First-Year Students

Congratulations on your admission to UC Davis, and Welcome to the East Asian Studies Major this Fall 2025!

To help you prepare for a great first year, we have planned a comprehensive UC Davis Orientation experience in three parts: Aggie 101, Aggie Advising, and Aggie Orientation!

TO GET STARTED, HERE ARE YOUR STEPS TO SUCCESS:

Step 1: Complete Aggie 101 (Required)
All incoming freshmen and transfer students must complete Aggie 101. This online program will provide essential information and introduce you to the key resources you’ll need to be successful at UC Davis.
Available: May 6

Step 2: Complete Aggie Advising Canvas Program (Required)
Learn how to select courses, build and balance your schedule, and start satisfying the requirements you’ll need to graduate. You’ll find resources and tips to help you navigate the university, explore your interests, and ensure your first quarter is a success. More information, including log-in directions, will be provided to you soon.
Available: May 13

Step 3: Attend a "Preparing for Pass 1" Webinar- Hosted by Orientation (Required)
The next step in your Aggie Advising process is to attend a “Preparing for Pass 1” webinar. These webinars are mandatory and are designed around your college and student type (first-year or transfer). Webinar registration directions will be sent to your UC Davis email. In the email, you will see multiple dates/times for this webinar. You only need to attend ONE session. Make sure choose the correct college and RSVP once you receive that email, as seats will fill up quickly. This webinar will be hosted by current students and will demonstrate how to effectively use Schedule Builder, the online tool that you will use to register for courses here at UC Davis. A panel of students will share insights in building a balanced schedule and maximizing your time outside of classes.

First-Year Sessions:
July 9th, 12:00 PM
July 9th, 3:00 PM
July 10th, 3:00 PM

Step 4: Attend an Aggie Resource Webinar- Hosted by Orientation (Optional)
We know that coming to UC Davis can leave you with a lot of questions. That's why we host multiple webinars over the summer to help get those questions answered! These resource-based webinars will take place in July and August. More information will be made available in early summer.

Available: TBD

Step 5: Connect with a an Advisor (Optional)

If you've completed the Aggie Advising Canvas program and still have questions about your first quarter schedule or your academic record, you can connect with an academic advisor for help. Note: Completion of the Aggie Advising Canvas program may be required to access the appointment system. We encourage all students to meet with a college advisor first before talking to a major advisor. Please refer to the info below for drop in hours to speak to a major advisor.

First Year Drop in Hours 2025; Mondays from 1-3PM starting 5/19 through 9/18

Step 6: Register for Courses (Required)
After you’ve planned out your first quarter, you should have everything you need to register for classes. All students will register for courses using Schedule Builder during their assigned pass time. 
Available: July 29th and 30th

Step 7: Attend Aggie Orientation (Required)
Fall Aggie Orientation is our on-campus program that begins on September 17th for transfer students, and September 19th for first-year students. You DO NOT need to register. Aggie Orientation is mandatory, so all students are automatically signed up. To learn more about the mandatory fee for Orientation, visit our Fees and Policies page.
Available: Sept. 19th-22nd; First Year Orientation for ECN Majors Friday, 9/19 from 4:00 - 5:30PM (1.5 hrs) 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Review your CANVAS Pages for Recommended First Quarter Courses
  • Take a look at your Sample 4-Year Guide.
  • Find 2-3 non-major courses that you would be interested in taking in Fall Quarter alongside your East Asian Studies coursework. 
  • Click on this diagram to help you identify courses of interest outside of your major.
  • Remember to check prerequisites to make sure you’re eligible for the course you are interested in.
  • Review the resources for new students from the College of Letters and Science. Our Advising Center will assist you with your major requirements and the College will assist you with your general education and college/university requirements. Throughout your career at UC Davis, you will work with both of these offices for academic advising.  We always encourage you to check in with the College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Education and Advising Office regarding requirements outside of the major: https://lettersandscience.ucdavis.edu/advising.

REGISTERING FOR COURSES:

After you’ve completed your Aggie Advising Assignments in Canvas and reviewed the resources here, you should have everything you need to register for classes. All students will register for courses using Schedule Builder during their assigned pass time. Before you register, you can begin searching and saving courses to start building your schedule. Add classes and use the “Calendar View” to see your daily/weekly/monthly schedule at a glance. Save multiple schedules and compare to find the best fit. Be sure to read the “Important Details” to view course notes, descriptions, prerequisites, and much more.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

We’ve included some resources to help you transition during your first quarter at UC Davis. 

Academic Planning

 

 

Best Practices & Tips

 

 

How To Get Involved With Our Department