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!"

"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 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."

"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."

"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."

"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."