Prior to attending UCLA, I thought college would be like the movies: cramming late-night study sessions, studying with friends until 1 a.m., and attending event after event… I was wrong. While the media depicts some aspects of the collegiate experience accurately, college is so much more. It truly is a time for you to figure out who you are and what you want to do in life. That being said, it can be a bit overwhelming. College is often the first time you have unrestricted freedom. You can do what you want and choose when you do it, and that can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are a few tips that helped me successfully navigate my first year of college and prepare for acing the next three years.
- An 8 a.m. class is VERY different from an 8 a.m. discussion. If you are not a morning person, do not enroll in an 8 a.m. discussion. I promise you will regret it the entire time, especially if it’s a STEM class. Discussion sections are smaller, more intimate groups. From my experience, there are no more than 20–25 people and active participation is required. If you know you like to sleep in, I HIGHLY recommend enrolling in a section later in the day.
- Go to office hours, especially your TA’s office hours. TAs grade your assignments and lead section, so if you have any questions, make sure they are the first person you contact.
- Join clubs that make you happy. I know it’s easy to get carried away and want to build a stellar résumé, but if you join a club you love, attending meetings at 7 or 8 p.m. won’t seem as bad.
- Use Google Calendar or some form of digital organization system. Google Calendar is my holy grail for assignments, exams, club meetings, you name it!
- Failing an exam or an assignment is not the end of the world. Failure is part of the path to success. Part of the college experience includes ramping up and working a bit harder than you are used to.
- Reach out for help when you need it! Don’t wait for things to get bad to seek support! If you know that an assignment seems complicated or you’re confused, reach out to your TA for guidance. Make sure you reach out well in advance. (Remember, your TAs are students too!)
- This one sounds kind of obvious: pay attention in class. On Zoom especially, it’s easy to go on your phone or play a game, but it’s crucial that you pay attention and are an active participant in your learning. If you’re taking classes for your major, the information you learn in your lower-division courses will appear again in upper-division courses.
- Take space, make space. It’s okay if you have a lot to say; your classmates will appreciate your input and will be glad to have someone helping to lead the conversation. However, make sure you give room to other students to speak and share their opinions as well; after all, we learn from listening to others too.
- Do not be afraid to speak up. If your TA says something that you’re confused about, ask for clarification. If a classmate says something that makes you uncomfortable, let them know. Odds are you aren’t the only one that felt that way, and you speaking up will make your peers feel comfortable as well.
- Have fun! Take classes you enjoy, join clubs you like, and drop clubs you don’t. Your college experience is yours and yours alone. Don’t be afraid to try out different things. Learn what works for you and what makes you happy.
- Join cultural/class group chats. This is the best way to find out what’s going on on campus and any upcoming opportunities and deadlines.
- Your degree is for you! Do not major in something because it sounds good. Find a topic/field you’re interested in, and take a class to see if you could see yourself majoring in it. Do not feel compelled to stick with the major you applied for.
- Finally, be realistic with your time. There are only 24 hours in a day, 160 hours in a week, and you are not invincible. Make sure you set time aside to do your homework, hang out with your friends, do self-care, and participate in any other activities that you’re interested in. Only commit to what you can fully show up to; know your limit!
Regardless of whether your college experience is online or in-person, always remember that college is what you make of it. There are a ton of people to meet, classes to take, and clubs to join. Make sure you pace yourself and, most importantly, enjoy your time. A year goes by incredibly fast, so make sure you spend your time doing things you want.
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Jamila Cummings graduated from Pasadena High School in 2020. She is currently a freshman attending UCLA. She plans to double major in education and public affairs as well as minoring in African American studies. In the future, she plans to earn her masters in public policy and attend law school. Jamila is thrilled to be a part of the CAP Student Advisory Council and looks forward to giving back to her community and providing support to those who need it.
