Tough, but You'll Get Throught It

In the beginning of my college year I thought everything was going to be a piece of cake and fun and games. I was wrong in so many ways, but I also was unprepared to start my first year of college. I can finally be happy that I accomplish my first year of college. Before entering college I would have liked to know that there is no time for procrastination. You should never procrastinate in any class assignment, this would only result in having a bad experience the first year of college. Do not tell yourself you're going to do it late when you know exactly you will wait until the last minute. Another thins you should know is that you will become more familiar with "stress."  Whenever I had an assignment I would always wait until the last minute to do it. With procrastinating come stress because then you may have to deal with other assignments from other classes.

 I also want to point out that the food in Cal State LA can be expensive and unhealthy. Therefore, my advice is to bring you own food from home. When I came to Cal State LA I thought since this is a four-year University it would have healthier food, but no. Something else I would like to address is that when I started attending Cal State LA I was terrified of starting new chapter in my life. Why you may ask, because I was not sure of what was going to happen. But don't worry my young Jedi's you are not alone. I can tell you that probably everyone felt like this in one way or another. You should get into programs that help you throughout your first year. I was in a program called FYE, it helped me so much. I had mentors to give me advice my entire year. You also have you academic advisors and professors. Remember once upon a time these professors were sitting in desks just like you will. Don’t worry be happy, because every little thing is gonna be all right.-Bob Marley You will succeed just like I did.

                                                                                                 Sincerely,

                                                                                               A Freshman

"Do Not"

Dear Freshmen,

           If there were two words I can use for college it would be “Do Not.” Do not give up on your self because you have made it this far and you are strong. Do not be afraid to get help because your question might sound dumb, help is always going to be there and trust me everyone has had stupid questions. Do not feel you cannot pass the class because it is more challenging compared to high school, you will pass just push yourself. Do not feel like you are alone because we have all felt that way. In other words you are not alone, all freshmen’s have felt this way so it is normal. Do not feel as if you are not as smart as the other students. You are just as smart you made it this far. Do not let the little voices in your head bring you down. You need to tell yourself you can do it and you will. Most importantly do not, do not give up on yourself. You may stumble and fall but there are always hands reaching out for you to get you back up.

          When I started my first year of college, I did not know what to expect. I was at a university with a bunch of students who were probably smarter than me. I felt as if I was looked at as dumb because of the remedial classes I was taking. I heard many stories of college being challenging and everyone being mean, but they were wrong. Yes, college was challenging at times because of all the studying you have to do, and sacrifices you have to make. You sometimes lose sleep and patience, but in the end it’s all worth it because when you get that good grade on your midterm or essay you feel really accomplished. Although college may be competitive at times, know there are always people who are there to help you. People such as teachers, friends, advisors, or even clubs you are in. In college help is everywhere. College is like being in a different atmosphere compared to high school. People in college want you to succeed. Surround your self with friends who have things to lose, and encourage you do to good.

            Although I can sit here and tell you what to do and what not to do students tend to learn by their own experiences. I was told many of these things before I got to college and I did not listen. I did not try in the beginning of my math class because I never tried in math. I saw myself slowly failing and thinking “I’ll take it again, its ok,” but you know what it was not ok. All the free help I was offered I was not taking it. I though college was like high school, if you failed math you can take it again till you pass and move on, but my thought was wrong. The math class I was taking was remedial, which meant that if I did not pass I would be out of my first year college. I began to panic because I wanted to stay at my four-year college. I was not ready to leave yet. I wanted to get the help they offered and pick my grade up because I wanted to stay. Through out the next few weeks of school I started to go to my schools math tutorial center where free tutoring is offered. I started to stay as late as I possibly could to learn the material I needed. I started to study in ways I have never studied before. There was one time where I studied nine hours the day before my midterm, and you know what I passed. I felt as if I have sacrificed to much to come to a four year college. I was not ready to leave then, and I am still not ready to leave now. I have been through many situations where I have wanted to give up because it was to hard for me. But the fact of the matter is if you made it this far don’t walk backwards, turn around and walk forward. You can do this you just need the right support and motivation. You need to tell yourself you are smart and you got this.

           My advice as a freshman is to never think you can’t do something; you can do anything you set your mind to. Feel proud that you made it this far, it is only the beginning and you have a long road ahead of you. College is not as scary as it sounds. It may not be like high school because it is more challenging, but trust me having to pick your own schedule feels great. Having to make your own decisions also feels great. Just remember pick the best decisions. My first year of college I under estimated myself a lot. I did not feel confident within myself, I felt like giving up sometimes because it was to hard for me, but I couldn’t have let my admission go to waste, I had to push myself. People are not just smart because they were born that way. People are smart because they study. You know what gets you through college, studying, confidence and believing in yourself. No longer being afraid to ask those dumb questions, and knowing you can do it no matter how hard it gets. Do not give up on yourself because in college people never give up on you. Many people feel as if they cannot survive college but do not tell yourself that. You can survive college if i can anyone can.

Sincerely,

A Freshmen

The Power of Believing

Dear Golden Eagle Freshman,
            I do not want to lie to you and tell you that college is about having fun because the reality is that college is about facing struggles. Sadly, college is not like the movies and you will have to learn to stay optimistic in the most difficult times of your life. You are going to meet people that are going to put you down. You will make decisions that you will regret and you will feel like if it’s the end of the world. You will cry in front of your homework thinking that you should give up, but you won’t do it. You will take exams and freak out if you end up getting the wrong answer. You will have to wake up early in the morning in the registration days to be able to get classes. You will start looking for a job and stressed out about ways to pay for college.  I know all these things sound scary, but stop feeling overwhelmed because you are not going to face all those situations by yourself. 
             Now this is your moment to explore and face the real world where you can no longer hide from problems. What can you do to survive? The number one rule is to believe in yourself and trust your skills. Second rule would be to look for help if you are struggling in your courses or personal life. Where is that help? I found it in the First Year Experience (FYE) program where I met people that helped me to choose my courses and gave me information about things that I did not know about college. Last rule is to take pictures so when you make it through your first year you look back and laugh at all the things you did.
              One of the hardest thing as a freshman is to doubt whether or not you belong in college.  When I first started college, I was placed in remedial courses; can you imagine how I felt? Yes, that’s right I felt ashamed, disappointed, and dumb. For remedial English, there is nothing you can do if you do not want to take the class. I have to admit I am thankful I was placed in remedial English because I learned to feel confident about my writing, to revise my essays, and even to love writing. I was also placed in remedial Math 90 & 91, but before I started college I was browsing in the CSULA website and I found out that there was a way to skip those classes. I took the Exit Exam for Math 90 & 91 at the University Testing Center, and luckily I passed them. If you are in remedial Math take the chance to take the Exit Exam, what could be the worst thing to happen if you don’t pass? The Answer is nothing; remember it’s time to take risks.
             My first connection to the school was when I went to the EOP orientation. Something good about the EOP is that once you are in it, you stay in the program until you graduate. However, in your first year, they make you attend to 3 events every quarter. At first I thought “Ugh why are they making do this?” Well participating in events you get to meet people and learn about clubs that you might be interesting to join. In addition, if for some reason you do badly in your classes and the school kick you out, the EOP can bring you back. Another good thing is that they offer grants to students if they do not have enough money to pay for school. Also, thanks to the EOP I heard about the FYE where I met amazing people.
              In the FYE, I learned plenty of things that I did not know about college.  The benefits of the FYE are that they reserve a spot for some of your classes and they offer a workshop where you can learn things that you did not know about college. Some things that I wish I knew before I started college were:  how to sign up for classes, where did I had to pay my tuition, where to check my financial aid status, where did I had to go to check if the school received my grades for my AP classes, and what were the benefits of the Health Center. I remember I was going crazy because I did not know who to ask and I had to wait until my fall quarter to have an answer to my questions. I recommend you to go to the FYE if you have questions or go to the EOP. I know right now you might do not have idea about the things I am talking about, but you will find the answers.
            Something that it’s important to keep in mind is that college is not only about having good grades. Take the time to explore the campus by yourself and if it’s necessary go to every office to ask about their services. Remember that it’s important to know the campus because it’s going to become your second home. One more thing, try to participate in internships and volunteer in different fields, so you can have an idea of the ideal major. I advise you to do not choose a major for money because you might not be happy with your decision.
            I am not going to tell you to “not give up,” instead I want to ask you for a favor. Please make a difference in the community by finishing a career in any field that you want. Our society needs heroes and role models for the future generations. I am sure you are one of them.
Welcome to CSULA
Sincerely,
A person who believes in your potential

Awesome Advice for College

Dear, freshmen

            I have successfully made it through my first year of college! Being a first generation college student, I was not prepared for what college would throw at me. I had to figure out things on my own and luckily I was able to get by just fine. Here is some advice I have to offer you freshman to help you through your first year of college.

            Going into college might seem frightening. You are in a new learning environment unlike High School; you don’t know anyone and you are basically treated as an adult. For example professors will not beg you to attend class, due your homework and most importantly spoon feed you the material. You are left to fend for yourself. My first advice is to always check your mail and portal. Make it a habit to check it at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. This will keep you inform of the latest class notifications such as canceled class, homework due dates, exams and even scholarship and priority registration opportunities. This will keep you organized and help you plan ahead.

My second advice is to consult with your counselor often. The councilor will help you choose classes and help you map out courses throughout the year so that you graduate on time. Make sure to take a mixture of general education classes and major classes. Don’t take all your GEs all at once; spreading your GE classes throughout your college years will help you focused on your main class courses and not overwhelm you. Also make sure to take advantage of the office hour your professor provides you with. This will let the professor get to know you better and answered questions you have on the material. It doesn’t hurt to know your professor, when you are applying for scholarships and internships, your professors will be able to write you strong letters of recommendation.

My last advice is to make friends. Like I said before, professors will not spoon feed you then material. Going to lectures will not be enough you will have to do some independent studying but it is much easier when you have friend to help you study. Working together in my opinion makes learning fun you and your friends can prepare for midterms and finals, you guys can answer each other’s questions and even provide moral support. The first year of college is not easy. I hope my advice helps you through your college carrier and I wish you good luck.
Sincerely,
A fellow student

Defeating Anxiety as a New Freshman

Dear Freshman, 

            I remember feeling nervous and excited on my first day at Cal State LA. I was so excited and nervous that I forgot to bring a writing utensil for my math class. I decided that I would go to the university bookstore, but I had no idea that one pencil would cost so much. There was a lot that I went through during my first quarter that helped me survive my first year.

            During my first year at CSULA, I was in a program called the First Year Experience (FYE). The program was a big help from providing permits for classes to discussions. In fall quarter, FYE gave permits for classes in block E, also known as introduction to higher education courses. In that class, we were given a lot of useful information about the resources we have on campus. My professor made everyone go on a scavenger hunt, which was really fun. It gave us the opportunity to get to know where our school resources are at and what they provide. We went to places like academic advisement center, study abroad program, and the health center. Taking courses on block E  during your first year is useful because you professor will help you transitioned into college and provide helpful resources on campus. 

            The FYE program also provided discussions. My discussion leader was Uriel Serrano, who is a great leader that provided interesting discussions and resources to our campus. He brought speakers to our class from the health care center and financial aid center. We talked about how society views women, questioned laws like should cannabis be illegal, and how the media present women. Uriel also guided us whenever we need help with any other classes. The discussions were very helpful and an interesting experience.  

            Before entering my fall quarter, I wish someone had told to save up my money. In the past year, I have realized college is very expensive. In college, students realize that they are finally adults and have to take bigger responsibilities. As freshman, you will need to be responsible to get your own textbooks, go to class, do assignments on time, study for exams, eat healthy, have enough money to eat, and balance everything in your life.

            One day when I was browsing the Internet, I came upon some CSULA groups on Facebook. They have groups from students selling textbooks to majors. I was interested in the textbook groups and joined it; I realized students sold textbooks much cheaper than the bookstore. These Facebook groups are a great alternative to the university bookstore on campus, because you save money. In high school, many of us ditched class, but college is different. When you choose not to go to class you have to realize that it may affect you in some way. Most classes are mostly based on lectures and once you miss one class you may feel lost in the next class meeting. Some students do encounter problems and may not be able to go to class, but some professors allow students to exchange numbers and emails at the beginning of the quarter. Students should take advantage of this, even if professors do not require you to exchange contact information you should just incase. It’s useful because you may forget what the homework was or sometimes you won’t be able to make it to class and need some notes. It’s also a way to make a new friend.

            In college, some students have other responsibilities like jobs or their social lives. When managing everything, it’s important to balance things and not to procrastinate when it comes to schoolwork. The FYE program has also been a big impact on my first year. Joining a group that shows support like FYE will benefit you in many ways and enhance your first year in college. Good luck freshman, I am sure all of you will do fine. If you feel like you want to give up go to someone who you comfortable with and could encourage you. I’m sure they will tell that you can do it, because you can!

                                                                                          Sincerely,

            Nadine Alcazar

A First Year Experience program event 

Pen Pal Event

Facing The Challenge

Dear, freshman

I would like to welcome you to Cal State Los Angeles. After many years of hard work and struggles you have finally made it to college. I know that you are happy and really excited to take on this adventure. At the same time you might be full of doubts and insecurities but do not worry about it, I felt the exact same way.

I still remember the day I received my acceptance letter from CSULA, I was full of joy and could not believe that I had made it. What made me even happier was that I was going to be a first generation college student. I did not only saw this as my accomplishment, it was my family and I. Even though I was really excited I did not stop thinking about the negative obstacles that I might face later on. I had a mixture of feelings and felt scare. I did not know if I was going to be able to take on the challenge. The only thing that I was sure about was that I was not going to miss the opportunity of attending a four year college.

I am now about to officially finish my first year of college. It was not easy; I started the year with a financial problem. I was notified by the financial office that my financial packet was not going to be ready on time so I had to pay out of pocket for my first quarter. I was not expecting this problem. Fortunately my parents were able to manage and get the money. For the following quarter my financial packet was ready.

First Year Experience and EOP are two programs that really helped me during my first year at CSULA. In the First Year Experience I was able to meet many freshman students like myself. Being part of this program gave me many advantages. I was able to make friends, who to my surprise were in most of my classes. The First Year Experience program also offered classes that I was able to take advantage of.  I was also able to get informed of the many things that our campus has to offer during the discussions that we had once a week. EOP was also a big help because I was able to get priority registration. My EOP adviser offered me many advice in which classes to take and which ones to wait on.

The first suggestion that I would suggest you to do is to meet your major advisor as soon as possible. So that you can get inform and start planning what classes to take and the amount. They will guide you through and will give you many helpful information. You can also talk to them about anything, they are always willing to help and inform you. The second suggestion that I would suggest would be for you to take advantage of your professor’s office hours. Do not be afraid to go and ask for help or even if it is only to clarify a question.

The best and most important advice that I can share with you can be to wisely manage your time. Stay on top of your classes and assignments. Study hard and always be on time and prepare for class. If possible do not miss a single day of class. You should also make time to enjoy yourself and enjoy your college experience. Do not let the college life and work consume you. Just give it your best and stay strong through every situation.

I wished I had known how to manage my time. I had to learn the hard way by staying up late just to finish my assignments. It was not easy but I feel that in this year I have learned to manage more wisely my time. I have also learned how to make decisions that will benefit me and my education goals.

Sincerely,

A freshman

Pulling Through

Dear College Freshman,

            I welcome you all to Cal State LA, and as well congratulate you on officially becoming a college student. Its not too long ago that I was once in your place which means I know exactly what you will be going through your first year of college. Maybe some of you already know what to expect from college, however, some might not. Which is fine because I used to be one of those students who had no sort of idea of what to expect from it since I was a first generation college student. My expectations of college were very different than how it turned out to be. In some way I expected it to be easy, and not very stressful, however I was wrong. I’m writing this letter because I have some advice I would like to share with all of you, I would like to discuss some things I wish I’d known when I was in your position. High School to college is a huge transition because were so used to something different than what college wants from us. However, don’t feel discouraged about it, pull through it.

            For instance, one thing I would have wanted to know as I started college was about remedial classes. Some of you may be aware of what it is by now, but for the ones that don’t I will gladly explain. Remedial courses are classes that some students must take in order to build up Math or English before they are allowed to take regular college course. At the beginning of my college year I was placed in remedial Math and English. I find it funny how back in high school I was an honor student, and in my freshman year I was placed in remedial courses. It wasn’t any mistake, I actually belonged there due to the fact how poor I did on my placement test. I just would have liked for someone to tell me it was that important, I know for a fact I would of actually put more focus to it. For the students that are placed in remedial classes my advice to you is to not get discouraged, it may seem frustrating that you have to make up Math and English, but the best thing to do is to pass the courses. I know how it feels, but now I’m past that, and so will you.

            In addition, I would also like to discuss the amazing programs there are at Cal State LA such as, The First Year Experience Program and EOP. Many of you will be in the FYE program, and word of advice just because you might thing its just a waste of time it isn’t. Throughout my first year of college I have come by some student who thought of the FYE program as a waste of their time, and not useful what so ever. With all honesty I was one of those students, however, once I started to attend the group discussions my point of view completely changed. The FYE program provides many advantages to freshman students such as, reserving classes, book scholarships, and fun social activities. If you are a confused college student just as I was, let me tell you something, this program is just for you. Registering for classes early in the morning is torture enough, but you wont have to worry if you’re in the FYE program because they will reserve the classes you need. The book scholarships also come in handy because I mean who doesn’t like free money for books, I know I do. Take advantage of the programs Cal State LA offers you because trust me it does come of great help.

            As a college student you will have to face many struggles, but you must overcome them. It isn’t easy as some of you might thing it is, but we must pull through it. My advice to you is to take advantage of the programs the school has to offer, and don’t slack off on your classes. This isn’t high school anymore; college requires more responsibility and dedication. Overall, have fun in your first year, join a sorority or fraternity, clubs, yoga, the newspaper etc. Just as there are fun times, there are also long study nights. Were all here for one purpose, and that’s to get an education, don’t let one silly mistake ruin you.

Sincerely , 

Itamar Hernandez

How to Kick Ass in College

                                 

Greetings Freshmen,

Congratulations, you have completed high school and have officially started your first year of college. The transition from high school to college is like a rite of passage and although the first year of college seems like an exciting time it’s also a time filled with angst and confusion. As an introvert finishing my first year of college, I know how it feels to stress over things like choosing the right major or maintaining a desired grade point average. I’ve come up with six tips that will help you ease your way into your freshmen year of college. The tips I will mention are tips that I wish someone had told me before going to college.

Tip #1: It’s okay not to know what to major in.

It’s perfectly fine to be fickle! In high school I was dead set on becoming a journalist; however, once I entered college and started taking classes, I began to steer away from journalism and began to wander off to other majors like English and Psychology. If you are indecisive and don’t know what you want to major in keep in mind that you are about to embark onto a University that will grant you access to intriguing courses and innovative people. Also, you will have plenty of time to decide; however, within that time frame you should do some research on the majors you are interested in. The Career Center on campus is a good place to go to if you’re indecisive about your major. The Career Center could help you look for internships and get a job on or outside of campus.

Tip #2: Join a Club/ Organization

Sorry introverts, I hate to burst your bubble of solitude but I highly advise you to join a club. Joining an organization or club will enable you to network and meet new people. I know that meeting new people is awkward and scary; luckily, you will already share common interests with the people in the club/organization since you are all there with a common purpose. During my first quarter at CSULA, I joined the Feminist Majority leadership Alliance club and met a lot of friendly people who made the transition into college a lot smoother. If you do decide to join a club, don’t feel pressured into staying in the club all four years if you don’t want to. There will be many clubs that will spark your interest and yes it’s okay to be in more than one club.

Tip #3: Don’t stress about grades.

As students, we have all been conditioned to think that grades are important. I used to believe that the grades I received defined my self-worth. The problem with focusing too much on grades is that eventually you’re going to lose joy in learning. I noticed that worrying about my grades was one of the main contributors to my anxiety as a freshman. Entering my second quarter, I decided to stop caring about the end result and just enjoy learning the content taught in class. After focusing more on learning than my overall grade, I noticed that I started to understand the material a lot better and actually saw an improvement in my grades.

Tip #4: Be Proactive and ask questions!

Being proactive means to always be one step ahead of the game. Proactive people go the extra mile and do things before they are told or asked to do it. Being proactive is a habit; a habit that will take time to adjust to. You don’t necessarily need to be an overachiever to be proactive, all you need to do is have the courage to ask questions about anything you might have a question to. Remember that your professors are not mind readers; therefore, if you have a question make sure to ask. Don’t be afraid that your question might sound stupid because if you don’t ask, you’ll never get an answer to something that may come in handy in the future.

Tip #5: Know the type of environment you work best in.

I know how difficult it is to resist the temptation to procrastinate. It is important to know the type of environment you can study and work best in because it will decrease your chances of procrastinating. Personally, I feel most productive when I’m at a public space like the school’s library or the Annex Link locations on campus. Annex Links are free computer labs located on campus that allow students to use basic and expensive computer programs for school assignments.

Tip #6: Bug the hell out of your counselor

Your relationship with your counselor is going to help you a lot in college! Your counselor is the person who will help you keep track of which courses you need to take to meet your major requirements or even transfer requirements. Also, your counselor is loaded with tons of information like who to talk to so you can change your major or where to go for financial aid help and other important things. Make sure to meet with your counselor at least once every quarter so you can know which steps to take towards reaching your goals.

 Your experience at CSULA is determined by what you do in and outside of campus. My advice to you is to be ambitious and enjoy your time learning in college because right now your brain is a sponge waiting to soak up any drop of information that is available. You are blessed with the opportunity of attending a four year university which is an opportunity that is often sought out for by many people who want a rich and fulfilling life. Once you graduate, which I know you will, you will attain an education that no one could ever take away from you.

                                                                                                Bonne chance,

Nayeli Romero

It's all about Experiencing freshman year!

Dear freshman,

            During my Fall Quarter of 2013, I was taking remedial English and Math with HHS 101, an introductory to higher education. In my HHS 101, my class would do some activities where each student was able to introduce themselves and we got to know each other better. My HHS teacher had us do a scavenger hunt throughout the school. It was really fun and challenging because since we were freshman we had no idea of where most buildings were located at. This activity helped me figure where the testing center, tutorial center, and where my advisors office was at.

            I would advise you to be involved in campus like joining a club. I had no idea about the First Year Experience (FYE) until my friend told me about it and to join it with her. This program was really helpful to me in advising me what classes to take when I needed help in choosing classes. In FYE we had discussion meetings where we talked about CSULA and got the opportunity to meet new people. Also, it helps you to register for classes because they would reserve classes just for FYE students. If only I had known before I would have not struggle with getting my classes before the Fall Quarter. In FYE they also had workshops.

            The workshop that I most remember was Time Management. This workshop helped me have a better understanding on how I should manage my time to do homework and study. I was able to write down all my assignments that were due in my agenda so I would not forget their deadlines. I would recommend you to have an agenda or something that you know you will see often to have all the deadlines written down because when you least know it the deadline is here, especially with a quarter system. I would also recommend for you to attend other workshops to have better understandings of things on campus such as financial aid.

            There are some things I wished I had known before I entered college like what remedial classes were. I was not quite sure what it meant until I started classes in the Fall Quarter. Many students who needed to take remedial English had to do Early Start, a class in the summer before starting the Fall Quarter. My class was online, and I would not see my professor and the assignments would be posted online. My first assignment was to write an essay and put it on Moodle for my professor to grade it. The next assignment was to read and take notes. I did my notes and send it to my professor, but I never got a grade for it because I forgot to put my name. I wished I had known that even though I send it to my professor from my CSULA account, I still had to put my name on all my work that I send.

            For math, I had to do the same and take remedial and do Early Start. When I applied for the class, I only applied for Part A. Now I wished I had applied for Part B as well because I would have not wasted a quarter on the same class I took during the summer. I also wished I had known about the Exit Exams where I could have taken the test and if I passed I could have skipped remedial classes.

            I also wished I knew about when you get an email saying you are admitted into CSULA with your major, such as nursing or criminal justice, you are not completely in. There are some prerequisites meaning taking classes before you are actually admitted into that major. I feel it is an amazing feeling knowing you are in, but then you realize you are actually not in that major.

            Being a freshman seems a bit scary to be on your own, but don’t be afraid because like that you are able to experience many things. Make sure to visit your professor’s office hours in case you need help with something. Also be involved because it can help you get through your first year in college and the rest of your years. And remember don’t give up and follow your dreams because I know you can do it!

Sincerely,

Guadalupe Castaneda