Tucked between the bustling metropolis of Detroit and high-paced college town of Ann Arbor lies Ypsilanti, the home of Eastern Michigan University. Eastern Michigan is much more than buildings, classes and students. It's the start of a new chapter in life. For new students arriving at Eastern Michigan University, the first few weeks can be exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes a little intimidating. With a new schedule, new people, new responsibilities and an unfamiliar campus, it can take time to figure out where you belong.
The good news is that you won't have to wait long to find your place at Eastern.
One of the best ways to make the most of your experience at EMU is to get involved. Whether that means joining a student organization, attending campus events, exploring Ypsilanti, supporting the Eagles or simply finding a favorite place to spend time between classes, college becomes much more rewarding when you make the campus your own.
Get to Know Campus
One of the easiest mistakes a new student can make is spending all of their time in their dorm room traveling to class and back again.
Take the time to explore.
Walking through campus you can quickly find places suitable for studying, relaxing, eating, meeting friends, and some places can become all of the above. The student center has so many nooks and crannies to explore just like all of the different academic buildings on campus. Students should also take advantage of all the green space they can find around campus, because it disappears for much of the school year under the blankets of snow custom to the Michigan environment.
And don't be afraid to leave campus.
Eastern Michigan's location in Ypsilanti gives students plenty of opportunities to experience the surrounding community. Downtown Ypsilanti, Depot Town and the surrounding Ann Arbor area provide restaurants, shops, entertainment and places to explore with friends.
If you find yourself in a situation where you forget to eat in the middle of a late study session, never fear there are some great spots just off campus that are a quick walk away.
Spots like STUFD, a burrito joint which is open until midnight everyday and will always keep you well fed. If you are in need of a sweet treat there are always Insomnia cookies good for cookies, ice cream, and late night chocolate milk runs.
There's plenty of restaurants for any cuisine you might be craving; you just have to go out and find it.
Your college experience cannot be limited to the classroom, and your favorite memories may come from the moments when you weren't expecting to make a memory at all.
Find Your People
College is a chance to meet people from backgrounds and communities different from your own. Eastern Michigan prides itself on being the most diverse university in Michigan, don't be afraid to learn more about the diverse student body. It can be easy to assume that everyone else has already found their friends, but remember that thousands of students are going through the exact same transition.
Start a conversation with the person sitting next to you in class.
Join a club that interests you.
Go to an event even if you don't know anyone there.
Try something you've never done before.
Eastern has student organizations covering everything from academics and professional development to culture, recreation, service and athletics. You don't have to find your lifelong passion during your first week. Sometimes getting involved simply gives you the opportunity to meet someone who becomes an important part of your college experience.
Be an Eagle Fan
You don't have to be a student-athlete to be part of Eastern Michigan athletics.
One of the easiest ways to become involved on campus is to support the Eagles.
Go to a football game at Rynearson Stadium. Watch basketball at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Attend a volleyball match, gymnastics meet, soccer game, baseball game or one of the many other athletic events taking place throughout the year.
Eastern Michigan has a proud athletic history that includes 159 MAC championships, 15 team national championships and 55 individual national champions. The athletes competing today are continuing a tradition that stretches back generations.
When you attend a game, you're not just watching a sporting event. You're supporting classmates, friends and fellow Eagles who have spent countless hours representing the university.
And don't underestimate the atmosphere of a college sporting event.
Bring your friends. Wear green. Learn the fight song. Cheer loudly. Stay until the end.
You might walk into your first game knowing nothing about the team and leave having found one of your favorite traditions.
Athletics Is Bigger Than the Big Sports
When many students think about college athletics, they immediately think about football and basketball.
But Eastern Michigan's athletic history goes far beyond those sports.
The Eagles have won national championships in swimming and diving, track and field, cross country and baseball. Eastern's women's programs have also created their own championship traditions, including five consecutive MAC championships in women's cross country and numerous conference championships in women's track and field, gymnastics, soccer and other sports.
And in 2026, EMU women's golf produced one of the greatest postseason performances in school history, finishing tied for third nationally at the NCAA Championship.
That means there is a place for almost every sports fan at Eastern.
Maybe you're a football fan.
Maybe you grew up watching soccer.
Maybe you love gymnastics.
Maybe you've never followed college sports at all.
Give something a chance.
You Can Help Build the Atmosphere
College athletics depends on its fans.
A student section isn't created by the athletic department alone. It is created by students who decide that they want to be there.
If you want Eastern's athletic events to feel bigger, louder and more exciting, be part of the reason they do.
Invite your friends to a game. Sit in the student section. Follow EMU Athletics on social media. Learn about the athletes representing your university. Celebrate their successes and support them when things don't go as planned.
You don't need to know every player on the roster. You don't need to understand every rule.
You just need to show up.
Make Your Own EMU Story
Every Eastern Michigan student will have a different college experience.
Some students will become deeply involved in student organizations. Others will find their communities through residence life, academics, athletics, Greek life, volunteering, campus employment or friendships that begin completely by accident.
There isn't one correct way to be an Eagle.
The important thing is to participate.
Don't spend four years waiting for college to happen to you. Go to the event. Attend the game. Explore campus. Meet someone new. Join the organization. Take the opportunity.
Four years can go by much faster than you expect.
When graduation eventually arrives, you will remember the classes and the degree, but you will also remember the people you met, the places you went, the traditions you became part of and the moments that made Eastern Michigan feel like home.
So to every new Eagle arriving on campus: welcome to Eastern Michigan University.
Your classmates have already written thousands of stories here. Now it's your turn to write yours.
