Discoveries: What every freshman should know before coming to campus
Ok so since I'm a freshman there's a lot of things on campus that I was never told about or didn't already know about. To prevent these problems from happening in the future to you I've compiled a list of things that every freshman needs to know.
Definately the very first item is Askwith Media Library. I didn't discover Askwith until last week because I had to watch a video there for psych. A basic description is that Askwith is a video library (duh) that teachers and students can use. They have educational videos and documentaries that can be shown in class, and this is the reason I found it. So, you're probably thinking "Why in the world is this a cool place to know about on campus?" Well, the secret of Askwith is that they also have regular movies. They're basically a glorified Blockbuster, for free on campus. The only catch is that you have to return the movie within two days or you're slammed with late fees. But having Askwith just on the second floor of the Ugli (Sharpio Undergraduate Library) makes it easy to check out and return videos as often as you want!
The second thing to know is that you don't have to take a flyer from everyone on the diag. there are so many people standing around on the diag handing out flyers and asking for charity money. These people can be very intimidating to an incoming freshman. I've found that riding my bike often prevents people from bombarding me with flyers. But I do encourage you to take some of them because they often tell about some really cool events happening on campus. Pay attention to the chalk drawings and posters, it's the best way to get involved.
When the guides at campus day and orientation tell you to spend time with your professors, they mean it. I have a couple professors that have helped me through some crazy projects and homework assignments. Their sole job is to teach and help you. Besides having to do it, the grand majority of professors don't just want to sit around at their office hours and twiddle their thumbs. Go see them, ask questions.
You can actually make friends with your roomates. I am in a triple this year, which I was really wary about to begin with, but quickly found out that my roomates are really awesome. It has something to do with the fact that you're living together, it forms a bond of some sort. Now I'm not saying that all roomates are besties or that you will necessarialy be friends with yours. I am saying that you should be willing to make some compromises and expect your roomate to make some compromises. It's not going to be easy. My roomates and I are finally starting to be at the point where every other thing doesn't bother us anymore. But I can promise you that if you're making an effort it will not go unnoticed. Your RA will be on your side the whole time and if something goes wrong s/he will make the effort to step in and mediate some ground rules.
Ok well, I hope some of these are helpful in the fall when you get here! If you're from Michigan come spend some time on campus, heck, if you're not from Michigan come spend some time on campus. Visit a class you think you'll take next year, talk to some staff or students. Ask someone to let you into a reshall. It will open your eyes to the experiences to come.
Definately the very first item is Askwith Media Library. I didn't discover Askwith until last week because I had to watch a video there for psych. A basic description is that Askwith is a video library (duh) that teachers and students can use. They have educational videos and documentaries that can be shown in class, and this is the reason I found it. So, you're probably thinking "Why in the world is this a cool place to know about on campus?" Well, the secret of Askwith is that they also have regular movies. They're basically a glorified Blockbuster, for free on campus. The only catch is that you have to return the movie within two days or you're slammed with late fees. But having Askwith just on the second floor of the Ugli (Sharpio Undergraduate Library) makes it easy to check out and return videos as often as you want!
The second thing to know is that you don't have to take a flyer from everyone on the diag. there are so many people standing around on the diag handing out flyers and asking for charity money. These people can be very intimidating to an incoming freshman. I've found that riding my bike often prevents people from bombarding me with flyers. But I do encourage you to take some of them because they often tell about some really cool events happening on campus. Pay attention to the chalk drawings and posters, it's the best way to get involved.
When the guides at campus day and orientation tell you to spend time with your professors, they mean it. I have a couple professors that have helped me through some crazy projects and homework assignments. Their sole job is to teach and help you. Besides having to do it, the grand majority of professors don't just want to sit around at their office hours and twiddle their thumbs. Go see them, ask questions.
You can actually make friends with your roomates. I am in a triple this year, which I was really wary about to begin with, but quickly found out that my roomates are really awesome. It has something to do with the fact that you're living together, it forms a bond of some sort. Now I'm not saying that all roomates are besties or that you will necessarialy be friends with yours. I am saying that you should be willing to make some compromises and expect your roomate to make some compromises. It's not going to be easy. My roomates and I are finally starting to be at the point where every other thing doesn't bother us anymore. But I can promise you that if you're making an effort it will not go unnoticed. Your RA will be on your side the whole time and if something goes wrong s/he will make the effort to step in and mediate some ground rules.
Ok well, I hope some of these are helpful in the fall when you get here! If you're from Michigan come spend some time on campus, heck, if you're not from Michigan come spend some time on campus. Visit a class you think you'll take next year, talk to some staff or students. Ask someone to let you into a reshall. It will open your eyes to the experiences to come.
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