Hello Everyone,
I am writing this blog entry to inform parents about an amazing opportunity for your student to meet his fellow classmates and learn a little about UC San Diego. Every year the UCSD Alumni Association holds Send-Off picnics at different locations throughout the state of California. It is an opportunity for new students to ask questions of current students and Alumni about their experience at UCSD and to learn a bit more about the campus.
Prior to my first year at UC San Diego, my mother forced me to go to a send off picnic and I was none too please. However, when I got there, I was able to meet an amazing individual who I was able to build a relationship with when I came to the campus. I was also put at ease by him and I learned a lot. Since then, I have had the pleasure of volunteering at the Orange County Send-off Picnic the last two years. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the one scheduled for this this year because of a prior commitment, but there will be other students like myself there to help transition your student into orientation and Earl Warren College.
For more information please visit the Alumni Association website and click on the Events Tab to find the picnic in your area.
Pruthul Patel
Student Orientation Coordinator 2010
Undergraduate, UCSD
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Playing it SAFE
When leaving your students at college, it is easy to worry about them. You wonder if they’re eating the right, studying, hanging out with a good group of kids, and most importantly, whether or not they are safe. Here at UCSD, the staff, faculty, and peers take really good care of each other. When walking around campus you will see that the campus is lit up with lights throughout the whole school at night. Just as well, there are 35 blue call boxes located in various parts of the campus. These call boxes are located for your student’s safety. If they are ever in trouble, or need/want a police escort, all they have to do is lift the handset and press the button and within seconds you will be connected to a police dispatcher.
In addition to the lights and call boxes around campus, UCSD provides plenty of services to make sure that the students on campus get around safely. If you are ever on UCSD’s campus in the evening you will see people biking and walking around with the letters “CSO” and “RSO” on the back of their shirts. These stand for Community Service Officers, and Residential Security Officers. CSOs are available to walk students to and from any point on campus between the hours of sunset and 1:00AM. They are always on call and ride around on bicycles to patrol the campus. After 1:00AM, RSOs and police officers are on call for students and patrol the residential areas.
UCSD not only provides these different services and features, but they also make sure that you and your student are well prepared for any natural disaster, crime, or potential danger. UCSD's Emergency Operation Plan is a detailed outline and description of the different ways that UCSD is prepared for any emergency. UCSD also provides up-to-date information on the emergency status of the campus at, with their Emergency Status site. If you take a look at it, you'll see that they have even been providing information on all the latest earthquakes that have been occurring.
One last resource that I highly recommend for you, and your student, is their phone/text notification system. If there is ever a natural disaster, or emergency, you will automatically be notified by either a phone call, text message, or both. I remember my first year of college, when we had all of those wild fires in San Diego, it was due to the emergency notifications that I received on my phone that I knew not to go out in the smoke-filled air and that classes were cancelled. It also notified my mom of the potential dangers we faced being so close to the fires and how the whole campus was going to be closed down. All you have to do is sign up online. They do not spam you and only contact you when necessary. They do check to make sure that it is a working number, but other than that they will only phone or text you if they have to.
UCSD takes many different precautions and measurements to make sure that your student has the most enjoyable, and safe, experience here at UCSD. Going into my fourth year at UCSD, I have never once felt like I was in danger on this campus. Every time there was some sort of emergency on campus I was always very well informed about what was going on and how I could keep myself and the others around me safe. It may be hard leaving your student, especially in an unknown territory, but you can be reassured that they will be well taken care of here at UCSD. There are plenty of resources for both you and your student, so make sure you both take advantage of them.
Always,
Cami
Graduate School
Even though it is four years away, many parents are already thinking: what can I do to make sure my student gets into the best medical school, law school, dental school, nursing school, veterinary school, etc? As a student who is applying to Medical School this summer let me offer you some advice about things that my parents did and maybe some that I wish they had done.
1. Encourage their dreams, but allow them to find their own path. College is a journey and there are many twists and turns on the road to graduation. A very important part of college is learning to deal with problems and issues by yourself independent of your parents guidance. I was fairly certain coming into college that I wanted to go to medical school, but after getting my first quarter grades and comparing myself to other so called "premeds," I became a little wary. Over the course of the last three years, I have learned that each person takes a different path to their dreams. I have explored various career paths including research and a professional career in the biotech industry. I took me two and half out of three years to decide that I wanted to go to medical school, but my parents were there encouraging me every step of the way and supporting my decisions to stray off the beaten path.
2. Don't fret the details. College is much more competitive than most high school and no doubt your student will at some point experience their first B or maybe even their first C grade. They are going to be disappointed. However, it is important for them to know that you are there for them. Instead of reacting with a HOW did this happen?, it is always better to first offer some words of encouragement and then try to work with them to get to the root of the problem. Are they spending too much time exploring the campus, or maybe too much time playing video games. Whatever it may be I am sure that you and your student will be able to find a solution together.
3. Encourage your student to get involved. Letter of recommendation are an integral part of any application process. I was always encouraged to get involved and it has helped in me in the form of strong letters of recommendation from professors who I didn't even take classes with! In addition, my involvement has taught me valuable lessons in the way of time management and i have learned to live by the Warren College motto, Toward a Life in Balance.
Last, but certainly not least be there. It is easy to say, but sometimes hard to do. Parents can be hundreds, or even thousands of miles away. Know that just because we don't call you everyday or even every week, it doesn't mean that we don't miss you. No matter how much we grimace or make faces when you tell us that you love us, those few words with mom or dad encourage us and get us through the tough times. College is an important transition not just for students, but also for parents. For those of you who have done it before, you are wiser for it, for those who haven't I am sure you will quickly find a balance. Should you ever be worried about anything, know that we at UC San Diego and especially at Earl Warren College are a strong, tightly knit community and we care for each other like family. There are a plethora of resources available to you and your student should the need arise and a strong helpful staff to make sure they make it through their college experience safely and are able to leave knowing a little more about themselves.
-Pruthul Patel
Student Orientation Coordinator 2010
Earl Warren College, UCSD
1. Encourage their dreams, but allow them to find their own path. College is a journey and there are many twists and turns on the road to graduation. A very important part of college is learning to deal with problems and issues by yourself independent of your parents guidance. I was fairly certain coming into college that I wanted to go to medical school, but after getting my first quarter grades and comparing myself to other so called "premeds," I became a little wary. Over the course of the last three years, I have learned that each person takes a different path to their dreams. I have explored various career paths including research and a professional career in the biotech industry. I took me two and half out of three years to decide that I wanted to go to medical school, but my parents were there encouraging me every step of the way and supporting my decisions to stray off the beaten path.
2. Don't fret the details. College is much more competitive than most high school and no doubt your student will at some point experience their first B or maybe even their first C grade. They are going to be disappointed. However, it is important for them to know that you are there for them. Instead of reacting with a HOW did this happen?, it is always better to first offer some words of encouragement and then try to work with them to get to the root of the problem. Are they spending too much time exploring the campus, or maybe too much time playing video games. Whatever it may be I am sure that you and your student will be able to find a solution together.
3. Encourage your student to get involved. Letter of recommendation are an integral part of any application process. I was always encouraged to get involved and it has helped in me in the form of strong letters of recommendation from professors who I didn't even take classes with! In addition, my involvement has taught me valuable lessons in the way of time management and i have learned to live by the Warren College motto, Toward a Life in Balance.
Last, but certainly not least be there. It is easy to say, but sometimes hard to do. Parents can be hundreds, or even thousands of miles away. Know that just because we don't call you everyday or even every week, it doesn't mean that we don't miss you. No matter how much we grimace or make faces when you tell us that you love us, those few words with mom or dad encourage us and get us through the tough times. College is an important transition not just for students, but also for parents. For those of you who have done it before, you are wiser for it, for those who haven't I am sure you will quickly find a balance. Should you ever be worried about anything, know that we at UC San Diego and especially at Earl Warren College are a strong, tightly knit community and we care for each other like family. There are a plethora of resources available to you and your student should the need arise and a strong helpful staff to make sure they make it through their college experience safely and are able to leave knowing a little more about themselves.
-Pruthul Patel
Student Orientation Coordinator 2010
Earl Warren College, UCSD
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Warren College: Home Away From Home
Will my student get along with their roommate? What are the benefits to a single versus a double room? What is the difference between an apartment and a residential hall?
These are some of the questions parents have in regards to living and spending time on campus. Living on campus offers each student the ability to understand the importance of independence, as well as maintaining individual responsibilities. While this is a dynamic change, Warren College Residential Life Staff makes the transition to Warren College successful, offering students resources and various activities to make UCSD a "home away from home". By this point, your student has chosen a selection for on-campus living. Whether they have opted for a single, double, or triple room layout, I am confident that each student will have a great experience. Unlike other universities, UCSD offers a "suite-style" housing layout (this is why we do not refer to them as "dorms").
---> If your student has chosen a Residence Hall:
The three residential halls are; Stuart Hall, Harlan Hall, and Frankfurter Hall. Suites are designated by gender and house about 10 students. Your student has designated whether they prefer a triple or single room (there are few, if no doubles offered in the residential halls). Each suite includes a living room and bathroom to be shared by the 10 students. Each bathroom includes two restrooms, two showers, and three sinks (and plenty of mirror spa
ce, ladies)! I had a single room, and greatly benefited from having my own "space", but each style offers the students the option of having privacy within the room, as well as a community aspect in the living room. I found the best place to study was in my room and the best place to take a break was in our common room. Compared to typical dorm style rooms, each residence hall offers 10 students to get to know each other very well throughout the year. As a third year, I still keep in touch with my suitemates from my freshman year. I am confident that your student will have a great time getting to know the various personalities and backgrounds of each student living with them.
---> If your student has chosen an Apartment:
The four complexes are Goldberg Hall, Black Hall, Brennan Hall, and Douglas Hall. These apartments are located on campus and house typically 4 students (two in each room). Each apartment includes a kitchen (with refrigerator, stove, and oven) and a living room (with couch, side table, kitchen table, and coffee table). The residents share one shower, two sinks and one
restroom. The apartments offer students the freedoms of cooking for themselves, while still utilizing the accessibility of lving within minutes of the classroom. I had a great experience living in the apartments my second year, as I got a glimpse of what it was like to be a little more independent. I found the layout of the apartment to be spacious and enjoyable for 4 people. It was exciting to be able to utilize the kitchen as well as still be able to get food from the dining halls!
These are some of the questions parents have in regards to living and spending time on campus. Living on campus offers each student the ability to understand the importance of independence, as well as maintaining individual responsibilities. While this is a dynamic change, Warren College Residential Life Staff makes the transition to Warren College successful, offering students resources and various activities to make UCSD a "home away from home". By this point, your student has chosen a selection for on-campus living. Whether they have opted for a single, double, or triple room layout, I am confident that each student will have a great experience. Unlike other universities, UCSD offers a "suite-style" housing layout (this is why we do not refer to them as "dorms").
---> If your student has chosen a Residence Hall:
The three residential halls are; Stuart Hall, Harlan Hall, and Frankfurter Hall. Suites are designated by gender and house about 10 students. Your student has designated whether they prefer a triple or single room (there are few, if no doubles offered in the residential halls). Each suite includes a living room and bathroom to be shared by the 10 students. Each bathroom includes two restrooms, two showers, and three sinks (and plenty of mirror spa
ce, ladies)! I had a single room, and greatly benefited from having my own "space", but each style offers the students the option of having privacy within the room, as well as a community aspect in the living room. I found the best place to study was in my room and the best place to take a break was in our common room. Compared to typical dorm style rooms, each residence hall offers 10 students to get to know each other very well throughout the year. As a third year, I still keep in touch with my suitemates from my freshman year. I am confident that your student will have a great time getting to know the various personalities and backgrounds of each student living with them.---> If your student has chosen an Apartment:
The four complexes are Goldberg Hall, Black Hall, Brennan Hall, and Douglas Hall. These apartments are located on campus and house typically 4 students (two in each room). Each apartment includes a kitchen (with refrigerator, stove, and oven) and a living room (with couch, side table, kitchen table, and coffee table). The residents share one shower, two sinks and one
restroom. The apartments offer students the freedoms of cooking for themselves, while still utilizing the accessibility of lving within minutes of the classroom. I had a great experience living in the apartments my second year, as I got a glimpse of what it was like to be a little more independent. I found the layout of the apartment to be spacious and enjoyable for 4 people. It was exciting to be able to utilize the kitchen as well as still be able to get food from the dining halls!
Major Decisions
True or False: You need to have a declared major when you enter UCSD. False! Students do not need to have a declared major upon entering UCSD, but do need to declare before completing 90 units.
True or False: Once you declare a major, you have to stick with it. False! Even after declaring a major, you have the academic freedom to change it as many times as you want as long as it does not affect your time to degree and graduate!
One of the common misconceptions for many new students and parents is that incoming students must have a declared major or even know the career path they want to pursue. While having a declared major and a career path in mind when entering UCSD are indeed great things to have, being undecided/undeclared is perfectly fine and absolutely okay! In fact, one-third of incoming students are registered as undeclared - so you are not alone! Even students who enter as declared majors end up changing majors - myself being one of them. I began as an Economics major with pre-business aspirations and after spending my first year sitting in economics and math classes, I realized that the major did not suit my interests or cater to my strengths. After one introductory communication class on whim - I was hooked, changed my major, and have never looked back!
The great thing about Warren College general education requirements is that if you are undecided, you have the opportunity to explore your academic interests. The Warren GE's require students to study subjects outside of your discipline through the Program of Concentration requirement. If you're undecided, you have the opportunity to take the political science and biology course and the opportunity to see what you enjoy and excel in more. Through trial and error, students will in the end find a passion and love for what they study- it may just take a little time!
While it is perfectly normal to have concerns about major choice and decisions in declaring a career path, I hope this blog offers you a little bit of comfort in knowing that you don't have to have an answer or decision made right away. Take classes in your interests, consult the advice our amazing advising staff, and don't be afraid of the unknown. As always, I'm here to help out and answer any questions, so please do ask questions if you have any!
Best,
Alyssa Wing
Student Orientation Coordinator
UCSD, Class of 2012
awing@ucsd.edu
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