Lindsay
Most professors know me and that's because I make sure they do. I ask questions in class and go see them when I need help. That's the same in any university and if you don't take advantage of it, you've got no one to blame for yourself. All of my engineering professors know me well and I've spent much time in their offices throughout the last four years. Students are studying all the time. There are always groups meeting, people working in labs and in libraries. It's almost like a social thing...I know that's geeky, but we're engineers and we have a lot to do. We make the best of it. I think my favorite class was a simulation and facility planning class. It was a project based class and I learned a LOT, especially through the autonomy that was given. My least favorite class was strength of materials. The teacher could barely speak english, did not offer a lot of help and our grade was based off of about 3 exams. Close to that was this manufacturing processes class. The teachers were equally horrible in both presentation and help and the material was just uninteresting. It was so hard to get through it. My department is awesome. The teachers are, for the most part, excellent and very well qualified. They're approachable and they want you to succeed. Umass's gen eds are kind of...annoying. They're cool because you have a lot of flexibility and can take a few classes that aren't engineering related to explore other hobbies or interests of yours. But you inevitably take some history class that's hopelessly boring and you feel like falling asleep the whole time. That's no fun. I think the engineering aspect is about getting you a job. You learn skills and they help you apply them in real situations. I think the gen ed requirements are more for just learning. They're trying to get you to be more well rounded as a person.
Vincent
Academics at UMass are great, if you make it that way. Attending such a big school, lots of students think you can't get to know any professors by name. But that's not true. Take the time to go to office hours, show interest in a class, or just approach the teacher after class. It's easier than you would think, the professors here are great and they care about their classes and students and if you take the time to talk to them they are sure to listen and help you in any way they can. The school has over eighty majors to choose from and certificate courses as well and many interesting classes that you can take, including classes at the four other colleges in the Amherst area.
Ashley
Most professors, unless it's a huge lecture, do work hard to learn the names of all their students. One of my favorite classes ever was "Music in Film" where we basically just watched movies in class and discussed them, then the professor had us all over to his house at the end of the semester to watch a movie on his big screen. My favorite class right now is Basic Scuba where I am learning how to Scuba dive in the classroom and one of the campus pools and then I will be certified after taking a diving trip to Key Largo over spring break. It is a pretty big financial commitment, but if it's something you're interested in, it is much cheaper than learning Scuba outside of the university, plus you get class credit. My least favorite class was probably Biology because I worked extremely hard but couldn't get an A. I would say that students study very often at Umass - all you have to do is go to the library and see how many people are there. We have the tallest academic library in the world and there are usually people on every floor, including the basement floor which houses the Learning Commons with all different resources for studying.
Most professors try to simulate class participation and, for the most part, students are definitely willing to participate.
My major is Communication Disorders, which is a very small major at UMass and it's not offered at too many colleges. It includes the study of speech and language and audiology. I don't generally spend time with professors outside of class, but every year my department holds a potluck luncheon where all the undergrads, graduate students, office staff, and professors get to sample each other's food and mingle.
Dawson
No not all of my professors know my name.
Fav Class is Econ 397B which is also English 190. Title of the class is Economics in the literary imagination which is also called street fighting with the universe. By prof john stifler.
Some STudents study all the time. Some have never ever bought a book.
Intellectual convos are held all the time.
Students are very competitive.
Class part is very common.
Umass is not geared at getting anyone anything, esp not a job post-umass.
Ryan
Your freshman and sophomore year are all gen ed classes, you'll be in a class with several hundred people. The professor is 50 yards in front of you and has no idea who you are. You are known by your student ID number, never your name. If you fall behind then you are on your own. No one is here to help you. Make friends in the class and try to study with them and work together, otherwise it is a lost cause. The general requirement classes are a waste of time, I'm studying law but I'm forced to take classes like astronomy and insects classes in order to fulfill those requirements. You waste over a year of college doing this. Take out a loan...go to a private school down south. This place is a frozen tundra filled with assholes and shitty professors. but hey at least you get to say you go to a party school....what a great trade off.