Letter From the Editor
Students are officially back on campus, which means the streets of Ann Arbor are bustling once again. For many, this is the first time living on their own in a new city. It can be just as intimidating as it is exciting.
I remember my freshman year of college and how eager I was to explore the city around me. Through this guide, we hope to make navigating Ann Arbor a little easier and help students get the most out of their time here.
Inside, we cover a range of topics, including accessibility on campus, game day outfits, making friends and more.
Here’s to a great semester,
Mary Genson
Assignment Editor
Table of Contents
- Letter From the Editor
- Accessibility Guide to University of Michigan and Ann Arbor
- Ann Arbor Gameday Guide for the Perfect Outfits
- Fun for the Family: Where to go in Ann Arbor when parents are in town
- Staying Sustainable While Living on Campus
- Engaging in Ann Arbor: Making Friends On and Off campus
- Back-to-College Consumption—How Cannabis Could Actually Help You Improve Your Study Habits
Accessibility Guide to University of Michigan and Ann Arbor
By Noura Costany
Everyone deserves complete access, but sometimes it’s hard to ask or know where to look. If you’re disabled and looking for community, support or simple guides of where to go in Ann Arbor as a student of the University of Michigan, we’ve got you covered.
University of Michigan resources
Starting with the school itself. There is the digital accessibility guide, which shows the expectations for professors at the University of Michigan. It includes guides, checkers and expert reviews of courses. You can also get involved through events on campus.
There are also multiple office hours, including disability navigation and accessibility specialist. You can ask about accommodations you need. It’s an easy stop, and of course, it’s mobility aid accessible.
One of the most helpful resources is the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services website. There are four teams that work under this umbrella: Services for Students with Disabilities, Academic Support and Access Partnerships, Testing Accommodations Center, and the Adaptive Sports and Fitness Center. You can start your involvement with them through this application.
No school is perfect, and accessibility isn’t always where it should be. If you find yourself struggling despite the resources provided, you can go to the Michigan Council for Disability Concerns. It’s a way to be a part of the community and make sure your voice is heard.
If you’re looking for more of a student-led disability program, there are lots of student groups! Here are a few that might fit your needs.
-
- ADHD Student Group
- Autism Spectrum Club
- Disability Rights Organization at the U of M Law School
- KINECTABILITY, who “host events like adaptive sports tournaments, awareness campaigns, or fitness challenges,” as well as peer support and professional development.
- Business Leaders for Diverse Abilities at Ross
- Special Olympics College at the University of Michigan
Lastly, don’t be afraid to start your own club. If something doesn’t fit your needs, create it. I’m sure there are people just like you waiting to join.
Ann Arbor accessibility
Ann Arbor is overall quite accessible. I’ve been able to get around with my wheelchair and cane to many places.
For an overall guide to Ann Arbor, check out destination Ann Arbor’s Accessibility Guide. It has sensory friendly activities, Wonders within Reach, and even a map for disability parking. You can also check out Wheel the World to know which places are easily accessible. It includes events and hotels, in case you have visiting family members in need of accessibility as well.
From my experience, here are the top 10 places to visit that are accessible and totally awesome. Check all of them out while you’re living here (multiple times!)
-
- Botanical gardens and Nichols Arboretum
- Decode Ann Arbor Escape Room
- Blue Llama Jazz Club
- Leslie Science and Nature Center
- Michigan Theater & State Theatre
- Gallup Park
- Zingerman’s
- Museum of Art
- Waterloo Recreational Area
- The Circ Bar
Transportation
If you need help getting around Ann Arbor, here are a few places you should call.
- The Ride: The Ride does require a specific Ride I.D. You can apply here.
- WAVE
- Uber, Lyft and other ride shares: These work in central Ann Arbor, and you can request one specifically for a wheelchair. However, if you’re going anywhere outside Ann Arbor, you’d need to schedule at least a few hours in advance. In the outer towns, it can be harder to access these apps because there are less drivers.
There are a lot of resources at your fingertips within Ann Arbor. There are general Washtenaw County services, which include a library service for the blind and disabled, Rehabilitation services and more. There’s also the Disability Network of Washtenaw County, which has a variety of events that you can attend to expand your community.
Similar to U of M, there are support groups and coordinators in Ann Arbor as well. Some final resources for you:
Ann Arbor Gameday Guide for the Perfect Outfits
By Mishal Charania
Everyone passing State Street and Main Street has seen Rally House and their offerings for every kind of University of Michigan gear you could need and want. Even though Rally House, the M-Den, and the Barnes and Noble within the Union or Pierpont have some good “traditional” pieces, there are so many places around Ann Arbor providing great gear for a gameday.
Boutique finds
Ferne Boutique is the first place that comes to mind for some of the best themed gear that is quite “nontraditional.” Although they are an officially licensed retailer using slogans like “Go Blue,” their pieces tap into a more feminine aesthetic. Their clothing feels incredibly high quality and is a Michigan-based boutique with only one other location further north. Although the pieces are at a higher price point than other local retailers, looking at between $65-250 for clothing, they absolutely are great for statement pieces that are easy to wear through the fall and winter as well! One thing I love about Ferne Boutique is their options for both outwardly Maize and Blue accessories, as well as more simple, elegant pieces that show school spirit.
Sandy’s Boutique is locally owned and based in Ann Arbor with a variety of trendy Michigan-themed pieces, often with a vintage twist. Their 2026 tailgate collection includes traditional vintage-inspired clothing, as well as some great pieces that are more on-theme, including a yellow polka dot skirt and Emi Jay hair claw clips. Of course, I encourage getting as many pieces as possible that say “Michigan” or “Go Blue” in big lettering, but sometimes it’s nice to have a more neutral clothing piece that can be worn to class, out with friends, or in other casual manners. Sandy’s Boutique is a must-stop for lovely, quality statement pieces at a mid to high price point.
Great ‘fits on a budget
Refreshing your outfits while wanting to be more spending conscious is absolutely possible! Especially if you are only wearing each piece sparsely beyond gameday, I highly recommend thinking about ways to be both thrifty and sustainable in purchasing!
As a former UMich student, I swear by the Salvation Army on South State Street for great Michigan-themed gear. Although the Salvation Army is a bit of a walk from central campus, being a bit more than a mile from the Diag, it is only a five-minute drive and a nine-minute AATA public bus ride which is free with your M-Card. Their prices are incredibly affordable for Michigan gear, with most clothing in the $4-15 range, in addition to just about anything else you could need. They have a section for seemingly new or barely used Michigan gear found directly to the left of the check-out counter, and other gear can be hunted down through the racks of clothes. I have personally found multiple Michigan sweatshirts, shirts, and even a brand new Woodson jersey at the Salvation Army!
For a curated thrifting experience, I recommend Plato’s Closet right by Briarwood Mall! This store is a 12-minute drive from Central Campus or about a 30-minute bus ride, so definitely go there with your thrifting mindset ready! Plato’s Closet tends to only have trendy and minimally worn clothing pieces at a slightly higher price point than Salvation Army but still less expensive than traditional retailers. They often have a few racks with Michigan-specific gear and oftentimes in early August, they release a large amount of collegiate gear. Although the gameday release has already happened for this year, I highly recommend going to Plato’s throughout the year to check out all of the nearly new Maize and Blue clothing!
Vintage gems
Someone walking down State Street might miss University Vintage because of how it is tucked between shops, but this store is a must visit for iconic Michigan items. Their offering is curated with a mixture of both modern and vintage, including certain decades old pieces and representing the fashion from Wolverines across generations. Their staple pieces tend to be jackets, including windbreakers, vests, and zip-ups but they do have a mixture of shirts, hats and other gear. If you are going for that more laid-back, style with an emphasis on items with an older, but trendy style, this is the place to go. Their prices span between $30 to $400 depending on the item but they no doubt have something for everyone.
Non-traditional shopping experiences
Throughout the year, stay tuned on Instagram and read posters around campus for when student organizations put on their own “thrift stores” or clothing exchanges. The University of Michigan Central Student Government annual “Go Blue Goes Green” initiative where students can donate clothes in the weeks leading up and then later “thrift” pieces for free. Although this is not UMich gear-specific, a lot of great clothing goes to this initiative and is a free way to refresh your closet. Other organizations do similar initiatives, including A-Squared Magazine with their Thrift Swap, One Thousands Schools’ Thrift Shop fundraiser, in addition to others that may pop up throughout the year! These are great opportunities to stock up on gear while also supporting other student initiatives.
Fun for the Family: Where to go in Ann Arbor when parents are in town
By Mishal Charania
For both students and parents, moving to college can be a major time of transition. Whether you are from 30 miles away or 30,000 miles away, give your parents a great Ann Arbor experience when they come to town.
Things to do and see
There are so many things in Ann Arbor that are at our fingertips that are often unappreciated. Doing activities with family is often a great way to some things that you’ve been meaning to do or get back to.
Nichols Arboretum
Although this is more of a spring through fall activity, Nichols Arboretum has great trails and walking spots, in addition to an open space for picnics or field activities. Take your family here for a break away from Ann Arbor and enjoy time with each other. I highly recommend bringing a blanket and some snacks to sit by the river.
Kayaking on the Huron River
Until mid-September, individuals can rent kayaks from the Argo Livery and until mid-October for the Gallup Livery. Do a 2 to 3-mile calm river ride with your family in a kayak, or bring up to four people on a pedal boat from Gallup. There are some mini cascades along the trip, and overall is a great way to see a new part of Ann Arbor while being outside. The experience is both fun and peaceful, and is perfect for all ages.
The University of Michigan Museum of Art
The University of Michigan Museum of Art is such a staple in the walk to class, to the Union and a lot of other parts of campus that sometimes students forget about how amazing it is. The UMMA has artist fixtures and rotating exhibitions, meaning there is almost always something new to see. With the UMMA being completely free for students at the public, it is the perfect spot to hit when you and your family has some free time to use.
Events at the State Theatre and Michigan Theater
The most popular new movies are always being shown at either State or Michigan, but oftentimes they have other diverse offerings you won’t find in other theaters. They may show classics, including movies that were likely popular when your parents were in college, as well as have artist talks and other free or ticketed events. Some of their upcoming events in October, for example, include a free LGBT history month student film festival, the Wheel of Fortune, and comedian Anthony Jeselnik amongst other offerings.
Breakfast and Brunch
Brunch is one of my favorite meals in Ann Arbor but that sentiment is shared by all locals and students. Brunch spots tend to be packed especially over the weekend so make sure to call ahead or go early whenever possible!
Brunch Top Pick overall: Pretzel Bell
Although Pretzel Bell is known for its dinner options, including a 25% off discount for UMich students and staff on Mondays, they have recently adopted some great brunch menu options from Avalon Cafe. Some of my favorites include the Smoked Salmon Toast for a savory option or the fluffy Brioche French Toast which also includes a side of eggs. Additionally, they have a huge restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating options, and are located centrally on Main Street. After brunch, I recommend taking your parents down the road shopping and sightseeing before taking a short walk back to campus.
Breakfast Honorable Mention: Iggy’s Eggies
When you have a jampacked day ahead of you, Iggy’s Eggies is what I recommend for breakfast on the go. Most of their items are easy to take with you with quick service and are priced inexpensively for Ann Arbor standards and the quality of food, typically ranging between $6-12. Their menu is mostly egg-based per the name, but their sides can satisfy even those who do not prefer eggs in the morning.
Dinner and Late Night Bites
Evening activities are where I feel that parents can really shine, and spend some dime on a good experience. There’s so many great spots in Ann Arbor for dinner but for any seated restaurant, I do recommend calling ahead and checking on wait times or reservations because it can get busy quickly.
Dinner Top Pick overall: Blue Llama
Food and a show makes up a great experience and Blue Llama does not fail to amaze. Their menu is diverse and upscale, with seasonal changes that mean you can visit every time your parents are in town. Beyond the amazing eats, Blue Llama’s ambiance is unlike any other in Ann Arbor. Their talent selection of musical performances is top-notch and the restaurant itself has a beautiful atmosphere.
Dinner Honorable Mention: Miss Kim
Chef Ji Hye Kim from Miss Kim is a UMich grad herself, so go to support a fellow Wolverine. Beyond the local tie-in, Miss Kim has amazing Korean cuisine that uses authentic Michigan ingredients and fusion twists. Their expansive menu absolutely has something for everyone and is great especially for people who may have specific dietary needs or preferences!
The restaurant is located in Kerrytown so I recommend taking a walk over to the area to check out some other shopping spots, go to the farmer’s market on a Saturday morning or generally explore the neighborhood!
Late Night Top Pick: Bodega Bros
Nearly anything you could possibly crave, Bodega Bros has. Although this spot is open 24 hours per day, at night is really when a chopped cheese or a burger is going to hold you over till morning. Regardless of if you stayed up late talking about college or need some food after going out to a bar, their service is quick and reliable and their milkshakes are delicious. They are located centrally right by the Diag and are the perfect spot to grab a quick second dinner with your family.
Staying Sustainable While Living on Campus
By Mishal Charania
Living communally is a great opportunity to take advantage of sustainable living practices and systems. The University of Michigan housing department and MDining prioritize integration of sustainability for students in a variety of ways.
Sustainable Eating at the dining hall
Decreasing food waste is one of the easiest ways students can be conscious of their personal environmental footprint on campus. Per the MDining website, the dining halls utilize “trayless, small-plate style to incentivize students to take only what they will eat to reduce food waste.”
Even in self-serve areas of the dining hall, I recommend starting out by choosing minimal items or portion sizes, staying conscious of how much you may eat in actuality. Continue to nourish yourself by choosing the right portions for you, and even if you need to dispose of some items, make sure to organize food into compost bins where appropriate. The compost bins in the dining hall are utilized by Wixom Compost Center to make compost, mulch and topsoil, continuing to support the local ecosystem.
Trash, Compost and Recycling in your Dorm
Within every dorm floor, if not multiple locations on each floor, there are compost, trash and recycling bins. Knowing and understanding the specific categories is crucial to supporting mass efforts to decrease waste. Beyond signage that indicates what kind of items go in which bin, make sure as a resident that you are organizing your items accordingly.
Reusing and Reducing Waste
Understand and be aware of the various resources you have access to as a student on campus that can help you lower your cost of living and encourage sustainability. The Maize & Blue Cupboard is a great resource as students can obtain free kitchen and household items, in addition to canned food or produce for no cost. This initiative can help supplement groceries or dining hall meals, in addition to decreasing food security within the local community. The University Career Center’s Clothes Closet is available for students to pick out up to three business casual or professional clothing items per semester. The initiative encourages utilizing clothing that is lightly or barely used, while also alleviating costs and barriers to obtaining professional clothes. Beyond free resources, being conscious of buying secondhand items when possible is a great way to both freshen up your closet and be eco-conscious. There are a variety of thrift and second-hand stores in Ann Arbor but students in particular love the Salvation Army due to its typical low prices and variety of items.
Donating and Moving Out
Throughout the course of the year, you will probably have accumulated what feels like a million free t-shirts and random items that are barely or lightly used. Multiple student organizations including the Central Student Government will hold “thrift” shops or pop-ups during the school year, allowing students to easily donate items for the benefit of club initiatives or to provide clothes to other students. Bins for donation will be placed in dorms or around campus when these kinds of opportunities are coming up, so keep a look out!
When students are moving out at the end of the winter semester, I recommend creating groups of items that can be donated or reused by others. In the dorms, there will be donation bins separated by types of items for students to utilize. This process makes it a lot easier for students to provide reusable items to others for donation without taking their items to a donation site, which is often a driving distance from the dorms.
Engaging in Ann Arbor: Making Friends On and Off campus
By Mishal Charania
There are absolutely times of college that feel like they are straight out of a movie scene. Between needing to pull near all-nighters to get your assignments in to having a picnic in the Law Quad, there is always something going on for a student at Michigan. Who you surround yourself with while doing these activities and more is important, and can really shape your collegiate experience. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, it is never too late to meet new people and make friends!
Events within the dorms
Although the dorm events are traditionally for the students who live in a specific community, they are really open to all students regardless of living location. Using the Sessions @ Michigan website gives you up to date information on a variety of events on campus including those run through the housing department.The reason why I recommend trying out housing events to start is because there is a great variety of opportunities to get engaged, between craft sessions, movie screenings, bingo or game nights and tons of other activities. Furthermore, residential advisors within the dorm communities usually run these events and are incredibly connected to the dorm but also to campus. Part of their role is supporting the transition to living on campus or going to college, including meeting new people. Use RAs as a resource, especially as you are trying out new opportunities on campus.
Another subsect of the housing community are Diversity Peer Educators who are there to support communities of students and uplift a variety of voices within housing. DPEs serve similarly to an RA but have programming specifically surrounding various cultural traditions or groups. Sometimes these are education-focused events, but oftentimes this can also be a more fun way to understand new cultures. I highly recommend looking into these events to see how various cultures intersect both at Michigan and within the housing communities.
Professional Fraternities
Joining a club is the surefire way to meet new people, and there are over 1000 clubs at the University of Michigan to explore nearly any kind of interest a student might have. I recommend exploring a professional fraternity in particular because they often center a specific educational interest, bringing together students around a particular educational goal. There are fraternities for students interested in health professions, business, economics, kinesiology and more! Beyond being able to further your interest in a specific discipline, professional fraternities often include social events and community engagement opportunities. These organizations often give students a well-rounded experience, including regular events that they can look forward to after class or on the weekend.
Exploring Ann Arbor
Local businesses and organizations within Ann Arbor are often integrated into the campus community. The Ann Arbor District Library, specifically the Downtown Branch, regularly has programming that students are encouraged to participate in. Multiple bars and restaurants including Ashley’s, Connor O’Neils and Good Time Charley’s all host weekly trivia which is a great avenue to team up with new people and show off your trivia skills. All students also have access to every UMich sporting event for free, other than football, basketball and hockey games. Even “smaller” sports have really loyal fan bases that can help individuals connect more with UMich fandom and meet new people. Other organizations including Marquee Arts and Literati also have a variety of free events that cater to young adult communities surrounding arts and culture.
At the beginning of the semester, the UMich gyms tend to have free trial workout classes. Other local studios such as RED YOGA also often have free trial classes and student discounts which can be another avenue for building community. Although some of these events and experiences are open to communities beyond students, it can still be a great way to meet new people.
Study abroad
The University of Michigan has vast options for individuals who want to study abroad, and also partners with other educational institutions to provide opportunities around the world. There are study abroad programs with other Michigan students only, some of which may be either a semester or a short-term trip. Regardless, talk to an advisor about opportunities for study abroad or stay updated on MCompass to seek out opportunities. Not only does foreign immersion help supplement your education, it will also put you in a unique environment to connect with others. Removing yourself from the busyness of typical college life can help you form deeper relationships with others going through the same unique experience. Whether you choose to go on an excursion for a whole summer or school semester, or opt for a one-week opportunity, study abroad is an underrated way to make friends you could keep throughout college and beyond.
Back-to-College Consumption—How Cannabis Could Actually Help You Improve Your Study Habits
By Chelsea Devona
College classes are starting back up again. Maybe you’re gathering apartment/dorm essentials, like bedding and laundry hampers and towels. Maybe you’re updating your electronics, like getting a new charger or laptop. Maybe you’re gathering tools to help you study, like a schedule planner or headphones. And of course, when you want to kick back and unwind, cannabis is a great tool to help with that. But did you know that cannabis can be a tool to help you study too?
The difference between sativa and indica
Getting energized after eating an edible or smoking a strain that is sativa dominant can be a study aid. Indica dominant strains produce more of a whole body relaxation, leading to a calming effect. Terpenes and limolene also play a role. For a relaxing effect, you may want a variety that’s high in relaxing terpenes like linalool and myrcene. For an invigorating effect, cannabis that’s high in limolene can get you going.
Creativity
Marijuana is often viewed as inspiring creativity. THC increases dopamine levels in your brain, and CBD can reduce anxiety, both of which can help encourage creativity. If you have a project that requires imaginative or outside-the-box thinking, it’s possible cannabis can help you get there.
Impact on other areas of health
Marijuana is often used to help people with chronic pain, inflammation and nerve pain.
If you are in pain, whether from chronic health concerns or from something more immediate, your brain views it as an immediate threat and focuses its energy on the pain, not on your studies. Pain impairs your brain function and makes decision-making difficult. Reducing your pain improves your cognitive skills and lets your brain focus on your studies, and cannabis can be very helpful in reducing specific types of pain.
For some people, cannabis can also help relieve anxiety. Anxiety is very bad for cognitive function and concentration. If cannabis helps ease anxiety, it can help improve your ability to study.
Microdosing is best
Don’t get too high, however. Multiple studies show that using too much cannabis can impair both short-term and long-term memory. If you want to see if cannabis helps you focus or makes you more creative, it’s best to start with a microdose and take things from there—ideally with enough time before your deadline that, if cannabis doesn’t benefit you, you still have plenty of time to complete your project.
Morning vs evening consumption
Cannabis taken in the morning can address symptoms of pain or anxiety, while taking cannabis at night can help you relax and fall asleep. Getting enough sleep is a critical part of being able to study well and maintain good grades.
Dispensaries near campus
There are multiple dispensaries near the U of M campus to choose from—quite a few in walking distance! Some options include: The Jungle House at 338 S Ashley, Vibe at 603 E William, Bloom City Club at 423 Miller, and Herbana at 702 S. Main.
If you have a car, your options open up—here are plenty of dispos in the surrounding area.
