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Dear Future Bruins…

My name is Circe, and I am a current third year student double majoring in Political Science and Sociology. I’m from Rialto, California, and living in the UCLA residence halls has granted me so many opportunities I wouldn’t have expected at the beginning of my first year. Like every other incoming student, I was nervous about how the transition from my hometown to a new city would be. Though living in a triple residence hall scared me at first because I was unsure of how constraining it would be, I was mostly excited to meet new people. The residence halls, especially the classic triples, were extremely lively during my first month at UCLA. As a first generation student, I was unfamiliar with the residence hall experience, which led me to seek other individuals who could be going through the same transition.

One of my favorite experiences was during the first week on campus when several activities for students were held. There was a “meet the Hill” event where students could learn more about what UCLA has to offer and allow students to connect with others who share interests. This event, and many others like these throughout the year, allowed me to meet new students who also shared a similar background to me. Several of the friends I made through activities in the residential area were also people in my major or who I had classes with, which made it easier to acclimate to the UCLA environment. Since many first year students choose to live in the residence halls during their first year, it allowed for my friends and I to meet up in the dining halls and try out new foods while studying. The community at UCLA is definitely a big pro of living on campus because it is one that gets you involved into the social life of the school. Not only does living on the Hill connect you with students in the residence halls, but it also makes going to campus simpler.

Being able to live 15-20 minutes away from the majority of my classes made living on campus more enjoyable than I would’ve expected. But without a doubt, the highlight of my on-campus experience was definitely the dining halls (which are as great as everyone says). I can confidently say that throughout the year I never grew tired of the food because of the variety that is offered in all the dining halls. Even in moments where I started to miss different food options, I discovered a new item I hadn’t tried and it would become my new obsession for a week. I encourage any incoming students who are interested in living on campus to consider it as an option that will bring you many new friends, opportunities, and a home where you will be supported. Go Bruins!