Meet Your Orientation Leaders

"Advice I would give to incoming students is to not be afraid to try new things. I met some of my best friends and made some of my best memories by joining clubs or doing activities that were new to me."

"I wish I would have known how important it is to join clubs and get involved on campus.  Especially if you’re coming from out of state, joining clubs and participating in other campus involvement activities is a great way to make friends and connect with your peers. Also, it’s really fun!"

"Michigan blue buses are free! Download the U-M Magic Bus transit app to keep track of the different routes, view where they go, and see when they may arrive!"

"Don’t beat yourself up about grades, especially after the first semester. This isn’t high school, it’s an adjustment, and this is not an easy school! Enjoy the experience and keep to our motto: Work hard, play hard!"

"I would tell students to get outside of their comfort zone. I would also recommend that students gain as many new experiences as they can... and go to office hours."

"Getting involved in campus activities and clubs early on is a great way to meet people and find your community. Explore Ann Arbor's diverse food scene and enjoy dining options on and off campus. Lastly, enjoy Michigan's vibrant sports culture; attending games can be a memorable part of your college experience."

"Say 'yes' to as many things as you can once you come in. You don't have to say yes to everything, but definitely push yourself to go to club meetings you may have not considered going to before. Go to campus events during Welcome to Michigan, sit with strangers in the dining halls, and go explore the campus and what it offers!"

"I’d remind myself that it's OK if your first semester is not as you would expect academically. That one bad test grade isn’t going to ruin your career. It’s okay to still be adjusting. Take deep breaths, keep an open mind, and know things will work out. Remember that you control your future. Mistakes happen — learn and move on!"

" know a lot of students are worried about living on North Campus. I lived in Baits II and I think it was the best thing transitioning from a small town to Ann Arbor. It is a smaller community you are living in but you will make great friends and it’s not as chaotic as Central Campus."

"My number one advice would be to try lots of new things but also hold on to the things you already love. Whether that is knitting with your friends, joining a Dungeons and Dragons game, or auditioning for a play, college is the best experience to figure out who you really are in a safe environment. I charge you to seek out adventure but don’t be afraid to fall back on your pre-existing hobbies and joys." 

"If you are entering this year with a concrete plan in terms of the classes you want to take each semester and your major(s)/minor(s), great! Just be prepared for these plans to change, as you explore campus and get new experiences that may make you aware of opportunities that you have not even heard of yet. This may be something small like swapping one class for another, or something as large as changing your major/minor — either way, don't be afraid of it."

"Be outgoing! Everyone else is in the same boat as you, and most people don't know anyone before they get to campus. Everyone is secretly hoping someone comes up to them to make friends, be that person!"

"Be relentless and courteous in achieving your goals. Never underestimate your potential and capacity to harness lasting memories."

"Do not be so afraid to make mistakes that you do not even try. Trying something different is always informative for your future."

"I wish I had known how to plan for classes more smoothly. Making advisor appointments for class planning is important, helpful, and beneficial for making your college experience a little easier on you."

"Your day-to-day schedule may look very different when navigating your transition to U-M. The adjustment may be difficult and finding time for things you enjoy may seem more challenging than it did in the past. It is important to remember that here at U-M, students and faculty alike want to help you succeed. Remember to take time for yourself, and don't lose sight of the things that bring you joy such as talking with family, exercising, reading, etc."

"Before starting my first year at U-M, I wish I had known that some clubs and student organizations here on campus, especially at Ross, are uber-competitive and have extensive application processes. You might not be able to join everything you want immediately, but remember there will be many more chances during your time here at U-M!"

"Keep the people who light up when you walk into a room and support your endeavors. Those are your lifetime friends."

"There are university resources for almost all questions that you have, so don't be afraid to ask."

"I wish I had known the importance of time management and how to effectively balance academic responsibilities with social and extracurricular activities. Additionally, understanding the wealth of resources available for academic support and mental well-being would have made my transition smoother."

"Time management will become more of a necessity for succeeding, classes can be quite rigorous sometimes and their schedules don't always align in your favor. It's better to prepare in advance before it hurts you."

"Always remember that you are not alone in this process. As a transfer student, I feared isolation, but I found connections through relating my struggles to those of others. By embracing the authenticity of my journey to the University of Michigan, I was able to form meaningful connections. There are so many people ready to welcome and accept you with open arms. Each and every one of you is capable of success, regardless of where you started."

"Check school newsletters regularly. There's food, fun activities, and opportunities to meet new, exciting people."

"Say yes to every opportunity given to you. Even if you are unsure about something, ask. The worst they can say is no, and you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take."

"I wish I would have known that it's okay to not know what you want to do immediately. I was very hard on myself during my first year because I didn't have my life figured out. Michigan is the place for you to explore what you like and most importantly, what you don't like."

"Know your limits and don't push yourself too hard. You, more than likely, have four whole years to get through so don't overexert yourself. If you need help, get it, and if you need to lighten the load, do it."

"I wish I would have realized sooner that not everyone is on the same timeline. It's okay if you double down on credits to finish a year early, and it's okay if you change your major so many times that you stay in school an extra few years. There is no "norm" for what college looks like; everyone needs and wants different things, does different things, and takes different amounts of time to do those things."

"At a school like U-M it can seem like everybody has their life together better than you do. Everybody else is thinking that too — more or less nobody actually does, especially their first year. Accepting that is the first step to having it together."

"Everything is going to work out eventually. You’re probably stressing about a lot of stuff from where and what you’re going to eat to where you’re going to live to who your new friends will be. It’s all completely normal. Everything is going to work out the way it should."

"My biggest advice is to go into this orientation with an open mind, and don't be afraid to try new things and get to know new people!"

"Make sure to learn as much about yourself as you learn academically. While a large portion of campus life is about studying and working towards your degree, the other half consists of exploring yourself as a person and gaining wisdom about desires and goals through experience. By mastering this, you become more well-rounded to face challenges and move forward."