@State AugSep 2014 - Best Fall

20 Ways to Make this Semester Your Best. Fall. Ever.

active aztecs on rock climbing wall

If anyone could use a life hack it’s a college student. We’re guessing that you’ve seen at least one quirky list dedicated to hacking (i.e. simplifying) college life. Many offer up quality suggestions—taking a screen shot of your class schedule and saving it as your phone’s lock screen? Genius. Still, other “helpful” hints are too generic or even flat out dangerous—cooking ramen in a coffee pot heated by your iron? Just don’t.

So we’ve created a list of 20 SDSU hacks to help make this semester your best fall ever, minus any questionable feats of electrical engineering.

  1. Brush up on the Greek alphabet. Greek Life recruitment starts August 27 with Go Greek! Information sessions.
  2. Leave your MARC. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in research, take some time this semester to learn about Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) and its antecedent, Pre-MARC.
  3. Find your home away from home. Housing for veterans at the Veterans House on Fraternity Row is accepting applications! If you're living off campus, you've got to check out the Commuter Resource Center in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
  4. Find a mentor. Register by September 15 to get one-on-one career mentoring throughout the semester through the Aztec Mentor Program.
  5. Formalize your leadership knowledge and skills. Register for the Leadership Certificate Program to boost your leadership development.
  6. Step out into the real world. Nine out of 10 employers prefer potential hires to have at least one internship experience. Visit Internship Central to start rounding out your resume.
  7. Let your voice be heard. Represent the voice of students with disabilities at SDSU by joining the Student Disability Services Advisory Board. Along with weighing in on policies, programs, and procedures within the Student Disability Services (SDS) Office, you’ll also work to promote disability awareness at SDSU.
  8. Join a student organization. Get to know SDSU’s student organizations and the students who run them at the Student Organization Expo, held from 9 am to 4 pm on August 26 at North Library Walkway. Here’s a glimpse of who you’ll meet.
  9. Meet your representatives. Learn about student government and meet the student leaders impacting our campus and communities at the Associated Students Expo. It all starts at 10 am on August 27 in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
  10. Lavin and Zahn. If you’re a budding entrepreneur, these are two names you need to know. Visit SDSU’s Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and the Zahn Innovation Center to learn how to bring your business idea to life.
  11. Don’t go at it alone. If you’re eligible for Educational Opportunity Programs, you’re in luck. Take advantage of academic counseling, free academic tutoring, access to an exclusive computer lab and study lounge, as well as possibly an EOP Grant of up to $1,000 per year.
  12. Work on campus: The perks of working on campus don’t end with a paycheck. Log on to Aztec Career Connection to find out who’s hiring.
  13. Learn the difference between your university and your college. Whether you want to get involved in the decision making process or simply voice your opinion, College Councils are a great way to connect to your college and to the university.
  14. Be International: This brand new site is your first stop for SDSU international opportunities, whether you want to study abroad or become an exchange student.
  15. Become culturally competent: SDSU is one of the most diverse and inclusive universities in the nation. Take advantage of cultural diversity workshops, seminars, and service learning opportunities through the Center for Intercultural Relations.
  16. Embrace LGBTQ: The Pride Center at SDSU works to sustain and strengthen an open, inclusive, safe, and affirming gathering space and campus environment for persons of all sexual and gender identities and their allies.
  17. Promote wellness: Become a peer health educator and help promote wellness on campus. Present dynamic workshops to students and the campus community on a variety of health topics including nutrition and sexual health.
  18. Team up to give back: Double your student organization’s impact when you team up with another student org for a 2-day service-learning event through the Aztec Unity Project.
  19. Learn the art of multitasking. Coffee + new friends + international insight, all in one fun afternoon. Every Friday, students from different cultural organizations and countries share their heritage through food, music, presentations and performances during the International Student Center Coffee Hour.
  20. Take on a leadership role. Join the Residence Hall Association, the governing body of on-campus residents, that serves and provides programming for all of its members. Your RHA is the largest organization on campus with more than 4,200 student members!