r/SDSU • • Jul 14 '24

Incoming Student & Orientation Tips

32 Upvotes

Hey everyone, there are a ton of questions about Orientations, selecting classes, talking to your Academic Advisor, etc. As such, I'd like to share some tips I've learned helping other students during Orientation. To give you some background, I'm a Geography Major, I'll be graduating this Spring with a BS in Geographic Information Sciences & Technology. I have served as a Geography Undergraduate Representative assisting the Geography Academic Advisor with the new freshmen and transfers Orientations.

Here are my tips so you can go into Orientation fully prepared to register for classes:

  1. Use the Degree Evaluation in my.SDSU. The audit will show completed, in progress, and missing requirements for your declared Major. This is especially useful for Transfers as it will incorporate your completed courses into the degree requirements.
  2. Add classes to your shopping cart. Pick a primary schedule, with multiple backups. Classes are often first first served, so students who go to the earliest Orientations have first choice over those who go to the last ones. For Freshmen, everyone has to take the same general education requirements so you will be fighting pretty quickly with every other major over the most optimal time slots. For transfers, you get to register last so you will need to have multiple backups as you will really need to just grab what you can when you can.
  3. The wait! Orientation will not be particularly entertaining, there will be a TON of information thrown at you quickly from a number of different speakers. You are first split up by college, then later, by major to do advising. Keep in mind, that you won't see your advisor until like 3:00 pm when you can register for classes. Your advising appointment and class registration window are the same thing. All students in your major will be with you and your advisor register at the same time, so the better prepared you are, the sooner you can be done.
  4. Intro to the Major. Some majors have required introduction classes as part of the curriculum. Freshmen will not need to worry about these classes, you are considered "Pre-Major" so focus on your general education and any 100-level major-related courses you can get in. Transfers, as incoming Juniors you are lined up to enter directly as official Major candidates. Even if you need to take a couple of lower division classes to meet some pre-recs you will most likely be required to enroll in this intro class. Again this is on an individual department basis, not all majors have them, and some colleges have ones that cover all majors that don't have their own, so Definitely ask the advisor about this so you don't miss this requirement.
  5. Be Flexible. Your schedule for your first semester at SDSU is problebly going to be a nightmare with classes all over the place, and in wild time slots. It's okay, It happens to everyone, just know it gets better, and you will settle in.
  6. Explore, and Mix it up! Don't focus on taking all your general ed first, then all major courses after, spread out your requirements, and mix up your general ed and Major requirement classes. This will allow you to use different parts of your mind and let you not get overwhelmed. IE: If you're a Science or Tech major, sprinkle in History, Writing, or Rock Climbing. By taking a variety of courses each semester you let your brain relax on one front while you focus on another.
  7. Parking SUCKS. I know it, You know it, Everyone knows it. It gets even worse on days when there are events at CalCoast Amphitheater or at Viejas Arena. Especially at Viejas Arena because PS-12 and PS-7 close at noon on event days which always elicits complaints from staff and students alike. Plan for it, Arrive early and explore the campus to find quiet study spots you can take advantage of later in the semester when you need to cram for a Midterm or Final.
  8. Bring Water to Orientation! Bring a reusable Water Bottle, or buy one at the Bookstore. There are refilling stations all around campus, and you will want to have water with you to stay hydrated as you sit in a lecture hall for several hours.
  9. Start a LinkedIn now and add every other student you meet during Orientation. You never know where these connections will lead, and it will help you start building your professional network now as opposed to 4 years from now when you are getting ready to graduate and look for a job.
  10. GET INVOLVED! As your advisor if there are any academic-related clubs for your major. If there are then JOIN THEM! Clubs are an incredible resource for you to connect with other students, demonstrate leadership, and build a network. Later you can join clubs with students who share interests outside of your major, but on day 1 you should be joining any clubs related to your major that your Academic Advisor knows about.

If you have any other specific questions, I can try to answer them. Understand though, I am not an Academic Advisor, and I don't know the requirements for any other majors. These are just some tips I've picked up in helping other students register during their Orientations and answering their questions.


r/SDSU • • Jan 09 '25

PSA Financial Aid FAQ

28 Upvotes

Because we have been answering so many questions about it, many of them have been the same. Here are answers to common questions regarding Financial Aid (FA).

Will I get XXX grant or scholarship?

  • We don't know! If you have questions about whether you will receive any particular aid package from federal or state resources, you need to talk to the Financial Aid Office about your situation.

How much FA will I get?

  • Again, we don't know; we can't give you an answer. The FA you get offered depends entirely on your FA needs and the amount of money available from state and federal resources.

When does FA get disbursed?

  • FA is disbursed from the FA office to the Bursar's office approximately 10 days before the start of the semester.

How does FA get applied?

  • FA will be released from the FA Office about 10 days before the semester and sent to the Bursar's office. From there, it will be applied to all outstanding charges on your financial account. If your FA cannot cover the pending tuition and fees, you will be responsible for the remaining balance. If your FA is more than the pending tuition and fees, the excess will be disbursed to you via the method you choose: Direct Deposit or mail-in Check.

When will FA arrive in my account?

  • FA can take 2-3 business days to process when it arrives at the University Bursar's office. If you have set up direct deposit, it may take 1-3 business days to arrive in your account, depending on your bank. If you have not set up direct deposit, the excess will be sent via check. It will be mailed out 5-7 business days after being applied to your account and may take 1-2 weeks to arrive via USPS.

Why is my FA not showing? / Why is XXX grant or scholarship not showing in FA?

  • We don't know! If you have questions about your FA account and why one or more aid packages you expected are not showing, please contact the FA office and schedule an appointment to review your account.

Middle Class Scholarship:

  • It is awarded in the Fall semester after the census. It will be disbursed mid to late fall semester, but the spring portion will be disbursed along with all of your other FA before the start of the semester.

Links for more official information:


r/SDSU • • 45m ago

PSA P12 death

• Upvotes

Does anyone have any updates? A bunch of people saw medics and cops carry out a body bag last night around midnight i think at p12


r/SDSU • • 3h ago

Question p3 parking

5 Upvotes

hey all. last week p3 was an absolute nightmare to get out of. i haven’t been back to campus since last week and was wondering if there’s still construction going on that way i can avoid parking there! thanks


r/SDSU • • 5h ago

Question Need help with voting for my county since I'm from out of town

5 Upvotes

How do I get to send my ballot from OC down here? I want to vote on my county as well.

Also side note, please vote guys. It has an impact and can get what you want.


r/SDSU • • 9m ago

School Psych electives

• Upvotes

Can any psych majors tell me their favorite/ the least difficult psych electives and major classes


r/SDSU • • 1h ago

Housing Spring Sublease at The Monte $1605/month— 3 min walk to SDSU - 1 or 2 private rooms available

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• Upvotes

I'm subleasing my room for Spring semester and Summer (Jan 1 – Jul 31). It's a private single room in a 4-single, 2-bath unit on the 2nd floor — all-male apartment, so looking for a guy to take it over.

Rent is $1,605/month plus utilities, which are capped at just $20/month. The room comes fully furnished with a bed and mattress, desk and chair, and a closet with under-bed drawers.

The building itself is brand new and genuinely nice — full kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer, secure key-fob entry, a mailroom for packages, and a skydeck lounge upstairs. You can check out the building at livemonte.com.

This would be an official lease transfer through the property — you'd apply, get approved, and go directly onto the lease yourself, not an informal sublet arrangement.

If you've got a friend looking too, there are actually 2 rooms available, so you could move in together.

DM me at yosefpilip with any questions.

(A small transfer fee applies through the property — happy to talk through the details in DMs.)


r/SDSU • • 19h ago

Question Is the after hours study area still open?

9 Upvotes

I’m wondering if the after-hours study area is still open 24 hours. My siblings are at a concert and asked me to pick them up, but I don't want to go back and forth. I was wondering if I could spend the time in the library working on my homework. Cause last semester they closed it and only open it during finals week or close to finals.


r/SDSU • • 19h ago

Question Grad School Help

4 Upvotes

Hi All!
I am working towards applying for my MSW and was hoping to get some guidance on how to fulfill the 1,000 hours of health and human services requirement.

Up until today I thought it was 500 hours, so I am quite a bit away from their requirement.

Are there any nonprofits or organizations you have worked with that you would recommend for such a lengthly amount of time?

I am currently at International Rescue Committee with about 200 hours, but do not want to continue there for the remaining.

TIA! 😊


r/SDSU • • 14h ago

Question SDSU Global Campus Civil Engineering – CIVE 218/463 5-Day In-Person Requirement

1 Upvotes

Hi guys! Question for anyone who has completed the SDSU Global Campus Civil Engineering program and taken CIVE 218 (Surveying) and CIVE 463 (Soil Testing).

Do you remember approximately when the 5-day in-person portion was held during the spring semester? I’ll be out of the country from around mid-April through part of May because of a major family situation. I have a sick family member overseas and an important family wedding to attend, and I've already booked tickets for over $3,000, so I’m trying to figure this out as early as possible.

Also, what did you actually do during those five days? Was it mainly hands-on fieldwork, surveying/data collection, and soil testing, or were there also tests, projects, reports, etc. during those days? If there are exams, lab work, etc that can be completed remotely, I’ll have my laptop with me and can still do everything while overseas.

And if anyone remembers the professors: I believe Dr. Valdes handles the soil testing portion, but who taught CIVE 218 for Global Campus? Was it Brandon Farmer, Ryan McGrath, or someone else?

I’m mainly trying to figure out the approximate dates and what absolutely has to be completed physically on campus. Any experience from past Global Campus students would really help. Thank you!


r/SDSU • • 1d ago

Prospective Student Why are there no dining halls on campus?

15 Upvotes

Seems like if you are living in the dorms you have to get one of the meal plans. Those are super confusing. Can you only use the money in local restaurants? Are there traditional college dining halls only accessible to students (ie not general public) and you can get a salad bar, or a bowl of soup or they have stations where you can make your own sandwich/omelette/pasta bowl or whatever like a lot of other colleges? It doesn’t seem like that is the case. Has that always been so? If not then why did they take dining halls away? I realize often the quality of the food in dining halls is poor and kids don’t like it, but the problem is that the $$ in the meal plans is not enough to last an entire week of eating out at restaurants!! Also it gets old and there are not a lot of healthy options …. What do students do? Curious.


r/SDSU • • 1d ago

General Library Loud asf

64 Upvotes

I usually go to the fifth floor at the library to study my language class which is really intensive, and I don’t wanna have to hear a group of people cackling in the background when I’m trying to study. The fifth floor specifically, is supposed to be really quiet, or at least it usually is. I’ve had two separate occasions in a row where I have had to stand up and tell people to STFU because I am trying to study. If you can’t read the room, then maybe the library is not the place for you. If you need to have a conversation go outside. There’s plenty of other places on campus your can have your loud conversation about whatever the fuck your friend is doing later. Also, sidenote, the group study rooms in the library, are not soundproof. We can still hear your loud conversation, even though you’re inside of them with the door closed. A normal conversation is fine, but too many people are yelling.


r/SDSU • • 1d ago

Housing Lease Takeover | Private Room | 10-Minute Walk to Campus

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2 Upvotes

$1,133.33/month + utilities
Available December or January | Ends July 2027 | Men or Women
Skip the year-long lease. Take over mine for spring semester and step into a fully running house 10 minutes from SDSU on foot.
What's included:
Private room with bed, frame, and desk already in it. Shared living room, washer, and dryer fully furnished by the house.
Five housemates total, clean and respectful dynamic.
This is for you if:
You're a junior or senior ready to move out of the dorms
You're thinking about leaving your current place mid-year
You're coming back from study abroad and need somewhere for one semester
You're an international student arriving for spring only
No need to commit to a full year. The lease ends July 2027 and the room is move-in ready.

DM me if interested!


r/SDSU • • 1d ago

PSA 📣 Women Ages 40–55 Wanted for an SDSU Health Research Study‼️

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1 Upvotes

✨Participate in a Women’s Health Research Study✨

Hi everyone! I’m a graduate researcher with the San Diego State University Research Foundation, and we’re looking for women to participate in a research study focused on bone health.

🔍 What’s the study?
We’re exploring how calcium and vitamin D and/or prunes may support bone health and overall well-being.

📋 Who can participate?

Women ages 40–55 years
Meet basic health eligibility criteria
Attend 3 main study visits over 2 years, plus 4 brief check-ins (every 4 months)
Provide study samples
Consume a daily serving of supplements and/or prunes

🤔 Why participate? Perks include:

🦴 Free DXA bone density scans
🩺 Free health screenings
🫀 Learn about your vascular health
💊 Free calcium and vitamin D supplements
💵 Monetary compensation
🅿️ Parking permits provided for every study visit

If you’ve been wanting to learn more about your bone health and take proactive steps toward maintaining your overall well-being, this is a great opportunity to do so while contributing to important research.

Interested? To find out if you qualify, please complete our brief health screening questionnaires:

📝 Health Screening Form:
https://sdsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AHqy06YCvDF8vI

📝 Symptom Screening Form:
https://sdsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Uprd2LQe4KSvwG

Have questions?
📧 [bonehealth.sdsu@gmail.com](mailto:bonehealth.sdsu@gmail.com)


r/SDSU • • 2d ago

PSA 🚨 Paid SDSU Research Study‼️🚨

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17 Upvotes

📣 Untrained adults (23–45) WANTED 💪
for an 8-week strength + recovery study

Hi everyone! I’m a graduate researcher with the San Diego State University Research Foundation, and we’re looking for participants for a study on strength training, nutrition, and muscle recovery.

🔬 What’s the study?
We’re comparing how pistachios vs. cereal bars affect muscle recovery + strength. You’ll be randomly assigned to one group.

📋 Requirements:
• Ages 23–45
• Currently work out <3 hrs/week
• Commit to 3 morning workouts/week (flexible)
• Daily snack (pistachios or cereal bars)
• All testing + workouts at SDSU

💥 Perks:
• 💵 Compensation provided for participation
• 🏋️ Free personal training (private gym)
• 📊 Advanced body scans (DXA, InBody, pQCT)
• 🍽️ Free food (first 4 days)
• 🅿️ Parking permits provided @ every visit

💭If you’ve been wanting to get into a routine, this is a great way to start while contributing to research!

Interested or have questions?
📧 Email:
SDSUNUTRITIONSTUDY@gmail.com


r/SDSU • • 1d ago

Question Calling to psych students

1 Upvotes

Hey guys, I’m guys I’m planning to take psy 230 and psy 260 together next semester. I’m wondering how the workload/difficulty is?


r/SDSU • • 2d ago

Question Re: E-bike safety school project

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1 Upvotes

Reposted to follow mod rules

I am an SDSU student, this project is for my Health Communication course.

I made a post here earlier about an e-bike safety project. After synthesizing your comments, I made a flyer to share a resource that can address the most common concern.

As part of my class requirements, I need to incorporate feedback into the design of my flyer.

I would really appreciate if people would fill out my 6 question survey (flyer is in survey).

No personal information will be gathered and responses are completely anonymous.

https://forms.gle/xK7s1hSJooU4RgyZ6

Thank you!


r/SDSU • • 2d ago

Question cheated on assignments

11 Upvotes

i cheated on a few assignments using AI. Not sure what to do if i should tell the professors or redo the assignments. not looking to get into trouble, but it is also something i shouldnt have done. What should i do?


r/SDSU • • 2d ago

Question Application process

1 Upvotes

Hi, im an OOS applicant that submitted my csu application for sdsu campus fall 2027. I submitted it in the beginning of october, its been like 2 weeks and I havent gotten any sdsu my id or a confirmation. Did this happen to anyone else that applied early? I was supposed to get a confirmation email within 5-7 days.


r/SDSU • • 3d ago

Housing Lease Takeover @Topaz Apts

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2 Upvotes

Hey hey! I’m looking for someone to take over the remainder of my lease in a 3x3A female apartment on the 6th floor at Topaz! Each room is a single, with attached bathrooms so no sharing :).

I’d love to stay, but will be transferring across state lines. My two roommates are amazing girls, very clean, *NOT a big party apartment.

There is the option to renew, and our entire apartment will be up for grabs after this year’s lease term as they are moving into a different unit for Fall ‘27. So, you can remain here and find 2 more friends to sign and live in the same apartment with them!

My base rent is currently $1890 with a mandatory $500 relet fee, however I’m willing to cover up to $900 per month for the right person :)

- Electric is separate, water is included


r/SDSU • • 3d ago

Question Which professor for EE 300

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0 Upvotes

r/SDSU • • 3d ago

Housing Spring lease takeover at Stateside Apartments ($875/month), first month's rent covered

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8 Upvotes

Hi! I’m looking for someone to take over my lease at Stateside Apartments for the spring 2027 semester. I'm an exchange student returning to my home country in mid-December, and I'm willing to pay for your first month's rent.

The apartment is a 4-bedroom/2-bathroom unit with three private bedrooms, one shared bedroom, and a shared kitchen and living room. The lease is for a spot in the shared bedroom.

Stateside is very conveniently located within a 5-10 minute walk from the SDSU campus and the trolley station. The buildning also has a nice rooftop lounge.

The rent is $875 per month.
The lease is until 31 of July 2027.

Feel free to DM me if you’re interested or would like additional photos or more information.


r/SDSU • • 3d ago

Question Leave of Absence

3 Upvotes

Does anyone know how leave of absence works in the middle of the semester? I am in my second to last semester, i am taking my major electives and capstone (stupid i know, thought it would be fine for me to take this semester) but it is way too much on me especially balancing a full time manager position at a retail store,that is only going to get busier during the holiday. I truly can not keep going i am so burnt out from work and school 60+ hours a week for 5 years.

I am also nervous because i got all classes covered by FAFSA. If I do take an LOA won’t i have to repay all FAFSA


r/SDSU • • 4d ago

PSA CalFresh eligibility changed for students in June, and if you’re at least half time at SDSU you probably qualify now

6 Upvotes

The state changed the student rule on June 1. Enrolled at least half time in an associate or bachelor’s program at a CSU, UC or community college, and within the income limits, means you likely meet it now.

I’m a California college student from Folsom. I wrote a free plain-language guide to the eligibility rules, since the change got almost no campus coverage. No ads, no sign-up, nothing collected.

https://folsomcartindex.com/calfresh/?ref=r-sdsu

Applications go through getcalfresh.com, and SDSU’s Basic Needs Center does walk-in CalFresh enrollment help in the Calpulli Center on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.