After a tough first semester at UC Berkeley, returning for a second term can bring the fear on. Instruction is starting, and I’m still at a crossroads — afraid to add classes to my Tele-BEARS. Last semester was not one that I finished unscathed. There had to be a casualty, Read More…
More than my snug bed, more than Mom’s cooking, more even than that warm feeling of home, I miss Henry David Thoreau. Let me explain. I was more than a little disappointed academically in my first semester at Cal — not that my grades were poor, but I didn’t think Read More…
The bottom line is, don’t write something off just because it doesn’t fit in with what you already like. College is about discovering new things. Ask yourself, “What about this makes me uncomfortable?” The answer may surprise you. You won’t find yourself by trudging along the same, well-worn route. Read More…
I became part of The Daily Californian staff. I courted student organizations at Calapalooza. I visited my friend in her dorm, almost went to New Student Convocation, sniffed out free food on campus and shopped at thrift stores on Telegraph. All this, without actually enrolling at Cal. You see, I have Read More…
Young adults across the nation share many of Angelakos’ struggles of living with mental illness that I believe are reflected in the lyrics of Passion Pit’s latest album Gossamer: institutionalization, strained relationships, depression, medication, substance abuse and mania. In 2006, it was estimated that nearly one third of young adults aged 18 through 26 experienced some kind of mental illness, including high instances of bipolar and major depression. For individuals who develop schizophrenia, their first “psychotic break” is most likely to happen in the late teens or early 20’s. Read More…
I started college in the bliss of a new love. I was certain that I would be able to handle the stress of a long-distance relationship that was six months fresh, and I soon met many others who were just as hopeful as I was. But, as the year progressed, the number of friends I had who were in long-distance relationships plummeted. I began to worry about my relationship, and whether it could survive the strain of being cities away. It seemed to me then, that Austin and I were fighting insurmountable odds and that it was only a matter of time until it all fell apart. Read More…
Like any stubborn and angst-ridden young adult, I’ve always held a soft spot in my heart for The Catcher in the Rye. Well, the soft spot is for Holden Caulfield. To put it bluntly, Holden is my soulmate. He is a sad and selfish first world problem. Whenever I feel Read More…
That old saying “Food brings people together” rings as true as ever, but the inverse is also true: that people come together over food. Everyone needs to eat, and while some prefer to enjoy their meals alone, many would rather spend them fostering friendships and establishing that sense of community that is such an integral part of any college experience. Read More…
I write because I want you to know exactly how it feels to sleep on a borrowed pillow on the floor of an empty apartment with new brown carpet. I want you to know it precisely. Read More…
Body art and multiple piercings can carry deeply personal or spiritual implications. They can be done in honor of a loved one or commemorate a moment that is special enough to be carried forever. Then there are other motivations. On the last day of class my freshman year, I dragged Read More…
