Campus Resources | First Year Experience

Journey Toward Your Academic and Personal Goals

As you start your journey at U-M, you will begin your path toward academic and personal success! We know there may be questions along the way, so we’re here to help. These links will connect you to resources on campus to support you academically, connect you to tutoring, academic advisors, and more.
- Academic Advising: Find contact information for the advisors in your specific school/college to help with class registration, determining your major, or setting up a course plan for your four years.
- Academic Calendar: Stay up to date on when classes start/end and any breaks that might be coming your way!
- Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP): Located in Angell Hall, CSP holds advising hours, tutoring services, study groups, as well as additional supportive academic services.
- First-Generation Students: Academic Support: If you are among the first generation in your family to attend college, this site is for you! Explore the academic resources that will help you connect and thrive on campus.
- Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD): This office provides support services and academic accommodations to students with disabilities.
- Science Learning Center (SLC): The SLC provides drop-in peer tutoring for students enrolled in science courses including Biology 171/172, Chemistry 130, 210, and 215, and Physics 135, 140, 235 and 240. Visit the SLC in the Chem Building for homework help, advising, or campus computers.
- Study Spots: One of the best ways to support your academic success and study habits is finding the perfect study spot! Check out suggested locations to set up your home away from home.
- Sweetland Center for Writing: Utilize Sweetland for writing support! Connect with their online writing lab for real-time feedback, or make an appointment for one-on-one tutoring at the Writing Workshop (North Quad) or the Peer Writing Center (Angell Hall).
- University Career Center: Thinking about your career questions? Looking for an internship? Choosing a major? Wondering what careers are right for you? Do all this and more at the University Career Center.

Discover Ways You Can Unlock Campus Resources and Opportunities

U-M is full of opportunities for learning, leadership, navigating campus, and getting involved. Discover how and where to unlock these campus resources!
- Campus Information Center: Campus Info is a great starting point to navigate the university. Connecting you with transportation resources, University Unions lost and found, and more, visit the Campus Info page to chat with a staff member about any questions you may have!
- Campus Jobs: Need a flexible job that works around your academic and social life, but helps to put money in your pocket? The U-M Student Employment lets you browse job openings for on and off-campus jobs.
- Campus Maps: Find your way! From transportation information to an interactive campus map, track your next adventure.
- Central Student Government (CSG): CSG serves to collectively represent the student voice at the university and leads a number of initiatives to promote positive change and support students. Consider getting involved or check out what resources CSG offers!
- Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students Office contributes to student safety, off-campus housing resources, and promotes a safe, inclusive, and health U-M community through a number of programs.
- Get Involved: You want to join something...but there are so many options! Center for Campus Involvement can help you find ways to get involved on campus.
- Happening Calendar: The Happening Calendar lets you view and explore events happening on the campus. Narrow down your plans searching by topic or plan ahead to see what’s happening next week.
- Maize Pages: You’ve heard the number...over 1400 student orgs?! Maize Pages will help you search, sort, and narrow down what organizations you want to join.
- Michigan Debate Program: Join us in intercollegiate policy debate! The UM Debate Team participates in a wide range of tournaments and educational opportunities. Experienced and new debaters are welcome!
- Michigan Union Ticket Office (MUTO): Visit MUTO to purchase tickets for events, performances, speakers, and musicals in the Ann Arbor area! MUTO can also validate your football tickets, should you plan to bring a guest to a football game who is not a U-M student.
- Office of Greek Life: For a better understanding of fraternity or sorority opportunities at U-M, including Greek-letter, professional, and honor organizations, the Office of Greek Life explains all.
- Research: You may love learning, and want to contribute to the next wave of discoveries, groundbreaking research, and gain hands-on skills. The U-M Research website can connect you with students and faculty members with similar goals.
- Student Life: Student Life is here to help you get the most out of your experiences at U-M. Through Student Life you can find your own niche on campus; connect with students within or beyond your residence hall, organization, or academic program; get involved in student organizations, leadership opportunities, and find campus jobs or internships!
- University Career Center: Thinking about your career questions? Looking for an internship? Choosing a major? Wondering what careers are right for you? Do all this and more at the University Career Center.

Connect with Others and Make New Friends in Your Community

One of the most exciting parts of your first year is the opportunity to connect with others in your residence hall, classes, clubs, or even while you cross the Diag. Looking for new ways to create community and connect with others? Check out these opportunities!
- Blavin Scholars Program: The Blavin Scholarship and Program provides students who have experienced time in foster care with support during their college experience. The program offers mentorship and more to aid in overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams!
- Center for the Education of Women (CEW): CEW is a resource, voice, and advocate to empower women and nontraditional students. From career counseling to financial support, visit CEW to support your academic success!
- Edward Ginsberg Center: Considering an Alternative Spring Break? Interested in volunteering your time in the community? Promoting literacy and democratic engagement? Ginsberg can connect you with these opportunities!
- Growing Allies: Growing Allies strives to build a community of social justice allies committed to creating a safer and more inclusive environment at the University of Michigan and beyond. Take part in a workshop or our Growing Allies Retreat
- International Center: Attend events, connect with other students, and locate answers to your questions as an international student, or as an American student seeking opportunities abroad.
- Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA): MESA connects students through community engagement, leadership development, and social justice programming. Learn more about yourself, and gain awareness on topics of race, ethnicity, and the intersection of identities.
- Office of Academics Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI): Discover your direction. Develop your community. Take part in Success Connects, a program at OAMI, to gain access to resources that promote leadership development, networking, and personal growth.
- Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR): Learn about ways to navigate and resolve conflicts, from peer to peer interactions to academic conflicts. Contact OSCR for a consultation or conflict coaching session!
- The Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR): IGR pursues social justice through education! Register for a dialogue class about social group identity, conflict, community, and social justice, or invite CommonGround to one of your organization’s for an interactive workshop.
- Spectrum Center: As the center for LGBTQIA students, faculty, staff, and friends, attend Allyhood Training, panels, workshops, or join one of the many groups hosted by Spectrum. FreshSpectives, a social group, is one way to build community with LGBTQIA and similarly-identified first-year students!
- Theme Housing Communities: Join a theme community, and you’ll discover an avenue for connecting with peers, mentors, and campus resources! Explore and experience the University with other students who share your interests.
- Trotter Multicultural Center: Trotter builds an environment that understands and appreciates multicultural diversity at U-M. Find your connection to Trotter through monthly artistic endeavors at Paint No Pour, or break bread with new friends at Soul Food Sunday!

Thrive, De-stress and Promote Well-being

While you experience your first year, there are many services to support your wellness, help you balance your time, and thrive in your personal well-being. Connect with these resources to de-stress and stay healthy!
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Visit CAPS for a consultation with one of our counselors, hang out in our Wellness Zone on our massage chairs, or download the Stressbusters App for tools to balancing your responsibilities.
- Dental School: If you need a dental check up or any dental hygiene services, the Dental School is right on campus and has affordable rates.
- Health Insurance: Looking for an affordable and comprehensive health care plan? See what the University offers to students!
- Michigan Dining: Decide where and what you’d like to eat each day by visiting Michigan Dining! With seven residential dining halls, eleven on-campus cafes, and eight markets to choose from, you’ll enjoy delicious and nutritious food, international cuisine, and be part of our sustainability efforts. Find out about how Michigan Dining supports students with allergies and special diets and download the Michigan app for the menu and other online tools.
- Office of the Ombuds: Visit the ombudsman for an impartial advocate in informal dispute resolution, resources and referrals, and helping students consider options available.
- Recreational Sports: Free access to new renovated facilitaties for physical fitneess and personal training! From swimming to basketball to group workout classes, Rec Sports helps you stay active. Consider joining an Intramural sports team to play a sport you love, or try out a new one!
  - Love the outdoors? Interested in exploring the wilderness and adventure that Michigan can offer? Get connected with Outdoor Adventures for weekend trips and equipment rentals!
  - Hoping to take your intramural skills to the next level, but not quite to the Division 1 competition? Club Sports may be for you! Compete against other colleges across the country and build community across your sport.
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC): SAPAC promotes healthy relationships, supports survivor healing, and fosters a respectful and safe environment. Providing free and confidential educational and supportive services for the University of Michigan community related to sexual assault, intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, and stalking, contact SAPAC for crisis intervention or advocacy support.
- Student Legal Services: As a full-service law office, Student Legal Services can advise you on your legal rights and offer representation in some cases, if needed. Contact us to schedule an appointment; we’re here to help!
- University Health Services (UHS): UHS promotes and protects the health and well-being of students and the broader campus community in order to enable individuals to better achieve their educational and personal goals. See what we have for you!
  - Health treatment: Schedule an appointment or drop in for any health questions or concerns.
  - Personal Well-Being: Explore the 8 areas of your well-being!
  - Sexual Health: How we take care of ourselves with regard to sexuality is our sexual health. UHS is here to connect you to information and resources.
  - Mental Health: A wealth of resources are available to handle stress and improve your mental health.
- Wolverine Wellness: Wolverine Wellness offers wellness coaching, free sleep kits, and more!

Additional Opportunities within Student Life

FreshSpectives Cohort
- New to campus? Looking to find and build community with other LGBTQ and similarly-identified students? Want to know more about the Spectrum Center and how we can make your college experience even better? Check out FreshSpectives!
  
  FreshSpectives is a social group for LGBTQ and similarly-identified first-year and transfer students. The purpose of this group is dependent upon the needs and preferences of the cohort, and this may vary from year to year. Goals have included: building community on campus, exploring identities, connecting with resources on campus, or participating in social activities. Because it's a group supported by the Spectrum Center, we provide assistance in planning social outings, game nights, and working with the cohort to think up lots of ways to build your community on campus and get to know Ann Arbor.
  
  Interested in joining? Please fill out this form!
  
  Questions? Email us at spectrumcenter@umich.edu
  
  Visit the Spectrum Center website
Ready, Set Intern
- Workshops are a great way for us to lean-in to our mission statement of creating a dynamic space for students to get inspired and feel supported in their post-graduation plans. It's also a great way to meet new people and engage in activities outside of academics.
  
  Throughout last year, we...
  
  facilitated 200+ workshops focused on career development for various student groups and populations.
  
  partnered with 178 student organizations, departments, faculty, and staff.
  
  averaged 30 students in attendance.
  
  You can stay on top of our current offerings by checking out Handshake! Most of our workshops are around 50 to 60 minutes in length and are interactive -- they may require 10-15 minutes of pre-work before attending. Please, RSVP in Handshake for the event to make sure you are aware of the assignment and to confirm if you are able to attend. Some workshops may be closed for a specific student group/class.
  
  Visit the University Career Center for Fall 2019 workshops, open to all majors & schools (registration required on Handshake):
  
  Visit the University Career Center
UMix Late Night
- UMix Late Night is the University of Michigan's premier late night tradition filled with a fun activites and events for all UM students!
  
  UMix is always free, and offers a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, live entertainment, movie screenings, games, giveaways, and delicious food. You can join us at UMix 9pm – 1am most Friday nights. Visit our website or CCI's facebook page for up-to-date information on program dates, locations, and themes.
  
  Learn more at UMix!
First Ascent
- The First Ascent program provides incoming U‑M freshmen with an opportunity to connect with fellow freshmen in small groups for camping, hiking, paddling and exploring the state’s natural areas. Casual campfire discussions are led by upper-level undergrads or grad students and center around the transition to college and all things U‑M. The goal of First Ascent is to help participants grow in self-esteem, self-reliance and confidence—and to have a great time!
  
  All gear is provided. No experience is necessary.
  
  Learn more at Recreational Sports!
MLEAD Academy
- MLEAD Academy is a weeklong leadership experience for incoming and returning undergraduate students living in University Housing. If you participate in MLEAD, you’ll move in early and attend leadership training, workshops and special programs. You’ll also welcome other residential students and help at move-in. MLEAD Academy is part of the M-LEAD collaborative of leadership programs for students, and it is connected to M-Lead’s Collective Impact Framework and competencies.
  Learn More about MLEAD
Wellness Course: Living Well in College & Beyond
- Want to dive deep into wellness? Register for a new course offered by Wolverine Wellness!
  
  ALA 240
  Living Well in College and Beyond
  2 credits
  
  Offered in Fall and Winter semesters
  
  This class will focus on exploring the eight dimensions of personal well-being through a lens of positive psychology, motivation and social justice.
  
  Students will explore the ways that well-being is dynamic and interdependent.
  
  The course will look at strategies to integrate health and wellness as part of success, build resilience to manage the fluctuations of life, make thoughtful choices that reduce harms, and find meaning and purpose.
  
  For more information, please send an email to wellnesscourse@umich.edu
  
  Learn More at Wolverine Wellness!

Safety on Campus

It’s not just your parents who want to ensure that your first year at Michigan is a safe one. Our community is at its strongest when everyone feels safe. In addition to the workshop, you’ll attend on-campus safety as part of your first-year experience programming, check out the resources below.

The U-M Dean of Students office provides all sorts of student safety resources. Whether you’re wondering about walking alone at night, Spring Break safety, speaking up when you see something unsafe, setting boundaries, bike safety, or tips for staying safe in your off-campus house, they have info to share.

Make sure you keep your property safe – the U-M Department of Public Safety and Security can help you register your electronics and bicycles to deter thefts and improve your chances of getting such important items returned to you. You also have a part to play – use the bike racks (u-bolt locks are best) and keep your valuables on you at all times or secured within a drawer or safe in your room. While you’re at it, consider not bringing valuable jewelry to campus and not carrying a lot of cash or important documents with you (social security card, pin numbers).

Be safe...

Lock your doors, even if you are just going to the bathroom or down the hall to visit another resident. And don’t allow anyone you don’t know into the building (even if they “look like they belong” – whatever that means!) Never give someone your MCard, room key, or any of your PINs. Speaking of PINs, of course you want to stay safe online. Practice safe computing and online dating.

Know what to do in case of a fire, sign up for university emergency alerts, and respond promptly to alarms and directions to evacuate. And you don’t need to be reminded, of course, but don’t tamper with any fire safety equipment, including pull stations, smoke detectors, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers. We need all of those things to be working for all of us!

Whether you’re walking alone, at home, at a party, or out with friends, pay attention to your surroundings and to your intuition and know your options for late night transportation.

Want even more info about student safety? The university will provide your residence hall, student organization, fraternity or sorority with all sorts of training, including what to do in case of a shooter on campus or how to report a crime to the university police department. And you can check out the Annual Security Report & Annual Fire Safety Report from DPSS.