Answers to Your Burning Berkeley Questions
When I came to Berkeley three years ago, I was drowning in questions. Where could I join clubs, and how many could I realistically juggle? How was I supposed to plan my class schedule? At what locations could I use my meal swipes? And what on earth were Flex Dollars? (Hint: They’re like cash that gives a discount for dining locations!)
Joining a community as big as Cal can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, resources like the Berkeley Life blog and social media offer both academic and personal insight into the Golden Bear experience. As an out-of-state student with little knowledge of California, reading Berkeley Life articles was one of my first steps in terms of feeling out the history, culture, and daily life here. If you’re new to UC Berkeley, these are my top reads for you.
1. What’s it like to live on campus?
Most Golden Bears live on campus during their first year at Cal, and on-campus housing is also available for continuing students. Learn about the various types on-campus housing options, how to determine which is right for you, and making friends in your new home. Read Community in Campus Housing.
Milissa (right) and her roommate on the Afro Floor. Photo from Community in Campus Housing.
2. How do I search for off-campus housing?
If you’re planning to live off campus, hearing other students’ perspectives on how to find housing is essential. Here, Melissa shares her experience searching for off-campus housing. Read Finding Housing: What to Expect.
Nina (left) and her friends on Halloween in her off-campus apartment.
Having trouble finding something that works for you? Read Off-Campus Housing Search Tips.
3. How do I manage my finances?
As a new student—or even a continuing one—navigating financial aid can be nerve-racking. Utilize free resources like the Center for Financial Wellness’s coaching sessions and discover how to keep your financial health in check. Eating on a budget, finding free and fun events, and taking charge of your happiness have never been easier. Read Manage Your Finances.
Cover photo for Managing Your Finances.
4. How do I search for scholarships?
Receiving a scholarship can alter the trajectory of your undergraduate education, especially for out-of-state or international students. They’re the reason I could focus on making my first year of college rather than working my part-time jobs 24/7, and the reason why I could study abroad in Tokyo during my third year. Here is my first-hand account of searching for scholarships, both in high school and in college, featuring tips I wish I’d known when I first started. Read Scholarship Search: Nina’s Story.
Photo from Scholarship Search: Nina’s Story.
5. How do I know what classes I need (and how do I actually get into them)?
Your classes are the foundation of your time here at Cal. Knowing how to utilize resources like the Academic Guide and your Schedule Planner can make all the difference! Read Choosing Classes at Cal. (Bonus: read Nolan’s tips on building your schedule and Hosea’s advice on finding classes he enjoys with resources like Rate My Professors and Berkeleytime.)
John DeNero teaching CS61A. Cover photo for Tips for Choosing Classes @ Cal.
6. How do I plan my classes as a transfer student?
Seeking direction on how to choose classes when you’ve already fulfilled many requirements? Preslee’s got you covered with advice for transfer students, by a transfer student. Read Transfer Enrollment Tips.
Cover photo for Transfer Enrollment Tips.
7. How do I find clubs to join?
The identity-focused and passion-based clubs I was in my first year of college were how I made some of my closest friends. Everyone’s journey with joining clubs and organizations is different, but I’ve found that reading individual student experiences really grounded the process for me. Learn about the process of joining clubs and orgs at Cal. Read Campus Clubs: Finding & Applying.
To discover why students chose to join their clubs and orgs, or for transfer student-specific tips, explore Why Join a Club @ Berkeley? and Joining Clubs as a Transfer.
Student performances at Upper Sproul Plaza during Cal Day 2024. Photo from Joining Clubs as a Transfer
8. Where do I go to eat?
When I first came to Cal, one of the things I was most excited about was the food. Learn what Berkeley Dining and the city of Berkeley offer at large. Read Dining at Berkeley: Explore!
A bowl from Monsoon Kitchens containing Basmati Rice, Chicken Tikka Masala, Alu Chole, Kachumber, and two Samosas. Photo from Discover the Eateries.
Craving something sweet? Discover Almare Gelato and other Berkeley Dining Eateries in the MLK Jr. Student Union Building.
9. How do you take care of your health and wellness?
At an academically rigorous school, taking time to care for your physical and mental health is unspeakably important. Discover what UC Berkeley’s Recreational Sports Facility has to offer that will help you start off strong. Read Wellness Resources at Cal.
The Tang Center, which houses University Health Services. Photo by Bonnie Azab Powell. Photo from Considering Counseling? Start Here.
If you’re interested in taking charge of your mental and emotional health but nervous to take the plunge, you can read my first-hand experience with counseling services at Cal. It’s an article I wish I’d had when first tackling therapy in college.
10. How do I keep track of everything I need to know at Berkeley?
When life gets busy, it’s more important than ever to prioritize connection. Melissa offers a list of resources that will help you stay in touch with the things that matter most. Read How to Stay in Touch.
Cover photo for How to Stay in Touch.
A Jumping-Off Point
To all of the new first-year and transfer students, congratulations on your admission to UC Berkeley! I believe that Berkeley truly has something for everyone—whether they dream of researching bacterial genetic editing or directing feature-length films—and I am confident that you’ll find your home here. Getting situated at a new school can be challenging, but I hope this article was a good jumping-off point. Best of luck to you, and enjoy your first year at Cal. It’ll go by fast.
Nina Takahashi, Class of 2026, is majoring in film & media and minoring in Japanese and creative writing. Cover photo by Student Affairs Communications. This article was first published in June of 2023 and updated in June of 2025.
Want More?
- Get ready for Golden Bear Orientation!
- Find your impact at Cal. How will you make your mark?
- Meet Melissa Mora-Gonzalez, a recent graduate reflecting on her time at UC Berkeley.
- Navigate life @ Cal.