<p>How much of a difference would it make if I attended the first week in August as opposed to 101, in regards to available classes. Will classes actually be full and I will be at a huge disadvantage???</p>
<p>Call UCLA, that's what they're there for. If you're so worried??? lol</p>
<p>I attended Orientation during August, and I still got all the classes I wanted...</p>
<p>i think the time slots for ur classes would be earlier.</p>
<p>according to the ucla orientation website
[quote]
While attending an earlier session means a wider choice of available courses, you may find that choosing a later Orientation session is more appropriate. Choosing a later Orientation session is beneficial if you are waiting for Advanced Placement test scores, final transcripts, or results from any outstanding work.
[/quote]
I've heard they reserve some class slots for each orientation session so even at later sessions you won't be completely stiffed. The way it works is when you sign up for a "class" you're usually signing up for 2 classes; you sign up for the main lecture section and for a once-weekly discussion section. There is probably room in the lecture section for everyone who wants it, but the discussion sections at the better times or on better days may fill.</p>
<p>could be true.. but thats so confusing to me right now lol.</p>
<p>Most of my classes don't have discussion accompaniments, but defintiely for Freshman, it can make a huge difference to go to a later orientation session because the discussions "classes" could easily conflict with another "required" course and then your screwed because you didn't plan well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
could be true.. but thats so confusing to me right now lol.
[/quote]
Its pretty simple once you understand it, but people who've been thru college take for granted things like this that can be confusing when you've never heard of them before.</p>
<p>In HS you go to class and have the same teacher each day in class. The class is 20-40 students and meets daily at the same time.</p>
<p>In a school like ucla the larger classes are organized differently. There is the "lecture" part of the class where the prof responsible for teaching meets with the entire class. This can be in a larger lecture hall seating from 100 to 500 students. The class meets 3x a week for 50 minutes, or 2x a week for 1:15. </p>
<p>Since a class with hundreds of students doesn't allow much room for questions or discussion, there is a supplementary class that you are required to take with a large lecture class. This is called the "discussion" section although it may not have any discussion in it. This class meets once a week for 50 minutes, and is taught by a TA (grad student). What happens in it depends on the department, the prof, and the TA. In a math/science class you may spend the time going over the homework that's due and its your chance to ask questions about problems that puzzle you. BTW its a smart idea to have tried the homework before this class so you know where you're stuck. In a social science class (econ, history, whatever) it can be a chance to ask questions and have the TA go over things that aren't clear, where your papers are assigned and graded, or sometimes even a discussion of the material.</p>
<p>When you plot out your schedule its a good idea to make a grid of the week and then place in it the classes you want. Plop down the lecture sections first. Then, to follow up on what BruinMichelle said, you then pick discussion sections for your classes that don't conflict with the lecture sections. The problem she alludes to is where, for example, the only discussion sections available for Psych 10 (popular intro class) are Mon or Wed at 2pm but you have another class you want to take, say History 1, MWF at 2pm. Clearly you won't be able to take both Psych 10 and History 1 that quarter, so then you need to find some other class to take that does fit in your schedule.</p>
<p>Another reason you may want to have more flexibility in picking your discussion section comes from classes with weekly homework. Often homework is due on Mondays so you can finish it over the weekend, then you start on the next assignment. If your discussion section meets on a Mon or Tue, you haven't had much chance to try the new homework yet so you won't know what questions to ask the TA.</p>
<p>Thank you for clearing that up mikemac. I could see where this all conflicts. One question though, why isn't it set up so that all the classes and discussions corresponding to each one layed out before you? Or is that what you meant?</p>
<p>Also, for doing homework, do professors collect homework that often? I know that homework is important to understanding the material but I just get the impression that college grades are only based on a mid-term and a final. Thanks again.</p>
<p>"Also, for doing homework, do professors collect homework that often? I know that homework is important to understanding the material but I just get the impression that college grades are only based on a mid-term and a final. Thanks again."</p>
<p>How often a professor collects homework usually depends on the professor and the class. In most math classes (well, at least those that I've had so far) hwk's due once a week. However in other classes it isn't collected at all such as in my Chem class this quarter, we get assigned just about every problem in the book yet, we never turn it in. Also, depending on your professor your hwk assignments will vary in the overall amount they're worth of your final grade. I personally haven't had too many classes in my first three quarters that have had hwk worth more than 20% of the grade which really isn't all that much. Though I must vent because of professors who assign LOADS of homework that's only worth 10% of the final grade. But of course it is good practice...</p>
<p>
[quote]
One question though, why isn't it set up so that all the classes and discussions corresponding to each one layed out before you? Or is that what you meant?
[/quote]
They do show the lecture and discussion sections available together, if that's what you're asking. Go to <a href="http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/schedule/%5B/url%5D">http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/schedule/</a> and pick a term and a subject, then click on "get classes". Pick a class and then click "view details". The first listing is the lecture labeled "LEC", the lines below are the discussion sections (either DIS or QIZ). You can also get the whole schedule of classes on paper in the bookstore, which is often easier to use. </p>
<p>When you sign up for class you enroll in the lecture and a discussion section. The paper grid I suggested in the previous post makes it easy to see where you have free blocks of time.</p>
<p>Mike, thank you so much for addressing my comment because there's so many "young people" on here, and sadly also on the Transfer Forum who either don't want to attend Orientation, or.....are wilfully choosing to attend a later session because they have a very careless, "hey the classes will be there because so and so from Admissions said they would", attitude. lol This is definitely something to be proactive about. I'd also like to note that for my major (english), that there are many courses which commence at the same time, which means that I need to plan them out well for the coming quarters in order to graduate on time.</p>
<p>i think us "young people" are just learning. people learn from mistakes and i dont see what is wrong with that. yes some mistakes may lead to these so-called bad class planning but thats all part of the learning process. </p>
<p>im sure u, BruinMichelle, were very much "proactive" about these things when you were a freshman. i cant say i check MyUCLA everyday like u suggested but im psychic so i cant blame myself.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if we can bring guests along to these sessions? Or would it be too weird to have your parents wander around with you...</p>
<p>Westow.....you're being a little sensitive about these things. This is all new to me as well. I am attending Orientation too, so I'm not sure where you got the impression that I am a student or that I "was proactive as a Freshman" for I am a new admit. I do what is necessary to stay informed, but I can't help but notice that people are asking questions that are easily answered in the materials that are readily accessible.</p>
<p>If you were psychic then you'd know that the "young people" I was referring to is the 3, 4 threads on the Transfer Forum started by 19 years olds who basically are saying...."screw Orientation, there's nothing in it for me".
Goodness....let's all get along, it's just a bulletin board. lol</p>
<p>I never said everyday, or daily. I recall saying every other day....which just means "now and again" in English. lol</p>
<p>me fail english? thats unpossible...</p>
<p>"If you were psychic then you'd know that the "young people" I was referring to"
Visited Transfer Forum I have not. But, beyond psychic I am... Your thoughts betray you BruinMichelle.</p>
<p>westow, exactly.....in my comment none of it applied to you, but you took it as if it did. Where did I say you failed English? As a former T.A., I've seen a lot of poor English usage, however, in this thread, I don't recall saying that. I love your syntax, "visited trasfer forum I have not". Is that directly out of Paradise Lost or Paradise Regained? I always forget that one.</p>
<p>Honestly, can you just drop it. I made a comment that "young people" (18ish, 19ish transfers) not wanting to go to Orientation, writing long explanations as to why and I just mentioned that most are actually kinda excited about it and to me, it just seems strange after going through so much to get to this point to just say..."aw, screw it. I don't want to cut my vacation short to attend some stupid thing.....".</p>
<p>so, yes, let's go back to talking about Orientation, and Westow, I'd appreciate it if you'd be civil as well and stop making every comment into some discussion about you lol.</p>
<p>"I do what is necessary to stay informed, but I can't help but notice that people are asking questions that are easily answered in the materials that are readily accessible."</p>
<p>"Goodness....let's all get along, it's just a bulletin board. lol"</p>
<p>Interesting how you say it's "just a bulletin board," but at the same time you're criticizing people for asking questions on this bullletin board. Even if the questions are simple or readily accessible, this is still a forum, and everyone has a right to post or ask whatever they want. It's better to ask and be informed then to not ask at all. Some people prefer asking questions on the forums because they get an immediate answer from someone who has experience, or know the answer to the question. That's what CC is for. </p>
<p>If you do get annoyed by people who "ask questions that are easily answered in the materials that are readily accessible," simply ignore them. I'm sure there are plenty of people here on CC who are more than happy to answer even the most basic questions, and obviously you're not one of them.</p>
<p>I hope my English is okay, since it's my second language.</p>
<p>chill, everyone!! Or as that (in)famous LA resident Rodney King once said -- "Can't we all just get along?" </p>
<p>On the one hand its important to remember that a lot of what people already in/thru college take for granted may be new or unexpected to incoming students. And this is reflected in the questions. We all need to remember how confusing and anxiety-provoking the transition can be. No question is too simple.</p>
<p>On the other hand I have written many times comments that echo the sentiments of being proactive, of at least trying to find answers on your own. Its what you're going to need to do in order to thrive at a school like ucla. For better or worse its a large university and you're simply not going to get the personal attention and guidance that you do at a smaller LAC. Profs will be unsympathetic if you say you didn't know about something (readings, a term-paper, etc) if it was in the syllabus or course website -- they don't have to mention it in class. If you're interested in internships I can guarantee you the career center will not be calling to tip you off to a hot opportunity. And so on. Consider comments such as by BruinMichelle as a gentle wake-up call that this is new territory and carries new expectations.</p>