Welcome Guide 2018 by Daily Titan

Fall 2018

Volume 104 Issue 1

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

OPINION

Spots on campus to

beat the heat

A freshman’s guide to Cal State Fullerton’s coolest locations.

SOPHIA ACEVEDO Asst. Opinion Editor

Any lost freshmen anxiously wandering around Cal State Fullerton’s open desert-esque campus in search of their classroom might find it tempting to spend their free time locked in their car with the air conditioning on full blast. Don’t be that person. It’s unfortunate that California’s summer heat doesn’t really end in August (really it can sometimes last until November) but this one’s for all the sweaty newbies. Taking a quick break and suffering through one of the more popular and frequently crowded spots like the central Quad or the Titan Student Union presents an opportunity to be a normal, boring person who spends their time meeting new people. Instead, venture out to see the campus with this little list of far more exciting and perhaps somewhat dangerous locations. This list includes both shady outdoor and indoor options. Some for the people who prefer to be one with nature while still sheltered

from the blistering sun, and others for those who prefer the comfort of four walls and the security of knowing where every class is located. Indoor options If silence and solitude are most desirable, then hiding in the basement floor of the Pollak Library or College Park might be the best bet. Both locations have a dark, mysterious quality to them, reminiscent of an abandoned childhood playground in the middle of the night. It’s the sort of place someone interested in psychological-horror or crime films might be inspired by. Maybe that’s why these places typically only have classes for journalists. While

spending time there, try making ghost sounds to see if anyone gets spooked. For those who aren’t willing to trek further than a few feet from their classes, the cold, hard floors of McCarthy Hall or Langsdorf Hall might be a better option. Often the location of many first-year schedules, these buildings aren’t too difficult to navigate. For the best experience, simply lie down in the middle of one of these floors and hope to not get run over (too much) by the frequent hoards of students exiting their classrooms. Another option to explore is the Clayes Performing Arts Center. Although it’s a bit of a maze to get around for any inexperienced freshman (or inartistic senior), aimlessly walking around may kill an hour in

between classes. Just be careful of falling into a lull and accidentally blurring one white wall with another. A crumb trail might help with this one though. Outdoor options Instagram addicts or those with a flair for the dramatic may be immediately attracted to the water fountain in front of Langsdorf Hall. Don’t just follow these instincts, let them take control. This is the perfect place to reenact the opening credits scene from “Friends” or take a quick dip with a unicorn floatie once the day is dead and done. Another equally picturesque location is the Fullerton Arboretum. While it’s a bit of a trek from the center of campus, outdoorsy or athletic people will find this to be the one place to run free and wild, unburdened

KAYLA ALCARAZ / DAILY TITAN

by expectations of a heavy course load. Here, students can embrace their inner child and climb up a sturdy tree or scream about how much they hate a particular class. For those who can’t last in the sun for more than ten minutes before burning or sweating excessively, stairs are your best friend. That sounds like a lie, but the stairs along the sides of McCarthy Hall, the Education Classroom building, and Mihaylo Hall all have shade in the afternoons. Lying upside down or sideways on these stairs beats sitting down on a table or bench even if it could lead to a potential accident. Even if none of these options seem like they are exactly what you want or need, rest assured, it’s the best way to make a few friends with University Police.

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

OPINION

Column: Finding home away from home Transitioning to college life can seem daunting, but it’s well worth the challenge. ALYSSA VILORIA Freelancer

One moment, you’re shopping for decorative pillows, fuzzy slippers and the cutest school supplies. The next moment you’re watching Adam Sandler’s “The Wedding Singer” with your dad for the 100th time, realizing you won’t be able to do this anymore once you’re off at college. You’re sad because you’ll be leaving those you’ve loved and have been loved by for all these years. But you’re happy and excited because in a few weeks you’ll be on your own for the first time, meeting new people and experiencing new adventures. Getting ready to go off to college can be exhilarating, especially if you’ll be living in an unfamiliar and larger city. But when the weeks leading up to move-in day dwindle down, you realize that the time spent at home and surrounded by your loved ones is coming to an end. Last November when I was filling out college applications, I knew Cal State Fullerton was where I wanted to go to school for the next four years. The beautiful campus, the outstanding academics, the diverse variety of extracurricular

activities, the inclusivity and Titan pride — I loved it all. I still remember the day I was notified of my admission. I’d never been more thrilled and I couldn’t wait to tell my family the incredible news. They’ve always been so supportive and encouraged me to do my best in everything I’ve taken on, and because of that hard work, I was accepted. They knew this was my first choice of school so they were all proud; it was a great day. Once I accepted my offer of admission, I attended Welcome to Cal State University, Fullerton Day in April, an event with workshops and events geared toward the college experience. After spending a day on campus, I was practically ready to move in. The school’s pride in embracing diversity and encouraging individuality was prominent. I appreciate that students and staff can explore their passions and interests through all the clubs and activities. Joining and becoming part of such a remarkable community isn’t difficult to see myself doing. In fact, it’s like a dream come true. I feel confident and I am ready to grow as an ambitious student and young woman. The toughest part of this transition thus far has been getting used to the idea of leaving my family behind while away at school. My family lives three and a half

hours away from Fullerton, which is why I’ll be living on campus in a dorm. I’m very close to my family; whether it’s my grandma or threeweek-old cousin, I can already feel how much I’m going to miss them and sometimes that makes

me sad. Time isn’t slowing down, and I don’t love my family any less. I know I’m going to miss them, but I also know that I’m ready for this adventure to begin. I’m prepared to learn lessons, face a new environment, and live the life my

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family has prepared me for. I’m certainly going to miss my loved ones; there’s no way to avoid that. However, it’s not a matter of leaving, it’s a matter of going off and embarking on this journey and for that, I couldn’t be more elated.

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4 Student leaders launch administration

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

ANITA HUOR / DAILY TITAN

Newly elected student body prepares for this year’s plans. DIANE ORTIZ News Editor

Last spring, the student body of Cal State Fullerton elected new student leaders to serve as head of

student government and to represent all Titans for the 2018-19 academic year. Associated Students is the CSUF student government, made up of the president and vice president, the Titan Student Centers Board of Trustees and the board of directors, a governing body that consists of 16

representatives. Josh Borjas, the newly appointed president and CEO, said students can shape their time spent on campus by voicing their concerns and opinions to the elected leaders. “The more engaged people are in their student government, the (more) we will be able to directly

impact their campus experience,” Borjas said. The new president will be in charge of several things in the coming academic year, including supporting the executive senate but primarily being the “point of contact for any student voice,” Borjas said. Ana Aldazabal, the Associated

Students vice president, has a similar role to the president’s. One of her goals in her new position is to focus on communication with students, especially those who have been historically marginalized. SEE ASI

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WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

ASI: Getting students involved CONTINUED FROM 4

Being a transfer student herself, Aldazabal said she understands the struggle of trying to get involved on campus. “I know that ASI can be very intimidating at times,” Aldazabal said. “We’re trying to spread the message that we’re here to serve you. Please ask questions, hold us accountable.” Additionally, Aldazabal said she is in charge of Associated Student scholarships for this academic year. The 12 scholarships, which range from $500 to $1,000, are open to students in any major. The scholarships open on the first day of the semester and close on Oct. 9. Associated Students also consists of the Titan Student Centers Board of Trustees. Riley Duncan, chair of the board of trustees, is in charge of all the buildings that Associated Students own, which include the Titan Recreation Center, the Titan Student Union and the Irvine Campus’ fitness center and student lounge. Duncan and his team are responsible for approving

significant changes in buildings like the expansion of the Titan Student Union. “I know a lot of campuses are making a push for their buildings to become a little more eco-friendly. I really want to make sure that all of our services are a lot more environmentally conscious,” Duncan said. The board of directors are the highest body in the student government, said Tristan Torres, the board of directors chair. In his position, Torres is in charge of setting the agenda, approving the board of trustees’ plans, running the board of director meetings and acting as the liaison between the board, campus administration and students. Like the other leaders, Torres said he wants to focus on open communication. “I want to have a lot of discussion at board because, with this current political climate, there are a lot of polarized opinions and views. I want to make sure that we are talking things out at board and we are not ignoring issues,” Torres said. The executive team will work

on following through with policies and commissions passed in the spring, including the social justice commission resolution. Borjas said the details are still being worked out. The original resolution proposed that the Associated Students’ leaders would receive training on college activism and encourage student campaigns for historically marginalized communities. The executives are working on putting a diverse cabinet together to help the leaders navigate those conversations and better represent those communities, Aldazabal said. “I want to really try to (reach) our campus community so that people can understand why things are happening around campus,” Aldazabal said. “Talking to those students and making sure that we are accurately representing the 40,000 diverse students that we have at Cal State Fullerton.” Briggetta Pierrot contributed to this article.

Send a letter to the editor at EDITORINCHIEF@DAILYTITAN.COM with the subject line as ‘LETTER TO THE EDITOR.’

(Letters may be edited to fit our style.)

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

Older students overcoming odds Going to college later in life is a new opportunity for growth. DOTTY LIAO Lifestyle Editor

Entering college is a daunting point in time for recent high school graduates, but for those who are enrolling at an older age, it can be an even more terrifying task to take on. Students aged 25 years or older who are just starting college, or who have chosen to return to finish their degrees or study an entirely new field, might experience some discomfort returning from their academic hiatus. “I was terrified. I hadn’t been back as a student in 31 years, so it was a jump,” said 53-year-old psychology student Tina Mikesell.

Like many others who didn’t attend college immediately after high school, Mikesell experienced other important milestones in her life that required her dedication and focus. “I missed that opportunity when I got out of high school initially. I got a really good job, got married, had some kids,” Mikesell said. When her son, the youngest of four children, encouraged her to go back to school and get a degree, she took his advice. Mikesell enrolled in January of 2015, soon after he graduated. “I had no idea what to expect because I had not taken any college classes,” Mikesell said. In 2016, 4.6 million students aged 25 to 34 years old participated in college, while enrolled students aged 35 years old and older were numbered at 3.5 million, according to the National Center

for Education Statistics. The study also showed that these numbers are projected to grow by 2025. Because of this increase in age groups attending college, the ever-changing landscape of higher education is also evolving to accommodate the needs of its more diverse applicants. This goes beyond the traditional 18 to 25-year-old demographic bracket of recent high school graduates. Cal State Fullerton’s AWARE program aims in assisting non traditional students through the process of re-entering college. Many older students might feel unequipped with the proper tools to jump head first into the school pool — especially when surrounded by much younger cohorts — which can leave some feeling like a fish out of water. “I had a lot of anxiety regarding my abilities. Just wondering whether I was going

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to be smart enough or capable to actually get the projects and the assignments completed,” Annette Munoz, a 43-year-old human services student, said. Munoz wants to pursue a career that helps the community. “My memory doesn’t work as well as it used to when I was younger, so being able to follow through and get the assignments completed was a big concern for me,” Munoz said. She was able to continue her education after she quit her job in 2009 to be the caretaker and advocate of her son, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half. Munoz returned once he began school full time. For 26-year-old Keith Patschke, who is entering CSUF to receive his master’s degree with a focus on finance, being an SEE COLLEGE 13

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

OPINION

Saving money as a freshman Tips and tricks for new students to save the most cash.

ALYSSA LOPEZ Opinion Editor

There are two things that are certain about college: One, it’s not going to be easy and two, it certainly isn’t going to be cheap. Stress will undoubtedly follow you through your years at Cal State Fullerton. The pressure of keeping up with assignments, grades, work, a social life and money will at some point make you question why you’re in college at all. Unfortunately there isn’t a magical wand to wave over all your university woes, but here are some helpful tips and tricks that will make money one less thing to worry about. Food If you live on campus, you have a meal plan at the Gastronome and don’t have to worry about spending money on food every day. If you aren’t living on campus, meals are something you want to factor into your budget.

For commuters who spend most of their days on campus, it’s all too easy to run into the Titan Student Union and eat in the food court the moment hunger strikes.That may sound like a good idea when your stomach is making demands, but depending on how many days a week you’re on campus, it may become another expense you just can’t afford. One alternative option is to prepare food at home and bring it to school. If needed, there are microwaves located in the food court at the TSU and at the Titan Shops as well. Although it may be a hassle to make food beforehand, in the long run your bank account will thank you. The second option is to purchase a meal plan at the Gastronome, located at campus housing. Meal plans are available to all students, even to those who don’t live on campus housing. While meal plans range from $328 to $1,829, they will last for an entire semester or academic year, making food one less thing to worry about. Research, outside of the kind you’ll be doing in class, will also benefit you in the long run. Looking online and comparing prices beforehand can make all the difference. It may seem easier to just purchase new books, but there could be a used, online or rental option that you can get either at Titan Shops or in more convenient places. Good, off-campus places to look are Amazon, Little SEE THRIFTY

#TitansReachHigher

BOOKS, FOOD & MORE titanshops.com | csuffood.com

CSU Fullerton Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) supports the educational mission and goals of Cal State Fullerton. As a nonprofit organization, ASC oversees Campus Dining Services and Titan Shops to help fund programs and services that benefit the campus and local community.

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

RILEY MCDOUGALL / DAILY TITAN

Housing staff gave a warm welcome to all the incoming students and families, and their signs reflected how happy they were to see so many people moving in.

RILEY MCDOUGALL / DAILY TITAN

Students and their families waited in line to use the elevator - one cart at a time - to bring dorm essentials up to their new rooms.

DOMINIQUE KAYE VILLAMOR / DAILY TITAN

Tents lined the housing piazza promoting everything from bike registration with the on-campus police department to voter registrations. Clubs and organizations sought out eager freshmen looking to get involved.

JOSHUA ARIEF HALIM / DAILY TITAN

One of the more unconventional items dragged to the dorms was a full-size refrigerator, carried from one end of housing to the other.

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

Students say hello to their new home Move-in day saw a plethora of students rolling tubs of their life contents into student housing. KRISTINA GARCIA Copy Editor

JOSHUA ARIEF HALIM / DAILY TITAN

A student takes one last selfie with their loved ones before they say goodbye to their family for the semester.

RILEY MCDOUGALL / DAILY TITAN

CSUF president, Fram Virjee, greets parents and new students moving into housing.

Walking around Cal State Fullerton before fall semester is like entering a deserted ghost town, aside from the few bunnies and ducks occasionally found roaming as if they’re late to class. But on the housing side of CSUF the area was buzzing with excitement from the incoming freshmen, transfer and international students, settling into their new rooms. Move-in day started bright and early at 9 a.m. on August 23, the entire area covered with resident check-in booths and tents advertising different services on campus. Lines were out the doors whether students were lugging large rolling bins overflowing with dorm essentials like clothes, furniture and their pet fish, or just trying to get a quick bite to eat at the Gastronome. Incoming freshman were taking their first steps into adulthood, leaving behind their families and settling down with new

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roommates, while other students returned to campus for yet another year of the CSUF experience. “The main thing I keep telling people, and what I like about the whole move-in day is that there’s a lot of resources here on campus and a lot of ways to get involved, and I think it shows here by all the different tents that are set up and all the different departments that have been involved with move-in day,” said Omar Hernandez, a fifth-year business student volunteering for the day. Tents and booths filled the plaza as passersby signed up for newsletter subscriptions for the Daily Titan, registered their bikes with the University Police Department or stopped for a cooler break at the water stations. Many other booths set especially for the move-in surrounded the area scouting for the next available student to listen to the services offered on campus. “For me it’s important for students who have been here for a while to volunteer for these things, to bring a more welcoming environment,” said Daissy Zatiain, a fifth-year kinesiology student who also volunteered. SEE MOVE

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

OPINION

Column: Cal State Fullerton wasn’t my first choice

Not meeting expectations takes time to overcome.

SOPHIA ACEVEDO Asst. Opinion Editor

As an overachieving (and undoubtedly pretentious) freshman heading to college in 2016, I always prided myself in always knowing what I wanted — and Cal State Fullerton wasn’t it. It wasn’t my first choice of school. Actually, it was probably somewhere right in the middle of my college list. My out-of-state options never panned out the way I wanted them to — the mountain of overwhelming debt seemed far too high for my logical brain to take the risk — so I reluctantly decided to attend, sealing my fate with an approval checkmark in the online application. Being the overdramatic person that I was, I automatically assumed the worst. My big flashy dreams of heading to a college in the East Coast, where I could experience seasons and live a life of liberating independence became shattered fragments of a broken promise to myself that would never come true. By attending Cal State Fullerton, and not some flashy school in the city, I foolishly believed that I had met my end and was doomed to a future of nothingness. My brain went down a slippery slope of complete falsehoods that utterly shattered my usually unbreakable self-confidence. For once in my life, I didn’t know what I wanted, much less what I was going to do.

ANITA HUOR / DAILY TITAN

All throughout the summer, I moaned and whined, freaking out more than I would like to admit. My world started to close around me, and my depression only got worse, my emotions starting to slip in front of people. Though I’ve never been comfortable shedding a tear, even in front of someone I think is close, I was at the point that I needed help. I started going to therapy, where I came to terms with the little things I never would openly admit to myself. When I didn’t get my way, I assumed I hadn’t worked hard enough in high school or that I needed to be smarter. I believed my failures were fatal flaws that would be detrimental to any possibility of a decent future. Orientation, as expected, was also a mess. The few people who I spoke to seemed genuinely eager to attend, happy to have gotten into their ideal choice. They could see a great bounty of opportunities available, but I refused to believe it. I’d never been one for patience,

but looking at my future peers with such eagerness and motivation to attend made me a frustrated, miserable wreck. I couldn’t admit this to myself back then, but I felt humiliated. In my imagination, I could almost feel a bright red stamp on my head that said, “failure,” but I couldn’t figure out why. Everyone I’ve ever met has claimed that the first year of college is a growing experience and that it wouldn’t be easy. This cliché philosophy always annoyed me, but they’ve all been annoyingly right — in an overarching thematic way. The college experience is part of coming of age and is a struggle, with about 1 in 8 entering full-time freshmen reporting that they felt “frequently” depressed, according to The American Freshman, National Norms Fall 2016, a study done by UCLA. I can’t say that my feelings toward attending Cal State Fullerton changed overnight. The first few weeks still aren’t my fondest of memories, tucked into the back

of my brain with the label “Dark Year.” It probably took me the entire first semester for me to realize that my problems weren’t coming from in Cal State Fullerton but that they were rooted in myself. My reactions had been negatively affecting my chance at opportunities, not the university. My unwillingness to be open to challenges had shut me off from everything that the school had to offer. I hadn’t fulfilled a romanticized version I had conjured as a pretentious high school student. While I hadn’t gotten what I wanted, that didn’t mean my life was over and my career could be packed away in a coffin. Cal State Fullerton might not have been my number one choice, but it still had everything I cared about: a place to learn and more importantly to write. Even though it may have not been my top college, that didn’t necessarily mean my melodramatic overreaction was warranted. Slowly, I opened myself up more and adjusted to this mentality, and

as if being rewarded, I stumbled across an email that would change my experience forever — an application for the school newspaper, The Daily Titan. Of course, my dream of living in a big city still hasn’t changed, but my narrow-minded one-track mind has come to terms with the most frightening idea of all — the unplanned, or more broadly known as the unknown. More importantly, I’ve realized that closing myself up didn’t bring anything good, especially when limitless opportunities are available in just about any place. Cal State Fullerton wasn’t my first choice, and it wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but sometimes unplanned situations can end up being a better experience than anything that would be seemingly perfect. Future challenges may arise, and as expected, I’ll undergo another series of overwhelming emotions, but I’ve gained a far more resilient and hopeful mentality to life, and I know that I’ll be able to overcome it.

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

Thrifty: How to save, not spend CONTINUED FROM 7

Professor Textbooks (which is located near campus) and the CSUF BOOK BUY & SELL HUB Facebook page. Depending on how many days you’ll be at school and how often you plan to eat throughout the day, the Gastronome’s voluntary meal plans, provided on its website, may be the best option for you. Textbooks There are many different ways to save money when it comes to textbooks, but the best way to avoid wasting an unnecessary sum of money is to wait until after the first day of class to purchase the assigned books. During the first week, the professor will go over the syllabus and inform the class on what textbooks you’ll actually need. There may be textbooks on their syllabus that you

won’t use at all. You don’t want to make the mistake of buying a $100 book only to find out your professor decided it wasn’t necessary. The only exception to this rule is when a professor sends out an email before classes have started and specifies what textbooks you’ll need. In that case, it’s best to buy them as soon as possible. Keep in mind that Titan Shops offers a buyback option at the end of each semester. But if you are looking to get most of your money back, it probably won’t happen as Titan Shops only offers up to 50 percent of a books purchase price. Research, outside of the kind you’ll be doing in class, will also benefit you in the long run. Looking online and comparing prices beforehand can make all the difference. It may seem easier to just purchase new books, but there could be a used, online or

rental option that you can get either at Titan Shops or in more convenient places. Good, off-campus places to look are Amazon, Little Professor Textbooks (which is located near campus) and the CSUF BOOK BUY & SELL HUB Facebook page.

to help plan their work hours accordingly. By trying these things for yourself, you’ll find that following these small tips will make you want to cry a whole lot less each time you check your bank account this semester.

Budgeting Learning how to budget your money can be a big relief once the semester starts. It can help you keep track of bills and what you need to buy for the month. There are many budgeting apps that can be downloaded onto your phone that will help with this. One example is a mobile app called Mint. You can link bank accounts, keep track of when those bills are due and create monthly budgets. This is very useful for college students to estimate how much money they’ll need for a particular month and

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Home or away: adapting to location Housing and commuter students share views on college experiences. STEPHANIE DELATEUR Asst. Lifestyle Editor

For 19-year-old criminal justice major John Risenhoover, on-campus housing at Cal State Fullerton certainly has its perks. “If I lived at home I would have a long commute, two and a half hours,” said Risenhoover, who is from Bakersfield. “If I was off campus like in the UCA’s, it would be a little bit different because I would have to find more food for myself and probably bring in my own furniture.” Risenhoover said he and his parents decided that on-campus housing was easiest because it included a meal plan along with other amenities. Campus housing can create a sense of community for its residents while also allowing students to develop personal and academic relationships with each other and faculty. Risenhoover said he has made friends in housing and can meet them without worrying about conflicts with his schedule. For many students, living in housing on or around campus might seem like a luxury, but sometimes it can be a challenge. “I definitely live in the party apartments, so it can be pretty loud and crazy on Thursday nights,” said 21-year-old cinema and television arts major Amber Nguyen. Nguyen currently lives in University House, where she walks to her classes in the sometimes sweltering heat to avoid paying for parking on campus. Although her living experience has forced her to become a regular pedestrian, Nguyen said living

DANIELLE EVANGILISTA / DAILY TITAN

in University House has helped shape her time in college because it gave her the opportunity to meet so many new people. “I do think that my college experience would be very different if I commuted or if I lived elsewhere,” Nguyen said. If she had decided to commute, Nguyen said she probably would have been very focused on school rather than her social life. If this were the case, she said, each day would be spent driving to school, attending classes and then driving home without a single thought about meeting up with friends.

Ashley Brooksbank, a 20-yearold psychology major who commutes from Aliso Viejo, said she has always been envious of her friends’ college experiences living closer to campus, and would herself live on campus if she ever had the opportunity. Like Nguyen and Risenhoover, Brooksbank thinks her college experience could be enhanced if her current living situation was different. “I could space my classes out more as opposed to getting them all back to back,” Brooksbank said. “I tried to fit my classes into

two days because going up there and back, it takes a lot of gas.” Brooksbank also finds that not needing to pay monthly rent and having a room and bathroom all to herself are some of the advantages of living at home. Not needing to pay monthly rent and having a room and bathroom all to herself are also things that Brooksbank finds to be particularly appealing. Although Brooksbank said she is envious of people who live closer to campus, she realizes that being able to see her family on a daily basis is a privilege those far

away from home don’t have, and one that she sometimes takes for granted. “Living at home and commuting can sometimes suck, but it does have its rewards,” Brooksbank said. With any living situation, inevitably there are problems that can accompany it, but no matter where a student lives they still experience and adapt to the give-andtake lifestyle that is college.

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WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

College: Nontraditional students share their stories CONTINUED FROM

older student at a new college appears to be a natural happenstance for his professional career. “Gainful employment was just out of my reach at the time,” Patschke said. After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona with his degree in technology operations management, Patschke struggled to find work and an internship. “Nobody would even return my calls,” Patschke said. With many entry-level jobs requiring three years of work experience in Patschke’s field, he figured getting his MBA would qualify him in lieu of having professional work experience. Although Patschke isn’t much older than the typical college-age student, he still felt as though he did not connect well with his peers. “Even when I was in Cal Poly, I was realizing that I was on average about four to five years older than every other student. I even tried to join a fraternity at one point where I found out that I was extremely older than everybody else,” Patschke said. Despite the fears and difficulties of returning to school at an older age, Miksell, Munoz and Patschke are confident in their decision to continue their education in pursuit of a better quality life for the future. “I’m not forced here. With my success in school, it’s only going to make my success in life that much better,” Munoz said about her decision to go back to college.

DANIELLE EVANGELISTA / DAILY TITAN

The College of Communications welcomes all Titans, new and returning, to an exciting new academic year!

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

OPINION

Academic programs support Titan success Guidance for hard courses can help you graduate on time.

BRIAN BECSI Opinion Editor

The first year of college can be exciting, intimidating and overwhelming. Incoming freshmen may wonder if they should find their classes before the first day, or whether they should have purchased their textbooks already. Students also hope Cal State Fullerton can help them find answers to big questions like what careers they are suited for. Getting your bearings straight, goals set and priorities defined is a prerequisite for staying sane. To get through it, students need to pay attention, take advantage of free on-campus resources and devote time to their academics. Students need to take as many classes as possible each semester to graduate in four years, which often leads to mixing general education with upper-division courses. Studying time may be split across five different subjects. This combined with a series of papers and exams all sinisterly timed to coincide on the same week can lead to feelings of

inadequacy or unpreparedness. Fortunately, students have access to a variety of academic support programs like student success teams specific to each college, which provide support for those facing academic challenges. Emeline Yong, assistant dean of student affairs for Mihaylo College of Business and Economics, leads the college’s academic support programs and student life which includes clubs and activities. “We’re here to help students navigate through the college, through the university, just to help make their experience valuable here and meaningful,” said Yong, who’s been in the position for 12 and a half years. Yong also teaches university 100, a course designed to help undeclared freshmen navigate a major and answer practical questions about what they should do to succeed academically. Juniors in the business college may have Yong for a class called professional and career development. The course focuses on improving soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, professionalism and etiquette. Yong said these skills are useful for students in any field, and the course qualifies as an upper-division elective for nonbusiness students interested in it as well. During the semester, all of her students are required to attend a job fair to help expose them to the professional world. Junior year is the time students begin specializing in their field of choice, and like

DANIELLE EVANGELISTA / DAILY TITAN

marriage, it’s intended to be a lifelong commitment. Upper-division courses are significantly more challenging than most general education courses, and the increased difficulty can catch complacent students off guard. To ensure this doesn’t happen, the university offers free tutoring for all levels. Freshmen and sophomores may be interested in visiting the University Learning Center, a tutoring center that focuses on helping undergraduate students

through their general education requirements. For curriculum-specific tutoring, students have access to the Writing Center, Math Tutoring Center, Mihaylo College of Business and Economics Tutoring Center, and Center for Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Science. Each major has courses that are notoriously difficult to pass. These bottleneck courses in the curriculum can result in high failure rates and are often in high demand.

One program called Supplemental Instruction is available to students at no cost to help them pass these notoriously hard classes. These sessions convene outside regular class times throughout the semester. The most important thing students can learn during their time at CSUF comes from actively engaging with their environment. Take the time to do it right the first time, don’t come to regret it later.

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

Campus housing welcomes new faces

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Volunteers roamed the area sporting vibrant orange shirts to stand out amongst the crowd and helped in various areas including the water stations and parking lot. The volunteers in the parking lot helped families unload their cars and place dorm essentials into the large rolling bins, then led the families to the dorms. When the parking lots weren’t too busy, volunteers would switch positions, helping to pass out water and keep everyone hydrated on such a blistering day. But it wasn’t the tents, booths or volunteers that brought the community together, it’s the students who travel far and wide for a single shared interest: An education at CSUF alongside the

college experience featured in every cliché coming-of-age movie. In fall of 2017 CSUF had a total of 3,158 enrolled international students from 86 nations. With a growing student population and 34 CSUF exclusive student exchange programs from all around the world (Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Japan to name a few), the campus welcomes new students every semester. Although these international students come from different places, they’ve all come to CSUF for similar reasons. Some chose to be Titans to enjoy the sunny California weather, like Lisa Djerf from Sweden who is excited to play golf year-round, while others enrolled for the academics, like Tammy Vorenber from

Germany who’s doing her graduate studies at CSUF. CSUF is an institution for learning academics, as well as life skills to use for the rest of your life. Students from across the globe enroll at CSUF to become a part of the eccentric community, and though some may think it’s just another SoCal school, to the Titans it’s a home, a sanctuary, and a family. “It’s rare that a community loses a fourth of its members every year and gains a new fourth every year, so we’re always missing the people who are leaving but hopefully they are Titans for life,” said Fram Virjee, CSUF interim president. “But we are also gathering in a new community and I think that’s so exciting.”

JOSHUA ARIEF HALIM / DAILY TITAN

Friends and family work as a team to get as much of their students belongings into their new homes.

Class Schedule available September 24 • Registration opens October 15

WINTER SESSION 2019

Winter Session provides the opportunity to complete up to 4 units over the winter break: Classes are offered in 2.5 or 4 week accelerated sessions Many online, GE and in-demand classes offered Opportunity to focus on one class

winter.fullerton.edu

SUMMER SESSION 2019

Summer Session is another great way to stay on track to graduation. Available over five different sessions, you can easily find a class to fit your schedule. Get ready for Summer Session 2019!

summer.fullerton.edu

TUESDAY AUGUST 28, 2018

WELCOME TITANS GUIDE 2018

Tunes to ease end-of-summer blues Check out these songs to make returning to classes slightly less stressful. DOTTY LIAO Lifestyle Editor

The end of summer doesn’t have to be a bummer, especially when you have the right playlist to ease the transition into your first day of classes. Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax between courses, or forget about the summertime blues creeping in, this short playlist can get you back on track to feeling nice and relaxed with a mixture of shoegaze, synthpop and hip-hop gems. All rad – nothing sad to listen to here. “Funeral Song” by Minks says goodbye to summer break in this poignantly upbeat postpunk anthem. The single was first released by Captured Tracks in 2010, and was later featured in their 2011 album “By The Hedge.” It’s the perfect nostalgic tune that says, “So long, summertime, I’m not coming back.” “Skiptracing” from the Mild

High Club’s album of the same name is an effortlessly dreamy, lighthearted pop track reminiscent of songs from the ‘60s. With hazy harmonies layered over Alex Brettin’s soothing vocals, and panning done tastefully on certain percussive moments, the song creates a relaxing and atmospheric vibe during the commute to school. The psychedelic-folk ensemble from Los Angeles was exalted by fans when it opened for Mac DeMarco in 2015. Ruby Haunt’s “Alone” isn’t afraid to go heavy on the reverb for this synth-pop track. The song released on their 2015 album “Hurt” has an airy and distant sound crafting a sentimental listening experience that’s similar to nostalgia. For what? Who knows, but this shoegaze track can easily be featured on a mixtape alongside dream pop from The Radio Dept. and rock from New Order. Jai Paul’s “Jasmine (demo)” is a single that shoots straight for the soul. The thumping bassline comes in hard, contrasting Paul’s gentle and delicate crooning. It sounds lo-fi like a demo track, but

the production throws listeners off with the little details. Choppy and unrefined — yet an unmistakable love song — this 2012 track deserves a place on any playlist. Sports Coach is a project by Boston-based producer Thatcher May, who releases dream-wave tracks that have a grittier dance beat. “Stretching” is an energetic gem from the 2017 EP “Inversions” that could get anyone pumped. Enjoy this gorgeous throwback from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, “Extended Souvenir.” This is the 2003 remastering of the 1981 original from their album “Architecture and Morality.” The melodic synths punctuate the song alongside the highly energetic beat, making this dreamy pop track a timeless tune perfect for the end of summer. Kelela creates a dark and highly danceable track with her single “Rewind,” which flawlessly captures the essence of a summer fling. Her sultry and whisper-like vocals lead listeners through an electro-rhythm and blues rendition of a love letter, making

this 2015 single a reminder that there’s no point in lamenting the end of summer if there’s no way of rewinding it. Junior Boys have been serving the electronic dance scene since the ‘90s, and they continue to bring the hits. Their single “Over It” off their 2016 album “Big Black Coat” is no exception. The vocal effects give the song a romantic tone without compromising its danceability, and it’s an exemplary way to conclude summer break.

ANITA HUOR / DAILY TITAN

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