Does your cc have an Honors program? If so, join it, and take honors courses where you will find like-minded students.
Are you financially independent? In other words, can you support yourself financially and receive no help from your family? Are you on your parents health care plan? Lotsa questions bcos there is no guarantee that you will become a resident for tuition purposes after one year. To do so, you have to be able to prove (to UC) financial independence, i.e., have income or a bank account to pay your own rent & tuition & food & health care & …