Thursday, September 4, 1980-Sec. D-10 Pages
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hile sipping a cup of coffee after another grueling afternoon at
the library, you may begin to wonder if going to school at Mich-
igan is all books sandwiched between thin portions of extracur-
ricular activities and idle relaxation. It often seems that the competitive
atmosphere pervasive at the University seeps through every crevice in every
building, until finally it penetrates your own ego, and mysteriously shrinks
your id to minute proportions. In short, grades become The Victor, your
personal life finishing a distant second. Amid your moments of skepticism,.
your pragmatic conscience will shake its finger, exclaiming, "Our futures
are full of uncertainty, but a successful academic career has a way of
allaying these fears."
Priorities must be set, but the question is raised, at what expense? Life
at Michigan can be very exciting and fulfilling, yet you will sometimes find
yourself struggling through waves of self-doubt, fear of failure, and in-
decisiveness about career goals and options. Depression can result from all
this pressure, but thankfully the University provides both academic and
personal counseling services to help you through difficult times.
Keeping yourself busy outside the classroom not only fights melan-
cholia, but also contributes to your growth as a human being-an impor-
tant part of education which seems to have been lost in the boundless maze
of papers and exams. Be it employment, sports, student politics, or com-
munications, after-class activities can add a unique dimension to your
academic experiences.
The University offers numerous activities, in which all students can
participate at varying degrees. This section endeavors to introduce you to
Ann Arbor life in general, extracurricular activities, and the various
student services and programs.
Some who come to the University will thrive; others will get by with a
little guidance from friends and counselors; and still others, for various
reasons, will not find success.
Each individual has diverse backgrounds, tastes, and aspirations
which the University may foster or abridge. We hope this section can be
used as a vehicle to weigh what University life has to offer and determine
how to harness these resources to suit your personal needs and desires.
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