Tips for incoming freshman at UCI? (Bio sci major)

[sirsharif329]

I was wondering if some of you more experienced students could give me some random tid bits of advice. Sorry for not being more specific =\

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[macsta]

I was wondering if some of you more experienced students could give me some random tid bits of advice. Sorry for not being more specific =\

Understand the material...Don't just study to get an 'A' on the next test. Really comprehend the material- this will lead to great scores and an easier time study for the MCAT.

Also, pick a few activities that you want to be apart of for the remainder of your undergrad.

And find a place to research. Massmail a bunch of faculty from your school's website and say "I'm a little bitch freshmen. I will wash glassware for you". This will start your research experience.

 

[Tots]

Understand the material...Don't just study to get an 'A' on the next test. Really comprehend the material- this will lead to great scores and an easier time study for the MCAT.

Also, pick a few activities that you want to be apart of for the remainder of your undergrad.

This part is solid advice. Not sure about the research section but it made me laugh

 

[sirsharif329]

Massmail a bunch of faculty from your school's website and say "I'm a little bitch freshmen. I will wash glassware for you". This will start your research experience.

This made my day and is probably gonna be my favorite quote for a long time lol

 

[FattySlug]

ZOT ZOT!!!!
Well, there is a bit of detached feeling in UCI since many students came from O.C. area and would rather hang out with their old groups of friends instead of meeting new people on campus so don't be disappointed if your social life doesn't take off right away. You will find your friends eventually.

Don't screw up your GPA at all cost. Nothing matters more than GPA. MCAT can be taken a again GPA will stay with you for life. Try to take small classes if you can; a great way to get to know professors but small classes are usually harder than usual. I took physical biochem (forgot registration date and had no other choice).

Enjoy the ARC. It has a kick ass outdoor pool with a hot blond life guard in the afternoon shift. Tennis courts are very nice too, especially at night.

Lastly, look out for hot Asians. Can't hit on them? Be friends. I am sure they have some hot friends you can hit on later. I know this one Chinese girl that can seriously be a model, and she is also a nice person.

 

[Nguyen]

Understand the material...Don't just study to get an 'A' on the next test. Really comprehend the material- this will lead to great scores and an easier time study for the MCAT.

Also, pick a few activities that you want to be apart of for the remainder of your undergrad.

And find a place to research. Massmail a bunch of faculty from your school's website and say "I'm a little bitch freshmen. I will wash glassware for you". This will start your research experience.

ROFL.

@ OP,

Take his advice and retain as much knowledge as you can from your classes (especially the pre-requisites). This will help you tremendously down the road when you're prepping for the MCAT.

 

[SilentSoldier]

Please, for the love of god, get involved with something on campus. May it be intramural sports, clubs, greek life, student goverment, something. I would've been driven to insanity if I was just studying all day.

did you go through freshman orientation? I would hope that the bio majors there would have answered some of your questions too. Its good to get answers from people you can see.

 

[sirsharif329]

yeah! ZOT ZOT! Yeah I went to orientation, actually a lot of people seemed really down to earth and friendly. I actually started to miss them when I was driving back. I was actually gonna check out rush week and probably join one of the fraternities, is that a bad idea during freshman year? I mean I wanted to join it to get involved with some campus stuff, as well as meet people, party, etc. On that note, know any good fraternities to join, avoid, or have any info on em? I was doing my own research on em by checking out their websites, but I guess the best way to understand what they're about is to ask some more experienced undergrads.

Haha, I'm definitely gonna check out the pool since I like to swim. And of course I'm not gonna study all day lol.

 

[orthomyxo]

Never eat raspberries.

 

[Camy99]

I personally recommend not joining a frat until at least your winter quarter because that is just one more thing you have to learn the ropes of. I myself am not part of the greek system but I have close friends who are and my friend who joined fall quarter had a much more difficult time with her gpa than the one who joined later in the year. That's because greek life isn't just another club it literally is another life.

Study outside!! We have a beautiful campus, use it Get to know the profs, some are really awesome. Try to take Arasasingham (sp?) for Chem if he's still available. Don't worry if you end up thinking about switching majors, bio is uber general and is just starting point (I'm a Chem major now) And enjoy yourself!

PS. ZOT ZOT ^_^

 

[typicalindian]

Study!! You are not in high school anymore so make sure you keep up with reading / homework and GO TO CLASSSSS. I don't wanna see a thread from you in December asking if you can still get into med school cuz of your poor first semester gpa. Sounds hard but keep up with work and you will have enough time for friends / social activities. Good luck

P.S.
Don't join a frat for all of freshman year. It's important that you develop good habits and running around trying to please 'brothers' won't help you there. Unless your frat has a really easy pledge process, or you are superman, joining a frat will hurt your gpa

Oh one more thing, make friends with your advisor. Visit him/her monthly because they can be a valuable resource or source of connection. And become familiar with your health professions office ( if your school has one)

 

[Tots]

I personally recommend not joining a frat until at least your winter quarter because that is just one more thing you have to learn the ropes of. I myself am not part of the greek system but I have close friends who are and my friend who joined fall quarter had a much more difficult time with her gpa than the one who joined later in the year. That's because greek life isn't just another club it literally is another life.

Study outside!! We have a beautiful campus, use it Get to know the profs, some are really awesome. Try to take Arasasingham (sp?) for Chem if he's still available. Don't worry if you end up thinking about switching majors, bio is uber general and is just starting point (I'm a Chem major now) And enjoy yourself!

PS. ZOT ZOT ^_^

Eh. I think out of all my chemistry professors he was my least favorite. He wasn't bad...just didn't quite match the other two awesome professors I had.

 

[Slowpoke]

there are ~5 regular homeless residents on campus. use them as a resource, one black guy likes to use the science library for the free internet access during the day (apparently I have heard he likes to look at porn) and gateway to sit on the comfy chairs at night and stair at people.

a pair of black ladies that likes to carry around bags full of trader joes goodies and wears beanies.

a white guy with bushy hair and 2 caucasian chicks, one older that also uses the computers at the science library and does the pecker typing and a white chick that wears green yoga pants.

they have been at UCI for longer than most. they know there way around, don't feel bad to say hello and ask them how they are doing.

They will teach you everything you need to know.

 

[Camy99]

Really?? Maybe I had crap Chem 1B/C profs because Arasasingham was the best at GChem for me.

And I see those two black ladies all the time! They look sweet, but I always see them when I'm in study-no-talky mode.

 

[SilentSoldier]

there are ~5 regular homeless residents on campus. use them as a resource, one black guy likes to use the science library for the free internet access during the day (apparently I have heard he likes to look at porn) and gateway to sit on the comfy chairs at night and stair at people.

a pair of black ladies that likes to carry around bags full of trader joes goodies and wears beanies.

a white guy with bushy hair and 2 caucasian chicks, one older that also uses the computers at the science library and does the pecker typing and a white chick that wears green yoga pants.

they have been at UCI for longer than most. they know there way around, don't feel bad to say hello and ask them how they are doing.

They will teach you everything you need to know.

What about the Asian lady on the wheel chair? I've seen her around a bit too, don't forget about her.

 

[Slowpoke]

What about the Asian lady on the wheel chair? I've seen her around a bit too, don't forget about her.

Ah, the one that asks for change in front of Lee's sandwich right?

 

[SilentSoldier]

Ah, the one that asks for change in front of Lee's sandwich right?

yeah her. I could've sworn I've seen her down in Laguna Beach doing the same thing. Something's fishy about her....

 

[Slowpoke]

yeah her. I could've sworn I've seen her down in Laguna Beach doing the same thing. Something's fishy about her....

Well I can't blame her, I would set up residence in laguna too if I had the choice.

 

[hiyaman]

if you are worried about profs use ratemyprof to get more info about them.

Also don't wait till week 10 to start studying for finals. I would recommend start reviewing from week 8 or 9 depending on course load.

Also remember to keep up with school work after midterms, I know personally I can get a little lazy. Best to avoid that.