EAST LANSING, Mich. — With fall semester classes beginning on Sept. 2, Michigan State University experts offer tips to help students and families cope with the demands of college life.

Academics

Learning Resources Center: Even students who were academically successful in high school can have problems adjusting to the college workload, according to Fred Barton, director of the MSU Learning Resources Center (www.lrc.msu.edu). The center offers an array of tutoring services, ranging from mathematics and science classes to social sciences. The biggest adjustment for some students is meeting the demands of professors. Even students who excelled in high school may have a difficult time understanding what’s asked of them at the college level. “Students don’t understand that qualitative change to college,” Barton said. “What they really need to understand is professors don’t emphasize spitting back the facts.” The center offers 60 classes, mostly for first- and second-year students. Seminars and workshops are available to help students with reading, study skills, test taking and time management.

Contact: Fred Barton, Learning Resources Center: (517) 355-2363, bartonf@msu.edu.

Study abroad: Students wishing to expand their learning experience have the perfect opportunity through Michigan State’s Office of Study Abroad. (www.studyabroad.msu.edu). For the fourth year in a row, the program led the nation in study abroad participation among U.S. public universities, according to a report from the Institute of International Education. During the 2006-07 academic year, more than 2,800 MSU students studied abroad, participating in more than 250 programs in 60 countries. “One of the most appealing things is we have so many options,” said Cheryl Benner, communications manager for the study abroad program. “We have lots of scholarships available, and almost all of the individual colleges offer some aid.” Financial aid is available for students wishing to participate.

Contact: Cheryl Benner, Office of Study Abroad: (517) 432-5166, bennerc@msu.edu.

Finance                                         

Paying for college: Financing an education can seem overwhelming especially in these tough economic times, but the MSU Office of Financial Aid can lead students to options and ease their concerns. “We’ve seen an increase of 15 percent in general aid application,” said Val Meyers, associate director of the Office of Financial Aid. Students can check with the office for options, but there are other aid opportunities on campus. The Office of Admissions handles merit-based financial aid for incoming freshmen while returning students can check with their departments for any merit-based aid opportunities.

Contact: Val Meyers, Office of Financial Aid: (517) 353-5940, meyersv@msu.edu.

College life

Moving to campus: New transfer students and freshmen can begin to move into residence halls beginning at 8 a.m. Aug. 30. Returning students can move in anytime after 8 a.m. Aug. 31. Staff will be available throughout the day to help students with their move. Via their MSU e-mail accounts, students will be assigned a two-hour block of time for their move-in. Unloading vehicles will receive a 20-minute parking permit before being redirected to long-term parking. Students may check into their hall with their MSU ID, and after verification will receive their room keys. During the two-day move-in, parents and families may eat in residence hall dining rooms without meal tickets.

Contact: Amanda Vasas, Residential and Hospitality Services: (517) 353-9147, avasas@msu.edu.

First Year Experience

Learning the ropes: This program (www.fye.msu.edu) gives first-year students the foundation necessary to adapt to their new surroundings. The MSU First Year Experience’s pilot program will begin at West Holden Hall with 600 students, involving them in a variety of programs to ease their transition to Michigan State. “One goal is to enhance their academic success,” said Joshua Gillespie, assistant director for Residence Life for First Year Experience and Strategic Initiatives. “Another is to give them knowledge and easy access to the resources available to them, to help them acclimate to their residence hall environment and campus environment and to enhance their civic service.” During the next several years, the program will expand to include all first-year residence halls.

Contact: Joshua Gillespie, Department of Residence Life: (517) 353-3780, gillesp1@msu.edu.

Campus safety

Staying safe at MSU: A student’s time away at college can be an exciting time, but Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor of MSU Police reminds students to be careful when it comes to their personal safety. “Become familiar with campus and walk within well-lit areas,” McGlothian-Taylor said. There are plenty of resources for students to take advantage of, like the Capital Area Transit Authority’s Night Owl bus service that will shuttle students across campus late at night. The university also offers free self-defense classes through the intramural sports department. And, for those living in residence halls, McGlothian-Taylor’s advice is to treat the dormitory as an extension of the home. “Students should treat living in that building no differently than the community they grew up in,” she said. “Don’t open doors to strangers, utilize peep holes on doors and report strangers loitering in halls.”

Contact: Florene McGlothian-Taylor, MSU Police: (517) 353-8502; mcglothi@msu.edu.

Bicycle registration: One of the easiest and quickest ways to zip around MSU’s campus is by bicycle. Before students do so, McGlothian-Taylor suggests they register their bike or moped with MSU Police. “It helps us get it back to them if it’s stolen,” McGlothian-Taylor said. Bike registration is free and can be done by visiting the MSU Police’s Web site (www.police.msu.edu/bikeinfo.asp).

Contact: Florene McGlothian-Taylor, MSU Police: (517) 353-8502; mcglothi@msu.edu

Health

Keeping MSU healthy: MSU’s commitment to keeping students healthy extends over a variety of health services and resources. The Olin Health Center houses primary care, gynecology and psychiatry services as well as an allergy and immunization clinic, a pharmacy, a dental clinic, and physical therapy and orthopedic services. The MSU Counseling Center (207 Student Services Building) also helps students with programs dealing with depression, substance abuse, stress, family relationships, lesbian and gay issues and sexual assault. Group counseling, limited short-term individual counseling, substance abuse assessment and counseling, and sexual assault and safety education groups can help students.

Contact: Kathleen Braunlich, Olin Health Center: (517) 432-1553, kathi.braunlich@ht.msu.edu.

Promoting healthy lifestyles: MSU’s Health4U program (www.health4u.msu.edu) introduces students to personal health coaching services, classes, seminars, support networks and online services designed to have a positive influence on their health. Classes and seminars are offered in emotional wellness, fitness, nutrition, and quitting tobacco products. Health4U has three areas of focus devoted to health improvement: Health4You directed at individuals, Health4MSU targeted at the campus environment and Health4U Outreach aimed at campus departments and the community. Many of the programs offered through Health4U are free of charge.

Contact: Kathleen Braunlich, Olin Health Center: (517) 432-1553, kathi.braunlich@ht.msu.edu.

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