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Everyone has their idea of an idealistic day. Maybe you spend it with family or friends. You could do everything on your to-do list. Or, maybe you do nothing at all. Coming to college will likely cause your perception of the perfect day to shift. College changes almost everything, including this. After four years at the University of Michigan, I have finally figured out the five activities that would constitute a perfect day.

Start With Exercise

Moving my body has become a nonnegotiable in recent years. The benefits that I have experienced are immeasurable. Each day looks different, but I prefer to complete this task early in the day. Thankfully, Ann Arbor has lots to offer! The University of Michigan has three gyms, The Intramural Sports Building (IM/IMSB), the Palmer Temporary Facility, and the North Campus Recreation Building (NCRC), plus the new Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center is set to open in fall 2025. All of these facilities are free to students and offer many ways to get active. Another way that I enjoy moving my body is through workout classes. Many of the university gyms offer classes at a price, and many great fitness studios are run around Ann Arbor. A great way to try something new is to utilize a service such as ClassPass or MindBody, as both apps offer deep discounts to first-time users! This is a great way to check out classes such as yoga, pilates, hot yoga, spin, and barre near campus. My third favorite way to get in some movement is simply by walking. The Arb and North Campus are full of amazing, relaxing trails.

Eat Breakfast

The next thing that I would do today is eat. I prefer to prepare meals at home, but Ann Arbor is filled with great brunch places, and earlier in the day can be the perfect time to catch up with loved ones over a meal! My two favorite brunch places are aMa Bistro and Jagged Fork, and I feel that they both offer countless options. Another great option is to check out the dining halls. Michigan has multiple dining options, including dining halls and cafes all around campus, and they all offer different options throughout the day. This can be a great way to try something new!

Fuel Up With Caffeine

Caffeine is next! I prefer to buy a fun drink, rather than make one at home. Coffee and tea are plentiful throughout Ann Arbor, and my favorite spots are all close to campus. Bodega Bros has great chai tea lattes and super unique coffee flavors. Delicious cafes also close to State Street include ONDO Bakery (formerly Ann Arbor Roasting Co.), Dunkin Donuts’ new location, and Sweetwaters located in the Union! If you are looking to get away from Central Campus a bit, M36, Roos Roast, and Cups N Chai are amazing options!

Find a Spot To Study

What would an ideal day look like without studying? Probably amazing, but being productive is just as important as having fun in college. Finding a study spot around campus can be a feat, but not impossible! Libraries, such as Hatcher Graduate Library, are ginormous and guaranteed to have a spot ready. Other, more collaborative, study spaces are located around the Ross School of Business, the Union, and the LSA Building. But, if you are lucky, you may be able to snag a spot at one of the cozy cafes nearby! Ideal spaces include Roos Roast, Misfit, Moka and Co., and the basement of Shinola! The vibes are great here, but you likely need to act fast because spaces fill up quickly!

Spend Time With Friends and Family

The last action that I would take on this ideal day is to hang out with my friends and family! Delicious dinner spots, such as One Bowl, No Thai, Lan City Noodle Bar, Sweetgreen, and Sadako are always a hit. Or, you could opt for one of the various activities around campus! Pinball Pete’s is an arcade on South University, and it is fun for all ages. Michigan Theatre is a great place to see a show, and Potobox is an exciting place to capture memories through its photobooths! As always, a long walk around Ann Arbor is also a great option. Checking out Graffiti Alley or just leisurely wandering around Main Street are satisfying ways to end a fantastic day.