As an incoming freshman at UCLA, navigating the vast array of academic resources can seem very daunting, especially considering the campus is so big and mass amounts of information are coming at you from all sides. Coming into a new environment with more challenging classes and a quarter system is often unsettling, so knowing what academic resources are available to you can make your college experience go more smoothly. From libraries to group study rooms, academic counselors to the career center and tutoring services to the writing center, here’s a guide on the top eight academic resources that will be invaluable throughout your college career!
UCLA Libraries
UCLA has a number of different libraries, two of the main which include Powell Library and Charles E. Young Research Library, or YRL for short. These libraries are not just places to borrow books; they offer a number of services that can be perfect for your various academic needs. For instance, the libraries offer quiet study spaces to focus, allow you to access academic journals and databases, can loan you technological devices like laptops if you need one, offer research consultations if you’re interested and even allow you to reserve a private or group study location if you so choose. If you’re looking for something in particular, like a book or article, the UCLA library website allows you to search for that text and provides you with its location, whether online or in a specific library. For more information on the types of services offered and the way to access these services, check out the UCLA library website.
Group Study Rooms and Individual Study Spaces
Studying in a quiet space alone or with your peers can help deepen your understanding of course material. There are various places at UCLA where you can reserve a study room, including the libraries as mentioned earlier. Apart from the libraries, you can book study rooms in the residential study lounges on the Hill, where many of you will likely be living as first-years, or the university apartments on Weyburn Terrace. If and when you do need a study room, try and book in advance because they fill up quite quickly, especially as midterm and final season come around! Check out this website to reserve study rooms in the library.
DARS on myUCLA
DARS, or the Degree Progress/Audit Report under the “academics” tab on MyUCLA is a great way for you to check your academic progress over time. It is easily accessible for you through your own MyUCLA login, and it can be altered to determine what requirements you would have to complete if you were to add a minor or major, or even change the current minor or major you are in. It also lets you see possible restrictions, credit received from AP courses and Latin Honors qualifications. I would recommend checking your DARS at least once per quarter to determine what classes you should sign up for during your upcoming enrollment appointment and ensure you are on the right track!
Center for Academic Advising in the College, or CAAC
As a UCLA student, you will likely need to meet with a college counselor at least once to determine what courses you need to graduate and whether or not you are on the right track. While your DARS on MyUCLA offers an outline of requirements, meeting with a counselor is a great way to get more information on questions that you might have regarding certain classes and whether or not they are applicable to university requisites. The CAAC has a great option for students to meet online with the REACH virtual drop-in sessions. The hours are specified on their website, as are various instructions to note, including you needing to verify your ID number or have your UCLA photo ID present. And although their in-person services are limited, they can support you directly in their office at A-316 Murphy Hall. Check all this information out on their website.
Departmental Counselors
The CAAC can answer general questions regarding requirements for UCLA, such as unit requirements or general education courses, but questions regarding your major or minor should be directed to departmental counselors. Departmental counselors are vital resources to you on your journey at UCLA. Each major and minor has their own academic advisors, email addresses, phone number and campus locations. One of the easiest ways to make an appointment with your departmental academic advisor or ask questions is to utilize the Message Center on MyUCLA and select “Academic counseling unit” before typing out your question or response. To make things a bit easier for you, here’s a list of contact information found on the Departmental Advisors Directory.
Career Center
The UCLA Career Center offers a number of services like advising appointments, career education workshops and jobs and internship opportunities. In the advising appointments, advisors can assist you in building or improving your resume or cover letters, preparing for interviews or help you search for a job or internship. You can easily book a one-on-one appointment on Handshake, a platform connecting students to career opportunities. You can also drop-in online or at the Career Center, located on the second floor of the Strathmore Building, for a quick 15 minute session. The Career Center offers workshops targeted toward particular careers throughout the year that you can sign up for as well, and don’t forget about the Career Fairs they offer! The Career Center is there for you to utilize, so take advantage of it! More details are found on their website.
Undergraduate Writing Center
The Undergraduate Writing Center is a great resource for students to use to improve their writing and work on strategies to make papers more effective. If writing is not your strong suit, or if you want some help improving your writing after receiving comments on a draft for a course, the writing center is happy to help. What occurs in a session depends on what you need assistance with, but it generally includes you bringing or submitting a link to the material you want to work on, discussing with the peer learning facilitator, or PLF, working with your PLF to revise and edit your paper and finally receiving recommendations on improving your writing overall. You can book a remote or in-person session, and hours and locations of operation are dependent on the quarter! Check out this website for more information.
WEPA Print Stations
You might find yourself needing to print out some materials for your courses, especially if you are in a calculation intensive course with no technology allowed. Whatever you need to print, the WEPA print stations around the UCLA campus have you covered. Located on campus and on the Hill, it’s an easy process where all you need to do is to download the WEPA app, upload money onto your BruinCard and use the stations accessible to you to print whatever you may need. Simply look up the Bruin Print Station Map and find what area is closest to you! But printing can still be expensive, so why not take advantage of free printing as well? The CPO computer lab allows students to print up to 75 double-sided pages for free. They’re accessibly located in the Student Activities Center too.
Final Thoughts
Whatever academic needs you need addressed, UCLA offers a supportive environment designed to help you improve and thrive throughout your college career. As you take on this new chapter in your life, you can make the most of your time at UCLA by checking out some of these resources. Congratulations new Bruins, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed here!
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Featured Image Photographed by Julia Gu/BruinLife
