Diversity

HS & First Year Students | 0 comments

When choosing what college to attend, one of the most important components to consider is the campus’s diversity. Not only in terms of race or ethnicity of the student population but also considering how diverse the campus is in terms of cultural background, geographic location, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities. These components tend to get overlooked because we are caught up in the beauty of the campus or its reputation.

Diversity is crucial. You must be able to relate to your peers and feel comfortable knowing that your values align with the campus you will earn your degree in. 

 

To learn more about why and how to consider diversity when comparing schools, download this guide Diversity. Guide provided by DecidED 

 

 

How To Set A Budget That Works For You

How To Set A Budget That Works For You

Career & Early Adulthood | 0 comments

One of the exciting yet scary things about starting college is that you begin your adulting phase! Having an accurate and realistic budget can help you pay off your necessities while ensuring you have wiggle room to treat yourself! While budgeting can sometimes be daunting, it is essential as we are now responsible for managing our own money.

Here we will break down how to set a budget that works for you into five phases:

Phase one: Find out what your monthly income is

Your monthly income can come from a regular paycheck, allowance, and side gigs. If you receive a steady paycheck, make sure you are calculating your after-tax income rather than your gross income (before taxes). If you are self-employed or have side gigs, subtract anything that reduces that income, such as business expenses and take in consideration irregular income. 

Phase two: Tracking and categorizing expenses

Once you know your monthly income, it is time to figure out your expenses. You can look at your credit card and bank statements to see how you’re spending your money. While doing this, categorize your expenses to determine which are fixed (e.g., rent) and which vary (e.g., groceries, shopping) 

Phase three: Setting realistic goals

Before creating a budgeting plan, you need to list short-term and long-term financial goals. Short-term goals should take one to three years to achieve, while long-term goals may take decades. We understand that a decade sounds like a long time, but Diamonds by Rihanna was released a decade ago… 

Now that we got that out of the way, short-term goals can be setting up an emergency fund or saving up for a vacation after the school year, while long-term goals could be saving up for retirement. Your financial plans do not need to be official, but knowing them can help motivate you to stick to your budget!  

Phase four: Choosing a budgeting plan

There are many budgeting plans, but the most beginner-friendly program is the 50/30/20 rule. The 50/30/20 rule allows you to divide expenses into three categories by percentages. You spend 50% of your after-tax income on your necessities (e.g., rent, minimum payments), no more than 30% on wants (e.g., takeout), and at least 20% on savings (e.g., emergency fund). Check out the 50/30/20 calculator by Nerdwallet to get started. Remember that wants and needs vary by individual, someone’s daily coffee may be a want while another person may see it as a need. 

Phase five: Adjust and review your budget 

Congrats! You have set a budget. If you go over your budget, it happens! A budget is meant to be flexible because these scenarios do happen. Adjust your budget to ensure your necessities are taken care of first to get back on track. You may need to change your budget, but it should return to normal.

Sources:

Nerd Wallet

BoA

Transfer Students

Transfer Students

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Transferring to a new college can be exciting, thrilling, but also nerve-wracking! Whether you are transferring from a community college to a 4-year university or from a university to another university: you must be prepared!

Transferring to a UC

How To Transfer From Community College To UC

Using the UC Transfer Admission Planner can help you track your coursework, progr

ess toward meeting UC admissions and can also serve as your application for the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG).

The basic requirements to transfer to a UC: At least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of UC-transferable credit must be completed. A GPA of 2.4 in UC-transferable units must be earned (or 2.8 if you’re a non-resident).  You will also need to complete the following 7-course pattern by the end of the Spring term prior to fall enrollment: 

  • Two transferable courses in English composition
  • One transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
  • Four transferable college courses from at least two of the following subject areas:
    1. Arts and humanities
    2. Social and behavioral sciences
    3. Physical and biological sciences

Things to Keep in Mind:

Transfer Students

If you have decided on a major but want to keep your UC campus options open, UC Transfer Pathway is for you! With transfer pathways, you choose your intended major and a list of courses that are required will be listed. This will give you clear guidance on what courses you need to take and will be competitive to get into any UC campus. 

General education & IGETC

The general education requirements give a broad background to UC undergraduates in all academic disciplines. Although these requirements need to be fulfilled before graduating from UC, it is strongly recommended to start taking general education at community college. 

There are two ways to satisfy general education requirements: 

    • IGETC: A series of courses certified by the California community college that you may complete satisfying the freshman/sophomore level general education requirements at UC.
    • UC campus-specific requirements: Each school and college at every UC campus has its own set of general education classes

Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)

Six UC campuses (Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz) offer the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program for California community college students who meet specific requirements. By participating in TAG, you may receive an early review of your academic records and early admission notification. 

Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) 

UC TAP helps prospective UC transfer students track and plan their coursework.

Transferring to a CSU 

To be considered an Upper-Division Transfer Student (UDT) applicant, you will need to have at least 60-semester units (90 quarter transferable units) completed by the time you enter a CSU. You may use ASSIST to see what courses from your community college are CSU transferable.

Admission requirements for UDT students:California State University (CSU) | Glendale Community College

    • Overall college GPA of at least 2.00. Keep in mind that in some high-demand majors and campuses a GPA of 2.00 may not be sufficient to be admitted 
    • Be in good standing at the last college or university attended 
    • Have completed 10 general education courses of basic skills courses with a grade of C- or better
    • Additional information about dates, deadlines, checklist, and application guides can be found here. 

The California Community College (CCC) Associate in Art for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees are two-year associate degrees that are transferable to the CSU. With the Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT), students who meet the CSU’s minimum eligibility requirements are guaranteed priority admission to a CSU campus. 

Admission requirements for ADT:

    • Have earned or be completing an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) at the time you apply
    • Have completed a minimum of 18 semester (27 quarter units) in a major or area of emphasis and an approved set of general education requirements 
    • Submit your application for admission to CSU campuses by the published deadline
    • Submit all requested transcripts and documents by published deadlines
    • Meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the programs to which you are applying
    • Comply with any other prescribed admission requirements 

Advice for transfer students starting at CC:

  • Connect to the transfer center at your CC campus 
  • Check if your chosen UC/CSU campus has a respective transfer student support center, reaching out can provide clarity on support for transfer students
  • First years: the CA College Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived. Making an appointment with an advisor is helpful as they can pinpoint what classes are transferable. 

Transferring to a Private 

The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) comprises 85 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities. 

A full list of AICCU institutions with articulation agreements, click here. For information about admission, academic, and course requirements, please refer to this handbook. 

Unsure if you want to transfer? 

If you are unsure you want to transfer, it is recommended that you choose the AA/AS-Transfer track as this ensures you have an Associates and/or transfer in the near future. 

Backwards transferring

Backwards transferring is when a student from a four-year university transfers to a Community College. Here is an article with more information about backwards transferring. To see the requirements for backwards transferring, contact your school as each school has a different process or agreement. 

Let’s Go to College Mental Health Directory

Let’s Go to College Mental Health Directory

Mental Health & Self Care | 0 comments

As we enter the Spring and Summer seasons, we are excited to see the leaves change in colors, and enjoy our summer outfits as we prepare for the warmer weather. However, some of us might not be as enthusiastic about the change due to an unwanted visitor: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that is brought on by seasonal changes; it begins and ends about the same time every year (Mayo Clinic). One of the treatments for this disorder is therapy and if you’re a college student, we have some good news for you – you are able to receive therapy through your institution! What’s even better is that you are now able to receive therapy without having to show up in person thanks to teletherapy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions have now implemented telehealth services for their students to make healthcare more accessible. Though, you are still able to receive in-person services if you prefer. Our Mental Health Directory now shows where you are able to receive teletherapy at your campus in addition to in person sites that offer therapy. 

Preview and link to the map: http://bit.ly/3FbsG3S

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

College Is Important. So Is Mental Health. Here’s How To Study Without Burning Out

College Is Important. So Is Mental Health. Here’s How To Study Without Burning Out

Mental Health & Self Care | 0 comments

You’ve signed up for classes, you’ve learned your way around the virtual course system — and now, you’ve got to make sure you persist all the way to graduation.

Laptop or paper notes? Highlighter or flashcards? And does music help while studying? Here’s how to take better notes and study so that you remember what you’ve learned — without getting crushed by college stress. Plus: what to do if you do feel crushed.

Tips:

  1. Learn how to take notes.
  2. Get a planner and actually use it.
  3. When studying, don’t just put information into your brain. Draw it back out.
  4. Failure is not the end.
  5. Take care of yourself — and get some sleep.
  6. Let go of the stigma around mental health problems.
  7. Know when to reach out for help.

Click this link to the article with tips and resources to learn more about good study habits that will help you be a successful college student without burning out. This article includes written tips and a podcast for you to listen to. 

Source: Elissa Nadwordy, Education Reporter with NPR