UCLA: Week 3 done, 7 more to go!

Transitioning from a four month long summer into college was tough. But now that I’m out of the transitional phase, living 6 hours away from home isn’t as daunting as I imagined. I thought I would be homesick by the second week, but I was wrong. Week 4 is approaching and I can confidently say that I am comfortable here. Sure, I can’t see my cat, my boyfriend, or my family regularly, but I know the distance away from home will give my room for growth.

My first few weeks here were exciting! Although I felt like the environment was a little out of my element, it was exciting meeting so many people whose names I have already forgotten. There are so many people here that it is easy to fade into the background in a crowded room, but once you make a few friends it isn’t so bad anymore. 

The initial impression of college life didn’t differ too much from what I came in expecting. I knew that college was going to be a lot of hard work and I also knew that school would consume most of my time. In the first two weeks, I was prepared for whatever work that was thrown at me. Today, I feel like I am improving as a student all the time. However, I am developing bad habits. For example, yesterday I had one cup of coffee. Yes, I said it. One entire cup!! I don’t want to end up as a caffeine-addict by the end quarter 1, but I see the inevitable already coming. 

As quarter 1 progresses and the transitional phase comes to an end, I am most looking forward to becoming a better, more mature version of myself in college.

-Celesti, UCLA '16

Reflections on UCLA

After finishing my first quarter at UCLA, the first word that comes to mind if relief. I'm so relieved I've survived the most intense 10 weeks where I was incredibly busy getting lost on campus, reading hundreds of pages for my classes (procrastinating the readings a little too), making new friends and adjusting to being away from home. One things that I'm sure just about everyone starting college would say is important is time management. To be a good student, and person in general, you have to be able to balance academics, clubs and other school affairs, and your social life--and you need a social life to maintain your sanity.

I think the social factor on campus is something I need to work on looking onward to next quarter. Although I did make friends and explore campus clubs and activities, I couldn't find much to commit to. The only thing I stayed consistent with was UNICEF at UCLA, which looks to educate the local community about global issues affecting children and mobilize the community to take action. This is very unlike the high school me who was incredibly involved with everything around campus. I spent so much time worrying about academics, I lacked participation on campus. So as the Winter quarter approaches, I'm on the hunt for more clubs and positions.

Something I'm happy to have done this quarter is arrange an appointment with an academic counselor. Together we decided which classes would be best for me to take in the upcoming quarter, figure out which courses I've taken at Contra Costa College that qualify as a General Education-- or GE-- requirement, and discuss my potential major. As of now, I'm considering double majoring in International Development Studies and Economics. Because I attended Middle College High School, most of my GEs have already been completed, so taking just three classes each quarter without counting summers, I can still graduate in four years. That sounds like a great plan to me! Without the direction and motivating words from my counselor, I don't think I would be as confident as I am to continue with my UCLA education.

Overall, I'm really glad I chose UCLA. Sure, the size of the campus and its distance from home are intimidating, but so is the rest of the world, and living in fear of these things is just silly. I don't think I would go back and change a thing because after all, college is a learning experience. Each day I go down Bruin Walk I am discovering something new and unique to my experience.

- Michelle, UCLA '15

Moving to Los Angeles

My name is Michelle, and I'm from Richmond, CA. I recently began my first year at UCLA. Although I haven't yet declared a major, I find a strong interest in the social sciences, particularly political science. Although this past summer was the longest I've ever experienced, time seemed to go by quickly as I stayed busy spending time with family and friends, working and preparing for college. Preparing to move hundreds of miles away, I wanted to make sure to secure my familial and social relationships and have much fun as I possibly could before entering college. During the days I would work at the local swimming pool as a lifeguard and swim instructor in order to save money for school, and at night I made sure to have family dinner. I also spent a lot of my summer making lists: lists of things I needed to purchase or pack, books to read, forms to fill out for UCLA and scholarships, etc. Getting into school was the easy part, being ready was a lot more difficult.

- Michelle, UCLA '15