<p>I’m from Guam and I will be attending U of M in the fall. I’m going to be traveling 5,000+ miles to go to school and I’m a bit scared about the transition…especially the huge weather difference. On Guam its basically summer all year long. The only two seasons we have is summer and rainy season. Because I don’t know how well I’m going to adjust my first semester, I’m hesitant to apply for work study programs, honor programs, and etc. Do you think I should be worried?</p>
<p>Well it’s cold here (it was 46F last night!) but you’ll adjust to it. First winter will be really bad, but then you be alright.</p>
<p>The only thing I might be worried about is getting sick. Everyone gets sick but I feel like in Ann Arbor there’s a period in February where EVERYONE is sick. If you’re not used to the climate… you might be more prone to viruses, etc. Just drink lots of liquids in the winter and eat healthily if you want to avoid it.</p>
<p>Living in the dorms certinly won’t help for avoiding sickness either.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure there are medicines which try to help prevent colds, try getting one.</p>
<p>Also constantly wash your hands and avoid touching any part of your body that is moist.</p>
<p>yeah i REALLY hope I dont get sick</p>
<p>D made it through her first winter just fine (from S FL and had never seen snow)…just like many others who venture North for college. Just bring plenty of cold weather gear and have a supply of remedies ready for the inevitable bug. </p>
<p>Many freshmen go through some difficulties transitioning to college. My D and some others from OOS were determined to transfer back to their local colleges around November, but by the time winter break came they could hardly wait to get back to school in January (even with the bad weather!). Just know it’s normal to go through it. It’s good to keep busy and challenge yourself, but don’t take on too heavy of a load either. You’ll want to have enough time in your schedule to find activities that interest you.</p>
<p>As someone who lived in Michigan for all of his life, 17 years, my advice is to buy warm clothes and blankets, bring a mini hand sanitizer with you for whenever, and eat healthy. On the other hand, my brother who has already experienced dorm life told me that the dorm rooms get a lot of heat from the vents so he usually wore thinner clothes, but that’s just him. If you get sick, you get sick, like Puzzle says, drink liquids especially orange juice (vitamin C). As for the choices such as work and honor programs, make sure you can manage the work because if you get stressed out too much your immune system weakens and your chance of getting sick increases.</p>