<p>I’m about to wrap up my first year at Cal. I’m majoring in sociology and media studies. </p>
<p>Firstly, I want to say that I did not expect to get into Cal. I had a good GPA (3.9+), but I was coming from a CSU and was told by a Cal adcom a year before I applied that my chances of getting in were very slim (at that time I had a 4.0). I freaked out when I found out that I had been accepted.</p>
<p>Then all the worrying began. I worried that I would be attending a school where everyone would be crazy-smart geniuses and that I would have a hard time keeping up in my classes. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to contribute in my discussion classes and be blown away by what everyone else had to say. I was wrong…</p>
<p>I haven’t changed any of my working habits (which honestly, are quite terrible. I only do the readings that will be on exams, I attend less lecture than I used to at my old school, and I still write papers the day before they’re due… or hand them in late and take the grade deduction) and have not gotten a B yet. My GPA is a little lower, (3.8), but not significantly. </p>
<p>For anyone wondering, I am NOT really smart. Let’s just say that sociology and media studies aren’t rocket science… but, I really love soc and I chose it because of that reason. Media studies… hmm, not so much, but it might help me somewhere down the road with a career. </p>
<p>Classes: I’ve had classes ranging from 25-400 in size. Some of these classes have discussion sections, which add another hour or two to your weekly schedule, but are pretty important and help you grasp concepts.</p>
<p>Professors: I’ve had really good professors and really boring, dull professors. Try to drop the class if you have the latter because it will affect not only your grade, but how you view the entire subject of the course too. ratemyprofessors and pickaprof are very useful before selecting classes, especially the former, because many students tell you what kind of work the prof gives out. For example, I am much better at writing essays than taking exams. All things being equal, if a prof has a final exam worth 40% and another has a final essay worth 40%, I’m definitely going to go for the second prof.</p>
<p>Social life: The people at Berkeley are pretty cool. I’m friends with a bunch of people from my dorm, and have made some friends from discussion classes too. You really will find a group that’s just right for you here.</p>
<p>The double major: Berkeley likes to, um, “encourage” people to graduate as soon as possible. Under normal circumstances, they will give you 4 semesters, or 2 years (not including summers) to finish your degree. If you double major, you get an extra semester. You can petition for a fifth semester with one major, but I’m not sure what the chances of getting it is.</p>
<p>One last thing. For all the people who got into Cal and other UCs and are unsure if they belong there or are good enough… here’s some advice from one of my sociology profs (taken from an article): </p>
<p>"When asked about his advice for undergraduates, Willer refers to the need to avoid the “imposter phenomenon” and encourages all of his students to be confident in themselves. “A lot of undergrads think they’re imposters and don’t belong here, that they got here through some sort of accident. They should know that it’s just not true. They do belong here. They all do. You were accepted into this school for a reason.” </p>
<p>(Sorry if you thought that was cheesy :P)</p>
<p>PS. Check out Berkeley webcasts! They’re free for anyone to watch. Two of my classes are up this semester - one with video, and one with just audio. Check the archives too for past courses. <a href=“Webcast and Legacy Course Capture | Research, Teaching, and Learning”>Webcast and Legacy Course Capture | Research, Teaching, and Learning;