Get ready, Class of 2018. Whether you've been rocking the maize and blue since you were in diapers or you're a recent convert, you're headed to quite possibly the greatest University in the world, and athletics are a huge part of that experience.
You have just four - or maybe five, that's cool too - years to do this, so we want to make sure you do it right.
#5.
The weather isn't warm for long, so go do something
You'll be sick of Fifa by January if you're not careful.
- Play on as many intramural teams as you're allowed to sign up for (one of which should definitely be broomball). IM Championship t-shirts are one of the most coveted possessions on campus - find some friends and make it happen.
- Toss a fris in the diag, play tennis outside MoJo and/or hoop at the CCRB/NCRB/IM Building
- You don't have to live in Markley to knock on doors and find people to play beach volleyball with outside in the courtyard.
- If people suck, go to your RA - have them user their budget to plan something sick like a hall outing at Laser Tag. If people still suck, good. More pizza for you.
#4.
Take Educ. 212 with John U. Bacon at some point in your career.
(Realistically, you probably won't get into it until senior year, but last fall, it appeared quietly on the Course Guide in the middle of the summer).
It's called 'The History of College Athletics,' and Bacon brings in some of the best speakers on campus (last fall, Coach Beilein and former AD Bill Martin were among them). According to Bacon's website: The student evaluations gave both the course and professor a score of 4.98 out of 5.00, the University’s highest. The course also has the longest wait list on campus.
The only place you'll get better content on Michigan sports is here!
#3.
Experience Mud Bowl.
You don't have to be in Greek Life to appreciate their most absurdly violent philanthropy event on campus. And while we're on the topic - give Greek Life a thought! The douchey frat star image may turn you off, but you'll also create relationships with hundreds of people who transcend the stereotypes. They can be priceless resources to guide you through your first year socially (and surprisingly academically) - not to mention they open a network that will help you down the road with anything from buying/selling tickets, books, etc. to getting a job.
#2.
Don't miss the opportunity to travel to see Michigan in a big game
It's a blast. Ask anybody who was a student during the Sugar Bowl in 2012 or the Final Four run in 2013. Very few things will ever top being there when your school wins a championship. And if they pull it off...it's a giant celebration with your best college friends, generous alumni, professors, and the cute girl in your English class that you've never had a reason to talk to before.
#1.
Don't forget why Game Day exists.
Fielding Yost didn't build the greatest program in the history of college football so that I'm Shmacked would come videotape it (but alright, it's pretty badass that they did). The home schedule sucks this year, but you're only going to get around 25 chances in your life to see these games as an undergrad. Don't ever be too cool for the Blues Brothers dance, the 'You Suck chants,' or 'the Victors.' Nobody is. Learn the chants and remember:
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LDGz4hBXSo&t=41s[/embed]
Just one more piece of advice...
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