summer list

Besides the obvious completing summer lists with my big, apartment mates, and high school friends and of course, growing out my hair, there are some individual things I must try (either individually or with friends) that aren't on any of the summer to-do lists. I have never been one to be excited for summer, but I have to say, after a year of college (as much as I loved every moment of it), I am so ready to take a break from the most challenging, rigorous academic year yet. I know more challenging years are yet to come, but for now, I'm just going to relax and enjoy my summer.

10. Go to 4th Street to explore the little shops, especially Paper Source.
9. Learn to make popsicles and homemade boba for the summer weather.
8. Ride my bike to Huntington Beach (let's go, 60 miles!)
7. Create DIY shorts, once I gather some courage, time, and material...in that order.
6. Watch the sunrise while eating a breakfast picnic.
5. Finish a book from cover to cover.
4. Movie Marathon (I've never done this before)
3. July 4th in Berkeley...find somewhere to watch the fireworks and celebrate!
2. Get back into the running groove...at least 3 times a week.
1. Attend the OC Fair, something I've wanted to do since freshmen year of high school.

Freshmen 15

My first year in college is almost over (I mean, pretty much. There's only dead week and finals week left, which are both nicely filled with studying and packing). I've had such a great time and I don't think at this point I regret not doing anything or doing anything. I've heard about the sophomore slump, but I'm really hoping it won't happen to me. Hopefully, moving into apartments and living with my favorite girls will postpone the slump. Anyway, as I'm wrapping up my first year, I've learned a couple things at Berkeley that may or may not apply to all college students. Just a bits and pieces of what I've picked up from my experiences thus far. 

15. Gaining weight is inevitable...thank you, Crossroads, late night, and ADX.
14. I learned so much in a year of college...so much more than I ever did in high school.
13. Everyone is doing everything, or at least it feels like that. Everyone's involved with something.
12. College student = a broken wallet.
11. College orgs take up so much time. Here, 2-3 is way sufficient. In high school, 5+ clubs were manageable.
10. I'm a "Berkeley story." Come in confident......and then, the grading system runs me over.
9. Do what you love. There is no "right" way. I got involved in different orgs I never thought I would ever do. It's about finding your niche and sticking with it.
8. So many unique people with unique talents and unique stories. Don't miss out on getting to know everyone.
7. Never enough sleep. I thought I was tired in high school, but now that I'm reflecting, I don't remember ever being completely, physically drained. Though it's only been a year, I can't pull all nighters as easily and sleep, no matter how much, is never ever enough.
6. Sometimes a little procrastination is good. Having never procrastinated in high school, I came in with the same mentality. But because there is so much to learn, I end up forgetting material for exams. But this is not to say, full blown procrastination is good either...
5. Time is precious.
4. Being away from campus is good when the stress level is high. Around midterm season (oh, and especially during dead week and finals week), I can tangibly feel everyone's stress.
3. Coffee is good. I never drank coffee until second semester, but it is so necessary when I'm getting 10 hours of sleep for an entire week. (Try Philz Coffee...or the Chai Latte at Peet's.)
2. Friendships get deep really fast in college.
1. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.

10 things I learned from college thus far

10. Don't judge anyone. Everyone has his/her own story.
9. There is no easy class. When people say "take this class, it's easy," they really mean it's easy RELATIVE to every other class in the school.
8. Even if your professor is one of the worst lecturers ever, he is very intelligent (aka he may very well be featured on Forbes).
7. Everyone does something. In high school, there were many people who "just did school." But I feel like every person I've encountered here does something besides just attending classes.
6. Co-ed floors/bathrooms are not as disgusting or awkward as you think. It's really not that bad.
5. Sleep is good. There has yet to come a time when I think, "I have slept enough."
4. You're going to remember the times you do stupid things with your friends rather than all those nights you stayed up to study...which is not to say, don't study, but...make time for friends!
3. College friends don't replace high school friends. They are all gold.
2. There is not enough time for everything you want to do. In high school, spread yourself thin; in college, go deep. Make the best of college!
1. "Don't study and use your spare time for God. Be with God and use your spare time to study."