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Have you ever wondered why some students engage deeply with a concept while others struggle? Or why a strategy that worked wonders in one class doesn’t seem to resonate with another? If so, you’re already on the path to engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). At its core, SoTL is about embracing the tinkerer's mindset—approaching your teaching with curiosity, a willingness to experiment, and the drive to make a difference in student learning.
SoTL transforms the everyday tweaks we make as educators into intentional, research-based inquiries. It’s a way to take the questions you already have about your classroom and turn them into powerful insights that can enhance your teaching and your students’ success.
What Is SoTL?
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is a research-based approach to improving education. But it’s not just about conducting studies—it’s about actively engaging with your students’ learning processes to make data-informed decisions. SoTL is guided by five key principles:

Inquiry and Curiosity: Start with a question about your teaching or your students’ learning.
Systematic Investigation: Use evidence-based methods to explore that question.
Reflection: Analyze your findings to identify what’s working—and why.
Iterative Improvement: Keep refining your strategies based on what you learn.
Transparency and Sharing: Share your insights with others to contribute to the larger teaching community.

Think of it as bringing the mindset of a scientist into the classroom: What if? Why not? How can I do this better?
Your SoTL Journey in 5 Steps
Engaging in SoTL is a manageable, step-by-step process:

Identify the Research Question- Start with a specific challenge or curiosity. For example, “How does active learning influence student participation in large lecture courses?”
Design the Study- Plan your approach. Will you use surveys? Observations? Focus groups? Ensure your study aligns with your goals and ethical guidelines.
Collect Data- Gather evidence systematically. This could include student reflections, test scores, or LMS analytics.
Analyze the Data and Draw Conclusions- Look for patterns or trends. What do the results tell you about your teaching and your students’ learning?
Disseminate Results- Share your findings with colleagues, present at conferences, or publish in a SoTL journal. Your insights could inspire other educators to try new approaches in their classrooms.

How CTLI Supports Your SoTL Work
You don’t have to go it alone—MSU’s Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI) is here to support you at every step of your SoTL journey. Here’s how:

Brainstorm and Design: Not sure where to start? Our consultations can help you refine your research question, choose methods, and plan your study.
Tools and Data: We’ll show you how to leverage psychometric methods and LMS data through tools like D2L Insights or integrate other technologies into your research.
Funding Opportunities: Apply for Catalyst Innovation Funding to bring your project to life.
Workshops and Training: Attend our sessions to build your skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, ethical considerations, and more.
Share Your Work: Present your findings at CTLI’s Spring TALKS Conference or get advice on submitting to SoTL journals.

Whatever stage you’re at, CTLI is your partner in turning teaching questions into actionable, evidence-based answers.
Small Steps, Big Impact
You don’t need to overhaul your entire course to get started with SoTL. Begin with a single question, a small change, or a simple data collection strategy. Each step you take adds to your understanding of what works in your classroom—and why. Over time, these small steps can lead to big impacts on your teaching, your students, and your professional growth.
So, dare to tinker. Your curiosity could be the spark that transforms not only your classroom but the larger community of educators. Ready to take that first step? CTLI is here to support you every step of the way. Let’s turn your ideas into action!
Upcoming SoTL Workshops:
Introduction to SoTL (Part 1)SoTL Qualitative Methods (Part 2a)SoTL Quantitative Methods (Part 2b)SoTL Advanced Methods (Part 3)Course Analytics & D2L Insights
Register for CTLI Workshops

Resources:
1. CTLI-Specific Resources

Past Workshop Slides: SoTL Introduction (CTLI), SoTL (EDLI)
CTLI Workshops and Training: Events Calendar, Request a Workshop
Catalyst Innovation Funding: Details on how to apply.
Spring TALKS Conference: Call for Proposals coming soon. Check website.
CTLI Consultation Services

2. SoTL Guides and Handbooks

Books:

Engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: A Guide to the Process, and How to Develop a Project from Start to Finish by Bishop-Clark and Dietz-Uhler.
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Reconsidered: Institutional Integration and Impact by Hutchings, Huber, and Ciccone.

Online Guides:

ISSOTL’s (International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)
University of Georgia: Getting started with SoTLVanderbilt: Doing SoTL
Notre Dame: SoTL Overview
University of Minnesota: A Guide to theScholarship of Teaching & Learning


3. SoTL Communities and Networks

Professional Organizations:

International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL).

Are you considering videos?
 
Adding videos to any course (online or face-to-face) can provide students with a number of benefits. Videos can often provide deeper connections to course content, inspire and engage students, and put more autonomy into the hands of learners.
 
The Key Becomes How To Make Effective Videos.
 
What tips and tricks will help with creating videos for student consumption? Start with these three areas:
 
1) Planning Video Content.

Make content specific videos separate from classroom business
Stick to the objectives and your course material in one video
Address students and course house-keeping in another
Avoid mentioning dates, current events, other time-specific elements

2) Improving Video Elements.

Improve your audio to make better videos
Use the best microphone possible
Pay attention to where you are recording
Minimize background noise
Clean up audio files if necessary

3) Creating Video Coherency

Connect visuals, audio, and content together
Refer to every element in your videos (from figures to images to text)
Tell a story through all of these elements

Resources for Video Creation

Try these ideas on for size. Just go to these websites for more ideas:

10-tips-creating-effective-instructional-videos
Video-teach-learn/pedagogy-benefits
8-beginner-tips-for-creating-videos
Pedagogical-benefits-video-teaching-learning
Effective-educational-videos
Guidelines-teaching-and-learning-videos



 

Or read about research on using videos in all kinds of classrooms:

Burmark, L. (2004). Visual presentations that prompt, flash & transform. Media and Methods, 40(6), 4–5.
 
Jakes, D. S., & Brennan, J. (2005). Capturing stories, capturing lives: An introduction to digital story-telling. London, UK: Taylor & Francis.
 
Young, C. & Asensio, M. (2002). Looking through three ‘I’s: The pedagogic use of streaming video. In Banks, S, Goodyear, P, Hodgson, V, Connell, D. (Eds), Networked Learning 2002, Proceedings of the Third International Conference. Sheffield March 2002: 628-635.

Tools for Multimedia Presentations
 
Why should students use a variety of tools?
People process information in a variety of ways, and the most effective method that information is transmitted varies depending on the audience, goals of the presenter and the information itself. By encouraging students to explore different methods of relaying information, you are also teaching them how to explain things to a diverse audience.
 
How to Get Started:
Explore the tools on the back of this sheet, or any others you know of. Pick one or two that you like and are comfortable with. Then, pick one project or presentation that is usually done in PowerPoint or as an essay, and adapt some or all of it for the new tool.  You can always contact IT and meet with an Instructional Designer if you’d like to bounce ideas off of someone else. They can also come to your class to demonstrate the tools to your students. 
 
When to Use: 
This can be incorporated into most courses, at really any level. For students who are new to the material, or the university, it would be useful to provide guidance, and restrict assignments to a few tools. As students grow more confident, the amount of freedom of choice can be expanded
 
Resources and Tools
 
Video

Davinci Resolve – Free Video Editor
Media Space – MSU’s Internal Video Platform
Adobe Spark – Free Video and Presentation
Zoom – Video Conferencing and Recording 

Audio

Audacity – Free Audio Editor and Recorder
Free Music Archive – Repository of CC Music 
Pod Bean – Free Podcast Hosting

Graphics

Pixabay – Repository of CC Images
Piktochart – Infographic Creation Tool
Canva – Image Creation Tool
Sketch Up - 3D Modeling
Sway – Online Presentations

Gradebook Considerations
Gradebooks within D2L are an extremely useful tool and can help instructors plan and organize their course efficiently and effectively. Further, the use of a gradebook impacts the perceived quality of an online course (and blended course), as well as the competence of an instructor (Zhang, et. al, 2020). A well-planned gradebook can minimize the stress of record keeping for instructors. It can also allow students the opportunity to monitor their learning and progression, as well as your ability to identify students at risk earlier in your course (Maiti & Priyaadharshini, 2022).
The gradebook should not be an area of consternation in your preparation for the semester. Using and setting up your class gradebook should be a routine practice and one that will save you time and stress at the end of your course and throughout as you evaluate student assignments. Further, your gradebook can be used as a monitoring tool to help students who are struggling. Earlier identification can help to improve the learning experience for students.
 
There are many places that you can seek help and guidance in setting up your course gradebook. You may consider:

    Seeing how this process is done within D2L. This is a recording of a session offered by the IT department experts in D2L:https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/D2L+Gradebook+Setup/1_t3zcz39
    Consult the D2L help documentation provided by the IT department: https://help.d2l.msu.edu/msu-docs/d2l-grades-at-msu/d2l-gradebook-tips


    Look for other documentation on how to setup your course gradebook:




Brightspace Documentation - https://community.d2l.com/brightspace/kb/articles/3539-set-up-your-grade-book
Brightspace Training Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl4U3rcbPOM



 
Here are some other useful tutorials for using your gradebook:

 Categories - https://youtu.be/hZjoSnyHnjc?si=LDzo88o50yeMU_UO
 Associating assignments to items & categories in the gradebook - https://youtu.be/2H_pbMNfLWQ?si=aWjjWJVS_N52gOyi

Remember if you need further assistance, you can book a consultation with an IT representative.
 
References
Maiti, M., & Priyaadharshini, D. M. (2022). Recommender System for Low Achievers in Higher Education. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 12(12).
Zhang, J., Addae, H. M., Bakeman, M., Boyraz, M., Flaherty, P. T., Habich, M., ... & Schreihans, C. (2020). Management Students' Perceptions of Online Teaching Quality. E-Journal of Business Education and Scholarship of Teaching, 14(2), 33-52.

Interested faculty members can partner with us to create interdisciplinary, experiential courses as part of the Spartan Studios project within the Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology
Are you interested in:

Invigorating your teaching?
Collaborating with colleagues in other disciplines?
Creating a course that tackles a real problem?
Learning high-impact teaching practices?
Making experiential learning accessible to more MSU undergrads?
Giving your students workplace-relevant skills in high demand from employers?
Exploring new areas for your research? 
Engaging with the local community or forming partnerships with local or international stakeholders? 

We are looking for educators interested in trying a new way of teaching.
Spartan Studios courses can be:

Experiential: students learn through and reflect on their experiences
Interdisciplinary: co-taught by multiple faculty members from different disciplinary backgrounds and/or departments across campus. Students are exposed to approaches/methods not normally part of their major and work with other students from different majors
Project-based: teams of students work to design their own solutions. They plan, produce, receive feedback, and iterate their projects. It’s ok to fail.
Impactful: courses can work with community partners to create relevant, local solutions
Accessible: these high-impact educational experiences are accessible to more students than study abroad programs or unpaid internships 
Transformative: Research suggests that this type of course can lead to positive outcomes for students and faculty members
In-person or online

We help faculty members identify the combination of features that best fit their course, topic, and goals.
The Spartan Studios project helps faculty members develop experiential interdisciplinary courses at MSU where students respond to real life situations or wicked problems and design solutions in partnership with local stakeholders. We have been facilitating prototype courses since 2018, supporting faculty members who developed experiential courses including Snares to Wares, Wildlife Sanctuary, the Food Waste Challenge, and Songwriting.
We can facilitate your teaching goals through consultations, our Playkit resource for faculty, and a limited number of stipends for 2021-22.
If you are interested in creating novel and transformative student experiences at MSU, connect with the Hub to learn how to plan and teach your own compelling Spartan Studios course.Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

***This is part of a series of articles compiling useful resources and information for new graduate students. Some of the information in this series will be relevant for anybody new to MSU, including undergraduates, postdocs, faculty and staff. The topical areas range from settling into East Lansing and Michigan, getting to know which services can be found on campus to administrative steps and information needed throughout a graduate program at MSU. For the full series, see this playlist dedicated to (international) graduate students.***
 
Libraries
The biggest library on campus is the Main Library, located on West Circle Drive near Beaumont Tower, though there are a few other specialised libraries, e.g. the Schaefer Law Library or the Gast Business Library at other locations.
The main library offers many services besides being a space for studying and finding books. For example, there are the Digital Scholarship Lab (to explore new technology for use in research and teaching, e.g. VR or a 360-degree visualization room) and the Hollander MakeCentral Service Desk (for printing, plotting, publishing and even passport (photos) services).
If you can’t find a book at the MSU Library, there is a service called the Interlibrary Loan Service through which you can access books/ resources at other libraries.
The library also offers workshops, e.g. an introduction to the MSU Library Services, using different citation software and data/ content management.
There is a 24/7 Support Line for general library questions (and D2L support). Call (800)500-1554. Or “Ask A Librarian” using this link: https://www.lib.msu.edu/contact/askalib/
Skill Building
There are a range of units on campus dedicated to helping you develop skills.
Writing
The Writing Center provides one-on-one and group writing consultations and writing groups (“write-ins”) for graduate students and faculty. They also offer workshops including those on “Navigating the Master’s degree/ PhD” and incorporate issues like time management and writing strategies. They are available to help you with any type of writing project you may have, academic or not.
“Write-Ins” are offered through different units besides the Writing Center, e.g. by the Graduate School and provide a dedicated time and space (as well as some support if needed) to make progress on any of your writing projects – from class work to dissertation chapters.
Workshops
A myriad of workshops is offered throughout the semester.
Topics include anything from departmental/ research specific seminars to writing and time management strategies (as mentioned above) to improving mentor relationships to wellness/ mental health workshops (see the Health article in this playlist for more information). The organizing units differ depending on the topic area. A good starting point is the Graduate School’s events calendar.
Statistics
Besides course offerings to learn about statistical methods, there are a few resources available to help you with your statistical skills and projects.
The Center for Statistical Training and Consulting provides statistical support for your research projects (they won’t do it FOR you but they will help you figure it out!) and teaches workshops on statistical methods.
Check with your College if they have a dedicated statistical support unit. For example, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has a Statistical Consulting Center.
Want to improve your statistics, data science and programming skills in R? Have a look at what the R-Ladies East Lansing are up to these days. There may be a workshop just around the corner.
English Language
The English Language Center at MSU is a good place to improve your general English skills, learn about English for the classroom, i.e. if you are teaching, and to get support for your writing projects if English is your second language.
A note on skill building and other workshops…
I know we all get a lot of e-mails, but it is worth at least scanning each one because a lot of the workshops, seminars and service that MSU has to offer are advertised that way. They might provide that motivation or accountability to get you started on your next dissertation chapter.
 
Other support resources
Legal Support
MSU offers some free legal support for students. Check out this website for their services.
Family Resources/ Support
The Student Parent Resource Center offers support and resources for students with children.
Work Life Office
The Work Life Office is a one-stop destination for your needs regarding work life fit, including career transitions, community connection, workplace assistance and family care among others. Though their target group at MSU is faculty and staff, as an employee of MSU (TA or RA) you are more than welcome to use their services.
 
Sports and Wellness
Gyms
MSU has 3 gym buildings: IM West, IM Circle and IM East. Traditional gyms with workout machines are found at IM East and West. All buildings also have spaces for different types of sports, e.g. basketball, soccer, squash, tennis, gymnastics, etc. There are swimming pools at IM West and IM Circle which you can use for free. However, you will have to register your student ID online in order to access the building/ locker room (at IM Circle).
Too cold for running outside in the winter? Make use of the free running track in IM East (above the basketball court). You don’t need a gym membership to use this, just a valid student ID to get into the building.
Gym memberships are organized through Recreational Sports and Fitness. There are also a variety of group exercise (fitness classes) options available, both in-person and through an online platform called Fitness-on-Demand. Since a fee is automatically collected each semester, all you need to do is activiate your StudentID card on their website and your ready to work out.
You can also sail (and paddle board and kayak) at MSU! The MSU Sailing Center on Lake Lansing is your address for water-based sports.
Other Fitness options
Health4You offers fitness and wellness options throughout the year, including a lunchtime fitness series (Yoga, Pilates, TaiChi, etc). Make sure to look at their calendar of scheduled events and workshops.
A fan of shooting sports? Check out MSU’s Demmer Center that offers indoor and outdoor shooting ranges and classes for firearms and archery practice.
Want to get on the ice? No problem, you can ice skate at Munn Ice Arena.
Sports teams
Want to join a sports team? There are different avenues for that at MSU.
Club Sports are Registered Student Organizations and compete regionally and nationally.
Intramural Sports offer the opportunity to participate both competitively and recreationally in your favorite sport. There is a set list of sports types and you can join or create your own team to participate in campus competitions.
Spartan Fit
The Spartan Fit program aims to support you in your fitness and wellness journey. They offer assessments and programs to help you achieve your goals, including using exercise as medicine.
Watching sports
College Sports are a big deal in the US - think football, baseball, basketball or ice hockey for example. MSU is no exception, with Sparty being our mascot and helping us cheer “Go green, Go white!”. As part of the MSU community, especially as students, you get reduced rate tickets to the student sections for football, men’s basketball and hockey. The other sport events are free to attend. Check out the MSU Athletics website to purchase tickets. Also note that COGS sometimes has special deals for graduate students.
 
Food on Campus
There are many options to eat on campus – from the little Sparty’s stores where you can buy snacks to full dining halls with several different food options, you’re sure to find what satisfies your appetite. Your go-to website for anything food related on campus is Eat@State.
Coffee and Snacks
Sparty’s are little campus stores that usually offer filter coffee and snacks, including packaged sandwiches and in some instances even warm foods like soup or sausages. They are located all over campus. There is also a Sparty’s Market – a small grocery store at 1855 Place.
There are a few Starbucks on campus (1855 Place and main library) and a Panera Bread in the Edward J. Minskoff Pavilion (Business College). Both offer a variety of coffee specialties as well as sweet and savory foods.
Cafeterias and Dining Halls
Look at Eat@State for a full overview of dining halls/ cafeterias and available meal plans (you can pay for a whole semester or a set number of meals in advance, but you can also pay for a single meal when you enter the dining hall). I just want to mention a few highlights here.
Brody Square at Brody Hall is probably the biggest one, offering a variety of cuisines from stir fries to pizza to (vegetarian) burgers and salads.
The Edge at Akers Hall is another big dining hall offering a great variety of cuisines and has its own Tandoori oven.
Thrive at Owen Hall is a recent addition and focused on providing allergen-free food.
Dairy Store
The Dairy Store is an MSU business and produces ice cream and cheese from our own cows! You can buy packaged cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, soup (changes daily) and delicious ice cream. It has two locations, one inside the MSU Union building and one in Anthony Hall (entrance on Farm Lane). In the summer month, they usually also have an ice cream food truck outside.
MSU Student Food Bank
If you need some support in procuring sufficient food for you (and your family), please make use of the MSU Student Food Bank. It is a volunteer-based organization on campus providing free foods and related items, helping you to cut your food bill down to half. Please make sure you are eligible and bring your student ID.
Social Life
There are many different ways to socialize and make friends on campus. Here are just a few formally organized ways.
OISS hosts weekly coffee hours, usually on Fridays. Meet and mingle with fellow international students. OISS also sometimes organizes sightseeing trips. Keep an eye on the e-mails they send.
The Council of Graduate Students (COGS) puts on social events like tailgates (a type of get-together with lawn games before a big football game), trivia nights and free dinners for graduate students.
There are a lot of different Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) that bring together groups of students with similar interests, anything from cultures to sports.
Your department will probably have a Graduate Student Organization that might put on events or gatherings. They are a good way to connect with people and get involved in your department.
Looking for volunteering opportunities? One way to start might be to sign up to the volunteering listserv of the City of East Lansing. You can check out opportunities and sign up here.

***This is part of a series of articles compiling useful resources and information for new graduate students. Some of the information in this series will be relevant for anybody new to MSU, including undergraduates, postdocs, faculty and staff. The topical areas range from settling into East Lansing and Michigan, getting to know which services can be found on campus to administrative steps and information needed throughout a graduate program at MSU. For the full series, see this playlist dedicated to (international) graduate students.***
 
Welcome to East Lansing! Here are a few resources and tips on good places to eat, drink, shop and visit. Some things that will help make settling into your new hometown easier. These suggestions don’t represent any official endorsements but are rather some favourites from your fellow graduate students. There are always new shops and restaurants opening up, so keep exploring.
Housing
On campus
There are a few on campus housing options available for graduate students. Please see this website for an overview. Make sure they are open to graduate students! Common choices are Spartan Village, Owen Hall and 1855 Place. Spartan Village is a little older and a little further from main campus than the newer 1855 Place for example. Be aware that due to demand, you may be placed on a waiting list and not get an apartment immediately.
Off-campus
There are many options to live off campus, in apartments or houses, individually or shared with others, depending on budget and location. Some help to get started can be found here. Other common websites to use are Zillow and this Facebook page specific to MSU students. Again, this is just to name a few, you will find more options googling for housing in (East) Lansing. You can also ask around in your department.
Note that MSU offers legal support services to have lease agreements and such checked for you.
Grocery shopping
The big grocery chains in this area are Kroger and Meijer. They both have several stores around East Lansing and Lansing and are reachable by bus in case you don’t have a car.
On the west side of campus is a nice “farmer’s market” type supermarket called Fresh Thyme that is really good.
For organic, nice but a little expensive groceries, check out Whole Foods and Foods for Living.
For Asian and other ethnic foods try out Fresh International Market. Specifically Indian food can be found at Swagath Foods, next to Swagath Indian restaurant (near Fresh Thyme market).
There is an Aldi in Okemos (east of East Lansing), near Meridian Mall that is a great cheap option.
Horrocks on the west side of Lansing is a little far away but definitely worth the drive! Fantastic produce, cheese and beer/ wine section and you can grab a coffee while you’re shopping.
A word on groceries…
Many stores have rewards programs or special days on which you can save money. They can definitely be worth it! Just ask!
Restaurants
I thought about listing restaurants that have become favourites, however, everybody enjoys something different. So instead, I would like to point you to some areas (East) Lansing where there is a variety of dining options. This is by no means a comprehensive overview, so please google for restaurants serving your favourite cuisine!
Just north of campus in downtown East Lansing you can find several of the bigger chain restaurants but also some smaller businesses.
There are a few places near Hanna Plaza on Hagadorn Road just east of campus.
A few are dotted around Frandor Shopping Center just west of campus.
In Lansing, look at restaurants in ReoTown (southern Washington Avenue), in downtown (on Washington Avenue and Michigan Avenue) as well as Old Town (around César E. Chávez Avenue and Center Street).
Breweries
If you like to try new beers, check out the following local breweries:

Lansing Brewing Company
Midtown Brewing Company
Ellison Brewing (great Pizza food truck outside)
EagleMonk Pub and Brewery
Old Nation Brewing (outside of East Lansing, towards Williamston)

Coffee Shops
For local coffee shops, try Blue Owl Coffee and Foster Coffee in downtown East Lansing. Hooked (coffee, books, and wine) and Strange Matter are other local favourites. Find coffee, fantastic pastries and breads at Mitten Raised. For a little French flair, amazing pastries and desserts visit Chapelure east of campus.
Besides those, (East) Lansing is home to many bigger coffee shop chains such as Starbucks and Biggby Coffee with locations on and near campus.
Shopping
There are a few malls close by: Meridian Mall, Eastwood Towne Center and Lansing Mall (a little further away in west Lansing). Outlet malls are further away but can be great for finding bargains, e.g. Tanger Outlets.
(East) Lansing also has several second-hand shops, including Plato’s Closet, 2nd Time Around (both east of campus towards Okemos), St. Vincent and Paul Thrift Store (and more in ReoTown Marketplace) or Metro Retro (in Old Town).
Big “supermarkets” like Meijer, Walmart and Target also have a selection of clothing, as well as selling household products, electronics and even gardening supplies and furniture. Good to get some basics.
There are a few places that sell second-hand furniture (and used bicycles) like the MSU Surplus store and for example Dicker and Deal and many more. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can also be helpful for finding cheap second-hand stuff online.
A word on shopping…
There are many different stores, both big department stores that offer lots of different things as well as designated furniture/ gardening/ clothing/ etc. stores around. Too many to list here. They are often NOT located in the downtown areas but on the outskirts of the city. The closest place with a collection of stores is east of MSU campus towards and around Meridian Mall (can be reached by taking bus #1).
Cultural attractions
(East) Lansing has many cultural attractions and activities. Sometimes you just need to look a bit harder than in other places 😊 Many events use Facebook for advertising.
Directly on campus is the Wharton Center for Performing Arts that shows anything from orchestra and opera to musicals and Broadway shows. They have student discounts!
The Broad Art Museum is home to changing art exhibits and can be visited for free! There is also a Starbucks in there and sometimes free Yoga classes are hosted in the lobby.
Another great thing to do on campus is seeing a show at the Abrams Planetarium. They sometimes offer free lunch time Relaxing under the Stars or Rest with Music sessions, in cooperation with Health4You.
Old Town (a district in Lansing) is hosting different types of festivals throughout the year, including Art’s Night Out and Jazz Fest, etc. The same goes for Reo Town that regularly hosts pop-up (and thrift) stores and is home to the cute little Robin Theatre.
For a glimpse at historic Michigan, check out Meridian Historical Village.
A lot of bars have Live Music nights. I usually find out about those by “liking” events on Facebook and then getting suggestions for similar events. Again, you might have to look a little to find events but they do exist!
Nature/ Outdoors Activities
You might be wondering if there are things to do outdoors in “cold” Michigan. Of course! It actually gets pretty hot during the summer. In my experience, Michigan has very short Spring and Fall seasons, a pretty long winter with snow and cold temperatures below freezing, and hot humid summers. There is plenty to explore at any time of year. You might just have to layer up 😊 In the summer, don’t forget your sunscreen (if you’re as pale as me) and mosquito spray!
On Campus:
For a walk in the woods right on MSU’s campus, go to Baker Woodlot/ Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Bird Sanctuary. It’s beautiful any time of year. Beware the muddy pathways though!
Want to explore all sorts of plants and flowers? Check out the Beal Botanical Gardens, Horticultural Gardens and Arboretum.
Need some peace and quiet? Try the MSU Radiology Healing Gardens.
Near campus:
THE nature thing to do in Lansing in my opinion is to walk, run or cycle the Lansing River Trail. Check out the different parks along the way – Crego Park, Potter Park, Hawk Island – and follow its extensions trails further south and west. It’s a beautiful way to cycle from campus to ReoTown or all the way into Old Town for instance. There’s swimming at Crego Park and Hawk Island Park where you can also go tubing (think sliding down a snowy hill in a big rubber donut) in the winter.
Just slightly off the River Trail is Fenner Nature Center, good for a stroll and to learn more about specific vegetation and landscapes.
Missing a trip to the Zoo but don’t want to go all the way to Detroit or Chicago? Lansing has its own Zoo that also does a lot of conservation work! Visit Potter Park Zoo and maybe combine it with a walk down the River Trail.
If you’re into water sports, you can kayak on the Grand River. A rental company right in downtown Lansing is Rivertown Adventures. Though there are many more rental companies around, e.g. it’s very pretty heading towards Grand Ledge. Also make sure to check out the MSU Sailing Center for sailing boat, kayak and paddle board rentals on Lake Lansing (student discounts!).
Further afield:
Try Woldumar Nature Center for trail running and walking.
There is outdoor rock climbing at Grand Ledge.
Michigan has a decent network of hiking trails and even longer distance biking trails (e.g. the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail that crosses Michigan from east to west)
And of course so much more in other parts of Michigan, the further North you go, the more diverse the landscape 😊 Pure Michigan is a good website to use as a starting point. Definitely try to get to the Upper Peninsula while you are here. It is gorgeous up there.
 
Beauty/ Fitness
Besides the opportunities to stay fit on campus (see “Campus Services”), (East) Lansing has a multitude of gyms and fitness options to offer. From general gyms to dedicated Yoga studios, there is something for everybody. I won’t try to list them here. Please google for your most convenient location and check whether they have student specials.
In terms of hair and beauty salons, again, there are many different ones catering to all sorts of needs. Conveniently located and with good prices is Aveda Institute on Grand River Avenue, just across from campus. Be aware that this is a school, hence, students cut hair and provide the services – supervised by experienced staff.
When looking for things like beauty services or massages, it can be worth checking Groupon or other sites that offer special deals in local shops.
 
Other essentials
Postal Services
There are two post offices close to campus, one on Abbot Road and one on Collins Road. You can buy stamps and envelopes also online from USPS (United States Postal Services). Other common carriers include UPS and FedEx, especially when sending larger things. Make sure to compare prices!
A word on the postal service…
The mail is delivered every day. If you are expecting a package but weren’t home when a delivery attempt was made, THEY WILL NOT TRY AGAIN. They will leave a little note for you to know either where to pick up the package or to fill out, place in the outgoing mail box and have them try another time (according to a date you specified).
Phone plans
When choosing a phone plan, make sure you “shop around” for the best offers. The big companies here are AT&T, xfinity, Verizon, and T-mobile. But there are others too.

Title: Associate Director of Assessment & EvaluationDepartment: Enhanced Digital Learning Initiative (EDLI)Bio: 
Dr. Hala Sun is based in the Colleges of Natural Science and Broad College of Business. She received her Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Education at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), with dual specializations in Applied Linguistics and Writing Studies. At the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, she obtained her master’s degrees in both TESOL and Public Administration (MPA), specializing in International Management. For several years while at UCSB, Dr. Sun taught academic writing courses in the Writing Studies and Linguistics Department. Additionally, as an Instructional Design expert in various universities, she trained educators on how to create innovative online content materials and how to enhance student engagement in e-learning platforms. Aside from teaching, Dr. Sun worked as an Assessment Analyst for McGraw-Hill Education and the American Councils for International Education. For five years, Dr. Sun also worked as a Program Evaluator, designing and evaluating programs in higher education, using quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as analyzing student success pathways, retention, and persistence levels in K-12 and higher education settings.