Cue in epic Les Mis music (sorry guys, I finally got around to watching that Les Mis movie)… I am officially counting down the hours (yeek! less than 24 hours left!) before our class of 2017 and our junior transfers arrive! Are you guys excited – I definitely cannot wait to peek out of my apartment window and watch all the new freshmen move into the dorms tomorrow and sunday! After y’all move in, welcome week is so much fun! So to piggyback off of my fellow bloggers Uday and Katherine‘s witty and informative “freshmen experience” posts, here are my suggestions for an amazing first week at Cal!
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Move in! – well obviously this has to be done! To be honest, moving in was kinda hectic for me since my dorm building had only one elevator (as do most of the unit buildings.) If you can, I highly suggest using the stairs (but don’t break your backs!!) and making sure you’re situated. After everyone has moved in, go to floor dinner (usually your RA will organize) to meet the great people you’ll be living with for the next year.
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Get your SWAG – two places you definitely have to go to get “stuff we all get” – Caltopia and Calapalooza. Caltopia is held in the RSF on Sunday and Monday and believe me, it’s just a festival of free stuff and free food (and who doesn’t like that?!) Calapalooza is held later in the week, and is a showcase of most of our extracurriculars. Go check them out!
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Self Tour campus – do you have a sense of adventure? Besides taking guided tours and library tours, explore campus for yourself. There are so many nooks and crannies and shortcuts worth learning about (if anything, explore that mysterious building called Dwinelle), and it’s officially okay to be a tourist! I highly suggest venturing up the Campanile for the sunset view – I’ve (sadly) never taken a trip up there yet, and welcoming week is one of the only times in the year where the Campanile is open that late. I can’t wait to see the beautiful Bay Area from our famous landmark!
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Find your classes – no one likes looking like the lost freshman the first day of school. Before Thursday, actually go on campus and look for your classrooms and buildings, that way you won’t have to spend extra time the day of. Yes, I unashamedly have to say I will be out there too (Huh? GPB? Where’s that? I’m a business major, why am I looking for science buildings…)
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Go pig out! – Yes, Berkeley is the perfect town for foodies! So many new places to try and many flavors to taste! I suggest taking a stroll down Telegraph or Shattuck for starters – many popular food hotspots here!
I sometimes secretly wish I was a freshman again so I can experience all these things for the first time again! Well, Class of 2017 and junior transfers, here’s to another great school year! Hope to see all of you new faces in less than 24 hours!
Visit a couple food stops within your first week! I highly recommend Gregoire on north side!