Start taking opportunities in your first semester. Get involved on campus, join clubs, and be social. In LA, who you know and how likable you are among peers definitely counts. Be friendly, use campus resources, be active and you'll stand out.

Form study groups or be completely committed. The professors are really informative and great at what they do. They care about the students learning rather than a simple easy A.

See a counselor at least once a semester.

Make sure to take Math and English courses first. Registering for classes can be very tough depending on when registration date is. Make sure to read reviews on professors before deciding to enroll in their classes. Professor reviews are quite accurate.

Don't get lost in the crowd. Make new friends and start hanging out and eating with them in addition to studying. Ambitious and determined friends = Better grades.