The mid-semester mark passed on Sunday at the University of Massachusetts as both midterms and fall activities continue in full swing.

While some students are feeling the spirit of fall, others are just too busy studying for upcoming exams to participate in festivities.

“You know the mid-semester’s around when the leaves are changing and the sports teams are winning,” said Jared Beaulieu, a junior political science major.

Besides sports, Beaulieu’s involvement with the theater department and UMass Homecoming Royalty Court are keeping him occupied.

“This semester’s been pretty busy for me … but it’s been an enjoyable mid-semester for me,” he said.

Beaulieu has some advice for fellow students who may be getting sidetracked by the fall festivities: “Be sure to take some time away from distractions and set some time aside on the weekends to actually study, instead of just watching football, as tempting as that may be,” he said. Beaulieu also recommends pairing a pumpkin coffee with studying for midterms as a way to still enjoy the fall season in academia.

Atticus Cole, a freshman chemistry and violin performance major, said that his first UMass fall has been a positive one, saying, “I love it. The atmosphere is so relaxed. Everyone I met has greeted me with a smile.”

Cole added that his semester has not been free from midterm-related stress, however, calling midterms “a necessary evil.”

“They suck, midterms plain out suck. I hate tests and I hate preparing for tests,” he said, adding that knowing that his professors and teaching assistants are there to help alleviates some of the pressure.

Midterms are also keeping senior resource economics major Kristen Moreno occupied.

“I’m crazy busy. I’m busier than in any of my previous semesters here,” she said.

Moreno said that she is completing a major and a minor, so she has to take a variety of classes that range from computer science to digital art.

“Some stress does come from having classes that are not interrelated,” she said.

Being a senior also contributes to the stress of midterms for Moreno. She said that these exams are some of the last chances that she will get to boost her GPA and ensure that she graduates on time.

Moreno said that she is ready to sacrifice sleep for midterms, though she warns others against total sleep deprivation.

“You have to get some sleep— don’t pull an all-nighter if you’re the type of person who will fall asleep during a test,” she said.

Moreno also cautioned against using prescription drugs to aid studying and productivity, saying, “Even though a lot of people do this, do not rely on Adderall.”

Andrew Schwartz, a freshman Spanish student, said that he is enjoying the mid-semester. Schwartz said he is excited about his—albeit heavy—load of language-oriented coursework, saying, “ I really do enjoy it.”

Regarding midterms, Schwartz said “it wasn’t that bad.” Instead, he said that he has been enjoying campus life this fall term.

“I love it here. I like the people, I like the academics and I just love the atmosphere,” he said.

Haley Schilling can be reached at [email protected].