UC Berkeley L&S Advising

The final assignment for the Freshman GBA course is due June 22- keep this tip in mind as your finishing it up: As you're working to finish your final assignment for the Freshman Golden Bear Advising course, remember to include several alternate courses! Check that your proposed schedule is balanced - meaning, it has a variety of different types of courses like math/science technical courses, breadth requirements, and/or writing requirements. Review the prerequisite requirem...ents for your proposed courses to make sure they are appropriate placements for you. If you haven’t already, join us for an upcoming webinar this summer! Register here: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/golden-bear-advising-2021-w #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #GBA #GoldenBearAdvising

As a new student at Berkeley, completing your Golden Bear Advising (GBA) course is a crucial step to getting prepared to enroll in your fall course schedule. With so many new things to learn, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here’s a tip from our office: If you're feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information in the GBA course, try breaking it down into smaller chunks by blocking off 1-2 hour increments of "study time" across a few days in the coming weeks to work through... the modules. If you're a new freshman, review the messages you get from your GBA Adviser in bCourses and mark your calendar to attend a Schedule Planning webinar or your adviser's office hours. Visit our website to register for an upcoming Schedule Planning webinar: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/golden-bear-advising-2021-w #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #GBA

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MediCA8NYRg&t=49s ~~~ Congratulations, class of 2021! We reached out to graduating seniors, Marie and Zach, to hear about their Berkeley experience, thoughts on the past school year, and their advice for fellow graduating bears. We know that this was an unconventional and tough school year, but we just want to express how proud we are of everyone for pushing through and supporting each other along the way. Fiat Lux and Go Bears! ... #UCBerkeley #UCB #Berkeley #CalBears #GoldenBear #GoBears #FiatLux #RemoteLearning #BearsCare #IAmBerkeley #Graduation #ClassOf2021 #Summer #BerkeleyPOV #CalGrad

Wondering how you should balance finals with down-time? L&S Adviser Isela shares her tips to unwind. How do you balance study-time with down-time? As a student, a parent, and a full-time career woman, I have really had to figure out how to think about down-time in a variety of ways. When I take frequent, short walks, I can come back to studying with a clear head and a boost of energy. I allow myself one night a week to pamper myself with a hot bath. I might take that t...ime to do some fun reading, watch something on a streaming service, or completely zone out. Very importantly, I make it a point to do something fun and active with my family once a week. When life happens, I also try my best to be kind to myself and reach out for support. It's always more than OK to ask for help! Tag a friend who would love this tip! To get advice and learn more about our advising services, visit: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointments-adv/get-advice #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

Use the three P’s to pass those finals! L&S Adviser Amy shares her tips on persevering through the final stretch. Any tips on doing well during finals week? There are three P's to passing your courses this semester: prioritization, play and planning. Prioritization: What do you need to do first? What can you put off? What can you ask others to help with?... Play: What would it feel like for your self-care and breaks to be infused with play and relaxation? How can you be energized and restored even during the stress of finals? Planning: What are the resources, practices and structures that are going to support your success? Calendar your priorities and play time on a 24-hour calendar a few days ahead of time to ensure you're following through. I’m feeling overwhelmed, what should I do? Take a pause to get clear on what optimal wellbeing at the end of the semester looks like for you. Identify and schedule the resources, practices and structures that are going to take your success to the next level. This might be taking time with a friend, pet, or plant; asking siblings or housemates for quiet time during your peak study hours or asking for time off work. By taking care to energize yourself, you'll set yourself up to have the inner resources to do your best thinking. Tag a friend who would love this tip! To get advice and learn more about our advising services, visit: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointments-adv/get-advice #BonusTip #TipThursday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

It’s RRR week! L&S Adviser Anay shares how she stays organized with multiple deadlines coming up. What do you recommend for staying organized when you have multiple project deadlines? When I have multiple project deadlines, I like to stay organized by setting multiple deadlines for each project. Breaking down each project into smaller attainable goals helps me remain accountable to not procrastinate and it helps reduce stress!... Tag a friend who would love this tip! To get advice and learn more about our advising services, visit: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointments-adv/get-advice #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

Wondering how you can bring back those late study sessions in Moffitt remotely? L&S Adviser Anthea shares some tips to balance study and down-time while preparing for a study schedule. Any advice on balancing study-time with down-time? For me, this requires a lot of discipline and accountability in sticking to what I’ve created as a study plan while also incorporating down times to ensure I let my mind and body rest. Knowing that I may easily extend studying times and no...t allow for downtime, especially during finals, I like to have an accountability partner who can be a friend or a classmate or anyone you feel comfortable with that you can schedule a break with even in these remote times. One way would be to call each other so that you can check in. Given the extraordinary circumstances and year we have experienced this far, taking extra measures to incorporate downtime and self-care/mindfulness practices is crucial. What about preparing a study schedule for finals? I’m a visual learner so I like making a colorful schedule of all my finals including the day and time of the finals. Then I work backwards to create study blocks that are no longer than 1-1.5 hours long and I color code what subject I’m studying for and when I’m studying for it. I know that my learning style involves being aware of how much time my mind can absorb information before it needs a break. **A key part of scheduling breaks for me is rewarding myself with something I look forward to whether it is a snack or a magazine or a walk. Tag a friend who would love this tip! To get advice and learn more about our advising services, visit: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointments-adv/get-advice #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

You Ask: We Answer - EP1 "Enrollment" https://youtu.be/vGH9nXyeq6c ~~~ Enrollment period is underway! L&S Peer Adviser Quest answers students’ burning questions about enrollment, and gives his personal advice on navigating the competitive class enrollment period and effectively dealing with waitlists. ... YOU ASKED: What do you wish you would have done differently when planning your classes your first year at UC Berkeley? What happens if I’m waitlisted for a course? How many units do I need to take? Have more questions? Comment them below for a chance to be featured in future episodes of YOU ASK: WE ANSWER | Peer Advisors from the Virtual Front Desk. To meet directly with a Peer Adviser, stop by the Virtual Front Desk (link in bio). #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #CalBears #RemoteLearning #CollegeAdvice #FiatLux See more

Looking for some great courses to add to your spring course schedule? Need to fulfill a breadth requirement? Check out these suggested courses: BIG IDEAS COURSES: A single course co-taught by two or more professors from completely different disciplines. Thinking Through Art + Design at Berkeley: Time Based Media Art... Arts & Literature Breadth CCN: 22520 Climate Change and the Future of California Biological Science breadth CCN: 30312 and 27357 For more details on Big Ideas courses visit: https://bigideascourses.berkeley.edu/ #ucberkeley #courses #ucb #cal #college #berkeley #gobears See more

[Giveaway] HAPPY THANKS-GIVEAWAY! Hydro Flask Raffle Time! You’ve worked hard this semester, Bears! With the end of the semester finally in sight,we’re celebrating by giving away a Hydro Flask from @cal_student_store! Take a moment to acknowledge all the hard work you put into this remote semester, rest up, and get through that final studying stretch while keeping yourself hydrated during RRR week.... To be entered into the giveaway, follow @ucblnsadvising and tag THREE FELLOW BEARS you’re thankful for! *no limit on entries* Two winners will be selected on the 27th of November at 6PM PST. #UCBerkeley #UCB #Berkeley #CalBears #GoBears #Thankful #Hydroflask #RemoteLearning #Giveaway

Counting down the days to winter break? L&S Mentor Jasmine gives tips on how she combats zoom fatigue and takes breaks. How do you take breaks? I'm a huge fan of the Pomodoro method which has a 5 minute break built-in during the work time (25 minutes uninterrupted work time, then a 5 minute break). I installed an extension for Google Chrome which has been a game changer for me. I'm less likely to get distracted throughout the day because I already know I have a break com...ing up soon. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable to ask a lot of questions during online office hours because I don't want to appear rude or take up too much "air time" when others have questions. Any tips on how to get the support I need? Sometimes just a quick 10-15 minute meeting with your professor or GSI, can be the boost you need for that class. If you are hesitant to set up a separate meeting, you can always shoot your professor or GSI an email and ask the lingering questions you have. I would also encourage you to take this time to listen and learn from your classmates. Sometimes taking a step back and sharing the space in class provides the opportunity for someone else to engage. Allowing the space for other folks to ask questions still gets you the answer! Also, I've found that many times my classmates can explain something in a way that "clicks" or makes more sense than what's being explained in the lecture, so listening and learning from them is very beneficial! Tag a friend who would love this tip! To learn more about grad mentors and how to get in touch, visit: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointm/ls-mentors-program #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

Join Berkeley Study Abroad for Study Abroad Week! They will have over 50 sessions throughout the week to help you learn more about study, work, intern, and research abroad programs for Cal students. Join for as many sessions as you like! In addition to live events, there will also be pre-recorded video content that you view online anytime! #CalBearsAbroad #ucberkeley #berkeley #gobears

Did you know L&S offers advising appointments through some of our campus partners' offices? Find us this fall through the following offices: Mondays: Educational Opportunity Program; EOP @ Cal ... Tuesdays: Asian Pacific American Student Development - APASD & African American Student Development Wednesdays: African American Student Development - AASD https://cejce.berkeley.edu/aasd Thursdays: UC Berkeley Transfer Student Center Fridays: UC Berkeley's Disabled Students' Program To sign up for an L&S satellite advising appointment through a specific office, contact our campus partner for more details! #ucberkeley #gobears #berkeley #ucb #cal #berkelepov See more

Need some suggestions for great courses that also satisfy BREADTH requirements? Look no further; L&S Discovery courses have some fantastic options for Spring 2021. Introduction to Western Art: Renaissance to the Present Arts & Literature, Historical Studies breadths... CCN: 30509 The Bible in Western Culture Arts & Literature, Social Behavioral Science breadths CCN: 30313 Ideas of Education Arts & Literature, Philosophy & Values breadths CCN: 33059 Moral Provocations: Abraham, Moses and Job Arts & Literature, Philosophy & Values breadths CCN: 32769 Living on the Edge Physical Science breadth CCN: 24690 The Planets Physical Science breadth CCN: 26736 Physics for Modern Citizens Physical Science breadth CCN: 26266 Earthquakes in Your Backyard Physical Science breadth CCN: 26967 Physics and Music Physical Science Breadth CCN: 25011 For more details about L&S Discovery courses, go to: https://lsdiscovery.berkeley.edu/ #ucberkeley #courses #ucb #cal #berkeley #berkeleypov See more

[New Course] Calling all sophomores Feeling behind, overwhelmed, or confused about your major or career goals? Build a clearer picture of a career path, find resources, and discover major choices by enrolling into Sophomore Success in L&S for the Spring 2021 semester Join this class is you want to: Explore major & career options... Find more resources & support to thrive at Cal Create a remote home & build community by sharing in small groups Get to know your classmates' names and backgrounds CCN: 27210 & 24287* Both sections are open to all students, but 24287 will emphasize how Arts & Humanities students can build their careers. Learn more about the course here: https://classes.berkeley.edu//2021-spring-ugis-98-001-grp- #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #RemoteLearning #NewCourse #Courses

[Important] Graduating Seniors! The deadline to add to the Fall 2020 degree list is OCTOBER 16th. If you plan to graduate this fall AND: ... Your Expected Graduation Term (EGT) on CalCentral does not show as Fall 2020, you need to update your EGT. You are not attending UC Berkeley this semester, you may need to talk with an L&S Adviser to confirm you’re still on the fall degree list. Your EGT is Fall 2020 and you’re registered at UCB this semester, you are on the Fall degree list. To get more information on planning for graduation and EGT, go to: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/progre/preparing-graduation #berkeley #ucberkeley #gobears #calgrad #UCB

Wishing classes and meetings can zoom by? L&S Mentor Patricia gives some insight on how to take breaks, self-care and deal with the feeling of being overwhelmed. How do you self-care after a long day of meetings? I either watch an episode of a funny show, something that I really like. Or I go for a run and remember that the run is for my mental and physical health and that 30 minutes of exercise makes me a much happier person overall. ... I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by exams and falling behind on deadlines - what resources do you recommend? I think it is important to recognize that we can get overwhelmed and there are times when things aren't falling into place as we want them too, for any number of reasons. While we can't change yesterday, we can make little decisions about what will work on improving our future. Things don't change overnight, but if you make any decision that is centering you and your success, then you are one step closer to addressing those issues so they don't dictate your life anymore. We need to forgive ourselves because life is hard and bumps in the road do not define our lives. Tag a friend who would love this tip! To learn more about grad mentors and how to get in touch, visit: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointm/ls-mentors-program #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

[Deadline] Requests for Late Change of Class Schedule are due DECEMBER 4th at 11:59 pm. You may have seen our recent announcements that the late change policy has been modified for the FALL 20 and SPRING 21 semesters to allow more flexibility for late drops of courses and late changes of grading option. (Q) What does this mean? ... (A) This means that this fall and next spring semester, L&S students may request late course drops and late changes of grading option without it impacting their late change limit or eligibility. Requests for late course adds and late changes of units in a variable unit course are NOT included in this policy modification, and will be subject to the regular policy, including late change limits and eligibility. Late change requests submitted after the deadline will not be considered, so please make sure to submit your requests by December 4th! For more details, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/LateChange #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #deadline

This week’s #BerkeleyPerspective features recent graduate Mifrah Hayath; keep reading for some words of encouragement from Mifrah! -- Q: What are some challenges you faced with remote learning? A: Switching from a regular semester to a remote one has perhaps been one of the greatest challenges students have had to face. I remember how difficult it was having to pack up my things in a hurry, lock up my apartment, and say goodbye to the campus which has been my home for the pa...st four years. I started to miss going to my classes in person, attending my lab, studying in Moffit, and listening to the music from the Campanile. I was so homesick that I started to dream that I was still at Cal, walking down Sproul, or taking notes in a lecture hall! Q: How did you overcome these obstacles? A: At first, I was very sad but then I decided to make the best of it. I started to think of all the good things that could come out of studying remotely. I was able to adjust my schedule and study at times that were best for me. I made a home office in my bedroom where I was able to lock myself inside and study without disruptions, and positioned my office space by a window to let sunlight in and to look outside. I was able to spend more time with family whom I had not seen in months. Q: Anything else you’d like to say to current students? A: While in quarantine, I realized how lucky I was to have food, shelter and health. During this time it is important to keep these blessings in mind, help those in need, and rise to meet the challenges. After all, we are Cal Bears! We strived to make it to Berkeley and to thrive here; we will overcome this challenge as well. Fiat Lux! Go Bears! -- Thanks for sharing, Mifrah! Bears, share your own #BerkeleyPerspective with us by tagging @UCBLnSAdvising!

Have you finalized your fall course schedule yet? Be sure to do this by the Wednesday, Sep. 16th "add/drop" deadline! Wednesday is the deadline to add, swap, drop, or change variable units for courses. Any changes made after the deadline are subject to the L&S last change of class schedule policy. Find out more on our website at: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/

Tired of staring at a screen all day? L&S Mentor Alyssa shares tips on how to combat zoom fatigue What is one thing you struggled with - regarding zoom fatigue and how have you tried to address it? I often struggle with staying focused during meetings. A few things that have helped me refresh between meetings are stretching, drinking water, and physically changing the location where I am taking the meeting. ... Sometimes I feel uncomfortable to ask a lot of questions during online office hours because I don't want to appear rude or take up too much "air time" when others have questions. Any tips on how to get the support I need? I would recommend asking your questions to your peers first whether that's on a discussion forum like Piazza, via group email or Slack, or scheduling a Zoom study/review session. This will help you build community, narrow questions to ask during office hours, and reveal any misconceptions you and your classmates have about course concepts. Tag a friend who would love this tip! To learn more about grad mentors and how to get in touch, visit: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointm/ls-mentors-program #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

[POLICY UPDATE] L&S recently announced changes to the P/NP grade policy and Late Change of Class Schedule policy for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. Here's a quick overview of the changes: A passed (P) grade can satisfy R&C, Quantitative Reasoning, Foreign Language, Major, and Minor requirements this semester and in Spring 21. ... The deadline to request a late change of class schedule this semester is Dec. 4th at 11:59 pm In Fall 20 and Spring 21, requests for late course drops and late changes of grading option will not impact your late change limit or eligibility. Have questions? Visit our website to see the full details about these policies and answers to your frequently asked questions. https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/fall-2020-and-spring-2021-p #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #berkeley

In this week’s #BerkeleyPerspective, senior student Chibuzor shares some advice for staying grounded and focused while studying remotely: -- Q: How have you been maintaining a sense of community despite social distancing? A: I am part of a Christian Fellowship on campus, which has been my main community here at Berkeley. We started having new initiatives to stay connected with one another, such as Zoom calls! I also schedule meetings weekly -- even with family members -- and... put it all on my Google Calendar. It might feel more formal that way, but if I don't put it down on my calendar, it almost would never happen. These days, connecting with people is just one click away, so I have been trying to take good advantage of it. Q: Are there any campus resources that have been particularly helpful to you? A: Advising! I switched majors from Architecture to Cognitive Science. Both of these are so different and in two entirely different colleges, but I was able to do this because of the guidance I received from my advisors. Go see your advisor, whenever you can. It saves you so much time and painful work instead of trying to figure it out on your own. Your advisors know a lot and can help you! Another resource is LinkedIn Learning! A lot of people don’t know that we have free access as Berkeley students. I love learning and trying new things, so it has been so helpful for me. Q: Do you have any tips for those who might be struggling with remote learning? A: Be organized, or at least try. It saves time in the long run, and helps you feel like you are kind of in control. I use Notion to do a lot of my organizing and I like it because it’s flexible and I can put almost everything in one place. You should check it out, it’s free for students! It also helps to find a virtual study group. One thing my friends and I have done is have Zoom work sessions. We all hop onto Zoom, catch up, then practice the Pomodoro Technique; we set a timer while we work, take a break once the timer runs out, talk to each other a little, and then we do it again until we finish whatever we were working on. -- Share your own #BerkeleyPerspective with us by tagging @UCBLnSAdvising!

Tired from back-to-back zoom calls? L&S Mentor Lesdi has advice on how to stay engaged while working from home and some first steps to take if you feel overwhelmed How do you take breaks? I go for short walks around my neighborhood to clear my mind, get fresh air, and step away from the computer. ... I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by exams and falling behind on deadlines - what resources do you recommend? I recommend that students reach out to their professors/GSI if they need an extension on a project/assignment or want to gain insight on how to prepare for an upcoming exam. Communication is key, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed by your workload. To help get back on track, I would suggest using a planning tool to map out your time. It's really important to get a grasp of one’s time in order to build in time for homework/ studying. Making a study plan and mapping a study schedule is a great way to get a handle on your workload and stay accountable! To learn more about grad mentors and how to get in touch, visit https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/appointm/ls-mentors-program #TipTuesday #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #calbears #CollegeTips #MentorMotivation #RemoteLearning

[Reminder] Continuing Students! Phase 1 ends on NOVEMBER 8th Be sure to make any changes. Once Phase 1 ends, changes cannot be made to your Spring course schedule until your Phase 2 appointment time starts. Tag a friend to remind them! ... #UCBerkeley #UCB #GoBears #cal #calbears #reminder

Looking for some mentorship this fall? Get advice on things like effective time management and study skills for online learning, exploring majors, and planning for graduate school with the L&S Mentors! Who are they? L&S Mentors are current UC Berkeley PhD students who work with College of Letters & Science undergraduate students in the STEM, humanities, interdisciplinary, and social science fields. ... How to meet with them: Schedule a mentoring session, or join their topic-focused small group discussions called Mentoring Hubs. Visit the link to register for a Mentoring Hub or schedule a mentoring session!: https://lsmentors.wixsite.com/home [Image description] In the first image, the L&S mentors are pictured with the caption, "Meet the L&S Mentors". In the top row, pictured left to right: Jasmine Sanders, Patricia Gomes, Mathilde Andrews. Bottom row: Lesdi Goussen Robleto, Luis E. Valentin-Alvarado, Alyssa Borman. In the following six images, the titles and dates of each Mentoring Hub session are listed. They include: 1. Making Major Choices: How to Find the Major That's Right for You on Wed. Sep. 16, 5-6 pm. 2. Study Smarter, Not Harder (During Remote Learning) on Wed. Sep. 23, 5-6 pm. 3. Creating Community in a Remote Environment on Wed. Sep. 30, 5-6 pm 4. Successful Time Management Skills (Remote Edition) on Wed. Oct. 7 5. Calm at Cal: Finding Balance and Self-Care on Wed. Oct. 14, 5-6 pm 6. Is Grad School Right for Me? (Part 1 for Juniors and Seniors) on Wed. Oct. 21, 5-6 pm. All Mentoring Hubs will be on Zoom. #UCBerkeley #BerkeleyPOV #GoBears See more

This week, recent graduate Abhi shares her #BerkeleyPerspective on how she adapted to a remote learning schedule. -- Q: As a recent graduate, what tips and tricks do you have for remote learning? A: I had already developed a study routine at school, but shifting online posed unique challenges. Initially, I felt out of touch and unmotivated in my isolated environment. In an effort to remain engaged at home, I realized that remote learning requires self-discipline. I’d recomm...end setting a schedule for yourself and sticking to it. Building a remote work environment that is comfortable and easy to focus in helps as well. This may seem trivial, but setting up my desk away from my bed was effective. Both of these strategies help me stay productive and avoid distractions, all while maintaining a healthy routine. Q: How do you foster a sense of community while at home? A: Graduating from my living room was far from what I expected, so it was important for my mental health to remotely maintain the relationships I built at Cal. My friends and I have movie watch parties, book club meetings, and game nights on the regular! This has been a great way for us to stay connected while social distancing. As UC Berkeley students, we are given access to Zoom -- Use it! -- Have your own #BerkeleyPerspective to share? Tag us at @UCBLnSAdvising!

Reminder! The Early Drop Deadline is Friday, Sept. 4th! This also happens to be the last day to drop classes without a $10 fee. Get a list of Early Drop Deadline courses here: https://registrar.berkeley.edu//Early%20Drop%20Deadline.pd

Thinking about graduate school? L&S Advising is providing advising services and events for students interested in pursuing graduate and professional school programs after college! Check out our Pre-Professional Graduate Program events for: Medical and health professions programs... Law school Masters and PhD programs Get full event details and access to Zoom links at: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/pre-professional-graduate-p [Image Description]: Three images provided details about the upcoming Pre-Professional Graduate Program events. They include: 1. Premedical & Pre-Health Career Planning Workshop on Sep. 9, 3 pm. 2. Pre-Masters/PhD Planning Workshops on Sep. 10 and Oct. 15, both at 3:30 pm. 3. Pre-Law Events, including Law School Applications Overview on Sep. 16, Law School Admissions Panel on Sep. 30, and Professionals of Color Legal Careers Panel on Oct. 19th. #UCBerkeley #BerkeleyPOV #GoBears

We’re back with another #BerkeleyPerspective! This week, Shuge Luo shares how she’s been keeping connected and grounded while social distancing. -- Q: How have you maintained a sense of community during these times? A: When the shelter-in-place order was instituted, many events and programs were cancelled. It led to a reduced workload for me, and I saw it as an opportunity to delve into some new initiatives. I haven’t read on my personal volition in a long time -- so I deci...ded to start a book club! Right now, we’re reading Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. What’s cool about taking part in a virtual book club is that members can participate from anywhere. My friends are in Ohio, Texas, Southern California, Arizona, and Scotland -- yet we can all still be together. Q: How have you been navigating remote learning? A: While learning remotely, I’ve been experiencing a lot of screen-time fatigue. To combat this, I try not to stare at my screen and just focus on absorbing the material through audio while taking notes in my notebook. Because so many of our activities now take place online, it’s important to think about what analog components you can preserve in your lifestyle. Q: Are there any campus resources that have been helpful to you? A: I’ve been taking advantage of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Tang. When I reached out, I was easily connected to short term counseling services and am currently in a two group counseling program through CAPS. I also learned of the Let’s Talk drop-in counseling opportunities and the myriad of other services available, such as health coaching! It’s especially important to place your wellness at the forefront during these turbulent times, as it can be easy to slip and lose track of yourself. -- Share your own #BerkeleyPerspective with us by tagging us at @UCBLnSAdvising! For more info on the Be Well Cal CAPS program, visit https://uhs.berkeley.edu/caps For more info on the Let’s Talk program, visit https://uhs.berkeley.edu/counseling/lets-talk

Our next #BerkeleyPerspective speaker Rafaay shares the learning techniques that have worked for him: -- Q: From your experience with remote learning so far, what are some tips you have for fellow students practicing distance learning? A: When I first came home, I didn’t think I was going to be able to focus at all. I found it really helpful to attend live lectures rather than watching pre-recorded ones, as I would often procrastinate with watching them. It also helps a lot ...to form study groups and group chats. Reach out to your friends to see if anyone is in the same class as you, or has taken that class before. Get their input on how to succeed, any notes they might have, and resources so you can better understand the material! I really recommend this to understand each professor’s teaching style so you can put yourself in a position to be successful. Q: Are there any campus resources that have been helpful to you? A: My most helpful school resource has hands down been the Student Learning Center. The tutors there have been amazing in all subjects and really made sure I grasped the concepts. Additionally, many professors and GSIs on campus are very welcoming and resourceful when it comes to studying. If you feel weak in a certain area, feel free to go to a GSI’s or professor’s office hours! -- Share your own #BerkeleyPerspective with us by tagging @UCBLnSAdvising! For more info on the SLC, visit https://slc.berkeley.edu/

GBO starts Friday! New students are invited to join L&S Advising events on Friday, Aug. 21 and Monday, Aug. 24. Check out full event descriptions at: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/ls-golden-bear-orientation- Links to join via Zoom are posted in the Golden Bear Advising (GBA) bCourse site.

Learn how to navigate the job and internship search process at the Career Center's Recruiting Kickoff for L&S and Rausser College students. Wed. August 26th at 5:30 pm Register on Handshake!... UC Berkeley Career Center

There’s only so much exploring we can do in the world right now, so why not take the time to explore the different major & minor options available to you? Take advantage of Major & Minor Exploration month by virtually meeting with L&S departmental advisers to learn more about the various L&S programs at Cal. For info on availabilities and how to get in touch, visit https://docs.google.com//1koAMcwrIYnIjYvVsp-k8D7FO_X/edit. Happy exploring!

Our next #BerkeleyPerspective comes from Cade Sidhu, a 2nd year Cal Bear. Keep reading for Cade’s advice on successful remote studying. -- Q: Can you introduce a little about yourself? A: Hey fellow bears! My name is Cade (he/him/his) and I am a second year student in the College of L&S. I am an intended Psychology and Legal Studies double major, and I plan to declare both majors by the end of the fall semester. I really enjoyed my first year at Cal, even with all of the cha...nges and adapting that we had to endure. Q: What are some campus resources that have been helpful to you? A: There are so many helpful resources available to Cal students that have been adapted to be offered remotely. For example, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is an outstanding resource to use when adapting to college life-- from juggling classes to managing your time wisely, their experts can assist you in many ways. Another resource I found extremely helpful was the Student Learning Center (SLC). The SLC offers numerous opportunities to receive extra help in classes-- from tutoring, to help with homework, to additional worksheets and learning materials. Another helpful resource, especially if you are stressed about your future, is the Career Center. It is very normal to feel like you don’t know what you want to do in the future (even I’m not particularly sure yet), but the Career Center is a great resource for what future occupations fit your skill set and interests. Other options that can offer helpful advice about academics include your L&S advisers as well as your major adviser(s). Q: Do you have any advice for fellow students regarding remote learning? A: Creating an environment at home that is similar to that of college is very important. I moved all of my school/dorm supplies into our home office and put up several Cal posters and photos just as I did in my dorm room. Even though I was no longer at campus I was still able to feel like I was a part of the school. Google Calendar is also a fantastic resource for keeping track of everything you need to do your bCal is directly synced with CalCentral so all of your tasks will show up on CalCentral as well! A final trick I have is to make sure you take advantage of all the perks that come with being a college student. For example, Amazon offers a free Prime account for 6 months for all college students! -- Thank you Cade for sharing! Have your own tips you’d like to share? Tag us and use the hashtag #BerkeleyPerspective! To learn more about the Be Well Cal CAPS program, visit https://uhs.berkeley.edu/caps For more info on the SLC, visit https://slc.berkeley.edu/ To access UC Berkeley Career Center resources, visit https://career.berkeley.edu/

Balancing an education on top of other responsibilities can be challenging, so it’s important to find a way to recharge every once in a while. Lesdi, L&S Grad Mentor, shares the importance of taking breaks and how they can help reenergize you to tackle the matter at hand. To learn more about graduate student mentors and how you can speak with them, visit https://lsmentors.wixsite.com/home #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

Did you know? August is Major & Minor Exploration Month! L&S departmental advisers are setting aside times this month to talk to YOU about the major & minor programs you can explore! For info on availabilities and how to get in touch, visit https://docs.google.com//1koAMcwrIYnIjYvVsp-k8D7FO_X/edit. Happy exploring!

We always love to hear student narratives, so we’re bringing back the #BerkeleyPerspective series for the fall semester! Kicking it off is Mriganka Singh. Keep reading to learn about her experiences, tips, and tricks for navigating a remote semester. -- Q: What are some things you learned while remote learning that you think may be helpful to others? A: Online learning has been an opportunity to realize the importance of openness and kindness. Everyone is looking for an outl...et to educate, learn, and network, which paves the way to really nurture budding connections. I understand we all have different commitments but, when you get the chance, engage in discussion and ask questions. It’s easy to hide behind a switched-off camera, but the more you do from your end, the better the learning is going to be. If this is not your cup of tea, then email your GSIs and have study groups -- whatever you do, you’re going to have to push yourself to make that connection. There are two outcomes that exist when you reach out: yes or no. If you get that ‘yes,’ awesome! If you get that ‘no,’ move on and then email me because I’ve been there and I’m always here to help! Q: Which campus resources have been helpful to you during these times? A: BIO advising, career advising, and major advising have really helped me. For my career advising, I had the sweetest adviser who went out of her way to help me in topics I didn’t even know I had to think about. My LinkedIn connections have also been a great resource; when reaching out, remember that everyone is bombarded with questions/requests, so state the exact question you want answered, why that would help, and thank them for everything. You can also be the helping hand you wish you had yourself; kindness goes a long way especially during such uncertain times, and this also helps open up conversation about how people are doing currently. -- Thank you Mriganka for sharing! Bears, we’d love to hear your #BerkeleyPerspective too. Tag us at @UCBLnSAdvising for a chance to be featured! #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

Working from home has brought about a new set of challenges. L&S Grad Mentor Patrícia explains the benefits of having a set workspace while at home, and how you can enhance your space. To learn more about grad student mentors and to get in touch, visit https://lsmentors.wixsite.com/home #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

August is Major & Minor Exploration Month! L&S departmental advisers are setting aside times to virtually meet with new students and provide info on various major & minor programs. Ask questions, and get help with deciding the right academic path for you! For info on availabilities and how to get in touch, visit https://docs.google.com//1koAMcwrIYnIjYvVsp-k8D7FO_X/edit. Happy exploring!

Neighborhood block parties are adviser-hosted Zoom meetings where freshmen can become better acquainted with an L&S adviser in their advising neighborhood and connect with other new students who are also pursuing a major in their neighborhood. Sessions are scheduled throughout August and have limited capacity, so sign up for a block party now! To find your advising neighborhood and to view block party dates/times, visit https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/incoming-freshmen-neighborh

Our last feature in the alumni #BerkeleyPerspective series is Phillip Alvarado, a 2008 Cal graduate who shares his journey and advice to current students and recent graduates. -- Q: Can you tell us a bit about your Berkeley experience and how it led to where you are now? A: My Cal experience was different than most I met my husband at 19 years old and moved off campus, however I was incredibly active. I was a founding Brother of Sigma Epsilon Omega, the first and only ga...y fraternity at UC Berkeley. I was the President of the Queer Alliance and Resource Center (QARC). I was part of the Cal Alumni Association. In addition, I maintained two jobs during my college career. All of these experiences helped me build an entrepreneurial mindset. Now, I manage 35 professional sales consultants in the Bay Area and Seattle. - Q: How did you deal with graduating into the ‘08 economic crisis? A: We faced a lot of insecurities during the financial crisis. My husband and I could not find jobs for the life of us. We applied any and everywhere no one would hire us because of the economy and our lack of skills having been in college even though I worked throughout the 4 years. I ended up being given a chance by a nightclub owner who saw something in me and took a chance on a fresh college graduate to be the Marketing Director. My efforts at club promoting, organizing, and marketing during college provided him faith that I had what it took to help his business succeed. - Q: What advice do you have for graduating students? A: I think your story is the strongest thing you have. Tell people why they should take a chance on you. Don’t take no for an answer. If you get turned down, ask for the opportunity to learn why and how you can improve. Every opportunity -- even if a failure -- is an opportunity to learn and better yourself. If you aren’t working, then you can learn instead. For the LGBTQQIA community we’ve lived by one simple fact it gets better. We face adversity as homosexuals every single day. This economic downturn is just a challenge we have to face and overcome. Things will get better and when the sun shines and the rainbow is out, we can be fully prepared to take advantage of it all mentally, physically and emotionally. -- #BerkeleyPerspective #UCBerkeley #BerkeleyPOV #GoBears

It can be difficult staying productive, especially while at home. Luckily, L&S Grad Mentor Mathilde has advice on how you can experiment with different work schedules to find what works best for you! To learn more about graduate student mentors and how you can contact them, visit https://lsmentors.wixsite.com/home #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

How many classes can I take Pass/No Pass in a semester? L&S college advisers Brandi and Anay answer this question, along with some guidelines for pass/no pass grades. For more info on grading options, visit the link in our bio. #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

This week’s #BerkeleyPerspective alumni is Amanda Pouchot, Class of ‘08, who provides words of reassurance and advice for Cal students and recent graduates. Q: What did you do after graduating Berkeley and did you ever imagine you’d be where you are today? A: Currently, I run a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) startup; we make protein donuts and are the first to market. If you had told me when I was graduating that I would be an entrepreneur and work at startups specifically i...n packaged food, I would have laughed. Q: What advice would you offer to students and recent graduates currently job hunting? A: First, keep learning. Now is the time to sign up for online courses and further develop your skill sets. Specifically, I would use this time to beef up my resume with technical skills that will help me excel in a job. Second, be willing to work. It may not be a position you ever imagined for yourself. It may feel like it’s unimportant, or doing the job isn’t going to get you to where you want to go. That’s okay right now. I promise that no matter how big, small, or menial the role seems, you are going to learn something doing it. That knowledge you walk away with will help you get to the next job. Some of my best learnings came from working as a front desk attendant at 24Hour Fitness. Q: What are some things students and recent graduates can do to take care of themselves in these times? A: Own your mindset. What are you grateful for today? It can be as tiny as not having to go get gas at the gas station, or that warm cup of coffee you just made. This practice of gratitude helps you feel better about your life, and when you feel better your problems just seem more solvable. I’m also in favor of a good wallow. Take time to grieve the abrupt end to a school year on campus and adjust to the crazy new normal we’re all trying to figure out. Binge a Netflix (or Hulu) show, eat a tub of ice cream, stay in your PJs all day, play video games all night long, call up your friends and complain about how much this sucks. Things are not going to be easy or simple. However, you can still take steps forward. It might slow you down a bit, but it isn’t going to stop you. Our resilience is being tested big time right now, and if there’s one thing I know about Cal students, it’s that we know how to work hard and persevere.

For helpful pointers on how waitlists work, visit https://sis.berkeley.edu//enrollment-faq/how-waitlists-work For suggestions on what to do when you're on a waitlist, visit https://sis.berkeley.edu//enro/what-do-when-youre-waitlist If you're a new student, you can also review the section on Adjusting your Schedule in the "GBA-FL20-Enrollment Course" at bcourses.berkeley.edu

Bought a 2020 planner but haven’t touched it yet? L&S Grad Mentor Jasmine shares some reasons why you should keep your schedule planner, and how you can get good use out of it. To learn more about grad student mentors and how to get in touch, visit https://lsmentors.wixsite.com/home #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

It’s kind of like having an older sibling who just happens to be getting a PhD at UC Berkeley. L&S college advisers Amy and Torey share about the L&S Mentors Program and the type of mentorship you can receive from Cal graduate students. To learn more about L&S grad mentors or to get in touch, visit https://lsmentors.wixsite.com/home #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

With over 6000 courses to choose from this semester, how do you decide which classes to take? L&S college advisers Torey and Amy share the different types of courses available at Cal to help enrich your academic experience To find a list of recommended courses for Fall 2020, visit https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/engage-fall-2020 To join us for our last Live Q&A of the summer, visit https://www.facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live/... #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

We believe that knowledge gained through the classroom can enrich the ways we show up for the causes we believe in. As such, we asked L&S College Advisers and L&S Major Advisers to share some of the courses they are most excited about for Fall 2020. A list of course recommendations organized by theme can be found here: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/engage-fall-2020. We hope this page of highlighted courses will allow you to find your own way to engage with the world this Fall. #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV #FiatLux

Join us for our last GBA Live Q&A on Wednesday, July 15th at 1pm! You can ask L&S college advisers + a student speaker about navigating your first semester, schedule planning, what the enrollment process is like, and more. Click Get Reminded to be notified when we go live. To view past Live Q&As, visit facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live

Are you a new transfer student? Check out these resources that may be of interest to our newly joined Bears. The UC Berkeley Transfer Student Center is offering a course for new transfers, called "Transitioning to Cal: An Introduction to the Research University", a 1 unit, P/NP course. This course will help familiarize you with campus resources and opportunities that are available to you as a Cal student. For more info on this class, visit https://transfers.berkeley.edu/trans...itioncourses Additionally, L&S Advising has updated the new student guide on our website with schedule planning tips for transfer students, which you can find here: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/progress-/new-student-guide Transfers, we’re so happy you’re a part of the Cal community. Go Bears! #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV #CalTransfers

The L&S Advising Communications Team has three work-study position openings for the 2020/21 academic year! We're looking for applicants with strong backgrounds in marketing and creative production skills like graphic design, writing, and videography to support our communications team. The priority deadline for consideration is July 17th. To find more info on the available positions, job descriptions and application instructions, visit https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/now-hiring-ls-advising-comm. #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

This week’s alumni #BerkeleyPerspective comes from Jen (Jamall) Kelly, who shares her personal post-grad journey as well as advice to current students and recent grads: -- Q: What was your time at Cal like? Were there any experiences that led you to where you are now? A: My Cal experience was awesome. I was lucky to find my crew of friends in the freshman dorms. We’re best friends to this day, experiencing a lot of the same life milestones together! In terms of academics, I... focused a lot of my media studies on the intersection of pop culture. I’ve actually come full circle because I just left Google after 6 years to start at Hulu! I’m very excited and I think it’ll be fun to work in television and streaming. - Q: What was it like searching for jobs when you first graduated? A: When I graduated in 2008, it was a month before the Lehman Brothers crash. It was a terrifying time to be a liberal arts major coming out into the job market. After leaving Berkeley, I bounced around for almost a year doing unpaid internships in various fields, one being PR which turned into marketing over the course of my career. - Q: What advice would you offer to students and recent graduates job hunting now? A: My advice to those searching for opportunities now -- which is an even crazier time than 2008 and I want to stress that -- if you have the means to get yourself in the door of the field or industry you’re interested in, even if it’s an unpaid internship or if you’re doing grunt work, I say do it. Or even if you don’t know what exactly you want to do, this is the time to explore. Try and find what lights you up, what makes you energized, what makes you want to dig in. These are the instincts you want to run towards. There will be something for you -- best of luck! -- #BerkeleyPerspective #UCBerkeley #BerkeleyPOV #GoBears See more

Classes are operating a little differently this fall semester, so we want to help clarify the different modes of instruction. Swipe through the graphics to learn more. To view the mode of instruction, you can navigate to: - CalCentral > My Academics > Enrollment Card > Search for Classes or... - classes.berkeley.edu Be sure to review the instruction mode and class notes for all course components, including lecture, discussion, and labs. For more info on instruction for the fall semester, please refer to the Office of the Registrar, or visit their FAQ page at https://registrar.berkeley.edu/service-adju/instruction-faq

Mark your calendars! We’re hosting another Live Q&A where you can ask L&S college advisers questions about college policies, schedule planning, and more. Tap Get Reminded to be notified when we go live on Wednesday, July 8th @ 1pm PT. To view our past lives, visit facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live/

Phase 1.5 enrollment, running July 8-11, gives continuing undergrads the opportunity to make adjustments to Phase 1 selections. Continuing students are limited to 13.5 units during Phase 1.5, but will have the opportunity to change course selections if needed, such as by switching to classes with a different mode of instruction. For more info on instruction for the fall semester, please refer to the Office of the Registrar, or visit their FAQ page at https://registrar.berkeley.edu/service-adju/instruction-faq

Shop & Drop -- it’s fun to say, but what does it actually mean? L&S college advisers Torey and Amy discuss what it means to shop & drop, and how it can help you curate a class schedule best for you. Join us at our next summer Live Q&A! Visit https://www.facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live/ to get reminded when we go live. #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

This week, we’re continuing our series of Berkeley Perspectives featuring the Class of 2008 with alum Kang Chen, senior software engineering manager, who shares his advice to students on personal development and self-care during times of stress: -- Q: You graduated during a time of great financial difficulty -- how did you navigate it? A: 2008 was not an easy time to join the working class for sure. As with many of my peers, I took up a couple of summer internships prior bu...t there was no guarantee that the company would honor their promise to bring me back full-time. I remember the official offer came months after I had graduated and there was a fear that it might not come at all. Talking to people who lived through similar uncertain times really helped me. The biggest learning for me was to separate what I can control and what is beyond my control, which helped with stress. - Q: Do you have tips for those struggling to secure an internship or job? A: For those struggling to land a job they desire, I recommend looking for creative ways where you can still enhance your resume. As an example, for someone looking at software engineering roles, I recommend they contribute to open source projects or join hackathons where they can sharpen their skills and network. Alternatively, you can be on the lookout for virtual events hosted by companies you are interested in and look for networking opportunities there. - Q: Any advice for students on navigating challenging moments? A: You need to take care of yourself first and foremost and that includes your mental health. As a shameless plug to my current work, I recommend looking into https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being but seek out what works best for you to stay positive. I know it can be incredibly difficult to picture better times ahead. Many things may feel overwhelming, but I can tell you that things will get better at some point and you will be a much stronger person after overcoming these adversities. I leave you with one of my favorite quotes: ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.’ -Roman philosopher, Seneca. Your opportunity will come! Go Bears! -- #BerkeleyPerspective #UCBerkeley #BerkeleyPOV #GoBears See more

New Bears -- you have questions, and we’re here to answer them. Join us on Wednesday, July 1st at 1pm PT to get your questions answered by an L&S college adviser. Remember to click Get Reminded to be notified when we go live! To view our past lives, visit facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live/

Have questions about majors you’re interested in, but unsure who to turn to L&S college advisers Torey Bookstein and Amy Azuma explain what major advisers do and how you can contact them. To learn more about the different topics college advisers and major advisers can help you with, visit https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu//advising-neighborhood-art To stay updated on our Live Q&As, visit https://www.facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live/... #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

Berkeley has a lot of perspectives to offer, and we always love to hear the perspectives of former Cal Bears. This week’s #BerkeleyPerspective spotlights alum Gina Joseph: -- Q: What was a memorable experience at Cal for you, and how did it guide you to where you are now? A: I started out working for the Daily Californian during my time at Cal -- Go Bears! I gained a lot of experience from it, and learned how an organization works in terms of strategy, marketing, and working... collaboratively. I’ve been in the media & marketing industry for over 14 years now, and am currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at VentureBeat. - Q: What is some advice you would offer to students struggling to find an internship or job right now? A: My advice would be to identify opportunities that really align with your passions and specialities -- opportunities where you’re motivated to achieve the responsibilities involved. When you know what you’re good at and what you enjoy, you will naturally thrive and find the right opportunities for yourself. Also, we’re in a time where organizations are adapting to new realities and creating new cultural work environments with better work-life balance, such as with the increasing availability of remote work. So, there are some opportunities and positives that have come out of the crisis we are in right now. - Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell current students and recent graduates? A: I really encourage you to focus on the vision and self-motivation you have embedded in yourself as a student of the #1 university in the world. It’s a huge accomplishment; we all know it takes a lot of focus, determination, and passion to be a student at Cal. A few years from now when you look back at what you overcame, it’s going to be unmatched, invaluable, and a great story to take with you for the rest of your life. It’s going to be incredible to see how we all come out of this crisis stronger and better, and know that you have a critical role in helping us get there. You are the future. -- #BerkeleyPerspective #UCBerkeley #BerkeleyPOV #GoBears See more

We’ll be back with another Live Q&A! New Bears, join us to get your L&S questions answered by college advisers in real-time. Click Get Reminded to be notified when we go live on Wednesday, June 24th at 1pm PT. To view our past lives, visit facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live/

L&S college advisers Mark Gotvald and Jane Paris share info on enrollment day (July 14 for transfers, and July 16 for freshmen) and what a typical schedule may look like for first year students. Join us at our next live Q&A to get your questions answered! Visit https://www.facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live/ to get reminded when we go live. #UCBerkeley #GoBears #BerkeleyPOV

Golden Bear Advising is an online orientation program that covers academic resources, an introduction to your college, and how to enroll in your classes. For more info on GBA, visit https://orientation.berkeley.edu//be/golden-bear-advising/

We received a lot of great questions from you during our Live Q&A last week, and we’d love to answer more! Join us next Wednesday, June 17 at 1:00pm PT to learn more about GBA, L&S policies, navigating your first year at Cal, and more. Tap Get Reminded to be notified when we go live! To view our past lives, visit facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live

Two of our L&S college advisers, Mark Gotvald and Jane Paris, explain how the College of Letters & Science fits within the larger university campus: UC Berkeley is like the big umbrella, and then there are multiple colleges within UC Berkeley. The College of Letters & Science is one of those colleges. It’s the biggest -- we have 23,000 undergraduates within L&S. We have so many majors (around 85 you can choose from) and a lot of minors. Join us at our next live Q&A to get your questions answered! Visit https://www.facebook.com/UCBLnSadvising/live to get reminded when we go live.

These past few months have been especially difficult for students. As such, we reached out to those in our community that were students and recent graduates during economically uncertain times in the past -- the Cal Class of 2008. In this series of Berkeley Perspectives, we hope to provide advice on navigating obstacles, and reassurance that we can get through this together. Read more below from our first alumni interviewee Mikel: -- Q: What was your experience at Cal like, a...nd how did it help lead you to where you are now? A: Cal fully supported and encouraged my curiosity, and I’m thankful that the diversity of experiences I had led me to where I am today. Currently, I am a Content Analyst and Knowledge Engineer at Verizon Media. My path to a career in tech was not mapped out for me, so having the flexibility to try out a variety of subjects taught me that it is okay to pivot and try something new every once in a while. - Q: What advice would you offer to those struggling to secure an internship or job? A: The one thing that helped me through my entire journey to where I am now is this: Never stop learning. Take each obstacle and examine it to extract the best insights from it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the hiring team to ask for feedback on your interview, that way you can zero in on what you need to improve on if you wish to pursue similar positions. In one case, I interviewed at a music streaming site, for an entry-level customer support position. One of the reasons why I did not land the job was because I was not familiar with CRM software. With that knowledge I then signed up for a free conference pass revolving around this software. I haven’t used this skill since, but in many ways, this simple action opened many doors for me since I became more knowledgeable on the topic. - Q: Any advice to students on navigating challenging times in general? A: Be kind to yourself. Take time for self-care, whether that is exercise, meditation, journaling, playing or listening to music, etc. Take time to unplug from social media and focus on yourself and your wellbeing. Right now many companies are offering services for free or discounted prices, take advantage of them. Sign up for a free online course, or even better: create your own course! If you adopt a growth mindset and look for gratitude as a daily practice, there is no obstacle you can’t overcome! -- #BerkeleyPerspective #UCBerkeley #BerkeleyPOV #GoBears See more