myCSUSM
New Student and Family Programs
Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility
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Critical Thinking & Ethical Reasoning
Leadership & Interpersonal Development
Holistic Wellness & Self-Efficacy
- Week 0-2: Get Organized and Prepare
Purchase Textbooks Check your Booklist in MyCSUSM for each class. There are many options to save on textbook costs! CSUSM's University Store offers new, used, digital and rental options, and price matches too!
WOW events Kick off the semester with fun filled events to get engaged in campus life at CSUSM!
Set Up Technology Needs Get prepared for this semester by downloading and testing out all the technology offerings! From Zoom, Cougar Courses, Microsoft Teams and the whole office suite, you will have everything you need just a click away!
Get Ready for Learning Start off your academic life at CSUSM Cougar ready! Be sure to attend class, its more important than ever to be present.
Finalize class scheduleIf you can, finalize your class schedule before the start of the semester. Take note of the instructions on this page for 'crashing' or adding a class during the first two weeks of school. Remember Academic Advising offers drop in advising the first 2 weeks of the semester
Get Organized Add your class times to a planner or your CSUSM email calendar via Outlook. Plan out when you will complete asynchronous (on your own time) classes and write in all due dates and reading assignments. Tip for success- set up reminders a few days prior to each assignments due date so you never miss a thing!
Set a goal Set a goal for yourself this semester at CSUSM. Think of what you want to achieve while in college and how you will get involved and set yourself up for academic success.
Confirm your Financial Aid is ready to apply to your student account Do you have your Good to Go email? This email means your financial aid is awarded and ready to apply to your student account. If you have not received your Good to Go email, please log into your MyCSUSM portal and see if you have any ToDo items. If you are being asked to submit documents, please get them in right away.
Prep Next Semester's Degree Planner Help build the following semester's schedule and be sure to update your degree planner with the specific classes you plan to take!
- Week 3-4: Connect with Campus Community
Connect with Campus Community and Submit your new Financial Aid applicationFinancial aid applications open on October 1st. Early Cougars get the best awards – make sure you maximize your opportunity for additional financial aid and submit the CSUSM Scholarship Application.
Go to a student organization meeting CSUSM has over 100 student-run organizations, so meet up with students with similar interests
Visit faculty during their office hours Check your syllabi and make a personal connection with your instructors, or visit your major department's website to connect with a faculty member
Check out fitness classesFitness classes are another great opportunity to meet other students and stay healthy
Connect with your College and Academic Advising Connect with your major's College (CEHHS, CHABSS, CoBA, or CSTEM) to see what they've prepared for new students this Fall, then connect with the Office of Academic Advising for an early appointment or a quick question to keep on track
Visit the Student Life Centers for Identity, Inclusion, and Empowerment Connect with students through virtual programming at the Student Life Centers: the Black Student Center, the Cross Cultural Center, the Women & Gender Equity Center, the Latin@/x Center, and the LGBTQA Pride Center.
Take part in a California Election 2022 event Register to vote and find other ways to participate in the upcoming California election
Join the Tukwut Leadership Circle Earn a leadership certificate and jumpstart your involvement at CSUSM!
Engage with the Common Read Read CSUSM and San Diego County’s Common Read, then check out the many events connected with the book, including virtual engagements with the author!
- Week 5-6: Lock in on your Academics
Refresh your learning space Check out these tips from fellow students on creating a positive physical space to prepare for your first midterms
Check in with your success coach, counselor, or PASS Make sure to check in with your specialized program counselor (ACE, CAMP, EOP, PASO, or SSS) or your success coach.
Visit Learning and Tutoring Services The Academic Success Center, the STEM Success Center, and the Writing Center offer one-on-one and group support for many first-year courses
Ask your instructors questions during office hours Before your first exams or papers, make sure to ask your instructors any questions you have. Faculty are here to help!
Connect with the Career Center It's never too early to visit the Career Center! Meet with a Counselor and take a career assessment to start off on the right path
Breathe! You've got this!
- Week 7-8: Stay Healthy
Check Yourself Take the time to reflect on your physical and mental health halfway through the semester and make sure to check out the resources offered at Student Health and Counseling Services
Visit the HOPE & Wellness Center The Health, Outreach, Promotion, Education (HOPE) and Wellness Center offers programs to help students develop healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices
Drop in on a Fitness & Wellness classGroup fitness classes and workouts are available all through the semester
Arts & Lectures events in CHABSS are a big part of the intellectual life of the campus
Connect with Academic Advising Beat the enrollment period rush at the Office of Academic Advising and make an appointment now to get set up for next semester and beyond!
- Week 9-10: Make Your Mark
ASI offers a lot of volunteer opportunities for students looking to make a difference on campus
Volunteer off campus There are many opportunities to volunteer in the local community (for example: San Marcos, Vista, Escondido)
Explore the CSUSM research community CSUSM's Research Centers and Institutes are doing a lot of work in the community, including the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center and the National Latino Research Center
Celebrate the Common Read with the Community Attend the spotlight live virtual event for our Common Read and the subject of this year’s One Book One San Diego, with author and any co-creators.
- Week 11-12: Plan Your Academic Career
Plan your Spring semester with Academic AdvisingIf you haven't already, make an appointment with Academic Advising to make sure you're on the right track for Spring 2023, or use the eAdvisor system to ask a quick question
Use Degree Planner to set your path to graduation Degree Planner in MyCSUSM can help you plan your entire path to graduation, so check your progress every semester
Check in with your success coach, counselor, or PASS Make sure to check in with your specialized program counselor (ACE, CAMP, EOP, PASO, or Trio SSS), or success coach.
Talk to a faculty member about your major Visit your major department's website and connect with a faculty member to ask questions about the next few years. Undeclared students: visit the Career Center to start exploring!
Learn from your experienced peers Connect with students in your major through a student organization and ask about what your path to graduation involves. Remember that other students are your best resource!
- Week 13: Rest and Reflect
Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday! Take the chance to take a breather, relax, and recharge
Express gratitude Think about who has helped you over this first year in college and take a few moments to thank them. Support from friends and family is key to a successful college experience
- Week 14-16: Finish Strong
Final tech check Make sure you have the technology set up that you need to be successful for your first finals
Visit Learning and Tutoring Services The Academic Success Center,the STEM Success Center,and the Writing Center offer one-on-one and group support for many first-year courses
Check in with your instructors Before your finals, make sure to ask your instructors any questions you have. Here are some tips for a good office hours visit
Drop in on a Fitness & Wellness class Don't forget to exercise during all that studying!
Breathe and Focus Now is the time to see if your hard work building strong academic habits will pay off! Take a breath and then focus: you're almost through your first semester of college!
