<p>First of all, I am really surprised that there were so many responses in this thread. My original intent was to just get some constructive suggestions on things to do at Berkeley. I agree with Collegeperson12. I instead got responses from people who were defensive about Berkeley and think that its the center of the universe. Theres this idea that supposedly Cal is so great and <strong>gasp</strong> the problem must be with me Shadowguy.</p>
<p>Maybe you would have received what you perceive to be constructive suggestions if you had indicated what it is that you like or want to do. Cal is not there to entertain you, at least, not MY tax money!</p>
<p>I hope you found amusement in the responses to your OP.</p>
<p>Shadow: Don't worry -- it's typical of people to do this. They are insecure and need to grasp at straws to give them a false sense of security. I say dive into something. Your boredom should cure itself right up.</p>
<p>ShadowGuy, I hate to break it to you, but the problem IS with you. You live in one of the most thriving metropolitan areas in the country. There are two pro baseball teams, two pro football teams, a pro hockey team, countless shoping centers, hundreds of museums, tons of amazing live theater, the ocean, hiking, people watching, and every kind of movie theater you could ever want. And you've got BART, so you can't say you're stuck in Berkeley. If you can't find anything to do in the bay area then you're hopeless. sorry.</p>
<p>I have to agree with GentlemanandScholar. 99.9% of other locations across the United States don't offer as much much and as varied an entertainment package as the Bay Area. There is just too damn much to do to sit around on. Just remember that when you signed up for Berkeley, I'm sure part of the enfatuation was the opportunity to participate in off-campus activities as well as in the immediate Berkeley area. I've been lucky enough to manage to find fun stuff on-campus, but keep in mind that there are things- only a short distance away- beyond campus.</p>
<p>That's true, actually. You got that little bus sticker for a reason. See where it takes you. I've found Telegraph to be fairly empty (unless you want to get piercings or buy awful jewelry) but Shattuck is great. Despite the name, it's a nice area with good food and, I'm sure, plenty to do. I'm going to be exploring the city more next week. The first week is going to be confining, but once you feel comfortable in the city and know where everything is, life should pick up. Be spontaneous. You know something I've been doing wrong? Not showing enough energy. When someone on my floor says hi to me, I say hi back. I should say HEY! Or maybe not. I don't know.</p>
<p>Aim78, nice suggestions, although some of the jewelry on Telegraph is pretty sweet. And the food. And the music/book stores. It's actually an awesome, lively place.</p>
<p>In defense of Shadowguy, I'll admit I was very bored my first semester because I simply had not found people to connect with. I had absolutely nothing in common with most of my dormmates, and it seemed even less so with those in my classes. And people, stop hitting him over the head about how its his fault. Perhaps it is, and perhaps its not -- it's something he has to resolve himself. </p>
<p>But my advice: Find a club. Go out to a resturaunt and introduce yourself to some random somebody sitting alone at Strada or another Cafe. I have to get back to my reading now.</p>
<p>some things to do in berkeley (and surroundings)...</p>
<ol>
<li>Go to Blake's acoustic open mic on Monday nights (S1 played last night). It is only $2 with student card</li>
<li>PFA to see a movie or University Arts Museum to check out the latest exhibit.</li>
<li>Paramount Theatre in Oakland: Friday night classic movies for $6. This is Bartable. In addition to a classic movie, there are newsreels, cartoons, and a prize giveaway.</li>
<li>Tilden Park for a hike. Pack a lunch and go to Inspiration Point or visit the Little Farm</li>
<li>For foodies - the Cheese Board on Shattuck, Breads of India on Sacramento, Vics on University</li>
<li>Bart to SF - check out SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Gardens</li>
<li>Ice skating at Berkeley Iceland.</li>
<li>Inexpensive Theatre - Exit Theatre in SF (cheap but in the Tenderloin), Aurora Theater, Shotgun Players</li>
<li>You get 1/2 price tix at CAL performances. Check it out.</li>
<li>Go to the Berkeley Marina - kite flying or Adventure Playground (<a href="http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/marina/marinaexp/adventplgd.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/marina/marinaexp/adventplgd.html</a></li>
</ol>
<p>Strada. Is that place ever not completely full? They must make a sweet dime.</p>
<p>If you were accepted to Berkeley you probably could have got into UCLA and most definitely UCSB. That's where you go for fun (i.e. not boring). You came here for the education and the prestige. Let the others hang out at the beach and get their tans while you get your diploma. Isn't that exciting enough?</p>
<p>Wait until Green Day comes to town</p>
<p>I'm looking for job.</p>
<p>hmm...i think it's funny that someone would label berkeley as a place where people come only to get a respected degree and wallow in their ultimate boredom. i spent half my life in west los angeles, and the other half in santa cruz. while i agree that a home on the beach is enjoyable and fun, it's not the only thing that contributes to a well-rounded good time. sure, ucla and ucsb are both either on or near the beach, but so is ucsd, and i've only met a few 'sd students that are actually pleased with the social aspects of their university. so, i wouldn't say an ocean view is key to a having a good time.</p>
<p>berkeley is actually a pretty fun place, as long as you muster up enough courage and strength to venture off campus. and with sf only a bus ride away, there is hardly anything to complain about.</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>I can't believe people complain about UCSD socially. Social life is mainly what you make of it, and they're basically living in a resort town. People dream of living in La Jolla. Even if you don't have a single friend, you can't be bored strolling down the beach and doing your homework there.</p>
<p>living in a resort town such as la jolla would be a dream if you were a) 35 years old, b) wealthy as a prized pearl, c) married with a beamer in the garage</p>
<p>not to say that la jolla isn't beautiful. it's actually a pretty impressive town, but i hear it's not exactly college student friendly. everything is said to be overpriced (or directed towards the less conservative spender) and aimed towards an older crowd (i.e. everything closes early). im not saying that i wouldn't have enjoyed a childhood in la jolla, but i'm just speaking for the general college student population - and i think an environment like berkeley is more ideal on a larger scale</p>
<p><3,</p>
<p>Izzie Bear</p>
<p>lol. I think IB is spot on regarding LaJolla. If one is looking for an urban experience + UCs, then it really is either UCB or UCLA.</p>
<p>ShadowGuy, are things going any better for you?</p>
<p>Izzie, La Jolla is to UCSD as maybe Aptos is to Santa Cruz, only much more affluent than Aptos. And UCSD is more geared toward academics than 24/7 partying, which is a good thing. Students can always go into San Diego on weekends for socializing.</p>
<p>But, back to Cal. Was the OP bored with Berkeley on an academic or social level? Berkeley is not boring, but the OP expressed his personal boredom. There is a major problem with writing off an entire campus community just because of one's own personal issues!</p>
<p>I personally get tired of the "What Are My Chances" threads on CC, especially from those who just want to boast about their 4.0+ GPA, 2300+ SAT and laundry list of ECs. Does this mean that CC = Boring! just because I experience boredom with those particular threads? Should I completely write-off CC?</p>
<p>you know what, stop bashing him!!! i think sometimes it's not so much that there's nothing to do aruond here, it's more that it's hard to find someone to do it WITH. and let's face it, it's no fun to go to a museum or movie or show alone.</p>
<p>If the OP is lonely, then the title of this thread should have been Berkeley student is lonely!, not Berkeley=Boring? ...</p>