Finals season is here, and summer vacation is just beyond the horizon. But mark our words: this break will come and go faster than you can say “I miss Oski.” For returning students, UC Berkeley has many fun and unique traditions. In between this year and next, it is nice to plan for the best year you can possibly have. Use this template to have the best next two semesters of your UC Berkeley experience!
Study in every library: There are more libraries at UC Berkeley than you can count on your hands. Whether it’s a standalone library such as Doe, East Asian or Main Stacks, or a building library such as Environmental Design, Music or Engineering libraries, you’ll have to conquer them all.
Go to the top of the Campanile: With your UC Berkeley student ID card, and you can see the bay after a five minute elevator ride for free.
Roll down 4.0 Hill: Whether you are interested in a perfect GPA or not, rolling down 4.0 Hill is always a nice shock to the system. It’s dizzying fun.
Camp out for 4/20 on the Glade: UC Berkeley has a long tradition of camping out and partaking in some specific April 20 activities. Marijuana usage goes from typical taboo to out-loud fun!
Wake up at 8 a.m. on Cal Day: “Cal Day” is a wildly popular UC Berkeley tradition. Every student you know will be going to their favorite parties early in the morning. Go Bears!
Swim in Lake Anza: This lake in East Berkeley is where any nature-loving Golden Bear will thrive. If you’re swamped in homework, consider taking a dip!
Hike up the Fire Trails: You don’t see the full beauty of Berkeley and San Francisco until you see it from above. The Fire Trails is how you can get there.
Go to every BART station: Each stop has a different neighborhood to explore, different activities to offer. Whether you want to go east toward Antioch, west toward San Francisco, or south toward Oakland, take your Clipper card and your curiosity for a ride.
Participate in the naked run: At the end of every fall semester, bold Golden Bears will run across Main Stacks library in minimal clothing. Personal anecdote: participation is quite fun.
Try every matcha in Berkeley: Berkeley is famous for its matcha selections. This could be a bingo card all on its own.
Top Dog Challenge! Order every hot dog at Top Dog: You can’t say you’ve been to Berkeley if you haven’t had a frankfurter from Top Dog. But when you live here, it’s a rite of passage to try them all. Good thing there is a veggie dog option for the vegetarians to try.
Take a swim in Strawberry Canyon Pool: Located just above Memorial Stadium, this pool is a great place to relax and get some aquatic fun.
Participate in a protest: UC Berkeley is known for amplified advocacy, especially in the context of pressing social justice issues. If you want to make your voice heard, while honoring the history of the Golden Bears before you, make sure to advocate out loud.
Climb the Big C: This enthralling hike up to the Big C is athletically rigorous, but delightfully challenging. Make sure to hike up if you love nature, but feel that the fire trails are too novice.
Exercise at every gym: There are two main full-purpose gyms: Recreational Sports Facility and Memorial Stadium Fitness Center. Go to the one farther from where you live to get that little extra workout.
Eat at every dining hall: There are four main campus dining halls, so go on a food crawl to figure out the best place to spend your meal swipe.
Climb the walls of Doe Library: Although I have never done this, I have seen it done. If you’ve exhausted all nearby rock walls, try something more … built. The concrete walls of Doe can be climbed — who knew!
Catch the sunset at Lawrence Hall of Science: This is another lookout to add to the list, and the sun glimmers over the bay from up here. There are fascinating dinosaur animatronics on the observation deck, which is an undeniable plus.
Go to a Grizzly Peak band night: Bands love to host them, students love to watch them, and the view is peak.
Drive on the Golden Gate Bridge: If you’re looking to maximize San Francisco fun, while experiencing one of California’s most iconic landmarks, make sure to drive (or be driven) down the Golden Gate Bridge.
Play chess on Telegraph Avenue: Berkeley is full of mind-stimulating activities, so if you’re looking for something interesting to do, entertain the chess players on Telegraph!
Go all out for the Big Game: We have one chance every year to chop down those Stanford trees. So get out your Cal merch and memorize this: “You know it, you tell the story, you tell the whole damn world this is Bear Territory!”
See a concert at Hearst Greek Theatre: Some of the world’s biggest musicians have played in UC Berkeley’s backyard! Make sure to catch a performance at the Greek Theatre if you’re looking for a new soundtrack.
FREE SPACE: Free space, or free speech? That’s for you to decide.
Take a dip in a campus fountain: There are a few fountains across campus, and you can jump into any of them. It is up to you whether it is something you would like to accomplish!
Make sure to post your completed bingo board to your social media platform of choice when you have gotten a bingo (five in a row, whether it is vertical, horizontal or diagonal)!
Have fun out there, Golden Bears, and we are excited to see you next year! As always, HAGS (have a golden summer)!