<p>It's not really dirty. I think it's pretty clean. ::shrug::</p>
<p>All the people I've met have been really nice. Try to get involved more? There are tons of nice people at Berkeley. If you live in a dorm try to meet people who leave their doors open...those people are really nice. Try joining a club or two. Maybe try randomly talk to people in your classes. Don't let some rude people discourage you. They are always there.</p>
<p>The bus drivers...I don't think that's something unique to Berkeley.</p>
<p>No hot guys? I've seen a few and this is speaking from a guy. I've certainly seen plenty of cute girls. Maybe try to have the mindset that it's just college and everyone's like you and me. There aren't going to be any movie stars. Occasionally you'll run into an above-average looking guy. Maybe trying to lower your expectations might help. Focus on what you do like about Berkeley, and go with that.</p>
<p>I'm sorry that you feel homesick. We all get that at times. Maybe talking to a friend from home or your parents might help. You'll eventually get over it. Hope this helps, and good luck!</p>
<p>I am sorry you are feeling homesick also. We are all going through various stages of major adjustments in our lives. I agree with visiccitudes, find someone to talk to. The Tang Center has qualified people, there are other departments on Campus with outreach programs.
I went home last weekend and missed Berkeley. So Cal didn't look so great to me when I got there. I was so glad to come back and everything I was struggling with here has been so much easier this week. So, maybe consider about going home for the weekend.
Just don't make any decisions to transfer or leave until you get past the homesick stage. The homesickness will pass if you get involved in school, make friends and a life.
Good luck, I hope it works out for you!</p>
<p>I hate how people say Berkeley is unclean. Where did you live and go to school before? Some pristine prep school or something? Berkeley is a lot cleaner than where I came from (909, though it's 951 now).</p>
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The only people that say that there aren't any hot guys/girls at Cal are people that are just trying to cover up for the fact that they can't get ANYONE!!!!!!!!! Its pathetic!!!!!!!! Come up with a new excuse!!!!!!!!!!
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<p>I seriously have to beg to differ. I don't want to sound full of it, but I'll just state the truth since it's anonymous and say that I've been asked out at college way more than in the combined first 17 years of my life. If you want me to make a number estimate, I'll say it's over 60s(?) in my over 2 years here, by both students and full grown men. I don't club either. I've dated a few people--a certain % of the ones who asked me out-- here and I've met a fair number of the "hotter guys" at parties, but I still don't think there are that many hot guys here. THere are some though, but honestly, it's not about not getting any. It's about having working vision and working eyes. (I'd also say the girls are prettier than the guys are hot....in general.) There's really no need to insult the OP for telling the blatant truth. </p>
<p>To the OP: As for Berkeley, it is dirty, but you grow to like it. You also learn how to ignore the bums and stuff.</p>
<p>Things will get better if it's only your first year...I don't know if it is or not.
As for meeting people in clubs? Meh. Most of the people I met were in my classes believe it or not, because that's where we do spend more of our time. Going to parties is another way of meeting people, although it doesn't form the deepest friendships, they are still there.</p>
<p>As your college career progresses,things do improve. I remember my first year when I was so nervous I used to study a lot more. Of course I did better, but still I was more miserable. Two years later, things are less nervewracking and more chill, and then you continuously meet the same people in your classes, so it works out.</p>
<p><em>raises hand guiltily</em> I'm one of those people that would say Berkeley is on the unclean side. I grew up, however, in a town with <10,000 permanent residents. This place has to be pristine; it's a tourist town, in the mountains.</p>
<p>It is a major adjustment for a lot of people. Berkeley is NOT new, is not clean, is not (entirely) yuppie, and it has some darker sides. The school, too, is not everything you hear about before you get there -- sometimes it is more, sometimes it is less (and sometimes much more, or much less).</p>
<p>The trick really is to find your niche. Find a club you're passionate about, or a job you like, or friends who do the things you like to do; try something new if you have none of those, and find one. Don't focus so much on what's wrong, instead try to find the things that are right -- and try to make them better.</p>
<p>In any case, you won't be there too long. In the end, it will probably be worth it. If nothing else, you've just learned how to deal with an unsavory situation and a major regret, both skills everyone will sadly probably need later in life.</p>
<p>I have felt a little "overwhelmed" in the last few weeks and found Cal Corp to be the most rewarding of all of the activities I have joined. I tutor at an elementary school not far from campus and it allows me to get away from campus for a few hours each week and "do something worthwhile." I feel really good about what I am doing and I am helping kids that want help. It's something I really look forward to. Tallkell, maybe you should consider something an activity like this. Just a thought.</p>
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The only people that say that there aren't any hot guys/girls at Cal are people that are just trying to cover up for the fact that they can't get ANYONE!!!!!!!!!
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<p>Y'know, I used to think that...but having spent time at Cal, UCLA, and now UCSD...</p>
<p>There's something beautiful in the water at UCSD. And I want to know what it is, so we can spread it to other UCs.</p>
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I hate how people say Berkeley is unclean. Where did you live and go to school before? Some pristine prep school or something? Berkeley is a lot cleaner than where I came from (909, though it's 951 now).
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<p>I think people overstate it, certainly, but Berkeley is not clean town/city such as say, Madrid. I came from the same area (Former 741/909/current 951), and Berkeley loses. It's not so much dirt to me as grittiness, which comes from all the asphault and bombardment of machinery and buildings. Berkeley is somewhat cittyesque.</p>
<p>UCLAri, I heard a great quotation about UCSD. I'm not sure if it's true (I would doubt it- in fact, I know an exception personally), but it's funny regardless.</p>
<p>Nine out of ten women in San Diego are attractive, and the tenth goes to UCSD. </p>
<p>UCLAri, Do you think SD has good water? YUK, tastes like metal and has stuff in it. SD has nice looking women, unfortunately they do not attend UCSD! It seems to me the hot girls from my high school are at UCLA, USC or UCSB. Quite a few at U of A.</p>
<p>On the hot/not hot tip, all I can say is that I walk around campus in a stuper at how many beautiful girls there are in the world. Hot asian girls. Hot white girls. Hot black girls. Now, in fairness, I'm not looking for hot guys, so maybe there are less of them, but I stick to my original post. I'll add one tidbit: When you say there are no hot guys/girls, it makes you look incredibly vain, as if none of the roughly fifteen thousand members of the opposite sex on campus are good enough for you.</p>