Strategies for First-Year Students
I am currently an undeclared student at CSULB with an interest in pre-nursing. My intended career goal is to eventually earn my master’s degree in nursing and specialize in orthopedics and/or sports medicine. I committed to CSULB because of its reputation for being a diverse and academically competitive university. The most important strategies that I have used to create a successful first-year experience at CSULB are making new connections/networking and learning how to step out of my comfort zone.
Making new connections could start with a simple “hello,” creating a small study group or going to your professor’s office hours. Most networking can be done in college and it’s immensely beneficial. It helps you in ways you may have never thought possible. For example, communicating with my academic advisor eventually landed me a job at University Outreach and School Relations. It’s important in college to actively seek out opportunities that could enhance your experience.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is easier said than done. This requires you to take risks and make decisions outside of your comfort level. In doing so, you gain a sense of self-assurance and self-reliance that impacts all aspects of your life, including college and beyond.
