resources at my fingertips when I was away from UMass

4. The Pioneer Valley

The Pioneer Valley has a lot to offer. Various hiking trails and the Yankee Candle store are among my favorites. I cannot wait return to such a picturesque and beautiful area like the Pioneer Valley.

5. All the Activity

Everywhere you look, there are always events going on at UMass. Whether it's an outing trip, poetry readings, football games, or even checking out student owned businesses, you won't have a dull night at UMass if you look around.

6. College Friends

I really missed my friends at school over the summer. Being back at school allows us all to make new friends as well. It's a win-win!

7. Learning Opportunities

There is so much to do at UMass to further academic advancement. Almost every school/department has guest lecturers on tons of different subjects. If you're struggling in classes, there are peer tutors and many resources to help you out. I feel very privileged to be at a campus that encourages and facilitates learning so much.