Introduction

College is a time of transformation, where we encounter people, experiences, and knowledge that shape, and continue to reshape, our outlook on the world. This is an opportunity to reflect on the values you’ll bring with you to college, but also the ones you’re beginning to question.

In your UMassD Believes blog post, you may choose to reflect on just about anything, from experiences with family, friends, education, to adventures in foreign cities or your hometown, or perhaps a personal struggle that you’ve overcome; our values are altered by all kinds of experiences.  

Your audience is your incoming class, as well as the UMassD community at-large, so you will need to be thoughtful, personal and descriptive. 

Writing Prompt

Write about a belief that you have changed, developed or questioned at any point in your life, and which you think is important to reflect on now that you are entering college. In approximately 250 words, creatively: 

  • Describe that belief to us.  
  • Discuss at least one specific event, or a series of events from your own life that led you to change, develop or question your beliefs.
  • Explain why your belief is important not only to you, but to your wider community: friends, family, teachers, and other members of UMassD. Why should others in our community listen to your belief (even if they don’t agree with it)?  
  • Write an awesome last sentence or question that keeps us thinking… 
  • Post your work to the blog! See below for posting instructions.

You might want to consider one of the following for generating your blog post;

  • Something that made me wonder about the world is…
  • Something that made me question a previously held belief is…
  • I changed my mind when…
  • I was surprised when I came to believe that…
  • After ____ happened to me, I came to believe that our generation needs to…
  • After ______ happened, I became concerned about…

Tip: Specificity and originality are important, and so is your audience. Be mindful that when you post, you publish for all to see, so choose your content, style and tone with your audience in mind.

Use the categories on the Class Blog to help you decide what to write.

Mark your calendars!
Due by 8/1 SUBMIT to Provost’s Writing Contest (optional) by expanding your blog post to about 500 words in any creative form. Winners receive Prizes and Recognition!
Due by 8/15 POST to Class Blog (required).
Due by 1st day of class READ + REPLY to your classmates by liking and commenting.
How to Get Started

Check out the Guidelines at National Public Radio- New England. Visit National Public Radio’s This I Believe website, This I Believe New England, UMassD’s faculty and staff submissions from previous years, and the Essay Contest Winners and Finalists from other UMassD summers. Consider:

  • In what context do people share their beliefs?
  • How do they support their belief statements with personal experience?
  • What kind of style do they use to engage their audience?
What NOT to Do

Do not repost your college application essay, either to the blog, or to the Writing Contest. This is a very different kind of assignment with an entirely different audience. We’re not here to accept or reject your application.

Do not use Chat GPT or other AI tools to generate your blog post or Writing Contest. You’re in college to engage in the deep intellectual pursuit, about yourself and the world. Be willing to work toward that. Welcome to the club!

Blog Posting Instructions
  • You are only posting a 250-word belief statement on the Blog.
  • Type your FIRST NAME LAST INITIAL at the beginning of your post- required.
  • Comments will post within 24-48 hours; all comments are read and approved by UMassD faculty.
  • Comments may be redacted by blog administrators for any reason.
  • Be kind in your replies. The UMassD community is reading!

When you’re ready to post, read the following guidelines carefully and complete each step:

  1. Select The Blog from the menu at the top of this page.
  2. Select a Blogging Category from  the right-hand menu on the Class Blog that best matches with the subject of your belief statement.
  3. Select “Comment.” Here, you will see the comments already submitted by your peers.
  4. Below your peers’ comments, you’ll see a dialogue box—“Leave a Reply.” Click this.
  5. Enter your text in this box—please proofread before you submit the comment. You will not be able to edit once you have posted.
  6. Type your FIRST NAME LAST INITIAL at the beginning of your post– this is required. We want students to take ownership over their words.
  7. Preview your comment before publishing– we recommend that you do so, since there is no editing
  8. Select “Publish” when you’re ready to post.
  9. Respond to others by selecting the Reply or Like options directly beneath their post.