MY FIRST WEEK AT UCLA | College Talks

Here I am in front of Royce Hall after having
just explored Powell Library (during which I
ditched my orientation for my major). What
a treat! I appear happier than I actually was.

Hello, fellow Nurds!

I just completed my first week at UCLA and it was filled with all sorts of roller coasters, from socializing and meeting new people to getting lost and getting lost again (and almost getting lost one more time); I'm not really good with directions, as you've probably guessed.

This post will be pretty raw. I'm writing all sorts of things I've been feeling, but haven't really said out loud, like how lonely I feel. Let's start with that, actually.

I thought university and dorm life would change how lonely I feel, but in some way, solidarity picks up right where it left off in my life. I don't know. I should be happy and love myself, but that's kind of hard to get by. I have a rough exterior that sheds and sheds but regrows its layers with even more texture, complexity, and asperity with a bit more moisture with each and every layer.

I'd be kidding myself if I was saying I wasn't happier; I am. Fortunately. But I'm not a changed person. I'm the same person--as awkward as could be--I just don't exactly feel the same. I'm not as sharp, introspective. . .. I'm too concerned with having guys like me than focusing on my own needs and interests. 

Me attempting to get my life together. Don't think it's
working out so smoothly. 

What was I expecting anyway? I came here firstly, because of the opportunities, secondly, because it's good that a school took a chance on me despite me feeling that I don't deserve their services, and thirdly because it reminded me of Zoey 101. That last part is probably the truest, so I think I ranked all of that wrong. Anyways, my life is not going to be like the school lives of characters in a television show. 

In some ways, though, it's everything I've expected and in some ways, it's insurmountable to what I could have ever imagined. Namely, I walk down the halls, and it's like I'm walking down a hotel or, well a hallway that separates dorms from each other (which is exactly what the halls do) 

One thing I'm particularly struggling with is letting go of the past. I've always imagined college as the bridge to having a family and kids, although that may not be everyone's reality. I certainly want to have kids; marriage, on the other hand, is another story. However, I had been a kid for most of my life that it's hard to believe that after this stage of my life (besides, perhaps grad school), I ḿay very well be having kids. Additionally, it's hard to stop thinking about all the stuff I could have done in my life that I just didn't. I should appreciate that my life brought me here, to UCLA, even if I did fail more than I succeeded (so I felt). 

Me studying outside Café 1919

My fake smile constantly meets an assuring, yet perhaps an equally preoccupied smile. It's never going to end. I'm awkward, and even more so when I meet multiple people all at once. Case and point, my theatre orientation. On Monday, I had orientation for my major (theatre) and it started decently. What should have taken me 23 minutes to get to took me an hour to find. Lovely. I arrived and ate multiple muffins to compensate for my lack of socializing. 

I entered and sat by myself, just the way I liked. I saw my screenwriting professor present our guest speaker, fellow UCLA alum, Nancy Cartwright, also known as Bart Simpson (as well as various other voices from The Simpsons), Chuckie from Rugrats, Rufus from Kim Possible, and more! She was incredibly hilarious, empowering, and poised. Her humanly personality translates as the type of person I would like to be someday, as she sat there discussing the movie she had recently written and produced: In Search of Fellini. Cartwright used her characters' voices throughout the interview and explained how UCLA influenced her career and outlook on life as well as the story behind this movie below, some of which was actually based on her own experience!

Me after a socially exhausting day

When I'm in a room of extroverts, it's intimidating to be an ambivert. I feel alone and out of my element. I don't feel myself. I feel fake and begin to hate myself more than I already do, especially when reflected on in hindsight. When I started classes this past Thursday, that's exactly what happened as it seemed that everyone already knew each other, those extroverted, personable peeps. And then me. Needless to say, I got into my own head and ruined my first and only day of classes for the week (as classes started Thursday, September 28 and I don't have a Friday class). At least I can admit that I ruined my own day. 

Luckily, however, I am starting on some track that will get me where I feel I want to be.

However, I've really forgotten what I love to do, what makes me intrinsically happy. Grades aren't something I'm really worried about striving for these days. It's taken me awhile to remember what I even want to do in the short-run, let alone the long-run.

I've been writing a French journal every week to keep myself accountable for the French that I'm teaching myself--grammar, syntax, vocab, the whole shebang. It's going swimmingly. Très magnifique! I journal in this wonderful Paris notebook; it's very fitting! :D

Additionally, I'm writing music, poetry, and more, which is a relief. They keep me sane and help me cope with the loneliness, I guess. I'm irritating people by singing as loudly and obnoxiously as I possibly could in one of the lounges on our floor. What a great experience! 

Great view of the residence halls!

I've joined many clubs at the enormous activities fair this past Tuesday and I can't wait to meet many new and different people as well as start to volunteer in ways I've only imagined. I've been meaning to advocate in a broader scope and thank gosh I have the opportunity to help the LA community through some of these clubs! Hopefully, I can extend these opportunities to the world at large, especially through the Hunger Project, a club in which we feed the homeless throughout LA as well as eat with them and hear the stories and background of these individuals. I also want to participate in The Daily Bruin, UCLA's longest running student newspaper, as well as OutWrite, which is the LGBTQ+ student newspaper. As a queer individual, I want to lend my voice, pen, and experiences to expand my advocacy to this community. 

In other news, I'm starting hormones ASAP. I've already gotten some lab tests done. I hope this sparks some relief and felicitations to my heart and brain. Going into my appointment, I felt like an adult, because, well, I made my own appointment and discussed adult things with an adult professional. I'm kind of proud of myself. These are moments I enjoy. I don't care if the effects of the hormones don't kick in until months 3-7 of taking hormones; I just appreciate the process and journey, truly!

The closest to me hooking up with someone

I'm discovering so much about others, just by observation that it's overwhelming to invest myself in the lives of those who don't really care about me, those I want to care about me for some strange reason. Like I said, this is raw. I guess some of these ideas I'm just realizing. Others I've probably been feeling but haven't expressed, admitted, or verbalized in any way. As someone who's thrived by talking to herself, it's hard to not talk to myself without others thinking I'm crazy, not that I should care what others think about me. 

Whenever I look around, it's hard not to be disappointed in society, this generation though it's hard not to conversely recognize the brilliance in this generation. 

Disappointment. It's nothing new to me. We've acquainted. We're pretty familiar. That's both a good a bad feat. I'm human, so it's basically expected. I'm currently having trouble trying to enroll in a Spanish class that, after having only attended the first day, I immediately loved. I love improving my language skills. There's so much you forget if you're not keeping yourself active with your language skills. I try to keep busy and active when it comes to Spanish and French and still, things slip. All is forgiven. When I am insisted to take a fucking Tai Chi class instead of Spanish, all is not forgiven. In fact, all is a problem. I will not postpone my strong interest in Spanish to take a course that isn't even required. I'd be wasting my time. 

Me eating unhealthy food for dinner, while writing
in my French journal.

As I hear a party right around the corner and witness pregaming young adults who are probably too young to drink by legal standards, I wonder if I'll have a chance to do what I actually want to do in life in just this short amount of time that I'm here at this school. Feeling I've basically wasted my last four years of life, I don't want to sacrifice my pursuits, passions, and hobbies just to cater to some education. Education is much more than reading a book and taking notes from lectures; it's applied and if there is some intrinsic motivation, even better! Keep that drive and use it to guide a pathway wherein you could step into some uncharted territory, leap into lost waters and just explore what's out there, what you want to learn. We learn from failure, from venturing. Let's do it, Nurds.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I'm not sure, but I think this post is more for me than you. I shan't apologize for that. It's my blog and I can basically rant, reflect, or write as I please. I do, however, hope that you enjoyed it and can relate at some points. Maybe we could help each other. 

My Summer Reflection

Me putting my belongings in a cart
to move into my dorm

Was this a summer well spent?

Well, let's see. I'm going to digress (I'm very talented at that), so bear with me.

It's finally autumn (YaY!!) and if you look back at my summer plans, you can see some things I had anticipated on doing this summer. I understand that now that my summer is ending, my summer has kind of overdone its stay. I know that I should appreciate that I have an extended summer as opposed to people who may not even have a summer or people who start school earlier, but I also just want to move in and start school, so. . . . In all seriousness, having the extra time and starting school essentially in late September has allowed me to dedicate more time to blogging and filling my time with an extra summer session.

I won't go into the grades that I got for each class, because, firstly, that's not relevant (what's that going to achieve), and secondly, I know that I personally did well and that's all anyone needs to know; I didn't do the best that I could do, but I know that I had good intentions and definitely doubted why I was being so hard on myself a lot of the time. I know that it's all worth it. I'm already here at UCLA and I'm not going to blow it; I worked really hard to get here and I love the environment that to lose it all would be a pathetic mistake.

Last Saturday, I had my first party ever. Coming from a lower-middle class family, I never really had a "party" in the traditional American culture sense, with friends and balloons and such. I've typically only had family parties and nothing more, but last Saturday, I had friends, family, and friends of my family celebrate me, which felt like an honor. I've never felt so celebrated as I did that day; I'm humbled to know that I have a great environment and group of people who care about my well-being, future, and livelihood.

My bed

We had tons of food my family could hardly afford and a good turn-out. I received wonderful gifts that will last me my entire university experience, including school supplies and any dorm/home necessities. I'm fully equipped. 

And now I look forward to the new mysteries of the new school year and the opportunities and possibilities that come my way. Although, undoubtedly, I'm expected to face some terrible barriers. I know I have some pretty awesome friends and family to support me. 

I've written quite a lot this summer, which is more than I have written for pleasure this summer than in the past four years. Especially within the past few weeks, I've written quite a bit of poetry and music, both of which I will continue (undoubtedly) within the next few months and years. Since I have the liberty and environment to foster my interests, I'm going to write to my heart's content, giving it an equal priority as my studies and work. 

the cork wall beside my bed

My desk

Good news, though, is that I moved in several days ago and now I'm settling in and navigating around campus, eating gloriously stupendous food! You can see from the pix above that I'm considerably happy--actually happy, something I haven't felt in a long ass while.

My side of the room

In other news, last Friday kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month, so I hope to go to quite a few Hispanic celebrations going on at UCLA and attending a few Hispanic-unity seminars, get-togethers, and social events.

Has this been an eventful summer? Yes, absolutely unforgettable. Was it the best? Probably not, but I've been through a lot and I've gotten a lot accomplished in this summer. I should be more proud of myself than I am.

How was your summer? Let me know!

"What are you? Where are you from?" + Song of the Month | September 2017

Hello, Nurds!!!

I wanted to address an important issue regarding identity, multi-ethnicity, and ethnic ambiguity.

What do you think of when you see me?

Lemme guess. You probably thought that I look Indian.

Here's the problem: The problem is not that I not Indian; it's more so the fact of how people ask me what my ethnicity is.

Before I include a couple of the most questions people frequently ask me, I think it's important to note the differences between ethnicity, nationality, and race.

Ethnicity refers to a localized group of peoples that share cultural traditions, beliefs, values, etc. For example, African American refers to people who are from Africa or are descendants of African immigrants that are American citizens.

Nationality refers to one's country of origin. When I say I am American, it means that I am from, well, America.

Race has a lot to do with biology and the biological characteristics that people are inherently born with. For example, Asian people are most likely born with black, straight hair among other qualities.

Where are you from?

This question is pretty vague, This question is common, too. Many people are from different parts of the world and travel about. Understandable. It's also semi-insulting to me because my appearance makes it seem that I'm somehow foreign or not from here. By here, I mean this country. I half-expect people to think me from another nation. That is not the case; I've been born and raised in Southern California. In fact, I have never left Southern California, which makes it seem all the more frustrating to hear this question. 

What are you?

I find this question especially offensive. If there is any way to ruin someone's self-esteem and de-humanize them, this is the simplest thing you could ask them. This is the question I get asked the most and even random strangers approach me, saying, "I'm sorry, I can't stop trying to figure out what you are." I'm a mystery to others, a question mark. And just because you apologize for going out of your way to ask me such a disparaging question does not make it any more appropriate to do so. I'm sure people mean well and I 100% know what about me they are referring to, but I think this question arises from ignorance, so I simply tell them "I'm human," as if assuring that I was not human before they asked me what the hell I am.

Haha, no. I mean what's your race?

This feels very true. Race and ethnicity were never
anything I saw or cared about in a person; they weren't
noticeable until people started noticing and pointing
out my differences.

I know what they mean. I do. I just proceed to tell them patiently that the way they ask them is considered impolite and that if they would like to ask for someone else's ethnicity, the should ask What do you identify as ethnically? because most of the time (even when people as for another person's race), people respond in terms of ethnicities. Or, say, Do you mind if I ask you what your ethnicity is?

But seriously, What are you???? What the hell! This question is so ambiguous, probably as ambiguous as my ethnicity, that it alienates me and makes me feel like the "other".

This is the struggle of being a minority--not only as a transgender woman born in a big, multigenerational, lower-middle class family, but also as a multi-ethnic person. And by the way, I am Hispanic, Caucasian, and African-American.

If you have any questions regarding my ethnicities or if you disagree with anything I said, feel free to let me know in the comments!

Click below for the Song of the Month

UCLA ORIENTATION WEEKEND DAY #3 | College Talks

A nice, shady study spot in nature. Bring your study materials,
a blanket, and a picnic basket, and you got yourself
a study date or an area to work and/or nap. 

Okay, this is the last day. You'll leave around 5: 30 P.M. roughly (meaning that if you need to make plane or train arrangements, do so ahead of time and leave appropriately, unless you want to pay a fee to stay extra time)

If you missed my posts regarding Day #1 and Day #2, check them out! Warning: they're long!

The same disclaimers apply to this post as well.

DAY #3

Since my theater courses are default and I can't do anything about them, my NSA advised me not to go to enrollment. YaY, I could sleep in a bit, so long as I meet with my group around 10, when we had a mandatory assembly. 

Sculpture in the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden

I wake up. It's 9: 20 and I need breakfast, so I get ready and rush out the door and this time, I actually know where the dining hall is. I spent ten or so minutes eating yogurt and something I don't yet have a name to, but it tasted pretty damn good. I took my time exiting the building as I knew that our arranged meeting placed was just downstairs. Turns out that someone else in my group had made us a little late. There I was thinking that I would be the one doing that. 

Anyways, here's a tip: pay attention to this assembly. It discusses sexual assault as well as alcohol/drug use on college campuses. If you have to do a course like I did, this is basically a review. If you like me and don't drink or smoke, which I 'm sure is a few people, and you don't think this applies to you, pay attention anyways, in case you have a friend or some peer. You could be the safe friend, the designated driver, or the difference between someone going assaulted and traumatized or safe and sound. It's a serious assembly and discussion and if you had experienced any of these things discussed, you are invited and encouraged to exit the room at any time. 

Rolfe Hall, one of the original UCLA buildings, which
is directly in front of Royce Hall

When all of that is said and done, you and your group will get some food in Lu Valle Commons. I got a Caesar salad and it was fucking delicious as Caesar salads should be. By the way, you're able to get food with your room card. I feel like I should have mentioned that in my Day #1 post. You automatically have $8.00 loaded on your card for meals and you just pay the difference if your meal goes over that amount. 

Another sculpture in the Franklin D.
Murphy Sculpture Garden

For the remainder of your time at the orientation, you will tread on a treacherous tour with your NSA, group, and another NSA and his or her group. They call it the "Myths and Legends" tour, which is very fitting, and you'll see why. I can't say much about this, except when they say bring your tennis shoes, comfortable clothes, and plenty of water, you will need it at this time!!! Don't say I didn't warn you if you choose to reject this information. 

Once on this tour, you will be provided a popsicle at some point and you will have an opportunity to donate the toy you and your group may have gotten on Day #1 as well as color and cute some color pages. Besides that, you will essentially be done and sweaty. 

If you have a chance to take a shower before you leave, I suggest it!

You will be given an agenda and an optional survey regarding your experience at orientation. Oh, and make sure to turn in your room key. There will be a long line to turn it in, but don't worry. The line may be long, but it goes by really fast since all you have to do is turn in your key and sign the contract you signed on the first day (yeah, remember that?). 

Despite the fact that I distanced myself from my group, I still had a pretty good time and enjoyed myself, while familiarizing myself with the campus, some organizations, and with a good set of people. 

During your orientation, you might still wonder why you're even going to UCLA, or better yet, how you even got in. You're definitely not the only one. One of the people in my orientation group said that it's beginning to feel "real" to which everyone else in my group agreed. I sluggishly retreated, feeling ashamed yet again for not being up to par with the beliefs and thoughts of my group. 

It still doesn't feel real yet. Even though I had been there for three days, it had felt that I had been there for perhaps three months. I blame the social aspect of this that just exhausts me, considering how I have to put on a front and try to impress people when most of the time I prefer being in my own company. Regardless I knew that my time there was just three days (not even that--more like two and three quarters). I believe it'll feel "real" when I officially move in and the consistency sets in. 

My orientation group and me!

Here's my last bit of advice before I finish this post: Don't give into social pressures. That's easier said than done, I'm sure. Even when I knew that my group smokes and drinks and will continue doing so (as they had admitted), I accounted for my discomfort with silence. One lesson I've learned over the years is that even when everyone else is saying something doesn't mean you should. And this came from a lot of experience of being an ambivert in a room full of extroverts. And trust me, being a theater major essentially ensures that this is my next four years right here. I've found that even extroverts don't say things sometimes. They're not talking all of the time. They gotta shut the fuck up some time, right? Haha, jokes aside, if something makes you uncomfortable, make it known, verbally or nonverbally. Don't give in. Know and understand your convictions. If someone offers you a drink or cigarette or whatever, it's just that: an offer, which means you could say yes or no. Your choice. 

I hope this helps. 

Again, if you have any questions about your orientation, whether at UCLA or not, please ask me below! If you have any questions regarding UCLA in general, just shoot me a message below anyway! I would be glad to help!!

UCLA ORIENTATION WEEKEND DAY #2 | College Talks

Let's get into this! :D

If you missed my post for Day #1, check it out, but warning: it's long, so brace yourself!

The same disclaimers apply to this post as well.

You'll find that you have A LOT of freedom this day, as most of the activities are optional, which is great for familiarizing yourself with the campus, programs, Westwood, and your peers!

DAY #2

So you should wake up before 7 A.M. for breakfast, though you could have breakfast anytime between 7 A.M.  and 11 A.M., considering the fact that there are several optional workshops you could attend in between these times. These workshops include Majors, Minors, and Other Programs; Undergrad Research Opportunities; and a placement exam. If they sound like they appeal to you in some way, get up early, enjoy your breakfast, and haul ass. Though, like most of us new students, I know you might have stayed up late last night, so it's understandable about if you sleep in a little :)

All of these workshops are generally around the same area (the Rieber Terrace/Covel Commons area)

I'm not sure what residence building this is, but I love how
it glows in the night. I took this picture while out for a
nightly stroll.

Immediately before 11 A.M., go to your NSA's room, which will be in Rieber Terrace. So if you're already in your dorm, you may just have to go upstairs. All of the NSA's are on the same floor, I believe, so it's super convenient. 

Here, they'll explain enrollment to you and how to navigate My UCLA (or your school site). Ask questions when need be. And whatever you do, DON'T CLICK "DECLARE NON-ATTENDANCE". If you do, my NSA may as well go over there and manually un-enroll you from all of the classes you enrolled yourself in.

Afterwards, it's lunch. So if you just had breakfast, then YaY! More food!! During lunch, I worked on my midterm more (it really sucks because one of my summer classes has two midterms, and I had been working on my second midterm, which so happened to be scheduled the same time I chose to go to orientation). Since you're not required to do anything until 8 A.M., as there will be more workshops (specifically, Financial Aid/Scholarships, Academic Guidance, Life at UCLA workshops, College Honors workshops, and an Academic Advancement Program (AAP) presentation), you may stay in Covel Commons Dining Hall, go to your dorm, walk around with your group or peers, etc. Personally, I stayed in there until 3: 30-ish, when my NSA asked me to meet him to discuss my DAR, which is a Degree Audit Report. 

I found this while getting lost and thought
that it was so cute!

A DAR is essentially a report that you could check after you log into your school website, wherein you could manage and track your graduation and degree progress. There are numerous categories and subcategories, but this will already have been explained earlier in the day when you went to your NSA's room. If you have AP, community college, IB, or any other credits, these will be on you DAR, showing that you're already ahead of the game. If you're lucky, you may end up with sophomore or junior status already, just like me, but make sure your transcripts and test scores were already sent in order for this to happen. It will be helpful to have your transcripts and test scores with you ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME. Your NSA will also check to see if you already completed any of your school's graduation requirements before starting your first term. Apparently, at UCLA, AP scores and such don't cover your GE requirements; they may fulfill elective or major credits, but not your GE's.  

After this, I still had free time to finish my midterm, which I did. Lunch is at 5 P.M., but I went right before 7, again, because I didn't have to do anything mandatory until 8 P.M. I ate some great fun (fun fact: UCLA is ranked #1 in college dining. That's not a tip, just really interesting and, well, I don't disagree haha, because I just love the hell out of food.)

I went to my NSA's room and we got to ask him questions about college life; managing our time between clubs, classes, work, and other activities; and the social life on campus as well as address our concerns about anything college-related really. Again, I encourage you to ask questions and address concerns. NSA's are designed (like robots) to help you adjust to campus life and make you feel welcome and comfortable. They are there to answer any questions that they can and they're your major most likely so you could ask them about a certain class' rigor, professor, etc. Anything!! We had individual meetings with him, so he kicked us out of his room and we went down the hall, while he called us into his room one-by-one, where we addressed personal concerns, asked questions, and got to know each other a bit. In this lounge area that we went in, my group and I got to know each other on a more personal level, which is great. 

After this, feel free to watch Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them in Rieber Terrace (which I surprisingly didn't do, despite the fact that I´m a devout Ravenclaw and Harry Potter fan : /) or participate in Carpe Noctem, which is a new student scavenger hunt, with your group. The first team that's able to find everything on this scavenger hunt wins specially made UCLA sweatshirts, which I guess is cool because they're free. Most people just get lost, considering that they're essentially asking new students to navigate themselves on an unfamiliar campus in the night. It will create memorable stories and I hear that you will constantly find things that are on the scavenger hunt list after the scavenger hunt, leading to you telling yourself throughout your four years how much easier it would have been if you had known where to find this certain thing sooner. But I guess that's what makes the hunt fun and comical. 

Nice view from here :)

What did I do during this time? I went downstairs in Rieber Terrace and read for my classes until I felt tired. And honestly, I felt that being alone most of the time there was more fulfilling because I was in my own company and didn't feel the need to be fake or impress others. I didn't have to worry about what others thought of me. You may not find this fun to you, but it was thoroughly enjoyable for me. And, hey, I love reading, so it was all good. 

That's Day #2 for you! I didn't actually go to breakfast because, again, I'm dumb and couldn't find the Covel Commons Dining Hall, even though all I had to do was follow other new students. Tip: If you do get lost, follow other new students. You'll immediately know who they are because a) they seem lost too, or b) they have New Student Orientation draw-string bags that they got on the first day of orientation. I did, however, manage to find the dining hall for lunch and dinner. 

If you have any questions about your orientation, whether at UCLA or not, please ask me below! I would be glad to help!!

UCLA ORIENTATION WEEKEND DAY #1 | College Talks

Hello, fellow Nurds!

It's Saturday evening here in SoCal and I returned from New Student Orientation Thursday evening when it started raining. 85-degree Fahrenheit weather and rain. Perfect. : |

This starts off my first College Talks post. I can't believe that it's already September! I officially move in in 19 days!! 

Disclaimer: 

• Since this reflects my experience at UCLA, my experiences may not replicate those at your school (if you don't attend UCLA), though I hope that they are similar to yours, whether you go to UCLA or not. 
• I will bold any advice I have. I hope to not give away any surprises, but then again, there are a lot of things you'll experience in this short amount of time. I took some pictures and some of them are from UCLA's twitter account (you could follow me in the process) to compensate for the amount of tedious reading below. Feel free to skim! 
• Since there is a lot of information that goes through these three days and since I will basically summarize my experiences as well as what to expect and advice, I will separate this post into three posts--one for each orientation day. I will post Day 2 tomorrow and Day 3 by Monday, September 4.

Okay, let's start!

DAY #1

My orientation weekend was from August 29th-31st and I left my house at 6 A.M.-ish, considering I live about an hour's drive away. My dad dropped off my mother at work and next thing you know, I'm asleep only to wake up to find my father and sister (who is in the passenger seat) struggling to find the area to drop me off. 

After asking around a bit, we found the area: Sunset Village. I got out of the car, looked around a bit and immediately thought Damn, with a deep exhale, this is going to be a fucking hot day. And I was right. 

So I made my way toward a line, wherein I was supposed to sign a contract regarding my dorm room for my stay there. It's a small contract and yes, I read the contract because, well, it was a small contract. Sign that shit and make your way to your dorm, lugging around your bags. For the three days that you're there, expect to be in elevators that are 100% packed, so I suggest taking the stairs, which is a struggle, but is less frustrating than waiting to get in a free elevator while sweaty from walking around in the 95-degree weather all day. 

Rieber Terrace

I was one of the first people to arrive on time, so was able to be the first to arrive at my dorm, in Rieber Terrace. All incoming students will spend the duration of the orientation in Rieber Terrace. If you're able to do early arrive, there is an extra fee. If you find that it's necessary (i.e. if you're an out-of-state or international student, early arrival isn't a necessity, but it is recommended so that you arrive on time), don't hesitate and just pay the fee so that you don't have to worry about arriving late. Just be on the safe side. Anyone that arrives past 10 A.M. PST will not be allowed to stay.  I was on the sixth floor, found my dorm, and much to my luck, my key didn't work. Surprise, surprise. 

Luckily, someone else was in the same position, so we went down to the front desk where they re-coded our keys (as the keys are reused each year, activated when a room is used and de-activated when it's not used--not just anyone could use a key). It eventually worked (and then didn't again, but that's beside the point). Since I was still the first there, I looked outside the window, which did not have much of a view, but a nice sunshine. I dropped my stuff and looked in the closets, drawers, and the shared bathroom. Tip: bring hand soap, or in the very least, hand sanitizer to carry around with you while on campus. I would have to exit the building and enter another one just to find an available restroom to wash my hands in. I felt pretty filthy (but then again, so does everyone else, at the end of the day). 

I settled myself in and did some of my midterms (remember that I'm taking online summer classes?) before one of my roommates arrived. Since I wasn't given a schedule, I asked her if she knew what we were supposed to do and where we were supposed to go. She knew alright. We went down the elevator and departed with some girls we chatted with in the elevator. Down some stairs and lo and behold, we were in a quad that I would later forget about, leading me to get lost hours later. But I'm not there yet. By the way, I'm stupid (if you didn't already know that) and you'll see that throughout these few posts regarding my experience at orientation. 

The descent view from my window.

We arrived at a table where we were to receive our Bruin cards (basically, our ID's). If you didn't take your picture ahead of time, don't worry; the people at the desk will tell you that you will have several opportunities to do so throughout orientation. So they'll give you a sheet with the name of your New Student Advisor (NSA), which is basically an upperclassman who is usually in your major. He or she will basically be your leader throughout orientation, leading activities, offering advice, and giving you a tour, etc. If you do not attend UCLA, you may have a similar person. 

I found my leader (who was holding a bedazzled sign) and group, but not before getting a doughnut or two provided by student volunteers. You will have to write down your AP scores and any other college credits you may have fulfilled prior to attending orientation. It may be helpful to bring your AP, SAT, ACT, IB, TOEFL, and any other test scores you may have as well as your high school and possible community college credits. It will save you time; I can assure you. You will also take a survey. It's pretty lengthy but self-explanatory. You'll see why they ask you to take this survey.

When all is well and you kind of get to know the group you'll be sticking with for the next two-and-a-half days, you go on a little tour down Bruin Walk and into a building (I forget which one, as you'll be seeing many buildings throughout the orientation). It's a grand ball room I think (Indeed, I just checked and yes, it's the Ackerman Grand Ballroom). You'll actually go to this room several times throughout orientation. In this room, you'll receive a special Bruin Welcome! Watch some videos, ultimately be proud of the fact that you got accepted into this wonderful institution, and find out the reason behind the survey. It's a national survey, that compares the results of the total number of incoming students with all incoming students at all colleges participating in the survey throughout the nation. You will see last year's survey. Since you just turned yours in, you obviously can't see your year's results, but they should be roughly the same as last year's. 

UCLA Panoramic

After, you'll eat lunch with your group, which is a great chance to get to know them! Personally, I didn't (ambivert alert), but I encourage you to. 

You will soon return to the Ackerman Grand Ballroom for two more assemblies, with a ten-minute break in-between. They tell you not to use your phone, so keep yourself occupied somehow. Personally, I read for one of my classes, but then again, I also took seven naps so . . .  If you attend another school, you will have similar assemblies. They have to do with school policies on safety, academic character traits (at UCLA, it's R.A.I.S.E., which means Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Service, and Excellence). The one thing to take away from the assemblies is that they're strict on their disciplinary actions towards students who do not follow R.A.I.S.E. Keep that in mind. You might actually win a prize in the process. 

Afterwards, you'll be able to go to a room with your NSA and group and check out your degree requirements. Make sure to ask plenty of questions. Others may have the same questions and your NSA is usually an upperclassman in your major, so they've most likely taken courses that you're supposed to take! Ask for clarification and make sure to listen as well. These are requirements--major and school-wide requirements. If the word "requirements" doesn't scream LISTEN to you, I don't know what will. 

"I got out of the car, looked around a bit and immediately thought Damn, with a deep exhale, this is going to be a fucking hot day. And I was right." 

For UCLA specifically, there is an optional activity with your group wherein you get to travel Westwood and shop (YaY), albeit, you have the opportunity to buy a toy so that by Day 3 the NSA's will collect all of the toys and donate them to the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. It's charitable and you get to travel Westwood, shop (especially for soap, food, or essentials that you forgot at home), and volunteer. DO IT!! Because I am an ambivert and had already had enough social activity in the past several hours, I try to find my dorm, and this is where I travel around campus, which was lovely, but I was still lost. I really wish I could have taken photos, but my phone was dying. Sorry :/ If you haven't realized how dumb I am by now, you definitely know. Tip: don't go walking alone. You're new to campus and so is everyone else, so be new and discover the campus together. If you do get lost, ask for directions. Don't be embarrassed if you'll think that others will judge you for being a 1st-year or freshman. It doesn't take that long to ask for directions and people are usually kind, so do it. It'll save time and perspiration. Trust me, it took me an hour to find my dorm. AN HOUR!!! Yeah, you don't need to remind me how moronic I am. 

Since I have horrendous spatial skills, I kept going in the same area but failed to realize that I just had to go up a long flight of stairs and make a right. *face palm* Not my brightest moment. It was sunny and I was bright with a superfluous amount of sweat the drenched even my underpants that I actually became uncomfortable to walk with out my underwear literally rubbing me the wrong way (which you didn't need to know, but that's what you get XD).