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The 20 or so students are scribbling intently, heads bent over paper in the Cal State Fullerton classroom, when time is up: "Take a deep breath; you survived your first college writing assignment," English instructor Rachel David tells them.

The students share some nervous smiles and a few sighs, but they're not done. They get a homework assignment and will have to find time that afternoon between lunch, study periods and workshops to obtain the textbook and other materials for English 101.

They are a new batch of incoming freshmen who are largely on their own after the closely guided regimens of high school. And they're getting a head start as participants in the...