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Sunrise over the McGoldrick Student Center and Portland Campus.

Starting College in Summer? One Student’s Guide to Enrolling at USM Off-Cycle

Starting at USM during summer session is more common than you might think — and one current student says it gave them a head start they did not expect. Keep reading for five tips from a student who has been there.

A student smiles while navigating a career fair, with a illustrated briefcase graphic overlaid on the image. A student smiles while navigating a career fair.

5 Ways to Prepare for Your First Summer Internship

You landed the internship — congrats! Keep reading to find five ways to show up prepared, confident, and ready to make the most of it.

Bridgette Toland smiles in front of a flowering pink tree. Text reads "Dear USM," with an illustrated graduation cap drawn above her head.

Class of ’26: A Love Letter to USM

For four years, USM has been more than just a school — it’s been the place where I found my people, my purpose, and myself. Keep reading to hear what I wish I’d known sooner, and what I’m carrying with me as I go.

A collage of polaroid-style photos layered over the USM Gorham soccer field at sunset, featuring USM women's soccer players photographing the sunset on the field, posing together in a group photo, and smiling at an event with a metallic backdrop.

College Decision Day: What to Consider Before Committing to USM

College Decision Day falls on May 1 — and if you’re in the middle of the process, you know how much weight this date can carry. Keep reading to hear from Ani Roberts, a USM sophomore and women’s soccer player, on what actually made a difference once she got to campus — and what she’d tell her high school self today.

Lisa Struebing references a quantum mechanics textbook while writing an equation on a whiteboard in the Dubyak Center on USM's Portland campus.

Class of ’26: How One Adult Student Kept Her Promise — and Earned Two USM Degrees Along the Way

When Lisa Struebing was in her twenties, she made a promise to her mother: she would finish the college degree that she’d started and set aside. Keep reading to hear how decades of determination, two USM degrees, and one introductory physics class led her here.

Thumbnail graphic with a blue background and colorful paper scrap overlays featuring three photos: a student photographing the ocean at the beach, the exterior sign for Portland Lobster Co., and Portland Head Light with the ocean in the background. Text reads "One Husky's Local Favorites" with white paw prints in the corner.

Class of ’26: My Favorite Places to Go and Things to Do as a USM Student in Southern Maine

From coffee dates and karaoke nights to beach days and ski trips, one graduating Husky shares her favorite ways to make the most of Southern Maine. Keep reading to find your next favorite spot.

Students study together at a picnic table, surrounded by illustrated doodles.

5 Study Hacks Tested by a USM Student

Finals are almost here, and a USM student put five popular study hacks to the test. Keep reading to find out which ones are actually worth your time — and which ones to skip.

Two students smile and talk at an outdoor table on a sunny day during USM freshman orientation, holding papers in hand.

5 Things I Wish I Knew as a College Freshman

Being a college freshman was one of the scariest experiences I’ve had — but looking back as a senior at the University of Southern Maine, I can see how much I’ve grown. Keep reading to discover the five things I wish I’d known from the very start.

Bridgette smiling on the Eastern Promenade at sunset, overlaid with polaroid-style images: a lit-up Gorham campus soccer field, a picnic with friends, and her walking with a friend across a street. Dark blue doodles including a star, wave, location icon, and lines decorate the polaroids.

Class of ’26: Why I Chose USM — A Home Away From Home

As I near graduation, I’ve been reflecting on my four years at USM and the sense of belonging I felt from the very start. Keep reading to see how the campus, community, and experiences made it feel like a true home away from home.

USM mascot Champ the Husky displays an Admitted Students Day sign on the Gorham campus

Your First Day as a Husky: What to Expect at Admitted Student Days

You got in — now it’s time to make it real. Keep reading for a full preview of USM’s Admitted Students Day events this spring.