California State University-San Marcos Top Questions

Figure out where all your classes are on campus before your first day.

Before I started attending CSUSM, I had my hopes set on their nursing program. I knew it was competitive but I was willing to take on this challenge. Towards the end of my first semester, there was a required meeting for all pre-nursing students in which they sat us all down and basically encouraged all of us to switch majors. There were over 600 applicants and only 40 available slots for the program. This seemed ridiculous and I was very frustrated that they had not informed us about this sooner.

I wish that I had known more about the clubs offered at San Marcos. It wasn't untill I was in my last year or so that I realized all the clubs offered at school. I think that it would have made campus life more enjoyable if I had discovered a student community that was interested in the same things as I was.

I wish I had known how hard it would be to meet friends while being a commuter

That it is not as easy as it seems.

I wish I had known the financial side about California State Universities. Because of the California budget cuts, many of our classes aren't offered every semester and some are only offered every other year. This makes it hard for many of the students to take what they in order to graduate on time.

The jump to college is a big one for students who are used to having their hand held. I was one such student. Accustomed to having my courses practically chosen for me, books delivered at my convenience, and bells to keep me in class on time, I sat quite comfortably in high school. In college, you'll have a rude awakening if you expect things to be done for you. I ended up stressing much over course registration and book purchases, and the ability to cut class at your discretion can prove to be more damning than convenient.

The school becomes what you put into it.

Nothing

How hard living on my own would be.