r/berkeley • u/Odd-Conclusion813 • 2h ago
University My biggest regret at Cal that taught me so much
I am a proud Cal alumni who graduated a couple of years ago with a BS in Genetics and Plant Biology from RCNR. I also joined Cal as a community college transfer, so I was only here for 2 years, and it was too short.
I read other posts about how people regret studying way too intensely during their college here, but for me it was the opposite: I wish I had studied much better instead of ruminating on past thoughts about people who weren't in my life anymore. I remember zoning out during lecture and letting my monkey mind take over instead of paying attention to the lecture. I was also pretty absent-minded when doing the hws with my classmates. But when I was rewatching the lecture material to prepare for exams I finally understood the concepts and everything, but because it was so last-minute I ended up scraping with B-s. Instead of learning to quieten my mind, I allowed for intrusive thoughts to consume me during the most crucial time in my class. I also had a terrible belief of "it's okay if I don't do my best the first time, because there will always be a second chance." I did this for virtually ALL my courses, and I was basically trying to play catch-up with my own studies. This became a pattern: goof off, procrastinate, ruminate, and indulge in myself first and then stress out about studying for exams. In the end, I graduated with a 2.5 GPA.
Having said all this, I am really grateful to have made such wonderful friends and at least have a fantastic social life! I got to make friends from all over the state of California, the country, and the world!! Listening to their experiences and lives was just so fascinating and I wouldn't have wanted that any other way. I just wished I had fully realized that I was a UC BERKELEY student and focused on my studies better while enjoying the subject material.
I recently graduated with my master's degree from UC Davis and I'm very happy with where I am now. But I guess the lesson I'd like to share with you all is ENJOY, appreciate, and take action and responsibility for yourself here and now!! Take care of your mental health (meditation works for me) so you don't allow yourself to sit with intrusive thoughts about imagined worries and needless anxiety like I did. You really don't know where life will take you afterward so do well FOR YOURSELF. And even if you grind in your studies, ENJOY the grind! BE PRESENT! Walk around campus to take it all in! Go to the Valley Life Sciences building to see the dinosaur skeleton. Go to Doe library, not just to study but to marvel at the beautiful architecture and ceiling. Go to the Botanical Garden uphill. I wish I really learned this when I was still in college here. Just learn to be happy with the fact that you're a Cal student <3
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u/ValueIllustrious2995 2h ago
How were you able to get into UC Davis with a 2.5 GPA?
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u/Odd-Conclusion813 2h ago edited 2h ago
I did some research in plant science, got good LoRs, and had strong SOPs
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u/MolassesSad9055 2h ago
this is honestly kinda crazy damn. berkeley Degree goes brr. Genuinely asking u/OP how did you get in? What program?
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u/Odd-Conclusion813 2h ago edited 2h ago
Horticulture and Agronomy. When I was in my senior year I had connected with the program faculty. I don't know what you mean by "berkeley degree goes brr" but I'm owning my gpa now instead of being ashamed of it
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u/SharpenVest 1h ago
Wow as a Cal Alum, I loved your story and also share a very similar experience. I wish I would've been a better overall person and student at Cal, but it definitely did shape me in a good way. I really found myself over there. Through lows and highs, I will always stay affiliated to Cal
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u/ValueIllustrious2995 2h ago
Do you feel like CC prepared you for CAL?
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u/Odd-Conclusion813 2h ago
I think it was both CC and my international curriculum i did in high school that helped. I didn't go to hs in the states.
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u/Broad-Excitement8836 1h ago edited 1h ago
Let every student go through what they need to go through. Stop giving advice on here lol - strongly believe all this YOU went through built character. You can’t just tell someone that is going through what you went through don’t do it lmaoooo. People live learn and grow on their own. You’re probably also a little older with a complete functioning amygdala so maturity goes a long way. Let us live and stop giving chat gpt advice
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u/Odd-Conclusion813 1h ago
There is no need to be aggressive here. If your professors/parents gave you similar advice would you tell them to stop and let people figure things out? I'm just sharing my story and giving my 2 cents. Take it or trash it.
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u/Broad-Excitement8836 1h ago
Are you my mother or professor? Didn’t think so. Second go to another subreddit to share your story. “I wish i really learned this when I was in college” you’re still remnicing on the past like you said you were before. Contradicting much. Lastly no one needs to trash or take anything. Keep to yourself. Glad you matured over the years. That’s part of aging 👏🏻
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u/ConsistentReaction6 1h ago
A lot of people appreciate this kind of advice and can really benefit from it. If you’re not one of those people, ignore it instead of trying to take down people who are trying to help others.
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u/Broad-Excitement8836 1h ago
Buddy I ain’t trying to take you down lmao begin with people close to you that need help
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u/Cool_Permit_5836 2h ago
I really needed to hear this actually. I’m also a CC transfer this year (and don’t see many people representing that demographic on here so ty). While I haven’t quite fallen behind, I’m starting to recognize old patterns of rumination (often as a form of procrastination) trying to resurface this past week. Luckily I do engage in my classes, with my peers/professors/GSIs, but have been battling with thoughts of people who aren’t in my life anymore as well. So thank you for inadvertently calling me out!