To every hard-working college student shaking their head in the wee hours of the night, rock on. Rock on :)
To every college college student procrastinating while shaking their head in the wee hours of the night, get busy :)
I everyone who slept tonight: I envy you.
www.pandora.com -- Free internet radio from the Music Genome Project.
"Berkeley's reputation as a hard school really intimidates me, so I'm not entirely sure I'm enrolling yet." -Kim, high school senior
Actually during Senior Weekend I was talking to a student and she told me something similar. I faced this problem too when I was admitted to Berkeley. I imagined myself going to class with 4.0GPA, perfect SAT scores, and super bright students that I'm going to get C's and D's. But after my first semester, I realized that was not the case. There's actually more than just being bright to survive Berkeley.
Continue reading "Dealing with Berkeley's Academic Reputation" »
For Berkeley students, Spring Break isn't much of a break. While the other UCs have their spring breaks right after 3rd quarter, Berkeley's spring break is smack in the middle of semester, right before round two of midterms. I can just imagine my spring break...studying for organic chemistry and toxicology. However, even with all the studying I have to do, I'm still going to spend some quality time at home in SoCal. Hopefully it's sunny there over spring break. By the way, it's going to start raining in Berkeley sometime soon and rain for the whole of next week. Just perfect. Berkeley has such odd weather.
Spring semester is about 4 weeks in and midterms are looming in the next few weeks...so how is Marissa Ponder-Bowen doing? Well I'm doing just fine. I feel much more adjusted to Cal in my second semester. It's nice to have a rough idea of what to expect. I've added an extra 7-12 hours a week of work to my schedule and made climbing more regular. Last semester I barely made time to go to Ironworks and have made it a priority in my week now. Instead of thinking if I have time I'll go, I've put into my schedule and worked other things around it. Yes I am busy however setting time aside to do something I really want to do forces me to focus and finish my reading/essays in a timely manner instead of procrastinating.
It's hard to believe, for me anyway, that the beginning of the Spring semester is fast approaching. I've been out since December 15th and although I know I get a month off, it certainly doesn't feel like it. It's gone by way too quickly! I feel like I have so much more I need to do and although I love venting on Fresh Faces, I'm feeling pressured to keep it short! So I hope you all have had a great break and get everything together before the 15th! I'm going to miss just hanging out at home and not worrying about readings, problem sets, or anything else, but I am looking forward to being back at school. 'Till then, then, take care!
[edit]
Hmm...it seems that in my haste (from looking at a particular website, and for other reasons which will be touched on shortly) I was under the impression that classes began on Tuesday, January 15th. I feel foolish, very foolish (lmao). It must have been while looking at this (yes, I admit I only glanced at it and then proceeded to close it) that I somehow got the idea that the semester started on the 15th. I mean, it is in bold! And another thing: why the "heck" (substitute appropriate word here, lol) aren't the dates listed on either the schedule, BearFacts, or Tele-BEARS?! I think it'd be helpful having that information available! Anyway, lesson learned though. Next time I will definitely make sure to look for the "instruction Begins" date. Yeah, how about we bold that one instead?! :-P
Continue reading "Less than a week...SIKE, or Psych if you prefer" »
I try hard to monopolize your attention. This time my new tactic is to write during vacation when I assume that nobody else is writing because their lives do not revolve around school like mine does. Yes. Today I am going out to buy lead for my pencils - this day is rife with excitement and pregnant with pungent anticipation. I am very picky about my pencil lead. I only use 0.7 mm 2B lead because it gives me the darkest line and the strength to hold up under my hard pressed hand.
Being on semester schedule is unusual. All my other UC friends are on the quarter schedule so their classes start today. This essentially leaves me with more reading and eating time. I wonder if this semester thing is a plot from Berkeley to deliberately isolate itself and its students from the rest of the system. The chess club in my high school did this too and it lead to two things: 1) Unparalleled chess genius-ry - I mean seriously. They'll win even if they give you their queen and let you continually beat them over the head with it. and 2) They danced with only themselves during the school dances.
My search for peace, purpose and good TV reception on CBS continues. I HAVE to watch the Patriots game on Saturday even if it means me wrapping myself in aluminum and sticking my arms out of a 2nd story window.
Hey! I feel like I haven't posted for quite a while. Anyways, everyone up for another round of midterms? I have a Math 1A midterm this thursday and a Chemistry 1A midterm on the Tuesday after Veteran's day. Thank heavens we have a day off!! Has anyone else noticed how rare days off are at Berkeley? I also have a paper due for english and a research paper to write for the class, too. Then, there's also the chemistry research project. I feel like everything's
Did you ever notice that Tele-BEARS begins right in the middle of midterms? After you finish your next midterm, you may to want start planning for next semester’s classes – if you haven’t already.
I remember my first year of college when I picked out classes based upon when they were scheduled, so I could wake up at 11am. For my second semester, it seemed half of my classes were already picked for me.. and by my sophomore year, all my classes were determined by (1st) the curriculum and (2nd) the professor teaching. It’s my personal opinion that quality of the professor teaching is the most important criteria next to the topics covered in the class – that is, if you have an option to choose. You will be spending a whole semester with them so you better enjoy the lectures!
hi =] right now it's 10:37 and i am taking a break from studying italian in the academic learning center in unit 3. If you're reading this and you live in unit 3, i strongly suggest you check it out! It's this really awesome study space underneath cafe 3, by the mailboxes, and it's basically study heaven (as nerdy as that may sound). I discovered this place last week when i started studying for my nutrisci midterm which was two days ago. my FIRST midterm ever. wow it feels weird to say that; I'm still getting used to the fact that i'm a college student taking college courses, living in a college dorm.
So today, I went to an informational meeting today about being a calso counselor. For those of
Hey! I know everyone's probably pretty busy around this time...midterm time! So far I've had a Chemistry 1A midterm and a Math 1A midterm. The Math 1A midterm was today. Have you ever put down an answer, think about it, change it, and it turns out that your first answer was right? I always do that. I know I've missed a problem on my math midterm already. :( Yes, I just needed to rant about it, so bear with me. *sigh* It was such an easy problem and I was going to put the correct answer! Then, I counter-guessed myself and put down a wrong answer. Oh, well. There's still one more midterm and a final, so hopefully I'll still be able to get a good grade in the class overall. I really really hope so! Good luck to the rest of you on your midterms!!!
Advice: Go with your first instinct! It's usually right! Don't change it unless you're absolutely certain that your first answer is wrong.
The Organic Chemistry professor prefaced today's lecture with these words:
"I have not graded enough of the exams to give a decent interpretation of the scores, but I will say this: I wrote this exam with an intended mean of 50%. If the class as a whole scores around there, I'll be happy. If the class averages better than 50%, I will make the next two exams more difficult. If the class averages worse, I will not change the difficulty of the remaining exams."
In other words, he set it up so that at least half of the students would leave the exam saying, "I failed!!! What do I do now!!?!"
So, we'll see. I still think I failed. Time to study the new stuff and eat a peanut butter & honey sandwich.
Yesterday was a national holiday, but we were lucky and had the opportunity to take a midterm. whohoo! There was also a earthquake in a nearby prefecture. We were able to feel it though. shakeshakeshake. Quite similar to the Berkeley shakes. Ah. which reminds me. Non-Californians should learn about earthquake safety before they come to Berkeley. Quite important to know how to duck and where the safest parts of structures are.
Classes are quite intense. Three tests a week. 2 vocab, and one section/midterm test. It's a fast
You know you're in for a lot of studying when you walk into your Organic Chemistry midterm, see this on the board and your first thought is...
"Why did someone write something on the board in Chinese?"
It's been a crazy intensive first week already. whohhhh. Think intensive x5. 12 unit class. >< wah wah wah. haha. Two vocab quizzes for the two chapters that we've covered. We have a test on teh coming Monday. At least tomorrow will be a nice break. I'll be going on a field trip (wow! field trip! I haven't been on one since middle school!) to the National Theater in Japan for a Kabuki event. That should be superb. I'm not sure if I'll like it, but it'll be an interesting experience.
Homework has been quite heavy and tiring. I have not taken Japanese in four years, so I'm quite a bit rusty. Wish me the best!
I took the 1:30 pm MCAT on Friday, June 15th.
When they say to get there early, they mean it. I recommend getting there 50 minutes early to deal with check in and things. The test is proctored by Thompson Testing Centers. They administer multiple tests which overlap. I had to wait 40 minutes before a computer and locker opened up so that I could begin. Since each computer has its own timer and everything, it isn't an issue. You want to get there early so that you get to your writing section about the same time other people do. The typing is just crazy loud in that quiet room.
Physics: died
the rest: relatively good.
=)
They did a good job in choosing interesting passages.
from an earlier blog that I never posted...
After three (well almost three) years, you'd think that finals are now a breeze, that I am now an expert at them. Definitely not. Finals are still as stressful, annoying, and sleep-depriving as ever. But I have learned a few things:
1.) Set at least 3 alarms before your test
2.) the libraries are JAM-PACKED during finals season, get ready to fight(literally) for a seat
3.)I am a way better procrastinating studier than is better for my own good
4.) Showers become a luxury many cant afford during finals
5.) Take deep breaths and breaks
6.)Stay/sleep at the library if you have an 8:00am final
7.) Find your study spot....that will become your home
8.) Beware of STREAKERS!!!!
9.) Energy drinks, coffee, energy gum, etc. are a must
10.) The end of finals will come
:)
So my last final exam of this academic year is tomorrow night. In approximately 20 hours, I will be finished with my sophomore year in college. As I wrote that sentence just now, a chill went down my spine. One test is all the remains between me and the end. This final in itself is not a big deal; it's for my Fire, Insects, and Disease course, which is not too difficult. Rather, it's the idea that when I turn in that test, I will no longer be a sophomore, that is a bit daunting.
Perhaps that is why I am neglecting my studying. Instead of poring over my notes like I should, I am spending time on Facebook, Youtube, and this blog. Certainly, I am confident in my ability to do well on this exam. Nonetheless, some studying can't hurt.
In any case, good luck to everyone still studying for exams (especially all you physics people). Don't worry, for after this week, everything will be a lot clearer.
Instruction was officially over yesturday. I can't believe I'll be a 2nd year in a few days. I mean no longer will I be able to make mistakes and say "oh, it's only my first year!"...Dang it!
I have a final I am studying for Monday and that's my last one. Organic chemistry..not a peice of cake. Of course I've already started studying for it. I want to be prepared for this test...but at least I'll get to go home Monday and just RELAX. Then I am coming back Friday for a few graduations I have to attend for my senior friends. And I am going to pack out of my dorm room then. We have to be completely out with keys turned in Saturday at 10 am and I have A LOT to pack. I am storing stuff I dont need to take back home in Berkeley like books, printer, comforter..etc. If you are still looking for storage call 1-800-586-3020 and they'll even pick up your stuff!
Good luck with finals!
I am already studying for finals because studying is good early. The earlier the better. Today is a promising day by the way. I hope to be able to get some econ studied, to be able to work on stats work, and then finally finish an essay.
So this morning at around 6 or 7, I heard some bird starting to go outside my window. It went something like this, EEP. EEEP. EEEP. EEP. I woke up and I was like That *&*%%&^ bird. That #%@$^ Bird. TFB. I leaned as far out as I could out the window and shouted "Shut the !@%# up you #@%%^^ bird!" I was furious as hell and no bird on earth is going to go ruin my beauty sleep.
The bird went on for the rest of the morning. I feel like an overused salt lick in a cow field.
So I only have one REAL final this semester and that's Organic Chemistry...EEEEK. Good thing? Well at first I thought it was. However, I still have an Arabic final to worry about...the only difference is that it is given over a two day period in class so before finals week which allows me more time to study o-chem.
Then I have a scrapbook...yeah a scrapbook about Strawberry creek due along with an expository essay and a poetry essay for English. I also have a book report (which obviously requires reading and then analysing the book). So....I only have one real final..but I have projects and essays that are not only time consuming but equivelant to finals. So is this a blessing or a curse?
I'll let you know May 17th =)
Today my Plant Morphology lab course took a little trip up to the Botanical Garden. We were given a scavenger hunt of sorts, where we were to find examples of specific mophological traits. Who wouldn't love roaming around a beautiful garden with a bunch of your friends, learning something new at the end of a stressful week? 
Jose Arevalo, Reihaneh Fakourfar, April Dobbs, Danielle Johnson
Today was also our midterm for Morphology. In preparing for the exam, I realized something this week. CNR offers something that is difficult to find around campus - a community. Our class size for Morphology is small. 20 people. I know all of them. We all know one another. We meet up for study groups, we ask one another questions. When one of us can attend office hours, we pass along the information that we gleen to those in the study groups. It's different in the College of Natural Resources than the other courses I've attended on campus. It's a cooperative feel. The competition that comes along with hundreds of high-pressure students is on the other side of the campus. We're over here, studying microbes, forestry, genetics, and so on... studying what we love, enjoying what we learn, and making friends that walk with us through our journey. We were in classes together last semester, we're together again this semester. We know how to study together, and we're not afraid to help one another understand the difficult concepts. The more we're able to teach one another, the more we're able to enjoy the subject that we're learning. I love this program.
Here are some more photos of us having fun with morphology today.
Reihaneh
Me with a member of the Cycadales.
UC Berkeley has a wonderful reputation for academic excellence, which attracts students from around the world. What these students don't realize is what academic excellence translates to for the average student: lots and lots of exams.
Now, I don't want to sound like I'm whining. My midterm schedule is certainly not as hectic as other people's. I'm not taking Chem 3B or Bio 1A or any of these other more difficult classes. Nonetheless, I still chafe under the burden of midterm examinations. That, and the weight of my backpack with all those textbooks.
Still, that's what I'm here at college for, I suppose. After all, the professors are not like the Greek gods, smiting us students with exams, their hearts full of malice, caprice, and ambrosia (although some students would say otherwise.) I'm sure the professors hate grading exams as much as we do taking them. That's why they get the GSIs to do it.
In all seriousness, midterms are a way to develop discipline and academic rigor. These tests, papers, and whatnot give me an opportunity to really work hard and develop my work ethic, drive, and sense of delayed gratification. After the test is over, I can revel in the relief that finally, finally, I finished.
Until then, I better get back to work. Enjoy your spring break!
I am going to have an oral exam for my Math 1B class in a week. Why do we ever need to present something orally for a mathematic class? Well, the answer is that the professor wants us to really understand the reasonings behind all the theorems we are using.
Here is the detail, for those of you who are curious. When it is your examination, you roll a 10-faced dice to decide which prompt you will get since there are ten of them. Then you will have 7 minutes to present your argument, and the two GSIs will ask you question during the next 5 minutes. The last 3 minutes will be the time for the GSIs to deliberate on what grade you will receive.
I don't know whether I should hate the oral or like it. We will see, I guess...
The day breaks with a cackling snort from the snortling, flaring nostrils of my slumbering roommate. Fool, he should have wakened me. After all, midterms don't come along every morning. Name's Jonathan. And I'm a student. Words don't complete the profile I made for myself in my head. After all, I'm special.
Tiny cracks of a fearful light peek at me from behind fat folds of polyester curtain. They spider into tiny flacks of magenta and emerald, cutting my room into fourths. This morning is going to be a bad one. I could smell it in the sky. It was one of those mornings that tell you in advance the beating they're going to fist out on your face, like one of those bad oafs that screw up your day by snatching you off the streets, giving you a good crack up of the molars, and then set you up back on the corner like so much any piece of four day old newspaper rolled fly flavored fish.
God I hate midterms.
The door slams open and the morning day flicks my eyes. Damn! They started early today! I reached for my good friend, Mr. Alarm Clock. He's a real ball buster, all bust. No ball. He's a digital clock and damn proud of it. And he's real prouding me with his little announcement. His breath is reek with plastic and cold with reality. It's 9:45, and you got a test in fifteen minutes. I suggest you move your warm little fanny.
I give myself five seconds to compile my thoughts. No time for a Windows boot up. You gotta go Mac. The carpet is warm under the soles of my feet. I don't get it. What's wrong with this picture? Quickly I robe myself with the closest pair of pants and shirts I can find. Can't register the cold now. I leave embroiled in a swirl of body flavored profanities.
The sun is hot. And strong. Damn this thermo. I can't take it anymore. I thought I was through this by heading up North. Can't think. A brown furry squirrel slits down the tree beside me. Bad squirrel. Didn't Momma BushTail tell you not take your chores too seriously? I give it a sideways kick while on my way down the stairs. No time for cookies, Mr. Nature. I got a midterm to take.
The Auditorium is fifteen minutes away. Fifteen tiny ticks on the clock flicked away by that unstopping arm of the thin dark line. Move it, legs. My heart starts to pick up the pace as it shakes off the morning eye dust with a Mexican Tango. The stomachy pit in the cull of my belly ripples with the grip of a hungry pain. Damn you, he says. That time we got tripped up down South in the California bayou of a city? I got you through that. Feed me. No time I say. I got a midterm to take.
I push my vein encrusted hands through an oak brown, axe carved recepticle. The air brushes my sleep sculpted hair. I hate bed hair. My sandals are ill fit for the environment. It's like trying to ride a motorcyle with a monkey hanging from your jaw. It's just not right at this time. They all send a tiny citation of notice to my brain.
I tell them all to shut up. It's time to take the test.
I delegate my gravity onto a nylon encased chair. It squeals like a slit pig on Hannukah. Or doesn't. Not sure about that metaphor. I shake the sleep from my eyes and its metal taste off my tongue. I don't got a problem at all. My hand darts into my right pocket. It wants something and if it wants something. It gets it. Then it hits me like a locomotive barrelling down an ungreased aluminum track at fifty kilos a second.
I'd forgotten my pencil.
My molars are starting to hurt.
Finally, I am done with midterms for now. Yay! It was so crazy that I had a physics midterm last Thursday night, a chemistry MT Monday night, and another one for ESPM Tuesday morning. But now, I will be FREE for a month!
So as a reward for myself, I went to ice skating tonight with my floormates in Berkeley Iceland. After I cumbersomely put on the skate shoes, I could barely stand up and walk, Fortunately, with a friend’s help, I managed to go the ice skating ground.
Now the hard part began. Since I was so scared to get on the skating ground, I stayed in my seat for several minutes to play with my shoes. I made them tight for one minute and loose for the next 30 seconds till I felt they were absolutely safe. Then, I entered the icy ground and held the wall tightly with both hands. I was afraid that I was going to fall if I let go of it. The need for a feeling of security…
My floormates skated by, and encouraged me to give it a try. With the promise that they were going to hold my arms, I started to walk on the ice cautiously. At first, I just felt that my body was leaning forward and I was going to fall. After a while, I felt more comfortable and tried to let one hand go, but it didn’t seem to work so well. Maybe it is because I had a sense of security when by holding the wall with one hand; thus, my fears were soothed.
Anyways, I had a good time tonight, and I would suggest to you all to steal a moment of leisure time under the pressure of midterms and papers. It is worth it!
I had my first midterm yesturday at 6:30 - O-CHEM. I studied non-stop for a good week, even though the professor still gave new material till the day of the midterm. I studied so much I even dreamt about chlorination cracking mechinisms and such AND I passed up on 3 parties that week, how sad. At the end of course, I got slapped with the test. It was very very tough and extremely challenging. Let's just hope the curve will save me somehow. Now I have to study for my Arabic and English midterms, good luck on miterms everyone!
Continue reading "Even the chemistry in Berkeley is Organic and difficult." »
I'm taking five courses this semester, four of them for my major, one for fun.
MCB 102 Survey of the Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
NST C114 Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology
PH 150A Epidemiology (the study of diseases)
UGBA 96 Personal Finances
Chem3BL OChem Lab
Guess which is the fun class....Personal Finances. =) That's the great thing about Molecular Toxicology. There's so much room to explore since our only breadth requirement is 22 units in the Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Philosophy & Values, or Foreign Language. That covers pretty much everything you would want to study. Actually, it doesn't cover my Personal
1. Finally, my laptop is back...
I just got back my laptop from the repairing place this Monday after three weeks of waiting. Only God knows how I endured through that period when I had to rush through my dinner and then sat in the Unit 2 Computing Center till it is closed...
2.. Finals
After scrambling through some limits, derivatives and integrals on Monday, trying to make sense out of some kinematics and thermodynamics on Wednesday, I am done with two of my finals. Yeah, I still have one more to go, for Asian American Studies.
The other day I was talking to my friend. We agreed upon that finals from 8 to11 AM is just too early, and you would probably need two alarm clocks so that you can wake up on time. The 12:30 - 3:00 PM ones are OK, except that you will probably starve a few hours because you don't really want to eat a huge meal before taking an exam. The 5:00 - 8:00 PM ones are just too late, and even if that is your last final, you have to wait till the next day to go home.
3. Meal Plan Points
I really had a headache when I realized that I still have 300 meal points left, and I have to spend at least 200 points before next Tuesday. I have always believed that "The more, the better."
But for those meal points ... the fewer, the better...
Ok, so finals are coming up. The first thing that comes to mind? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Two of my biggest finals are on the first day of finals. I have my math and chem finals next Tuesday. Then I have a huge break and my next final is my upper div. Peace and Conflict final on Saturday from 5-8. Yeah, I know...on SATURDAY NIGHT! I am in that class right now actually, I'm bitter about the final date so I decided to rebel and blog during his class. Ok, I am just kidding we have a 5 minute break considering this is a two hour class. Anyhow, back to the subject...I then have my last final on Monday. The last two finals aren't too bad and I can handle them. Now it's just crunch time for my first two hell finals! Ahhhhhhhhh < once again!
Good luck on finals!
This morning, I had my first midterm for Math 1A. I immersed myself in the sea of limits and derivatives. Even though I have taken AP Calculus in high school, the materials taught at Cal are really from a different perspective, even though the topics are pretty similar. All I learned before was how to plug numbers into formulas and let the TI-89 do all the calculations for me. But now I have to understand the reasoning behind each theorem before I apply any laws into problems. The real intellectual challenge!
And here I am, relaxing myself from academics for a while.
I just got killed today by my three midterms. I thought they would be okay. I had plenty of time yesterday and at odd hours this morning, when I decided to take my time reading instead of cramming stuff in my head. I cannot believe how evil that math test was!!! Afterwards I replayed the gory scene/metaphor in my head.. my guts being ripped out and my face drained of all life. I wanted to quit college, throw away dreams of professional school, and curl up in a ball to be a rock. It took so much effort to go on to a committee meeting, Crossroads for dinner, another committee meeting, then ballroom dance practice. Now I've talked to my loving floormates and feel stable, but it was such a life-changing feeling of doom. I hope that tomorrow's Study Abroad Fair (which I've been anticipating for 2 months) will raise my spirits. My roommates are both going home this weekend and I hope I can stay busily relaxed.
I take four classes - Plant and Microbiology, Integrative Biology, Chem 1A and Math 1B. I had midterms for Chem 1A and IB last week. Exactly one week from now is the midterm on PMB and then the week after that Math 1B and IB again. Great. Stop the world! I want to get off!
Did I tell you what it's like to take a midterm? The word itself denotes fear into college students with the same magnitude with which "alka seltzer" spells to pigeons. You sit in a huge room with very little writing space and then try to bang out this test, this incredibly hard test, with only your wits and a pencil. C'mon, how many times in your real work are you going to find yourself judged only with two such tools? I propose that Berkeley makes its tests more like real world tests ... and allow us to bring in Internet.
Did I tell you I live in Foothill? The Fifth floor on Foothill? Goodness squiggly squirrels. I have to climb the essential height of Sather Tower just to get where I live. I am surprised I haven't suffered from the high climate yet. It has become an art - figuring out how long it takes to get to class and timing it just right so that you can make it without having to sit around bored. Don't do this on your midterm. That is my goodwill advice of the day. My conscience is satiated.
Chem has devastated my social skills, especially with girls. After one unforunate encounter I asked my friend why my latest potential turned me down. My friend replied, "The scientific community has proven, with reasonable evidence and confidence, that pick up lines that include the phrases 'electron' 'ionic bonds' and 'effective charge' bear little impact on a lady's conception of you." I then sophiscatedly told my friend to shove it.
My laundry is done. I'd be worried someone would steal something but for the fact it is worth nothing.
