How To Succeed Your First Year at UCSB
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1. High School is Over
I wish I had known that professors really DO want students to attend their office hours (and just saying "hi" is a fine reason to go).
You are only here because you met a demanding set of criteria, and you will only remain here if you work hard and continue to meet an increasingly demanding set of criteria. You must learn how to learn and manage your time effectively. You must take charge of your education and take advantage of the many opportunities available to you at UCSB. Challenge yourself beyond what you may think you can do.
2. You Must WorkJust like in the real world, what matters at the university is not effort but results. If it takes you 20 hours to perform a certain task, and someone else does the same task with the same results in 5 hours, you will both receive the same grade.
3. Choose a Major
If you have any idea of what you might like to major in, start in with that major now. If you find that major to be just what you want, that's great. If you find you don't like it, that's great too-because you will have made that discovery early in your UCSB career, and will have plenty of time to move into a different major. Be absolutely certain that the major you've chosen is really what you want to study! In particular, don't choose a major because it's what you think your parents want you to do-it's your life, after all. Make sure you do a "reality check" as you begin taking classes for your major. If you don't enjoy the subject matter, and/or you're not doing well, think seriously about doing something else. If you don't enjoy your major now, you probably won't like working in a related profession for the next 40 years either!
4. General Education is Incredibly Important: No matter what your major, never forget that your "general education" courses are an essential part of your academic career and to becoming an educated member of our society. Take a class for fun or simply because you are interested in the subject.
5. Help is AvailableAsk for help when you need it. Take advantage of your professor's office hours to interact one-on-one with your professor-your professor will appreciate you coming in.
Campus Learning Assistance Services: (CLAS): This is an important resource for every student at UCSB. It is free of charge. Tutors assigned to your lecture classes will teach you in small group settings. Many top students actively prepare for and participate in CLAS tutorial groups. It will give you the opportunity to meet students, make friends and form study groups. You must study on your own as well; simply attending class and CLAS is not enough. CLAS Workshops: Time Management, Notetaking, Reading, Exam preparation. CLAS Drop-In Lab: To answer your math, science and writing questions.
6. You Must Hit the Ground RunningThe UCSB quarter is 10 weeks long, and it goes by very fast. Some courses give two midterm exams as well as a final exam, which means that your first test may be in the third or fourth week of the term. If you allow yourself to fall behind, you simply may never catch up. Time management is a crucial skill for success at UCSB!
7. See Your Advisor RegularlyIt is important to take the courses required for your major at the appropriate time. Many courses at UCSB are part of a sequence that must be taken in order, which are offered only once a year. This means that if you fail to take them, you're automatically a year behind, and may have to stay another year to get your degree. Make sure you meet the advisor in your major department and check with him or her every quarter before signing up for the next quarter's courses.
8. Schedule BreaksFind something that will help you relax, have fun and put things into perspective! It will help you manage your time more effectively.
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