This was their first time going and it wasn’t as bad as they thought. Entering college for the first time is like any other first, one faces it with a bit of apprehension and excitement.

But the transition from high school to college requires students to adapt, including being an environment with 10 times more students than high school.
Likewise, for many students this semester, the campus may have felt a little more crowded than in previous years. According to a report compiled by the Office of University and Budget Planning, the number of enrolled freshman students this year is the lowest in ten years.

According to Eva Allen, who is the data-reporting analyst for SF State, 4,626 freshman students are enrolled this semester, compared to the fall semester of 1994, where 3,729 freshmen were enrolled. Of the 4,626 freshmen students this semester, 500 are studying part-time, while the other 4,126 are studying full time. Overall, there are officially 28,804 students on campus altogether.

Moreover, according to Associate Vice President Jo Volkert, the number of incoming freshmen students will continue to rise over the years, especially with SF State heavily recruiting in Southern California.

"The number of high school graduates across California has been increasing for several years and will continue to increase at least through
the year 2012," said Volkert in an e-mailed statement. "With the opening of the Towers resident apartment building, we were able to house more freshmen on campus, increasing the appeal of SFSU to freshmen students and their families."

Gabby Aguinaldo, 18, originally planned to study at Sonoma State University but chose to attend SF State out of convenience. “It's cool,” said Aguinaldo, who is taking 13 units this semster. “I mean, it's alright. I live in Daly City, so it's convenient.”

About a fifth of incoming freshmen are enrolled in classes designed to help them succeed during college.

All University courses designed to help first time freshmen utilize campus resources as well as feel connected to the SF State community. The courses are not required but are encouraged by the university.

Though the classes are geared toward a student’s prospective major, the emphasis across the board is on helping the student cultivate what the professors call life skills: Time management, communication skills, research and succeeding in school. Karen Kingsbury, orientation and retention director at SF State, said students who enroll in Teaching Learning Community classes, another type of All University class, more than 95% of them returned for their second semester at SF State. Those who didn’t enroll in TLC classes, 91 percent came back for their second semester.

“Freshmen don’t know always know what to do and they need guidance to get over the rough patch of being in college and learning the ropes,” Kingsbury said. “We have faculty interested in their success.”

Kingsbury said that despite the success of the All University classes they are not required because the university doesn’t have resources or funds to provide enough sections for 3,000 students.

“When we make it elective,” she said, “you have people who want to be there. The TLCs and First Year Experiences courses aren’t for everyone.”

The professors who teach the class see it as a beneficial experience for any first semester student.

“I want [the students] to know this is no longer high school but a fresh start for them,” said Albert Koo, assistant director of the college of business graduate studies, who also teaches two sections of the freshmen orientation seminar.

Koo explained that his class addresses adjustment issues for new students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time and still see their education through high school eyes. His students journal during class, hear guest speakers and learn about the resources available to them through the university.

“The class [also] addresses issues of anxiety and worry,” said Koo. “Many are worried they will fail in college. The concerns of the students are consistent from year to year this why this class is important.”
Sheila Delmendo, moved from Vallejo to San Francisco to study at SF State. “I chose SF State because it seemed like the perfect distance from home,” said Delmendo.

“I heard about it but I didn't take FYE because I wasn't sure if it would be a waste of time," added Delmendo.

Edwin Fabian, a junior, took the FYE class and didnt find it useful. “I hated that class,” exclaimed Fabian, 22. “All I did was cut and went to Stonestown.”

“It was not informative,” he added.

Chris Amodo, 19, took FYE his first semester and recommends all freshmen take the course. "I was hella lost when I got here," admitted Amodo. "It gave me directions about segments and helped me a lot."
"I keep telling freshmen to take FYE," added Amodo.

Another All University instructor for the past four years, Nick Gurney, said the class provides for freshmen a sense of community that can be absent from other classes.

“Some of [the students] haven’t been away from home and have trepidations about being in the college environment,” said Gurney, who is also a career skills associate for the college of business. “The class acts as a mentor and guide.”

Gurney said he runs into students from his past All University classes who are often doing well in their course work because, he said, “Students come out of this class much more aware and attune than students who didn’t take the class.”