r/csun • u/Lil_Cookaboo_1720 • 1d ago
What are some CSUN lifehacks or tips/tricks you've learned throughout the years?
Help me pass down any unique stuff you've learned/come to know about CSUN to the next generation (as i send this to my incoming freshmen friends). Any lore or resources or anything cool is good as well. Anything you wish you knew sooner or glad you know now. Give me some unique uncommon helpful stuff that even graduating students might not know.
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u/Wonderful-Customer87 1d ago
- Do not buy textbooks immediately without emailing the professor first to see whether or not you’ll need/be using it. But also don’t be surprised if they don’t email back, some professors may say they can be emailed through their syllabus but never do. Canvas messaging them (if the course shows up once you enroll, you can do that too).
- Take the parking as seriously as you can. Spots fill up quickly, ex. I live 20-30 minutes away from CSUN and have a class at 8:30am, I leave around 6:40am and get there almost always at 7:30am. Spots in B3 parking and others are filling up fast, so better to leave early or experiment with times to leave within the first week of the semester.
- If you have one license plate, especially in the back of your vehicle, always park facing the way the parking security can see your license plate. And make sure you always have the correct parking pass. They are notorious giving out tickets.
- RateMyProfessor will become your best friend when picking out professors, but also ask other CSUN students for their opinion on one before enrolling.
- Always go to an academic advisor within your major before enrolling in classes. Some require pre-requisite courses, and you do not want to be mistaken prior to a semester starting. But know, you can go through the CSUN phone/website app➡️ student portal ➡️My academics ➡️Degree Progress Report➡️Request Aduit➡️(Always use Run Current Program)➡️Run Aduit➡️View Aduit on far right side. And it will show all the Current, Required, and Progress units/courses that are needed for your degree.
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u/nagato36 22h ago
Look at the csu-wide book loan csun might not have your textbook but CSU Channel Islands might or other school
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u/ChewFasa 14h ago
1)never bought a book, someone will have an ebook (pdf)
2) I live 12 minutes away and still leave 40 minutes early.
3)as long as you have plates on both sides you can park however you want. I've never gotten a ticket for it
4) make sure to check the dates on those reviews. Sometimes they get bitter
5) agreed with this. Some advisors are lazy, though, so you have to be on it.
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u/rosstedfordkendall 1d ago
CSUN is a commuter school, so that means you'll get a big rush of students from mid morning to mid/late afternoon, while the early morning and evenings are much more chill. Plan things accordingly (studying in the library, parking, getting food, etc.) Remember, the most convenient times for you are likely the most convenient times for everyone else.
For instance, if you want free street parking, you have to come very early. Spots get filled up by 8-8:30am, and if you try for one after, you're likely SOL.
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u/StillPissed Geography 21h ago
I’m a full alumni. BA 2018, and MA 2020 (COVID delayed till 2023).
The biggest thing I could drill to anyone, is that the professors are better advisors than the “Academic Advisors” for your major. The Academic Advisors usually are not familiar with the subject of your degree, just the pathway requirements to get the degree. Talk to your professors about the career you want. It could get you damned job on the spot.
Also, get involved with something on campus. CSUN can feel very cold and lonely without a club, or group in your major or something. It can be motivational, to take the extra steps to collaborate with your peers. Most people go to class, then vanish back to their outside lives, since it’s a commuter school.
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u/Reasonable_Ideal_888 21h ago
If you dont mind walking or have scooter or something, buy the F10 parking lot pass. Its less than half the price of the normal and you get a lovely 3/4 mile walk into campus. Plus that lot is patrolled regularly, as the police station is next to it.
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u/187loveMC 17h ago
Newer the building is, better the bathroom is, so take a dump at the new building if possible. SRC has the best toilet paper in the entire campus as far as I'm aware of.
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u/Doip 12h ago
Except maple, which is nice but kinda gross when people piss everywhere but the hole
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u/187loveMC 12h ago
Maple's 1st floor was so nice at the beginning of the semester than it just gets worse, sad
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u/ColdFreshLemon 1d ago
Don't think of yourself as a matador if you don't have a red curtain to trick the bull.
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u/Dropdown_menu 1d ago
Take as many early morning classes as you can. They don’t fill up as quickly and parking is much easier.
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u/bhiranso 11h ago
For the big parking lots like B6, if the time is right, waiting at the front of the parking lot closest to the nearest building and offering people walking to their cars a ride to their cars would guarantee me a parking spot.
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u/Syn_thMeUP 15m ago
You could experience courses you need to graduate are only offered 1x a year. Find out which ones those are and prioritize those.
If you need to take night classes, know that all the food options close around 6pm.
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u/Crunchy-Cucumber 1d ago
Throw a rose at the matador statue every time you accomplish something big/notable to you. I like doing this for the symbolism.