Spring Is Hereeee!

Hey guys!

So here we are, two weeks into Spring 2011, and I still can't believe I'm here. I only have a few more months until my first year here is done! This time, last year, I had sent off all my applications and was anxiously waiting on the results. I have to say, the anticipation was killer, so for all you applicants out there, sitting nervously and waiting out for that envelope, try to relax. Its hard, but you still have a couple of months of high school left, so you should definitely try and enjoy them because you're never going to get these months back.

Meanwhile, I cannot stop thinking about how gorgeous this place is. It's not unusual to see me walking around campus randomly stopping mid walk, whipping out my phone and taking a picture. I live up in Foothill (it's not that bad a walk, I promise!) and we have cherry blossoms just springing up here and it looks perfect! Pretty as a postcard! All my friends in the UK are super jealous (they get cold, grey, dark, rainy etc etc) and we get beautiful weather. Yeah, they're definitely jealous.

Sadly though, nothing can detract from the stress of the semester. I mean, I know that it was definitely going to come back, it just didn't take as long this time. Last semester, it was that new, fresh feeling that had us smiling while walking to and from classes, asking smart questions in class and just enjoying the atmosphere at Cal. Then we hit midterm season and the real stresses began. This semester, the new, fresh feeling lasted a whole two days and then we were back to nose to the grindstone. BUT of course, it's not all bad! (when is it ever, right?) I started this semester with a giant smile on my face because I was seeing all my friends again. And it has been amazing so far. While the work load came back much quicker this time, so did the amazing feeling of being with my friends and suitemates. It was so easy to slip back into this routine, and I did it without any qualms at all.

Now that I'm used to the level of work expected here, I find myself able to think about getting involved with various different groups on campus. Just this weekend, I auditioned for two dance groups on campus, and regardless of whether or not I get the spot, I'm so happy I did it. The experience was well worth it. The rest of this week is also filled with general meetings, committee applications and various infosessions, so I am more than excited to kick off this semester right. Personally, I think you all should go out there and just see what there is to do! I don't have a single doubt that you'll find something just right for you.

Hope the rest of you are enjoying this lovely, picturesque weather just as much as I am!

Go Bears!!

That "New Semester Feeling"

We're two weeks in to Spring Semester here at Cal, and it seems like most of us Golden Bears are experiencing that “New Semester” feeling. Students sit up straight in class, they have a smile on their face, and warmly introduce themselves to fellow classmates. Responses to our professors are also in abundance and painted with a sweet confidence from hoping we remember more about the subject from the last semester (which ended more than a month ago). It really is a beautiful time of the semester. We're all well rested and refreshed from the holidays and ready to face new subjects, new professors, and the threat of upcoming exams once again. In another month or two when exams raise their ugly heads once again, things may be different, a little more anxious, pessimistic, or just plain tired! So I've put some thought into maintaining the bright-and-shiny New Semester feeling to at least the first round of mid-terms! Why? Because it's nice to always walk into your class eager to learn, feeling refreshed, and just plain happy to be at Cal! I do acknowledge that there are some super-students out there who never seem to lose their New Semester sparkle... but for the others...

1. Read and compare your syllabi thoroughly... I did this along with my calendar so I could see ahead of time when I'd have the most papers or midterms due during specific weeks. Professors love when you know the syllabus well!

2. Learn the good habits early! The first couple weeks can seem easy-breezy as we have no assignments or exams. This is the perfect time to get in the habit of spreading out your readings throughout the week so it doesn't add up to a grueling day of endless words and highlighting.

3. Make sleep a priority. This one may seem blasphemous to many! I can assure you, it IS possible to sleep 7-8 hours a night, take a full course load, and earn A's. This tip coordinates with the others... because if you want to keep sleep as a priority, you must take care of your scholarly duties in a timely manner as well.

However my semester, or the semesters of my fellow Golden Bears plays out, the beginning of a semester is a magical time. This is especially true for the beginning of Spring semester. The days are getting longer, and the weather balmier giving us all the life-begins-anew feeling. Berkeley has a notably spectacular campus, but the beauty is especially poignant in the beginning of a semester when everyone is smiling and has the time to sit around and appreciate the little things. If all my tips should fail, there's always simply walking through campus to appreciate all the wonderful art, student life, tall trees, and rascally squirrels to put that perk back in your academic step.

I would like reach out to all you wonderful readers and ask you what it is YOU like about the beginning of a semester! So go ahead, leave a comment, and share what you think!

Glad to be back! ;)

Hello everyone!

Now that second semester is back in full swing, it's about time I start blogging again! =) I hope you all had a wonderful winter break; mine was extrememly cold but much needed (13 degrees or under EVERY DAY!!! But then again, Chicago usually has pretty brutal winters...).

With that said, I am SOOOOO glad to be back in Berkeley--the weather has been absolutely GORGEOUS these past two wekks! It has been so warm and sunny (around 60-70 degrees) that I have forgotten that it's only January! And on top of that, the sunsets are becoming more and more breathtaking by the day!







I'm in awe of the beauty here...all I can say is I LOVE BERKELEY!!!

Hello Spring Semster

Hi all!

I went to a great lecture today which inspired me to post again...

The first week back at Cal has been great. I've seen my school mates who I've been out of contact with since the beginning of winter break (you have to spend time with the family), been readjusting to living with my roommate (who by the way is awesome), and last but not least, I have had to cook my own food again (eh fresh groceries help...if only I could learn how not to burn things...tough luck).

I really like my classes this term. Humanities and Physical sciences make a great pair!

My class sizes range from my W&P class which as more than 600 people in it, to my Math class which has around 40! Gotta love diversity right?

S