Sakura Nothwehr helps her daughter, sophomore Mia Burghardt, move into Bailey Hall during Fall 2022 Move-In on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022 at Michigan State University.
College is a time when people are immersed in a fresh environment, surrounded by new faces and form new routines. For many incoming students, this can be both an exciting and stressful time.
But for the most part, Michigan State University students and graduates, such as SaMya Overall, have found their way and completed their journey on campus. Here’s what the former State News editor-in-chief and other Spartans have to say about their MSU experience.
Housing and dorm advice
Q: What was your dorm experience like?
“It was interesting, it’s something you have to go through to properly prepare to live in an apartment or a house. I would recommend after the two-year on-campus living requirement to move on to an apartment/house … if you financially can,” Overall said.
Q: What are dorm essentials every student must have?
“You definitely need a laundry basket, one with wheels, because the laundry room is in the basement. Shower shoes … don’t go barefoot in the shower unless you don’t want your feet anymore,” Overall said. “Buy a mattress pad and a fan because it’d be hot, and you want to get good sleep.”
Although many incoming students look forward to dorm life on campus, students like journalism senior Lily Guiney are happy to move off campus after their on-campus requirement is met.
“I didn't realize until I lived on campus how much I like to cook until I couldn’t do it in the dorms,” Guiney said.
Looking back at previous semesters at MSU
Q: What do you wish you knew before becoming a college student?
“I wish someone had told me that as a student, you don’t need to worry so much about the social aspect of the college experience if you’re secure in what you’re studying,” Guiney said.
“The rest of it will kind of fall into place … so don’t worry too much during the first year about having a ton of friends going out all the time.”
Guiney said most incoming students should focus on building a good support system and keeping academics in check.
MSU alumnus Drew Goretzka said students should think ahead when coming into college. He added by taking classes early, students would avoid not having time later in college.
"The biggest thing is don’t be afraid to take classes early if you’re interested in something,” Goretzka said.
Academic advice
Q: What are things students should be mindful of when selecting their classes?
“I’d say pick your classes early if allowed, first off,” Overall said. “As you get further into college and become a senior, you pick a lot earlier … pick them because classes do go quickly.”
“9 a.m. is usually the sweet spot if you like morning classes because you’ll be up a lot later doing homework,” Overall said.
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“I would also say advisors do a lot of front loading with your hard classes because as you get deeper into college, you’ll start having other responsibilities like working on internships,” Overall said. “So, you don’t want to have such difficult classes that you can’t layer on.”
Overall said going to office hours can help you get to know your professors better. She also said getting close to your professors can increase your chances of getting better recommendation/reference letters for scholarships and internships.
Culture at MSU
MSU is known for its spacious campus and popular landmarks such as Beaumont Tower or The Rock on Farm Lane.
Q: When you hear “MSU” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
“I would say large,” chemical engineering junior Jalen Akeem said. “Everything at MSU is large: the research, the education (and) the partying.”
Q: What was your favorite activity to participate in at MSU?
MSU students can attend Sparticipation, a fair where students are introduced to a number of Registered Student Organizations they can join. The fair introduces all kinds of extracurricular activities and organizations to the student body at MSU.
"Sparticipation is a traditional activity new Spartans should participate in, it gives them a look into what MSU has to offer,” Akeem said.
Sporting events are a favorite for many Spartans.
“I love going to football games and going to the Dairy Store,” Guiney said.
“Going to the football games and tailgates,” Goretzka said.
A common piece of advice the MSU students and graduates shared is that students shouldn’t be afraid to start over, and being in a different environment is beneficial for college students.
“It’s so important because, for the rest of your life, you’re probably going to bounce around from city to city and town to town,” Guiney said. “It’s good to be out of your comfort zone.”
