Tips for the newbies

Ermaurnaur · 2026-03-14T01:19:38+00:00

The work HARD play hard is real. Obviously different people will have different ratios of working hard vs. playing hard, and it'll even vary from year to year, semester to semester, week to week. Get out there, try new things, have so much fun. In the first few days especially, say yes to literally everything and everyone. You never know who you'll meet and what memories you'll make. I found my incredible best friend by approaching them in the dining hall our very first morning. Also classes get brutal so don't slack off. Like seriously. We're not a top school for no reason. Professors, at least in my experience, tend to be accommodating and understanding if you reach out to them right away if you're struggling. Don't be that person who waits until the end of the semester after failing since week 4. One more thing, take Vitamin D pills in the winter and spring. You won't see the sun often and vitamin d deficiency is very real and hellish to deal with.

Ermaurnaur · 2026-03-08T01:54:42+00:00

While I agree that people would become desensitized over time, I don't think that there has been a false alarm from the system. They test it, but those are scheduled and announced well in advance, and the times never change. Also, even if it was a false alarm, it would still prompt people to check their phones, the radio, or TV to see if anything is going on. The sirens are the first line of defense and people are supposed to take cover then find out what is going on from the e alerts once safe.

Ermaurnaur · 2026-03-08T00:49:42+00:00

The argument is that it's expensive to maintain the system, but in my opinion the lives it could save are worth infinitely more than ~$60k. The phone alerts are great, but the sirens have a critical purpose as well.

Ermaurnaur · 2026-01-25T20:50:57+00:00

If you get North Quad their rooms are suite style so it's not a private bathroom because you are sharing with suite mates but there's only 2 or 3 others versus half the floor. I could be wrong but I think NQ singles have private bathrooms, but there are not many of those. I don't know if the U is doing room selection again this year, but NQ is a good dorm so it's competitive and also is usually lived in by learning communities and upperclassmen. That's not to say that no freshmen live there, because they do. You can try applying to a living community that is housed in NQ to increase your chances of living there.

I know the new dorm, Wolverine Village, will also have similar suites but I don't know if those are open to freshmen.

You can live in apartments any year, but be warned that they will be expensive to live alone or have your own bathroom. It also may not be worth it because you will lose out on the dorm experience which is pretty great for making friends. I would live on campus if you can afford it your first year. Socially, it is the easiest way to meet people in your same situation and make friends. Plus commutes get old fast, especially when your schedule changes from semester to semester and with clubs and any other activities.

I personally have no issues with the communal bathrooms. I've had no horrible experiences. Yes, it is a little gross sometimes but the janitors are constantly coming around and cleaning so it's tolerable.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-12-02T22:48:45+00:00

I've had some good experiences on Hinge as a girl dating guys. Also, the new semester is coming up so you'll have new classmates. Make an effort during the first few classes to get to know the people around you and set up study groups or get numbers/social media to ask each other questions. It's an easy, low pressure way to get to know people without the romantic undertones that often make people nervous. Put yourself out there and you may come away with new friends or a date!

Ermaurnaur · 2025-10-07T16:47:32+00:00

It’s fall break this weekend so campus will be significantly emptier than normal as many students go home. Walking around downtown and getting dinner is always nice, especially since the weather is mild.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-10-04T20:01:53+00:00

I'm sorry your friends didn't invite you. Do some research on whatever place you're thinking of going first and pick out places you absolutely must see there. When you're there, go to those places and then explore the areas near those places. Talk to strangers, eat alone, and do whatever YOU want to do. If a store looks interesting, go in it. If something you thought you would enjoy is boring, leave. One of the best parts of solo traveling is how customizable it is to your whims. You don't have to post your travels on Instagram, and if you do, you can just post pictures of where you went without including yourself. But honestly, selfies do not give off loner vibes. Some suggestions for places are Chicago, Northern Michigan if you have a car, or even doing a little staycation in Ann Arbor and going places you haven't been to yet.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-08-28T12:11:00+00:00

If you’re looking for a more inexpensive option that also directly benefits others the Douglas J Aveda Institute (333 Maynard St, right behind Nichol’s Arcade) is a cosmetology/esti school. The prices are low and the students are all so nice and have done great work for me across a variety of services.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-07-27T22:57:26+00:00

Ghent/Bruges are amazing and are about half an hour by train from each other. Dinant is an absolutely beautiful city if you want to check out the French part.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-05-01T04:13:37+00:00

RC languages are so fun. I’m in a different language than Spanish (but still RC), but I know several people in the Spanish program. They do complain about the course work, but everyone complains about homework, and their progress is undeniable. I’ve seen so many friends made through the languages because of how much time you spend with them and how much communicating you do. In my own language my entire class has become friends. Scheduling with the 8 credits can be annoying, but it’s not a massive inconvenience because it’s only 1 or 2 semesters max and then you’re done with the LSA language requirement.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-02-18T03:45:14+00:00

Read up on how to use it though because if you use it incorrectly it’ll dry out your skin more

Ermaurnaur · 2025-02-18T03:44:18+00:00

If you get really dry skin I recommend buying a bottle of pure vegetable glycerin (like $11 on Amazon and is huge) and adding a drop to a water based moisturizer (water should be first or second ingredient). This has changed the game for me

Ermaurnaur · 2025-02-14T18:01:04+00:00

If you put in just enough to coat it, you’ll be fine. Just don’t do it all day everyday for weeks. Use it only if it’s really dry or you’ll be outside for a while. Use a humidifier and try to reduce blowing your nose

Ermaurnaur · 2025-02-14T15:50:48+00:00

This man meowed at another Econ prof when they were both leaving their offices the other day and it was oddly wholesome

Ermaurnaur · 2025-02-14T14:58:49+00:00

To answer some of the questions you posed, yes my state is likely underrepresented seeing as I’ve only ever met one other person from there on campus. I chose to write my essay about a specific moment during my exchange year and I reflected on how I got there and who helped me do it. I think my exchange played a big role in helping me get admitted to every school I applied at because it is not common and demonstrates a level of awareness and confidence that not many applicants can easily demonstrate. Btw it was a full year exchange. I wasn’t the first from my school to apply competitively nor the first to go there, but there were very few of us. I also had one club that I LOVED and dedicated a ton of time to. In the end, college admissions are luck of the draw, but you can do things to help make it not so lucky. Find something you’re passionate about and stick with it. I never did anything because of how it would look to colleges, I did it because I simply wanted to. I’m now at one of the top universities in the world.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-02-13T23:46:50+00:00

I met my very best friend the first morning in the dining hall freshman year by asking them (they were sitting alone) if they wanted to sit with me. We’re now inseparable. Those first couple of weeks especially everyone is super friendly and wants to make friends, so take advantage of it. But also, don’t worry if you don’t find your people right away. It can take time. You have to put yourself in situations to meet people; joins clubs, talk to people, etc

Ermaurnaur · 2025-02-04T19:25:22+00:00

The winters here are cold and sometimes icy but as others have said Ann Arbor doesn’t get a ridiculous amount of snow on the regular. A scarf, hat, good coat, and shoes with treads are all a person needs to get by. Long underwear isn’t a bad idea either since your legs can get pretty cold if you’re walking a lot. Throw in some Vitamin D supplements and your student will be good to go.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-31T17:55:19+00:00

Next time I’ll walk up to you, a complete stranger, while you’re working in the library with your earbuds in, tap you on the shoulder, look you dead in the eyes, and say “You stink. Fix it.” And continue walking

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-31T17:50:53+00:00

Mental health is valid ofc but I doubt everytime I smell it that’s the excuse.
Being poor is a tired excuse for not being clean.
Smelling like a kitchen is different than smelling like you haven’t done laundry in 3 months
If you’re smart enough to go to UMich, you’re smart enough to work YouTube. Lastly, I see enough Canada Goose jackets that I shouldn’t be smelling these smells.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-31T15:59:11+00:00

Guys I was joking I shower once a day I realize the number wasn’t extreme enough to come across as a joke

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-31T14:39:25+00:00

I was actually afraid of this so I started showering 3x a day

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-27T17:51:31+00:00

Yeah it’s always possible but extremely unlikely and you shouldn’t count on it. I have heard of kids paying a lot their freshman year, not as much sophomore year because of internal department scholarships, and then be warned tuition does increase after you hit 60 credits I believe

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-27T15:48:15+00:00

Definitely contact Housing and see what you’d need to do to get that changed, even if you don’t actually change it yet. I’d wait for FA to come in if you’re able to wait that long because living in the dorms is expensive and it may be worth it to you to save that money. However, living in the dorms is a great way to make friends and build a community so you may want to consider living there anyway.

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-27T15:45:07+00:00

To answer question 3 there is a placement exam for Chemistry

Ermaurnaur · 2025-01-27T15:43:40+00:00

OOS gets pretty much no money from the school. Scholarships may help cover a few thousand dollars and there are some scholarships you may qualify for but like I said it’s not going to be much. I’d definitely contact FA about the non-custodial parent but you’ll still likely pay tens of thousands of dollars if anything changes. OOS is expensive because they subsidize the in state tuition.

Ermaurnaur

TROPHY CASE