Stuff I Wish I'd Known as a Freshman in EECS (From a current 3rd year)

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Here are a few anecdotes I've gathered about Berkeley and life from my first 2 years as an EECS major at Cal.</p>

<p>*You don't want a single as a freshman. It sounds really cool until you realize you have never lived alone a day in your life and suddenly your room feels very cold. I'd have taken a crappy roomate over a single at Clark Kerr any day.</p>

<p>*Save yourself the headache and use these for your schedule:
<a href="http://finaldistance.berkeley.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://finaldistance.berkeley.edu/&lt;/a>
<a href="http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/%7Eamanb/makeSched/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~amanb/makeSched/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>*If you are taking any math classes (especially 53 and 54) find out who Jeff Strahl is and go to all his review sessions. He's kinda like Jesus, except he turns water into math.</p>

<p>*Memorize your Student Id number. Learn how to type it really fast.</p>

<p>*Don't give money to hobos. You realize that they actually rotate positions between Shattuck and the Asian ghetto to seem like they just arrived.</p>

<p>*La Burrita, Top Dog, Crossroads & Foothill Late Night are the only places to get food after midnight. Enjoy them.</p>

<p><em>In regards to above, don't talk </em>* to drunk people at La Burrita and Top Dog after midnight. They're drunk.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Berkeley High School is the single biggest threat to your life. If you see kids walking down the street looking like extras from a 50 cent music video, they do not go to Cal. They want to get into parties to get drunk and be shady around women. Avoid them at all costs.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, the women/men are ugly here. Once you put on your "Berkley Goggles" you'll have no trouble finding somebody to hook up with. </p></li>
<li><p>Watch out for undercover police who are just itching to give you an M.I.P. (Minor in possession), M.I.C. (Minor in Consumption), or D.I.P. (Drunk in Public). The city was just given a few hundred thousand dollars to crack down on underage drinking. I'm not saying don't drink, I'm just saying don't think about going outside with a beer in your hand. </p></li>
<li><p>You were smart in highschool. So was everybody else. The sooner you get over your superiority complex, the sooner you can start actually performing well in class.</p></li>
<li><p>Depression is a rather serious problem as a Freshman. Learn to see signs so you can prevent/treat it early. It's no picnic, and as far as I've seen, roughly everybody gets some form of it. </p></li>
<li><p>The B.A.R.T. is not really that scary or bad. Once you learn to use it, the bay area gets a lot smaller. </p></li>
<li><p>Start to study for midterms/finals at least a week early. Once again, this isn't high school and the tests are meant to fail you. You are competing against your classmates, not the questions.</p></li>
<li><p>Free meals at the Hare Krishna temple on Sundays.</p></li>
<li><p>Go to every job infosession and you will get free food. Free food >> DC (Dining Commons) food</p></li>
<li><p>When you go home, nobody will think your stories about getting drunk/laid make you cooler. Don't get me wrong, both of those are amazing experiences, but you simply can't compete with some dude's story from Santa Barbara or Chico</p></li>
<li><p>2 essentials for Halloween: Castro or Santa Barbara. Both are amazing.</p></li>
<li><p>The Asian Ghetto is that place on Durant Across from La Burrita. It is not really a Ghetto. It actually has delicious food. Don't let the name scare you.</p></li>
<li><p>Explore the libraries, there's a bajillion of them and they all offer a unique study opportunity.</p></li>
<li><p>Actually use the libraries to study.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Well, I'm tired so I'll end this now. I'm sure everybody will have their own 2 cents to add, so please feel free to criticize/append this list. Questions are welcome too.</p>

2

<p>Wow, this will be a very helpful thread!</p>

<p>I'm going into Berkeley this fall as a 1st year EECS student, and I'm nervous about CS61A. What were your impressions of that class? Any tips or anything? If you have barely any programming experience (have only gone through a C++ For Dummies book once), do you still recommend taking it or CS3?</p>

3

<p>Personally I'd go with CS3 first, since it is a lot easier. As a freshman, you really want to take a lighter course load your first semester as you get adjusted to doing things like living on your own for the first time ever. </p>

<p>In 61a, you start out learning a language called "Scheme" that nobody uses, but is very beneficial in teaching you programming theory. The problem with 61a is that you get 3 weeks to learn scheme before you actually start applying it to learn CS theory. CS3 really alleviates this transition because it is just a scheme class. It's a relatively easy "A" and it will set you leaps and bounds ahead of other 61a students. In addition to teaching you the language, you can also get comfortable with the Solaris workstations. Mostly likely you've never used a form of Unix before, which only adds to the burden of learning the language. That's just my opinion for a relatively new coder (don't worry, I was one too). If you have been coding a while, go straight to 61a. </p>

<p>As a sort of added tip for EECS students, if you really can't stand the Solaris set up (and you won't), you can get a graphical interface that works much more like a windows machine (ie. start menu and folders you can actually click on instead of working with command prompts). As a disclaimer, I don't remember this 100%, but I'm pretty sure it's correct. If anything, ask a TA. Anyhow:</p>

<p>in xterm (command window) type</p>

<br>


<br>

<p>Hope it helps.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the reply!</p>

<p>My biggest concern with taking CS3 or CS61A is falling one course behind the rest of my classmates for this whole series of classes; do you think this would screw with my chances of studying and working with others (When I'm in CS3 they'll be in CS61A; when I'm in CS61A they'll be in CS61B, etc.)? Which did you take your Freshman year?</p>

<p>How did you handle the new plateau of difficulty that is supposed to be Berkeley EECS? Any tips as far as preparing for the coming brutal course work for the next 4 years of our lives?</p>

5

<p>Haha, we're spending way too much time on here. Anyhow, EECS requires the least amount of units to graduate, so you'll have plenty of time. Don't worry about it.</p>

6

<p>I'm worried about EE40. I have a feeling that everyone in my class is going to be a sophmore/junior. Is this justified, or do you think I can do fine in the class during my first semester?</p>

<p>By the way your first post was excellent - look forward to seeing your replies.</p>

7

<p>Final Distance really doesn't work for me. I try to add classes like Physics 7A, Math 1B, CS 61A, etc. but it just gives me a message along these lines:</p>

<p>Completed.
NO DATA FOUND
(<a href="http://sis.berkeley.edu/OSOC/osoc?p_term=FL&p_deptname=Physics&p_course=7A%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://sis.berkeley.edu/OSOC/osoc?p_term=FL&p_deptname=Physics&p_course=7A&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

8

<p>The same thing happened for me; essentially (although this is very time consuming), you have to open a new window (i.e. a new version of final distance) search for your course (it works the first time you do it) and add the course info to the class list box in a final final distance :). Then it'll be able to generate the schedules. It is an irritating bug though.</p>

9

<p>Sorry guys. It's usually hit or miss with final distance. But if you do get it working, it will be your best friend.</p>

<p>As far as EE40 goes, don't worry. Cal isn't like high school. Nobody will look down on you for being a freshman. Of course, we'll abuse you for your meal points (free food!), but for the most part you'll find you won't be any different than anybody else. </p>

<p>EE20 on the other hand is the hardest class I've taken. Boo EE20, Hooray Beer!</p>

10

<p>I would think that EE20 should be easier than 40, because the prereqs are much easier!</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
I would think that EE20 should be easier than 40, because the prereqs are much easier!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, I guess it's better for you to know now that the technical majors often times tend to get * easier * as you progress through them, or in other words, that the first classes (the "gateway classes") are often times actually the * hardest * classes of a particular major. When I say "easy" or "hard", I'm talking about in terms of the grading and overall workload (I agree that the comprehensibility of the curricula itself increases monotonically). </p>

<p>The truth is, these gateway courses are almost always the 'weeder' courses for the technical majors. It is in those courses that those majors toss out those students who they deem to be unworthy of the major, by either inducing them to drop out of the major, or if they won't, by forcibly flunking them out. Once you've survived the weeder gauntlet, classes tend to be graded in a more civilized manner. </p>

<p>There is also the aspect of self-discipline and work ethic. Many Berkeley freshmen, frankly, don't have a good work ethic, as they had enough talent to could get top grades in high school with very little studying. It is in the Berkeley weeders that they actually have to truly study hard for the first time in their lives. </p>

<p>Hence, the fact that you've built a strong work ethic, combined with the fact that grading actually gets easier means that many Berkeley engineering seniors report that senior year was a cakewalk (at least, relative to their first couple of years).</p>

12

<p>Excellent advice, thanks.</p>

<p>With regards to using AP credit (5 on APCS AB) to skip out of CS61B, would it be wise to take the complementary CS47B course (self-paced, single-credit flavor of 61B) to learn the topics go beyond the scope of the AP test? Should I be taking CS9D and CS47A in lieu of CS61A?</p>

<p>I'm just pulling information from the EECS Undergrad Handbook (<a href="http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Programs/Notes/newnotes.shtml#sec3.1.2%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Programs/Notes/newnotes.shtml#sec3.1.2&lt;/a&gt;); how valid and practical is it? It says, "If you have had programming experience and a data structures course that included one or more large projects (1000 lines or more), you have probably learned much of what is covered in CS 61B." Ok, great, but that doesn't mean that I am well-versed in radix sort or multidimensional hashing.</p>

<p>It goes on to say, "If you have a lot of programming experience that includes the equivalent of CS 61B, you may satisfy the CS 61A requirement with two one-unit self-paced courses, CS 9D and CS 47A.." Again, I don't know where to draw the line - sure I can work with semaphores and mutexes and quadtrees and a bunch of other things, but that doesn't mean that I should skip CS61A in favor of two self-paced courses, especially when I can't work "fluently" with anonymous recursion/Y-combinators.</p>

<p>What should I do?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
*La Burrita, Top Dog, Crossroads & Foothill Late Night are the only places to get food after midnight. Enjoy them.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You forget about Sweetheart's. Its boba / popcorn chicken tend to be pretty popular. Also, Yokohoma Station that opens until 1:30 with its famous 1-dollar noodles, although I can't say anything good about its taste.</p>

<p>
[quote]
* Depression is a rather serious problem as a Freshman. Learn to see signs so you can prevent/treat it early. It's no picnic, and as far as I've seen, roughly everybody gets some form of it.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I dunno if I can say it's a very "serious" problem. Maybe you meant to say that it's rather widespread? But I think the symptons tend to be mild and generally do not call for professional treatment (which is what I would consider "serious").</p>

<p>
[quote]
* Explore the libraries, there's a bajillion of them and they all offer a unique study opportunity.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I think the libraries really worth going to are the main library, Moffitt, and main stacks. The free speech movement cafe right next door is pretty neat. I think the music library is popular to some. But really, the library is just a good place to study and for research that you're forced to do by some professor.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
Excellent advice, thanks.</p>

<p>With regards to using AP credit (5 on APCS AB) to skip out of CS61B, would it be wise to take the complementary CS47B course (self-paced, single-credit flavor of 61B) to learn the topics go beyond the scope of the AP test? Should I be taking CS9D and CS47A in lieu of CS61A?</p>

<p>I'm just pulling information from the EECS Undergrad Handbook (<a href="http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Program...shtml#sec3.1.2);%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Program...shtml#sec3.1.2);&lt;/a> how valid and practical is it? It says, "If you have had programming experience and a data structures course that included one or more large projects (1000 lines or more), you have probably learned much of what is covered in CS 61B." Ok, great, but that doesn't mean that I am well-versed in radix sort or multidimensional hashing.</p>

<p>It goes on to say, "If you have a lot of programming experience that includes the equivalent of CS 61B, you may satisfy the CS 61A requirement with two one-unit self-paced courses, CS 9D and CS 47A.." Again, I don't know where to draw the line - sure I can work with semaphores and mutexes and quadtrees and a bunch of other things, but that doesn't mean that I should skip CS61A in favor of two self-paced courses, especially when I can't work "fluently" with anonymous recursion/Y-combinators.</p>

<p>What should I do?</p>

<p>Thanks

[/quote]
I'm in that situation too, and I figure that I'll take 61A but skip 61B. </p>

<p>While there may be some new stuff in 61B, 99% of it will be a repeat of what we already know, so the class would probably be pretty boring (or at least less rewarding than taking another class). I figure I'll pick up on any stuff I missed in subsequent classes.</p>

<p>As for 61A, I figure my Scheme skills could use a little bit of work, plus I don't like the idea of a self-paced class that much (I like the lecture environment), but I suppose that's your choice. People usually say that if you at least know what recursion is, then you can take the self-paced 47A + 9D, so you probably have enough experience.</p>

15

<p>In response to:</p>

<p>"* Start to study for midterms/finals at least a week early. Once again, this isn't high school and the tests are meant to fail you. You are competing against your classmates, not the questions."</p>

<p>Personally, I've learned that studying in advance makes me nervous and eats up my time. For me, it's laden with boredom and procrastination. I have set a rule for myself: for any midterm or final, only study the night before. The outcome is never good when I break this rule :). Of course, it means that you better be digesting the material throughout the semester.</p>

<p>...but then again, others might find it torture to sit in Doe for 10 hours straight, with no breaks, studying. I'm used to it, and I find it to be a great optimization of my time. Why let studying take over your life?</p>

<p>And to add my own advice:</p>

<ul>
<li>You might get some grades that you aren't proud of. I certainly did. Stop worrying about your grades, and do your best to enjoy the material. As my Math 53 GSI said, in response to my poor grade in that class (Fall '04):</li>
</ul>

<p>"The problem is not that you got a C+. The problem is that you don't understand much of multivariable calculus. If you understand this-- that what matters is what you learn, not what your grade is-- then the C+ will be worth the pain. Try to understand what I am saying. You could be much better off than all the grade monkeys in the world and all of their 3.99997s. Many of the people who got As won't go far, because they don't really understand what they are learning, they are just grade monkeys. Don't be one. Make good grades, but cry over the fact that you haven't learned what you were suppose to. Don't cry over your grade."</p>

16

<p>I agree with calstudent to a certain extent. It is very important that you understand the material very well while you learn it (in lecture/discussion/while doing hws/projects). If you really understand everything then I think you can get away without even studying for midterms/finals. I dont remember studying a lot for any of my midterms/finals, especially for the spring finals when I studied around 5-10 hours in total for all my 4 exams. Well learning everything at the time when you do it in class could be difficult, but do not procastinate. And if before an exam you feel that you are not sure of your knowledge of course you should spend some time refreshing things. And I think it'snot bad if you have had some sleep brefore the exam too, though i can't say that's necessary. And as calstudent said make sure you have the knowledge and put the grade on a second level. Good grade will come with knowledge while knowledge won't necessarily come with good grade.</p>

<p>My main point: DO NOT FALL BEHIND.</p>

<p>For the record I just finished my freshman year EECS and I took: math1b,53,cs61a,cs61c,phys7a,phys h7b,eecs20 and chem1a</p>

17

<p>You didn't take CS61B? Also, no R&C courses? These are the courses I'm thinking of taking:</p>

<p>Math 1B
Physics 7A
CS 3
German R5A</p>

<p>Math 53
Physics 7B
CS 61A
R&C</p>

18

<p>I took Slavic R5A in Spring. I didnt mention it because I wanted to talk about technical subjects only. I was doing taekwondo both semesters and I took a seminar in the spring. I just don't think they are all relevant to EECS. Some people consider R&C easy. I do not. Although 61C was much more time consuming than R5A, my worst memories of my second semester were when I had to write papers. Especially that 55 hour no sleep streak. And I can't give you advice on that, but if possible try to avoid that.</p>

19

<p>any other good advice? I just got into Cal as a transfer student. I went up to visit a few weeks ago..I always thought of the area as a real hippy place, but to my disappointment, it was not. Am I right? also, where are the bars and clubs? did you have to go into San Fran for that...how often did you use the BART to get over there? Did you feel the campus/area was culturally diverse?</p>

20

<p><em>Casts Phoenix Down on thread</em></p>