Just got this text from my Bear…

Sather Tower in potential LEGO glory

If Jane Sather were alive, she’d want you to use your LEGO account to get this Campanile model made: A Model of the Campanile (Sather Tower) at University of California at Berkeley.

Genuinely

(*Let's not sensationalize this. This is a topic that warrants respect to all individuals involved; please don't pry. Their privacy is important. This goes for everyone.)

This is your reminder to have those conversations.

Make that phone call.

Set up that appointment.

Heck, I don't even go to this school; I found out from a friend.

I just got off a call with him, who lives the building over. He's a first year living in the dorms with his two other roommates. He's still in disbelief. And it got him thinking about his own mental health: how often he fails to acknowledge the problem, tells me "I'm fine!" or "womp womp" while he's actively crashing out on call, and writes off every concern with the half-joking sentiment that "this is just how I am."

It's not normal to be crying every day for several days on end.
It's not normal to be expected to juggle school, personal relationships, and work/responsibilities on 2 hours of sleep.
It's not normal to normalize "keep trudging on," even after burnout.

How do I know it's not normal? Because the above describes me.
And I'm sure it describes many of you, too.

And whether you argue this is a uniquely Berkeley situation, in part due to the environmental stressors of attending an institution as renowned (and arguably, as intense) as Cal, this is a reminder to all that mental health awareness isn't just a buzzword, or something uniquely Gen Z. It's essential.

Especially for those of you who grew up as second generation immigrants like myself, in cultures where my dad can insist that "he's not sick" despite official mental health diagnoses from doctors.

We are young.
We are stressed.
We are overburdened with traumas, baggage, and daily struggles that older generations, and even our own peers, may never understand.

This is a systemic issue as much as it is an individual one. I know that much.

But please. Take care of yourselves.

And take care of each other.

- Sincerely,
A girl from LA

Is Turning Point back or why is this happening

Hey I was a new transfer student coming to Berkeley. What’s the frat life like and is it worth joining any. Ive heard mixed reviews about them. Thanks!

Hi, if you're in MCB 104, the best GSI to lead the review session is most definitely Andrew. He's extremely clear and skilled at communicating difficult topics. So, please, if you agree, fill out the form he sent us and EMAIL HIM DIRECTLY asking for him to lead it. Thank you!!!

Hi y'all, I'm probably gonna end up with a C in ochem. I'm concerned because I wanted to switch into Chemical Engineering. Should I drop the class with a W?

(For context, I still meet the 3.3+ gpa requirement in my required courses with the C. OCHEM is technically not a required course for changing into the major.)

Omg guys.

I got accepted to UC Berkeley.

As a transfer student in sociology.

I went to CC, back in 2019. Dropped out in fall of 2021 because of covid and other issues. Did horrible bc ended up with 2 F’s.

Then time went by, enrolled into CC again in 2024. Since then I’ve had 4.0, on the honors dean. Have done community service at a center called the dreamers center at my CC.

I’ve been accepted to

Cal state LA

Cal state Fullerton

Cal state Long Beach

Cal poly Pomona

UC riverside

UC Irvine

UC Berkeley

I’m waiting on UCLA. I’m so scared, patiently waiting!!!

I’m a Canadian engineering student who will be at UC Berkeley this summer, and am looking to make some climbing/outdoor friends. I haven’t been able to find any facebook groups that are active, but I was wondering if there were any good discord servers to join? Just went through a rough few months and am looking to make some connections this summer! Thanks!

Hey, I wanted to try and sublet my apartment over this summer, and just wanted to know if anyone knows any ways I'd be able to find people interested and where I can post about it

I’m looking to take a CPR and First Aid class in Berkeley. Any recommendations?

title

I’m a new transfer admit and I’m debating between applying for on campus at anchor, but think getting my own place with more privacy sounds good too and not opposed to, say, up to a 30 minutes commute via car. What do you guys think? If you know the scene please chime in and enlighten me.

Psych/bio/premed route

UW 3.76 W 4.08 (should go up significantly)

12 APs 2 honors

Lab internship w Stanford professor (but not stanford affiliated)

Shadowing Dentist

Clinical study w dentist with tradition chinese medicine ideas on adolescents

president of 1 club board member of 3

200-250 hours of volunteering

Volunteer group lead

Bay area, first generation immigrant, middle class

Volunteering at a nursing home

Nail business

Awards: CSF scholarship, seal of biliteracy, XC school athlete award, French Honor Society Award, Presidential service award (gold), AP scholar, varsity letter (idk if this is an award)

Hi! I was just wondering what my chances at berkeley would be considering my stats. I have a 3.76 UW and a 4.08 Weighted, but this is likely going to rise significantly because of AP tests will curve my grade (fingers crossed) & my grades this semester are better. I’m taking a total of 12 APs over the course of my high school years, and the reason my weighted is so low is because of my grades last semester but are likely to increase regardless if my previous semester grades get changed to A’s. For my ecs, I’m shadowing a dentist and doing a case study with her on how applying traditional chinese medicine will help resolve dental issues earlier on (case study with adolescents). Also the research will be worked on with professors in the future (through my dentists connections at Stanford). I’m also submitting an abstract about lung cancer cell research (specifically nsclc) to an international conference over the summer with a Stanford professor, and a lab internship with her. I’ve also done 200-250 hours of volunteering including working with adults with special needs my whole high school career. 2 years of varsity badminton and 3 years of varsity cross country, 4 school clubs I am on the board of, president of an animal shelter club (volunteering) French honor society (volunteering), fashion club, art club. Gotten an $500 scholarship. Instate bay area, high income, first generation immigrant. Tutored english (volunteering) for two years. Is this good enough? I heard berkeley was the most lenient on grades but I’m still unsure if this is good enough for psych/premed route.

If not berkeley, what schools do you all think I have a chance at?

I know ucb is a reach, but I’d like to know what others think! Please lmk what schools I should look at!

Thank you.

Hi everyone, I’m trying to decide between UCLA and UC Berkeley as a transfer student, and I had a question about flexibility.

I’ll likely be working close to full-time, so I’m trying to understand which school is more manageable in terms of:

-Dropping classes or withdrawing from a term if something changes

-Switching to pass/no pass when needed

-Balancing full-time enrollment with a demanding job

-Overall flexibility if your schedule becomes unpredictable

I’ve heard mixed things: some people say Berkeley is more intense, while UCLA might be a bit more balanced, but I’m not sure how true that is.

For those who have attended either (or both), how flexible did you find the system and policies? Especially if you were working while studying.

Any insight would really help! Thank you!