Explore Connections

First priority to register for this Connection is given to AandPIA LLC residents. All other interested first-year students will be considered if space remains during open registration.

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LLC Priority Registration

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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Aggie Rainbow Connection: LGBTQIA+ is a space for first year & transfer students to build community. This FYAC centers the experience of LGBTQIA+ students, but all students are welcome. Aggie Rainbow Connection fosters discussions on academic and social resources such as learning about LGBTQIA Resource Center opportunities, our RSOs, and much more! Join our Aggie Rainbow Connection group to foster community with members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community!

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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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This Connection is an opportunity to take an hour out of your week to relax and de-stress by doing fun and EASY crafts. Throughout the quarter you will explore different craft forms from scrapbooking to painting to creating a mood board. The specific crafts will be determined at the start of the quarter through participant feedback. By joining this Connection you will learn how to use crafting as a form of self-care, you will find community, and gain crafting experience. This Connection is open to all people of all crafting levels. Beginners, experts, and non-experienced crafters are all welcome!

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This Connection is designed for first-year students, including transfer and international students, who identify with or are interested in the experiences of Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian (MENASA) communities. Students seeking a supportive community, opportunities for personal growth, and guidance in navigating their transition to UC Davis are encouraged to join. Through weekly meetings, students will engage in discussions about identity, belonging, leadership, and the unique experiences of MENASA students in higher education. Participants will connect with campus staff, faculty, peer mentors, and student leaders who can provide insight into academic success, career exploration, campus involvement, and available resources. Meetings will also focus on developing essential skills for student success, including goal setting, time management, self-advocacy, and building meaningful connections within the university community. Students should join this Connection to build a sense of belonging, develop leadership and academic skills, and create a strong support network during their first year at UC Davis. By exploring their identities, engaging with diverse perspectives, and learning how to navigate the opportunities and expectations of a research university, students will be better prepared to thrive both academically and personally.

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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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Interested in law school but unsure where to start? The path to a JD program is often non-linear, and preparing a competitive application can feel overwhelming. Students who are first-generation, new to academic research, or navigating this process independently may find it particularly complex; however, support and guidance are available. Each week, this FYAC will examine the law school application process, including its key components, strategic preparation, and relevant UC Davis resources. Students will develop a personalized action plan to guide their preparation and strengthen their candidacy. This session is intended for UC Davis transfer students in their third or fourth year (starting their first year as Aggies), ready to begin planning for law school, but is open to first-year students, space permitting

Transfer Priority Registration

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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Discover what you’re naturally great at, then build those strengths with your hands! In this interactive connection series, 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, LEGO models, and shared connection. Each session will include hands-on building with Strengths-based coaching. You’ll design representations of your talents, explore how they show up in your academic and everyday life, set goals aligned with your natural talents, and learn how your strengths work with those of your peers. This isn’t just about self-understanding; it’s about building connections, navigating your first year with confidence, and discovering how your unique combination of strengths can help you thrive at UC Davis. Everyone builds. Everyone shares. Everyone belongs. Join the serious play and start your college journey from a place of strength.

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Each week, we will delve into topics in the medical humanities, such as bioethics, implicit biases, the social determinants of health, grief, and mental health. We will analyze writings and art pieces related to these topics and discuss them with each other to better understand and reflect on their messages. Participating in this connection provides more perspective into some of the larger forces that affect healthcare, and allows people to better advocate for themselves and become more understanding healthcare professionals. Though most students who join are pre-health, we have had people of all majors and career interests (such as pre-law or pre-PhD) join our discussions.

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The Native Americans Building Connections and Strengthening Community FYAC focuses on developing a “home away from home” where your values as a Native American student are recognized, your academic successes and accomplishments are celebrated and your contributions to your community are honored as you are. In this FYAC we aim to create a sense of belonging and build community with one another, supporting you as you navigate this next chapter in your educational journey. Through class meetings, readings, and assignments, we will explore various topics relevant to navigating and flourishing at a Research 1 (R1) university and beyond. 

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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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