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1) Familiarize yourself with the organization structure

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1) Familiarize yourself with the organization structure

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Offices and their functions:

Admissions office: Verifies information from transcripts and test scores

Registrar office: Responsible for organizing schedule of classes each quarter

Manages web registration (signing up for classes), organizing the academic calendar, access to student records

Financial aid office: Responsible for financial aid

Campus billing office: Manages Zot Account, charges for tuition, housing, dining, additional fees

Office of Information Technology (OIT): Responsible for UCI NetID, classroom technology, campus WiFi

Help desk available when accessing UCI systems

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2) Familiarize yourself with the online systems

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2) Familiarize yourself with the online systems

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Common systems:

UCI Admitted Student Portal: Resource for admitted students that provides a checklist for students to complete and other services

Make sure checklist is complete before fall quarter begins

UCI Gmail: Used for all UCI-related emails

Canvas: Online system where courses, assignments, and lessons are managed

Zoom: Online video call platform

ZOT Account: Where all UCI costs are billed every quarter

ZOTKEY and Atrium: App where you can access your mobile UCI StudentID

Provides you access to dorms, the library, payment method for UCI cafeteria

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3) Utilize academic advising and learning support resources

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3) Utilize academic advising and learning support resources

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Academic advising: Resource for students where advisors advise students on general education requirements, school or major requirements, and other academic resources.

Each school has their own academic advising office

Learning support resources:

LARC (Learning and Academic Resource Center): Offers tutorial programs/workshops on specific topics or courses and study strategies

Writing Center: Supports students in their writing process

Offers appointments with peer tutors, workshops, and other activities

Office hours: Where professors and teaching assistants schedule time outside of class to meet with students

Opportunity to get coursework support, as well as forming relationships with professors

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Why is building a support network important?

Building a support network is important because it allows you to make close friends and form a connection with your community. Building support networks prevents you from feeling isolated, and can provide you with a sense of belonging and emotional support when you are struggling.

Tips on building relationships:

Take the initiative to talk with students in your class

Form study groups

Connect with mentorship programs on campus

Invite someone out to have lunch or coffee, a walk, or another activity

Join student organizations on campus

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1) Participate inside and outside of class

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1) Participate inside and outside of class

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Why is it important to participate inside and outside of class?

It is important to participate inside and outside of class because the more you communicate a concept, the more you can enhance your understanding of the subject.

Tips on participating inside and outside of class:

Visit your professor's office hours (online or in-person)

Ask questions in class if you don't understand a concept

Participate in group discussions

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Tips on preparing before class:

Complete reading sections and take notes before class

This way, you can stay present during lecture and write down what you still don't understand/important points from the professor rather than copying lecture slide notes without paying attention to what the professor is saying

Complete all assignments on time

Start assignments early so that you have enough time to ask the professor questions about the assignment if you don't understand

Write down all of the questions you have about a topic before class so you know what to focus on

Ask a lot of questions and find help from academic resource centers or office hours

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3) Learn how to effectively work with others

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3) Learn how to effectively work with others

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Tips for working successfully in a group:

Make a personal connection with your group members by finding things you have in common

Make sure everyone feels comfortable

Physically: Working in a room with a comfortable temperature, having a large desk space, making sure everyone has food and a drink, making sure everyone isn't tired (meet at a time that works for everyone)

Emotionally: Ask how others are feeling, let everyone talk, do not cut someone off when they're speaking, praise others even if you don't agree with them very much, be honest and bring up any questions or issues (so others feel comfortable to do the same), avoid conflicts by compromising, taking breaks, and apologizing if you upset other people

Be concrete with meeting times, tasks, and brainstorming

Put all ideas down in writing, write down when your group is going to meet and everyone's specific task, organize concrete due dates for everyone

Stay in contact

Exchange contact information and names quickly to avoid confusion

When writing an email or a text message, make sure to CC everyone or communicate in a way where everyone in the group can see the conversation

Do not leave people out of group work conversations, as it can cause confusion and misunderstandings

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SMART goals: Goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

SMART goals are effective because they provide a realistic structure for achieving goals rather than a disorganized or unrealistic structure.

Structure of a SMART goal:

Specific: What do you want to accomplish, by when, and how?

Measurable: How can you track your goal progress?

Achievable: Is this goal feasible?

Relevant: Does this goal align with your long-term goals?

Time-bound: Set a target day for your goal, and make sure the target date isn't too far away

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2) Create an action plan for your SMART goals

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2) Create an action plan for your SMART goals

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Action plan: SMART goal + action steps

Parts of an action plan:

Your "why": Identify the motivations behind your goals, as well as your big picture goal

Roadblocks: Identify and anticipate challenges you might face when trying to achieve your goal and why

Support systems: Identify tools, resources, and people you can rely on for support and accountability while working towards your goal

SMART goal

Action steps: Identify the new behaviors, skills, resources, and attitudes that are required to make progress

Ex) Use LARC, use a to do list, meet with an academic advisor, attend wellness workshops...

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1) Understand what time management is and why it is important

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1) Understand what time management is and why it is important

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Time management: Process of planning and organizing how to prioritize your time

Why time management is important:

Contributes to academic success

Balances responsibilities (balance in multiple areas of life)

Reduces stress

Helps you develop life skills

Main components of time management:

Setting goals (short term goals vs. long term goals)

Tracking responsibilities

Prioritizing activities

Ex) Do you need to dedicate more time to studying or a student organization meeting?

Scheduling activities

Making conscious choices about how you spend your time by planning proactively

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2) Familiarize yourself with different types of time management methods

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2) Familiarize yourself with different types of time management methods

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Before deciding on a method, figure out what your tasks are and how you've prioritized them.

To do this, you can understand the responsibilities and identities you have this quarter

Ex) One identity I have is being a student -> what responsibilities come with that identity?

Rank activities based on your goals from 1-5 (5 being the most important and 1 being the least important)

Four time management methods:

1. Pomodoro technique

Choose a task to work on, set a 25 minute timer and work on it

Work on the task until the timer rings, then take a 5 minute break

Repeat 4 times (25 min. working and 5 min. break), and then take a longer break after 4 times (15-30 min.)

2. *Eisenhower matrix (image above)

3. Time blocking technique

Identify your priorities and tasks for the day or week

Allocate specific time blocks for each task on your calendar

Ex) Create a block called "cleaning" from 3pm-5pm, then wipe your desk, do your laundry, and anything else related to cleaning during that specific block of time

4. "Eat that frog"

Do the most important task first thing in the morning before doing anything else

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1. Spaced practice: A learning technique where you learn over time with breaks between sessions.

Start planning early to study for exams and space your studying in small parts

Ex) If your test is coming up in 2 weeks, and it will take around 5 hours to study, you can study 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day over 2 weeks instead of waiting until a day or two before the test

After you learn new information in class, study older information so you don't forget it

Review a little bit of content from one month, one week, one day ago

2. Retrieval practice: A learning technique where you put away all information you've learned from class and write down everything you remember

Write down vocabulary terms without the definition and try to write the definitions from memory

Take practice tests and problems without using your notes

Make flashcards

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1) Familiarize yourself with the writing center

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1) Familiarize yourself with the writing center

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Services of the writing center:

Undergraduate writing appointments

30-60 min. writing appointments - good for brainstorming and making your idea clear to readers, in-person or remote

Asynchronous writing consultations

Written feedback on a delay rather than immediate verbal feedback

Good for when you’re not in a hurry (2-3 days)

Workshops and resources

Handouts, tutors

Writing center location and contact information:

Science library 193

9am-5pm Monday-Thursday

9am-3pm Friday

Anteater Learning Pavilion - Monday-Thursday 5pm-8pm

Langson library - Monday-Thursday 5pm-8pm

Additional services: writingcenter.uci.edu

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Why is feedback from others important?

Feedback from other people about your writing is important because other people can identify mistakes in grammar or structure that you might not be aware of.

Tips on making your writing meaningful and effective:

Be receptive to criticism and ask for feedback on your writing

Think about what writing skills you want to improve on specifically and focus on that part during the writing/communication project when asking for feedback from others

Ex) If you have trouble with writing introductions, dedicate more time to writing the introduction of your essay and getting feedback on it

Move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset

Accept anxiety and frustration, but don't hold on to it

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3) Familiarize yourself with the writing process

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3) Familiarize yourself with the writing process

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Process of writing:

1. Planning

Set aside enough time to write - start as early as possible to leave enough time for editing later

Plan to write in drafts

Understand when and where you are most productive in your writing, what kind of tools work best for you, at what point in the writing process you feel most stuck, and what kind of support you need

2. Drafting

Write as much as you can without editing yourself

Worry about the content rather than the form (focus on conveying what you want to say rather than how you say it)

3. Revising

Review what you've written and revise it for better argument, clarity, and organization

Get a lot of feedback from others

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1) Understand that you will go through an adjustment period during college

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1) Understand that you will go through an adjustment period during college

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It is normal to struggle and to feel overwhelmed when starting college, as many aspects of your life are going to change.

Changes to expect when starting college:

Academic

Less structure

More choice, more autonomy over what you choose to do with your time

Self-motivated, nobody is making sure you turn in your assignments on time and show up to class

Social

Forming new relationships and maintaining old ones

Expanding the pool of people that you meet, you may meet people who are much older than you, younger, professors, employers, friends, you will be exposed to multiple social situations

Emotional

Managing stress/difficult emotions

If you are living by yourself for the first time, you may find it difficult managing the stress of having to live with another person, feeding yourself, managing your time at school, friendships, relationships, spending time with family

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2) Understand that college can help you develop as a person

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2) Understand that college can help you develop as a person

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Developing competence

Intellectual

Critical thinking, academic success

Physical/manual

Learning tangible/creative tasks

Art, fitness, cooking, etc…

Interpersonal

Effective communication

Forming and maintaining social groups/relationships

Managing emotions

Experience range of human emotions

Learning to express and regulate emotions in a way that is not harmful to yourself/others

Moving through autonomy and toward interdependence

Balance between self-reliance and appropriate ways to depend on others

Establishing reciprocity in relationships

Developing mature relationships

Tolerating differences between people

Capacity for intimacy

Being emotionally vulnerable with another person

Establishing identity

Developing comfort in your presentation

Developing a sense of self

Self acceptance/esteem

Personal stability

Developing purpose

Increasing ability to be intentional

Setting priorities, clarifying values

Developing integrity

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3) Learn how to grow into and cope with challenges, and support your friends

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3) Learn how to grow into and cope with challenges, and support your friends

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Learning how to recognize feelings of challenge and stress can help you accept and cope with these feelings.

Signs of stress:

Trouble thinking clearly and focusing

Inability to make decisions

Constant worry

Being self-critical

Constant worry

Stress is a normal response to university life because there are a lot of "firsts", and can help us adapt to new situations.

Stress management tips:

Identify sources of stress in your life

Cut out unhealthy ways of dealing with stress

Substance abuse, procrastination…

Practice the 4 A’s of stress management

Avoid, alter, adapt, accept

Exercise

Connect with others

Make sure that you support and focus on the well-being of your friends as well.

Potential signs of distress in others:

Changes in appearance

Changes in behaviors

Disorientation

Suicidal thoughts

How to approach a friend in distress:

Ask open-ended questions about how they're feeling, and find a good place and time to ask (private space)

Say what you see and be specific

Be prepared for denial

Trust your instincts

“Keep the door open”

They might come back

Have resources ready

Resist the urge to fix the problem

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1) Familiarize yourself with common challenges when working with others

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1) Familiarize yourself with common challenges when working with others

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Common challenges:

Communication issues (misunderstandings, unclear instructions, language barriers, different communication styles...)

Conflicting personalities and managing conflict

Differences in personalities, work styles, or values can lead to friction

Different priorities and goals

Members might have conflicting goals or priorities, leading to disagreements on how to approach tasks

Uneven workload distribution

When some team members don't do their portion of the work, or other members are too controlling and do too much work --> leads to resentment if members don't take responsibility for their actions

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2) Learn different solutions to conflicts in group projects

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2) Learn different solutions to conflicts in group projects

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Conflict resolution: The process of addressing and resolving conflicts or disagreements in a constructive manner.

Some strategies for conflict resolution include:

Compromising by finding a middle ground or a mutually acceptable solution when there are differing opinions

Negotiate where you clearly articulate your needs, interests, and boundaries, and listen actively to the other party and their concerns

Be open to exploring different options

Outline and write the terms of your resolution so everyone is accountable

To prevent conflict resolution:

Make sure your team has a clear goal and vision

Communicate clearly, honestly, and respectfully

Be open to feedback from others

Keep a collaborative mindset

Recognize everyone's strengths and good qualities

Offer to help members who are struggling

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1) Familiarize yourself with the different types of research

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1) Familiarize yourself with the different types of research

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Different types of research models:

You can either do research on-campus or off-campus

Research models

1) Join a faculty lab (research group)

Group of students and a professor researching a specific topic

More common in STEM

2) Independent project

Finding your own research topic, asking a professor, and asking them to be your mentor

More common in humanities

You can receive compensation

1) Academic credit (enroll in 199 or 190s course)

2) Paid

Work study, LAEP, research grants

Talk to your faculty mentor, compensation not guaranteed

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2) Learn the process of starting your research journey

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2) Learn the process of starting your research journey

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Steps in getting involved in research:

1. Know what you want to do

What topics interest you from your classes?

Who do you want to do research with?

Make a list of faculty who interest you

faculty.uci.edu

Visit office hours

Research these professors and their work

2. Check to see if professors have online applications or not

If they have online applications, fill it out

If they do not, email faculty:

Email structure:

Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself

Paragraph 2: Highlight their expertise

Paragraph 3: Ask for an appointment

*Remember: the purpose of emailing is to get an appointment, not to obtain a research opportunity straight away

Give the email a week after sending it, then follow up

Meet with the professor and treat it like a job interview

Have questions and a resume prepared

Send a thank-you email

Professors value passion, curiosity, and motivation, you don't have to be an expert

3. Use different resources for support

UROP resources:

Research discovery program (first year program)

Information sessions

Funding opportunities + advising

30 min advising sessions

Sharing research

UCI undergrad research symposium

Travel award (travel related to research)

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https://studentlife.uci.edu/

https://covp.uci.edu/

https://studentleadership.uci.edu/

https://sororityfraternity.uci.edu/

https://ic.uci.edu/

https://womxnscenter.uci.edu/

https://ccc.uci.edu/

https://whcs.uci.edu/do-you-need-help/campus-assist-list

https://www.campusrec.uci.edu/

https://studentwellness.uci.edu/

https://counseling.uci.edu/

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https://admissions.uci.edu/apply/applicant-portal.php

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox

https://canvas.eee.uci.edu/

https://uci.zoom.us/

https://dev.reserve.orientation.uci.edu/

https://testingcenter.uci.edu/

https://reg.uci.edu/

https://www.ofas.uci.edu/

https://fs.uci.edu/

https://housing.uci.edu/first-year/

https://parking.uci.edu/

https://zotkey.uci.edu/

https://first.uci.edu/

https://shc.uci.edu/

https://career.uci.edu/

https://campusgroups.uci.edu/home_login

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https://academicadvising.uci.edu/offices/

https://urop.uci.edu/

https://ssi.uci.edu/fssp/

https://civicengagement.uci.edu/

https://studyabroad.uci.edu/

https://writingcenter.uci.edu/

https://larc.uci.edu/

https://academicadvising.uci.edu/paa/

https://ssi.uci.edu/

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https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/pomodoro-technique

https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/time-blocking

https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/eat-the-frog

https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/eisenhower-matrix

https://launchpad.merage.uci.edu/get-ready/manage-your-time/

https://larc.uci.edu/all-services/workshops-coaching/

https://larc.uci.edu/2022/01/18/online-learning-tips-managing-your-time-online/

https://gettingthingsdone.com/getting-things-done-the-art-of-stress-free-productivity/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-about-time-time-management-productivity-for-work/id1486961564

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-to-do-list-productivity-for-work-life/id554734474

https://todoist.com/

https://trello.com/

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r?pli=1

https://www.notion.so/

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https://canvas.eee.uci.edu/courses/65184/files/27476894?wrap=1

https://canvas.eee.uci.edu/courses/65184/files/27476892?wrap=1

https://canvas.eee.uci.edu/courses/65184/files/27476890?wrap=1

https://canvas.eee.uci.edu/courses/65184/files/27476884?wrap=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxBaM3XqPBI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1rNMgLSH3o

https://uci.yuja.com/V/Video?v=10165766&node=44213579&a=71086458

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https://www.police.uci.edu/clery/csa-resources.php

https://www.police.uci.edu/clery/index.php

https://ucipd.crimegraphics.com/2013/default.aspx

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https://career.uci.edu/undergraduate/find-a-job/internship-pathways/

https://career.uci.edu/undergraduate/explore-a-career/career-assessments/

https://antnet.uci.edu/

https://uci.joinhandshake.com/login

https://career.uci.edu/undergraduate/prepare-for-an-interview/practice-interviews/

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https://owl.purdue.edu/

https://conduct.uci.edu/academic-integrity/