Cat’s Declassified Grad School Survival Guide

Table of contents

1. UCSD-Specific
   1. Academic Resources
   2. Financial Resources
   3. Basic Needs
      1. Food
      2. Health
      3. Household Items
      4. Transportation
   4. Campus
   5. Housing
   6. Fun Things Off-Campus
2. General
3. Living on a Budget

UCSD-Specific

Academic Resources

• Setting up your UCSD VPN
• Kanopy (video streaming service; requires VPN to log in)
• Download the Microsoft Office Suite
• Writing Retreats and Writing Room at the Writing Hub

Financial Resources

• Personal Travel Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance

Basic Needs

Food

• Food Pantry
• Food Recovery Network
• CalFresh
• Free food notifications on the UCSD App: Open UCSD App > Profile > Notifications > Free Food

Health

• MyChart (website/app):
  • Book doctors appointments at Student Health Center
  • Message nurse/doctor for medical advice
  • Perscription notifications
  • COVID test results
• Covid Test Vending Machines
  • Get free covid tests by scanning student ID at vending machine, scan barcode via UCSD app, results come through MyChart
• Get a copy of your insurance card
• Discounted acupuncture appointments
• Understand your health insurance plan
  • Glossary of terms related to health insurance
  • Download SHIP App (SHIP is the name of the insurance plan)
  • Use insurance provider website to find in-network care providers
• Mental Health Services on Campus
  • Crisis Counseling (24 hours/day): (858) 534-3755, select Option 2
  • Book an appointment: (858) 534-3755
  • Let’s Talk Program: drop in mental health consultations, great resource if you don’t know where to get started but are interested in seeking mental health help
• Sexual Assault Resource Center

Household Items

• HDH Donation Programs: exchange household items with Grad Housing Residents
• Personal Hygiene Products through the Basic Needs Center

Transportation

• Free SD Transportation during the academic year via Pronto App
• Track campus shuttles on TransLoc App (including Grad Housing-Campus shuttle)
• Safe Rides

Campus

• Restaurants on campus I recommend: Blue Pepper (Thai), Taco Villa (Mexican), Plant Power (vegan fast food), Fan Fan (Chinese), Tapioca Express (boba)
• Coffee: Art of Espresso (best), Sixth College Market coffeeshop (very cheap)
• Mailing Center
• Fun things:
  • Fallen Star and other art in the Stuart Collection
  • Walk to the Gliderport - views of the ocean, watch paragliders
  • Hammocks near Price Center

Housing

Fun Things Off-Campus

• My favorite restaurants and stores

General

Living on a Budget

• Get a Libby account to borrow ebooks and audiobooks