<p>So I was elated when I got into Berkeley and thought I could relax over the summer and savor the accomplishment. But then the reality hit me, applications for MFA programs are just around the corner so I could not afford to waste this summer in idleness. Though I love doing writing and whatnot, it’s been pretty stressful nonetheless. I know most of my fellow Golden Bears also have high pressure-inducing aspirations (Med school, law school, MBA programs, graduate school). I guess this notion is only amplified because this is CC. So I just had a couple questions for you guys:</p>
<li><p>With the competition to get into these programs, do you ever feel like breaking down? I mean in general, we need like flawless grades, stellar recommendations, solid experience in the field, and high standardized test scores. This seems a bit overwhelming at times; I just don’t think it is natural for anyone to be an academic robot.</p></li>
<li><p>Where does your motivation to work under the tremendous pressure come from? Cultural? Family? Friends? Self-imposed?</p></li>
<li><p>When academic life gets overwhelming, what is the one thing you turn to to destress?</p></li>
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<li>Yes, there are many times when i ask myself if this is really worth it. Sometimes i question if it is possible.</li>
<li>Its mainly self-imposed. I’m pre-med and i always push myself to get into med school cause i know thats what i want. Making my parents proud also motivates me. I know they will be proud whether i become a doctor or not, but I still like to use that to motivate me to do well, especially when i question myself.</li>
<li>Relaxing. Taking a day off from school. Going out with my gf, friends, and just living life. I dont want to regret studying all the time in college. I want to experience new things and make the best out of my 4-5 years at cal. And going to football games in the fall, thats the best!!!</li>
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<li><p>Nah. I have a strong backup plan if I don’t get into Grad School. I’ve got my foot in the door in the industry, and feel very confident I could snag a good job straight out of college. I do feel I’m just a notch below where I need to be for grad school, but I have a decent shot of getting there if I work hard my last two years.</p></li>
<li><p>My own motivation. My friends do much worse than I do. My family doesn’t really care, so long as I don’t do anything stupid. There’s no good reason to work hard except because you want to in order to achieve something personally.</p></li>
<li><p>Hmmm, I dunno. I guess I sleep more and start slacking. That’s how I always get toward the end of a semester. I usually give myself a day of the week when I just don’t work–Saturday, for example. I won’t do homework, I won’t study, I’ll just relax. Of course, there are (many) exceptions when I must work in order to get something done, but this is generally how I try to stay sane.</p></li>
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<li><p>Sometimes, although it’s more like apathetic or inactive rather than say breaking.</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t think I have enough of this. Maybe family expectations and self-imposed.</p></li>
<li><p>CC! Actually, I’m not sure. I’m going to try to make it the gym and something like yoga. Perhaps music, movies, books, but going to music, movie, and book stores (or looking online) always makes me feel so ignorant or as if my knowledge is only superficial and very narrow.</p></li>
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<li><p>I’m not an academic robot, but I do nothing less than my absolute best. My standardized test scores have been disastrous and I feel that they don’t reflect my academic record at all. So yeah, I feel like giving up a lot of times. But then I remember how hard I’ve worked till now and think that if I end up only getting accepted to my safety, it will all have been a huge waste. </p></li>
<li><p>I guess for me its mainly self-imposed. I like prestige, I like spending, and I like knowledge. My family also encourages me to work a lot, and I think I’ve just sort of worked up my reputation now I have to continue meeting it.</p></li>
<li><p>I go out with friends. Friday nights are my party nights. Saturdays are normally days of rest, but usually I have to work Saturdays anyway. Sleeping more stresses me more. </p></li>
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<p>And I also know what you mean about thinking the stress is over for a while and finding out it isn’t. I thought this summer would be a breeze, only to find out I have about 75 hours of homework, college apps, and should really study for the SAT.</p>
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<li><p>I love being overwhelmed with academics. Time management and smart usage of resources is everything.</p></li>
<li><p>Isn’t hard mental work what college is SUPPOSED to be about? If I didn’t want hard mental work, I would have become a construction worker. </p></li>
<li><p>Read good novels.</p></li>
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<p>“2. My own motivation. My friends do much worse than I do. My family doesn’t really care, so long as I don’t do anything stupid. There’s no good reason to work hard except because you want to in order to achieve something personally.”</p>
<p>“3. CC! Actually, I’m not sure. I’m going to try to make it the gym and something like yoga. Perhaps music, movies, books, but going to music, movie, and book stores (or looking online) always makes me feel so ignorant or as if my knowledge is only superficial and very narrow.”</p>
<p>I also feel that way in realizing that I don’t know much at all. I think its good in a way though as it keeps me humble and in my place. Man, I’ve seen too many people got cocky and hot-shottish once they got into (UCLA/UCB/insert prestigious college here), so its nice to stay grounded.</p>
<p>“2. Isn’t hard mental work what college is SUPPOSED to be about? If I didn’t want hard mental work, I would have become a construction worker.”</p>
<p>True, true but sometimes I lose sight of this. I think this comes mostly from my expectations of college I derive from movies (American Pie, Old School etc.) so I sometimes think college should be an opportunity to engage in complete and utter debauchery. ha, as silly and irrational as that may seem. In any case, I think I should always try to remember that my parents are investing in my studies to educate myself (not to go ‘Cardinal gone wild’ ha)</p>
<p>Hey adamboy, what year are you in and what do you do for extracuriculars? Like student groups and whatnot? Just curious because I am pre-med also and need serious guidance.</p>
<p>Im a 2nd year. I did a youth mentor program, and i think im going to get involved with BSP (Biology scholars program) next year. I was in extension, so i didnt really want to join to many groups.</p>
<p>^ being in fall extension (assuming what you are referring to) is suppose to let you be able to check out clubs and organizations (because you have a lot of time to do so)!</p>
<p>unlimited, do you think, generally speaking, the classes at the extension are easier or harder than the same courses on the main campus? Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>“unlimited, do you think, generally speaking, the classes at the extension are easier or harder than the same courses on the main campus? Thanks a lot.”</p>
<p>The courses are similar in difficulty compared to similar courses on the main campus. However, the difference is that the major lab courses/weeder courses aren’t offered (such as chem 1a, bio 1ab, physics, etc etc) so it seems that all FPF students aren’t as stressed out compared to students on the main campus, thus making it seem that FPF is “easier.”</p>
<p>From my experience, all but one of my professors were extremely helpful. The bad one got ousted this year. All professors get rated by the students at the end of the semester, so only the best ones can continue teaching FPF (unlike the ratings done for the main campus professors which seem to have no effect)!</p>
<p>What I enjoyed most is the ease at making friends. You will meet students who happen to take 2 of the same courses as you are. I happened to make two friends who took the same 3 courses in the same 3 sections!!! Another perk is that the professor leads the discussion section (you WILL miss this when you take courses on the main campus in the spring), which is way better.</p>
<p>Anyhow, to get A grades in FPF you do need to go that extra mile. However, you do have a lot more extra time to do other stuff.</p>
<p>Another point: it wasn’t until last year that the grades earned in FPF were computed into the UC GPA. So back then FPF was definitely easier and more chill.</p>
<p>Yeah i had a lot of time, but i wasnt interested in joining clubs while in extension. I hated having to explain that i was in extension and a spring admit.</p>
Maybe family expectations and self-imposed.</p></li>