The Multi-Cultural Center hosted its “Navigating Campus Life” workshop to presented advice for new Sacramento State students on Wednesday.

The 90-minute workshop offered 25 students information to assist them in both surviving and enjoying their college experience. Topics included in the discussion were how to study efficiently, time management and the importance of becoming involved with clubs and departments on campus.

“I came because I heard from numerous people that people who are more involved are likely to stay in college and perform better,” said Elizabeth Marie Arias, a junior sociology major and a new transfer student from Modesto Junior College.

One of the core values of the Multi-Cultural Center is community.

“We do have a community of people that are retained by the programs that are happening, and they really do bring a lot of students in,” said Jeanette Plascencia, program coordinator of the Multi-Cultural Center, “We strongly believe that students bring in students, and students really know what they need. A lot of the programs here are driven by what students’ concerns are, which makes the Multi-Cultural Center so versatile.”

“Probably the most important thing I learned today was how to establish a relationship with professors,” Arias said. “They help in getting knowledge and letters of recommendation to go to grad school and sometimes, they even have leads on jobs and internships because they may have lots of connections with other professors at other universities.”

Representatives from the Student Health Center and the Peer Mentor programs also came to inform students of the services they offer.

Arias said she plans on returning to the Multi-Cultural Center to attend more programs.

“That was my first visit to the multicultural center, and I don’t think many students take advantage of it,” Arias said, “People should come inside and gain knowledge and insight.”

Gabriel Figueroa, freshman, also said he plans to come back.

“I’ve been to the MCC before, and really, compared to most of the other things that I’ve done on campus, this is the place that keeps making me come back,” said Figeuroa. “Just having a little community is so welcoming. I come here even to sleep.”

Everyone in the room was encouraged to describe, using only one word, how they felt as they were preparing to leave the workshop. Among the words used were happy, excited, informed, stoked, joyful and hungry.

Micah Stevenson can be reached at [email protected].