Let's Give You a Quick Guide! Student Resources here we come!

STUDENT RESOURCES- LET’S GIVE YA A QUICK GUIDE! 

 Welcome to your official guide on college success, since you will be spending your 4 years here, you might as well need to learn some basic information how you’re going to live in college!  If it’s not then, please do get some more experience on this guide! This is your time to get to know about your new campus and some student resources! 

Now before we get started, imagine that you will be new to your college and you have no idea what you are suppose to do. Well my friend, here are some questions that you can ask yourself and we'll tell ya:  

1.Where can I go register my classes? 

Simple as it can be, you can go look for your college advisor or the admission officers to get your courses start. Normally these happen during the orientation day so they will give you a worksheet about your schedule. 

2.Where can I add money on my meal plan or pay for tuition? 

If you go look for the admission officers, especially for the financial aid office people, you can ask them for help to pay your tuition either credit card or other payment uses. 

3.Where’s the school policy/ rules about my college?

Always a great way to search through their website! Your college would provide all those efficient information about the policies. Even your dorm rules can give you a guide rule book! 

4. I want to meet international students and TCKs, how can I get connected with them?

Facebook, twitter, or any other social websites you college is associated with can always get connected with your new classmates! Remember to always give it a try and don't be shy to not get to know them! Socializing is important! 

5. I am struggling classes, who can help me out? 

Your college advisor can always give you advices on how you can manage your classes. Sometimes, take it easy and see if you want to drop or join the class. There's always a chance! 

6.My roomate isn’t such a great sport and we have troubles negotiating, who can deal this? 

Talk with your RA or whoever manages the your dorm floor, you can always solve a way out at least negotiating with the RAs. 

7. I got a fever and I’m throwing up often, where should I go?

The Health Office is your life saver! If you are starting to not feel well, go tell an RA or your friend that you need to see a doctor! 

8. I’m looking for job interview. Does our school provide these kinds of services? 

Job interviews are a great way to cooperate more with your own major and other people. Pretty sure your college provides a lot of internships for student's specific majors, sign up anytime and ask the admission faculties! 

Time Management

Many college students have trouble in managing their time properly when they need to juggle between several different events.  For example, they need to manage the time for their dining options, study periods, social free time, and other time such as sleep.  Making a timetable for balancing out your time might seem easy and appealing to make and follow.  However, after a certain period of time (let's say...a week, a month, or even a few days), you might get bored with your timetable and go back messing up your time.  In the end, you will end of doing not-so-good in college.  So in this guide, you may learn a few tips on helping you managing your time in college!

1) Decide on which kind of schedule are you using.
While it may seem hard to follow your newly made schedule, maybe you should try other ways to actually follow it.  Different types of schedule may have different effects on you, so feel free to try them all and decide which works best for you.  Essentially, there are two main types of schedules that you can try.  First, it's the regular-time schedule.  This schedule records and marks your everyday routine such as your eating time, study time, homework time, and sleep time.  The second option is the non-regular schedule.  With this type, you could keep track of your other activities such as your social time (such as going to parties, nightclubs [for more information, check out the "Sex, Alcohol, and Drugs post"], eating out...etc.  With these activities listed in your non-regular schedule, you may have the privilege to restrict the time and keep control of your other free time.

2) The realization of procrastination.
Yes, yes, let's all admit it.  In some point of your life, you must have procrastinated on a certain assignment and scrambled to finish it in the last minute before you actually hand it in.  And I must admit it myself, I procrastinate all the time. And I know it's a bad habit.  So bad habits must be eradicated and start studying in a good way.  And cramming test materials is always not good for you, and I've learned that in the hard way (don't mention it...).  So essentially, if you think that you've been procrastinating lately, maybe you should take action.  Set up a timetable or keep a schedule notebook to help you keep track of your homework assignments.  In college, your mom won't be standing behind you and remind you to do your homework like back in elementary school.  In college life, it's your responsibility, which is a skill that you've been preparing since high school..I hope.  This is also a sort of virtue that you must take pride in.  You are now a college student, almost a full adult.  So pick up a schedule book now and get rid of your bad studying habits.

3) Rest when you need it.
After finishing that ten page research essay that is due tomorrow, you probably need a rest.  Poor time management on rest is a big no-no for the success of time management skills.  Managing the time on your sleep schedule is really important.  I'll say it's the most important part of time managing when you are making a schedule timetable.  Without any proper rest or sleep, your brain would not function properly.  So even you have an awesome schedule planned for your homework and study time, you are still going to fail that major final exam if your fatigue kicks in.  And as many people (such as doctors, your parents, and teachers) keep on rambling you about your sleeping time, it is suggested to have an average of 8 hours sleep each night.  In that way, your mind could stay fresh until the end of the day.  And another thing that my dad keep on nagging me is to sleep early and wake up early.  If you sleep early, your body could rest and your brain would stimulate essential substances for repairing cells in your body and undergo detoxification.  And as you wake up early in the morning, you will have a fresher mind to work with, instead of the tired mind that your brain have tried to stay awake for the entire day.  Also in the morning, you could be more flexible with your time.  Have a nice breakfast, study more, or simply just get ready for your morning classes.

4) Managing your healthy eating habits.
Even before setting off to college, many different people have warmed me about the horror of the "Freshman 15."  Yes, it's even a phrase now.  Essentially, "Freshman 15" is when first year college students pigging themselves out at their college buffet cafeteria.  And the 15 pounds is what they will exchange for their healthiness.  Many reasons may link to the horror stories of the "Freshman 15."  For example, stress from assignments and exams (which like I've mentioned, with a good time management schedule, you may alleviate your stress a little), the lack of exercise, and malnutrition.  Malnutrition is one of the main reasons that may lead to "Freshman 15."  It's pretty common for a typical college freshman student to think, "Oh my gosh, look at that crispy fried chicken wings!  Gasp!! Cookies & cream ice cream!  They even got my favorite brand of cookies & cream!!  Oh my goodness, you got to be kidding me!  I could stuff all the french fries until I couldn't take it anymore?!  This must be pure heaven!"  Yeah, that's my little scenario that a typical freshman who would gush over the buffet table.  Well, at least for the first few months.  And then after the first few months, their appetite on these junk foods may died down.  But that would be too late, because they already gained 15 pounds!!!!!  So the management on healthy eating habits must be corrected.  And needless for me to say, I bet most students DO know the food pyramid and know which kinds of food category they must consume the most - yes, the veggies and greens.  And I know the junk foods are tempting, but it's always a great idea to learn how to restrict your diet and make it into a healthier one.  And time management on this may help too.  For example, you may set like 20 minutes for dinner time, instead of the regular 40 minute time period.  Like this, you could eat more efficiently and tell yourself to eat less junk foods.  And you can cut off the time you spend on refilling your ice cream bowl.

5) Plan ahead and predict the unexpected.
Yes.  You must always plan ahead.  Plan out your schedule and your time for any upcoming exams, projects, and assignments.  And by predicting the unexpected, always leave out a time for absolute nothing.  Like this, you don't have to worry about not getting everything time on time.

So a last few words to say on time management is - first step: get yourself a proper schedule.  Like a calendar, timetable print-outs, or planner.  Like this, within a short period of time, you could evidently see yourself improving your lifestyle of college life.

COLLEGE LIFE STUDENTS ON NETWORKING AND CAREER

Are you joining some kind of online class course? Then here's the thing for you! 

Want to know “How to introduce yourself to someone at a networking event?” 

Simple as it can go! If you’re joining some kind of “online college course event” or a networking event, the best thing to getting to know someone else from the other side of the world is send an email or join some association group (like facebook) and introduce yourself! 

• Search out about  the network’s website if it has any other facebook, twitter, tumblr, or any connections they provide. It’s always a good chance to find friends there. 

• Write a post, email about yourself to a friend that you think you might have in common with, you can always introduce yourself to more people! The more you are willing to introduce yourself, others would love to start to get to know each other too! 

• Stay positive: Now people have not seen you yet in person nor know how is personality is like. Write down something with a your own nice tone, show who you really not showing who you are not! Bring out some humor, curiosity to your new friends 

• Now that you got to know your online friends more, if you are willing to give a call or meet them up somewhere like a cafe (ONLY when you want to or not. Your choice!). Knowing the person face to face more would help you think more whether your friend is trustable to meet or not. 

• If you got to meet your friend in person, then congratulations! You just not only made a new friend to him/her you have a partner that can always help you out or studying together on that online course you’re taking. And you never know that in the future, he/she might be your greatest friend! 

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Are you still shy talking to teachers (actually now that you are in college, they are called professors now) on the first day of college? Well, sir/ m’am. You just have to let it go and change your attitude on that! The whole new campus around you that you’re about to live, those people and professors will be your friends soon! 

Want to know “How to build relationships with professors?” 

Step 1: In the beginning week of choosing classes, you are still not determined which classes you might take. Which is definitely all right! You will meet a bunch of professors, talk to them at the every end of the class to just to get to know how they are like. 

Step 2: Your professor is always going to be the one helping you and guide your through the courses you will take. Sometimes even just like a friend talk is good to know how these professors care about their students

Step 3: Professors can always be there for you. They are older and much more experienced with you, and you never know what you can learn from them. So it’s never too late to not get to know them. 

Step 4: As you gets closer with your professors, hanging out with them in lunch time or dinner can be a good time to just relax and talk to them like a friend! 

In the end, within these steps you take, each step by step will guide to have a good times with your professors for the next four years of your college life! And you never know, whenever you make new friends and teachers, those will be your greatest time that you’ve spent with them! 

Residential Life - How to get along with roommates?

1.Make House Rules. 

-They don’t have to be a lot of rules, just ask yourself which things really matter to you in the home and make a list of them to discuss with the new roommates before they move in. 

2.Respect Everyone’s space. 

-Do whatever you want in your own room or your side of the room but go out of your way to be respectful of your roommate’s space and any shared space. Pick up after yourself in common areas. 

3.Look for Ways to Solve Problems 

-Talking about problems means that you figure out what the problem is, what resolution you are seeking and what you are willing to compromise about. Solve problems instead of fighting about them.

4.Take Care of Yourself and Your Responsibilities

-Don’t let your laundry pile up Get out of bed even when you are feeling depressed. Do your fair share of the household chores. If you take care of your part of the bargain then you’ll be able to tell really quickly if your roommates are not doing their part. 

5.Be Honest with Your New Roommates 

-The biggest mistake that people make with new roommates is that they are nice instead of honest. Don’t be rude, but be honest about what you want and need from a roommate. This will save you a lot of trouble over time and make you glad that you have the roommate. This will save you a lot of trouble over time and make you glad that you have the roommate situation that you do. 

6.Be Willing to Let Go 

-If you have given it a good honest effort and things just aren’t working out in your home then be willing to move on. Figure out a way to break the lease, sublet the place, get a new spot to live.. whatever you need to do to remedy the situation so that you can get better roommates the next time around.

7.Be Friendly, without expecting to be best friends.

-Don’t go into your roommate relationship thinking that you are going to be best friends for the time you are at school. It may happen, but expecting it sets both of you up for trouble. You should be friendly with your roommate but also make sure you have your own social circles. 

8.Be Open to New Things

-Your roommate may be from someplace you’ve never heard of. They may have a religion of lifestyle that is completely different from your own. Be open to new ideas and experiences, especially as it to relates to what your roommate brings into your life. 

9.Be Open to Change 

-You should expect to learn and grown and change during your time at school. And the same should happen to your roommate, if all goes well. As the semester progresses, realize things will change for both of you. Be comfortable addressing things that unexpectedly come, setting new rules, and being flexible to your changing environment. 

10.Be Clear from the Beginning. 

-Let you roommate know as soon as you can about your little quirks and preferences. It’s not fair to expect him or her to pick up on them right away, and communicating what you need is one of the best ways to eliminate problems before they become problems. 



Link: http://kathrynvercillo.hubpages.com/hub/15-Tips-for-Getting-Along-with-New-Roommates
         http://collegelife.about.com/od/beforeyouarrive/qt/roommatetips.htm

SEX, DRUGS, AND ALCOHOL DURING COLLEGE LIFE

Think about it deliberately, before you take action. 

Want to know how to make your life safer when it comes to sex, drugs, and alcohol when you go to college? 

Here’s a list of things where you can be aware of: 

1. DRINKING: We are all still young and we make mistakes. When you are not clear enough on how to control our drinking abilities nor what IS our drinking level, then think about before how you are going to “give it a try” on going to clubs and bars:

• Make sure that you always stick with your glass and never leave it behind 

• Always keep eye contact on what the bartender puts in your alcohol drink

• Don’t get too hungover when you start to get dizzy 

• When you think you get are getting too drunk, call a friend or a taxi to give you a ride home NEVER drive on your own when you are not sober 

• If you’re not a strong alcoholic person, learn about the different types of “glass” you would get for a drink for example: shots, vodka, wine glasses etc. 

Something About Binge Drinking: 
You probably have not experienced with it yet, but when you do, you better watch out for binge drinking:

Here's a specific idea about how binge drinking happens "especially in students" often:

"Previous studies have found that binge drinking among adults aged 40 to 60 is tied to a raised risk for stroke, sudden cardiac death and heart attack, but the effect in younger groups had not been investigated.

Binge drinking rates are highest among students at college and young adults aged 18 to 25 years, Phillips and colleagues write in their background information. On college campuses it is estimated that more than half of students binge drink on a regular basis."

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/259560.php

So if you're not a heavy drinker, make sure that you control your drinking habits or else you might go toxic! 

2. DRUGS: You are aware that drugs are sometimes can’t be that helpful for you right? 

To make sure you are aware of what types of drugs you never you might take:


STIMULANTS: 

• Ecstasy 
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (Also called “Crystal Meth” or just “Meth)  

DEPRESSANTS:

• Marijuana 
• Cigarettes: Contains nicotine and stimulates your brain. Well you know that in your college years, you would definitely see a lot of people smoking but note this: if someone offers you a cigarette, think before you make your actions. Would you wanna smoke or not, especially if you are a fresh fish of that kind of drug. 
• Heroin 
• Tranquilizers 

HALLUCINOGENS:

• LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) 
• Ketamine
• Nitrous Oxide 

Source (For more information about what kinds of drugs you might see in the future): 

http://typesofdrugs.org/

http://www.thecollegiateblog.org/2013/02/25/study-drugs-on-college-campuses/

3.. SEX: College life can go crazy sometimes, so crazy that you don’t even know what might happen next by the time you get drunk and pass out. And til’ the next day, you realized you  are lying down in some dirty couch and have no clothes on while you’re sleeping right next to a boy/girl partner. Yeah that’s right, jackpot. If this type of issue happened, how would you react to it? (Not like how the boys would say: Niceeee. WRONG.)

So first thing to always be aware is that: 

• AGAIN, be aware of what you’re drinking and sense any moment if you’re getting drunk. 
• Always hang around the people you know so they can take you home, you wouldn’t want a stranger to take you out somewhere else do you? 
• Anybody (especially boys) should bring/wear a condom. At least it helps give you guys safe-sex protection
• Lastly, as I mentioned, wear a condom to avoid STD's or any sexual transmitted disease. Please. 

Another point is that since we are getting older to understand how to control our sexuality actions, always find a way to control your sexual stimulation. If your gone abstinence, well good for you then? If you’re the type of person that can’t control it, then you have to at least go talk to someone or look for a doctor. 

Source: 
http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/peerh/sex/safesex/

Residential Life - Types of Residential Options for Universities Students

Since there are lots of types of residential options, we chose UC Davis’ housing options as an example.

Residence Halls

-Residence halls are primarily offered to freshmen, who are guaranteed a spot in the halls for their first year, provided all requirements and deadlines are met. Residence hall contracts include dining commons meal plans; residence halls do not have kitchens. Residents have access to many resources, including computer centers, academic advising centers, professional academic advising staff and employment opportunities in the residence hall communities. Applicants may request to live with a roommate or suite-mate of their choice. Optional Living-Learning Communities offer an opportunity to live in a residence hall where students participate in social and recreational activities with people who share similar interests. Contracts run the length of the regular academic year, from the weekend before fall courses begin until the day following the completion of finals. Residence halls are limited to those who are single and under the age of 24.

Student Housing Apartments 

-Student Housing Apartments (SHA) is a collection of apartment units Student Housing is leasing from privately owned apartment complexes in the community. SHA units are available to incoming transfer students.

Campus Apartments 

Campus apartments are available to a variety of UC Davis students. Campus apartments function independently of the residence halls, allowing for more flexibility and privacy for returning and graduate students, and students with families. Unlike the residence halls, campus apartments are equipped with private kitchens and bathrooms, but they do not include dining plans; apartments are available in different room quantities. Seven apartment complexes are conveniently located on the main campus; two - Orchard Park and Solano Park- are operated by UC Davis Student Housing while the other five -The Atriums at La Rue Park, The Colleges at La Rue, Russell Park and West Village Apartment - are privately operated. Leases for Orchard Park and Solano Park run from August through July of the following year. 

Cooperatives 

-Cooperatives are small, student-operated living communities which are self-reliant, giving their residents the opportunity to manage the health and welfare of the community while nurturing responsibility and sustainable living. There is one cooperative community on campus, the Tri-Cooperatives.

Link: http://www.housing.ucdavis.edu/prospective/housing_options.asp

Academic Life - Do's and Don'ts in choosing class

Link: http://www.collegeview.com/articles/article/class-scheduling-dos-and-don-ts-for-first-year-students