freshman

There was no veil of anonymity for me to hide behind, no auto-generated username that would serve as an online persona that I could keep distinctly separate from the “real world.”

I’m always going to have insecurities. I’m always going to have off-days. I’m always going to question my belonging. But these are just thoughts. I don’t have to accept these thoughts as my reality.

We are not here to understand our role immediately. We are here to enter a world of possibility, to be the impostor and welcome the stranger.

Belonging is visceral and tactile, so lick everything and squish your face against every surface.

Whether my time at Cal ends with quiet resignation, a standing ovation, or simply a puff of smoke, these articles will forever be a part of who I am.

As I watched those around me find one another and sign leases, my panic grew; in contrast to my peers, who seemed to have everything figured out from location to money to roommates, I didn’t have a tentative — or really any — plan in mind. 

As a rising senior and former GBO leader, here are three tips I’d give to any incoming freshman (including my former self)!

I’ve been reflecting on the personal and academic changes that I’d like to implement into the semester, and I'm determined to accomplish my top five goals.

We've gone through the off-campus housing search multiple times and have seen many versions of the process. Here's our guide to help you through it.