Explore Connections

Do hands-on constructing with Lego bricks to build representations or metaphors of your thoughts, goals, possibilities, and wishes. Using your tactile/kinesthetic sense can help tap into your subconscious thought and bring yourself and your world into different focus. Discover fun and interesting new perspectives, increase your understanding of yourself and your motivations - and your understanding of other people. Everyone builds, and everyone shares in these interactive workshops. In this interactive connection, you’ll start by taking the Clifton Strengths assessment to discover your Top 5 talents, then use LEGO bricks to bring those strengths to life through stories, metaphors, and LEGO models! Join the serious play!

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If you love K-Pop or just want to learn more, join us in community to discuss our favorite groups, fandom culture, music, and more. We'll sprinkle a little bit of everything from K-Pop history to recent music releases. From playing games and watching music videos to learning about how fandom can bring transferable skills to other parts of life, we'll be mixing both the fun and social community building with some cool new resources as you all navigate the first year here at Davis. All first year freshmen and transfers are welcome!

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ASUCD: Earn While You Learn is an opportunity to learn about job and volunteer opportunities from UC Davis' largest student employer. Additionally, we will share the amazing resources available at our many establishments, all run by students like yourself! We will tour businesses like our ASUCD Coffee House, Bike Barn, KDVS Radio Station, Unitrans, and much more.

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Want to start your first year feeling confident, prepared, and ready to take on college? Join us each week to discover your unique strengths, build practical skills, and learn strategies that can help you thrive both in and outside the classroom. Led by Judi, a Success Coach, this Connection is a supportive space to explore what college success looks like for you. Together, we’ll tackle real-life college skills like studying smarter, managing your time, setting meaningful goals, building connections, and more! Come ready to learn, practice, and build your own toolkit for a successful first year!

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Not able to bring your furry friend to college? Then join us as we learn about the community cats that call UC Davis home. Take time out of your busy schedule to learn more about campus and connect with fellow cat-lovers. We'll be using the campus cat map to spot some of campus' well known cats like Oreo (the Voorhies cat), Cheeto (the iconic Physics cat), and Bandit (the black and white cat who lives with the cows). We'll explore academic, volunteer, and research opportunities at UC Davis related to cats. We'll even get behind-the-scenes tours of some of UC Davis's premiere feline facilities like the Vet Med Teaching Hospital. Please be aware, we will be walking around campus during each week's meeting in search of cats, wind, rain or shine. This Connection is facilitated by two crazy cat ladies, both named Rachel!

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Each week, first year first-generation students will engage in discussions and activities to further support their transition to UC Davis. Some weeks will even be driven by what the group would like to specifically cover. Join in if you're a first-gen student looking to build community, develop college success skills, connect with campus resources, and gain confidence as you navigate your UC Davis experience.

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Looking to meet new people, relax, and have fun while navigating your first year at UC Davis? “Get Your Game On!” is a welcoming space for first-year and transfer students to build friendships through board games, card games, and occasional video games. Each week, we’ll gather to play, connect, and unwind to support balance and stress management during the transition to college. Students will also learn about resources available through Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) to support their overall well-being. Join us if you want a fun, low-pressure way to make connections, take a break, and feel more at home at UC Davis!

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We live in an interconnected world. New students come to UC Davis with many types of global experiences already. You may be from an immigrant family, from a diverse community, multilingual, or an international student. No matter what your background is, what your major is, or what your career goals are, we ALL need skills and knowledge to successfully operate in a global world. 

There's so much that UC Davis has to offer to support your global learning. We have programs for students to travel abroad, virtual opportunities, and even things to do right here on campus and in our region. Research, internships, community engagement, intercultural workshops, leadership and mentorship programs, and the Global Studies minor are just some of the opportunities you can get involved with. Come learn about scholarships and available funding, free or low-cost programs, and programs that even pay students for participating. There are so many global learning opportunities, it's time to get informed now so you can make amazing choices about your involvement for the rest of your time at UC Davis and beyond. 

The goal of this 1-credit seminar is to orient students early on to what global learning is and all of the resources the Global Learning Hub and our campus have to offer. We will also explore and develop some of the key global and intercultural skills necessary for a global workforce and civic engagement. The skills and knowledge in this course will help prepare you not only for your time at UC Davis, but also for your post-graduation life in our interconnected world.

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Are you looking for ways to make your health a priority as you start your UCD journey? If so, this connection is for you! Making healthy choices can help your academics, sleep, social life, and can actually be fun, too. If you struggle to start or maintain healthy habits, this connection has you covered! Topics to be addressed include mental and emotional health and well-being, exercise, nutrition, sleep, as well as goal setting and time management, to ensure that you find the healthy "mix" of habits that work best for you. We will celebrate each other's successes in this connection and also come up with creative ways to address and overcome any health obstacles. Come prepared to have fun, while identifying and implementing new ways to be the healthiest version of yourself!

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Calling all horse enthusiasts! Whether you are an experienced equestrian or brand new to the world of horses, join us to learn about the ways you can become involved in the Aggie equine community! Highlights will include tours of campus horse facilities, learning about internship and career opportunities with horses, gaining insights into veterinary research, and meeting faculty, staff and students with diverse backgrounds, experiences and jobs with horses!

We will be visiting locations across campus (near and far). Alternate forms of transportation (bike, scooter, car, etc.) are highly encouraged, but not required to participate

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Designed for first-year students, this Connection is the perfect way to stay active, explore the UC Davis campus, and build community outside the classroom. All fitness levels are welcome! Each week, we will meet at Wyatt Deck to step away from our screens, enjoy the fresh air, and explore scenic routes around the Arboretum. You can choose your own pace each week: The Nature Group: A slower, mindful walk focused on nature appreciation. The Run/Jog Group: A faster-paced option focused on exercise and movement. Joining us is a fantastic, relaxed way to build a healthy routine, chat about transitioning to college life, and connect with peers and staff in a casual setting. Clear your mind, explore your new home, and stride into your first quarter with us!

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This FYAC is centered around crocheting and creating community. Attendees will learn about campus resources, connect with their peers, and explore a new or existing hobby. While some basic crochet knowledge is recommended, all skill levels are welcome. Participants can expect to learn and practice foundational crochet techniques, follow crochet patterns, and experiment with freehand creations. Projects may include granny squares for blankets, granny-square triangles for bandanas, granny-square hexagons for shirts, and a surprise project designed for more experienced fiber artists.

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Calling all crafty Aggies! Join us each week as we learn basic hand sewing skills, work on projects, dive into campus resources related to crafting (clubs and the craft center), and talk about crafting as a form of self-expression and stress relief. This group is intended for people who love to craft and want to learn how to craft on a budget, specifically hand sewing. Students of all experience levels are welcome; students advanced in hand sewing should expect to sit through a few introductory sewing meetings. Whether you're looking for a new hobby or excited to meet fellow crafty Aggies, this is the group for you. Let's stitch together!

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Freshman Priority Registration

The global food system is changing rapidly, both what we consume and how. There is no better place than UC Davis to explore how to improve our food and food systems, and there are many ways to do it! Get to know others interested in food and making an impact on the food system, and take a weekly tour of the following facilities focused on food: The Student Farm The Student Startup Center Undergraduate Research Center The Pantry Food-related clubs at UC Davis and more!

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Looking to meet people who share your love of music? Whether you're a musician, a casual listener, or just curious about the music scene at UC Davis, this Connection is for you! Explore the many ways music brings our campus together through field trips to live performances, visits to the Music Building and KDVS campus radio station, and conversations with faculty, student musicians, and campus organizations. Along the way, you'll discover opportunities to get involved, share your favorite artists, create playlists, and even make music together. Come build community, discover new sounds, and create the soundtrack to your first year at Davis.

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Ever wondered what your personality type says about you, or just need to know which Disney character, Hogwarts house, or UC Davis icon (Gunrock or Cheeto? 👀) matches your vibe? Each week, we’ll take a new personality quiz, compare our results, and see what we learn along the way.

From surprisingly accurate to completely unserious, these quizzes are really just an excuse to have fun, learn more about yourself, and meet other first-year students. Come ready to answer some random questions, debate your results, and make new friends as you navigate your first quarter together!

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