University 100A compilation of essential and useful facts for meeting the challenges

and obstacles present at a 4-year university.

The Basics

• University = 4-year college• Bachelor’s degree• Can add additional majors or minors• Degrees broken into B.S. (Bachelor’s of Science) and B.A. (Bachelor’s of Art)• Average bachelor’s completion time: 4.6 years• Main purpose: produce critical thinkers and problem-solvers

Choosing a Major

• What are you interested in? (Not the same question as your parents’ interest, where the jobs are, salary opportunities….)• Take a variety of class subjects in college to explore different topics.• You need to take general education anyways!

• What does your desired career look for as a major?• Know if your major includes specializations (such as Human

Development with a focus on children)• Try to choose sooner rather than later

Getting AdmittedChoosing the right college

• Try to visit/tour the campus before decision day• Check for availability of majors/minors

• (Look for variety in your chosen area (i.e. Criminology, Criminal Justice, Justice Studies….)• Do they have other interesting-sounding majors? (If you decide to change

majors, this will be helpful!)• Think about the college size, location, cost, clubs and

organizations….• Ask questions! (Average class size? Job placement rates? Easy to

meet with professors? Graduation rate?)

Getting AdmittedApplications

• Ask Letter of Recommendation writers early in the process!• Save your essays (can just edit previous essays instead of re-writing a

new essay for each school!)• Get someone to proof-read your essay• Double-check your application before you submit it• Submit everything before the deadline• Especially if mailing anything

Paying for College

• Complete the FAFSA (www.ca.gov)• Apply for scholarships (see next slide)• Save!• If you have one less Starbucks a week, you could easily save $225 a year!

• If need be, research loans• Use loan money only for essential expenses, NOT the next-generation iPhone

Paying for CollegeScholarships

• Research! (Google)• The more specific, the better your chances• (Example: Religious, extracurricular, ethnicity, disability, possible major, state

you live/go to college in, first to attend college, university scholarships)

• If you spend 10 hours and get one $1000 scholarship, that is a $100/hour job!• Save your applications and essays: reuse as much

as you can for other scholarships• Watch deadlines!

Once in College

• Carpool options? (Save gas, parking permit costs, gives you a buddy….)• Talk to your guidance counselor (make sure you have a yearly plan, will

sign up for the right classes, get all the requirements met….)• Participate!• Student organizations, campus recreation teams/classes, Greek life, honor

clubs….

• You need at least 15 units a semester to stay on track for graduation!• 12 units is not actually full-time, this will add another year onto your college

experience!

Once in College

• Use a planner! (Paper version, and write deadlines, exams, homework, social events…. Check it off when done.)

• The Professors will always know more than you do (at least until you have been an esteemed researcher or graduate for decades).

• Get ahead as best as you can!! • Save you stress and time, give you a better

understanding, Professors will like it, gives you a cushion in case of emergency [sick, power outage, don’t feel like studying].

Managing Your Life• Get enough sleep• Eat enough food (and healthy food at least sometimes!)• Exercise (positive endorphins, no “Freshmen 15”)• Reduce Stress!! (Yoga, music, quiet time, hang out with friends….)• Break from homework• Fitness classes, socialize with friends, nap, explore campus life….

• Find enjoyment• Enjoy painting? Movies? Reading for fun? Walking? Cooking?

Textbooks

• The campus bookstore is not always cheapest!• Look for campus-specific resources (Facebook pages, flyers, students selling their old books)

• Go to isbn.nu with the isbn number (9 or 13 digit number) or title for textbook!• This website compares multiple other websites for the cheapest price!!!

• Compare renting versus buying prices (can sell bought books, renting could be cheaper….)• Look for International Editions (exact same as the US edition) and

electronic versions to save money!

First Week of Classes

• Don’t over-stress!• Be prepared (books, paper, syllabus, food….)• Read any already-assigned work (unless you want to fall behind!)• Try to get at least one person’s contact info per class• If you miss a class, need help with homework, want to vent about an exam….

• Introduce yourself to the Professor (Name, “looking forward to class”)

Homework

• Prepare to study at least 2 to 3 hours per hour in class (3 unit class = 6 to 9 hours external studying)• Write information from textbooks/lectures down! (Better memory,

easier to review)• Go to the Professors for help• Study group with classmates!• Keep a notebook per class subject• Stay organized and on top of the work!!

Meet the Professors

• Introduce yourself• You need them for letters of recommendations for scholarships, clubs,

jobs, graduate school….• Go to their office hours!!! They normally just sit there grading papers,

and they want someone to come in (even if it is just to talk).• Ask them about college, get their help with homework, get to know

them….• Any professor will want to talk about their own research!

Be Prepared for…

• No hand-holding• You are in college = Professors won’t care if you don’t show up for class, don’t

turn in assignments, don’t read the material…. It is your life and your money you will use, not the college’s.

• Study requirements that are actually a requirement if you want to pass!• Writing requirements!

• Every class will have a writing requirement, at college-level writing

• Keeping track of your money/financial situation• Fail your classes = no financial aid (watch for withdrawal dates if worried)

Top Reasons for Failure

• Too much fun at the expense of classes and grades• Counter: Make time to study!

• A sense of not belonging/isolation/homesickness• Counter: Make friends, participate on campus, Skype back home

• Academically unprepared; burned-out on education• Counter: Seek help (writing centers, college tutoring centers), limit unit load and/or challenging classes

• Financial constraints; low on funds• Counter: Part-time job, save money, think before you spend, scholarships

• Personal family issues• Counter: Try to remain focused on school, don’t take on too many

responsibilities

Top Reasons for Failure• Academic climate/fit

• Counter: Research school first, seek meaningful connections and groups to hang out with, take classes in your interest

• Choice of wrong major• Counter: Explore a variety of topics, think about why choosing major, research

career requirements

• Lack of advising, guidance• Counter: Seek out guidance counselor, talk to Professors, keep track of your own

requirements and what has been met

• Demands from part-time or full-time employment• Counter: Seek scholarships, save money, try to limit unit-and-work load