“Be grateful. This isn’t just college. This is one of the most incredible opportunities ever presented to you. Don’t ever take being a Spartan for granted.”

—Lisa Mulcrone, 1992, psychology

“If it’s due at the end of the week, don’t wait until the end of the week.” 

—Darius Cunningham

“Savor the friendships you build over your first year of dorm life; they may last a lifetime. Two of my closest friendships were made during freshman year and remain the most meaningful - other than my beloved wife who I didn’t meet until sophomore year!”

—Michael Brown, university physician
1986, College of Human Medicine

“You don’t have to portray yourself in a certain way. You really just have to be yourself.” 

—Shae Eckles

“I encourage you to try real hard to be more assertive and speak up for yourself, to have opinions and express them (respectfully, of course!), and to take full advantage of the amazing opportunities that this huge, diverse, exciting campus has to offer!”

—Jo Anna Bennett, 1972, secondary education

“Become comfortable with being uncomfortable.” 

—Lily Wenkel

“This advice was given to me by a customer on my paper route before I left for MSU in 1985, 40 years ago. I never forgot it and it would repeat in my subconscious whenever I was presented with a temptation to do something besides study or prepare for my classes: ‘Never forget why you are there.’"

—Chris R. Richards, 1990 and 2020, packaging

“Everyone is going through the same thing you’re going through; you’re not alone.” 

—Satya Magapu

“My advice would be to find some extracurricular activities outside of your friends, early on. You will make friends in the dorm and you will have friends that are coming from your same high school. But extracurriculars will bond you with people that quite obviously have a similar interest as you.”

—Becky (Matter) Veit, 1990, public administration

“First, the early weeks of college can be bewildering. Locate a club or organization connected to campus that interests you and join. In my experience, there would be a warm welcome waiting, and it's a good place to find persons who share your values.”

—Ruth Hazelton, 1956, early childhood development

“Have some grace; give yourself some time.” 

—Connor Le 

“Set a study routine and stick with it. You will want to do well this semester as your first semester grades will be the “front page” of your transcripts for the rest of your life. Good Luck and Go Green!”

—Gail Robertson, former MSU Distinguished Fellow recipient

“Go out of your way and take the risk. It’s in those moments of uncertainty that you will grow and learn the most.” 

—Agrim Gupta

“Leave an hour between scheduling classes from the middle to borders of the campus. There's no way that you can make it in just 20 minutes, especially if you use the restroom.”

—Valerie Novak, 1976, resource development