TIPS for incoming freshmen

<p>Here you go, this is just what I've learned from experience. Take it or leave it:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Do NOT create enemies. You WILL see people again around campus. It may seem big, but it's not.</p></li>
<li><p>Eat breakfast. Take early classes so that you have time to do what you want later in the day.</p></li>
<li><p>Make friends with people on your floor and meet as many people as you can in the first few weeks. No one wants to be friends with a loner at the end of the year. HOWEVER, YOU PROBABLY WON'T HAVE YOUR BEST FRIENDS IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS. So don't feel like you don't have any REAL friends. Just wait. And you'll meet some good people later. </p></li>
<li><p>Sell your bus pass if you don't use it. </p></li>
<li><p>Join clubs. It may seem like there are so many to join at first, but I ended up finding I was only in 1 or 2 half way through the year. Also, ATTEND their meetings and be an ACTIVE member. </p></li>
<li><p>Make friends with people you will want to share an apartment with next year and start thinking about who you would like to live with later down the road.</p></li>
<li><p>Balance your time well and have fun. If you don't drink, you can still go to frats on weekends. I have had friends who don't drink but still come with their friends. You're not considered an outcast here or you don't have to stay in your room while everyone's out.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't join a sorority or fraternity in desperation for friends. If that's why you're joining, then you will meet plenty of nice people who aren't in those. But if you are really looking for a smaller community, go for it. </p></li>
<li><p>Use bearwalk. Even GUYS. I've seen someone get beat up at 2 AM when he was walking alone. It's not worth it. EVERYONE uses bearwalk. just do it. </p></li>
<li><p>Be smart. As smart as people are for getting in here, they sometimes make stupid choices. Don't start smoking because other people are unless you want to, don't take drinks from other people, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>Get to know your roommate as much as they want to know you. I remember coming in and not wanting to get too close to my roommate but they did want to hang out all the time. So just know what you guys want. </p></li>
<li><p>If you consider yourself a loser in high school, you can come here and CHANGE. Think about why people didn't like you back then and change. You are in a whole new world, and you can make as little/many friends as you want here. It's very diverse as far as ethnicity, personalities, interests, etc. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>I thought I had a lot more to say, but I guess not lol I'll write more later.</p>

<p>I’m not a freshman, but where can I sell my bus pass? I drive to campus from SF, so the bus pass is useless to me.</p>

<p>Legally, you can’t sell your bus pass. You would have to go to the black market. I don’t encourage it though - it undercuts AC Transit at a time when they desperately need the funding.</p>

<p>Okay, yeah I guess it would be a little bit of a crime, but sometimes people lose theirs and they’re willing to buy them at a cheaper price. You could ask around, post on facebook, or my friend almost sold hers on here.</p>

<p>damn. dems good tips berklebear :)</p>

<p>Thank you! I’m pretty sure I had way better ones a while ago as I was thinking about this but I never wrote them down lol</p>

<p>I like #1. Surely there must be a story behind it for it to be at the top of your list! Do share with us all :).</p>

<p>Lol yeah I think definitely think that is the most important. Even just in life. It’s just a roommate story, both of us were immature and did bad things but we learned from it. Or at least I did. And a story with someone I liked but barely knew. Now they know me and it’s always awkward on campus because of the little history that we had together lol</p>

<p>Lol I hate awkward encounters on campus especially with people you have met, but do not particularly get along with well. It’s like the two of you “know” each other but you don’t really “know know” each other so you end up just trading glances and then walking away…</p>

<p>lol exactly : ]</p>

<p>Its worse when you know/remember them, raise your hand to waive and direct your head towards them for eye contact. They in fact, meet your eyes, but do not do anything. The best.</p>

<p>I wonder if they do that on purpose though…</p>

<p>Sometimes I think I just spoke to softly or they couldn’t recognize me under my sunglasses but who am I kidding…lol jk</p>