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  NICOLE MILLER/Daily Bruin Steven Tanamachi, who graduated in June, seeks advice from a Letters and Sciences counselor.

By Marcelle Richards

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Newcomers to the quarter system may find themselves overwhelmed if they don’t learn to manage their time, but those who attend academic workshops and counseling can hone their college survival skills.

While freshmen must adjust to college life in general, transfer students used to the semester system must learn to deal with the demands of a 10-week schedule.

“For first-years, everything is new anyway,” said Janel Munguia, a student affairs officer in the English department. “(The quarter system) presents more of a challenge for transfers. I see them enrolling in too many classes. They’re used to enrolling in four to five classes and we tell them not to enroll in more than three.”

For transfer student Devin Buries, now a fourth-year philosophy student, the quarter system mandated a stricter study regime, which contrasted with what he described as a leisurely 18-week system at his prior college.

“Everything went really quickly because I came from a semester system; it was like a marathon,” he said. “But when I came here I had to keep on top of things to a much higher degree. I was trying to keep on it, probably more than necessary.”

To assist students with study habits and classes, UCLA offers numerous workshops and counseling.

Each school, the largest being the College of Letters and Sciences, has its own counseling department open on a walk-in or appointment basis. These larger counseling offices help students plot their academic course at UCLA, offer workshops at Covel Commons and sponsor athletic and pre-professional counseling for more specialized needs.

Covel workshops – from exam preparation to basic study skills – give students the skills to avoid academic ruts before they occur. The tips from Covel are the same as those reiterated throughout academia: Read. Go to class. Don’t procrastinate.

Second-year undeclared student Sara Yu experienced the juggling act as a freshman while balancing classes with crew practice every morning. Books often stayed closed and tests snuck up on her.

“I can’t do this next year,” she said.

The secret to beating the system is to work with other students within it, Munguia said.

Many departments have undergraduate associations designed to help students form an early social circle consisting of similar career-oriented members. Those transitioning can learn from the older students.

“In general, students get more out of UCLA if they hook up with other students, study together,” Munguia said. “They share tips and form study groups.”

Additionally, students with declared majors may utilize departmental counseling, which offers one-on-one guidance to help newcomers assimilate into UCLA. Course selection, time management and dealing with stress are common concerns for students making a transition.

The Academic Advancement Program is another group designed to promote academic success in a more focused audience.

AAP targets underrepresented minorities and first-generation college students to promote equity and opportunity on campus. Its programs include peer counseling and a transfer program under the guidance of current students and staff advisors.

“We provide all services. It’s very student-centered so there’s a lot of feedback as to what the students’ needs are,” said Elroy Pinks, a science counselor for AAP.

“It’s so varied. Students bring so many things to the table – many are working quite a bit or have child-care responsibilities,” he continued.

AAP workshops and round table discussions may help solve problems resulting from the hustle of the quarter system.

Despite the abundance of academic resources, some choose to develop their own strategies.

Buries took the solo route and said he did fine without counseling or workshops outside transfer orientation.

“I used a scheduling book and (spent) lots of time in the library,” he said.

“I would suggest transfers live on or close to campus if possible,” he said. “I commuted my first quarter and it really cut into my study time. I had to sleep in my car a few nights.”

SOURCE: UCLA conseling offices Original graphic by VICTOR CHEN/Daily Bruin Web adaptation by CHRISTINE TAN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff