By: Andre’ LaMont Moses

So, I must admit, I am bias to one certain department on campus: Admissions, or more specifically, Admissions Visits Programs. In street terms, this department is basically the one that does campus tours for students wanting to look at Eastern Michigan University. So, why do I have a sweet spot for this department.

I have been working as a tour guide for about a year and a couple of months now. I’ve given tours to literally hundreds of high school kids, middle schoolers, transfer students and even a group of Girl Scouts who were all in the 6^th grade (most stressful tour I’ve ever given, but we’ll talk about that later over coffee).

What’s so special about walking around campus for an hour, talking to people who you barely know? Sounds scary, but in that hour, you really get to know and befriend your tour guests. You don’t know it, but you have a lot of say so in whether or not a student decides to come to Eastern or not. Sounds like a lot of pressure, but if you be yourself (that’s if you have a good, charming personality…if not…don’t apply for this job), your tour guests will really appreciate and like you.

What if you want to apply, but are nervous about speaking? You’ll get over that super quickly. Trust me. When I was first hired, I was scared out of my mind, but now…I just can’t shut up. You’ll build up confidence fast!

So, does this job sound interesting? Apply! The Admissions Welcome Center is located on the 2^nd floor of the Student Center, across from Starbucks. Tell them Andre’ sent you!

By: Martin Urbaniak

If the present day Martin could hop in a time machine to go back and tell incoming freshman Martin (or any incoming freshman for that matter) some advice I would give:

Stay on campus during the weekends: Do not succumb to home sickness or boredom when you’re first getting used to campus in the fall. There is so much to do on campus during the weekends! Go to football games and support Eagle Nation, head outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, throw around a Frisbee or toss a baseball. Play volleyball or have lunch on a bench outside. There are so many people to meet and so many things to do, why go home?

Be open to new things: This is your chance to explore, find new things, try new foods and think with new ideas! This will not only help you evolve but being open minded and branching out will help you learn more about yourself.

Make clear goals and priorities: It sounds so simple but goal making is something that is easily overlooked. Make clear and attainable goals for your freshman year and beyond. When you have your set priorities and goals, you will have something there to guide you.

Don’t overbook your schedule: College is busy, and it can turn hectic if you spread yourself too thin. Know your limits and stick with your priorities. Stick to a schedule, but allow a little time for spontaneity.

By: Sarah Orr

Personally, I’m addicted to coffee. Maybe it’s the smell … maybe it’s the taste … or maybe it’s because I’m a stressed college student? Either way, I’m intrigued by Starbucks’ change in menu depending on the season. For example:

In the fall:

1) Pumpkin Spice Latte:  Starbucks advertises this delicious latte around the Halloween-Thanksgiving season to get you in the carving pumpkin spirit.

2) Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate/Iced Frappuccino: If you have a caramel and toffee craving then try this fall weather inspired cup of Joe whether hot or cold.

In the winter:

1)  Peppermint Mocha/Hot Chocolate: This is my personal favorite drink Starbucks have ever made. It’s a creamy blend of coffee, lots of peppermint flavoring and homemade whipped cream … it can even come iced!

2) Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha: Although it’s cold outside, if you’re interested in an iced drink, Starbucks has your back! Who doesn’t love a coffee that tastes like a candy cane?

3) Gingerbread Latte: Gingerbread men are always so cute & completely satisfying and now thanks to Starbucks you can have these little men’s great flavor in a cup!

In the spring/summer:  

1)     Lemonades: Kick back with either a regular ice cold lemonade or switch it up by trying a new, summer inspired flavor.

2)     Passion Fruit: It’s a fun, exciting and enjoyable new flavor that reminds everyone that summer is right around the corner!

You want to know a secret? Although Starbucks advertises these drinks at different times during the year, if you’re familiar with what’s available, you can enjoy these seasonal, caffeinated beverages anytime!

By: Emily Vontom

Did you know that Eastern Michigan University offers free tutoring and academic support services to its students? Its true! The Holman Success Center, located on the ground floor of Halle Library, provides “instruction and services that will support students in the development of skills necessary for their effective performance and positive adjustment to the learning environment.”

The HSC offers peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, workshops and success coaches to help students make it through college as easily as possible. The HSC also offers employment opportunities to students.

Below is information on the resources the HSC offers:

• Tutoring: Tutoring is offered in most, if not all, undergraduate subjects from 100-level to 400-level. In order to receive tutoring in a course, you must be registered for that course. Students have to meet with tutors on a regular basis. (To be employed a tutor, you must have a 3.0 GPA and a B+ or better in the courses in which you want to tutor!)

• Supplemental Instruction: This is such a cool program – supplemental instructors (SI) come to classes and take the course with you! They then hold hour-long study sessions twice every week. This program is free to students and you don’t have to participate if there is an SI in your class, but studies have shown that students who take advantage of their SI – receive much better graders than those who do not! (To be employed as an SI, you must have taken the course with the same professor and have earned a B+ or better.)

• Workshops: The HSC offers workshops to students on a variety of topics, from organization to test taking skills and from time management to note taking. There is probably a workshop that will help you out in some way! Workshops are taught by success coaches.

• Success Coaching: Success coaches are available to students who would like additional academic support. All success coaches are graduate students who serve as academic “personal trainers.”

I’ve worked for the HSC for almost two years now. I started out as a tutor, tutoring students in journalism, public relations and English courses. I became a master tutor about a year ago. As a master tutor (MT), I work tutor team leaders (TTLs) and tutors to ensure that the program runs smoothly. I also work with students to ensure that they are getting the help they need and to make sure they have found a tutor. I don’t get to tutor anymore, which I do miss, but I get to work behind the scenes which is really cool.

Working at the HSC has been a really great experience for me – and seeing students succeed with their tutors is a really rewarding and amazing feeling.

For more information on the Holman Success Center and the programs they offer – please visit http://www.emich.edu/hsc/ or call (734) 487.2133.

By: Sarah Orr

Today’s date: April 17, 2012.

Date that my amazing freshman year of college ends: April 27, 2012.

Memories I’ve made here: Forever.

Although I’m only a freshman, I’ve experienced so much here at Eastern Michigan University. Here are some of my favorites:

1) Making new friends: College is a fresh start. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet some really interesting people and make new friends. I mean, I love the friends I already have, but there’s no harm in expanding the friendship circle.

2) Attending college sporting events: You may see college sporting events on television, but you have no idea, they are SO MUCH FUN! Both my suitemates’ and my personal favorite are football games. Tailgating, good friends, warm weather, a successful football team … what more to love?

3) Having a job on campus: First off, you can receive some extra change while being drowned in college debt which is helpful. Also, it gave me an opportunity to become closer with students in my office which gave me wonderful friends to work with, but I gained friends outside of the office.

4)  Exploring the surrounding area: I only live twenty minutes away from Eastern’s campus, but I never really knew what there is to do around here. My suitemates and I take afternoon trips to just explore. We’ve been to Depot Town and downtown Ypsilanti, but have also discovered Target, the movie theatre and various restaurants just a few minutes away in Ann Arbor!

Overall, college has been an amazing for me thus far and I’m not looking forward to moving back home for the summer, but I can’t wait to come back to make more memories!

By:  Benjamin Cooley

Lights, costumes, rehearsing, dance and music. Seeing these things separate is one thing, but being able to combine them? You get a slew of different ideas and possibilities. Here you are able to do whatever you want: Go and be on stage, becoming a whole different character. Or, go and pick up a new skill with dance and strut your stuff.

Go out and be a part of something that could make someone’s life different. Musical productions, theater productions and even CLOSE UP are some things for you to check out. If you want to sing and dance and dress up in many different costumes, musical theater is the place for you.

Become a lead role and have solos or even go behind the scenes as a tech and see how Broadway magic happens. If you want to dress up and still act, but dancing and singing really isn’t your thing, then go into a theater production where you may have to wear clothing from different time periods. Dress up like an old person and even learn an accent.

If you want to act and even sing a little, but want to go and talk about important issues (topics that are hot) or even go and talk about a topic that has affected someone to the core. Close Up theater troupe is a group that is devoted to acting and being themselves. By acting out their views on issues, they open up a whole new way to look at an important topic and even talk about issues that have hit them personally and may have even happened to you as well.

You don’t have to go far here to find something for you, but life on the stage is one that can bring out the creative side of you or even help make a difference in someone’s life.

By: Kerri Musick

They say the best way to learn is by making mistakes. I disagree. Feel free to learn from my mistakes so you’re not the obvious n00b on campus at First Four.

Dress for Success: This is garbage. Without fail, every single time, freshman will be dressed to the nine’s the first week of classes. Feel free to dress comfortably, but not Pajama/Snuggie comfortable.

Fountains: Yes, the lake fountains are always on. Frozen pond or 90 degree weather, they’re going to be on.

Library: It’s Halle Library, pronounced the same as Halle Berry. I discovered this tid-bit after 3 months. Don’t do that to yourself.

Planner: Keep it with you for at least a week. There’s a map in the front, that way you don’t have to ask for directions.

Laptops: Most professors don’t care if you bring your laptop to class and take notes. Be sure to ask during syllabus day if they have a preference.

Office Hours: Professors won’t stand behind you and walk you step by step through a math problem because time does not permit. Be proactive in your education and attend their office hours. They’re required to have ten a week, so take advantage of them.

Seating: If you’re in a larger lecture hall, sit in the middle of the first five rows. Studies have shown it engages you more and raises self esteem.

By:  Andre’ LaMont Moses

If you plan to attend Eastern Michigan University, to be considered a “cool kid,” you have to be aware of one little trend. It’s not a new hairstyle, or flashy new jeans … but a dance. Ever heard the song “Wobble” by V.I.C., Soulja Boy’s one-hit wonder sidekick? If not, listen to it, and watch the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE_64SdD27w

Pretty cool right? Well, amongst my arrival here at Eastern, I realized that there is a dance associated with the “Wobble,” appropriately named “The Wobble.” I started noticing that at many of the social functions on campus and at dance clubs in the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area, this song was quite popular, and everyone knew the dance. This song, which was actually released 4 years ago, only became the rage because of the dance routine that was created for it in 2010.

Want to learn it? It’s not hard at all, and you can learn it in 30 minutes. It helps to have a little bit of rhythm and coordination though, since there are a few turns and half-steps in the hustle. “The Wobble” is a dance any Eagle must know to gain brownie points at dances and events … so LEARN IT! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDCoQcMkV40

By: Mallory Apel

I’m not sure if there are statistics of if we can just call it a fact but college students love coffee … or maybe it’s the caffeine. Either way, finding a good cup of coffee can be critical. So if you are on EMUs campus or walking around Ypsilanti, I have a few suggestions about where you should go.

1. Starbucks – Talk about convenience. Located on the 2^nd floor of the EMU Student Center, this place even accepts meal plan, flex and E-Dollars. Plus free WiFi and plenty of seating in the Student Center makes this place ideal for coffee dates and meetings.
2. The Ugly Mug – Located on Cross St. this place has character, it was “one of the first small batch artisan roasteries in Michigan.” For more info check out uglymugcafeandroastery.com
3. B-24s – Located on Michigan Ave, this charming place has more than coffee. Besides having a great cup of joe, this place has great baked goods, soup and sandwiches. There is also free WiFi and live music some nights.

You can look up all of these places on Facebook and “Like” them to find out more information.

No matter where you choose to get your coffee, just remember if there is steam, the coffee is hot.