Campus Mental Health Resources

Mental health is a critically important issue that can sometimes slip the mind in the stressful, pressure-cooker environment of college. Fortunately there exists resources on campus that can help you through a tough time or whatever problems you may be facing. With finals coming, it is even more important to make sure your stress and mental health are under control.

Note: If you are thinking about hurting or killing yourself, please stop and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The lifeline exists to connect individuals for 24/7 help with skilled, trained counselors in the area. There also exists a UCPD 24 hr dispatch line which can be reached at 310-825-1491.

How to Survive Taking 4 Classes

Ever had that eye-roll worthy conversation with that one  friend who is either super pumped or super stressed over life because he/she is taking 4 (sometimes 5) classes? And you’re sitting there thinking to yourself one of two things : “How could you possibly be thrilled about 4 classes?” OR “Well you may be stressed out, but you did this to yourself.”

Don’t fool yourself, we’ve all been there. Even if you are one of those eye-roll inducing overachievers who DO take 4 classes a quarter – like myself – it probably didn’t start that way. Or maybe you’re taking 4 classes just for the fun of it or to graduate early. Odds are, you had some sort of initial doubt about putting yourself headfirst into 4 classes. But once you got the hang of it,  piece of cake, right?

So how do we do it?

Coachella Alternatives for College Students

So maybe you missed Coachella this year. Or maybe you decided not to go this year to spare your wallet. Or MAYBE, in a weird turn of events, you’ve been to Coachella so many times before that you’re ready for something new. Whatever the case may be, we have you covered. Here’s 5 fun alternatives to Coachella 2015 :

Spring Break Destinations for Students

Although it’s only a week, Spring Break provides a much needed reprieve for students after the grind of Winter Quarter. The activities planned by Spring Breakers run the gamut from traveling to competing to computing. On The Hill asked students to share some of their Spring Break plans with the rest of us. What are you doing for spring break?

I’m going to a track meet in Arizona where I’m competing in javelin and discus.

-Zaybree Haury, second-year sociology major

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I’m going to work on my mobile app called Bruinlife that gives students access to dining hall menus as well as fitness and nutritional information.

-Matthew Decoste, fourth-year computer science student

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My plan is to go back to Northern California and relive some of my past before I go back to Malaysia.

-Atira Shukri, a fourth-year IDS student

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Well my friend lives in the Virgin Islands so I’m looking forward to the clean beach water there.

-Ashley Knights, fourth-year anthropology student

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I’m going to be in New York City and I’m super excited about finally being able to call out for a taxi.

-Kenya Simms, a fourth-year gender studies student

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I’m headed back to my hometown for San Francisco so I can attend my uncle’s wedding.

-Emily Tom, a first-year biochemistry student

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I’m going to Beyond Wonderland, an EDM music festival.

-Melissa Mendoza, a fourth-year biology student

Best Cafes to Study at in Westwood

The rapidly encroaching realization that finals are coming can draw even the most hardened procrastinators out of their apathy. Unfortunately on-campus study space is limited when every student at UCLA is coming to the same conclusion. Luckily, there are plenty of spots out in Westwood that provide a serene studying environment while also offering some delicious drinks and snacks to get you through your educational woes.

Campus Celebrities: Vagabond Youth

Photo courtesy of Amy Lee

Amy Lee is a third-year communications studies major at UCLA, with all the normal student concerns about midterms, relationships and the rest. But to her more than 150,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel Vagabond Youth, she is a fashion inspiration, a new media icon who infuses her video with cutting-edge style, empowering messages for young women and her own brand of kooky charm. On The Hill sat down with her to discuss what led to her move both to UCLA and online.

Taxes 101: Your On the Hill Guide to Filing Your Taxes

Tax season might be confusing for most students. We’ve collaborated with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA at UCLA) to create this guide to answer commonly asked questions. The following guide is non-exhaustive and only addresses basic issues which commonly affect college students. If you feel that you need further assistance, feel free to visit VITA at UCLA at Ackerman Viewpoint on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11AM-4PM until Week 9 of Winter Quarter and Mondays through Fridays from 11AM-4PM during Spring Quarter until April 15^th. Check out their website for more information and tax site reservations (they also accept walk-ins!).

Before you may determine what you are to do this tax season, let’s define essential tax lingo that is unfamiliar to the ordinary college student.