High Life / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : UCI Opens Orientation Book : Education: Program outlines ethics, responsibilities, but incoming freshmen worry whether they will get the classes they need.

As Warren Tabutol sat among more than 550 incoming college freshmen, their parents, staffers and coordinators in UC Irvine’s Crystal Cove Auditorium, the reality of his impending college career began to sink in.

The introductory presentation he heard was just the beginning of a three-day UCI Student-Parent Orientation Program, which is being offered again this month and is similar to programs on college campuses throughout the country.

“In my high school, I didn’t have much competition (there were only 95 in his class) and now . . . bio-sci majors from hell,” said Tabutol, a biology major and recent graduate of Orosi High School near Fresno.

As Horace Mitchell, vice chancellor for student life, continued his address, emphasizing personal development at UCI in terms of ethics, physical and psychological well-being, leadership, community service and diversity, many worried about the basics: making friends and choosing the right classes and majors.

“I’m from San Francisco, and I don’t know anyone going here from my high school,” said Thomas Tischer, a graduate of St. Ignatius High School.

“I think class size and the way you’re taught is going to be different.”

“I think the biggest change for me is going from high school teachers to college teachers. In college, you basically learn on your own,” said Rajeev Chetal, who graduated from Mission High in San Jose.

Joan Chang, a graduate of Valencia High in Placentia, agreed: “We aren’t going to be spoon-fed like we were in high school. You have to go find out what’s going on. You have to take the initiative 100% to function well in college. I feel a lot more independent.”

Staff member Hooman Beheshti, a senior electrical engineering major, said, “As far as academics, my best advice would be for them (incoming freshmen) to manage their time so they don’t fall behind. Socially, (my advice is) just be themselves.”

“Be as active as you can,” said Michelle Ko, staffer and junior social ecology major. “I learned the most outside of the classroom.”

Added staffer Sophie Norwood, a graduate of UCI in social ecology: “My advice would be to not be close-minded because you learn from every person you meet. Don’t close yourself off to your own little group . . . “

Despite enjoying their Saturday afternoon picnic, some students were still anxious about figuring out their fall class schedules.

“I’m worried about taking the right classes. . . . I want to take classes that will help me the most,” said Jeff Bremer, a graduate of Davis High School in Northern California.

The orientation’s academic advising sessions solved many of the students’ problems and answered a number of questions.

“It clears up what to take, how many units, how to handle the class loads your first semester--it makes it rather easy,” Tabutol said. “The only problem now is choosing what classes and arranging them the way you want them.

“But going to the classes is scarier because it seems more real now. Before it was just registering for classes, now it’s actually taking the classes.

Said Beheshti: “I think the (orientation) weekend is a very good idea. It eases their transition; it helped me a lot when I went through it . . . (it) boosts self-confidence to a level where you’re very comfortable when coming into the school.”

Students weren’t the only ones involved during the weekend orientation. Arnold Carter joined his daughter, Tamesha, a graduate of Dominguez High School, because he likes “to be a part of what (his) kids do.”

“I never attended a university, I went to a (community college) because I didn’t have the guidance in school,” Arnold Carter said. “I wanted to make sure that my children went to a university. (But) its always been a desire and goal of hers to attend college. We’ve never really had to push her.

“I thought she made a good decision (with UCI). I’m impressed with what I’ve seen here. She is really anxious. She wants to get away from the sibling rivalry, her little sisters. I’m sure she’ll miss them after a while . . . “

At the end of the weekend, students were left with a lot fewer worries and a lot more friends.

“Everybody starts in the same boat down here,” Tischer said. “We all have the same chance to meet people and get involved.”