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Ana Arellano, a freshman liberal arts major from Ceres, said her first day of classes was eye-opening.
“It’s different from high school, because the teachers expect you to get your own books, to get everything on your own,” Arellano said. “I really enjoyed my first two college classes. It’s exciting, but kind of nerve-racking at the same time.”
VIDEO: Students' thoughts on the first day of classes
As of Wednesday morning, the university registrar’s office reported 8,902 students enrolled for the fall semester, including more than 1,200 first-time freshmen and 1,100 transfer students.
Many of them, Arellano included, are the first in their families to go to college. Sophomore Jesse Maldonado, a Turlock native and a first-generation student himself, remembers feeling overwhelmed as a freshman.
“I came here freaking out,” Maldonado said. “Then I found out I had help, and I took advantage of everything the university gave me.”
This year, Maldonado is doing his part to help guide new students. He spoke with dozens on Thursday, representing the Program for Academic and Career Excellence (PACE) at their booth in the quad. It’s one of many programs and organizations that offer valuable resources to students, especially those new to campus.
“You’ve got to stay open,” Maldonado said. “There are lots of clubs and lots of events. If you don’t find anything you like, you can always start a new club.”
Introducing new students to clubs and organizations is one of the main goals of Welcome Week, organized by Associated Students Inc. and University Student Union. A number of events are scheduled from Aug. 26 to 30, with booths and raffle prize drawings throughout the week and unique events each day, including a comedy night on Aug. 28 and “Get Involved Day” on Aug. 29.
“It’s crazy, it’s fun,” Maldonado said of the first-day atmosphere. “I love it. You might as well start the year off with a smile, make some friends, and make your whole year great.”
That was the kind of advice Arellano took to heart on her first day at CSU Stanislaus.
“It’s really exciting to be in college, because it can be hard to get to this point,” she said. “It’s like a new beginning that you have to take advantage of, because a lot of people don’t get this opportunity that we’re getting.”