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Nervous about starting at Michigan State? Worried about your class schedule, living away from home, or where to even start? The Spartan Orientation Station (SOS) is a podcast hosted by New Student Orientation staff and was created by students for students. This podcast will launch twice a week throughout the summer, and each episode will feature a unique interview with campus departments discussing their services, common misconceptions, and fun Spartan engagement opportunities. When you need help at Michigan State, it is okay to signal SOS! Don’t worry – MSU is there for you.
Intro 0:08
You're listening to the Spartan Orientation Station on Impact 89 FM. The podcast by students for students. Now, this week's episode.
Madison Sewick 0:18
Hello, welcome back to this episode of the Spartan Orientation Station. On today's episode, we are featuring a student panel with a few of our NSO staff members. So I'm going to begin by letting them introduce themselves and then we'll sort of dive into some questions that many students ask as they begin their first semester. My name is Madison, I'll be your host today. I'm a program coordinator within the NSO office and an MSU alum. So really excited to be chatting about some of the most important things as you're transitioning to campus this fall.
Abigail Arsenault 0:49
Hi, I'm Abigail. I have a major in social work with a minor in justice, law and public policy. I am a student coordinator at the NSO office. I am also a member of the Phi Alpha Social Work honor society. And I'm a rising senior.
Lauren Calhoun 1:07
Hello, my name is Lauren Calhoun. I'm a recent graduate. I graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in law, justice and public policy.
Andre Edmond 1:17
My name is Andre. I'm a rising sophomore, and I'm a computer science major with a minor in history. I'm currently involved with the NSO office. In the fall, I will also be involved with the running club and the Education Abroad Office.
Eva Ignash 1:31
Hi, guys, my name is Eva, and I'm going to be a rising senior this year, I'm in the James Madison College studying international relations with a secondary major in political science - pre law and a minor in Political Economy. I'm involved in a Panhellenic sorority, where I will be a recruitment guide this fall. And I'm also involved in a professional pre law fraternity called Kappa Alpha Pi
Madison Sewick 1:56
Amazing. So now that we have sort of all introduced ourselves, I mean, we have some folks here entering their final years just graduated. So what is sort of one of those MSU resources that you really wish you would have known entering your first semester?
Lauren Calhoun 2:10
Ooh, me first. Okay. So I would definitely have to say either CAPS or RCPD, the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. Um, I definitely think those both helped me a lot. Just with, you know, feeling homesick and COVID was weird, you know, my early years of college. So it really helped me to talk to somebody just about how I was feeling and like what I was going through. So definitely CAPS. And then, RCPD helped me as far as like my living and just learning in the classroom, I was able to feel like I was, you know, having accommodations that were pushing me to be my best in the class. And I just really appreciate that. So I definitely wish I would have known about both of those, like way sooner.
Abigail Arsenault 2:54
I mean, I guess for me, would being like just taking advantage of office hours, because I don't think enough people do that. I mean, this kind of ties into like advice. But I think taking advantage of office hours, especially with professors, or any of the classes that you have is so important. Because if you show that you're taking the effort, the extra effort to do something, they'll be able to help you out a little bit more. So that's one of the biggest things that I had to learn along the way, because my roommate actually started doing it and I was like, I'm gonna give that a try. And it actually worked out really well. So
Madison Sewick 3:29
I know a lot of students worry about letters of recommendation too for graduate school for post, like, work after graduating college. So that's also a really great opportunity to create those relationships that will get you the letters of recommendation too.
Eva Ignash 3:43
Right. Yeah, so got kind of going off of thinking about like, jobs and after college, but even in college, MSU Handshake, the website, best resource that I have ever used here. It's through the Career Services Network. And that's where I found my summer internship. That's where I found the Spartan Leader position that led me to the NSO office I am applying on there for my internships this year. I actually don't think I would have any jobs without Handshake.
Andre Edmond 4:13
I think for me was coming back to school after a few years. All the tutoring things like I think for CORE, the College of Engineering, the CORE program, they have a lot of different tutoring opportunities for people who might be struggling in their math classes and coming back and being a bit, having it rough with my math classes. It was nice to know that there were opportunities where people could come help me later in the evenings. It would have been nicer to know earlier instead of finding out like later throughout the semester.
Madison Sewick 4:47
Absolutely. So I think we touched a little bit sort of on the academic piece of like transitioning to college. But when students are starting to think about like, oh, it's the first round of midterms, we're starting to study for those. Where is your go to study place on campus.
Eva Ignash 5:01
Please let me start. Okay, so the MSU library, I know it sounds basic, I love that place. Okay, so when I need people around me because sometimes I need people around me when I study, first floor, though, when I actually cannot stand, people talking, or people being around me, and I just keep moving up and up and up. I really like the STEM building. That's fun, too. But I don't know, the library is like, my place. It has my heart.
Abigail Arsenault 5:29
It is a really good place. Because that's where I used to go to before I used to go to like, Blue Owl or Starbucks, but when there's too many people on Grand River, that's where I go, to the library.
Madison Sewick 5:41
Well, now the library will have a Starbucks on the first floor. So that's exciting. Yeah.
Andre Edmond 5:45
Yeah. What about like outside, though, because I feel like it's nicer to okay, like, I guess not in the winter. Like on the river trail. Yeah, I like tthe River Trail.
Abigail Arsenault 5:54
- by the stadium, that little like dip off right there. I don't know what that's called. But you can like feed the geese and stuff and like, hang out with them. And you can look, it's really nice
Andre Edmond 6:03
Outside Broad is really nice too.
Lauren Calhoun 6:07
I have a similar one to Eva. But it's actually the Law Library. Even though, I got no business being in there. I really don't, but it's super, super quiet. Like you can hear a pin drop. And I'm like the opposite. Like, I don't want to hear anything when I'm studying. It just needs to be quiet. So and they have like the little chairs where it's like, you feel like you're in your own little cubby, because the way that like the chairs are set up. So it's really nice. The only thing is during finals week, like it's only open to law students. So I usually go like back to my, you know, house and study, or I'll find other places like one of my other favorite places, McDonnell. They have a lot of study rooms and stuff, and they have a lot of space in the basement as well.
Eva Ignash 6:54
Okay, actually, though, sometimes if you go and go to the desk, they'll give you a pass for a specific part of the law library that lets undergrads study there during finals week. Oh, pro tip, right? Because the lady actually came up to me and was like, did you get your pass? And I was like, No,
Lauren Calhoun 7:12
That's one thing I wish I knew, but
Eva Ignash 7:16
Also the study rooms in Broad, yeah, I love those things, because you can rent study spaces just about anywhere on campus if you go to the website. But the Broad ones are my favorites.
Madison Sewick 7:31
And they have whiteboards on the wall. Yeah. Amazing. Well, now that students sort of know what the best study spots are from y'all. What time management tips did you utilize like when you were starting to get really busy? When classes, exams, papers, all of those things were happening? How do you keep track of everything,
Abigail Arsenault 7:49
Calendar, Google Calendar.
Andre Edmond 7:51
Calendar is the best. That's my
Abigail Arsenault 7:53
Bestie right there that Google Calendar is like.
Andre Edmond 7:55
The best thing that got me through like the first year was what I do is I would color code my classes for Google Calendar, I'd look at each syllabus, which is really big in college, like what they don't emphasize enough in high school, is your syllabus is everything. What I do for each of my classes is I'll look at the syllabus, look at all the assignments, due dates, quizzes, exams, and I'll put it in my Google calendar so that like every week, I can see like what I have for the week. Yeah, it's all in one place.
Abigail Arsenault 8:23
And I would always make my big assignments do a couple of days before, like, I'd put them in my calendar as a different day just before because for people who used to procrastinate like me, sometimes that was very helpful for me, if I did it, like a few days before, and I checked like months in advance, I wouldn't know that I changed the date on it. So that was very helpful in terms of like, needing that extra time and making myself aware that hey, that's the day that it's due.
Lauren Calhoun 8:49
I kind of do the same thing as like Andre, and you like yeah, the Google Calendar, but except I use like the Mac stickies, like the sticky notes on my computer. And fun fact, um, I just found out how to use those my senior year. Um, so don't be like me, I'm using sticky notes. But I basically like do the same thing. I would find all the due dates for tests, quizzes, homework, and I would just label it on the sticky note and have the due dates in bold and then after I'd finish things, I would just delete it off the sticky note and that's how I kind of kept track. And another thing is just like, again, prioritizing the things that I know are going to take me the longest and I know it sucks, but not having you know staying in and make sure I'm getting my work done before I'm going to go have fun with anyone or like you know, do anything relaxing.
Eva Ignash 9:41
Okay, so I feel like mine is kind of the same, kind of different. I'm a planner, girl. I love planners. So this past semester, I started using an Excel sheet and I'm not good at all at Excel, but my roommate who's an accounting major, made it for me and it's color coded. by class, and then it goes by date. So I just have to look at the dates for that week. And like the upcoming week, what do I have to do? I love to do lists. So it's like a giant semester long to do list.
Abigail Arsenault 10:13
That sounds actually very helpful. I never like really thought about it in that way. Because MSU 365, like, we excel is like included in that. So I feel like that's very helpful.
Eva Ignash 10:24
She always used it, and I did have to pay her $5. But I think that $5 was the best $5 I've ever spent,
Andre Edmond 10:33
like, emphasize enough, like, how important is like that time management is in college? Because like coming out of high school, like, I feel like it's,
Abigail Arsenault 10:40
and it's okay, that you have to still learn it. Yeah, you know, because sometimes it takes time, like with me, and I guess a lot of us too, it's not the easiest to like, sit down and look at this whole list and not be overwhelmed by it. So it's okay that you have to learn your own process, and how to get things done,
Eva Ignash 10:56
For sure. Honestly, I really like just setting a time, like, that I know is going to be designated for homework time, because it kind of helps me not have that feeling of, oh, I need to do it, I need to do this, I need to do that. I know, I can do it in my designated time. And I don't have to worry about it until that designated time. So it kind of helps me manage my stress a little bit, I guess. But
Madison Sewick 11:23
Yeah. All right. So we've talked a little bit about the academic piece. But I know for a lot of students coming into college, maybe moving away from home, the social piece is important too. So what was your sort of tip like moving into college on how to make new friends on campus,
Lauren Calhoun 11:38
I'm gonna actually I'll start this. So I'm, I'm a transfer student. So it's a little different for me. But I will say when I first got here, I like went to any event, I could get my ears on my eyes on just so I could like be around other students and kind of like feel it out. And just to feel out campus as well. And I actually met a couple of people from Sparticipation when I first got here. So just going to events like that. And then also, in your classes, like, your class might be boring. But Susan next to you might be really cool. Oh, yeah. And you can do homework together and make a study group with other people in your class. So like, literally, most of my friends are from either class or like, obviously from work as well. That's another way you get a job on campus or just in general, just being friends with them as well.
Abigail Arsenault 12:33
Yeah, because my biggest like thing because I was always so nervous to talk to people. So like, Lauren, that that's such a big tip too. Because the person you're sitting next to you as their name, their major, if they haven't, and one hobby they have, I promise you that's like the gold, the gold thing that you have, and like you'd be so surprised, like people will connect with you. And like you said, you can study with them, go get a coffee, I don't know, whatever you like to do exchange phone numbers, Snapchat. Yeah, and that helps a lot.
Eva Ignash 12:58
Honestly, I feel like one of the easiest ways is just meeting people on your dorm floor. I'm still friends with people today that I met at my dorm. And I know it might sound like a lot and it might sound weird, but I just started knocking on like, the door next to me. And once I made one friend, we literally one night, we're like, we're gonna knock on all the doors on our floor. And that is actually how I made like two of my closest friends from freshman year. And it's, it's so it's so easy. And I know it's like sounds so scary to be like, I have to go up and talk to random people and they're in their room. They're probably thinking the exact same thing as you they want to make friends and they're probably just as scared as you are.
Abigail Arsenault 13:43
Yeah, my best friend like Eva said to this day was my roommate. I didn't know her, I met her the day that I moved in. But, you know, you kind of have to put yourself out there a little bit because like Eva said, and like we all feel it sometimes it's like oh, they were in the same boat. Yeah, what else.
Andre Edmond 13:59
Coming together like especially their freshman year they want to make friends like they're okay with like just people coming up and talking to them.
Abigail Arsenault 14:05
Yeah. And then the first week they have a lot of stuff going on on campus like Lauren said, like, just go you will meet so many great amazing people
Eva Ignash 14:13
Ask people on your residence hall to go with you.
Madison Sewick 14:16
Absolutely. I know that I always heard like going into my first year here was like leave your dorm like door open like your residence hall door. And I thought that was like so dramatic. I was like, There's no way that me just leaving my door open is going to like lead to me making friends and like, like all of you have mentioned it makes a difference. Yeah, like some of my closest friends were people that were like, hey, my door was open and my RA actually had a contest and like, during the first week of classes, they would walk up and down our hallway and every time your door was open and they walked down they would give you a sticker on your door and the person with the most stickers like won a prize at the end. So that was like a really fun thing that like encouraged everybody to like talk to each other.
Abigail Arsenault 14:56
We had a candy bowl. In our room. My roommate and I went to Target we got a cheap bowl and like filled it with cheap candy. And anytime anyone walked by he was like, You want a piece of candy? I gave him a piece of candy.
Eva Ignash 15:07
You are brilliant.
Lauren Calhoun 15:11
Yeah, I was gonna say that could also sound a little strange.
Abigail Arsenault 15:15
Yeah, now looking back on, it's like, hey.
Andre Edmond 15:19
So many like clubs to on campus like you can find something with people that have similar interests. Like there's something for everybody, which is really nice.
Eva Ignash 15:27
Oh, for sure. Very true. My clubs, I think are where I got, like, I don't know what I would do without them. My sorority love those girls, my lifelong friends, like, I like my roommates. But my other clubs to all of my closest friends come from them. I think if I didn't join clubs, I don't know where I'd be.
Madison Sewick 15:48
Absolutely. So now that we've talked, I mean, many of you mentioned like meeting friends in your residence hall, when you were living on campus. So for those of you who have lived on campus, what tips do you have for the residence hall? Are there things that you didn't bring that you're like, oh, my gosh, week one, I went to Target to buy this because I forgot it? Or are there things that everybody tells you to bring that you're like, don't bring that. Any tips for students who are living on campus for the first time
Abigail Arsenault 16:13
Fan? Yes. Fan, you're gonna even if it's a box fan, get it? Just box fan,
Eva Ignash 16:21
Buy it at home. Buy it at home. They sell out here, they're gonna be sold out.
Lauren Calhoun 16:25
I also had like my freshman year, I had one of those clip on fans that clip because my bed was lofted. And the fan when it was on, I wouldn't feel it. So I had a clip on fan that I put on my side of my bed. So it was directly on my face.
Abigail Arsenault 16:39
It will save your life. Yeah, telling you so smart.
Lauren Calhoun 16:43
I also think like, for hygiene, I don't like, like, textured like the shower floor. So like shower shoes, just because you know, you don't know, and especially being in a community bathroom, like you're definitely going to want to bring shower shoes and a little caddy to carry with you. So you can go back and forth from the bathroom, and not have everything just like in your arms.
Abigail Arsenault 17:05
In terms of things and not to bring I'm trying to think.
Eva Ignash 17:09
You don't need all of the clothes that you think you do. That's me, my stuff gets overflown every single year and I tell myself this every single year, I never listened to myself, but maybe someone else will listen to me
Lauren Calhoun 17:22
Girlies, you don't gotta bring your whole wardrobe. It'll be okay.
Eva Ignash 17:28
Okay, honestly, a Brita. I hate the taste of like water if it like I don't do sink water. And sometimes I don't want to sit there and fill something up in a drinking fountain. Bring your Brita.
Lauren Calhoun 17:44
Yes, definitely a Britta or if you have a Brita water bottle. I have one and I love it. You can just fill up water anywhere and not worry about like, oh, it's gonna taste like this. And you just never know. So definitely Brita.
Abigail Arsenault 17:58
Oh, or a lamp, because the overhead lights sometimes are very, very bright. And I know not a lot of people like that overhead lighting so it's nice to have a little orange and yellow light makes the vibe a little bit better. Less overstimulating.
Madison Sewick 18:14
So in terms of for those folks who are eating on or around campus, what are sort of the best spots or your favorite spots whether it be a dining hall on campus or like someplace on Grand River that you is your go to for like takeout. I know we have some opinions in the NSO Office.
Abigail Arsenault 18:35
I'm a Qdoba girl over Chipotle I love Qdoba. Wednesday nights the burrito deal. You'll see me there.
Lauren Calhoun 18:43
I would say for like dining halls. I'm pretty biased. I used to work in the Akers dining hall. I'm serving you up your food but I would say Akers, like I enjoyed the food there. Their breakfast is so good there. The potatoes, so good. But yeah, and then like off campus, I like kimchi box and I also like I would also have to say like Charlie Kangs or Rice Kitchen, I like those types of things.
Eva Ignash 19:10
Okay, well, I'm you guys know. I'm a Brody girl, and I love Brody. So Brody dining hall is my favorite. No one can tell me otherwise. But for your combos, use your combos at 1855 and especially if you live at Brody, it's like a five minute walk. They will make you fresh food. Those chicken tenders, best chicken tenders I have ever eaten in my life.
Andre Edmond 19:35
Brody has so much variety too because I think they serve the same thing every day. But it's they have so many options.
Abigail Arsenault 19:41
Pasta, pizza, sushi, chicken, you name it.
Madison Sewick 19:48
I will say I felt like the food either both on campus and around campus like for a lot of the restaurants we've mentioned like Grand River is like, sort of across the street from North neighborhood.
Abigail Arsenault 19:59
There's so much anything's that you can choose from honestly.
Lauren Calhoun 20:01
Oh my gosh. And when you guys come to campus, you're going to need to stop at the one and only Raising Canes in Michigan. Oh boy. Yeah, come on. Like, you're gonna have to go and get yourself a combo box and tell me how it is because you can't tell me it's not amazing. Yeah.
Andre Edmond 20:16
There's only one right answer.
Madison Sewick 20:18
Right. I feel like the other place we haven't mentioned is the International Center. I feel like that Panda express.
Eva Ignash 20:26
And then the Woody's you can use your combos in there too.
Madison Sewick 20:30
Yes, you can. Yes. Another great spot. Okay. So now that we've talked about food, we've talked about living on campus to sort of start to wrap up this conversation, what is your one piece of advice for incoming students, whether they be first year, transfer students from Michigan or otherwise? Like, what is your piece of advice?
Andre Edmond 20:50
First of all, I think the biggest thing is that like, it might be nerve racking to come to college, if you're a transfer student, incoming, returning from, like, several years of not being from school, it is nerve racking, but you have to remember that everybody around you is also nervous at the same time. So everybody is feeling the same as you. And you shouldn't have to worry as much as you think you should. Because you find people to like, get through that nerve racking stage of like entering college with and that's like, the best part about college is finding that like sense of community and everything.
Lauren Calhoun 21:21
And definitely agree, I always thought I was like, The Wild One out, or like the odd one out when I, you know, it was like, oh, like, I feel like, you know, I'm not doing good in this or whatever. But everyone's in the same boat. You can talk to people about it other students, they'll understand. But I definitely think another piece of advice that I would give an incoming student is like, something I didn't do. So I'm gonna give advice to you is just don't be afraid to do things that you don't think you can. So I, you know, never thought I would ever have, I never thought I'd get an internship and like, all these things, and all these higher education opportunities, I was afraid to do them. But like they're offered for you here, and they're available for you. So like, go at it. If anything, it's just going to boost up, you know, your self awareness and your academics. And then it's also going to help you like, beyond school in your professional life, you know, once you're graduated and things like that. So definitely just don't be afraid to like, put yourself out there and make connections with people you don't know, send that email, you know, that's my advice.
Abigail Arsenault 22:28
Yeah, I mean, kind of, like a personal story, but not too in detail. Because when I first got here, I was going through a really hard time, like to the point where I almost dropped out like I was done. And I remember going to one of my professors at the time in the office hours, and I was talking with them. And I was like, hey, like, I don't know what to do. And I this will always stick with me. And they said, Do the best you can when you can. And that's really the thing that I always tell people, because at the end of the day, that's really all you can do. And like Lauren said, send that email, that text message, go see a friend go see that professor because you never know what can happen the next day. So and the sense of community we have here is amazing. So I think that's the biggest thing.
Andre Edmond 23:11
The nice thing is like about coming to college, it's not just that you're coming to college or coming to Michigan State and the community expands just not only at the school, it's like an international network, you can find people that go to say like I was going to Singapore last month, and I saw a guy wearing an MSU hat. And then we like started talking and it was just like you'll you'll find the Spartan community everywhere. So that's the nice thing about coming here.
Eva Ignash 23:32
Yeah, I feel like basically, the same thing that everyone else has said, put yourself out there. But I don't mean, I know every parent tells you put yourself out there honey, like, make your friends. I mean, put yourself out there in every single aspect. Go do things that you didn't think that you would do and go make friends. Go to an event that you didn't think you'd go to. Use every single resource that you can. MSU gives you so many resources. And so many students don't use them to the fullest. Put yourself out there use every single resource, there's so many opportunities for you. Use them to your fullest extent, whether it's knocking on someone's door, going to your academic advisor, any of it.
Madison Sewick 24:17
I feel like the one other thing that I'm adding on is like, this is a huge university and there are so many resources, but sometimes you're like, I don't even know which one I need. Like don't be afraid to ask for help. I mean, this is such a great community. Everybody is so willing to help you. I feel like it's intimidating. Like you mentioned Abby to like walk up to a professor and be like, I don't know what I'm doing. Or I'm really stressed about this, but like everybody cares, you know? Yeah, yeah.
Eva Ignash 24:42
So there's, there's so many faculty members who didn't go to undergrad at MSU and have said, "There has not been another campus quite like Michigan State with the sense of community", and you don't really realize how strong it is until someone says it because when you're here, it's just the normal. But when someone outside says it, it makes you realize how tight the Spartan community is.
Madison Sewick 25:08
Absolutely. Alright, so sort of our last question, and honestly, one of our favorites on every episode of this podcast is, what is your favorite part about being in the Spartan community? What's your favorite memory? As many of you are either wrapping up your time at MSU? Or have already graduated from the university? What is the big takeaway for you,
Lauren Calhoun 25:27
Um, I guess I'll just kick it off. I mean, I'm out, I graduated, like it was a it was a nice ride I loved you know, being able to be in graduation with you know, some of my friends, I had the same major seeing my family. And I also like, went to a couple of other friends graduations, and just like seeing them walk across the stage, like, it was really nerve wracking, but it also was just very empowering. Because I feel like, you know, the class of 23 dealt with a lot. Not saying that other classes haven't, but I just felt like it was a long time coming. And I'm just glad that I was able to do that and experience it.
Abigail Arsenault 26:06
Yeah. I mean, one of my favorite memories. I, it was my first week I was here. I remember, I was like, I don't know what to do with myself. So I walked up to the dairy store, I got myself a little ice cream. And I went and I sat on a bench. I didn't know really where I was on campus at the time. But now it was like, by bowl not tower. There's little, you know, like that there was a little bench and I just sat there and I people watched and I had my little ice cream. And I just, you know, I was like, Oh, I'm very
Lauren Calhoun 26:36
I want to do that. Like right now.
Abigail Arsenault 26:38
Yeah, it's kind of unique in a way because I had that moment to myself, like, I could breathe a bit like, I'm here. Now it's gonna start and everything will be fine. I'd say that.
Eva Ignash 26:48
Okay, so everyone here knows well, here, I guess on this table. everyone at this table knows that my friends are literally my entire life. They hear about them every single day. And I know it sounds cheesy, but my favorite MSU memory was bid day, this last year Bid Day, best day. I just the amount of like love that is on that day, I just get so excited. And there's so much excitement, like you're meeting like so many new friends. You're just having fun with all of your friends, Bid Day will be my favorite day, every year until I graduate.
Andre Edmond 27:30
As somebody who just finished their first year, I absolutely loved it. And I thought it was gonna be a little bit weird since I lived off campus my first year, but I still had an amazing experience. Like I loved my freshman year. The best part was I did a study abroad for just for spring break, and I got credits for it. And it was in Belize and I met a lot of great people on that trip. And I didn't realize like there's just so much offered at the school and it's really just a great place to be and so.
Madison Sewick 28:01
Amazing. Well thank you all so much for your advice, your wisdom, and all of the things that you have to let these incoming students know about before they even get to campus. Our next episode is going to chat about some tips for fall welcome. The events that are happening during that time, and we're super excited to see you next time.
Outro 28:22
Thank you for listening to this episode of The Spartan orientation station on impact 89 FM. Let us know what you think by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at MSU_NSO