<p>This thread is to any Amherst student or parent such as our good buddy Evita. This is Dana’s Dad asking about Amherst as a school where the kids have fun. We have now seen seven lacs all of which we truly enjoyed albeit some more than others. My D Dana found aspects of each school that she loved and some things she did not prefer. A constant about all of them except Haverford was their remote locations. By now we have heard the schools’ info sessions review all of the things to do at each campus. Some of the schools like Bucknell revel in their parties and the kids told us how much fun they have. I got the same impression for Colgate. However I cannot for the life of me get any feel for Amherst being a school where the kids have a lot of fun. Amherst is up there at the top of my D’s list but I have told her part of the college experience is to have four of the most fun years of your life. I did at NYU and I think all of our kids need to kick back, and chill on weekends. </p>
<p>So Amherst kids and those in the know do you have a great time in addition to the crushing work loads we all hear about at the top lacs. Please fill us in with the low down on fun. Thanks, Dana’s Dad</p>
<p>There are so many opportunities to have fun, and things to do on campus, according to D. But I think it depends on your courses. This past semester, D's courses were paper writing-intensive, so she didn't have the time to do all the things she wanted to do. But first semester she did more and really had fun. She doesn't go in for the party scene, and avoids that, hence her choice of sub-free, but she has attended TAP(??), school sponsored parties and the dance, etc. Realize, this is Mom talking and only know what she does tell me. She is competetive and has joined Quiz Bowl and managed to go to the tournaments. She and her friends have gone out to eat, to the movies, and there are all kinds of lectures, and activities on campus, as well. The kids that are real party animals manage to do OK in classes. It depends on the kid and how much they want to do put into their classes and fun. D wants to excel, so she places huge priority on classwork. Finding that balance is always difficult at first. Some kids find it harder, others, easier. Each kid will approach it differently. There are all kinds of things off campus, too, at UMass and Northhampton.</p>
<p>Time management is absolutely key to really 'enjoying' school here. You always have the opportunity to go out to a party, or a jazz concert or a speaker you really want to hear, or go to Mt. Holyoke or UMass or basically anywhere you want to go. The school provides SOOO many choices for enrichment and the students throw enough parties that it's possible. But is that going to make you stay up until 4am on Sunday to do that paper you ignored? Maybe. We do get a lot of work here, especially here in the last few weeks as every professor gives you final stuff to do.</p>
<p>I have a huge commitment here, that of the Zumbyes, a big a capella group on campus. I would say this equates to 'fun', as I enjoy it a lot, and we also get together frequently outside of rehearsals and gigs to chill. I do feel strained sometimes but I think that once I got a hold of how much time I needed to devote to my work it started to get a lot easier.</p>
<p>The kids here are definitely about having fun here. Regardless of how hard it is, this is our 4 years of freedom just like everyone else in college in America. Maybe we don't go as hard as say, UMiami or something, but there's a very decent and sustainable level of stuff here.</p>
<p>Thank you both so much for your input. I agree that time management is the key to maximizing studies. However, kids must relax and allow themselves time for whatever offers them fun be it clubs or sports or just kicking back. The more stressful the work load the more a kid needs to exercise and play.</p>
<p>I look forward to hearing from more people from Amherst or other high pressure lacs. Dana's Dad</p>
<p>Oh well, I guess everybody is either taking exams or celebrating the end of the school year. Alternatively, maybe nobody else can comment on Amherst and fun. Hopefully it is not a foreign concept. Dana's Dad</p>
<p>Yes. It's exam time. D had 2 today. But D did just purchase a season pass to Six Flags - the theme park is by Springfield. Planning excursions for the fall already.</p>