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 Work
Just 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 Available
Ask 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 Service: (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 can answer your math, science and writing questions.
6. You Must Hit the Ground Running
The 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 Regularly
It 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 Breaks
Find 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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