Hey there! My name is Riann, I am a sophomore at the University of Michigan, double majoring in Political Science and Economics, with a minor in Sociocultural Anthropology. I'm always trying to find new ways to get involved on this amazing and diverse campus, like being a DJ on the student radio station WCBN, working with the UofM chapter of the ACLU, or contributing to the campus humor magazine The Gargoyle and The Michigan Journal of Economics this coming fall. I love to try new things and have experience with religious, environmental, and interest organizations on campus, as well as the social scene and what different career tracks look like, especially since I entered my freshman year as a physics major on an engineering track. I live on campus during the school year and explore Ann Arbor via bus routes and cycling on my free time, and would love to help any new students through their journey in Ann Arbor!

Hometown

Dearborn, Michigan

Major(s)

Economics, Political Science

Minor(s)

Sociocultural Anthropology

Clubs, organizations & involvement

ACLU- UofM, WCBN

Describe your college experience

Everyone has a learning curve, and I discovered a lot about my habits and preferences as an individual. Being more alone on such a big campus gave me such an important and valuable opportunity to test myself in a new world. I struggled a bit academically and with my identity when I dived deeper into the things I thought I loved, like physics and astronomy, only to realize that they just weren't for me. Still, through exploring and experimenting, I found things that better suited my niche, like writing and the social sciences. It felt desolate at times, but this school has a way of guiding its students out of that.

Tip for future students

Pay attention to your emails! Not only do you receive some incredible opportunities that I regret not taking advantage of, but you get information that is beyond valuable, like the add​/​drop deadlines for your classes and what they actually mean for you.

Favorite class

PHIL 196 "Prove Me Wrong". As a first year philosophy seminar, it was mostly discussions amongst a class of ＜15 students, and I hated it at first. The topics felt too removed from reality, the tests too abstract and I grew impatient with the professor. It was the first class I ever went to office hours for, and the first class where I felt I had a breakthrough. I changed my study style and the methods I used, and I ended up with an A and some great conversation starters!

Career goals

I am still exploring my post-grad opportunities and interests, but hopefully something in the legal field if not law school itself.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Either a late night bike ride through Ann Arbor with a good playlist or a cozy hangout with a friend.

High school or secondary school

Fordson High School, Dearborn Michigan

Previous college

I did not transfer, but I completed dual enrollment courses at my local community college, Henry Ford College, while I was in high school

Favorite spot on campus

Basement of the Student Activities Building or the "Arb", short for Nichols Arboretum. The SAB basement is where I play my radio show, and it's chock full of student expression. The walls are filled with posters and art, and shelves are stocked with new music to try out, all coming with the wonderful community that can be found there. The Arb was next to my freshman dorm and I would take long walks filled with beautiful sights to rest my mind and reconnect with nature, and the peony garden in the spring is a beautiful sight.