The first couple of days at UMich is forecast to have a heat wave with temperatures into the 90s. It is quite a change from move-in last week with highs in the low 70s and overnight temperatures dropping into the 40s.
Last year as my daughter was getting ready to apply to college there was a heat wave during University of Michigan move-in week. She kept asking what to do if there are very hot temperatures when she moves into a non-air-conditioned dorm. We started brainstorming options. She is fortunate to be in a dorm with air-conditioning this year, but we are sharing our ideas.
A2 for UMich Parents
This post is part of our new section A2 for UMich Parents. My “Ann Arbor Kid” started college in fall 2024! I joined UM parent groups and found parents asking for the local “scoop”. After answering a few questions, other local parents familiar with Ann Arbor with Kids suggested I continue to provide my experience on A2 for UMich Parents.
Find Air Conditioning
My best tip was to spend most of the day outside of her room in air-conditioned buildings. With the heat wave the first week of class rather than during move-in, this is even easier this year!
1 – Study Spots
With the first week of class, your student can use this week to check out different spots to find what will become their go-to study spots. Check out the libraries, student unions, and lounges in academic buildings.
2 – Dining Spots
Hang out for longer in one of the dining halls! Check out an on-campus cafe. Maybe that will be their favorite study spot.
Hanging out in a dining hall will also give them access to cold drinks – and ice cream! My daughter was happy to report last night that East Quad had Pineapple Dole Whip.
3- On Campus Recreation
If your student doesn’t have homework or studying the first week of class, check out various recreation activities. Visit one of the University Museums: Natural History, Art Museum, or Kelsey Museum of Archaeology.
Do you know UM has a video game archive & library? They have both legacy systems and current systems.
Amaze the Kids (& Yourself) at the UM Video Game Archive
Shhhh!!!! Your kids will be amazed at the expansive selection of video games and legacy systems at the UM Video Game Archive
Room Setup
4 – Keep Shades Closed during the Day
Minimize the sun beating into your room by keeping the shades pulled. This is especially important when the sun is directly hitting your windows.
5 – Fans
If you have multiple windows, position 2 fans at each open window – one pointing in and one pointing out. This will help to blow out the hot air and bring in cooler air at night and early morning.
If you only have one window, start by blowing hot air out of the room in the evening. Then blow in the cooler outside air.
You can also try a “swamp cooler”. Takeout ice cubes from the dining hall (or make in your mini-fridge) and place in a bowl in front of the fan to blow cool air as the ice melts.
Cool Off Beyond Campus
There are also options for staying cool beyond campus. I have kept the list to places that can be reached without a car – walking or using the free university Blue Buses or The Ride (AATA) which students can use for free with their MCard.
6 – Go for a Dip
Ann Arbor has three local outdoor pools.
- Fuller Pool is located between North Campus and the medical campus. The blue university buses will stop at Mitchell Field which is a short walk from the pool. (Open through 9/15)
- Veterans Memorial Pool is on Jackson Ave and is accessible using the AATA “The Ride” buses which students can ride for free. (Open through 8/25)
- Buhr Park Pool is off of Packard Rd. This is less convenient to reach by bus as it sits further from the road. (open through 9/2)
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The Huron River runs through Ann Arbor. The Argo Cascades are located near campus. You can go tubing though the cascades and float down the river to Island Park. You can bring your own tubes (check out stores on State St) or rent from the Argo Canoe Livery. The downside to rental tubes is they have to stay in the Cascades.
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You can also rent kayaks at the Argo Canoe Livery and either paddle around Argo Pond or paddle through the Cascades and down river to Gallup Park. A shuttle van will return you to Argo Canoe Livery.
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7 – Enjoy Cold Treats
What better way to cool down than enjoying some cold treats! Some of the best places to get ice cream are near University of Michigan’s campus.
- Michigan Creamery – 302 S State St
- Ben & Jerry’s – 304 S State St
- Sweeting – 1205 S University Ave – Hand Rolled Ice Cream, Milk Tea Smoothies
- Kilwin’s – 107 E Liberty St
- Blank Slate Creamery – 300 W Liberty St
- Milk & Froth – 328 S Main St
- Washtenaw Dairy – 602 S Ashley St
In addition to ice cream, many of the shops above offer dairy free options. I love that there are vegan ice cream options and not just sorbet or ices. I have ordered or sampled vegan ice cream at both Michigan Creamery and Milk & Froth this summer.
Beyond Ice Cream, consider grabbing an iced boba or a smoothie from one of the many tea shops near campus.
8 – See a Movie
Movie theaters are always a great way to cool off! Marquee Arts operates two independent theaters – Michigan Theater on Liberty and State Theater on State St. Both are a short walk from Central Campus.
State Theater typically shows recent blockbusters. They are currently showing movies like Alien Romulus, Deadpool & Wolverine, and The Crow.
Michigan Theater tends to show more independent movies plus some classic movies. This week they have My Penguin Friend and Didi. On Tuesday they are showing E.T. Thursday they have the Studio Ghibli film The Castle in the Sky. Friday night is The Princess Bride.
9 – Shopping
Students may need to go shopping after a week of living in their dorms. There are small shops on both State St & Main St.
Target and Meijer both have locations near campus on the bus line.
Arborland Shopping Center on Washtenaw Ave used to be a very popular spot for students with a Bed, Bath & Beyond. While BB&B is gone, it’s stores still include a Five Below, Marshalls, and a Rally House
Briarwood Mall is an indoor shopping mall with anchor stores of JC Penney’s, Macy’s, and Von Maur. Students will find many popular clothing retailers at the mall.
Bookstores near campus include Literati (Washington & 4th St) and Booksweet (Plymouth Rd, a 10-15 min walk from Bursley/Baits).
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Sleep Elsewhere
10 – Go Home or with a Friend
Of course as a local family, my daughter always has the opportunity to come home. We said we could pick her up each night and bring her back in the morning.
Of course, we assured our daughter that she could bring her roommate or friends home if the dorms became too hot. I was calculating – we have a guest room, and sectionals that could sleep 2 in both the family room and basement. So that’s 4 friends – more if they’re willing to share a queen or full bed.
Staying at a friend’s off-campus apartment or dorm with AC might be an option…but is harder to have made that first week of freshman year.
Beat the Heat Wave
Good luck to your student in beating the heat wave! Remind them to stay hydrated.
Fortunately, this heat wave is only supposed to last a couple of days before dropping back to mid-80s.
