Admissions

What any student should know entering college is that things are totally different. You are no longer in the same playing field as high school. College is whole new game. You need to establish independence because at college you are completely on your own. Time management is also very critical in college with so many opportunities and things to do. And if you've always been a good student during high school and felt like you never needed to study, trust me, you WILL need to study! Many of the professors require you to learn and grasp knowledge beyond the material they teach in lectures or labs.

If you are thinking about applying to MSU, do it. If you find yourself being drawn to a different school though, go there. Make the choice that will best suit you. It is important that you enjoy where you are in college.
-MSU Specific Tips:
As I said the campus is huge, bring a bike or get a bus pass (though that can get crowded).
It gets cold, be ready for the weather.
Books are EXPENSIVE. Talk to older students in your major to see if you can't cut a deal. Also half.com has some seriously cheap books. Also, find out from other students if you will even use your book in class (some professors will say they are required and will not even crack them open for the whole semester).
Get a campus map! They are extremely helpful, I use mine every semester to find the fastest ways to class.
Don't worry about looking like a freshman. So many freshman I met this year were so worried about looking like they knew what they were doing because they didn't want anyone to know they were a freshman. When I was a freshman I did not care if anybody knew. Nobody treats you any differently (this isn't high school). Other students were extremely helpful when I asked them questions.
Explore the campus. There are so many shortcuts and paths and buildings... it is easy to get lost. Map out your routes and walk them. I found a short cut that saves me 7 minutes walking time everyday like that.
Live on campus. The staff is wonderful. The experience is unbeatable. I lived on for the last two years.
Get to know your RM. They are one of the best resources you will have. They can be a great person for advice, just to go talk to, or someone who can help point you in the right direction.
Learn about the different dorms before you select which one you want to live in. Most freshman get put in the Brody Complex. Everybody complains because it is so far away, but a lot of people like it because everybody there is in the same boat. Nobody knows what is going on so they form a strong frie...

1. Get to know all your professors. Cuz then they get to know you, then you get on their good side, and then you get those good grades. Ayyyyeee!
2. Try not to live in Brody. They usually stick a lot of freshmen in there, and that complex is kinda far away from the rest of MSU. Stay in Hubbard, it’s close to some important areas, and it’s pretty, and new (that’s where I stayed freshman year!).
3. Go out with a group of friends at night. Nothing wrong with being smart, am I right?
4. Be happy! Other freshmen are shy too, and when they see happy people, their OWN happy comes out. :p
5. Bring a bike or buy a bus pass. At the beginning of the year some of my friends said, “nahh, I’ll just walk. My classes are nearby.” Know what they ended up doing? Buying a bus pass. Sometimes the distances will be too far for your legs to handle. Or you just won’t feel like walking. Either way.
6. Join a club. You meet great friends through those. Looks good on applications too.
7. Have funnnn! But not too much fun! Hit them books. (;

If you want to go in blind in the dorms, but not totally blind- find the app on Facebook called RoomSync and they match you up with people. You get the final say and can even talk to these matches.

Don't let the size of Michigan State put you off its not really as big as it seems other than the fact that you have a large area where you could possibly need to go for your classes, but you can ride the bus, walk and bike ride, hey walking is a great way to keep in shape. Don't come with the mentality of High School, its much better than high school. if you come thinking that your going to get personal attention without even asking which sometimes happens in high school, your are not going to get it. teachers are there to teach you, but they're not going to hold your hand.

Study, Study, Study!!!!

1. seek out friends with whom you truly enjoy spending time. this may sound obvious, but it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of any university if you don't make an effort to meet people. many students make friends in their dorms. other common meeting places include clubs, religious organizations, sports teams, and classes. college can also be a time to reinvent yourself and change for the better. choose friends who will help you become the best version of yourself.

2. be responsible. this is college-you no longer have to ask permission to use the restroom during class, and no one is going to call your mommy if you fail a test. freedom is great, but it places your future in your own hands. professors are typically more than willing to help you if you ask, but none of them are going to hunt you down and remind you to turn in last week's homework. go to class. study. keep track of your assignments. being a grown-up really is not difficult if you put in a little bit of effort.

3. make time for fun. sure, you're in college to get a degree, but you need to enjoy yourself along the way. i grew more as a person through the friendships i made, conflicts i resolved, and leadership roles i took on during my time at msu than i ever did by listening to a lecture or writing an essay. having a perfect gpa is nice, but having a good gpa, growing as a person, and being happy is better.

If you are considering Michigan State, I encourage you to visit the campus over the summer and spend some time learning where everything is. The people who helped me were very friendly and accommodating.

Make sure to balance out your school and extracurricular activities. And if you are looking for a job there are plenty of places to find one on campus.

The first thing you probably here about MSU is that it is a big party university. That's no lie haha. But if you do not know how to manage your time, study, and forget that academics come first, that party isn't going to last a long time. My favorite thing about MSU is the people. Everyone really wants to do well academically but at the same time loves to have a good time.