Dariane Nabor

This weekend wide-eyed 18-year-olds will be moving into their college dorms, ready to learn what it means to be a Bruin.  Finding your way around campus can be daunting.  For those new Bruins, I’ve compiled a list of five things (in no particular order) you absolutely must do or see at least once while you are at UCLA.

1. Explore the campus!

Don’t fall into the trap of staying near where your classes are. Know your environment! My heart sheds a tear every time I see a South campus major not know about the sculpture garden, or when a North campus major can’t direct you to the court of sciences. With such treasures as the Fowler Museum, the Mathias Botanical Garden, and the Planetarium, UCLA is not only a gorgeous campus but a place to discover. And it’s all free!

2. Campus Events

At UCLA, there are many many events that happen on campus throughout the school year. Here are some you should check out:

• The Enormous Activities Fair - Virtually every student organization and student resource on campus will have a booth at the Enormous Activities Fair during Welcome Week.  Don’t be shy, get information about groups you may be interested in.  And there’s also free stuff!!
• Jazz Reggae Festival – Organized by the Cultural Affairs Commission, the Jazz Reggae Fest is a two-day concert at the Intramural Field on campus. Previous performers include Erykah Badu, De La Soul, The Roots, Goapele, and more.
• Festival of Books – In the Spring, UCLA and The Los Angeles Times present the Festival of Books. For a weekend, almost the entire campus gets covered with tents for hundreds of booths and vendors.  Complete with book sales, writing workshops, speaking engagements, and book signings, the Festival of Books is a family-friendly event.
• Spring Sing - This is UCLA’s ultimate talent show organized by the UCLA Alumni Association.  The annual Spring Sing features student performers who compete in various categories and are selected by a panel of celebrity judges.  The George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement is also given. Previous winners include Julie Andrews, Frank Sinatra, and Ray Charles.

There are also (free) movie screenings on campus at Melnitz and Ackerman Grand Ballroom, as well as gallery openings at the Hammer Museum. And there are plenty of student-organized productions including cultural shows and shows by campus theater and music groups.

3. The Career Center

Many UCLA students go their entire undergraduate college experiences never once stepping foot in the Career Center only to realize after they’ve graduated what a valuable resource they’ve wasted. Located on the second floor of the Strathmore Building (on Strathmore and Westwood Blvd.), UCLA has one of the most comprehensive career center libraries, as well as some wonderful counselors.  Stop by and meet with a career counselor to give you a quick tour, register for BruinView, and pick up their handy dandy Career Guide for the school year. Don’t wait until your Senior Year to learn about what the Career Center has to offer.

4. The UCLA Library Catalog

Let’s face it. If you’re going to a school like UCLA, chances are that you’re kind of a geek. Sure you may be a down-to-earth cool kid, but more than likely you have something that sparks your interest and passion enough to “geek-out.” With 13 different libraries on campus, the UCLA Library Catalog is your gateway to the vast amount of books, articles, and media on virtually any given topic. From graphic novels to academic dissertations to film and music archives, it would be worth your time to spend an afternoon browsing the Catalog. Just….go do it. You’ll see what I mean.

5. UCLA vs. USC Football Game

There is nothing in this great nation like Los Angeles’ cross-town rivalry, especially when it comes to football. Every athletic game against the Trojans is bound to get intense, but football is the one sport you will see the most passionate die-hard fans in any one venue. Chanting and doing the 8 clap with fellow Bruin fans is amazing to experience. Just make sure you get your tickets in advance; you may be required to wait in line a few hours.  To get an even better experience, check out other Bruin athletic events as well.

The most important thing…

…is that you find the courage to explore your surroundings, all while staying safe, opening your mind, and having fun. Welcome UCLA Class of 2013!