UCcasualty, Checking In for My Fellow Bruins

Transfer Students UC Transfers
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<p>Oh boy, where do I start? So I've almost been here (@ UCLA) for 4 weeks now. If you were following my previous thread about my experience here thus far, things are a bit better now than they were then. Now I've adjusted to the pace of things. I had my first biochem midterm (which I only missed 4 points out of 125, so I'm easily ranked top 5 in my class considering 30% of the class failed) and I have a second midterm this Friday. Also, I'm getting used to the food but won't dare eat breakfast here again, haha. I have also been able to adjust my schedule to make more time to go exploring. Recently, I went jogging up through Bel Air (Bellagio Ave.), which is about 3-4 miles uphill, and the view at the top is absolutely amazing. Also, I found this little bar called O'haras were you can get a 1 liter mighty mug of beer. Those things are about as big as your head, it's freakin' awesome. Lastly, I'll say that my first experience of a Diddy Reise ice cream cookie sandwich was nothing less than religious, haha.</p>

<p>I have to say, though, that I can't wait for the regular quarter. Summer here is weird. So far, on my floor, I have only met 2 people who are actually regular students (everyone else is international). Everyone is way standoff-ish, which I thought was just how things were here, but now I realize it's because there's some major culture clash action going on. Also, I never hear anyone speaking english. I'm actually surprised when I run into someone who does speak english as their first language. Although I'm glad to be doing things my way, I kind of wish I would have signed up for TSP (purely for the social perks). It would have been cool to build some sort of camraderie with my fellow transferees. I kind of feel like the odd man out because I'm here and not in some sort of summer program. Anyways... army-of-one status it is, haha. Maybe I'll catch some of you CCers or TSPers when we get closer to the Fall quarter.</p>

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<p>Congrats on your first midterm! That’s pretty impressive. It’s good to know that you’ve been able to adjust to the pace of things, hopefully it’ll be that easy for the rest of us.</p>

<p>Sucks to hear about the social aspects (or lack there of) though. I’ve heard people at UCLA are kinda rude but I don’t want to believe something “a friend of a friend” knows. Maybe it is a culture clash like you said. Don’t worry I’m sure things will get much better and more fun come fall!</p>

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<p>@ Uccasualty! I <3 your updates! Congrats on doing so well in Biochem!! yay you! So true about the language barrier on campus!!! I was on campus to sign up for my locker at the Wooden Center & ran into two different groups of people speaking French & Spanish… The campus was pretty much full of either a.) athletes or b.) international student… :(</p>

<p>I’m in TSP & we are moving in on July 28… I’ll definitely be hitting u up for the 3-4 mile route through to Bel Air… That sounds amazing!! Also I’m kinda scared of the breakfast… I have to say I’m kind of obsessive with my breakfast… I’m so used to my Trader Joes non fat greek yogurt & 1/4 cup egg whites & fruit… What do you do for breakfast? Can you ask them to make your omelette w/ Pam cooking spray? I’m thinking of buying a mini fridge but that may be a waste of money since I’ll only be on campus for 6 1/2 weeks…</p>

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<p>Hey!</p>

<p>Thanks again for the update! I’m super glad you’re doing well, especially on your first midterm! Wow! Haha! Good luck on the second one, although I know you’ll do great!</p>

<p>I was debating on doing regular summer session but was told the very same thing you’re going through which is why I decided to go towards TSP! Next year for sure I’ll just be doing summer session!</p>

<p>Anyways. I’m about to go out with some family to go visit around Tokyo so I’ll just leave it at this! Thanks again for your update! Maybe all of us CCers from the forums can get together in what (two weeks now?!) and hang out!</p>

<p>Best of luck and keep us updated!</p>

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<p>tiffany - Hi!! Hope your trip is going great! 2 weeks we’ll be meeting! will you please email me the Psych notes?? @ <a href="mailto:shawnabehrens@yahoo.com">shawnabehrens@yahoo.com</a> thank you so much!!! Have fun in Tokyo!!</p>

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<p>thanks for the updates man, and good sh1t on your midterm</p>

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<p>Hey, for the record, people still call O’Harras its old name, which is Maloney’s, just to avoid future confusion. :)</p>

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<p>I kept it short last night because I had to catch some sleep (I’m sick right now. Ugh, how do you get sick in 100 degree weather?). But continuing on… UCLA academics.</p>

<p>As far as things being harder here, UCLA has not convinced me (yet) that any of the courses that I will have to take here are exceedingly more difficult than any of the other majors courses that I took at my JC. I was fortunate enough to have excellent professors that were REALLY hard on me (i.e. A regular exam in my genetics class was typically 15-20 pages long, completely essay format). Some of my professors were Ivy League grads themselves or went to top tier universities, which explains a lot.<br>
There is something I have discovered here that has disappointed me, though. With the time constraints that everyone is expected to “learn” the course material, I’ve noticed that MANY people don’t really seem to care about “learning” anything. All they want to know is what is the bare minimum that they are required to remember for an exam and they are constantly asking, “is ______ going to be on the exam?” I guess I always thought that this was something that only JC students did. Of course you cannot stereotype everyone here as a minimalist, and I’m still convinced that as I continue on into my upper division courses I will meet people here that are as excited and passionate about science as I am. =) </p>

<p>Hey Shawnee. If you are picky about your food, personally, I would get a fridge (if your budget permits). I have practically everything but a kitchen sink in my room now. In the morning I have two eggs (sunny side up), a piece of toast, a bowl of oats with fresh blueberries and sliced almonds, an orange, a banana, and a green tea. Even if they would make my omlette using pam, there’s no substitute for my usually breakfast. Also, remember they use imitation egg. If you have roomates that are cool about you cooking you could probably even do without your meal plan. I rarely go to the mess hall anymore. In my fridge I have blueberries, strawberries, yogurt, milk, eggs, broccoli, lettuce, raddichio, tomatoes, avocados, grilled garlic chicken, pasta sauce, and rice; plus I also have bread, tortillas, pasta, oranges, apples, bananas, and white cheddar mac ‘n’ cheese in my room. I came here and thought, “oh yeah, I can just do the meal plan thing.” A week into it and I couldn’t do it anymore. I’ve been cooking for myself since I was a little kid so it was really hard for me not to be able to do things for myself anymore.</p>

<p>Now for a quick change in topic… the guys around here are hilarious! And by that, I mean so ridiculous it’s funny. Whenever I’m walking around UCLA I see guys wearing pink polo shirts with the collar popped, shorts that are 4inches above the knee and cuffed, and loafers!.. LOAFERS! Jesus Christ! Note to straight guys out there that think this is cool: this has been the attire of rich old gay men since the late 70’s (think about it). Ladies… is this really what you’re into these days?
…Sorry, but I had to get that out. haha. </p>

<p>Another thing… you guys should bring a pair sandals for the bathroom and showers. It wasn’t dirty at all when I first came here but things are getting straight foul now. There’s some gray scum starting to grow on the shower walls and floor. Also, I don’t hear any partying on my floor but someone keeps puking in the drinking fountain… that’s where we get our filtered water from dammit! And then someone else keeps spitting out their dip (chewing tobacco) in the drinking fountain and the bathroom sinks. Who the hell even does that anymore?</p>

<p>One last thing for right now. When I first got here I had a triple room and was the only person in it. Now, I have one roomate from Turkey who is pretty cool and considerate, but there is one MAJOR problem… He hates rock music!!! I told him, “you and I are going to have big problems, my friend.” haha.<br>
So this little number is for him and all you out there in cyber space. Enjoy! =)
[YouTube</a> - UCLA Dorm Jam](<a href=“UCLA Jam In Rieber Hall - YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOHYELj0lZA)</p>

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<p>Seriously? Hahahhaha. That is too funny. I can’t wait to see that. Btw, nice guitar skills. You should definitely use that to your advantage and give your roommate a wake up call every morning.</p>

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<p>Need help and some advice. My orientation is on the 19th and I have noticed that most of the psych classes are filled! By the way, I’m a Psych major! Anyhow, I heard something about getting add codes from a previous post, is that true? I need to take psych 100a and I’m pretty sure the two classes that are offered are going to be closed before my orientation. I’m also looking to take a psych elective but the classes I want are already closed. There is one that has the wait list option, but I’m pretty sure it will be closed by Friday! The two classes I’m interested in is psych 129E and 187B. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Also, what class should I take for an elective that’s not psych? I would like one that would be easy so I can focus on psych 100a</p>

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<p>g@tor - don’t worry… The counselors will give you a PTE code & I believe we’ll be taking 2 classes for our major (meaning 100A + 1 more) and an elective… The day of orientation the caps will be increased… If you look at the previous quarters about 250 (?)people enrolled in the 100A class so there should still be room for many more students… just have several different schedules picked and bring those to orientation… good luck!</p>

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<p>@Uccasualty - all that food is intense! wow. I have the money but I don’t want to spend it if I can make due w/ dorm food… It is supposed to be rated #15 in the country by Princeton review?? Thanks so much for your advice… & your guitar skills ROCK! :)</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info shawneee!</p>

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<p>Count me in for the runs up to Bel Air, too! I’ll probably be riding my bike to the beach and back, as well (Sunset to Barrington to San Vicente!)</p>

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<p>Hooray for active people! Evan and Shawna, you guys should get a hold of me when you get here. My floor is full of lazy people.</p>

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<p>@ uccasualty -haha for sure@! We’ll be waking up in Rieber Vista in two weeks. I have my bike too but not sure if I am going to bring it to TSP… hmmmm do you think there will be room? Do you use the gym?</p>

<p>@ Evan ! Where are you putting your bike? i could leave my bike in my car but I dont want it to get jacked!</p>

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<p>@ Uccasualty- one more question! How is the mattress? Did you bring a mattress pad or feather top etc.?</p>

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<p>Shawna:</p>

<p>A lot of people here have bikes. In Rieber court there are a bunch of posts for you to lock your bike up to. I haven’t heard of anyone having any problems with theft yet. I was thinking it looked kind of sketchy, but everyone else doesn’t seem to think anything of it. However, I don’t see anyone with really really nice bikes so if you have one that is super expensive you might want to rethink bringing it unless you have a safe place to keep it. I don’t know how big the rooms are in Vista so I don’t know if you’ll have room or not in there. You are bringing your car?</p>

<p>Unfortunately I haven’t used the gym yet. I usually like to build up my stamina and get everything worked out by running a lot (which I did all last week) before I start weight lifting, and I was going to start going to JWC this week, but then I got sick.</p>

<p>The mattresses are pretty unforgiving (stiff and flat). I usually sleep on my side and that mattress does not form to your body at all. I went and got a little foam pad and it does the job. Sleep like a baby now. =) </p>

<p>Just as a reminder: BRING A FAN! It gets soooooo freakin’ hot in these rooms. They say that they have the AC on but it never feels like it.</p>

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<p>thanks for info! yes I am bringing my car. I am waiting for my residential parking pass to be delivered any day! I am moving off campus for the academic year so it makes sense to keep my car. I was at JWC Tuesday & secured my locker! stoked. The lockers went on sale on July 12 & they sell out soon I hear! Man you brought so much stuff!! wow!</p>

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<p>^So if we don’t purchase a locker from JWC, then we can’t use one during the school year? It’s not like a regular gym where you just go in and put your lock on any open locker?</p>