NICOLE MILLER/Daily Bruin Steven
Tanamachi, who graduated in June, seeks advice from a
Letters and Sciences counselor.
By Marcelle Richards
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Newcomers to the quarter system may find themselves overwhelmed
if they don’t learn to manage their time, but those who
attend academic workshops and counseling can hone their college
survival skills.
While freshmen must adjust to college life in general, transfer
students used to the semester system must learn to deal with the
demands of a 10-week schedule.
“For first-years, everything is new anyway,” said
Janel Munguia, a student affairs officer in the English department.
“(The quarter system) presents more of a challenge for
transfers. I see them enrolling in too many classes. They’re
used to enrolling in four to five classes and we tell them not to
enroll in more than three.”
For transfer student Devin Buries, now a fourth-year philosophy
student, the quarter system mandated a stricter study regime, which
contrasted with what he described as a leisurely 18-week system at
his prior college.
“Everything went really quickly because I came from a
semester system; it was like a marathon,” he said. “But
when I came here I had to keep on top of things to a much higher
degree. I was trying to keep on it, probably more than
necessary.”
To assist students with study habits and classes, UCLA offers
numerous workshops and counseling.
Each school, the largest being the College of Letters and
Sciences, has its own counseling department open on a walk-in or
appointment basis. These larger counseling offices help students
plot their academic course at UCLA, offer workshops at Covel
Commons and sponsor athletic and pre-professional counseling for
more specialized needs.
Covel workshops ““ from exam preparation to basic study
skills ““ give students the skills to avoid academic ruts
before they occur. The tips from Covel are the same as those
reiterated throughout academia: Read. Go to class. Don’t
procrastinate.
Second-year undeclared student Sara Yu experienced the juggling
act as a freshman while balancing classes with crew practice every
morning. Books often stayed closed and tests snuck up on her.
“I can’t do this next year,” she said.
The secret to beating the system is to work with other students
within it, Munguia said.
Many departments have undergraduate associations designed to
help students form an early social circle consisting of similar
career-oriented members. Those transitioning can learn from the
older students.
“In general, students get more out of UCLA if they hook up
with other students, study together,” Munguia said.
“They share tips and form study groups.”
Additionally, students with declared majors may utilize
departmental counseling, which offers one-on-one guidance to help
newcomers assimilate into UCLA. Course selection, time management
and dealing with stress are common concerns for students making a
transition.
The Academic Advancement Program is another group designed to
promote academic success in a more focused audience.
AAP targets underrepresented minorities and first-generation
college students to promote equity and opportunity on campus. Its
programs include peer counseling and a transfer program under the
guidance of current students and staff advisors.
“We provide all services. It’s very student-centered
so there’s a lot of feedback as to what the students’
needs are,” said Elroy Pinks, a science counselor for
AAP.
“It’s so varied. Students bring so many things to
the table ““ many are working quite a bit or have child-care
responsibilities,” he continued.
AAP workshops and round table discussions may help solve
problems resulting from the hustle of the quarter system.
Despite the abundance of academic resources, some choose to
develop their own strategies.
Buries took the solo route and said he did fine without
counseling or workshops outside transfer orientation.
“I used a scheduling book and (spent) lots of time in the
library,” he said.
“I would suggest transfers live on or close to campus if
possible,” he said. “I commuted my first quarter and it
really cut into my study time. I had to sleep in my car a few
nights.”
SOURCE: UCLA conseling offices Original graphic by VICTOR
CHEN/Daily Bruin Web adaptation by CHRISTINE TAN/Daily Bruin Senior
Staff