Don't Just Expect The Unexpected, Explore The Unexpected by Tiffany Sudijono

Don't Just Expect The Unexpected, Explore The Unexpected

Written by Tiffany Phoebe Sudijono

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor 

Undergraduate Student 

Indonesia

When I first stepped onto campus, the number of opportunities and pathways stretched out in every direction, both exciting and overwhelming. The buzz of students crossing the Diag, the posters plastered on brick walls, and the constant stream of activity made it feel like a small city within itself. Coming from a small high school in Jakarta, Indonesia, where class choices were few and familiar, I was used to making decisions based on what was already available. But on orientation day, as I explored the Maize Pages website—a sprawling directory of student organizations with everything from social causes to niche hobbies—I realized just how wide the world at U-M truly was. It was the first time I felt the full weight of possibility, and it was thrilling but also deeply intimidating.

This realization continued to grow as I began selecting classes. I had expected standard academic subjects, but instead found an entire catalog filled with topics I had never imagined: intergroup dialogues that encouraged honest discussion, courses on the art of yoga and mindfulness, and seminars that combined science with creative writing and social justice. Each title felt like a door into a different universe. But with that abundance came uncertainty. At such a large public university, it was easy to feel like I was always one step behind, from finding out about opportunities only after they had passed to hesitating because I was unsure if they were the right fit. I worried that I would either take on too much or miss the one thing that could have defined my journey.

But that mindset began to shift once I understood that my time at U-M was not meant to follow a straight path. One moment that helped change this perspective was attending the LSA Honors Program event called Honors in the Arts. I walked into a quiet auditorium without many expectations, just looking for something new. What I experienced changed the way I approached discovery. I sat among strangers in a dimly lit theater, where soft spotlights warmed the stage and shadows danced on the walls. As the performance unfolded through spoken word, live music, and expressive movements, I felt pulled into a world I had never given much thought. My unexpected interest in theatre was sparked right there. I had never watched a production from beginning to end, but this time, I could not look away. The emotion, the timing, and the way the performers carried the weight of each scene all left me thinking long after the final bow. It was more than entertainment; it was a doorway into something new that I had never known I needed.

Image Caption: “Honors in the Arts” Theatre Show Supported by the LSA Honors Program

After just one year, my academic path and personal interests had shifted entirely. I changed my major from Psychology to Cognitive Science and UX Design, drawn to the intersection of how people think and how they interact with technology. I became involved in three very different research projects. Outside the classroom, I joined clubs that I had previously overlooked, from student-run design teams to community service efforts. There were moments I felt out of place, unsure if I had the experience to contribute meaningfully. But what I learned was that no one begins with all the answers. Instead, what matters most is showing up with curiosity and a willingness to grow.

What makes U-M so unique is the way it encourages each student to build a path that reflects who they are. With such a wide range of academic, civic, and social opportunities, every choice feels like a new direction. Some of the most meaningful moments are not the ones listed on a resume, but rather the quiet, unplanned ones. A deep conversation with a professor during office hours. A late-night study session that turns into an unexpected friendship. A walk back from class that sparks an idea. These moments create a sense of belonging and purpose in a place that is constantly moving.

To fully experience U-M, you have to be open to stepping into the unknown. You have to be proactively willing to start conversations with people you do not know, to explore departments and communities that feel unfamiliar, and to risk not fitting in right away. You will miss a few opportunities but others will come along, often better suited for where you are headed. That is part of what makes this journey so rich.

As the saying goes, the journey is part of the learning process—not just the destination. At U-M, that could not be more true. The unexpected will find you, but it is up to you to explore it with intention and depth.