While everyone hopes for a perfect class schedule, not everyone gets it. I am one of those people. I managed to enroll in all the classes I needed, yet I did not get the most ideal times to optimize my days on campus, leaving me with hours of free time in between classes. After accumulating these experiences over the past two years at Berkeley, I decided to list out some of the things I have been doing with my time.
1. Catch Up with Friends
I usually find people who have the same breaks between classes and decide to catch up with them. We all know how busy college schedules can be, and sometimes you need to actively make time to see your friends and hear what they have been up to. As a big people person, this is my way of rejuvenating myself, so I try to do it often—usually by sharing Google Calendars and finding times that work for all of us.
With the many new matcha places that opened in Berkeley over the summer, I am on a mission to try them all (though my all-time favorite is still Binge Coffee on Bancroft). Some of my friends and I also like grabbing drinks and taking a walk around campus—whether it is heading toward the Li Ka Shing area or exploring places I rarely have classes in (for me, that’s North Berkeley!).
2. Get Work Done
In the past, I used to leave all my work until the end of the day before going to bed. It was my routine to finish homework and organize my calendar at night, but that often meant staying up late and ruining my sleep schedule. Now, I try to get some work done during the day so I can truly rest at night.
My favorite study spot is the East Asian Library—the sunlight streaming through the windows creates a cozy yet modern environment that helps me focus. On brighter days, I also enjoy sitting on the Glade to read for class, review notes, or reply to emails (though it is very tempting to just relax after seeing people having picnics or playing frisbee!).
3. Campus Ambassador
The beginning of the semester is always the busiest time for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and campus tours are no exception. With the application deadline approaching, there has been an influx of prospective students and families visiting campus. To accommodate the high demand, we have had a lot of tours lately. However, with midterms coming up and everyone’s personal schedules getting busier, there have been quite a few shift drops—so I have been picking some up whenever I can. I am always grateful when someone covers for me when something important comes up, so other ambassadors and I try to do the same for each other. It is also a great way to meet new ambassadors I have not worked with before, and I treat it less like a job and more like a bonding experience!
It is always rewarding when visitors come with genuine curiosity and ask questions about the campus or my experiences here. I am quite the talker, so if you ever visit the Campanile and see me giving a tour, feel free to say hi!
These are some of the things I have been doing in between classes, and they all help me feel the lively atmosphere of the Berkeley campus. I am trying to spend as much time here as I can—and make as many memories as possible—before Pumpkin Spice Latte season comes to an end!