Freshmen year of college is a very different experience then say senior year of high school. These are some helpful hints to help you transition sucessfully:
If you don't know, ask! There are a lot of new procedures, people, and opportunities that exist at Michigan State. It's easy to get lost in the SSH'n into CSE, RHA, and the many other abbreviations that exist in the campus world. If you don't how to do something, ask someone. Ask your floor mentor, ask your professor, ask your CSE Mentor.
Don't be afraid to ask because at some point we all had to ask someone too.
GO TO CLASS EVERYDAY! A lot of people will tell you that you don't need to go to class every day. These are the people that are going to ask you to copy their notes the following week. Class is very important and critical to your success. A lot of professors will test on things not available anywhere else except by sitting in those uncomfortable seats everyday.
OK, maybe you can miss one or two classes in some courses, but don't make it a habit!
Not happy with you're test grade? Do something about it. Most Professors are more then willing to help you with any issues you may have. Visit them during their posted office hours, and you will probably not be the only one there. If that's not your style, there is a "Help Room" for every subject, lead by student tutors. There is the Math Help Room, a Stats Help room, Physics, Writing, every subject you can imagine. Even a Diversity and an Athlete help room. They all offer one-on-one and group teaching for any topic. Use these resources if you're not able to learn it all in the classroom.
If you're having trouble in a class, there is a room for that.
Everything you need is online Almost every possible task you can imagine, can be accomplished by going online. Michigan State has an enormous amount of resources and tools for it's students available online. In addition, the student body, and the surrounding community, have created many more additional resources available to you. Check out the links section of this site for a headstart on the rest of your peers.
Try the internet before you think about picking up the phone or walking out the door
Get involved There are clubs for everything. Engineering clubs, chess club, and community service clubs. If you're not interested in an academic club, there are also Intramural Sports Clubs for everything from basketball to dodgeball. In addition, there are interest groups, such as environmental activists group, or diversity groups.
If you have an interest or want to meet new people, join the club.
