NSM Freshman Support Services

Welcome to the NSM Freshman Support Service website.

This site is here to help NSM First Time Freshmen succeed academically, personally, and socially!

A new atmosphere and challenging classes with a different dynamic may be hard to maneuver so keep in mind that the NSM Freshman Support Services are here to help you ease your way through your first year here at Fullerton.

We are excited to be working with you!

Be a successful Titan! Study 25-35 hours per week! Click to find out more.

Campus Resources

Tutoring Centers

Students majoring in science and math may find that their major classes are challenging. Students are encouraged to visit one of our many tutoring centers on campus for additional support with class assignments and homework.

OPPORTUNITY CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS STUDENTS (OCSAMS)
The Opportunity Center provides free tutoring for biology, chemistry, biochemistry and some physics courses. The Center also provides computers, a copy machine, and study areas for students.
Info: (657) 278-7082 or MH 488

UNIVERSITY LEARNING CENTER
The University Learning Center (ULC) provides tutoring services for a variety of subjects ranging from math to biology to history. Walk-ins may be accommodated but appointments are encouraged.
Info: (657) 278-2738 or PLN 2ND Floor

MATH TUTORING CENTER
The Math Tutoring Center provides drop-in tutoring for all math courses through Math 150A (first semester calculus). For tutoring in courses above that level, check Center for availability of a tutor.
Info: (657) 278-3542 or MH 187

CALCULUS WORKSHOPS
The Mathematics Department offers workshops for students taking Math 115, Math 125, and Math 150A/B. The workshops are supplementary one-unit courses that may be taken along with the corresponding math course. Students may register for the workshops through Titan Online.
Info: (657) 278-3542 or MH-176

NSM FRESHMAN SUPPORT SERVICES
The NSM Freshman Support Services provides appointment only tutoring for math through Math 150B and most sciences courses. For tutoring in courses above that level, check Center for availability of a tutor.
Info: (657) 278-8331 or MH 488C

Mentoring

All NSM first-year students are invited to be a part of the College’s Peer Mentor Program. The mentor program is a part of the NSM Freshman Support Services and conveniently located in the Opportunity Center. Peer mentors are experienced students majoring in math or science who serve as role models and advisors for first-year students. Peer advisors are available for 1:1 meetings and facilitate various workshops on notetaking, test preparation and time management. They also plan various social events and provide a safe space for fellow likeminded students to network. If you are a first-year student in math or science and you are interested in meeting with a peer advisor, you may contact the peer advisors directly by phone, email, Myspace, or in person.

Peer Mentor Program
Office: MH 488C
Phone: 657-278-8331
Myspace: www.myspace.com/csufpeergroup (opens in a new window)

Study 25-35

Be a successful Titan! Study 25-35 hours per week! Believe in and follow the 25-35 Program: Most students struggle academically, not because they cannot learn the material and do the work, but because they don’t how to study or keep up with the courses they are taking. The 25-35 Program suggests that you should study two hours per week for each credit unit in which you are enrolled. It is vitally important that you have the time to do this consistently and when you are rested and alert so you can actually learn. Use the following to determine how you might manage your time.

  1. Enrolled Units ______
  2. Planned Study Hours each week _____
  3. How many total hours are you in class, lab, or activity each week? _______
  4. If you are employed, how many hours a week do you work? _______
  5. Do you have any other responsibility or activity to which you must devote time? If so, what is it? How many hours a week? Add the hours in the four bullets above. What is the total? ____________
    Keep in mind a week has seven 24 hour days or 168 hours. Probably half of each day is consumed with sleep, eating, hygiene, errands, and transportation.
  6. Will your study plan include Fridays and weekends as well as the rest of the week and will you put priority on academic responsibilities? ________
  7. Will you maintain a safe, responsible, and healthy lifestyle? _____
  8. We are talking about a lot of things here including nutrition, exercise, alcohol, drugs, addictions, and personal relationships.

______ Understand and follow your curriculum: You should make sure you are familiar with your curriculum and set goals for progress and graduation. Knowing where you are going and when you will get there is very motivating.

HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU

Visit your instructors’ office hours. Commit to having already studied the material before you go.

Seek tutoring A tutor is useful only if you have studied the material with the intent to understand and master. Then the tutor can help you with the areas you find difficult. If you truly study first, you probably won’t need a tutor in most cases.

Contact the NSM Freshman Support Services and RSVP to attend a free, 50 minute study skills workshop week 3-6 on one of the following topics by:
Topics include:
* Understanding Procrastination * Learning Styles * Time Management
* Textbook Processing * Memory Skills * Improving Reading Rate
* Test Preparation Techniques * Note Taking Systems * Reading Comprehension

Enroll/Attend Calculus Workshops
Enroll/Attend in a Bio 171 Study Session Program
Receive free tutoring from a Peer Mentor
Online Study Skills Video Clips (opens in a new window)
Academic Success Booklet
Study Log
Campus Resource Information
Faculty Responsibilities in a 25-35 Program

Contact Us

Vanessa Martinez, M.A.
Retention Coordinator
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
California State University, Fullerton
McCarthy Hall, 488A
(657) 278-2266 phone
(657) 626-8001 fax
vamartinez@fullerton.edu

Ana Maria Oviedo
Student Assistant
NSM Freshman Support Service
McCarthy Hall, 488C
(657) 278-8331 phone
(657) 626-2266 fax

Chris Nommensen
Student Assistant
NSM Freshman Support Service
McCarthy Hall, 488C
(657) 278-8331 phone
(657) 626-2266 fax