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Ultimate CSUSM housing packing list

Move-in day for Fall 2021 is set for Friday, August 27th, 2021 for UVA and Saturday, August 28th, 2021 for The QUAD. This is right around the corner Cougars so lets get a packing list going!

First things first, when packing your items, there are many types of supplies you can use. The following are some tips for supplies and packing methods you can try:

Use bins for storing college supplies in lieu of boxes.

Break down cardboard boxes and keep them stored in a closet or another space for later use when you’re moving again.

Reuse boxes or bins to store certain items in your room.

Make the most of the space available in the vehicle by keeping all your heavy items beneath the rest, and keep lighter items such as bedding or clothing in more open areas.

Keep similar items in the same boxes to make them easier to sort through.

Pack clothes on the hangers in trash bags so you can easy hang!

Now that you have some idea on how to pack your items, here’s a complete college packing list to help you bring everything you need. Keep in mind that the following items include the essentials as well as certain luxury items that might be worth bringing.

Room and bathroom:

Bedsheets (check which size your bed is since the quad offers two sizes!)

Comforters or quilts

Mattress pads

Pillows and pillowcases

Toilet paper

Tissues

Towels (including hand and bath towels, along with

washcloths)

Under-bed storage bins

Personal Care Products:

Shampoos and conditioners

Deodorant

Comb or brush

Hairdryer

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Mouthwash

Dental floss

Lotions and cosmetics

Q-tips

First-aid kit

Mirror

Bathroom cleaning supplies

Shower mat

Prescription medications along with copies of the prescription

Clothing and Laundry Supplies

Clothing (keep it light, you wont need your whole closet)

Shoes

Jewelry

Hats

Swimwear

Belts

Watch

Closet organizer

Iron or steamer and ironing board

Suitcases or bags

Laundry basket or bag

Laundry detergent

Stain remover stick

Dryer sheets

Bleach and fabric softener

Lint brush

School Supplies

Backpack

Laptop and accessories

Chargers

Planner or calendar

Binders

Paper, pens, and pencils

Whiteout

Highlighters

Notebooks

Ruler

Sticky notes

Paperclips

Stapler and staples

Calculator

Markers

Headphones/earphones

Index cards

Tape

Scissors

Room Decor

Posters

Sticky wall mounts and adhesive hooks (nails aren’t allowed)

Personal photos with light frames

Area rugs or temporary carpeting for hard floors

Desk lamps

Floor lamps

Curtains

Bulletin board or whiteboard with dry-erase markers

Bed risers

Kitchen Supplies (plan with your roommates on these items)

Coffee maker

Cups

Coffee mugs

Water bottle

Sponge

Dish soap

Dishtowel

Napkins

Paper towels

Silverware

Tupperware

Foil

Paper or microwave-safe plates

Ziploc bags

Pots and pans

Oven mitts

Can openers

Other items

Toolkit

Driver’s license

Car registration and insurance

Student ID

Debit and credit cards

Health insurance card

Social security card

Flashlight

Umbrella

Safety pins

Including most or all of these items in your packing list will help ensure you’re prepared for the school year. Remember, you can always shop near campus for extra supplies as needed!

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Q+A for incoming freshman

Do we have a choice to attend our class on zoom instead of on campus this fall?

CSUSM if offering 3 different ways to attend classes in the fall! The instruction mode of your class depends on the individual class itself and you are able to see this located on schedule assistant. The instruction modes include:

Fully In-Person:

attend class at the designated meeting times and location, as indicated on the class schedule

Fully Online:

Synchronous- There are specific meeting times, similar to an in-person class. Classes are just virtual instead of in person. 

Asynchronous- classes do not have specific meeting times, though there are specific deadlines for assignments, quizzes, etc.

Blended Synchronous and Asynchronous- classes have some dates where the class takes   place in real time with the instructor and students interacting at the same time and some of   the instruction takes place independently – the proportion of each instructional type will be  determined by the instructor.

Hybrid:

Hybrid- classes have a blend of face-to-face on-campus portions of the class with a virtual  component, either synchronous or asynchronous.

Live & Online- instruction is a face-to-face course with a group of students in the classroom and another group streaming the class sessions live. The distinguishing feature   of Live and Online classes is that all students are ‘attending’ class at the same time.

For more information on class Formats and Instruction Modes, visit https://www.csusm.edu/enroll/enrollment/classformats.html

What’s a major plus when it comes to living in campus?

Living on campus allowed me to make new friends and always feel a connection to the campus! Check out our previous blog that is all about living on campus!

When will we meet our academic advisors?

You can check out the advising website to make an appointment with your advisor. Tip- make sure you make the appointment when the advisor(s) of your specific major. https://www.csusm.edu/academicadvising/advising/appointments/index.html

Is it possible to change our major?

Yes! You are always able to change you major no matter how early or deep you are into your current major. 

How do we know what classes to take?

You can check out your major specific classes worksheets using the link below. In your Degree Planner, on MyCSUSM, all of your class requirements will be listed and you can pick and choose the specific classes you want to take per requirement. 

https://www.csusm.edu/academicadvising/majorminor/index.html

Can we receive financial assistance for orientation? 

For all orientation questions, email orientation@csusm.edu or call (760) 750-4930

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Is CSUSM right for me?

Chances are, if you're reading this, you're a freshman who was just admitted into CSUSM along with other colleges without a clue how to choose where to go. Decision day is quickly approaching and you're a bit lost. Well, you’re in luck because I’m here to tell you that that’s okay. Don’t panic! 

Let me tell you why CSUSM has benefitted me and maybe this will help you make a decision.  

1. School size

CSUSM has around 14,000 students. It's not big and it’s also not small. You’re not going to get lost in the crowd but there will always be someone new for you to meet. For me, the main perk of a smaller student population were the smaller class sizes. I have gotten the chance to make connections with some of my professors which is usually unlikely at a bigger school since it is easier to blend in with the large crowd with more students. Connections like these are really beneficial when it comes to getting letters of rec when applying to jobs, internships and/or a graduate program.

2. Location 

It doesn’t get better than the location of CSUSM. You are in close proximity to the beach, as well as down town San Diego. Even better, CSUSM is one of the stops on the Sprinter. The Sprinter is a train that can take you straight to the Oceanside pier for only $2. So whether you want to hit the beach or enjoy all that San Diego has to offer, you get the best of both worlds being in San Marcos. 

3. Housing

If you plan to live in the CSUSM housing… I’m jealous. Tell me if i’m wrong, but I have never seen school housing like the options CSUSM offers. The Quad and the University Village Apartments are the two housing options offered to students. Both options are fully furnished as well as you have your own kitchen and bathrooms in each apartments. Yes you heard that right… they are apartments not dorms. When you think it doesn’t get better, it does. Each facility has a pool, work-out rooms, more than one laundry facility and many hangout areas for students. Consider yourself lucky if you get the chance to live in CSUSM housing. 

4. Social life

There is always something going on, on this campus. Whether an activity is being held by the USU, ASI has a function, or it’s just one of our many clubs hosting an event, you are never going to get bored. I usually find myself staying on campus during my long breaks between class just because I was interested in what was going on. CSUSM has over 100 student organization which means you’re pretty likely to find people with similar interests as you. It is easy to find your people at CSUSM. 

Remember that choosing a school isn’t always about the name of the school. Make sure the university is offering exactly what you are looking for. 

Good luck, you got this! 

If you have any questions about campus life, classes… literally anything, DM @csusmcougarcentral on instagram for an answer!

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Creating a budget

We have all said we need to save money right? But how do you actually do that?

Well here are 4 easy steps to start you college budget:

Talk it out. Before building a budget, chat with everyone who will be involved in financing your education. Who is paying? What are the expected expenses? How much financial aid you are receiving? Determine a set amount each month that will be coming out of your pocket. 

List expenses. Anticipate the costs of textbooks and school supplies, room and board, transportation, clothing and a little extra spending for random stuff. Don’t forget the unnecessary but necessary subscriptions such as Netflix and Spotify! Come up with a set number and maybe add on $20 for random expenses that you may come across. 

Track your spending. Watch what you're spending every week. Determine needs and wants, and decide what is nonessential expenses you could live without. The more you are able to cut out, the more that can either roll into the next month or can even be saved for your future. 

Think about your future. If you’re in good financial shape, start setting yourself up for the future. Create an emergency fund, or plan for paying off student loans. It is never too early to set your self up financial for the future!

Have you checked the app store recently? 

There are so many budgeting apps to help you get started! I like to use the app “Mint” to help track my spending. 

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The Quad or the UVA?

That’s the big debate. As an incoming freshman, living on campus, you get two options: are you going to live in the Quad or the UVA? I’m here to break it down for you and hopefully make your decisions a little easier. 

The Quad

I lived in the housing two years ago, and I chose the Quad. The quad was great, it was new, I had a full size bed instead of a twin bed (this only happens if you live in the 4 person, 4 room style dorm) and I loved it. The quad has 2 BBQs, a fitness center, fire pits by the den (the den has a pool table and a piano), two laundry rooms, and a pool! There are study rooms, classrooms, and 3 common hangout areas with TVs and couches to get some homework done and hangout with friends! As you can see, you can’t go wrong with the quad, especially if you’re looking for that newer apartment style living! 

For more info about the Quad, visit: https://www.csusm.edu/housing/properties/the_quad.html

University Village Apartments

So, I never lived here but a lot of my friends did which means I was here pretty often. The UVA is a little older but is for sure more homey than the quad. Like the Quad, the UVA has four BBQs, 2 fitness rooms (the quads fitness center is more like a gym where as the fitness rooms are cycling and cardio rooms), six laundry rooms, and a pool with a fire pit. The UVA has a lounge equipped with a ping pong table, a piano, and a projector and speakers. There is a TV area, a class room, a game room which includes foosball, air hockey, and billiards. There are a couple meeting rooms, and basketball, bocce ball, and putting green courts! If you are looking for less of an apartment feel and more of a homey dorm feel, then the UVA is perfect for you!

For more info about the UVA, visit: https://www.csusm.edu/housing/properties/uva.html

COVID-19 questions

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, life in student housing has changed a little bit. There are less people to a dorm and mandatory COVID testing every two weeks. With this being said, it is still possible to live on campus, meet people, and get that college feel! 

For more info about the impact of COVID-19 and housing, visit: https://www.csusm.edu/housing/covid/index.html

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How to: Resume

I remember when I first started my resume, sophomore year of high school… yeah that’s awhile ago. It’s always important to update your resume because the fact is, you probably haven't touched it since the beginning of high school either. 

Your resume is your first impression, your first opportunity to market yourself, your important skills, and accomplishments to future employers. Acing your resume is an important step in order to land that job after graduation. 

1. Ratios 

Your resume has to have a balanced white (blank space) to black (words) ratio. Too much white space means you are selling yourself short in the accomplishment and experience area. If there is not enough white area, your resume might be overwhelming and hard to read. This probably means you have filled it with irrelevant information.

2. No periods. 

Avoid using full sentences to describe your accomplishments and experience. Think of it like you're taking notes on yourself, you want bullet points. Refrain from using I statements. 

ex: I coordinated a philanthropy event for the Starkey Hearing Foundation. —>      

    Coordinated event in support of Starkey Hearing Foundation

3. What's important comes first

Your resume should be arranged in order of what’s most relevant. List your qualifications and experience first because this is ultimately what your future employer wants to see. If your volunteer work is more relevant to the position you are applying for, put that first. The order of your resume may be moved around depending on different jobs you are applying to.

4. Add your touch 

If you are going for a creative job, you may consider adding an eye-catching header or using color in the subheadings. Don’t make it too overwhelming though, just a little creative touch. 

5. Proofread, then do it again, and again

Your future depends on this document. Read it out loud to catch any mistakes. Ask for family and friends to look it over. Take it to a career counselor and get it checked. Make sure your grammar and spelling 

www.csusm.edu/careers/careerservices/career_counseling.html

The CSUSM Career Center offers counseling as well as workshops to get you prepared! 

Check out the workshop February 2nd, “Get Your Resume and Cover Letter Noticed”: www.csusm.edu/careers/index.html

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Business and the Arts

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Science, Health and Culture

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The New Building on Campus and Housing

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Center of Campus, Athletics and Recreation

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Library and The Heartbeat of Campus

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Welcome, Traditions and Landmarks

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Ways to get financial aid!

FAFSA

Everyone is going to tell you to complete your FAFSA, and sorry but I am going to tell you again. COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA! By completing your FAFSA you can take advantage of the best student loan options. Here’s a tip, fill your FAFSA out early. If you do your FAFSA early, you'll have a better chance at more federal financial aid or school financial aid. It’s pretty easy, the sooner you get it in the better your chances for getting financial aid. https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

CSUSM General Scholarship

Let’s be real, applying for scholarships is a lot of work. As a student myself, I know there is a lot going on and I get it. It can be hard to find the time to apply to write essays and apply to many different scholarships. CSUSM has made applying for scholarships so easy. The general scholarship allows students to submit one application and you will be considered for hundreds of scholarships in which you meet the criteria for. So find an hour during an off day and just fill out that one application. If an hour of your time can allow you to receive thousands of dollars, I think it’s worth it. https://www.csusm.edu/finaid/scholarships/csusm_scholarship.html

The CSUSM scholarship web page

CSUSM does a great job at showcasing scholarship opportunities for all students. There is a page on the financial aid website dedicated to different types of scholarships for students of all kinds. If you click on the link it will take you to so many scholarships! There is no excuse to not utilize all of your options anymore when it is so easy! https://www.csusm.edu/finaid/scholarships/index.html

Have any questions? 

DM us on instagram for all things financial aid!!

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Get the most out of office hours

It’s midterm season and you know what that means, A LOT of studying to do. Whether you have essays, projects or tests, this time of year can always be a bit stressful. The best thing you can do is utilize your professor’s office hours! Although we are virtual learning, all professors still have office hours and are more than willing to help you!

Here are some tips for how to get the most out of office hours:

Email before hand

You have the right idea to go to office hours but chances are, so do many of your classmates. One of the best ways you can guarantee help is to email before hand and ask your professor if you can reserve a time slot for one on one help. 

Come prepared

Your professor doesn’t know what you need help with. Before joining office hours, take the time to zero in on what it is you are really struggling with and jot down at least three questions that you want addressed or answered. Have any relevant assignments or reading with you. 

Build a Rapport

Building a professional relationship with your professor is important and office hours is a great way to do so. It will show your professor that you are dedicated to doing well in the class and that could benefit you when it comes to final grades. Also showing up and making yourself a presence, letting your professor know a little about yourself and your goals and in turn becoming familiar with them and their work, will help guarantee you the great letter of recommendation for graduate school or an awesome job post-graduation. 

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Q + A

What is Discover CSUSM?

Discover CSUSM is our first ever fall preview day for prospective students! On Saturday, October 17th, you can join us for information sessions to get to know more about the admission requirements and process, financial aid options as well as all services and over 100 organizations CSUSM has to offer! https://www.csusm.edu/discovercsusm/index.html

When do I apply for financial aid for next year?

CSUSM offers a range of financial aid options. Starting with FAFSA/CADA which is a form of government student aid as well as the CSUSM Scholarship! Both of these applications open up on October first so make sure to complete them early! https://www.csusm.edu/finaid/about/index.html

Are clubs and events still happening virtually?

Yes! All of our organizations have done an amazing job with holding virtual events, there are virtual events happening all the time, We have had karaoke night, casino night, game night along with greek rush events and soooo much more. Social media is a great place to stay updated on when and what events are taking place!

How do I rent textbooks?

All textbooks can be found at the CSUSM book store! You have the ability to buy or even rent these books depending on what you prefer. You can also check out third party sites such as amazon and chegg!

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What major is right for me?

Just graduated high school, how do you expect me to know what I want to do for the rest of my life? Trust me, I get it. So don’t worry, you can still be successful without coming into your first year set on what you want to study. 

I know it can be stressful not having a set major coming into college. 

Some advice: Take your first couple years to explore all options. Take your general education courses and see what works for you. Going into my freshman year I was set on going into the science field but once I started taking classes relating  my my field of study I realized this juts wasn’t for me. I’m now in route to graduate in the field of media- completely different than what I had imagined. 

Switching majors

Trust me, I know how scary it can be to switch majors. I came into CSUSM as a psychology major, a semester later I added a Spanish minor. Two semesters laster I switched my major to Media studies and was double minoring in psychology and Spanish. The next semester I dropped both of my minors and now I am solely a media studies major and I couldn’t be more content and excited for my future. It is normal for your interests to change. In college you will be exposed to so many different areas of study, you will find something that really sparks your interest and you will know what’s right for you. As long as you’re using the first couple years to really explore your options, no matter how many times you explore other majors, you should have time within your couple years to finish all of your major classes and finish on your time. 

Finish in 4?

“Are you going to finish in 4 years?”, the dreaded question. When it comes down to it, yeah it’s cool to finish in 4 years. Get in, get your degree, and get out. But what’s the rush? Being in college is the opportunity of a lifetime- explore different fields of study and enjoy it. Take the classes you want and take all the time you want. So yes, finishing in 4 years is a great goal but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve it. Classes can be hard and life can be really unpredictable. At the end of the day, you will get to where you want to be no matter how long it takes!

Take your time!

So don’t worry if you’re coming into your first or second year and are still not set on your major. This is YOUR life, YOUR education and YOUR future. You are investing YOUR time, YOUR energy and YOUR money into this so make sure you are learning something that you are truly passionate about!

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Ways to save money on textbooks

I’m sure by now you have realized many differences between high school and college, one being that everything costs money in college… and by this, I mean everything. It was a shock to me when I got the emails before classes saying I needed to buy my own textbooks, and don’t even get me started on the scantrons. Well anyway, say goodbye to the good ol’ days of free and unlimited book access, and hello to your textbook budget!

Textbooks in college will range from $1 all the way to $200, sometimes even more. But don’t worry, I’m here to tell you some ways to save money on textbooks!

Just wait a sec!

A lot of people will buy their textbooks before their classes even start, but let's be real, some books aren’t even required by some professors. Wait for the syllabus and the first day of class to see if a book is even needed.

When in doubt, just rent or buy used

Having a brand new book is a nice feeling, but is it worth the extra $100 just for a clean page? The CSUSM University Bookstore offers the option to buy and rent used books. Same book, same content, just pre-loved. This is especially great when on a budget.

Check out other options

Although the CSUSM University Bookstore is bound to have all the books you need, check out other websites such as Chegg, Amazon, or Slugbooks. Sometimes you are able to find your textbooks for less. Make sure to compare prices before ordering anything from the first place you find it!

Buy from students on campus 

There are tons of CSUSM Facebook groups for buying and selling textbooks and other items. Many students have already taken the courses you’re taking now and simply don’t need the books anymore. This is a great way to find a lot of books at a cheap price!

So yes, college is expensive but there are always ways to budget and you can do that starting with textbooks!