My Freshman Experience at Cal

By Ashna Singhal

College is a new experience and in a sense it is like a fresh start. Leaving home and living in a new place is an adjustment process, from moving into a communal dorm and living with roommates. As an introvert, I definitely had to get out of my comfort zone and talk to new people, especially during the first month of college. Although it may seem that Cal is very large and it is difficult to create connections with people, it is always possible to find your community. Here are some of my experiences on the technical aspects of student life at Cal!

CS Classes

My first comprehensive computer science class was CS 61A, a computer science class based in Python. For many, there are several mixed feelings associated with this class. For me, it was quite the roller coaster. Although the exams were tough, I can say that I did learn a lot from 61A and it helped me to become more confident in my coding abilities. This semester, I am taking CS 61B, a CS class based in Java, which I do enjoy more than 61A, mainly because of the content and its applications to software engineering. In both classes, I learned the most from the hw and projects, which ranged from building a dice/ blocks game to implementing a code decrypter inspired by World War 2.

I have also taken both EECS 16A/B, which is an introduction into the physics of circuits and linear algebra. I found that although I am not too interested in the EE aspect, it was definitely rewarding to finish building the voice-controlled car at the end of the semester.

My takeaways:

• In most CS classes, the tests are really difficult and sometimes even with a lot of preparation it is hard to say what will happen during the test. You don’t need to be 100% sure on what you want to pursue in the future. Taking unique classes can help you to figure out what you are passionate about and also what disinterests you.
• Use the resources that are available to you. I would recommend attending lab and discussion, even if it is optional. Conversing with peers about my thought process and reviewing the content again helped me to reinforce the concepts. Also, take advantage of office hours. If you ever find yourself struggling on a question, there are so many students willing to help you understand the concept and apply it to the question.

Clubs

Like many freshmen, I went through the whirlwind of applying to tech clubs/ student organizations on campus, a process quite similar to college applications. It is quite tedious: attending information sessions, doing coffee chats with current members, writing answers to the application questions, and if chosen to move on, having to take several steps of interviews (group/ individual and technical/ behavioral).

My takeaways:

• Try to apply to some clubs in your first semester of college. I first applied in second semester, but I feel like having an extra first semester of experience definitely boosts confidence, especially after taking your first interview.
• Go to the information session events and brainstorm questions to ask to a current member.
• For technical coding interviews, if you don’t understand or are struggling to think of an answer to the problem, make sure to ask questions. I didn’t know how to solve the problem in my interview during the short time period. You can always prompt the interviewer for help after writing an outline of your implementation.
• Don’t be discouraged by rejection, take it as an opportunity to practice and improve.
• Don’t spend too much time on the written questions. And remember, there are so many other opportunities for technical experience besides selective tech clubs, if you just search for it! So don’t get discouraged by not getting accepted to any club, because it is also important to remember that these clubs are a large time commitment and involve a lot of self-learning. Joining the technical AWE committee has definitely improved my freshman experience and in whichever club you apply to you will find community and a learning process.

Technical Opportunities

At Cal, there are plenty of ways to build your technical skills and network. Since classes at Cal can range from 15–1000+ students, it may be difficult to build a personalized connection with professors. However, you can always attend professors’ or TA’s office hours and ask about their current research and how to become involved or try cold emailing.

AWE hosts many professional development events, such as resume building workshops, finding internships, and practice for mock interviews. Here are some possible opportunities to get involved with and gain hands-on experience through research, internships, and labs:

• Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP)
• Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program
• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships
• EECS Research
• Check out AWE’s notion page, specifically the professional development research portal under the development page (accessible to all AWE members)!

Overall, Cal offers so many opportunities for you to provide you success academically, socially, and professionally. Berkeley is a very diverse place and you will definitely meet people with different backgrounds, experiences, and hobbies. Just remember to enjoy your freshman year, because after all it is the best time to explore different fields and classes!

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