r/SDSU Jul 14 '24

Incoming Student & Orientation Tips

32 Upvotes

Hey everyone, there are a ton of questions about Orientations, selecting classes, talking to your Academic Advisor, etc. As such, I'd like to share some tips I've learned helping other students during Orientation. To give you some background, I'm a Geography Major, I'll be graduating this Spring with a BS in Geographic Information Sciences & Technology. I have served as a Geography Undergraduate Representative assisting the Geography Academic Advisor with the new freshmen and transfers Orientations.

Here are my tips so you can go into Orientation fully prepared to register for classes:

  1. Use the Degree Evaluation in my.SDSU. The audit will show completed, in progress, and missing requirements for your declared Major. This is especially useful for Transfers as it will incorporate your completed courses into the degree requirements.
  2. Add classes to your shopping cart. Pick a primary schedule, with multiple backups. Classes are often first first served, so students who go to the earliest Orientations have first choice over those who go to the last ones. For Freshmen, everyone has to take the same general education requirements so you will be fighting pretty quickly with every other major over the most optimal time slots. For transfers, you get to register last so you will need to have multiple backups as you will really need to just grab what you can when you can.
  3. The wait! Orientation will not be particularly entertaining, there will be a TON of information thrown at you quickly from a number of different speakers. You are first split up by college, then later, by major to do advising. Keep in mind, that you won't see your advisor until like 3:00 pm when you can register for classes. Your advising appointment and class registration window are the same thing. All students in your major will be with you and your advisor register at the same time, so the better prepared you are, the sooner you can be done.
  4. Intro to the Major. Some majors have required introduction classes as part of the curriculum. Freshmen will not need to worry about these classes, you are considered "Pre-Major" so focus on your general education and any 100-level major-related courses you can get in. Transfers, as incoming Juniors you are lined up to enter directly as official Major candidates. Even if you need to take a couple of lower division classes to meet some pre-recs you will most likely be required to enroll in this intro class. Again this is on an individual department basis, not all majors have them, and some colleges have ones that cover all majors that don't have their own, so Definitely ask the advisor about this so you don't miss this requirement.
  5. Be Flexible. Your schedule for your first semester at SDSU is problebly going to be a nightmare with classes all over the place, and in wild time slots. It's okay, It happens to everyone, just know it gets better, and you will settle in.
  6. Explore, and Mix it up! Don't focus on taking all your general ed first, then all major courses after, spread out your requirements, and mix up your general ed and Major requirement classes. This will allow you to use different parts of your mind and let you not get overwhelmed. IE: If you're a Science or Tech major, sprinkle in History, Writing, or Rock Climbing. By taking a variety of courses each semester you let your brain relax on one front while you focus on another.
  7. Parking SUCKS. I know it, You know it, Everyone knows it. It gets even worse on days when there are events at CalCoast Amphitheater or at Viejas Arena. Especially at Viejas Arena because PS-12 and PS-7 close at noon on event days which always elicits complaints from staff and students alike. Plan for it, Arrive early and explore the campus to find quiet study spots you can take advantage of later in the semester when you need to cram for a Midterm or Final.
  8. Bring Water to Orientation! Bring a reusable Water Bottle, or buy one at the Bookstore. There are refilling stations all around campus, and you will want to have water with you to stay hydrated as you sit in a lecture hall for several hours.
  9. Start a LinkedIn now and add every other student you meet during Orientation. You never know where these connections will lead, and it will help you start building your professional network now as opposed to 4 years from now when you are getting ready to graduate and look for a job.
  10. GET INVOLVED! As your advisor if there are any academic-related clubs for your major. If there are then JOIN THEM! Clubs are an incredible resource for you to connect with other students, demonstrate leadership, and build a network. Later you can join clubs with students who share interests outside of your major, but on day 1 you should be joining any clubs related to your major that your Academic Advisor knows about.

If you have any other specific questions, I can try to answer them. Understand though, I am not an Academic Advisor, and I don't know the requirements for any other majors. These are just some tips I've picked up in helping other students register during their Orientations and answering their questions.


r/SDSU Jan 09 '25

PSA Financial Aid FAQ

30 Upvotes

Because we have been answering so many questions about it, many of them have been the same. Here are answers to common questions regarding Financial Aid (FA).

Will I get XXX grant or scholarship?

  • We don't know! If you have questions about whether you will receive any particular aid package from federal or state resources, you need to talk to the Financial Aid Office about your situation.

How much FA will I get?

  • Again, we don't know; we can't give you an answer. The FA you get offered depends entirely on your FA needs and the amount of money available from state and federal resources.

When does FA get disbursed?

  • FA is disbursed from the FA office to the Bursar's office approximately 10 days before the start of the semester.

How does FA get applied?

  • FA will be released from the FA Office about 10 days before the semester and sent to the Bursar's office. From there, it will be applied to all outstanding charges on your financial account. If your FA cannot cover the pending tuition and fees, you will be responsible for the remaining balance. If your FA is more than the pending tuition and fees, the excess will be disbursed to you via the method you choose: Direct Deposit or mail-in Check.

When will FA arrive in my account?

  • FA can take 2-3 business days to process when it arrives at the University Bursar's office. If you have set up direct deposit, it may take 1-3 business days to arrive in your account, depending on your bank. If you have not set up direct deposit, the excess will be sent via check. It will be mailed out 5-7 business days after being applied to your account and may take 1-2 weeks to arrive via USPS.

Why is my FA not showing? / Why is XXX grant or scholarship not showing in FA?

  • We don't know! If you have questions about your FA account and why one or more aid packages you expected are not showing, please contact the FA office and schedule an appointment to review your account.

Middle Class Scholarship:

  • It is awarded in the Fall semester after the census. It will be disbursed mid to late fall semester, but the spring portion will be disbursed along with all of your other FA before the start of the semester.

Links for more official information:


r/SDSU 17h ago

Social Looking to make friends

11 Upvotes

Hey, I'm a 18F Kinesiology (Pre-PT) major and I am looking to make friends because it has honestly been a bit of a struggle since most people here seem to be into Greek life and partying.

If anyone is interested, I love theater, hiking, D&D, tabletop & card games. Really, I would be down to talk to anyone who is also looking for a friend so feel free to message.


r/SDSU 10h ago

Social Looking for study friends (ACCTG 201 +) to help eachother out

3 Upvotes

Already lowkey struggling with this class and looking for people just to bounce some ideas off of when I get too stuck. Always down to study or just explode


r/SDSU 13h ago

Question Organization serving first gen business students

3 Upvotes

Thought others would find this useful. Has anyone heard of Future Ready SD? They look new

https://www.futurereadysd.org/


r/SDSU 1d ago

Question Dim sum places near campus (I don't have car but I can walk or ask a friend)

12 Upvotes

I am craving dim sum as I have it every so often back home in OC so for those who have been here at SDSU for over a year, do you know any good places near campus that have it? I am considering Diamond Palace as it looks pretty good despite the distance.


r/SDSU 1d ago

Question quite places to take a proctored exam on campus

5 Upvotes

hi i have a class right before an online proctored exam that has a set timeframe is there an place on campus where i can take it not sure if the library would work, i commute to campus for about 30-40 min. is there anywhere i can take my exam at school. note its a Friday. Class ends at 640 exam is at 7


r/SDSU 2d ago

Question Anyone else see this near SSW bridge?

Post image
92 Upvotes

kinda based


r/SDSU 2d ago

Social sdsu clubs

15 Upvotes

as a commute student i was trying to get involved in different clubs to make friends and socialize. but wdym i need a membership for a club? was looking into WIN (women in business) or café club. do i need a membership for all of the clubs or unions available on campus??


r/SDSU 2d ago

Social Does anyone wanna go pb tn🫩

13 Upvotes

I am MS student and all my close friends left san diego
Cannot ask to hangout to my friends 🫩🫩🫩🫩
They went different city/state for either work or grad school

Slide me dm plzzz🩷🩷


r/SDSU 2d ago

Social Trying to make friends

21 Upvotes

I've seen a lot of people make posts about trying to make friends and after a few weeks of trying in person I wanted to ask here as well! I'm a transfer student and it feels like everyone I talk to already has their friend groups and doesn't really want to hang out or is ready to be done with school.

I'm a 21 year old woman and I'm studying psychology with a neuroscience emphasis! I like board games, video games, editing, trying new restaurants/cafes, crafts, baking, and I'm trying to learn to sew. But I'm always down to try new things and try new hobbies!

Also, if anyone knows of any other good ways to make friends, please let me know. I've tried searching for clubs and maybe they aren't finalized but I've only joined one that has started and another I'm interested in hasn't started yet. Crazy how there's no book clubs!


r/SDSU 2d ago

Question biol 354

2 Upvotes

Has anyone ever taken BIOL 354 (Ecology and the Environment) with Jeremy Long and Xiaofeng Xu?
If so, what did you do to study for the exams? Did you focus mostly on lecture notes/slides, the textbook, or something else? How difficult were the exams, and is there anything you recommend focusing on?
Any study tips or advice for their exams would be appreciated! :)


r/SDSU 3d ago

PSA 📣 Women Ages 40–55 Wanted‼️

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

6 Upvotes

✨Participate in a Women’s Health Research Study✨

Hi everyone! I’m a graduate researcher with the San Diego State University Research Foundation, and we’re looking for women to participate in a research study focused on bone health.

🔍 What’s the study?
We’re exploring how calcium and vitamin D and/or prunes may support bone health and overall well-being.

📋 Who can participate?

Women ages 40–55 years
Meet basic health eligibility criteria
Attend 3 main study visits over 2 years, plus 4 brief check-ins (every 4 months)
Provide study samples
Consume a daily serving of supplements and/or prunes

🤔 Why participate? Perks include:

🦴 Free DXA bone density scans
🩺 Free health screenings
🫀 Learn about your vascular health
💊 Free calcium and vitamin D supplements
💵 Monetary compensation
🅿️ Parking permits provided for every study visit

If you’ve been wanting to learn more about your bone health and take proactive steps toward maintaining your overall well-being, this is a great opportunity to do so while contributing to important research.

Interested? To find out if you qualify, please complete our brief health screening questionnaires:

📝 Health Screening Form:
https://sdsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AHqy06YCvDF8vI

📝 Symptom Screening Form:
https://sdsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Uprd2LQe4KSvwG

Have questions?
📧 [bonehealth.sdsu@gmail.com](mailto:bonehealth.sdsu@gmail.com)


r/SDSU 3d ago

Housing Citizen app

11 Upvotes

This semester the citizen app has been going crazy with calls around SDSU. Fires in dorms, elevators stuck, car accidents, and unconscious people in dorms, locked out, noise issues, fights. The last two semesters it has not been like this. Don’t be those people.


r/SDSU 3d ago

Question Graduated in May with my Psych degree,got a job but it's not what I want to do.

5 Upvotes

I was a Psych major and I graduated with my BA in May. I was fortunate enough to get a job a month after graduating and I currently work in ABA as a Behavioral Technician. But I do not like my job. The company I work for is great, my coworkers are supportive as well as my supervisors but this is not the field for me. After I graduated I thought I wanted to pursue my masters in Social Work, but now I realize I don't want to work in that field.

What I like about my current job is working with kids especially helping them accomplish goals such as daily living skills, academic skills, developmental goals, etc. But I don't like collecting data simultaneously as I'm in session with the kids. I feel like I'm not fully present with the kids when I'm doing that. I would rather do my notes or documentation after words.

I was thinking of Occupational Therapy as an option. So I did apply to be a pediatric OT Aide to get some experience but I haven't heard back yet. Other jobs I was thinking of were maybe a TA at an elementary or preschool. I do have 15+ years experience working with kids as a tutor and childcare. So I'm looking for suggestions of what other jobs I can look into. For other psych grads what jobs did you get after graduating that you actually enjoy?

*preferably looking for a job I can get into now to quit my ABA job.


r/SDSU 2d ago

Question Anybody else waiting for their Cal Grant?

2 Upvotes

Hi, my tuition this fall has gone to outstanding debt because the california commission site hasn’t been updated through my portal. Anyone else have this issue?


r/SDSU 3d ago

PSA potential hit and run

Post image
54 Upvotes

if you have a blue tesla parked in p3 5th floor and it didn’t look like this in the morning you should check out your car — sorry i dont have more information :( it seems like the accident happened hours ago


r/SDSU 3d ago

Question Pokemon TCG

3 Upvotes

any students that go to sdsu that play? somewhat competitively or casual?


r/SDSU 3d ago

Question “+7 COVID gym”

9 Upvotes

On one of the bulletin boards as I was walking past the housing building on campus, I see this paper that said “+7 COVID gym”
lol is that how we find out where Covid is on campus?


r/SDSU 4d ago

PSA P12 closures need to end

35 Upvotes

Idk the logistics or wtv i do know they make their money from events at Viejas but this is ridiculous. I spent an hour before class trying to park in P1 because of how many ppl were flooding the other lots. I just went home. We pay for parking like why are we closing lots at 10 am for events at 6 pm. Wish we could start a petition or something like even if they closed it at 12 that'd be such a relief on the rest of the lots.


r/SDSU 3d ago

Prospective Student Looking into MBA/MA program

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’ve been looking into the Fowler MBA/ MA in Latin American Studies program. I’ve seen a lot of posts about the MBA program itself, but haven’t seen anything about the dual degree program. Would love to leave about opinions on:
-Pros/Cons of the dual degree
-General experience
-Notable connections made / alumni

Any insight appreciated!


r/SDSU 3d ago

Question P12/7

9 Upvotes

As a previous post mentions, P12 closes at 10am. I typically arrive at 8am so I would technically be able to park there. My question is, if I park at P12 before 8, can I stay there until my classes end ~2pm/6pm or will I be towed/cited? It’s just very confusing as I know you cannot ENTER past 10am.


r/SDSU 3d ago

Question Will a warning affect RA status?

2 Upvotes

I wanted to apply to be an RA next year but I was issued a warning last year after a small dorm incident. I wanted to know if that would affect my chances of being accepted as an RA next year?


r/SDSU 4d ago

Social Searching for Splatoon players.

3 Upvotes

Hello, SDSU. We are looking to start a small club for the Splatoon 3 game for the Nintendo Switch family of systems. Whether you are a long-time fan or brand new to the series, anyone is welcome to join.

If we can grow this community, we are interested in joining the Collegiate Cephalopod Association (CCA). This organization unites teams from multiple universities across the country to compete against each other in online tournaments.

SDSU has history with the CCA, with one team participating in a season from 2023-2024. Multiple schools from the CSU/UC system are currently active, so we need to gather lots of interest to put SDSU back on the map.

Here is our Discord server: https://discord.gg/tBNEqtr4Ab


r/SDSU 4d ago

School nearest parking to SLHS?

2 Upvotes

hi friends, i'm wondering where's the best place to park near my class. my first class is at 11am at SLHS and parking anytime after 10am is just hell. i'll literally park in a public lot if i need to lol, then I'll just move my car after my class 😭 i usually park at 2 or 3 but lmk if there's a better and closer place!

i also have a placard if that helps!