How Do I Get Advising and Choose Classes for my First Semester?
General Information
For the last ten years, a group of concerned staff and faculty have been examining the learning styles and needs of first-time freshmen at CSULB. New students to the university now have the benefit of that research. As freshman students you are required to take a set of "foundation" courses within your first 36 college-level units. These foundation courses prepare you to think and write more clearly, to communicate effectively, to analyze and formulate opinions on complex issues, and to understand mathematical concepts--the "foundation" for the rest of your university education.
Foundation courses include University 100 (an introduction to the history and purpose of higher education, issues in higher education, academic freedom, career planning, and library instruction); one course in written communication; one course in oral communication, one course in critical thinking, and one course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning. You will register for appropriate foundation courses for your first semester. (Placement for written communication and mathematics will be based on test scores. You may be required to take courses at the "prebaccalaureate" level based on your scores.) In addition, you will be advised into courses that may be "prerequisites" for your chosen major; courses that allow you to explore the world around you (e.g., cultural, social, intellectual, virtual); and activity courses that expand your personal interests (e.g., kayaking, sailing, surfing, social dance, self-defense).
Typical First Semester Schedule
- University 100 (required 1 unit academic orientation course)
- Course in written English (ENGL 001E, 100; ASAM 001, ASAM 100; B/ST 001, 100; CHLS 001, 104) OR Oral Communication (COMM 110, 130, 132) (3 units)
- Course in Mathematics (3 units)
- Course in the Arts (3 units)--e.g., Intro to acting, music appreciation, dance appreciation, art
- Course in the humanities or social sciences (3 units)--e.g., Intro to psychology, literature, anthropology, sociology, world religions, world geography
- Activity course (1 unit)--e.g., social dance, windsurfing, aerobics, weight training, self defense, volleyball, golf
- Advising and Registration for the First Semester
-
- For your first semester, you will receive advising through the Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) Program. SOAR consists of an all-day workshop during the summer or winter preceding your first semester on campus, plus a day of orientation activities.
-
- At SOAR you will receive:
- General information about CSULB
- Information about foundation courses
- Information about the requirements for a bachelor's degree
- Information about our degree programs
- Advising for your first semester of coursework
- Registration for your classes
- A University Catalog
- A Schedule of Classes
- Your Student I.D. card
- For more information, see the SOAR web site.
-
- What if I can't attend SOAR?
-
- You may also receive General Education advising for your first and subsequent semesters from the University Center for Undergraduate Advising located in the East Library. Click here for a step-by-step advising module for your first semester. Call (562) 985-4837 for an appointment.
-
- Some students may elect to participate in a Learning Community. If you choose to participate in one of these communities, you will still need to sign up for a SOAR workshop. A representative from your learning community will meet you at the workshop and then advise you and assist you in registering for your coursework.
-
- CSULB Learning Communities
- Click here for more information on CSULB Learning Communities.
