I was one of those kids that grew up in the 80s and 90s (born 1981) when apathy was cool and being different was still an upward trend. “Getting involved” with clubs was so apropos. Being in a different place now, personally, and seeing the consciousness of the human global community connecting and expanding together through travel, cross-cultural experience and the almighty internet. The first thing you MUST DO is get Involved with a club of interest, join an organization or cause of choice, or create a group for the people in your field of study or other community that hits close to home and heart. This is your ground zero. A few other things you must do at San Francisco State University:
#1. Explore the Cesar Chavez Building, the most dynamic building on campus, with an arcade and pool hall next to the lower level food court, an art gallery and the really neat multi-level “Rigoberta Menchu Hall” for studying and napping on the Terrace level (where many student orgs have their offices by the way), the book store and info kiosk on the ground level as well as the main food court where people have lively group study with their yummy eats, and the quad is right outside where celebrations, memorials, and relevant local and global events are recognized.
#2. Build relationships with mentors and students that you really connect with as if they are with you for life. Because in one sense or another, if their impact is strong, they ARE with you for life. Many of these persons will be your colleagues in the field throughout your career, or better yet, good friends through the ups and downs of life. And you will meet a diverse group of people both from around the Bay Area and around the world.
#3. You must look into the study abroad options. If you are at all like me and have the desire to see the world but not to take on the financial obligation, CSU IP is perfect for you. You pay just the same in tuition as if you were home, and the person from somewhere in the world that comes to a CSU campus pays the fees at their home campus. That is the exchange part. I applied to go to Granada, Spain, and halfway through that year, I had the intuition that I was having an experience that would forever change my world, so I applied for a second year (this time in Santiago, Chile). The limit for study abroad is four semesters. I could not imagine this life of mine without my study abroad experience! The school motto is Experientia Docet (experience teaches) after all.
If you’re interested in San Francisco State University, check out our article on things you must avoid at SFSU.
#4. Check out the Charles F. Hager Planetarium on the roof of Thornton Hall. Not only is it super cool to see more than a thousand stars, planets, and both the sun and moon so clearly, but the opportunity to see campus from that perspective can give one a new sense of what it means to be part of the SFSU campus and part of planet Earth. A new perspective rocks your world!
#5. Last, but certainly not least, do not take yourself too seriously; it can be habit-forming! Live and make mistakes, own your voice, both the negative and positive things you have to share, remember to follow your heart and gut- because the body knows what the mind cannot. The rest will eventually fall away or follow anyway.
Love your life, love your SFSU experience!
Holly Alexis Sisson, MA, is an SFSU Alumna of 2011. She has two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the first thing the author says you must do at SFSU?
- Get involved: join a club or organization of interest, or create a group for the people in your field of study or community.
- What is inside the Cesar Chavez Building at SFSU?
- An arcade and pool hall next to the lower-level food court, an art gallery, the multi-level Rigoberta Menchu Hall for studying and napping, the bookstore and info kiosk on the ground level, and the main food court.
- What study abroad option does the author recommend at SFSU?
- CSU IP, which lets students pay the same tuition as at home; the author studied in Granada, Spain and Santiago, Chile, and the limit is four semesters.
- What is the Charles F. Hager Planetarium?
- It sits on the roof of Thornton Hall and shows more than a thousand stars, planets, and both the sun and moon clearly, giving a new perspective on campus and on the planet.
- What personal advice does the author end with?
- Do not take yourself too seriously, live and make mistakes, own your voice, and follow your heart and gut because the body knows what the mind cannot.