University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

I wish I knew to make time for my own interests. UCSB coursework can be demanding and I miss leisurely reading and my own hobbies. During midterms and finals those are definitely sacrificed, but there are definitely ways to unwind (like movie night with friends).

I wish I knew about the bike paths. I wasn't informed much about colleges before I went to college. I had a lack of information and I never went on tours. Before coming to UCSB I went to their Spring Insight event, but went places where the bike paths were scarce. If I had known about the bike paths I would have bought a bike in advance instead of later on which was a hassle. The bike paths are great!

I wish that I had known about all the various opportunities that this school has to offer. The choices really are varied and plentiful if you want to attend a lecture, concert, or play. However one downside of this UC is the budget cuts. It really does effect the students. We have less classes to choose from and there are fewer spaces in the classes so it makes getting the courses you want exceedingly difficult. It has left me frustrated at the high price of attending a UC but the lack of the supposed benefits.

UCSB encompasses every thought and opinion of every student. All students are motivated to engage in the academic discussion, directly derived from their own experiences or observations, so there is nothing I wish I had known before coming to this school. This school allows me grow and learn from the evironment, not from my past. Mistakes are even considered necessary and tools for growth as an individual.

I wish I had known that it is the people in your life that make it. My friends were, and continue to be, my family and life is hard without them, but they are probably the reason I succeed. I would tell kids in my position, who miss their friends, that it's alright. You mean as much to them as they mean to you, and if you're love is that deep then nothing will ever tear you apart. Its ok to love and long you find others who help, not replce, and move on.

I wish I had know more about the how class scheduling works and where to go for help. I wish that someone had taught me how to use the online system before it was time for me to make class decisions, and I wish I had known sooner how to get academic advising and tutoring. Knowing the ins and outs of class scheduling, and in what order to take classes is extremely important. I recommend seeing an advisor in your first quarter or semester.

I wish I would've known that the town is run off small businesses. I'm a city girl, so not having a one-stop-shop for all my needs was a surprise to me. And now being a college student with no car and only a bike, it's difficult to find the time (along with the bus schedules) to go shop for hours because I have to find my groceries at separate stores now. I wish I would have known that the weather was chillier than I anticipated, and the bike trials all over town aren't smooth.

Before I came to this school I wish I would have known the intensity of the classes. We work in a quarter system, which means 4 weeks into school it is midterm time. Time flies by fast and it is easy to get behind. The transition from high schools? slow school year is very hard. I wish I would have been more prepared for this change. If you are not aware of it, it is easy to get knocked off your rocker real fast.

Get involved in your school right away! Take advantage of all the resources the university has to offer and that you pay for. Grow and learn from your professors through office hours and research opportunities. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone in the means of academics, extracurricular activities, and your social life. Start applying for financial aide and scholarships ASAP! The transition from High School to College will be difficult, but stay true to yourself and morals. Manage your time wisely, and be self-efficient.

I wish I had known that the undergraduate advisor in my building is not as knowledgeable on my major as I had wished. This is, however, an isolated incident. Most other advisors at this school are excellent at what they do. Before deciding for or against the university, know whether or not the undergraduate advisor knows what he or she is talking about.