PICKING CLASSES!!

Happy post-Turkey day! As the food digests and the football commences, now begins one of the most exciting times of the year...class registration! As a final senior I have finally managed to reach the holy grail of registration (a first day registration appointment), but as it extends over the next two weeks here are some resources that you might consider in helping to create your schedule. We will divide this up into two components: advice and scheduling resources.

ADVICE:

Advisors. I cannot say enough how important it is to check in with your advisors. I try to do it at least once a semester, but you should do it as often as you feel comfortable. It is also important to distinguish between general advisors and concentration advisors (both are important). You should make sure to check in with your general advisor to make sure you are taking care of all of your distribution requirements and your concentration advisor to make sure you are satisfying all of your concentration requirements. DON'T GET CAUGHT FORGETTING ONE. You do not want to get to second semester senior year and realize you still have several semesters of requirements left to fill!

Information on general advisors can be found at respective schools' websites. LSA's information can be found here, honors advising can be found here, Engineering can be found here, and Ross advising can be found here.

MSA Advice Online. At orientation they may have showed you a site you sort of understood, and kind of liked, but wish you could remember, that site would be MSA Advice Online. According to its website MSA AO is an "online system that provides students with access to course evaluation data".  It takes the feedback students give at the end of each semester and gives a numerical rating to each question. Nice resource, but as should all feedback, should be taken with a grain of salt. It is also a tad bit outdated, but the website says they are working on updating. It is also a great way to see things like average workload for a class. You can find the site here, but you must have a UM Login to be able to access it.

Ratemyprofessors[dot]com. DISCLAIMER: This is the site that professors hate and students continuously misuse, BUT if used correctly, it can be very helpful.

Ratemyprofessors.com is a database of student ratings for professors across the country. It gives students a fourm to both rate and describe past professors. The site must be taken with a grain of salt, as these types of sites often get people who are only commenting on the extremes (ex. they absolutely love or are completely frustrated with a professor). It is important to look at the whole picture when using this site. These include things like how many ratings have been posted for a professor, how recent, how consistent are the posts, and what they say. I tend to look mostly at the comments for each professor, taking into account not just the rating, but why. If I find that someone's grievance is not something that concerns me (ex. lots of reading), it may not be worth being as concerned about. Also, precaution about posting on ratemyprofessors, professors can see what you write. It is helpful to provide feedback, but this is NOT an appropriate forum to bash, humiliate or embarrass professors. That is feedback that belongs in your semester course evaluation. The site can be found here.

Friends. One of the best resources you have for classes is people who have actually taken them. At a university such as Michigan you are most likely not the only person who has taken a class. Tap into your large network, ask your friends for class suggestions, engage people in not only what they liked, but why. Then, of course, be sure to check in with your advisor about the feasibility of recommendations.

SCHEDULING:
Ok, now that you know what classes you kind of want, how can you schedule them. The University of Michigan does not provide an "official" schedule generating resource, but several people have created useful alternatives using the Michigan courseguide.

Mschedule. One of the popular sources is Mschedule. According to its website, mschedule is a "FREE service that helps you to share your class schedule and find people in your classes. It also gives you a visual representation of your schedule". It helps you generate possible class possibilities based on classes you select. Pretty cool resource. Mschedule can be found here.

Schedulizer. This is another independent resource that uses the Michigan courseguide to generate possible schedules. It has been created for several schools across the country. I have never used it myself so I cannot comment on how it works, but it is certainly an intriguing option. Schedulizer can be found here.

Microsoft Excel. My personal favorite thing to do is sit down with the courseguide, Wolverine Access and an excel spreadsheet and create several possible schedules by hand. Maybe I am strange in that I find this fun, but it is quite exciting to be able to work out the endless possibilities for next semester.

The bottom line is this: picking classes can be fun, it can be intimidating and it can be frustrating, but there is always help around you. After you check out these resources if you are still having trouble ask for help! Advisors and University support staff are truly the best resources if you need help, but stick with it and you will find the schedule that is best for you. Now good luck, and get registering!!

Airport Transportation

As the leaves change, apples & cider pop up everywhere, and the midterm panic sets in, we know it is time for fall break! Fall break is typically two days, typically a Monday and Tuesday where students take time to venture home, visit friends or spend a few days enjoying peaceful Ann Arbor. One of the most important things for students to think about, is if they are going to the airport, how to get there! After spending over an hour lamenting my 6 am flight with a friend in the same boat and realizing the relatively few options available for transport, I decided to put together a Transportation suggestion list for Michigan Students.

Over the past three years years I have taken a lot of airport trips. There are certainly a lot of options, but it pays to do your research. After extensive field research and opinion gathering from trusted friends, this is a list of my favorite options so far:

1. AirBus. An MSA sponsored option that provides $7 rides to, and $11 from the airport during break times for members of the Umich Community. It is quick, simple, and reliable. It picks up in three locations: State Street (Central Campus), the Hill & Bursley (North Campus) and drops off at each terminal. The important thing with the AirBus is to check the schedule and buy your ticket in advance! Especially around the busy times, bus tickets sell fast. Go to the AirBus Website to check the schedule, and the Michigan Union Ticket Office (MUTO) to buy the ticket. One downside with the AirBus, depending on when you travel, their schedule might be slightly limiting- they have options October 13th, 14th & 18th, so if you are traveling before or after that that AirBus might not be for you.

2. Michigan Flyer. Another bus service to Ann Arbor, this one picks up from the Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel on Boardwalk. Since anyone (not just students) may take this bus, it has a more flexible schedule. It runs every day to DTW, Jackson & East Lansing. The first ride is about 5:00 am and the last is about 5:30 pm. It is also slightly more difficult to get to, requiring additional transportation to the Sheraton from Campus. Its about $15 one way to the airport, so its still a pretty cheap option. Advance reservation required, you can make those on the website.

3. Ann Arbor Airport Shuttle. A substantial price step, but still a great option, the Ann Arbor Airport Shuttle is a private company that runs from about 6 am to 8 pm (some days they will pick up between 4 am and 6 am for an extra fee). It is a $32 ride one way, in a shuttle van. Often there are a few people on the shuttle, but you only need to book for one person. They will call you to let you know they are five minutes away, and to call you outside if you need. Only real downside, you actually have to wait on other people instead of taking a bus that moves with or without latecomers. This, however, has proved to be a very reliable service. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, more information can be found here.

4. Ann Arbor Cab. One of the many cab options in Ann Arbor, this one seems to have the most convenient airport rides. Rides are available 24 hours a day, airport rides with a reservation 24 hours in advance. They have a special that is $39 to the airport for students, they claim an extra $10 fee for the way home. If you need a specific or unusual time, this is a good option. Information on making reservations can be found on their website.

If none of these options meet your needs, there are a host of other options. They may all be found on the visiting Ann Arbor website. 

In Pursuit of Books

On this beautiful Sunday, setting up with some coffee and reading at the UGLi seems like the perfect way to spend the afternoon. The best part of it though, is that I did not have to pay for any of the school-related material I am reading! The important lesson of this post is that while many professors provide you with long lists of books to buy, there is almost always another way to find these materials that is both faster, and cheaper. Here are a few of the resources I have found over the years:

C-Tools. This is the first place you should check. Professors will usually tell you if they post material here, but it is always important to ask. Often times this is the place where professors will put PDFs, webpages etc. of readings for the class.

Google Books. This is not a full-proof method, but I have often found it helpful in the past. The University of Michigan was one of the first institutions to be apart of the Google Books Library project. This project, initiated by University of Michigan alum and Google founder Larry Page, is attempting to organize information by making it easier to find relevant books. Often times I can find almost all of the pages I need to read on Google Books, this method saves me from having to leave my room most of the time. To find more information about Google Books Project, you may check it out here.

Libraries. There first thing I do when I get a syllabus is to look and see which books are in the University library system. Since the University of Michigan libraries are all interconnected and since the University has partnerships with libraries all over the region, it is hard to find a book the library does not have. There are a few ways to access books at the library:

1. Check Them Out. Many books can be checked out of the library and kept for a several weeks at a time. In order to find out these books, check out the University Library System. That can be found here.
2. View Them Temporarily. Often times professors will put required books on reserve at the library. These books can be checked out for 4 hours at a time (bonus tip: if you check it out after 9 pm at night, you can keep it until 8 am the next morning!). This is a great method because it forces you schedule time to do work, but it allows you to use a book for as long as you need it and then get it back out of your life. Be aware, especially if the professor advertises it, a few people in your class may be taking advantage of this method. Be careful to allow yourself time, in case the book is already checked out when you get there.
3. Read them Online. Some of the University's books are actually available, in full, on the library website. This is rare, but it does happen. If this is the case, the book will be listed as "Available Online" in the University Library System and all you have to do is sign in to find it. This is how I did my reading today.

Department Learning Centers. Most departments at the University have a learning center. Two of the most major are the Science Learning Center (SLC) in the Chemistry Building, and the Language Learning Center in North Quad. These are not only great places to go for help, but often times they have spare textbooks on hand. If you are ever missing a textbook, it might be a good chance to check your local learning center to see if you can borrow what you need.

The bottom line is that you never need to spend as much as you think on textbooks. There is almost always the book on campus available to you. Before you decide to take the plunge, explore a little on campus, see what you can find!

Resources in Residence Halls

According to the Michigan housing website approximately 10,000 students live in housing, approximately 30% of the University Population. Approximately 99% of Michigan students live in housing, and approximately half of that stay in housing stay the next year, half of that the next etc. It should be no wonder that the University works hard to provide countless resources for students in housing. Last night in our staff meeting we discussed a few of the programs that are created by out-of-residence-hall campus organizations, but run in collaboration with student representatives from each residence hall. Here are some of the resources we have this year:


Arts Ambassadors. This is a part of the larger "Arts At Michigan" initiative seeking to expose students to unique arts opportunities around Michigan. Ambassadors are chosen through an application process (deadline was last night, though late submissions may be accepted), of students currently living in the Residence Halls or other Living Communities. Ambassadors are unpaid volunteers, though they are given resources to direct students toward 'Arts' events, as well as a small budget to put on events themselves. Meetings are the first Wednesday every month from 6-8 pm. More information on the Ambassadors and the Arts at Michigan programs can be found here.


Planet BLUE Ambassador Program. This is apart of the larger Planet BLUE initiative, the initiative at Michigan to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. The position, whose application deadline was back in mid-August, is a pilot position drawing off similar ideas at other campuses. Ambassadors participate in a one credit training course during the Fall & Winter semesters where they will learn best practices for environmentally friendly behavior, be connected to campus resources, learn leadership skills and connect to other ambassadors in the program. The program is for new and returning students, more information can be found here. 


Pulse. This is a student-run, University Health Service (UHS) sponsored organization that promotes health and wellness across the residence halls. Pulse representatives are nominated by Residence Hall Staff and trained during the month of October. Pulse representatives plan events and provide resources to peers in their residence hall to help achieve health and wellness goals. More information about Pulse representatives can be found here.


Hall Council. Each residence hall at the University of Michigan has a Hall Council that plans academic, social, volunteer etc. activities. The councils completely student run and chosen at the beginning of the year. Funding for the councils comes from student dues as well as the central Residence Hall Association. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to try their hand at college government and make a difference in the local community. More information about the residence hall government may be found here. To see some of the things done by Hall Councils, take a look at the South Quad Hall Council Website (a personal project of mine years ago), which can be found here.


Multi-Cultural Council. Similar to above, each residence hall at the University of Michigan also has a multi-cultural council, though each council goes by a different name (e.g. South Quad Ambatana Multi-Cultural Council). These councils are all student run, and supervised the the Diversity Peer Educator (a student-staff member) in each building. Multi-cultural council members are chosen at the beginning of each year and spend the year putting on programs relating to issues of diversity, culture, social justice etc. Members do not have to be of a minority, all are encouraged to attend meetings. More information can be found here.




This morning Housing also announced a new set of exciting programs:


Culture & Language Programs. The University has announced three new programs for university housing residents. These include "Conversations Around the World" (a group that meets weekly to discuss cultural differences and similarities), "Explore Ann Arbor" (a group meets Monday afternoons to explore places and opportunities in Ann Arbor), and "Language and Culture Club for ids and Teens" (a group that meets Wednesday afternoons to either improve their English or practice a foreign language). More information on this is forthcoming, but you may contact Julia Fituch (jfituch@umich.edu) with questions or Laurie Nutt (louwsma@umich.edu) to volunteer. 


The bottom line is that there are so many resources available to residents to help engage with the outside community. There are also so many opportunities to get involved with your passion on campus. Stay tuned for more info on residence hall resources, but for now, check these out! 

Did you know that the University of Michigan Art Museum (UMMA) is actually housed in a building called "Alumni Memorial Hall" or that it was originally built as a war memorial for Michigan Alumni in American wars? That is one of the facts that I learned today on my campus Plaque tour!

Apparently, the University of Michigan has plaques scattered all over campus that talk about the historical significance of many University Sites and buildings. Today a few of us Tour Guides as a bonding activity walked around campus to read them. Many of the facts I recognized as a tour guide (so you may have heard them on a perspective student tour!) but many of them were still completely ne, such as the fact that Stockwell hall is named after Madelon Stockwell, the first woman to matriculate at the University of Michigan. 

One of the other best parts of today was getting to walk over to the Medical Campus (right behind Couzens Residence Hall) and seeing the beautiful Cardiovascular Center. The center is complete with a digital donor wall and an indoor garden for relaxation. Might have to spend some time studying there! Also, checked out the inside of Couzens, where the Community Center is completely open! There is no desk, it is just an area with chairs and a computer. It was quite beautiful and hard to find. 

Moral of the story is, there are so many things you can see and learn about campus if you just take the time to explore. If you want to check out the plaques you can get a full list of them here or just pay close attention to wandering around campus. You never know what you will find! 

Hi! And welcome to my blog. I have always wanted to start a blog, and I have attempted several times without success. After blogging about Europe, Social Media, and who can forget LiveJournal I have decided that a good blog needs to be about something really relevant. Recently I have come to thinking about what it is that I know that I can actually share that people may have an interest in reading. It occurred to me that as a senior at the University of Michigan I should be able to blog something about maize and blue. Then I realized that having served in several capacities around campus, including as a Tour Guide, an RA and a News Reporter I knew a lot of random stuff around campus that I wanted to share! So that is what this blog will be: a look at some cool things around Michigan's campus, as well as a little about my senior year mixed in. Please let me know if there is something you would like to hear more about, and I will see what I can investigate for you. I am so excited for this journey, hope you enjoy!

"Wherever you go, GO BLUE!"