University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Even while rushing to class, this student avoids stepping on the M in the middle of the Diag. Legend stated that anyone who stepped on the M before their first blue book exam would fail and few freshman dared to challenge that possibility. Y. Granata photo by Nicole Mammo It was an inevitable phase in the lives of all students a time where first impressions were important and everything seemed to matter. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and it was the freshman rite of initiation to becoming a full-fledged University student. As much as all tried to deny their freshness, that first year sparked unforgettable memories. Walking across the Diag on the first day of classes, it was the duty of all new students to avoid setting foot on the infamous yet sacred M. This was no easy task, as friends nonchalantly pushed each other into its path. Many wondered, Did riding a bike across it count? Breaking into the party scene was an important rite of passage freshman year. It was done as a community: during the frat crawl from Markley, people paraded to parties with members of their own floor, their friends, and all acquaintances picked up along the way.The freshmen on North Campus had a plight all their own. Partying was such a production if you lived in Bursley. We got so sick of having to make it back to C.C. Little by 2 a.m., stated sophomore psychology major Lindsay Guinan. The hours of operation for campus buses posed a problem for partygoers who had to make the trip down from North Campus. Many freshmen had the urge to push the limits and test the waters with their authority figures. Freshman music and cellular molecular biology major Lucy Head described an episode she witnessed. You know you ' re a freshman when you walk into an R.A. ' s room totally trashed, with a half full bottle of Smirnoff, babbling, ' whaat ' s up? ' In the eyes of some, rules were made to be broken, and receiving warnings in the dorms from the resident advisor was a small price to pay for some fun. Regardless of embarrassing experiences or unpleasant situations, repeated traditions ensured that everyone went through a similar process in order to survive freshman year; and make sure that it was one that would be remembered for years to come. The cube rests in the Regent ' s Plaza on a crisp autumn day.As one of the landmarks of the University, many new students used the cube to navigate themselves on their first days on campus. . Neff photo Freshman Life 21

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avoiding the ' M ' dodging your R.A. wailing for a 2 a.m. bus it ' s all part of being a freshman LSA freshmen Molly Heitner andVicki Christner study in their Markley dorm room on a Friday afternoon. Many freshmen found the college workload heavier than imagined and had to sacrifice more time to studying. . Neff photo 20 Michigan Life

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Lights adorn the trees of Main Street on a crisp winter night. The winter weather and snow accumulation were two of the factors inhibiting students from visiting the festive street. . Neff photo Customers at Sweetwaters Cafe enjoy their coffee while reading books and surfing the internet on laptops. The upscale coffee shop attracted serious studiers as well as artsy folk around town. . Ntff photo by Han-Ching Lin On Friday and Saturday evenings, Ann Arbor ' s Main Street bustled with families, couples young and old, and even high school students, many of them from out of town. Restaurants, bars, and a variety of stores lined both sides of Main Street between Williams and Huron, as well as the surrounding streets. Surprisingly, University students, who lived on campus not far away, were often missing fr om the picture. Some freshmen were generally unaware of this part of the city, while others found it inaccessible from central campus or too expensive for their college student budgets. However, for those who did make it downtown, one of Ann Arbor ' s most fun and colorful areas awaited. For many, the food in the area was the main draw. These ranged from fancy restaurants such as Gratzi and the Chop House to 24-hour diners such as the Fleetwood. You can ' t go wrong with Middle Kingdom and Kai Garden. They definitely beat China Gate, said Steven Assarian, an LSA freshman. A large number of bars and cafes could be found along the streets as well. These included Conor O ' Neills, Arbor Brewing Company, the Full Moon, and Espresso Royale and Sweetwaters Cafe. Aside from food, the Main Street area was also home to local businesses such as art galleries, gift shops, boutiques and outfitters. The Main Street area was not the most ventured of places for students because of several factors. ! think Main Street is definitely one of the nicer areas around campus because it ' s aesthetically pleasing. However, it ' s far away, and I never have time to get there, said Joel Weltman, an LSA junior. As far as many students were concerned, campus extended as far as South University and Washtenaw or State and Huron. Anything beyond that was an inconvenience to get to without a car or easy public transportation. Leslie Deckter, an LSA junior, found the restaurants and stores too pricey. I feel like Main Street businesses have a monopoly of expensive restaurants that students can ' t afford at all, she said. Although students did not visit the Main Street area as often as local residents and even out of- towners, they managed to make it downtown at least a few times during the year, whether it was a 21 st birthday at one of the bars, a date at a fancy restaurant, or shopping for a clothes item. For those who never found out about Main Street, or were too lazy to ever get to the area, they missed out on one of Ann Arbor ' s treasures. 22 Michigan Life