Your Life at UCSB – Fifteen Tips for Success
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1. Go to class.
This seems obvious, but it can't be stressed enough. Professors tend to test on
what they discuss in class. Don't abuse your new freedom. Being there is your responsibility.
Simply being in class every day (unless you're sick) will help you graduate.
2. Get to know your professors and TAs.
Most instructors sincerely welcome students and want them to understand course material;
many are happy to talk with you about things unrelated to class. By getting to know
your instructors you make it easier to ask for help, become engaged in your studies
and better integrated into life at UCSB. This rapport can also establish a foundation
for getting involved in research and for requesting letters of recommendation for
graduate school or employment. Should you be fortunate to develop a bond of friendship,
you will find professors and TAs to be invaluable mentors.
3. Attend to academics from the start.
Identify specific goals you wish to accomplish while you are here and reevaluate
them periodically. Make sure you are working toward them. Even if you're not thinking
about graduate school now, you may decide to pursue it later. Many majors require
a GPA higher than a 2.0 in a certain group of courses. Graduate schools look for
GPAs well above 3.0. If you do your best from your first quarter at UCSB, you will
keep all of your options open and will most likely meet your goals.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for help, but be selective about your sources of assistance.
Even expert economists turn to tax accountants for assistance with their income
taxes-they don't ask their friends and neighbors! If you don't know something, get
advice from an expert on campus. For help understanding class material, consult
your professor or TA; when trying to understand the requirements of your major,
see your department advisor; if unsure about degree requirements or General Education,
see the advisors in your college.
5. Plan ahead.
Many special programs are offered at UCSB, but you must investigate your opportunities
early in your college career so that you will be prepared for the application process.
If you want to study abroad, visit the Education Abroad Program in your first year
here; if you want to spend a quarter in Washington DC, find out how by visiting
the Washington Center peer advisors; if graduate or professional school interests
you, attend workshops to learn about the prerequisites or see the professional advisors
in pre-law, pre-health, or education; if you are interested in conducting faculty
sponsored research, speak with faculty members doing research in areas that interest
you or visit the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Office in North
Hall or visit the Special Programs Office in the College of Letters & Science.
6. Use your time wisely.
This means you can't wait until the night before a test to study for it, or start
writing a paper the day before it's due. Now that no one is around to tell you when
to study or when to sleep, you need to do this for yourself. If you could use improvement
in this area, get help from Campus Learning Assistance Services by attending one
of their time management workshops.
7. Learn how to study.
An integral part of your success in college involves assessing your own learning
style, taking better notes in class, reading more efficiently, and doing better
on tests. Visit CLAS (Campus Learning Assistance Services) for help in all of these
areas.
8. Take care of your health.
Sleep. Eat well. Exercise regularly. Make smart decisions about alcohol, other drugs,
and sex. Take advantage of all the services offered by Student Health. See them
right away when you feel sick, and when you're feeling well, check out their health
education programs and visit the Wellness Program.
9. Being a student is a full-time job.
If you're taking a full load of classes (12-16 units per quarter), don't work more
than 20 hours a week. Most people begin a downhill slide in the quality of learning
beyond 20 hours. If you need more money, see Financial Aid about a loan. Try to
work on campus if possible. Students who work on campus tend to do better in classes
and are more likely to stay enrolled than those working off campus.
10. Improve your writing.
Discuss your writing with professors and TAs; use the drop-in Writing Lab at Campus
Learning Assistance Services; check out the writing minor offered by the Writing
Program.
11. Know how to use the Davidson Library.
Take a Library Skills course (Interdisciplinary Studies 1 or 100) or attend a Library
Orientation at the beginning of any quarter. Use the services of the reference librarians
who are here to assist you while you use the library.
12. Be a consumer of your education.
Shop around for professors whose approach to education you like by sitting in on
classes to "test drive" them this quarter, before you register for the courses they
are teaching next quarter. Do the math! You and/or your parents are paying about
$3,100 per quarter in fees and book costs. That translates to $194 per unit or $775
per course (lecture, lab, discussion, etc.). Make sure you're getting your money's
worth by getting the most from your education.
13. Find a great academic advisor and keep seeing him or her throughout your time at UCSB.
There are many outstanding and caring advisors (professional staff, faculty and
student peers) in your major department and your college. Make regular appointments
and consult them when you are making decisions about your major(s), pursuing a minor,
career pursuits, and graduate or professional school.
14. Visit Career Services early in your UCSB career
Even if you think you have chosen your academic major, Career Services offers valuable
information about careers and about yourself. They can help you find an internship,
a part-time job, prepare for interviews, and identify your strengths and interests.
15. Get involved in campus activities.
Join one of the 250+ clubs on campus or work for the Daily Nexus. Play Intramural
Sports, become a peer health educator at Student Health, volunteer through Community
Affairs Board or join Associated Students. All campus organizations welcome freshmen
and new transfer students. Visit www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/for more information on leadership
development.
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