As students get into the groove of things, reality may prove a bit chaotic.
Sometimes things really are out of our control. IT issues pop up, or we may have problems with changing our courses. Thankfully, UMass Boston has an office for all the assistance new and returning students need.
There is a special program on campus that is truly amazing: U-ACCESS. Get help with all your needs, academic or not. While managing your academic obstacles is a priority, it can be difficult to address them when you’re faced with challenges like food or housing insecurity.
U-ACCESS offers many resources to address this. They have a food pantry and fridge and serve hot meals throughout the week. U-ACCESS also offers guidance on housing resources, assist with legal issues and help with applying for SNAP benefits.
Realistically, it is difficult for students to focus on their studies if they aren’t physically, mentally and emotionally taken care of. If you feel that U-ACCESS can help you, please give yourself the chance to stop by the office. It is truly an incredible, comprehensive resource, and the staff are here to help all students in need.
For more technical problems that crop up at the beginning of this semester, it can be a little challenging to figure out exactly where to go and for what. That’s why highlighting offices that students turn to the most is essential as the semester kicks off.
Electronics are both a blessing and a curse — and our reliance on them makes technical issues all the more aggravating. Our devices seem to know when we need them most, and then, when we least expect them to, go haywire at our expense. Thankfully, the IT Help Desk is the perfect place to resolve issues that are be making the start of your semester more stressful than it should be.
Whether you’re struggling to access your email, connect to Wi-Fi or even access your classes, IT makes sure you don’t have to deal with these problems on your own. We highly suggest making a mental note of the Help Desk location in the Healey Library, so in the event that a tech problem arises, you know where to turn. They even have a virtual Live Chat option to make the process easier.
Choosing an efficient and balanced class schedule is also an overwhelming part of college. Perhaps after your first week of class, you realize that you’d rather have more time in the afternoon for homework, or the distance between your classes is too far to make it on time. Maybe you bit off more than you can chew, and you don’t know how dropping a class will affect your financial aid package.
Whatever the issue is, the One Stop is the perfect resource. As the name implies, it’s the best office to visit about topics like course registration, financial aid and tuition payments. They have a virtual Live Chat option and in the case that they can’t assist you, they’ll direct you to the department you need.
Overall, the One Stop is a great place to get your questions answered and receive the assistance you need. It’s conveniently located in the heart of the Campus Center, and we recommend you stop by the office or employ the Live Chat option to have your questions answered.
Just remember, whether you’re a new student or a returning one, it is okay to ask for help. It no doubt can be uncomfortable and a little scary to reach out, but it’s better to figure out the issue promptly instead of waiting for a problem to spiral out of control.
These offices are here to help you, so please be sure to use them. Taking advantage of the available resources will make your life easier, and will make the semester feel more manageable in the long run. Knowing where to turn for assistance will take you a long way in life, far beyond your time spent at UMass Boston.
We hope everyone can get accustomed to this new semester quickly, and that it will be filled with success. Good luck everyone — we’re rooting for you!
