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In January of 2022, I was accepted to the University of Michigan, my dream school. I don’t think my 17-year-old self could ever have even fathomed how much my life would change from that point on. This university has allowed me to grow and has seen me through my highs and lows. As this chapter of my life comes to a close, I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given, as well as the relationships that I have gained. If you are an incoming student reading this, cherish your time here as much as possible –  it flies by a lot quicker than you think. In this post, I want to share things I have learned these past four years and what I wish I knew when I first got here.

Say YES to as much as possible

Now this concept seems scary but in moderation it can open a world of possibilities. Obviously, saying yes to every opportunity you are given is difficult and also leads to some guilt about losing something that could have been great, but there will always be something new around the corner. Whether it is joining a club, going to a service event, or learning about professional and social organizations, there are endless possibilities of what opportunities and new experiences you can have at the University of Michigan. There are also many free events that happen on campus that allow you to meet new people and gain insight into what happens on campus.

Prioritize your health

Coming to a new university is hard. In most cases, you are moving away from home and creating a new normal you are not used to. At a prestigious university, it is easy to just try and focus on school and social life and forget about the limits your body presents. Remember that you can only do your best if you feel your best. Utilizing University Health & Counseling (UHC), which encompasses both UHS (University Health Services) and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), helps you access  resources that are easy to navigate in order to make sure your body and mind are being taken care of. For more information regarding these services you can check out this past blog post.

Join clubs

Everyone always says join clubs as it is a great way to make connections. This is true, but joining clubs can also be super overwhelming especially as a new student. Festifall, which is the club fair that happens every fall semester, has many organizations you can look at to join. It is important to join clubs that match your interests and maybe even match up with the extracurriculars you had in high school. As a graduating senior, my one regret is that I did not join an a cappella group, as that is something I loved doing when I was younger. Joining a ton of clubs is intense, so join the ones that you particularly feel strongly about. It is a great way to meet new people and start building your community on campus.

Go to a sporting event (and go beyond football)

As everyone knows, the University of Michigan is known for not just its academics, but its sports. Typically, people get season tickets to football games or go to a few football games of their own, but there are so many other amazing teams that are a part of this university. Hockey and basketball are equally as amazing to watch, as well as, all of the free (with your MCard) sporting events such as swimming, baseball, soccer, etc. This year I went to both women’s and men’s hockey games, and I wish I would have gone to more because the energy in Yost was one of a kind. If you have time, go to as many sporting events as you can because there is nothing like them anywhere else, especially when it comes to the team spirit people have for the University of Michigan teams.

Explore downtown Ann Arbor

While the University of Michigan campus is big and has so much to offer, there are so many other things to do off campus that are within walking distance. Downtown Ann Arbor is beautiful and has amazing shops, restaurants, and live music events. There is always something going on downtown, and it is very easy for us students to stay in our bubble on campus. I encourage you to leave the bubble and explore what Ann Arbor has to offer that isn’t related to the university. 

While my time at the University of Michigan is ending, yours may just be starting. I hope you read this post and take advantage of the amazing experience that you are about to step into. College is both scary, fun, and challenging – so make sure you take care of yourself while enjoying every second of it. Your time goes by a lot quicker than you think. Thank you Michigan for the best four years ever, and forever Go Blue!