University of California-Davis Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of California-Davis know before they start?

Emaly

Do not try to handle it on your own!!! Get help from counselors and get going on the right track right away. Make sure to pick your major BEFORE attending.

Emily

Make sure to challenge yourself academically in high school so that the transition to college courses is much easier. Also, go to college with an open mind and put yourself in new situations so that you are constantly growing as an individual and meeting people you would never have expected could be the best friends in your life. Don't be afraid to move far from home; sometimes it is the push you need to really succeed! Don't worry when things get scary; the hard times always pass and then they leave you stronger and better as a person. Finally, don't put off studying until the last minute... it almost always fails you. Good luck!

Kelsey

I would tell myself to really pay attention to those classes, like calculus, where the information still has not gone away for me and sometimes I look back and kick myself for not being as focused as I could have been. I would have told myself that just because it was senior year, that was no reason to start slacking off in order to spend more time with friends. I would share the truthful fact that college is much harder than high school is and that I should really buckle down once classes started. I would probably tell myself to save more money too because college is beyond expensive and really not affordable. This is a stress that the majority of college students face. I wish I could have had someone giving me these important advices in order to help better prepare myself for college. Despite having no such advice, I have done well for myself and I love giving advice to high school students whenever I get the chance because every student deserves such advice.

alejandro

No matter how hard the classes may be or the hours you spend studying for those science course; always strive for your dream. Time mangement is a fundemental key in completeing tasks and assignments, nevertheless, time mangement is bonded with study habits. Studying hard alejandro won't get you far, but studying smart and effectively will completely make your school life and social life simple and fun. Endless amount of tutors and help will be offered, so do not be afraid to raise your hand or attend a group tutoring workshop. Why you must attend these academic helping workshops or groups? Alejandro, these individuals are putting their time and effort to help others reach their goals. Indeed, you will have spare time to hang out with friends, meet new people and so on, but one thing mindset to always have in mind is that failure is not an option.

Tiffany

Well, knowing what I know now as far as the classes I have taken and the people I have come to live with now versus the people I call friends I have a few things to say. Academically, I would say that you need to start working on your study habits now because college is nowhere near as easy as you think it is going to be. Socially, I would say do not expect everyone to be your friend because it just is not going to happen and unless you know you are wrong or incorrect on the matter, do not compromise who you are in order to impress others or to get them to accept you. Keep being socially friendly but do not be sensitive if someone does not like you because it will happen.

Kayla

I would advise myself to not go to community college. Community college is a lot less expensive, but the price is higher in that you don't get as many opportunities to bond with the classmates you will have when you transfer. Seeing pictures of other people experiencing their freshman year at a four year university, I see them making many more friends and lasting bonds than people who go to community college and then transfer. I thought that this wouldn't matter to me, but having experienced being a transfer student I know this is not true. Especially being a sophomore transfer, I am somewhere in the middle of freshman and junior transfers. Looking back, I would advise myself to find a way to pay for the full four years.

Paloma

Looking back, I would definitely tell myself to not be so scared. I think that growing up in a first generation, hispanic home my mother held a tight leash on me and that made me fearful of the world. Now that that leash has loosened up I realized that there is absolutely nothing to be afriad of. I would tell myself to be brave, go on adventures, take chances and meet new people. Even if something seems scary, people always adust to their new surrounding and find things that they love about whatever situation they are placed into. I would tell myself, to keep the friends I have, but never miss out on an opportunity to make a new one. I would tell myself that even if things don't work out right away, to keep trying and not to stop until I get what I want and have worked for. Most importantly, to be grateful.

Leah

College isn't as formidable as it seems right now; it is actually a lot of fun and you will meet some really splended people along the way. You already know what you want to do and even though it might be intimidating to think about it seriously, go for it! Don't be afraid of failing, just get back up and try again. Have a little faith in yourself and with a little hard work and dedication you can even get an A in Physics. :) I know you have no idea where you want to transfer to but that is ok; you end up where you are supposed to be. Just remember: Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to make new friends. Don't be afraid to be yourself. But most of all, have fun and I will see you in the mirror in the otherside.

Maria

If I could go back in time as a High School Senior and advice myself only one thing, it'd be to be ready to step out of my comfort zone. My first couple of years at UC Davis were not the best because I was too afraid to step out of my comfort zone. I was nervous to make conversation with people, join clubs and organizations, and even talk to professors. I became incredibly lonely, depressed and homesick, because I was not taking advantage of the privelege I had to be a student at UC Davis. Once I stepped out of my comfort zone, my whole college experience changed for the better, and now I wish I could spend extra years here to make up for the time I wasted being shy. Stepping out of my comfort zone was the best thing I couldve done, and I wish I would've done it sooner. I am now involved on campus organizations, I help lead workshops and conferences, and I have become friends with the most amazing people I have ever met. None of this would've been possible if I had never stepped out of my comfort zone.

Vanessa

Plan before you do. First, make sure you have a specific major or at least an interest of a career, if not research. What drives you? The purpose of universities is for you to know the concept, expand your knowledge, of your intended major well enough that you can teach someone analyze rather than memorize. Find the university that offers the best programs to help you succeed. Second you should visit copious universities. What is going to be the student to teacher ratio? Are you comfortable with a 40 to 1 or a 100 to 1? Can you be away from home or do you want to travel across the country? You can never go wrong with researching. Third, deadlines come faster than you think so be aware and be organized. And finally expenses, how much is this school? How are you going to manage? Apply for scholarships and start early. Tuition is one of the many reason why students have to drop out and go to a much less expensive college don’t let that happen write that 500 word essay it’ll make a huge difference in the long run.