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
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