Can anyone start "Some tips for succeeding at Cal"?

sheepsgobaa
Wed, 30 Apr 2014 23:44:53 +0000

Sorry this is a bit long, but I hope this helps.


Do the work.
Not everything assigned (like reading, homework) will necessarily count for a substantial portion of your grade in your class, but will factor into your grade through other means like tests, papers, etc. So doing that homework which only counts for 0.5% of your grade will, in the long run, help you ace that midterm that is 25% of your grade.
Go to class
Rather, don’t ditch. To be honest, going to class helps but that alone won’t get you a good grade. However, not going to class often is more detrimental than going to class is helpful. So go to class.
Fostering self-motivation
A lot of Berkeley (and college in general) is fueled by self-motivation. No more parents and teachers to nag you about the doing homework and studying for tests. If you don’t turn in a homework or show up for a test, usually, that’s that (unless you have a good reason and you communicated that to your professor).
Finding a goal
Whether you are in a major you love or hate, you should have goals, short-term and long-term. Sure, you might not achieve them or you might change you mind later down the line, but it is still important to have an approximate direction of where you want to go in life. It will make your college experience so much more satisfying.
Keep an open mind
Having goals is not to say you shouldn’t try out new things. Do try out new classes, seminars, and/or decals. Your goals are allowed to change. If you really really hate your major, it’s fine to switch to something you would enjoy more.
An open mind should also be applied to your surroundings as well. You are probably going to meet a lot of different people from a lot of different background, and be mindful that everyone’s different.
Engage in new things and approach them with an open mind. You will learn, academically and personally, so much more.
Don’t obsess over school too much
This is kind of contradictory advice to #1, but really, don’t obsess too much about school. Do work hard, but don’t prioritize studying over eating. There are a lot of intelligent and talented people in Berkeley, and many Berkeley classes are graded on a curve (something like 30% A’s, 30 B’s, 30 C’s, 10 D/F for most upper division; I believe the lower division curve for “weeder” classes is less generous). If you don’t get your A even though you worked your absolute hardest, it’s fine. A lot of people don’t, and still do fine later in life. Chances are, if you have the self-motivation and ambition, you will too. Don’t let that bad grade keep you down.
Finding a good balance
There’s also a lot more distraction in college due to the lack of parental (or any) oversight. Sometimes the distractions are bad (going to a party or studying for a test?), but actually, most of the time, the distractions are more along the lines of mundane chores like paying your bills and doing your laundry, and social obligations like just hanging out with your friends and keeping in touch with your family. Instead of focusing solely on one thing, learn to find a good balance between everything, and you’ll find yourself happier and more successful in Berkeley.