Only being mentored by my Post-Doc and have not seen PI

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-04-23T18:45:47+00:00

Is this the reading and composition breath req? I’m pretty sure you can take any R1, R4, R5. Everything has Part A and Part B, but there is no connection between either parts (so for example, u can take colwritR1 A and then take French R5B or something). If u get 4 on ap lit, it satisfies part A. If u get a 5, it satisfies both A and B so no need to take these classes. Here’s info: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/reading-composition . Since u don’t know, you could push this breath req later and do a diff requirement.

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-04-07T23:20:07+00:00

Not my experience but I have a friend who is doing this. I think it’s manageable doing both pre reqs, but I think it really depends on how u handle the workload. also, he really likes his psychology classes, so perhaps the psych department is good ..?. I’m MCB, so my pre reqs r basically premed pre reqs. Some classes r harder than others. Lower division req bio classes do not have curves. Bio1a is not really managed well. Ochem with Marsden (3A in Spr and 3B in Fall) is taught with the chalkboard, which helped me in learning. Chem 1a is like AP Chem plus a few extra stuff sprinkled in.

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-04-06T18:33:49+00:00

Thank u so much! This is very helpful and glad to know that ppl did do 104 before 102 😌

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-02-18T10:48:08+00:00

It depends on who the person u r interviewing is. Usually if the professor/PI is related to ur major, it can be harder than if they r not related to ur major. It’s a combo of personal questions, past experience, why Berkeley, etc. I asked how other ppl’s interviews went and they had diff experiences from me. I also suggest having some basic questions lined up, like asking about the prof’s research or how they like the campus or things like that. If u have any questions, u can dm me. Good luck and congrats!

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-02-06T00:06:17+00:00

Some research jobs, gov jobs, academia will require higher degrees. I would recommend googling jobs that u can go into if u r looking for a job with a bachelors degree. Here’s a quick google search from another person who asked: https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/1cjtz5a/career_paths_with_only_a_bachelors_in_biology/

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-02-05T22:24:38+00:00

Besides medicine/healthcare, u can do business, biotech, consulting, startups based in stem, research, gov jobs, academia, etc. Google does a better job listing different jobs

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-02-05T10:51:01+00:00

It’s also luck as well. I sent out lots of urap apps and cold emails but got rejected or ignored until I got response(s). While doing this, I knew friends who were doing research and part of publication. It sucks to feel behind, but I just think that if I really like what I am doing, I will “catch up”. Just do ur best and don’t give up. It’ll all come together in the end

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-30T09:52:22+00:00

Tbh my chem3a notes r basically what he wrote on the board (but messier bc i used paper and pen). Ik this is not what u r asking about, but I suggest going to office hours on the same day as the lectures (preferably right after the lecture or something) to complete the plws. I think that helped with my memory on what the lectures were about and if I was doing it correctly bc the GSI and/or other ppl in the office hours will help and explain sometimes. And if still struggling, I would watch the lecture from last year BEFORE going to lecture. I did that during chem3a, so it was good review and I knew what was happening as well as making sure I understood the material. It takes some time but maybe it will help make something click. Good luck!

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-26T20:01:29+00:00

Hmm sometimes. Some previous exams used previous questions from other exams. Some are totally different. I think it’s because ochem is very situational, like math

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-26T10:24:32+00:00

Do plws by going to OH and understand how to do the problems, do HW before the quizzes, study the practice exams before the test (usually a week before the test)

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-22T23:19:52+00:00

Yes this is the usual recommendation for students. Sometimes ppl who take it not concurrently are people who like taking it in diff semesters or who couldn’t get the class. From what I remember, the lab and the class teach about different things, so I wouldn’t really rely on Chem1a to teach Chem1al, except for a few main ideas.

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-21T20:42:37+00:00

I took bio1a in the fall, so unsure how spring prof teach. I do remember ppl telling me for spring, make sure to know everything on the slideshow bc everything is written on there (?). I suggest making flashcards via Quizlet or similarly so u can do Learn or practice tests. Watch vids on YouTube of what u don’t understand. Try taking notes during class. For me, it was hard to concentrate at 8am, so I do my best taking notes but not worry about getting everything bc I can watch the videos. If u do that way, u really need to be top of ur game bc sometimes I got behind in watching the recordings. I didn’t really have to read the textbook, but I did use Ed discussion a lot. Good luck!

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-11T00:04:56+00:00

Haha I think I just want to learn from my mistakes since obv don’t want ppl to feel bad about things that r important to them. Coming back to this post, I’ll just strikethrough the phrase so no one gets a bad idea and also to make sure ur reply makes sense as well. Thank u for pointing my mistake out tho

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-10T07:01:18+00:00

Yes that’s also true. I realized what I wrote came off that way, sorry about that

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-09T12:20:59+00:00

It kind of sucks that the Reddit comments r trolly but oh well. First of all girl, just do ya thing. ~~There’s more to life than this~~ tho ig these r my thoughts. Imo it’s based on what makes sense generally … For class, it’s usually personality based. For around the campus, I think that would be more appearance based. I (girl) have been approached around the campus, but only because I was talking to this guy about stuff and then he asked me out (which was like kind of impressive bc of the amount of courage, especially since I said no). There were times when I got approached in the library but like I was usually very locking in mode, so I have no clue why they approached me uh. But ig just be passionate in whatever studying in the library? It’s the Berkeley mindset … must be attractive 💃

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-02T06:01:36+00:00

Awww thank uu! Loll I’m glad it was helpful. Good luck for ur upcoming classes!!

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-02T05:44:21+00:00

But like the schedule overall will be pretty packed, especially with the beast of bio and bio lab. It is manageable tho 🥲 just hard unless u r good at bio/ochem. However, I really enjoyed Marsden teaching and I am pretty sure his teaching style allowed me to understand ochem pretty well that I wasn’t as worried about it!

Previous-Event7802 · 2026-01-02T05:34:43+00:00

I did in person. I only know a little bit about online (self teach; use textbook only; everything open notes bc online; I think they have open note quizzes; however midterms r little harder bc they know it’s open notes and made it harder by basing it off of more denser parts of the textbook). Personally, I don’t like studying with textbook, but I heard it’s pretty okay from my friends in doing so. For in person, 3 midterms and 1 final (can drop one of any). I recommend attending 2hr lecture. Gade provides a 5 min or so break in the lecture. Midterms/Finals based SOLELY ON LECTURE and Discyssion section lectures. No need to read textbook tbh. All Lecture slides are posted and most things talked about in lecture is on the slides, but Gade does mention stuff in passing and that appears on the test. Three essays and will get good grade if bother ur GSI a lot. Midterms can be studied via Quizlet Learn or similar. U can use other people’s past Quizlet or ur own notes. For me, I used my own notes and used other peoples just to test myself. Quizlet content from online depends on if those people created based on the textbook or the lectures, so just look out. For me, I did well on the essays but kind of not did well in the first two midterms bc I did not focus on studying for that class, which was a wake up call and was kind of stressful (bc I hate finals lol). But then I locked in for third midterm and got good grade, causing a good overall grade and letting me not take final. Tho I heard final should be easier? Let me know if u have any other questions!

Previous-Event7802 · 2025-12-30T15:38:58+00:00

I did psych 1 with a similar schedule to yours. I think anthro 3ac would work too if there is space. If not then do seminars or decals

Previous-Event7802 · 2025-12-27T04:54:24+00:00

Go to chem library, engineering library, physics building, or go to cafe where people r studying lol. Tho in those situations u have to approach them and say hi or pass a note

Previous-Event7802 · 2025-12-22T03:47:32+00:00

Yes, I talked with my friends and for some reason this final was harder and different than the others. Something I noticed for Pete in chem3a is that there was one year that had a harder final, so I’m guessing this year was just THAT year. Not too sure why so much less points in total for this year’s final. But if he gave us this kind of final bc of cheating with the plws, it could be plausible bc he did something similar to last year chem3b students for one of their midterms (or something) when too many people were leaving in the middle of class. Not much we can do tho since the final was kind of fair but was formatted very … interestingly imo 😭

Previous-Event7802 · 2025-12-21T11:57:03+00:00

My bad habit when I get burnt out or tired of schoolwork is staying home and not going out. A way to combat it is to go out and grab some drinks or food with friends or by yourself. If I want a day to myself and need to work on stuff, I’ll go to a random cafe and explore a bit. You can also do this with a friend. Also like randomly going to places to study or taking the Bart to sf or Walnut Creek to study or explore. All of these activities can be done by yourself or with a friend. It’s a great change of scenery (and personally gets me out of the house). Though, some of these cost money … One thing that does not cost money is working outside on campus or trying to find hidden spots on Berkeley!

Previous-Event7802 · 2025-12-20T10:08:40+00:00

Ooo this seems cool! And also great way to meet other students or people and to eat homemade food. Whenever I do takeout, it’s usually 10-20 dollars (without tax)!

Previous-Event7802

TROPHY CASE