I still remember how surreal it felt when my parents dropped me off at my freshman-year dorm. The last few months of my life had built up to that moment. Senior year felt like a lead-up to adulthood, and summer felt like the final stretch of being a kid. I thought I was ready to grow up, but once I arrived, I had no idea where to start or how to navigate anything.
The next few nights were restless. My posters kept falling off the walls because my room was practically sweating from the lack of air conditioning. I had also bought awful sheets from Amazon that were advertised as "breathable," but felt like wearing yoga pants in a steam room. I stayed up all night not just from the heat (and I really can’t emphasize enough how hot it gets), but because of my thoughts. I kept wondering what the next four years would look like, what I would major in, and who I would become by the end. I also worried about smaller, more immediate things, like how I was supposed to find my way to class on a campus this massive or when I could do laundry without all the machines being taken.
Feeling unprepared is completely normal, and every mistake or misunderstanding you have probably already been made by countless students before you. Looking back, my first few weeks would have gone a lot smoother if I had been given some guidance. With the fall semester coming up, here are a few things I learned that made my life at Michigan State a lot easier.
Transportation/CATA
The first class I attended at Michigan State University was a Monday 8 a.m. anthropology lecture across campus. I ended up arriving at the Old Horticulture building completely out of breath because I couldn’t figure out how to use the buses. But once I learned, campus felt much less intimidating.
All routes stop at the CATA Transportation Center, which you can use to transfer between buses or catch routes that go beyond campus.
All campus routes, numbered 30 through 39, are free for students and cover the entire campus. You can view the routes through the Transit app, which also shows real-time updates on arrivals and departures. Major routes like 30 and 31 usually run every 10 minutes during the day and early evening.
Buses run less frequently at night. On weekdays, service continues until around 2:30 a.m., but buses only come every 30 minutes. The same schedule applies on weekends. Because of this, I recommend getting a bike. Bikes are not only faster but also more reliable, especially since bus delays can be unpredictable.
Class
When I finally arrived at my anthropology class, I opened the door to the lecture hall and instinctively shut it again, convinced I had walked into the wrong room. There were more than 200 students, nearly every seat filled. I was used to classrooms where I recognized every face I had known since kindergarten.
Being surrounded by strangers was intimidating. I’ve heard similar concerns from others who were afraid of being judged, but in reality, everyone is probably just as nervous as the next person. Most people are thinking about the class material, not what you look like from behind. They could be worrying about their own back profile for all you know.
College is a major opportunity to learn and expand your horizons. During my second semester of freshman year, I enrolled in a general education course on class systems simply because it fit my schedule. It turned out to be one of the most thought-provoking classes I’ve taken. The discussions were engaging, the readings challenged my perspective, and both my TA and professor were incredibly compelling. That experience reminded me that the effort you put into a class often determines what you get out of it.
Football games
Football is a big part of life at MSU, and the first game almost feels like a rite of passage for freshmen. I remember standing in the student section, not really knowing what was going on, but still getting swept up in the energy. As someone whose family never tailgated, I was completely unfamiliar with the tradition. The entire campus was filled with tents and buffalo dip. It was loud and overwhelming at times, but it made me feel like I was part of the community.
There are a few important things to know about game days. Spartan Stadium does not allow regular bags into any athletic event, so be sure to leave yours in your dorm. However, clear bags up to 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches are allowed and can be purchased at the Spartan Bookstore in the International Center. The line to the student section can get long, so have your online ticket ready for scanning. You can also add your ticket to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay for easy access.
Make sure to stay hydrated, especially during the first few games when the weather is still hot. Standing in the bleachers for long periods can make you more dehydrated than you expect.
Events
Welcome Week is a great time to attend events and meet a variety of people. It’s one of the few times when everyone is actively trying to make friends, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The most important event you can attend is Sparticipation, a massive fair that showcases hundreds of clubs, organizations, and student groups from across campus. Whether you're interested in sports, cultural orgs, Greek life or academic clubs, there's something for everyone. I remember going to a Weezer club meeting. Even if you don’t find your thing right away, you’ll walk away with plenty of free MSU swag.
Keep an eye out for events hosted by organizations like the University Activities Board. You can also find events by checking bulletin boards around your dorm or in high-traffic areas like Wells Hall or the library.
Laundry
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Nothing in college has made me more frustrated than doing my laundry. I remember trying to do laundry for the first time on a Sunday and every single machine was taken. It’s best to do your laundry on a weekday, especially during the day. There are lots of lounges in the basement by the laundry room where you can wait, and can study or hang out with friends in the meantime. Just make sure to set a timer and get back before your cycle ends. If you leave your clothes too long, someone might take them out and toss them aside without a second thought.
The water can get very hot, so be sure to use cold water to avoid damaging your clothes.
Dining hall/Sparty’s
During my first few weeks at MSU, I made sure to have a salad with every meal. It was a healthy habit I wanted to keep, but after weeks of the same five vegetables and balsamic vinaigrette, I got sick of it and barely touched salad the rest of the semester.
There are plenty of articles that rate MSU’s dining halls, but most of them use the same vendors. My advice is to mix it up. Don’t eat at the same dining hall or order the same food every day, or you’ll get tired of it quickly. Luckily, MSU has a lot of dining options across campus.
Combos are going to be your lifesaver. If you have a dining plan, you get 12 combos per week that refresh every Sunday. You can use them at Sparty’s, through mobile orders, or at restaurants and cafés around campus. Be sure to use every combo to get your money’s worth. You can track them using the Transact Mobile app.
At Sparty’s, you can get a drink, a food item and a snack for one combo. Each Sparty’s has different options. For example, Hubbard’s Sparty’s offers hot food like burgers and mozzarella sticks. The 1855 Sparty’s Market has a wide range of ramen, drinks and fruit.
My personal favorite places to use my combos are the Panera at the Minskoff Pavillion and Strange Matter, the café located at the Union.
I’m about to enter my sophomore year, and I’ve learned a lot during my first year. You might be nervous or unsure, but you’ll get the hang of it. There’s so much to experience if you let it happen.
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