Surviving Semester Two
How to embrace second semester
—By Sam Bower, Katia Flores, and Samantha Nelson
Remember tailgates, t-shirts, apple cider and pumpkin spice? Hold on to those memories. From now to May, the forecast will consist of grey skies and below-zero temperatures. Freshmen, welcome to the tundra, otherwise known as semester two.
Second semester has gained a campus-wide reputation of being a bit of a drag. In December, with holiday spirit in the air, some snow and chill are tolerable, even embraced. Once January 1st rolls around that excitement fades, and the cherished winter wonderland of soft, glittery snow becomes puddles of slush accompanied by harsh wind.
If you’re already feeling the post-break blues, here is the inside scoop on surviving second semester in Ann Arbor from an upperclassmen trio of Michigan students: sophomore and Business Administration major Pilar Burgess, junior and Sociology major Mariah Melendez, and senior and Mechanical Engineering major Kathleen D’Souza.
1. What are the top three things you are planning on concentrating on this semester?
Pilar: I really want to try to work ahead on assignments, be better about incorporating self-care days into my routine and spend more time outside.
Mariah: I hope to get good grades by achieving a GPA greater than a 3.0, develop better time management skills, especially while working part time and taking 18 credits, and finally, to gain better finance management skills by learning to save money and pay all of my bills.
Kathleen: One, I want to break even my spending versus earnings. Two, be conscious about what I’m eating to maintain good health. Also taking time to treat myself and finish off the year strong. We don’t have winter break to look forward to but we have graduation. There’s always a lot of work so I want to balance my time to achieve these goals.
2. What activities keep your spirits high during second semester?
Pilar: I’m involved in the Varsity Coed Cheer program at Michigan, and I’m a member of Michigan Fashion Media Summit (MFMS), which is a really cool club that focuses on the intersection between fashion and the business world. I also belong to the Black Business Undergraduate Society. I advise students to find organizations that they are passionate about in order to incorporate some non-academic activities into their schedule.
Mariah: I’m not really involved in any campus clubs because I don’t have much free time, but I wish to participate in La Casa, a cultural club for the Latinx student body, which would help me to be surrounded by culturally similar individuals. Additionally, I would like to register for intramural sports to keep me active.
Kathleen: I am most regularly involved The Society of Women Engineers and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Being in these clubs has given me the opportunity to gain advice about the field and network.
3. What are your favorite cheap eats on a frosty Ann Arbor day?
Pilar: One of my top eats is Amer’s acaí power bowl. I also love Madras Masala, a great Indian restaurant on Maynard street and Mama Satto sushi, specifically their spicy combo roll.
Mariah: Noodles and Company is my favorite because it has so many different options and isn’t very expensive. The location is convenient for when you’re hungry and you don’t want to go far for some good food. Also, Pizza House is great because of their variety, delivery and late-night cravers, which is super cheap and comes with a free shake.
Kathleen: Jamaican Jerk Pit–especially with the North Campus deals. I don’t eat out too much unless it’s like an emergency. Ahmos and Panda Express on North are also places where I get food.
4. What’s a fun elective that helped you get through a past semester?
Pilar: The Evolution of Hip Hop. I learned a lot about African American history through music and connected with more African American students on campus than I ever had before. Learning in this way, with the use of music in a classroom setting, was very engaging and immersive.
Mariah: The best class I have taken is Sociology 475: Sociology of Health and Medicine and AAS 111: Introduction to Africa and its Diaspora. I loved those classes because they’re so different, yet are both so interesting by discussing how individuals and health have evolved. It’s interesting to see the disparities among these classes too. It’s interesting, I swear!
Kathleen: It was ME311, a statics and analysis class. You analyze beams and use advanced methods like integration to find maximum stresses in beams or points of failure.
5. What is an underrated, cozy study spot on campus?
Pilar: I used to get my best work done on the second floor of the union, but given the current construction, I now enjoy working in Ross on the second-floor seats overlooking winter garden.
Mariah: The individual spaces in the fishbowl near the walls, but it gets busy, so I’d say the center of the chemistry building on those giant steps because it’s spacious without being too isolated. Panera is great too because it’s quiet. Not many people know about it and you can buy food whenever you’re hungry, so you don’t have to take a break from studying. It’s also conveniently located on central campus, which is nice if you are trying to get a quick bite before your next class.
Kathleen: I go to North all the time to study. Before it was Palmer Commons fourth floor by the murals. For engineering I go to the Dude (Duderstadt Center) and C-SED (Center for Socially Engaged Design). I like these places because they are quiet unlike the UgLi. I make snacks for the week and take them to study.
Though returning to Michigan means drearier weather, no football, and the realization you’ll live in a parka for the next few months, there are still ways to grin and bear the cold. Freshmen, heed the advice of your older and wiser peers, discover your new go-to Ann Arbor cuisine, seek out a fresh study spot, add a few items to your winter bucket-list and, above all, have a fantastic (and warm) winter term!
Feature photo: University of Michigan Diag, taken by Katia Flores