<p>It makes me sad whenever I hear that people hate Berkeley. Ive definitely had some moments where Ive felt disheartened (signing up for classes, feeling like a number in such a huge campus, and getting ugly grades on midterms). But, I will say that despite those moments, this was the richest and happiest year of my life because I tried things I never did before. With independence came responsibility, and I learned that I needed to be more outspoken in order to succeed here. Happiness comes with attitude, so here are the things that make me love my school:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The campus is beautiful: Have you noticed that pretty little creek that runs through campus? Its absolutely gorgeous, especially on a sunny day when the light reflects on the water, reminding me that theres more to life than just school. Have you sat in the Eucalyptus grove and admired the size of those trees? And aside from nature, the architecture of the buildings is so superbly eclectic, ranging from Greek and Gothic, to Modern and I-dont-know-what-Wurster-was-trying-to-achieve. The campus does an excellent job of integrating the natural and the man-made, making for relaxing scenic walks to class, excellent days of lying in the grass and soaking up the sun, splashing in puddles or crunching autumn leaves, and admiring some of the unique buildings around you.</p></li>
<li><p>The campus is diverse: Berkeley makes it easy to meet so many different types of people with wide ranges of interests. The school also makes it easy to meet people with the same interests as you via clubs, volunteering, teams, organizations, classes, etc. This balance of knowing people like and different from you, is a wonderful way to learn and try new things but also enjoy doing things that youre comfortable with. Ive met people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, countries, upbringings, with different lifestyles. Vegan hippies to socialist Europeans, party-hopping stoners to the reserved and intelligent.</p></li>
<li><p>So many opportunities to do anything: Only freshman year and I already gained valuable research experience, both in the lab and in the field. You just have to be proactive: do some searching on the internet, ask around, apply for positions. Ive done some rewarding volunteer work simply by joining a club and committing to it. I also joined clubs that allowed me to continue some old hobbies, as well as pick up some new interests.</p></li>
<li><p>So many interesting people: I lived in the dorms and made some wonderful friends that I will continue to keep in touch with. The fact that we were randomly placed on the floor meant that we all came from different backgrounds but we found things that tied us together, helped each other get through stressful times, went on crazy adventures, and had meaningful conversations. </p></li>
<li><p>Great professors: Yes, there are some professors that make terrible lecturers. But I was lucky in that most of my professors were excellent lecturers that could engage the class, simplify difficult subjects or make dull topics interesting. They have different approaches, some made explosions in class, some were humorous, and some were intimidating, but all effective communicators. They were all accessible to office hours, and it was great getting to know them individually and hearing some of the stories they told.</p></li>
<li><p>Challenging classes: Weeder courses are tough. It sucked to get that C- on my first chemistry midterm. But that class pushed me to study and learn so much. I definitely feel like Im getting the education Im paying for. Sometimes there is that crappy professor or gsi, but thats when you have to make up for it with the resources you have: free tutoring, friends in your classes, study groups, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>A wide variety of courses to take: Whenever I search for classes I get overwhelmed because there are so many that interest me in so many departments ranging from philosophy to earth sciences, literature to biology. I hate that Ill never get to take some of the classes I want to take, but its great that I have such a huge selection. There are seminars on dinosaurs, DeCals on your favorite t.v. show and even one on beer pong strategy.</p></li>
<li><p>So many resources: There are so many libraries on campus, so many professors doing all types of research, so many labs to work in, so many clubs to join, so many organizations to volunteer for, so many causes to be part of, so many museums/attractions to look at. If youre not finding anything to do, its not the school, its you.</p></li>
<li><p>Independence: Being away from home, I get the opportunity to go anywhere I want, whenever I want. It also means mom cant do my laundry anymore or cook me dinner. Dad cant make phone calls for me to fix my problems. But college is a time when I can slowly learn to do these things on my own to prepare me for real life.</p></li>
<li><p>The city: Some people hate the city because its filled with smelly hobos. But I actually like Telegraph. The old hippies selling hemp jewelry, the runaway punks that curse you under their breath when you refuse to give them money, the help-a-friend singing hobo
they all add character, and bring life to the street. Its not glamorous, but I like the gritty feel. If youre sick of Telegraph, theres also College Ave., Shattuck, the Gourmet Ghetto, and Northside. I like how there are so many cafes to wander in and sip on a cup of coffee while doing a reading assignment, great places to eat when you need a break from the DCs, unique independent shops that sell imported goods, and vintage clothing shops for the quirky kid in you.</p></li>
<li><p>Proximity to other places: Its so easy to escape from Berkeley to high-class shopping in Union Square, authentic Mexican food in Mission, letting your gaydar go crazy in Castro, being a tourist on the Pier, hippying it up in the Haight, playing on the furniture in Emeryvilles Ikea (and shopping at the rest of the mall), oogling at shops on 4th street, hiking in Tilden Park, riding your bike in the Presidio, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Food: This deserves a category on its own. Exquisite French bakeries, raw vegan cafes, greasy fast food joints, upscale restaurants, gourmet pizza parlors, quaint coffee shops, Asian, Italian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, American, even your treasured chain. Theres food to please everyone. Admit it; even Crossroads has its good days. I wouldnt have gained the freshman 15 if the food was terrible.</p></li>
<li><p>The school pride: Its a great feeling to go back home and exchange that compulsory Go Bears! when you come across someone wearing Cal gear. Its also a great feeling to have a common enemy (that junior college across the bay) that brings you closer together. Its fun to cheer on your team Roll on you bears! at football games, listen to that amazing Cal band play pop song that you recognize, stop to listen to the Mens Octet on Sproul, or simply put on a Cal sweatshirt when you roll out of bed for that 8 a.m. class.</p></li>
<li><p>And all the benefits of going to a top ranked, research power house university: the possibility of working under world-renowned researchers in current, exciting labs; the endless resources; the occasional bragging rights.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I hope some of you arent discouraged by the negative posts, because there are definitely happy people at Berkeley. GO BEARS!</p>
Definitely gonna miss that most about freshman year.</p>