<p>I posted this question in another thread but it was unanswered, so here goes again...</p>
<p>I'm feeling really apprehensive about the workload that will be given to students, but am somewhat resolved to take it on without any hesitations.
However, someone reassure me that there is more to life than just "studying, studying, studying" at Berkeley, and that there are some distractions to this.</p>
<p>Basically, someone tell me that life at Cal is not strictly based on academia, composed of books and tests and quizzes and so forth.
If it is I am going to QQ.</p>
<p>Thanks guys.</p>
<p>dood, it's a huge university, you're last post was unanswered, because it's a dumb question. of course berkeley's not all about study study study. anything you wanna do you can do it here, i party every weekend, i go out to dinners, i have tons of fun, it's up to you and how social you'd like to be.</p>
<p>I'm not a Cal student yet, so I probably cannot answer your question accurately. But here's what I think...</p>
<p>I think the workload is hyped. Obviously, the computer-bound Berkeley students of College Confidential will tell you things like "Berkeley is the hardest university in the United States to [excell] in." My theory is, most Berkeley students have only gone to Berkeley, so they can't actually compare Berkeley's workload to peer institutions.</p>
<p>Of course, there is word of mouth. I think we can say- with some degree of accuracy- that Berkeley is harder than some, if not most schools. That said, I've personally received mixed reviews about the workload itself, from "hardest school in the nation" (College Confidential) to "piece of cake" (High School friends.) I think Berkeley is really one of those places where it's as hard as you want it to be.</p>
<p>This depends largely, largely on your major, the classes you take, and even the professors you have. If you're in a hard major (i.e.engineering) and taking a hefty amount of classes, then you should prepare yourself to do little besides studying (or, end up with a low GPA). If you don't want to study all day, simply choose an easier major, and take easier classes, and also take fewer classes. It's as hard as you make it.</p>
<p>QQ
Not very reassuring for a CivE major.
lol</p>
<p>For being a "nerdy" university Berkeley actually has a better party scene than most "lesser" schools (ex: UCSD).</p>
<p>It's been said a million times before; but Berkeley is what you make of it. If you want to party, there is plenty of stuff to do. It's all what you make of it. I was an honors-type student, so I was a booker, but I still found plenty of time to kick back and have fun. I joined a fraternity, wrote an honors thesis, participated in philanthropy, went abroad, hung out with my friends, had conversations and engaged in intellectualism with my colleagues and dispensed what wisdom I have on the younger generation of Cal students. I studied HARD. I played HARD when I had the time and wasn't going through the Midterm gauntlet.</p>
<p>You can do whatever you want. It's just about your priorities. Mine were getting the most out of my education. Some people's are partying. Do what you will, it's the most carefree 4-5 years of your life. Carpe Diem.</p>
<p>If you are a submissive, insecure, or passive type, your happiness is going to be a toss-up wherever you go. Considering the tone of your thread (I'm a judgmental bastard like that), you fit at least slightly into these groups and will face this issue.</p>