how I got here

How I Finally Feel Like I Belong at Berkeley as a Junior

December 11, 2024
Nichelle W.

Every campus ambassador ends their tour with their Berkeley Story, a tale of how they got to where they are today. During mine, I mention that it was difficult for me to adjust in my first year. It took a long time for me to feel like I belonged at Berkeley. I usually don’t have time to expand beyond that, but I’d like to do so now.

During freshman orientation week, I remember a lot of the presentations included the phrase “you belong here.” Honestly, I think it’s kind of hard to feel that way in a school of 40,000 students. It’s difficult to feel connected...

Senior Year...What Now?

December 9, 2024
Jordan S.

It’s weird to think that I’m about to finish my final fall semester as a student at UC Berkeley. I mean, thinking back on it, freshman year does not feel that long ago. I remember moving into my triple mini-suite dorm room in Slottman Hall at Unit 1 and being so scared but excited for this new chapter in my life. I looked forward to attending a top university for so long and I finally made it. Freshman year was such an incredible time with all the new experiences I lived and the people I met. Moving into my second year, I took on leadership roles in a few clubs which gave me a true...

How My Dreams have Changed

November 25, 2024
Nichelle W.

Last semester, I participated in Berkeley Dreams Big, an event hosted by the Berkeley Residence Hall Association for students living in university-owned housing. Students can apply for an item or tool within $200 that will help them achieve their dreams. All participants are invited to a year-end banquet whether or not they’re selected. While I was at the banquet, they told us to write down a few dreams or goals.

Back then, I wrote that I wanted certain leadership positions in my clubs or programs. However, when applications opened up this semester, I felt...

Two Months into My Study Abroad in the Netherlands

November 1, 2024
Ally M.
Two Months into My Study Abroad in the Netherlands

I am currently writing to you from a train somewhere in the Netherlands, where I am studying abroad at Utrecht College University (UCU). To be honest, I have no idea where I am. Someone could tell me I am actually in Austria and I wouldn’t doubt it. But that is what I love about being abroad. The past two months have been a series of adventures, escapades, and learning how to be lost. This weekend, I am going to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest and enjoy the city of Dortmund for the weekend. The train ride is gorgeous, there are...

What I’d do With a Weekend in Northern California—A Love Letter to Home

October 25, 2024
Mallory S.
What I’d do With a Weekend in Northern California—A Love Letter to Home

It’s mid-October right now. The temperatures might drop to the 60s during the day if you’re lucky, but there’s surely still a few scorching days left for those in NorCal. In the high Sierras, mountain tops are receiving their first snowfall, and in the valleys below, trees are turning brilliant shades of orange and yellow before they drop their leaves. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apple orchards are being swarmed before all the attention moves on to Christmas tree farms.

...

Flying to Berkeley From LA and Back

October 21, 2024
Madison K.
Flying to Berkeley From LA and Back

When I got to Berkeley, I was so excited, but it also meant that I would have to move away from home. Moving away from home has been a brand new experience, but I have to say that that there truly is nothing like home.

I’m from Southern California, which means it's a six to seven-hour drive or one-hour flight to get to Berkeley. It’s not that far if you compare it to out-of-state students or international students, but for me, it’s more than enough.

The one thing that I...

So you want to be an Education major?

July 11, 2022
Ethan Collier

Guess what? Did you know that UC Berkeley’s School of Education will be unveiling a new undergraduate major in Education? That’s right! Starting in Fall 2023, students will be able to declare Education as a major! This is a huge milestone for students who are interested in all things related to public education. Let me give you a quick low-down on the history of being an “Education student” at Cal!

Beginnings: School of Education, Education Minor, and CalTeach

Studying Education at Berkeley begins with our undergraduate Minor in Education....

Being Undecided: How I Found My Major

March 6, 2021
Juliana Roper

“What are you studying” is a familiar tune to all those entering college. While this question does not exceed words, it carries a weight with it. Upon entering Cal, I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to study.

I want to preface this by saying in high school I didn’t envision life beyond it. Come college application season, I thought that college was just a glorified version of high school, I mean, what the heck was a major anyways? At the time, I loved that school gave us a taste in every subject, so imagine the shock I received when I was told I could only pick one to two...

From Small Town to Big City

April 1, 2024
Anna H.

Taking the 215 to San Diego or LA, you will see a suburb of Riverside County called Menifee, CA. This little city was established in 2008 and now has a population of just over 100,000. It is about 30 minutes southeast of UC Riverside, an hour north of San Diego, or an hour south of Los Angeles. There is a really good chance you may not have heard of it.

I grew up in the small, quiet town of Menifee, California. My mom was an elementary teacher, so I was enrolled in the school she taught at up until I was in 5th grade. From there, I went to a public K–12 charter...

How I founded an Organization at UC Berkeley

December 7, 2021

Ever imagine building your own organization on a prestigious campus like UC Berkeley? Attending a school with 40,000 students is a great opportunity to start your own project or business. Not only is there a wide client base, but you also have access to a large audience and a ton of experimental room as well as opportunities for learning and growth.

During my junior year of high school, I told myself that I wanted to concentrate all my energy into making a positive impact in these three fields: medicine/healthcare, education, and business. Thus, as a current pre-...