41111MOSINIMINIP for college students by college students CAMPUS CONNECTION Pho to by Seth Sa mue ls READY FOR COLLEGE from page 31 On a typical fall day at the University of Michigan, students hurry across campus to class. For me, just about the only things I kept after high school were the knowl- edge I obtained (hopefully, most of it) and my diploma (which makes a nice addition to a dorm room tackboard). Otherwise, everything else either came from this personal commitment or Bed Bath and Beyond. Whether it's a decision to branch out, modify study skills, lose weight, join a team or whatever, this summer — appro- priately dubbed "the summer before col- lege" — still is the time to make those choices. Even though school starts soon, you still can do it. Get Started Early Going back to Schoem's thoughts sur- rounding the qualitative transcendence from high school to college, I thought a lot about how important those early weeks of school were for me as a fresh- man last year at U-M. Everyone's figuring things out, ask- ing the same questions you're asking. It's been this way since our parents went to college (even that long ago!) right up to the days of roommate matching via Facebook. Thus, by taking some com- fort from this mass freshman confusion, you can use it as a way to start cracking away at some of those goals you set. As Schoem put it, "the first two weeks are great; after that, things get more dif- ficult in terms of meeting friends and establishing yourself — do it early." This even holds true for faculty and staff. I recall looking for my refrigerator/ freezer combination (a hot-ticket item, I might add), and it was because I ran into my soon-to-be hall janitor Paul and his buddy Edsel that I not only found the fridge, but I also learned who to scout out when pursuing the ping-pong table we later had installed on the floor. In addition to the personal baggage that comes with adapting to collegiate life, another notable aspect lies on the academic side — getting to know profes- sors. I know, it may be a little intimidat- ing at first getting to know the guy or gal who's tucked away in a lonely office and quite possibly too into whatever topic it is they teach. Nevertheless, underneath the surface lies one of college's worst- kept yet underutilized secrets — office hours. Some may suggest there's a certain method to doing well in classes. While that may hold true for some, in general, there really is no magic in academic suc- cess other than taking the time to get to know the person at the front of the lec- ture hall holding some fraction of your degree in the balance. Schoem can attest to how quiet offices are for a majority of the school year. Livening things up in there will do just as much for you as it will for them! Go Extracurricular! Once move-in has passed and a few weeks of classes are under your belt, the last piece of college advice (and one of the most valuable in my opinion) is to get involved in extracurricular activities. To me, a major and minor are just a por- tion of what it means to be in college — the rest comes from the teams joined, the networking done and the choices made outside of a class schedule. The work I did this summer, a sand- wich here and there, and a new project I'm working on are all products of the people I was able to connect with on campus. This is where a lot of the grow- ing is done — when you're not being told what to complete and when to do so. FINANCIAL PROBLEMS GETTING THE BEST OFYOU? invite you to join them at their SECULAR HIGH HOLIDAY ASSEMBLIES to be held at ORCHARD LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL 6000 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield PERHAPS IT IS TIME TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT BANKRUPTCY. ROSH HASHANA: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 (10 AM-12 NOON) Don't rely on myths and rumors. 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