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

31 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 4h ago

PSA Library 5th floor is for quite study

80 Upvotes

This PSA should just get posted at the start of every semester. I don't care what anyone thinks or says.

I pay thousands of dollars to this school, commute for hours, and demand to study in peace.

I don't have a dorm room to go back to. I have a cramped apartment with two kids (one of them a loud toddler), and a tired wife. The library IS my study space, it is where I work to make a better life for my family, and I pay for it out of my own extremely hard earned money

If you think coming up to the 5th floor to have your conversation, feet away from people trying to study, is a good idea, you're wrong. And you directly come into conflict with ME.

You have 4 other floors, and an entire campus to find spots to have your conversations. There is one, and only one space, that has been selected for students to be able to study in peace, and we should treat it like the precious fucking resource it is, in a world of noise and attention.

I will continue calling people out. EVERY TIME.

You can look at me like I am crazy, get mad, talk shit, scoff, yell back. I have dealt with it all.

But if you come up to the 5th floor, have a conversation, and I am there, congrats kids, because a crazy looking guy is going to yell at you and make a scene. I do it every day.


r/SDSU 1h ago

Social Anyone kind of sad by how unsocial everyone is?

Upvotes

Prof asks a question and blank stares. 4th year cs student. No one wants to be that person that speaks up and it’s just kind of embarrassing for our generation. Anyone else feel this way? I’m mainly talking about the in class experience. Does everyone just secretly hate each other or am I missing something lol.


r/SDSU 4h ago

School Why the fuck is everything so crowded??

6 Upvotes

I have been here for the past 2 years. Never has SDSU been so packed. Classes take 20 mins to walk to, the food court has a 30 min wait line. How many did they admit this year??


r/SDSU 1h ago

Question Scholarship not distributed yet

Upvotes

Hello,

I was supposed to receive a merit scholarship from my department, but I do not see it yet.

When I go into my student portal, my financial aid tab has "2023-2024" on it, which is obviously wrong. Additionally, in the "tasks" section, it says to pay my intent to enroll deposit, which I have paid. I worry that one of these errors is affecting my aid.

Yes I have applied to Aztec Scholarships.

Any help with getting my award is appreciated,


r/SDSU 5h ago

Question Rec Music Clubs

2 Upvotes

hi! i was just wondering if there were any music clubs or places for musicians to meet. i’m a little intimidated by backdoor studio because i only really have my voice so i don’t know how that would work, and also things like choir just because i’m not really professionally trained. i like to sing (and play guitar but i don’t have that with me) and would just like to be in a space to create and collaborate with people who would be interested in also making music if that exists on campus?

side note: my major isn’t music related at all so i haven’t really been able to meet any musicians in classes so any clubs would be helpful!


r/SDSU 2h ago

Question MATH 245 experience

1 Upvotes

Hey I’m currently taking MATH 245 and I was wondering for anyone who has taken it before what should I lookout for/study more and how much harder does it get as well as if you could provide any resources that could help with the class


r/SDSU 3h ago

Question Questions for Anthropology Majors, and History majors, specializing in public histories at SDSU

1 Upvotes

Hi, looking to transfer from a CC to SDSU next fall (will also apply to UCSD, but honestly leaning & hoping to get into SDSU). My primary major would be in Anthropology, looking to double major in History (interested in the public histories specialization for my career path)

Anthropology Dept. and Majors Qs:

1) What field(s) of anthropology is the major more geared towards: courses, resources, culture & attitudes?

2) For the archaeologists: what are the typical skills your courses teach you, and do you think they could be translated to arts and culture heritage conservation & collection management?

3) what do you hope to do/what is your career path? And are you double majoring and minoring in other majors to get there?

4) Courses that interested you outside of requirements, and that you think are just as important to the foundations of anthropology

5) Anyone experiencing/experienced the collections management program?

History (public histories) Qs:

1) Would you say most students specializing in Public histories are looking to get into museums, arts and culture nonprofits & advocacy, cultural heritage preservation and conservation?
- if not, what is your intended use of the degree/specialization?

2) are you double majoring to compliment your degree, at all, and in what?

These questions are of course to get more insight & experiences, but also out of genuine curiosity and interest in what others are doing, and how they will be utilizing their degrees :)


r/SDSU 3h ago

Question Does university towers have mold

1 Upvotes

I’m suspecting it does but does anyone actually
know


r/SDSU 1d ago

School Professor just doesn’t understand

23 Upvotes

I don’t know if this kind of post is allowed, but I genuinely don’t know what to do lol.
One of my professors for an online synchronous class is not at all technologically literate, and it’s starting to feel like a genuine waste of time. Today, we easily spent the first 20 minutes of class just trying to help them publish what we needed and make sure everyone actually had access to it. Even after all that, I’m 99% sure it still wasn’t done completely correctly.
I just don’t understand how someone is supposed to be a guide, educator, and mentor of sorts while being so unfamiliar with the basic technology and structure needed to run an online class. I completely understand not being great with technology, but when the class itself is online and a the major of class is being spent troubleshooting basic things, it feels like it isn’t worth it.
Is this even worth following up on? If so, how can I go about it? I feel like emailing a counselor or department chair would just come across as whiny and end with some version of “just deal with it.”
Can’t wait for a fun semester :|


r/SDSU 20h ago

Question Anyone here play league?

2 Upvotes

Literally just moved into the dorms and I’m looking for people to flex with close by. I’m not crazy competitive in league, mostly just want a group to play with to chill and don’t tilt after a map. Just send me a dm if you wanna play.


r/SDSU 19h ago

School SDSU Fafsa Refund

2 Upvotes

I’m looking for answer on to why my fafsa refund still hasn’t come in. I’m currently a freshman as sdsu and my fafsa has already paid for all my tuition and everything but I still haven’t gotten my refund. Everyone around me including friends and family have gotten theirs. Anyone know why or what’s going on?


r/SDSU 21h ago

PSA SDSU Fantasy Football

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I just started an instagram account for fantasy football enjoyers at SDSU. If anyone is interested, follow @ sdsu_fantasy_football on Insta. Join the club!!!


r/SDSU 19h ago

Question Is there a job board or classified board to post an ad looking for models on campus for a photography project?

1 Upvotes

I have a photography project for a class where I need some models. Is there a job or classified board I can post to?


r/SDSU 1d ago

Sports Just got my football ticket!

8 Upvotes

I am a grad student who just joined and all I want to know is some chants or songs to remember since I will be in the student section (around Northwest Gate entrance).

It will be my first D1 football event so yeah. Also I'll be happy to partake in any pre game events.


r/SDSU 1d ago

Social Anybody wanna be studying buddies

3 Upvotes

I’m in Ochem chem232 and bio204 rn. Wanna have someone to go to class together and study for exams together. I’m a junior microbiology cls major. DM me


r/SDSU 1d ago

Question Looking for car help

1 Upvotes

Looking for someone that can take a look at my car or knows a place that doesn’t charge much. Makes squeaky noises when I’m turning , going over bumps, and when I push from gas to break.


r/SDSU 1d ago

School SDSU vs CSULB for Construction Management transfer?

0 Upvotes

Transferring Fall 2028 from a community college for a Construction Management degree

Trying to pick between SDSU and CSULB. Anyone been through either program?

Curious about:

\*\*•\*\* Program quality / industry connections    
\*\*•\*\* Cost of living    
\*\*•\*\* Internship/job placement into construction PM roles

r/SDSU 1d ago

Question Access to Wolfram Alpha Pro?

1 Upvotes

I was wondering if SDSU students get access to Wolfram Alpha Pro via their SSO. I tried logging in with my SDSU email and didn't get anything, but I wanted to ask here on the off chance that we do get access and we just have to jump through a hoop or two to get it. Any info on this would be really helpful! Thanks.


r/SDSU 1d ago

Prospective Student sdsu oos 4 year transfer

2 Upvotes

I really want to transfer to SDSU but I don’t know if my stats are good enough. I live in Washington and I got a 2.8 in high school but did dual enrollment in college and recieved my AA with a 3.5.
Now i’m going to UW bothell which is a Four Year university in washington and I’m trying to 4.0 all my classes this quarter so I can transfer to SDSU for fall of 2027.
I’m also applying for Sociology. Do i have a chance?


r/SDSU 2d ago

Question Soccer Pickup

7 Upvotes

When are Soccer Pickups usually throughout the week? Also, where at? Trying to get back to playing.


r/SDSU 2d ago

Question Financial aid randomly adjusted 1 day ago AFTER Fall26 tuition was due?

7 Upvotes

Hi y'all. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding something here - and before anyone mentions it, yes I do plan on going to the financial office to talk about this. It's just that it's a Sunday and I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow.

I swear that up until very recently my Fall26 tuition was totally covered by financial aid and I had no pending payments due wrt that. Then I check my sdsu email and I have an email sent exactly 1 day ago (Aug. 29) that says my financial aid total has been adjusted; now I owe over 3k+ in tuition that was due 9 fucking days ago?

Mostly I'm curious if this has happened to anyone else? Or if it sounds like maybe I'm missing a key detail? I really don't know what the hell is going on. It feels like all this university wants from me is more money at every turn.


r/SDSU 1d ago

Question Help moving my gear from my car to class

2 Upvotes

Hey,

I injured my arm and I had real trouble getting my backpack and my instrument to class (I am a music major). Is there a support service to help me get to class?


r/SDSU 1d ago

Question SDSU vs CSULB for Construction Management transfer?

0 Upvotes

Transferring Fall 2028 from a community college for a Construction Management degree.

Trying to pick between SDSU and CSULB. Anyone been through either program?

Curious about:

**•** Program quality / industry connections  
**•** Cost of living  
**•** Internship/job placement into construction PM roles

Would appreciate any real experience. Thanks!