Back to Class

The main streets in Berkeley are packed with foot-traffic again as our spring break comes to an end just in time for the sun to finally come out. At least the weather will be nice as we start getting back into the daily grind. I'm definitely going to go up the Campanille for the view of the bay today. It is free for students with your Cal1 card!

Spring break was a good respite but I could definitely go for a few more days off! Being back means it's drawing closer to finals and the end of the spring semester. It also means midterms should be all passed back in the next couple of days. I always worry about what grade I will receive, and I am always pleasantly surprised. It is admittedly stressful before they are passed back though! I had a bad midterm last semester (I did not read the directions carefully enough... shame on me) but I knew then that I would really have to go into high gear for the final to save my grade; and I did! So it should never be dismaying to receive a semi-disappointing grade on a midterm.

I want to congratulate all the soon-to-be Golden Bear Freshman who were accepted from their high schools! It's time for you to get really really excited and time for your parents to start worrying more and more, I'm sure! I heard someone from my home high school of Brea Olinda in southern California will be coming to Cal in the fall. What an achievement for all of you! As a transfer student, I was not the type to put in such an astonishing effort as you have in high school, so I greatly admire the wisdom and drive you have at such a young age. You're going to LOVE it here.

As I sign off to head up to campus on my new bike, I'd just like to say one last thing. Embrace the opportunities in your life with open arms. You never know where your path will take you, but one thing is for sure: If you go to Cal, you're going to go places!