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Name:
Ashleigh Poole
Major:
Biology/ Psychology
Year:
Junior
Hometown:
Gray, ME
What brought
you to the USM?
I wanted to
stay in southern Maine while I got my bachelor’s degree. Also, a smaller
school like USM provides a lot more opportunities to get real-world
experience working with faculty members.
What has
been your best experience at USM?
My best
experience here at USM has been learning to conduct neurotoxicological
research in Currie Lab which is part of the Biology department here at USM.
What advice you would give to new students?
Don’t
declare a major too early! Take some time to check stuff out and see what
inspires you.
Name: Brian L. Greene
Major: Social Work
Year: 2nd Year
Hometown: Portland, ME
What brought you to USM?
To start a new career
What has been your best experience at USM?
I don't know if I could pick
just one, but if I had to it
would be the people I've met, fellow students, faculty and staff.
What advice you would give to new students?
The same thing that a staff
member in the early student success office told me. College is more than
just classrooms. If you want to get the full experience of college, join a
student group, student government, athletics, etc.
Name:
Joanne Hemond
Major:
Marketing
Year:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Derry, NH
What brought
you to USM?
I like USM’s
location, the split campuses in Gorham and Portland and the overall
feel from everyone in the community. Everyone is so nice and welcoming and
there are so many offices willing to help me. I felt invited to get
involved with different organizations and teams right away. There are a lot
of activities that go on during nights and weekends on the Gorham campus and
Portland has plenty to offer off campus like the Old Port, restaurants,
museums, music and shopping. There’s always something going on! USM is a
large school with a ton of resources but with roughly 2,000 students living
on campus and small class sizes so I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the size.
What has
been your best experience at USM?
My best
experience at USM has been getting involved with things that I love to do.
I love to dance, and dancing with the USM Dance Team has been an awesome
experience. I’ve continued my passion but also met some amazing friends
along the way.
Joining Students In Free Enterprise has also been quite the
experience. I love to make a difference in the community and by doing
different projects with other students who share the same interest I was
able to do just that. Accomplishing our goals and competing at the Regional
competition to win First Runner Up was truly an amazing experience.
What advice you would give to new students?
My advice is
really to have fun…but don’t let your grades fall behind. College courses
are a lot different than high school and you should learn right away how to
balance classes and your new freedom.
There will be a lot of different
opportunities that you will want to take advantage of and by all means—go
for it! Get involved with any of the 100+ clubs we have, meet new friends
and take on new adventures. Set goals, stay focused and be the best you can
be. Remember, every new student is in the same boat on the first day!
Name:
Sarah A. Myrick
Major:
Media Studies
Year:
Senior
Hometown:
Middlebury, VT
What brought
you to USM?
I came to
visit my brother who lives in Windham my senior year of high school, I
looked at all the colleges in the area and loved the atmosphere of USM.
Everyone was really welcoming, I was interested in Journalism and they
introduced me to the Media Studies program.
What has
been your best experience at the USM?
Being a part
of the USM Track& Field team, I have met a lot of great people and gotten to
travel all over New England to compete at different schools.
What advice you would give to new students?
Get involved with as much as possible and meet as many new people as
possible. This might be the only time in your life that you will be
surrounded by hundreds of students your age and given the opportunity to try
out new experiences. USM is great place to discover who you want to be.
Name:
Edward Holmes
Major:
Biology (Pre-medical)
Year:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Portland, ME
What brought
you to USM?
Being a
resident of Maine some major reasons I choose to go to USM were because of
the nearness, and low cost; however, I also felt that I could get a good
education here before I head to medical school.
What has
been your best experience at USM?
No one
single experience really stands out for me, but I really enjoy participating
in scientific research. One aspect I really enjoy about the college is that
I am always meeting funny, interesting, and new people.
What advice
you would give to new students?
Get involved
in your interest. If you are a science major get involved in research
opportunities (and there are plenty!) If you are a non-science major just
get involved with a club that is associated with your major or other
students. You will not only get to do interesting things, but you will
solidify knowledge in your field.
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Name:
Michael Lynch
Major:
Music Theater & Performance
Year:
Senior
Hometown:
Westport, MA
What brought
you to the USM?
My brother Kevin
What has
been your best experience at USM?
The theater
department; being involved with the USM theater program has helped me grow
as a performer and prepare me for the life as a professional performer.
What advice you would give to new students?
Get involved!!! Find something you love doing and become part of a sport,
group, or activity that will let you grow as a person, make lasting
relationships, and get you doing something fun and new!
 Name:
Brianna DiDonato
Major: TEAMS/English
Year:
Sophomore
Hometown: Portland,
ME
What brought
you to USM?
I came to
USM for scholarships, it is close to home, has great programs, and I have to
be honest, staying in-state is much more affordable.
What has
been your best experience at USM?
My best
experience, I would have to say, was getting the email during my first
semester saying that I made the Dean's List; I was really glad that all my
hard work had been recognized.
What advice you would give to new students?
Don't
procrastinate, get your work done on time, because most professors don't
give you opportunities to make it up, and most of all, go to class because a
lot of the information on exams, etc. are stated during lecture.
Name:
Sherri Alcock
Major: English/Classics
Year: Senior
Hometown: Natick, MA ~ Waterboro, ME
What brought you to USM?
A desire to finish what I started and graduate from college. I need to be
part of the community I moved to. A lifelong love of learning.
What has been your best experience at USM?
It’s a tie! I love being an Orientation Leader. This is my 3rd year and it
is great.
I also loved
being part of the Honors program here. I was not an honors student in high
school and I am a non traditional student, but I accepted the invitation to
apply and it was amazing. I would do it all again in a heart beat!
What advice you would give to new students?
Always find a friend, day one of class. Exchange information. Having a
contact if you miss a class or need help with the class work is HUGE.
In the same
breath as that, I need to mention to get involved in USM. There is so much
to do and the full college experience means being well balanced and enjoying
the community and the people in it. HAVE FUN. This will be one of the best
times of your life. Make the most of it all!
Name:
April Baxter
Major:
Criminology
Year:
Freshman
Hometown:
Hollis, ME
What brought
you to USM?
The
University was close to home and had a friendly staff.
What has been your best experience at USM?
The
professors, they are friendly and easy to communicate with and are
approachable. They push you and make you work hard.
What advice
you would give to new students?
Get to know
people on campus and the resources that are available to you on campus.
Name:
Colleen Corbett
Major:
Psychology
Year:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Winthrop, ME
What brought
you to the USM?
It was close
to home.
What has
been your best experience at the USM?
Becoming
involved at the University by joining a Sorority and meeting new people.
What advice
you would give to new students?
Get involved
in anything you can. It’s a great way to meet people and make friends.
Name:
Jonathan Rogers
Major:
Communications
Year:
Junior
Hometown:
Biddeford, ME
What brought
you to the USM?
I was
looking for a school close to home, but even more importantly looking for a
school that could give me the college experience. Moving onto the Gorham
campus directly after my first semester showed me that both were possible. I
made a ton of friends I still have and found my place here by getting
involved with on campus activities and organizations. I have stayed involved
my whole time here and plan to stay active with the University the rest of
my time here.
What has
been your best experience at USM?
I have had
many great experiences so far during my time as a student at USM. However I
would have to say my best experience so far was my first year when I lived
on campus. It flies by so fast. Take advantage of it because while we hope
these aren’t the BEST years of our lives, they sure can be a great start to
the beginning of your life outside the nest.
What advice
you would give to new students?
Like I
mentioned before, get involved! Being at a school like USM is a great
opportunity to get the best of both worlds. Campuses both in the peaceful
hills of Gorham and the busy city of Portland offer diverse opportunities
rarely offered at other Universities. Make the most of your college
experience and leave your mark here at USM, help make this great school even
better.
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