Farewell Gators🐊!!
The spring '22 semester is about to end, we were back on campus for the first time in a long time! For some of you, this might've even been the first semester that you're taking classes on campus during your SFSU experience. Well, New Student & Family Programs is super excited to say that we are all proud of you all, and you all deserve to treat yourselves. We also came up with another issue of FroshMemo to help get our end of the semester in the right way! For the last issue of the spring semester, you'll find student-written articles, new student resources, and other helpful tips for success this spring.
We really hope you are having a great end to your spring semester. If you ever need any help, our office is open in room 301 of the Student Services Building(SSB). We'd love to meet you! Don't forget to connect with us on Instagram @sfsu_NSFP so you never miss another FroshMemo, and until next time: GO GATORS🐊 !
Reflection Back on All Your Accomplishments and Your Stride for Hardship
By PK.
I remember my first year of college. With how fast time moves it honestly feels like it happened only a few months ago as opposed to it actually taking place 2 years prior. To say the least, my college experience definitely didn’t go how I was expecting as it was abruptly cut short by a worldwide pandemic. I think about all the missed experiences and adventures my friends and I were planning at the beginning of the semester.
Coming back to campus this year, not only as a junior and more “older and wiser”, has been a huge adjustment. I don’t feel like I ever got time to really make my mark and set up a support system in college my first year whereas now, not only am I more developed as a person. I’m more involved in school and other extracurriculars that fill my love of supporting others. Since my freshman year and continuously living through a pandemic, many things have had to change, our access and connectivity to others and the outside world were altered.
Getting involved within my school was one of the things that definitely helped me build stronger, more secure relationships with my peers and supervisors. Within my first year a few issues I believe made it hard for me to find support was knowing about resources and allocating time to using them. I was holding onto this idea of what I thought college was supposed to be and look like versus what I was actually facing. My apprehension about who I wanted to be also played a part in holding me back. The more I've grown I've learned you can never know more about something unless you ask questions and seek out help and answers. Now as a third-year I'm able to reflect back on my year and see which traits and habits helped in my academic achievements and which didn’t.
Remember to also prioritize other aspects of your life other than education. Making sure to get physical, spiritual, mental and all other sorts of health checks and safety practices needed in your life to compose you, encourage you, and lessen burnout will help with my continued journey onto higher education.
This year has definitely taught me a lot, not only about myself, and the lovely city we live in but also about how to communicate and have better relationships with others, whether those be professional, educational, or personal relationships. So as the year wraps up, I hope everyone gets a chance to self-reflect not only on all the hard work you’ve put in over the past few months, all the losses you may have faced but mostly on the victory of surviving it all. Whether this school year or the past semester has been what you planned for, you took on all challenges presented and accomplished many wins.
Gator “Shout-Out!” 🐊
Gator Spotlight wants to recognize Donavon Evans (He/Him)!
Donavon is a senior majoring in Physics with a concentration in Astrophysics. He is from Woodbridge, California and chose SF State because he was left with a positive impression when he first visited the campus! He also wanted to initiate his college journey with his friend from high school who also got admitted to SFSU.
The organization that this Gator is representing is Astronomers for Planet Earth (A4E), an international grass-roots movement of astronomy students, educators, novices, and scientists collaborating to address The Climate Crisis from an astronomical perspective.
Donavon is an A4E Member and explains that he originally joined because he wanted to get involved with like-minded people who are intentional about climate change mitigation and solutions.
“A4E is a great organization to join! The people are very welcoming and everyone truly cares about the environment. If you would like to make a change in your area, this is a great place to get involved and learn.” – Donavon
When asked about why students should engage in school organizations, he believes that organizations are great opportunities to network, make friends, and get involved in something that students are truly passionate about.
A4E just recently hosted a joint event with Climate HQ called Actionable Hope, which gathered the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the SETI Institute, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific to hold an Interdisciplinary Discussion for a thriving world and provide information about internships and REU funds for research opportunities.
As for Donavon’s words of advice to incoming first-year students, he sat down to share his personal story:
“My first semester I made the mistake of going out and having too much fun at the cost of my grades slipping. My advice would be to focus on school first, it's what you're paying for after all, and then go out after you've taken care of your priorities.”
Donavon adds that meeting new people and exploring the city will always be there, but students can't get back the time they lose if students have to retake classes.
“Unless of course, you take summer classes! Jokes aside, I think the biggest thing that I learned was to just be myself. After I became comfortable in my own skin and didn't care what people thought of me, I began to make friends that I really connected with. They say you meet your lifelong friends in college, I can definitely vouch for that.”
He also encourages first-time college students to not be afraid to introduce themselves to new people!
“It really only takes just one conversation to change your life for the better! It happened to me and now I'm studying in a major that I'm passionate about just because of it.”
On a final note, Donavon advises students to not hesitate to switch their major if students find themselves being pulled in another direction.
“I switched majors twice but at least now I can say I love what I'm learning about and I'm surrounded by people who are just as passionate about the major as I am. I’ve gone through semesters where I've felt lost and questioned if I was making the right choices. Since I've gone through my fair share of challenges while navigating college these last 4 years, I'm always more than willing to share my experiences with anyone in need of support or advice”.
For students to join A4E, head over to their website at https://astronomersforplanet.earth/ and click the "Join Us" button at the top right of the web page!
And to connect with Donavon to learn more about student life, follow his Instagram page: @donavonevans
Gator Tails of a Transfer Student
The time is drawing close for seniors to graduate. When asked about how we feel, many expect our responses to be excitement. However, there is a mixture of bittersweet emotions. On one end, we are ending our college path and entering a new journey. This journey entails finding a new job, finding an internship, moving back home, flying abroad, or applying for grad school. On the other hand, we look back at the fond memories we made at SF State and we feel a sense of closure. We look back at our college nights, studying for exams, getting food with classmates, enjoying the sun in the quad, and running late toward classes. We also look back at our own journey and compare our senior selves with our freshmen selves. We realize how fast time flies.
My advice for incoming first year and transfer students is to take advantage of your college experience. Step out of your comfort zone, make new friends, use college resources, connect with professors, apply for new opportunities, and ask for help. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and stay in touch with your support network. College allows you to explore your own self and find what you are truly passionate about. Be mindful and intentional about your college experience.
As we seniors pack our belongings and look forward to our commencement ceremony, we hold on to our emotions and memories. We have pushed through the challenges and opportunities here at San Francisco State University. We know that incoming students will be just as capable of succeeding in their own college journey. We encourage students to do what excites and make the most out of your experience. We are Gators after all.
From one Gator to another,
Fabian
Upcoming Events
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enroll in courses and earn additional units this summer. Grants, scholarships, and student loans are available to undergraduate students who enroll in at least six units.
Are you interested in working? Well, this is your time to apply. Campus Rec is currently hiring students for various positions.
Associated Students is currently hiring and have up to 11 different position options available.
If you’ve been secretly questioning your drinking, you are NOT alone!
In this FREE workshop, you will: have a safe place where you can talk freely about your relationship with alcohol, get support from people who understand your struggle, learn practical tools to become more mindful about alcohol and start to regain control of your drinking, your life, and your happiness
This Free Workshop is for you if you
• Are curious about your relationship with alcohol
• Sometimes wonder whether alcohol is taking more than it is giving
• Want to drink less, but you also feel deprived or upset when you are not drinking
• Tried to set limits with alcohol, but find yourself keep breaking them
Date & Time:
- Wednesday, May 18th from 7-8 pm
- Wednesday, June 15th from 7- 8 pm
- Wednesday, July 20th from 7-8 pm
Need Support?
Dean-On-Call Program
Real-time support for students and those that may be experiencing difficulties in navigating the universities environment
The Dean-On-Call Program serves as an opportunity for students to drop-in for usual or unusual questions, serve as a support or referral resource, and to help students navigate the university environment.
First-Year Experience Peer Mentors
Fellow students are here to connect you to the campus community & provide one-on-one support!
The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor program provides support available to all first-year students at SFSU! Attend the events & study circles that peer mentors hold every week to meet other first-year students & integrate into the community at SFSU. You can also get individualized support by meeting with a peer mentor.
New Student Help Desk
Help when you need it most! Visit with New Student Programs and the Gator Mentors!
The New Student Help Desk is open five days a week, Monday - Friday, every week! Make sure to check our website for our updated hours. A GatorMentor is always there to answer any pressing questions you may have. The Help Desk is available for reservations Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm. If you would like to make a reservation, please email your assigned Gator Mentor directly, and they will assist you in setting up a reservation. Don't have a Gator Mentor? Email us at nsp@sfsu.edu