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Being part of the PAL program is one of my favorite things about CNR. I feel so much more plugged into the college community and I can support as well as promote all the resources and opportunities CNR provides.
Spring semester for us PALs has been busy but fun. We've had a lot of chances to reach out to the Berkeley campus. In addition to our regular advising office hours, we've had resource fairs, advising nights, and even online chats for students.
But I'd have to say that my favorite events are the Movie Nights that PAL hosts. They're a nice way to relax and just have fun with others in the college. Plus, there's always free pizza and drinks!
Being part of all these activities always reminds me how awesome CNR is. When I talk to students and share experiences with them, I'm reminded of why I love this college and how it's so unique and tightly-knit. A lot of students have difficulty navigating the large university or are confused in which directions they should go. But CNR offers a lot of support and helps you to feel at home :)
If you're interested in becoming a PAL for the upcoming semester, come pick up an application!
As a PAL, I've always enjoyed spring semesters since it's that time of the year when recruitment events get put on for the next crop of Cal students. The big Kahuna of events was, of course, Cal Day. From student panels to campus tours, us PALs were heavily involved in the process, chatting it up with students and their parents on what it's like to be a Berkeley student and especially, what sets CNR apart from the rest of the campus.
Another perk that's been picking up in CNR is our movie nights, which have grown increasingly popular. Just last Tuesday we showed Juno in the Resource Center. That's right, on the day of release, a week before SUPERB did they're showing. Keep your eye out for future movie nights, as they are always FREE and accompanied by free pizza and drinks. Pretty cool, huh?
This will be my last semester as a PAL--I'll be graduating next month, a scary thought indeed. I'm trying hard to savor the last few weeks of my Cal student existence before entering into the "real world," whatever that is. According to my African lit professor, it will consist of all graduates sitting at home with mac & cheese in front of the couch blubbering in an unspoken existential crisis.
I don't think it will be that bleak, but the moral of the story is: Enjoy Cal while you're here. It goes by faster than you think.
...after I graduate.
Deciding on postgraduate plans is a continuous process. For me, my plans evolved throughout pretty much all four of my undergrad years. It went something like this:
First I entered Cal as a freshman BioE major. I had done some research in high school, loved it, and thought for sure that'd I'd do that as a career. Maybe a PhD?
Then I took Chem 3A spring semester of my freshman year and hated it. This was a turning point for me, as I really began questioning whether I wanted to be in the sciences. At the same time, I took NST 10 and really like the course.
Summer after freshman year, I transferred into CNR as an NST major, emphasis in physiology and metabolism. Fall semester, I started working at an IB lab at Berkeley.
Then I took an English R1B course sophomore year on Cultural Studies, which really piqued my interest in writing. By the end of the spring semester, I was seriously thinking of majoring in English. What ultimately kept me from declaring was the L&S breadth requirement, which I hadn't fulfilled. So I ended up minoring in English instead.
The summer after my sophomore year, I interned at a doctor's clinic and developed an interest in medicine.
Junior year came and I took the MCAT and worked towards completing my major and minor.
Summer after my junior year, I applied to MD/PhD programs.
Senior year: I've been going to interviews and finishing up my coursework!
So that's my college life story in all its randomness. Ultimately I did figure out what I wanted to do. The best piece of advice I can give is to keep an open mind and pay attention to what piques your academic interests.
Having been in college for more than 3 years now, one would think that I learned how to deal with stress. Judging by my lack of sleep this past week, it seems that I have much improvement to do in this area. Each new semester brings a different set of challenges and I am constantly trying to juggle my schedule. I’ve seen how increased stress can bring about physical illness, so in order to avoid this, I’ve learned the importance of maintaining a balanced life so that I can enjoy my college experience, without letting it whiz by. So here are some things that I do to deal with stress:
1) Incorporating some sort of work out in my day: whether it’s a short time at the RSF, running on the fire trails near Clark Kerr, or swimming at Hearst Gym, I find that physical activity is a great way to blow off some steam and helping me focus on what really matters.
2) Writing down my schedule: This helps me see everything that I need to accomplish in a day, so it gives me a visual to set long and short term goals. This makes things appear more manageable, so I do not feel overwhelmed by the stress.
3) Talking with Roommates/Friends: Venting can be really great sometimes! Talking to people you trust about certain issues gives me perspective and a chance for feedback. We all need someone to listen.
4) Writing in a journal: This takes a very short time, but reaps a huge amount of benefits. I always start with the word “Yesterday” and debrief the day before. When I write down my problems/struggles, I can clearly see my thought process, identify what the actual stress came from, and why I was feeling that way.
Hopefully some of these things might work for you too! And as always, if you’re feeling stressed, especially for academic reasons, please feel free to talk to one of the PALs. We’re here for advice or simply an open ear to listen.
To be really upfront and honest, I've been in university housing for pretty much my entire time at Cal. Which, for me, has not been a bad thing. Of course, I had been doing some housing searches before I settled in university-owned apartments, so here's my lowdown on what's available around campus:
A) The dorms: this is often an unappealing option for freshman who've been through a year of loud hall-mates and bad food, but the downsides are balanced by the fact that it's the easiest option to apply for. Since housing's now guaranteed for two years, you can use Cal Housing as a safety cushion in case you can't find off-campus housing.
B) University-owned apartments: they're a great option in my book, because the application process is simple, there are no landlords to deal with, there's a weekly cleaning service, they are close to campus, and all the apartments are really new. Moreover, meal plans are not required, making them much cheaper than dorm rooms. The main downside is that they are more expensive than some of the off campus options and do not offer parking. Wada apartments also close during the summer, while Channing Bowditch Apartments offer year-round contracts.
C) Off-campus apartments: the benefits of your own apartment come in the form of freedom. You can finally get your own room, seek lower rent and find, and get that house pet you've always wanted. But you also have to deal with utility bills, old facilities, landlords, and the fact that you'll have to actually take care of your own apartment. Looking for an apartment can become a huge hassle, especially if you're seeking one that will please both you and your prospective apartment-mates.
D) Greek system: frat and sorority houses are relatively self-explanatory. Keep in mind that during the summer (and also during the school year), they often have rooms for rent at really low rates.
E) Co-ops: it's the quintessential Berkeley residence: cooperative living where everyone performs chores to lower the cost of living. Different co-ops carry different lifestyless, from extremely wild to calm and quiet. As mentioned before, they are often the most affordable option.
Happy hunting! Be sure to drop by our office hours with any questions.
For those of you who are sick of dorm food and communal bathrooms, having your own apartment seems like heaven. But it definitely takes a bit of time and effort to find the place of your dreams.
I recommend starting your search early. It can get really stressful looking for housing when you’re in the midst of preparing for finals. So start poking around in late March, definitely start looking around in April.
Craigslist is a great go-to. You’ll basically find anything and everything there. (It’s also great for getting furniture later on to decorate your new place.)
Be observant as you walk around Berkeley as well. Sometimes it pays off to jot down the phone numbers posted on the “For Rent” signs on an apartment building’s window.
And ask around. Sometimes your friend’s friends are moving our of their old places, or they’ll know that their own building is renting.
If you’re planning to live with others, ask your future roomies to share the work with you so you’re not the only one looking. Of course set down standards so you’re all clear about what kind of apartment you’re looking for.
Have your parents’ or cosigner’s credit report quickly. This comes in handy when you’re competing with others for a place and you can get in all your financial info in the quickest.
And finally, don’t stress too much! You’ll eventually find something you like, even if it seems like it comes at the absolutely last possible moment. I remember finding my apartment pretty late, after most of my friends had already found a place. So don’t worry, the chances are slim that you’ll end up homeless :)
One of the more difficult classes I've taken was Bio 1A and 1A/L. Most of you have probably already heard the horrors of the lab practical exam and the endless hours of memorizing and studying put into that class. It was a challenging class, and it did require a tremendous amount of time. However, I learned a lot, and I found myself enjoying most of the material we covered. I found it to be very relevant and even practical. The time that I put into studying paid off in the sense that I was able to absorb and learn more information that I wouldn't have otherwise. And in the end, even though I didn't get an A in the class, I was satisfied with the grade I received because I had made my best effort. So don't feel discouraged if you come across impossibly difficult classes. Hard work eventually pays off. There are also tons of resources on campus to help you reach your goals if you're feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. You can always stop by during PAL office hours if you need advising of if you just want to vent!
Yes, finals are right around the corner, and we can all feel the tension that's building up to those pesky exams. Most are worth significant portions of your final grade, so the anxiety definitely gets to some students.
But in all honesty, final exams aren't actually much worse than your midterms. Why? Because you have more time to prepare for them. After this upcoming Monday, you'll enter what are called "dead days," or days where there's virtually nothing going on in campus: no classes, no club event, no distractions. All you have at hand are the final exams to study for.
Now that doesn't mean one should put off all studying to those select days!! Many students actually have exams that are clustered (even on the same day). So ultimately, the key is to plan ahead and come up with a rough schedule of how you'll juggle your various courses. Which days are you going to study for o-chem? For nst 10? Start preparing for the exams now, if you haven't already, while keeping in mind that you may have large chunks of time during finals week for further studying.
And with that, I hope y'all have an excellent winter break, and we'll see you back in the spring!
I hope everyone is having a good semester so far! I miss all the PALs! Well, I just stopped by to say hi and let you know what I've been up to. By the way, it's JELYN!!
So, I'm just finishing up my first quarter of pharmacy school at UCSF. It has been a really great experience so far. Everyone is very helpful and does everything they can to help the students succeed. During this first quarter we, of course, take classes, but we are also introduced to all the different organizations the school has affiliated with it. Most of these organizations outreach to the community and provide great experiences that will only help nurture my career as a pharmacist. Most of the classes are really interesting and very applicable to what we will be doing in our careers. I'll update everyone again in a little while. Graduate school definitely keeps you BUSY!! Enjoy undergrad. Talk to you all soon!!
-- Jelyn
So you have some free time, you've got friends you are crashing at your dorm this weekend, and they want to go somewhere cool. Where to take them?
Despite how cool the RSF may seem to you, that doesn't qualify as a hip hangout. Here are a few more iconic "places to go" around Berkeley and the nearby Bay Area...
Cal Performances events @ the Greek Theatre and Zellerbach: work that student ID! You get 50% most concerts and shows on campus. If you're stripped of cash, consider a trip to one of Superb's flicks, which come at $3 a pop.
Berkeley Art Museum: FREE for Cal students. Let me repeat that. FREE for Cal students. There's an Asian American art exhibit going on in that concrete building as we speak...or write, whatever, you get the idea. It's FREE for Cal students. Do it.
Colisseum: Go watch an A's game, or if you're brave enough, a Raider's game. Easily accessible by BART; yes, it's that stadium you see on the way to Oakland Airport.
Union Square, SF: consumerist hippies rejoice! SF is home to one of the greatest shopping meccas in the world. There's also plenty goin' on around the area. BART to MOMA. They've got Diego Riveras and Ansel Adams there (their art work, silly).
Gourmet Ghetto, northside: Do I hear Alice Waters? Chez Panisse isn't the only fine establishment north of Shattuck! The first Peet's was founded there and still exists. Food lovers should really check this joint out.
Golden Gate Park: yada yada yada, it's where all SF tourists end up. But it's certainly worth visiting. If you get bored of the roses, check out the de Young museum.
Really, it shouldn't be hard to find something to do when you're at Berkeley. Check out some of the items from the above sandbox. Your friends will be satisfied.
...when I was a wee freshman, my first few weeks of Cal were pretty intimidating. I had heard most of the stereotypes involving Berkeley--the hippies, large classes, bell curves, hangovers, bookworms, football, and even Berkeley time! I was one informed new kid on the block.
No matter how prepared you are for college, it'll still throw you a few curveballs. For me, adjusting to such a large school was probably the most challenging aspect. Coming from a senior class of about 315 (which is probably pretty standard for many suburban high schools), I felt like I was suddenly thrown into a vast pool of anonymity. Yes, that rumor about UC's turning students into numbers became especially true when I enrolled in Chem 1A. That nifty radar what-cha-ma-callit effectively turned my name into DC14953 on the overhead projector. On the flipside, Lonnie's demonstrations were pretty freakin' cool.
Meeting new people also became a daily affair, and I'm sure most new freshman can relate to that. Very few people from my socal high school actually came to Berkeley back in '04, so socially, I had to pretty much start over. In a way that is good, because you can pick and choose who you want to associate. Don't just limit yourself to people on your dorm floor or suite (although they can be cool people); carve out your own niche on campus! If there's one cliche that really rings true, it's the one that proclaims "there is no stereotypical Berkeley experience." The friends you make, the classes you take, the profs you actually talk to, and the activities you pursue will all culminate into a surprisingly cohesive collegiate experience by senior year.
Lastly, you'll have to learn to balance work with play. This may be the hardest to carry out, and many freshmen swing too far towards one side when they first arrive. Some flip out and study like there's no tomorrow. Other's forget that colleges are degree granting institutions. Set schedules for yourself that include both study and free time. Get involved in clubs and community service, but don't let activities take up too much of your time. If you find that you really can't be involved in tutoring children, coaching basketball, and building homes for the poor all at once, make a choice and focus fewer extracurriculars.
Hope this gives some two-sense. If you have any questions about college life, CNR, or anything at all, drop by our office hours on the second floor of Mulford, right outside of room 260! We'll be happy to give advice or simply chat. You can also e-mail us at pal@berkeley.edu
This year has been extremely long for me. "Sophomore slump" has definitely taken its toll on me and I'm ready to take finals and get out of school.
Academics have been harder this year. I've started taking upper divisions so my load has been much heavier than those carefree days of being a freshman. And I definitely feel the responsibilities of having my own apartment and stepping up in my roles in activities outside of school.
But because of all the difficulties of the past year, I feel that I've grown in certain ways, even if only in being able to handle more. Despite struggles, I've seen how God has blessed me with a lot, and I've learned a little more in being content in my circumstances. This is a comforting thought for next year, as I'll be an upperclassman and taking nothing but upper divs. And for the summer as well. I'll be taking Chem 3A and 3AL here in Berkeley.
I hope you guys finish strong! Good luck on finals. When you're stressing out like crazy, remember that you've survived finals before and that summer is just around the corner :)
I always get a bit queasy when the end of Spring semester approaches, since it signifies another year of college life that has just sped past me. Now that I've seen three years go by, a very intimidating thought has continuously bugged me.
I'll be a senior.
That may sound really cool to underclassmen who are itching to get out of the lower division classes, but being a senior means it's the last year you've got at Cal, a place we often take for granted until we have to leave. The term "senior" itself implies passed time and age (for better
Continue reading "...and that's a wrap." »
My third year at Cal is coming to an end! Finals are coming too quickly and I’m going to miss a lot of my friends who are graduating. Looking back, this semester has been really busy for me. I became a PAL (yay!), joined a new club, and took some really challenging courses. It’s sad (and happy, and sort of scary) to think that next Fall and Spring semester will be my last, but I get to look forward to going to optometry school.
This summer will be pretty busy for me too. I plan to take a few classes here at Cal, study for the OAT (Optometry Admissions Test), shadow/volunteer at my uncle’s optometry office, and if I have time, get more sleep! Unfortunately I can’t slack off this summer, but I know it will be worth all the hard work!
Good luck on your finals!
Come to our office hours and tell us how your semester went and what your plans are for the summer!
Berkeley is wonderful because it's a college town. Since being here, I feel like I've been able to cross off so many things off my "To do before I die" list.
Food
Of course there's always asian ghetto. But that's just what it is...ghetto. There are so many nicer restaurants that are just a bus ride away. I always talk about College. There are half a dozen cute, fairly affordable restaurants there. And North Shattuck as well. There's something called the "gourmet ghetto" and a variety of yummy places to eat.
Culture
I love being at Berkeley because it offers such an array of musical/performing arts. Zellerbach has tons of great shows. You should definitely go to a show before you leave college. I've been to some random shows (like Peking acrobats and Flamenco dancing) and I've loved every minute of it. There are also great concerts given by the University Orchestra every so often. And if you didn't know, Hertz Hall has noon concerts every Wednesday. Plus, I love the shows that Superb puts on. They're a great way to see your favorite artists perform as well as explore those genres of music you're not quite familiar with.
The Outdoors
Just a 5 minute bus ride up Euclid Ave is the Rose Garden. It's beautiful when its in bloom (which is right now!) and right across from it there's this cute little park that has an awesome stone slide (It's a bit scary but perfect for the adventurous). And farther north there's Tilden Park. Indian Rock is on northside as well. And there's always the Berkeley Marina and Botanical Gardens.
Shopping
Again, I have to mention College. Jeremy's is a great place to shop. And there a few other nice little boutiques. And if you don't mind used, Telegraph has a great selection of vintage shops. I really like Buffalo Exchange.
So go out and explore what Berkeley has to offer. Especially with finals coming around, it'll be a good excuse for you to take a study break :)
CNR certainly does have plenty of majors to choose from, especially if you are looking for something in the biological sciences. Ultimately, it comes down to which fields and subjects interest you the most, as well as your postgraduate career goals...
Interested in biology at the microscopic level? Consider microbial biology, one of the larger majors in CNR that involves...you guessed it, microbes! Microbio is a great major especially if you plan to pursue professional school, as well has graduate work in the sciences. If the environment peaks your interest, CNR has a host of majors that you should check out, including environmental sciences, forestry, conservation resource studies, society and environment, forestry, and molecular environmental biology. Note that each of these majors have different emphases or "tracks"; for example, forestry has a social sciences track versus a biological sciences track. Review them carefully, as their requirements are quite different, especially at the upper division level.
My own biased opinion, however, will lead me to recommend nutritional sciences...my own major, ahem. The department has three tracks: physiology and metabolism (for students planning for professional or graduate school), dietetics (which specifically trains students for a career as a dietician), and toxicology (which is also a great major for professional and graduate school).
Confused about which major suits you best? Talk to your faculty advisors, or drop by our own PAL office hours to chat.
Why did I pick my major?
For all of the UCs that I applied to, I put the usual molecular biology down, but Cal offered something different: Molecular Environmental Biology. I chose MEB because it sounded interesting. I knew I wanted to do something in science, but at the time that I was applying, I didn’t know exactly what yet. I looked online for more information about the major and instantly knew that MEB was exactly what I wanted to do. It mixed two things I am really interested in: environmental issues and public health/science.
One thing I really like about MEB, now that I am in it, is that it isn’t specifically a pre-med major; there are lots of career options for me to choose from. The courses offered in MEB are so vast that I feel I have a better overall understanding of many health and environment issues, rather than focusing on something specific. I take the classes that a lot of MCB and IB students are taking, but I also take the classes that let me apply that science to something important. For example, ESPM 167: Environmental Health and Development let me use my understanding of biology to see how environmental toxins affect us, and what we can do to change it.
Being in MEB has its perks! It’s in CNR so I get the small college warmth with the big university resources. The MEB advisors are amazing and really care about the students. I feel completely comfortable asking them questions and I don’t have to wait a long time to see them.
If you have any questions about MEB feel free to drop by my office hours or email us at:
pal@berkeley.edu.
One of the reasons I love Berkeley so much is that you can never be bored. Really! There are always academic/career lectures, forums, symposiums, shows…and all kinds of events that you can think of! In addition to the Taiwanese Student Association, Pre-Medical Honor Society, intramural basketball, and volunteering in YWCA from my “Life outside of class~” blog entry on September 18th, 2006, I am going to share some of my current activities with you.
Ever since my junior year, I am devoting most of my time in a molecular toxicology lab. After a semester of basic lab technique training and with the help of my research mentor, I developed my honors thesis. My research focuses on a neural enzyme and I study the function and the health effects of this enzyme in cells. Working in a lab has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. It leads me to the world of basic science research. It also shows me that medical school, pharmacy school, or optometry school is not the only option after graduating with a biology degree. There is the choice of graduate school. Being a scientist is actually really cool!
In addition, on Fridays, I volunteer in the Alta Bates Medical center. I’ve been volunteering in the hospital since I was in second year. This experience has been pulling me to pursue a career in medicine. Volunteering in a hospital, I observed physician-patient interactions. I also see the interaction between different sectors such as MD’s, nurse, physical therapists, and pharmacists. As a volunteer, I saw many patients’ suffering through pain and I also shared many patients’ happiness when they gradually recover. The greatest lesson I learned is to cherish life.
I feel like half the people I meet at Cal are MCB majors. Not to dump on MCB, it's a wonderful major, but most people choose it as a default. If you are one of those "defaulters", not only in MCB or any other major, seriously reconsider why you're studying what you are. Is it because you want to make your parents happy? Is it because all your friends are studying it? Is it because you really don't know what you want to do?
If you're undeclared, think about what you honestly like. If you're not a science/math person, don't be science math major! Your major should be something that to some degree, is enjoyable. Also, think about what are you good at. Usually, these two go together and can help you narrow your focus way down. If you have an idea of what kind of career you want to pursue, it could help to pick a concentration that helps you reach that goal.
Take some courses from different departments. Fulfilling your breadths and AC requirements can help you do this.
Talk to advisors and other people who are in the majors that you're interested in. They can help you get a realistic picture of what the major is like and the kind of courses it entails.
And if all of this fails and you still end up not knowing what you want to study or find yourself constantly switching majors, take heart. Your major doesn't determine the the kind of career you're going to have or who you are. At the very least, college should be a place where you can explore many different things and have the freedom to do what makes you happy.
If you have questions or are super stressed about these issues, come talk to us in office hours!
In the rare event that I’m not in class, studying in the library for class or holding office hours for PAL, you can usually find me in a club meeting! I’m involved in AAHS (Asian American Health Society) as the treasurer intern. We have tons of pre-medical, pre-health events held on campus throughout the semester, so be sure to check our website, or look for flyers around campus. AAHS also has a mentorship program where an upper div. student helps mentor a lower div. student and I recently started mentoring a freshman. In fact, tonight we have a Telebears-info session in 108 Wheeler, 6:00pm—come by if you have any questions or are looking for some interesting classes to take next semester! I’m also in Foresight, the pre-optometry club on campus. It’s a great club especially if you are interested in applying to Cal’s Optometry school since they have numerous faculties come by and give advice.
I also volunteer for Project Homeless Connect, a non-profit organization in San Francisco (and I think around the country) where the homeless can get free healthcare (optometry, dentistry, medical) and other valuable services like free phone calls, shelter info and free books. It’s really fun and you get to meet a lot of cool people. If you want more information, be sure to check out the PHC website.
Come by to our office hours (now near the front doors of Mulford) to tell us what you do in your spare time!
Besides PAL, I also work as an SM (security monitor) at Unit 3. That's right, I'm the strict lady that makes sure no shady people get into the dorms!
I also volunteer at First Presbyterian's bi-monthly Street Meal. Volunteers help cook massive amounts of food and then serve it to the homeless and hungry. It's a great way to serve the community and you get to have interesting conversations with the diverse population of Berkeley.
I'm also part of a Christian fellowship on Campus called ICA (formerly known as the Navigators). We have weekly bible studies in a small group setting as well as larger meetings where everyone comes together to learn and fellowship. I attend church as well at the Berkeley Mosaic, where I will begin work with the children: either taking care of those in the nursery or teaching Sunday school to the older kids.
These extracurriculars are what really make my college experience complete. School is great, but I learn the most in situations and experiences where I can't rely on academics for the answer. So I encourage you, if you haven't already, to join a group or find an internship. You'll gain a lot of valuable experience, and if nothing else, something to add to your impressive resume.
I applied to CNR (unknowingly) under the Molecular Environmental Biology (MEB) major because I knew that I wanted to do something in science and health, but I didn’t know exactly what. As I was selecting the majors that I wanted to apply under for the UC application, MEB immediately stuck out—Cal was the only school that offered this major and it seemed interesting. I had an interest in science, but I was also interested in renewable resources and environmental awareness. Environmental Science major seemed good, but I liked the fact that MEB included a lot of pre-health courses, which kept my options open. So after doing a little more research online, I knew MEB was exactly what I wanted to major in.
Continue reading "Why CNR?" »
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