[xthefirst]

No one is really going to barge into your room and steal your laptop. If you really want to be careful then buy a lock and put the laptop in your drawer and lock it. You dont literally leave your door open and let people walk in and out whenever they please...

You should just gloss over the trig if you have a hard time understanding it...no need to really "study" for it or stress over it. The hardest math class you will probably take in college is Statistics if you aren't in a science or math related major, although business and economics majors require you to take calc 1 and 2.

If you are a science major, what's the hardest math you'll probably have to take?

[V12Juice]

Depends on the type of science. As a Chemistry major, I've taken up to Calculus with Analytic Geometry, Multivariable Calculus, and Linear Algebra.

[JJKA]

how to pack pack pack pack pack

i'm moving across the continent and to a new country =/

[thetis]

how to pack pack pack pack pack

i'm moving across the continent and to a new country =/

I feel your pain-- I moved from Vancouver across the continent, but I suppose you're moving to the US rather than just eastern Canada like I did. Do you know anybody in your new city, and do you know what your dorm is providing? Making sure that you're comfortable in your room is a surprisingly high priority-- I actually lived like a month without all my bedding (and I was very uncomfortable.)

To be honest, all I ever packed were my laptop and minimal school supplies (all that Daiso goodness that I know I can't find elsewhere) and clothes! You should be able to pick up the rest of what you'll need in your new city. Check how the weather's like in the city to which you're moving-- I thought, "Oh eastern canada's very cold, I'll just pack all my coats and sweaters and stuff." But now it's summer, much hotter than in Vancouver, and I'm sort of dying.

I don't think that was very helpful, haha. You might want a small rice cooker for your room-- they can be hard to find if your city doesn't have a very big asian population and you can cook everything with it and a microwave if you're resourceful.

[asashi]

My advice, CHILL OUT. Don't think so much about this college thing. It's the same as what happened when you went from middle school to high school. It's just that you won't get to see your friends as often. So make new friends. Be friendly, be assertive, be outgoing. If you hide in the corner, no one will notice you and you'll be lonely.

You also need very good time management. You'd probably be taking a full load of classes and maybe have a job. Taking unit mastery courses free up your time, but if you don't have time management skills, it's easy to forget about courses or get stressed out.

Don't go out and party all the time. I know that's the hype about being in college, but think logically. Partying, drinking (especially underage), and pulling unnecessary all nighters will seriously put a damper on your work habits.

[kiyomiX]

I do A LOT of advising for first-year students (at UCD...holla!)
and this is what I've gathered from both my own experience and my observations...

1. Be ACTIVE
   Join clubs, student associations, get a gym membership, etc.
   You never know when you'll be able to meet new people!!
   Also, being active helps with the first quarter homesickness that most students tend to feel
2. Stay on top of things
   Procrastination may have worked in HS, but for many people (not including those who are naturally smart...darn you!!), preparing slightly ahead of time is going to be necessary to do well in college.
3. Be OPEN to experiences
   Don't enter college with a closed mind.
   You are in college to experience new things, this means new people, new foods, new locations, and maybe even discover new career paths/majors.
   The people I've advised that have struggled the most are those who were closed-minded and stubborn (**ahem...pre-med students, i'm looking at you).
   Remember, pre-med isn't for everybody, find a major you enjoy.
4. Don't be afraid to seek help
   Don't wait till you've failed all your classes to seek help.
   If you feel yourself slipping (either academically or emotionally), get HELP!
   people that do the best in classes (at least at UCD) tend to be the ones going to office hours and getting tutoring!
5. Study Abroad
   if you have the financial means and the time...DO IT!
   i've never heard of any returning student regret studying abroad.
6. Don't Overload
   Again...most of you will have 4 years in college.
   Enjoy the time you have and don't try to cram like 457987 science courses in one quarter/semester.
   Keep a balanced schedule!!
7. Keep Old friends, but Don't be afraid to let NEW ones in
   Old friends are important, but you never know who will end up being your BEST friends.
   Don't just sit in a crowd of familiar faces...reach out to those people you don't know.
8. Moderation is KEY
   Party, but don't party before major tests.
   Study, but don't let it ruin your social life.
9. BREATHE!!

[lis_sing]

I don't know my major yet but it's definitely not in the mathematics or sciences - something in the humanities. If I get placed into Trigonometry (or worse sleep.gif), how much of a negative impact would that have for me in university? (BTW, my last high school math class was Calculus, but I did poorly in that and I'm prone to failure in math anyway.)

Early thanks!

I don't think it'd be that bad to be placed in trig especially if you thinking of a humanities major which is not heavily math oriented. I had a friend who is an electrical engineering major but she got placed in college algebra so needlessly to say she was really behind in her math since engineers can go up to calculus 5. So it really really depends on your major. I think you're at a pretty good place now so keep working and do your best!

[cocainerror]

I'm going to need this thread. Freshmen in college yes I am. I'm rather nervous. >.< I'll be majoring in Photography (Anything Art related to be exact) but like many keep saying, there's chances I'll end up changing my major a few or even many times. Either way I am quite sturdy in the fact that I won't stray away from the whole "Art business" cuz it really is what I've done my whole life.

I've been reading the advice. I agree with many of the things. Especially with keeping an open mind. ;D

[pro_girl]

thanks guys, there are many useful advices that will be really helpful to me

[justkaren]

Does anyone know where to get SUPER cheap books for GE classes? I'm going to be a freshmen in UCSD and I'm BROKE!

I do A LOT of advising for first-year students (at UCD...holla!)
and this is what I've gathered from both my own experience and my observations...

1. Be ACTIVE
   Join clubs, student associations, get a gym membership, etc.
   You never know when you'll be able to meet new people!!
   Also, being active helps with the first quarter homesickness that most students tend to feel
2. Stay on top of things
   Procrastination may have worked in HS, but for many people (not including those who are naturally smart...darn you!!), preparing slightly ahead of time is going to be necessary to do well in college.
3. Be OPEN to experiences
   Don't enter college with a closed mind.
   You are in college to experience new things, this means new people, new foods, new locations, and maybe even discover new career paths/majors.
   The people I've advised that have struggled the most are those who were closed-minded and stubborn (**ahem...pre-med students, i'm looking at you).
   Remember, pre-med isn't for everybody, find a major you enjoy.
4. Don't be afraid to seek help
   Don't wait till you've failed all your classes to seek help.
   If you feel yourself slipping (either academically or emotionally), get HELP!
   people that do the best in classes (at least at UCD) tend to be the ones going to office hours and getting tutoring!
5. Study Abroad
   if you have the financial means and the time...DO IT!
   i've never heard of any returning student regret studying abroad.
6. Don't Overload
   Again...most of you will have 4 years in college.
   Enjoy the time you have and don't try to cram like 457987 science courses in one quarter/semester.
   Keep a balanced schedule!!
7. Keep Old friends, but Don't be afraid to let NEW ones in
   Old friends are important, but you never know who will end up being your BEST friends.
   Don't just sit in a crowd of familiar faces...reach out to those people you don't know.
8. Moderation is KEY
   Party, but don't party before major tests.
   Study, but don't let it ruin your social life.
9. BREATHE!!

Haha, this is golden. so easy to read, so hard to do.

[pri-T]

For cheaper textbooks:
- half.com or textbook.com etc. there are many sites online that offer new and used textbooks at a cheaper price than bookstores
- chegg.com - i am going to check this site out next semester; you can either buy used books or even rent a textbook for the semester at a cheap price

I always try to look online before buying the book at the bookstore because they'll always rip you off.

[bhie_anne03]

what if you enrolled late? like u enrolled in a school that offered... like... trimester... =/ it's hard for me... i'm really willing to make friends but i don't like their... hmm,... how should I call it.. "trip" ?? hehe...

so what I do is.. after classes I still come over my high school friends' houses and hang out... cause I'd rather do that than smoke and cut classes and whatnot (like what most of the people around me now doT^T) =/...


And I know it wouldn't be good for me or my HS friends in the long run... since they're all going to college too.. so... what do I do? I have no problems with my studies, whatsoever... just with socializing... please help! T^T

[f_r_E_a_K]

A question for a college student's wardrobe - I know college students like to dress comfy (jeans, t-shirts, sweats, etc.), but should I take some "business casual" clothing along for semi-formal events? I was thinking along the lines of presentations for oral-based classes (Speech, English, etc.) and job interviews.

Also, roughly how many articles of clothing is considered "enough" (not too little or too much) for a first-year student? Real number estimates are appreciated!

[pri-T]

A question for a college student's wardrobe - I know college students like to dress comfy (jeans, t-shirts, sweats, etc.), but should I take some "business casual" clothing along for semi-formal events? I was thinking along the lines of presentations for oral-based classes (Speech, English, etc.) and job interviews.

Also, roughly how many articles of clothing is considered "enough" (not too little or too much) for a first-year student? Real number estimates are appreciated!

You should have at least one business casual outfit with you (slacks/business skirt & dress shirt & blazer/jacket), I'd suggest bringing at least 2. It'll come in useful for presentations, interviews, and any networking events or mixers that come up. You never know when you'll have to be in business attire. For girls, a semi-formal dress or nice blouse + slacks is also a must for semi/formal events that come up that don't require business dress (formals, banquets, etc.).

How many articles of clothing to bring ... I think it really depends on individual habits and how frequently you're willing to do laundry lol. I just brought the clothes I think would wear most frequently ... 3 pairs of jeans, about 20 tops, 3 pairs of shorts, a couple of skirts and dresses, 3 business-y outfits and the standard hoodies, 3 pairs of PJs, 2 workout outfits.

[HumanError]

i'm freaking out cuz my scehdule doesn't seem right.....
GE is only one year right? and how many are we suppoe to take? omg i think i ruined my freshman year. sigh

[xjimin]

so i basically chose the last day available for orientation.
im screwed for choosing classes huh?
since im pretty sure its 1st come 1st serve..
i dont think its fair that the june orientation people get better
choice & stuff than those who may go in august cuz the later
peopel may have had a reason to go to that one...
im just rambling im sad... as a 1st year is it possible to only
get like.. one class? @_@;;

[smileyface(:]

^im pretty sure you can, but you won't be counted as a full time student o_O. (my brother had only one class for his spring semester or something..)
my orientation is also in august(orientation started somewhere in july) but oh well.

[pro_girl]

i have a question
when you dorm with a roomate, how do you keep your valuables like money, student ID cards,etc?

[xjimin]

aw mann..... sucks..

^ i would always carry it with me or hide it?

[Reinoyamato]

only advice is never be afraid to try new things hope that helps with 1st years;P