ucla tips

Have questions? We'll answer them! Advice on academics, student life, money saving, and everything else you need to succeed at UCLA!

[uclatips]

What courses do you recommend for those who want to take law?

Poli sci and philosophy. Scroll down to "recommended classes" here

[uclatips]

Study tips?

- Start studying for midterms week one. With the quarter system, it can be easy to get behind really quickly. When a lot of readings and assignments are optional, it can be easy to blow them off and say you'll just "do them later." News flash: you won't.

- Find a good study spot. My favorites include the Sproul living room, PAB roof, Library in Boelter, Coffee Bean, and Corner Bakery in Westwood!

- For classes like Math, Physics, etc, I like to write out everything I need to know on a few sheets of paper (like a cheat sheet – even if you can't use it on the test, I've always found it's useful to make to get that information in your head and it's quick to reference later). Organization is key.

- Don't slack on your other responsibilities! I still like to eat at dining halls as a break and go to the gym regularly (even if it means watching Bruincast videos or reading on the exercise bike). Exercise is great because it makes you feel less stressed and can help your memory.

- Get a lot of sleep. Do NOT compromise this.

- Schedule your time just like you would allocate time for extracurriculars. If you say you're going to do a reading from 6:00-7:00, hold yourself to that. Schedule a lot of breaks. Don't try to cram and plow through it all. You'll get drained.

- Make a to do list to outline everything you want to get done that day. I try to eliminate everything I need to do for one class at a time because I feel more stressed and cluttered if I have a bunch of random tasks to do for multiple classes.

- If you have free time, you're doing it wrong. Refresh yourself on concepts for classes at least once a week. It will help A LOT when it comes to studying for midterms and finals later.

[uclatips]

I feel like UCLA is ranked really high mostly because of its academics but does it being a public school have a lot of downfalls in other non-academic areas? Because I know it's great and all, but I feel like it being public can be a huge drawback.

Getting into classes can be kind of a pain, and sometimes it feels like you're just a number here in terms of support, resources, etc. If you're looking to get your hand held, this is not the place – you have to go out of your way to get help, and you'll constantly be competing against others.

That being said, I absolutely love going here and the pros definitely outweigh the cons!

[uclatips]

what's the best way to get from LAX to campus? any tips/suggestions? (this is for freshman orientation) thanks!

Getting from LAX to UCLA

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hi! i'm going to be a freshman this fall and i was wondering, do you know any good websites/places to sell books? (namely AP/SAT/high school stuff, but any tips for future college books appreciated as well ^^) thanks (:

most people I know just post pictures of them on facebook and their younger high school friends buy them

[uclatips]

are the gen ed courses the same for every undergrad? if so, where can i find them so i can plan for orientation?

They vary by college

Click here

[uclatips]

Any tips/advice for freshman orientation??

be prepared to walk a lot

start looking at classes you might want to take beforehand so it's less stressful when you get there

get a lot of sleep beforehand because you'll be tired

do carpe noctem!

meet lots of people

go to all of the optional things - you pay for them anyways!

bring soap for the restroom

maybe bring an extra blanket

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I'm sorry if this is a terribly lame question, but are textbooks included in the Cost of Attendance? Also, what specifically goes into the Cost of Attendance? I know Transportation is part of it, but I want more details. Thank you!

Books and supplies is a separate category.

See here

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regarding extra swipes, do food items vary w/ the number of swipes they need?

not if you swipe into a dining hall, but at the quick service restaurants you can get an entree, side, and drink for one swipe.

pizzas at late night cost 6 swipes

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do students at ucla take the same classes in all 3 quarters of one academic year?

nope

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Hello! Thanks so much for running this blog! I was wondering.. how do i find out when the deadline to pay tuition is?? i havent received any information about it and i cant seem to find any on the ucla website?

20th of the month! See here :)

[uclatips]

Why aren't students allowed/given a certain amount of free printing pages per week? Is anything reasonable/not charged for???

At UCLA, "free" = "included in your student fees"

public education yo

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do you think the ucla gym is judgement-free? idk i feel like gyms in general tend to have fit people looking down on other lesser fit people who are trying to slim down :( i was wondering if its a relatively friendly environment ~

It's intimidating as hell but I don't think people really pay attention to anyone else. The meathead frat bros are too busy thinking about protein powder and checking themselves out in the mirror to judge other people haha

But in general people at UCLA are very fit so that is even more true at the gym

[uclatips]

This isn't so much a question, nor is the printing free, but for students enrolled in a science class (physical or life), the Student Learning Center labs on 4th floor of Young Hall offer 5 cent per page b/w printing (4 cents each double sided) charged to BAR. There's also a room with scanners available

thanks for the tip!

[uclatips]

Do UCLA students have to pay for rec center classes like yoga, martial arts, etc.? I'm going to be a freshman and I'm interested in taking classes but am hoping that students can take them for free

Yep but it's still pretty reasonable! Group exercise pass is $25 per quarter and other classes are usually around $50. Regular gym access is free!

[uclatips]

Is there a gym on campus? If so, can students use it for free? I currently have an LA fitness membership and want to know if I should get rid of it or not.

Yep the Wooden center is free for all students (well, technically it's included in your student fees)! It's really nice, convenient because it's right on campus, and is open usually from around 5am to 12:45am! 

[uclatips]

Updated the tags on some posts and flagged the more important/useful ones! Check out the FAQ now :)

I'm going to start being more selective with the questions I do answer now so sorry if yours doesn't get answered! If you send it again without being anonymous I'd be more than willing to answer it privately.