What I wish I knew senior year…

By DVS Alumni

About Leaving DVS & Preparing for Next Year

  • Something I wished I knew in senior year about UCI is that I'll be reading so much from now on. While I was back in DVS, I did not have to read so much (besides from USH, Poli Sci, and Econ). When I come to UCI, there are so much to read for every course everyday to the point I get tired of them. It is a quarter system, so you go through 1-3 chapters a week depending on the class. With multiple classes, the chapters you have to read per week adds up, and I tend to be behind at times.

  • I also wished that I knew how to take notes better. At DV, you mostly receive worksheets or foldables that can act as your notes. But, coming to UCI, you have to create your own note-taking system for both lecture and readings. You have to try out all methods and find the most efficient one.

  • Practice mindfulness. Don't take the moments of quietness for granted. Count the good things that you already have when it gets tough. And learn to accept and love yourself for who you are.

  • I wish I knew how to study properly before I got to college. It's been really difficult trying to relearn how to study.

  • The MDPT test that I was supposed to take during the summer. It is a math placement test to get placed into higher math classes.

  • Enjoy being with your family because I miss them very much. Enjoy eating homemade food because no matter how good your dining hall is, it is nothing compared to home cooked meals.

About Choosing a College

  • Don't be narrow minded when entering college related to what you want to be in the future. I came in as a biology major (pre-med) and wanted to be a doctor. I couldn't see myself doing anything else before I started college. My first year, I realized how many more options there are, aside from being a doctor, that I would also enjoy. If I had only focused on being a doctor, I wouldn't have took a intro to teaching class and took on a education major along with the bio major. (I want to be a bio teacher now). It's fine if your goal for a future occupation changes.

  • Come into college with a major in mind and there might be a chance you might pursue a major you did not intend on pursuing.

  • Study what you love! Don't waste your time trying to live other people's or your parent's dreams (unless they have the same dreams as you do). Even if you find yourself stuck in a major you dislike, you can always change it. I changed my major freshman year, and I know multiple third years who changed their major as 3rd years!

  • It really comes down to you researching the school on your own, coming down to visit (or at least talking to as many students/alumni as possible) to get a feel of what it's like to go here, and weighing your options based off of what you want to get out of your time in college.

  • UCSB was not my top choice school, it was actually a 3rd/4th choice; however, if I had to go back I would never change the decision I made to come here. I turned down a more prestigious school because it cost too much and at the time I thought I was giving up my dream school because of money. However, the choice was not only smart for my family, but it ended up being the right choice. I absolutely love it here and do not regret choosing it one bit. Before you decide to commit to your dream school, take a step back and think about the bigger picture and what this "dream school" really means to you and how important is it for you to go there, because it may not be that important after all. Before choosing UCSB, I wish I would've known how much of a positive impact it would've had in my life. I spent too much of my senior year feeling bummed out that I wasn't going to NYU and instead was going to UCSB, when in fact there was no reason to feel that way. UCSB has changed my life for the better, and it may not be the place for everybody, but it was the place for me and that's what's most important. Make sure that wherever you go, it's the right fit for you, and if at some point you feel that it's not, don't be afraid to leave and find the place that is truly right for you.

About the College Experience

  • College is very stressful. You're always going to have a paper due, a midterm you -should- be studying for, a project deadline approaching, etc and it's very easy to get caught up in just being stressed 24/7. But remember, you're also in college to enjoy yourself and learn about things you love/ are passionate about. Self-care was one of the most important things I learned in my time in college. It's okay, to put the book down for a night a give yourself some time to relax, watch a show on netflix, or go out to dinner with friends. Or if you've been studying hard all week, take an evening for yourself and go to sleep early. SLEEP IS PRODUCTIVE TOO!!! Personally I found when i was focusing 100% on school and pushing aside my friends and doing things that I enjoyed, I was incredibly unhappy, so it's best to find a balance, and everyone's is different!

  • Everyone in college is crazy smart. You may leave high school with that perfect 4.0 and realize your first semester/quarter that you may actually be struggling a bit. Take a deep breath and relax. It may take some time to get accustomed to the fast-paced college world, but you'll recover if you take advantage of office hours, tutoring, and the help of your peers.

  • I wish I would have known how expensive college would be, so I wish I would have earned a job sooner rather than waiting until I started college in order to get a position. I also wish I would have known how difficult it would be to find housing after the first year since the rent increases and more freshmen are taking up more of the apartments that continuing undergraduates desire. Another important thing I wish I knew how to do sooner is to do more adult things such as filing taxes.

  • Find your niche! It makes the big campus feel a lot smaller.

  • Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Be friendly smile and make connections. And don't give up on yourself for failing keep pushing.

  • It's super scary to move away from home but it's such a rewarding experience. You are able to grow up and take responsibility for your life and the decisions and it is scary! But it's also great to get a head start on that and get some practice at paying bills and scheduling your own appointments :p

  • Honestly, be prepared to think as an adult and to be pushed to your limits. Make sure to spend your time wisely and not overload yourself. Coming to college means you are getting the same education (if you put the effort) like any other school and getting a degree for half the price anywhere else. Opportunities will unfold to you as much as you are willing to take them, but you must realize that the secret lies within answering what it is that YOU as an individual want.