Blog

While I’m not a big fan of cliches, they often contain a nugget of wisdom that you can learn from. New students, here are five that you might think about to make the most of your time at Michigan.

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer

You might assume that your college classmates will be your competitors, especially if these are students with whom you will eventually compete for jobs.

However, Michigan students are collaborators. My classes have a Facebook group to share notes and study guides, and a place for students to ask each other questions about class material they struggle with.

Michigan students respect their “enemies” (aka their competition) and make sure to study and share knowledge so everyone can be as successful as possible.

The grass is always greener on the other side

Although Michigan is a wonderful place, while you are working hard it can be discouraging to see friends at other schools posting on social media about having fun or doing interesting things. What is important to note, though, is that those friends probably feel exactly the same way when they see Reggie the Campus Corgi appear on your Snapchat story, or a Boomerang on Instagram of the Big House on the first game day.

Even within our Michigan community, it can seem like no matter what your major is or what school you are in, things would be easier if you were just in a different program. One great thing about Michigan is that you have the option to take courses outside of your major to give you a taste of other areas of study. Just sitting in on my friend’s economics class for ten minutes made me appreciate my nursing courses -- and that I study what I love.

Finally, midterms at Michigan tend to last from the end of January until the end of March. If it’s January and you already have four exams while your friends at another school have zero, take solace in the fact that they will be in your shoes soon.

You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone

It is hard to imagine leaving Michigan and all of the resources we have here. Since one day all of us will graduate and move on, it’s important to realize how lucky we are to have such great assets, and utilize them while still at Michigan.

For example, we’re provided with a vast amount of resources not just for our academic success, but also for our psychological and physical well-being. CAPS, or Counseling and Psychological Services, provides individual and group counseling, as well as access to massage chairs to de-stress. These resources are free to students.

Michigan also has three recreation centers for student use, as well as dining halls filled with nutritious options. The Michigan app displays daily menus for each dining hall with nutrition information for each food item. So there’s no excuse to not make healthy choices while you are a Michigan student!

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take

One of the biggest chances you can take is the act of applying, getting accepted, and deciding to go to college.

When you come to Michigan, however, the opportunities that you have to take a chance on are vast. While most people do not receive every job or internship they apply for, making an effort to apply already puts you one step ahead of those who do not apply in the first place.

The same goes for applying to executive positions in student clubs, going through the process of recruitment for both professional and social Greek Life, as well as trying out for sports teams.

Fear of failure is never a good reason for not attempting to do something you really desire. There is no harm in trying, especially in the incredibly supportive environment that Michigan provides.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Students who received all As or the highest grades in their high school courses are in for a wake-up call once they get to Michigan. Faculty expect a lot and the work is challenging.

Failing a test for the first time can be very upsetting. If this happens to you (chances are it won’t!), hopefully it only teaches you to study harder, utilize your resources better, and take proper care of yourself prior to the next exam.

During new student orientation, you will be given materials that outline all of the resources you can draw on while at Michigan. You will also be given a free student planner to help you manage your time well. It is up to you, however, to use what you receive to thrive at Michigan.

Every Michigan student eventually figures out what it takes to be successful, whether it is their first day of syllabus week or the day before their freshman year finals.

The self-direction and initiative required to do well here will not only prepare you for your other classes, but also for the real world.

As Michigan students, we sometimes can get caught up in the pace and not realize how lucky we are. Keep these sayings in mind and remember, you can do it!