5 Simple Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To UC Berkeley

A little insight can go a long way for new students looking to find their way around.

For many students, UC Berkeley is where dreams come true. From the institution’s top faculty and research facilities that enrich our academic career, to the active and diverse student body which animates the campus community, many of us come to Cal expecting the quintessential college experience – and rightfully so. There isn’t much to argue there.

However, there are definitely a few things I wish I knew before coming to Berkeley that would have eased my transition (to say the least).

Here are five simple pieces of information I present to all freshly-admitted Golden Bears trying to prepare for one of the biggest journeys of their lives.

1. The weather gets insanely cold.

(Image source: sfgate.com)

Before I moved to California, my only impression of the Golden State was what I saw on TV and in the movies.

To my dismay, Northern California is nothing like Venice Beach. In the winter, temperatures can drop anywhere between 37 and 50 degrees – in the daytime. It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s windy. Did I mention that winter here lasts for almost five months?

I never would have imagined purchasing thermals within my first month of staying in California, but it turns out that most days I can’t venture outside without them.

My advice: slide into those thermals and invest in a durable coat or hoodie, because contrary to what we all want to believe, it is not perpetual short-short weather up in here.

2. The squirrels are cute … but vicious.

(Image source: dailycal.org)

At first, you’ll find them cute and cuddly, amazed at how they’ll just approach you while you’re sitting on a bench, enjoying some of those delectable cheese fries from the Golden Bear Café that you couldn’t resist having for lunch.

You toss the creature a fry. Oh, how cute, it went for it. Now, the little rodent won’t leave you alone. The next thing you know, you’re causing a scene, fleeing for your life. Everybody else gets it, we’ve all been there.

A favorite pastime of the student body is boasting that Cal is Bear Territory, but who are we kidding. It has and always will be Squirrel Territory. Those fuzzy critters will transform into relentless, smug little beasts right before your eyes in no time.

Don’t allow them to terrorize you. Just keep walking.

Fun fact: as of this summer, it is illegal to feed squirrels at Berkeley city parks. Hooray!

3. Campus is really big. 

(Image source: me.berkeley.edu)

Study the map. Getting lost for the first six weeks of school is not fun. Inevitable? Maybe, but putting in the effort really makes the difference. I suggest printing a small campus map and taping it into one of your notebooks.

For those of you who are like me and have absolutely no sense of direction, a map will definitely come in handy.

4. Explore outside your (intended) major.

(Image source: photos.nola.com)

If you’re in the College of Letters and Science, which is UC Berkeley’s liberal arts college, you’ll have to fulfill seven different breadth requirements in different subject areas in order to graduate.

Many students groan at the idea of taking courses that are “’unnecessary,” preferring to focus only on courses that “count” towards their major.

Instead of whining about something you can’t change, take this as an opportunity to enroll in classes that you find interesting, not just the classes you think would provide you with an easy A.

Who knows, you might end up minoring (or even majoring) in that subject because of that one course you took. Even if you don’t change your academic path, you’ll gain some pretty cool skills.

Take advantage of the opportunity! Explore what Berkeley has to offer.

5. San Francisco is a 30-minute BART ride away.

(Image source: fa-sd.com)

As students, we oftentimes find ourselves too absorbed in our studies to consider that one of the world’s most beautiful cities is right next door (there’s Oakland too, I guess).

That’s not to say that students are unfamiliar with the city; on weekends, the city is bustling with students looking for a good time. However, there is so much more to explore and appreciate beyond Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf.

The architecture, the beaches, the restaurants, the history. Alcatraz. Also, we may not have realized this as freshmen, but there are so many opportunities for research and internships in San Francisco.

Don’t be shy – take a friend, and make an adventure out of it! As students at UC Berkeley, it is our profession to make new discoveries every day.