The Berkeley campus offers so many awesome opportunities to get involved with your community or any other aspect you’re interested in. I strongly believe that you’re missing out on not only the college experience but a glimpse of what direction your future will take you if you don’t get at least a taste of activities outside of going to class. In my freshman year, I joined AMSA (American Medical Student Association), a local chapter of premedical students who offer support and many great resources to those interested in medicine or general health. Some of the things they offer include study groups, Telebears advising, medical student panels, many opportunities for volunteering, and a health career fair in the Spring semester. I am currently the Secretary where I put my organizational skills to work. In my sophomore year, I started volunteering at the Tang Center, and since then I have experienced various areas such as Medical Records, Radiology, Sports Medicine, and currently the Allergy clinic. It is primarily administrative work, and I enjoy witnessing the various infrastructures that provide health care for thousands of Berkeley students every day. Volunteering in Sports Medicine at Tang created an interest that I am currently pursuing in the Sports Medicine department on campus by interning for 10 hours a week. Just this past summer, I tutored at Berkeley High School through Cal Corp’s BUILD program, which was an experience I will never forget. It allowed me to form relationships with students while being a positive role model for disadvantaged students. I also started to volunteer at Oakland’s Children’s Hospital, where I get to be a kid again, which is always fun :-) This semester, I am planning on checking out NSU (Nikkei Student Union), a Japanese club on campus! I thoroughly encourage everyone to go after what you’re interested in—you have nothing to lose, and many doors waiting to be opened! Come to my office hours on Thursdays from 1-3 to chat some more!