student life

My One Long Year: a Discussion of Berkeley and the Notion of Liminality

September 8, 2026
Emmet R.

For many Cal students, going away to college and moving into one of our residential halls marks a one-year commitment. One year away from home, from hometown friends, and from family. But at the end of the year, they will return home. That’s not to say the home that they return to will be exactly the same. Friends’ stories of returning home are filled with changes, whether it be the physical loss of a childhood bedroom turned into a new home office for their parents or a more feeling-focused change like the feeling of growing up. But regardless, the home is at least in part...

More Than Just Coffee: The Beauty of Coffee Chats

September 3, 2026
Esther Y.

A big part of Berkeley culture is coffee chatting. Whether it is chatting at Caffè Strada for club recruitment or reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn, coffee chats are deeply rooted in campus culture. During the first couple years of my college career, I felt very awkward and uncomfortable having to initiate conversations with someone I did not know and figure out how to break the ice. However, over time, I started to see the beauty of coffee chats.

In fact, a big part of my summer internship was spent on coffee chats. My manager encouraged me...

Finding Balance as an Architecture Student

August 27, 2026
Nadine O.

I remember hearing all about “all-nighters” in architecture, and I thought they were a joke. I thought that it was just a time management issue or an exaggeration of what a typical experience is for an architecture student. Ever since I came to Berkeley, I was proved wrong and found myself pulling an all-nighter for more nights than I could count. It was common for me to be pulling multiple back-to-back all-nighters to submit my project, in fact. Regardless, I still managed to juggle having a job as a campus ambassador and pursuing other activities I wanted. I don’t mean to...

YOLO -- Stop Fearing Life

July 23, 2026
Leandro L.

When I first arrived at UC Berkeley, I had one major goal: to make the most of my undergraduate experience. I wanted to succeed academically, meet new people, join organizations, have fun, and create memories I could look back on for years. I knew my undergraduate years would be only one chapter of my life, and I did not want to graduate feeling like I had let them pass me by. I wanted to appreciate the beauty of being young, independent (small and petite), and surrounded by opportunities. Part of that motivation definitely came from FOMO. I have always hated the idea of...

Should You Hide Your Identity to Get a Job?

July 28, 2026
Nichelle W.

I’ve noticed that many college students have a fixation on employability and hiding their “unemployable” parts. And that makes sense. In our society, a traditional pathway is to go from high school to college to work. In each of these phases, we’re expected to make decisions carefully and meticulously in order to fulfill the predetermined track. We’re instructed not to make the wrong decisions that could ruin our future career.

But I’ve found that this well-intentioned mindset has become restrictive for me. The question in the title is...

Blue & Gold Star Award

The Blue & Gold Star Award is awarded annually to any number of ambassadors in recognition of exceptional service and outstanding commitment to Visitor Services. They are nominated by their peers and professional staff and can be any year in school. This award honors our stellar campus ambassadors and we feel incredibly lucky to have them on our staff interacting with visitors every day.

Award Winners:

2025: Romina Babaei '25, Erik Headley '26, Casey Lin '26, Matthew Rowe '26, Nichelle Wong '26

Fannie B. Jeffrey Award

Fannie B. Jeffrey was UC Berkeley's first Director of Visitor Information Services, working 28 years in the role from 1965-1993. During her tenure, she befriended many students and colleagues who became lifelong friends. She was a beacon of light for so many who sought out her beautiful face for a word of wisdom, support or encouragement.

To honor Fannie's involvement and achievement with Visitor Services, we annually present the Fannie B. Jeffrey Award to a campus ambassador who embodies the spirit of our mission and purpose. We look for...

The Side Quests I’ll Remember – How Berkeley Made Extreme Side Quests Possible

October 1, 2025
Kail M.

I call myself the “side quest master”.

I live for the thrill of extreme spontaneity and novelty.

Being a Berkeley student has allowed me to do the most random of side quests.

Some of which – are hard to believe.

Let me tell you about it.

Berkeley is blessed by being one of the only places in the USA with decent public transportation.

Trains provide direct transportation to airports from campus....

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The Secrets of UC Berkeley Campus

July 14, 2025
Sanya P.

“So, how is your first year at college, Sanya?” my family friend, Fatima, asked me as she decided to visit me during the summer.

We walked through the main part of campus, as I promised her to show her the famous Sather Gate. Her daughter excitedly walked beside us, thrilled to hear that Sather Gate inspired the gate in the Monsters University movie.

“It was good–” I grinned, planning on talking about my experience in the dorms before Fatima stopped walking abruptly. ...