Advice For Freshmen

As I have concluded my first year in college, I would advise students to make good use out of the resources that are available on campus. Transitioning from high school to college can be stressful because it's a new start getting familiar with the campus and the academic workload in each class. College can get overwhelming with the academic workload, but students should always remember that being disciplined with time management skills will make a huge difference. As a student never assume that you know the answer to the question you might have that's why there are many resources on campus available. Seeking an academic advisor will help you in the long run because they advise students on what classes you should be taking to be on track for graduation. College becomes a better experience when students try out new things, such as joining clubs and making new friends. Making friends is good because you can study with them for a class this helps diminish the academic workload stress. Be sure to check your school email because at times professors cancel class and you don't want to show up to school and find out that class was canceled. Being mindful of the help that is offered on campus to students will make the college experience more pleasant. 

Never Give Up

Mental health is a problem that most freshmen are exposed to. The victims may be the people around them or themselves. As a college student who has just finished my college life, I have a strong voice on this topic. I have also suffered from these mental health pains. The new college life left me at a loss. Even looking for a classroom, I had to look at a map. Every student looks strange. They leave immediately after class. I can't open my mouth to ask them if they have the same experience as me.

One night, I suddenly realized that I couldn't survive in college in such a confusing way. I hated being so aimless. I asked my sister, and she suggested that I go to my advisor to confirm that my future goals are better. I followed her advice and made an appointment. Through repeated communication with my advisor, I gradually became clear about my goals and positioning in CSULA.

I also had the idea of giving up, but in the thought of my parents and my own efforts in high school, it was not easy to enter CSULA. I decided to stick to it and not give up easily. After all, it takes effort to achieve better results. The harder you work, the luckier you will be!

You are stronger than you think

     I am an introvert and I was accepted into Cal State LA in 2018. None of my friends back in High School were accepted into this school, so basically I have to start from the bottom of the food chain again, alone. Well, I wasn't really alone, I had my girlfriend who was always there to back me up and support me although she doesn't come to Cal State LA. However, the school was more stressful than I thought, I lived in the dorms and I just couldn't find my social spot and I couldn't fit in. As a result, I became very stressed out and impatient. The 2nd semester came I maintained my 4.0 GPA but I don't have a single friend, even my dormmates are just someone I say "hi" to and never have a conversation with. I texted with my girlfriend and she is the only one I really have a conversation with. Midway through the 2nd semester our relationship went downhills, she found someone who was more supportive and attractive than I was, so she broke me off through text. There goes the only person who supported me through college, I was completely alone and time goes on, stress will pile up, no one will care if you break up at a bad time or not. It took a toll on my mental health, I went to the Student Health Center desperately looking for help as I felt suicidal, I was later diagnosed with mild depression.
     Napping was my way of escaping reality, living with guilt, stress, and anger with no friends to talk to I could feel I myself slowly going crazy every day. My grades dropped significantly too, and the only thing that kept me sane was my dream of becoming a nurse. I tried to bring up my grades days later, I went to Professor's office hours for additional questions, and even if I didn't have questions I would go and just talk to them. I know I needed that human connection with someone and it doesn't matter who, I just needed someone who was willing to talk to me. A month later, I was able to bring my grades back up to a reasonable standard with my Professors' guidance. I was also forced to step out of my comfort zone and start talking to other people just for the human connection. Surprisingly, I manage to make good friends towards the end of the school year, we studied, ate, and learned together. I actually felt alive and I felt I mattered again.
     So please, even if you are at the rock bottom. Remember things can't get any worse, it can only go up from now. You are stronger than you think, grasp onto your dream tightly, it will guide you on to the right path again if you fell out of the track like me.

Just Do It!

College students will experience mental health issues during their time spent in a university. Mental wellness is not always a priority when attending a university because of how big it is. Some college students deal with mental health issues because of their financial burdens or personal struggles they deal with outside of their college campus. For me, I realized it was hard to find a sense of belonging as a commuter. Because I would come to class and hardly stay after hours to enjoy the resources/centers CSULA offered. I also was applying to jobs because I needed to make money, but my schedule was too difficult to work with. So, that’s when the stress started to grow because I felt the effects it took on my body. Therefore, I started to look at things I could do on campus after my last class ended. I found workshops offered by the Educational Opportunity Program for first-generation students. They offered many different types of workshops some were interactive and full of activities and others were very formal and helpful. I created a balance and attended to both formal and interactive workshops. Many of these workshops are hosted in different buildings but mostly in Salazar Hall or King Hall. My favorite one was named “Free the Child Within” because we got to do elementary school things like coloring and playing with play-doh right before finals week. I recommend workshops offered at CSULA by any program because they helped relieve my stress. I also met a lot of new people you gain many unforgettable connections and experiences so just do it!

The Seriousness

Dear Cal State LA Freshman:



One problem most people have while attending college is experiencing mental health issues. This is common among college students because of all the work that is being given to us and all the different things you have to do in college that you didn’t do in high school. The mental health issue experienced the most by college students is anxiety. I personally have experienced anxiety more than any other mental health issue. Anxiety usually occurs when you worry too much about something. At least in my case it does. Me worrying about turning in an assignment in time is usually when I feel this anxiety. Although anxiety  is common among college students there are ways to deal with it. Not only that, most mental health issues have solutions or ways you can help prevent them. For example, when I feel  anxious or I'm worrying about something, I tend to go to the school gym that is located downstairs of the student union. This helps me get my mind off of the assignment I’m worrying too much about and in a way helps me focus more when I get back to doing that assignment. Other things  people can do when experiencing mental health issues is talk to your professors, sometimes talking to your professors during office hours can help you be more confident and more comfortable about yourself which will help cope with these mental health issues. Lastly I would like to mention that experiencing a mental health issue is nothing to be ashamed about, people tend to not get help because they believe it makes them look weak but when it is a serious issue like mental health then seeking help is the best and most bravest action.


By: Carlos Ochoa

Common Minds

A variety of people will go on and say Mental illness is all in your head. They might think that you have the power to turn the off switch at any given time. As for me and my family Mental Health was hardly ever discussed, and probably because of the stigma that society has on it today. Before this topic was brought up in my class, I didn't really know where I stood with it exactly. As I did some research into the topic and really began to analyze the different actions that are considered mental health issues, and it really opened my eyes.I didn't realize just how many factors I had occurring with my mental health personally. I reviewed just how many people are facing theses issues and how long it’s gone unspoken within my family and the ones around me.  Especially here on campus, with many people who have the ability to help, like the counseling and psychological services that we have here. Take advantage of that, and be the one to talk to others, you never know who may need it. 

Adding on to the pressure I am a first generation Student, struggling to understand college and discover some hacks as well. So freshman, you're probably entering the time of your life where you're going to encounter the most stress. There will be days where you have an assignment due for every class, and you might just want to yell, attend the resources and it'll help I know from experience.But its college and if you play your cards right, you'll be out in 4 years, in no time! Good Luck you got this.

Advice for Freshmen

Being a freshmen here at Cal State LA is a struggle. Not only are you overwhelmed with so many emails from the school, but you will be doing a lot of work in your classes. I'll be honest being here for my first year, I stressed a lot. For my first couple of weeks at school I was a faced with many obstacles. You will be stressed and you will need help, so my advice to the new freshman is that you should talk with your adviser. If you have many problems with enrolling for classes or even figuring out what classes you should take, I suggest you talk with your adviser. Talking to them will become a big help in your college life. Another is that you will gain stress from classes, and to be honest you will have to just find a way to overcome that stress. This campus has many resources though if you are in need of help so make sure you take advantage of it. I honestly didn't my first year and I regret it. Make sure in your classes try to make a friend in that class so that way if you need help you can ask your friend with that class. Overall to overcome some of the stress here at school you need to open up and put yourself out there, make new friends, go to the schools resources, and maybe even join some clubs to help reduce the stress for classes.