Working from your own computer:

If you are using MAC operating Syatem you  need to open terminal in

" Open Applications folder  then Utility folder  open terminal"

You may see a window like this:





Type :ssh   "your username"@point.math.ucdavis.edu

Example $ssh math22als7-14@point.math.ucdavis.edu

Press Enter

then type your password press "enter".

this terminal session is the same as the one you get in lab. 
Note in the lab you have to type "ssh point" You do not to type this when using  your Mac terminal Window