Amrita Bhasin

One of the most valuable things that being at Berkeley has instilled in me is that I don’t have to be good at something to enjoy doing it. I have taken that in so many different directions and have learned that anything worth doing is worth doing part way versus not doing it at all.

Analytical reading, critical thinking and strong writing skills are key skills that we need to be cultivating. It’s not a coincidence that the majors that most deeply question capitalism and systems of patriarchy, racism, colonialism and oppression are the ones politicians are looking to defund or discourage students from studying.

While the physical locality of Berkeley will no longer be my home, I’ve come to see Berkeley everywhere and in everything.

The issue with constantly feeling like you are performing is that it makes it hard to know who you are without comparing yourself to something or someone else or without feeling like you are continuously being forced to keep up with and reach impossible standards.

We are deluding ourselves if we believe tech is a blank slate that is free from capitalism, misogyny and racism.

I’ve stopped making plans for my life, not because they don’t pan out but because I think they restrict the way in which I view what I am capable of. Some of the best decisions I’ve made have been spur of the moment, spontaneous and utterly unexpected and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

Political activism isn’t a one time thing or a single event that you show up to; it’s an ongoing, long-term process of social reform that requires more involvement and effort than posting on your Instagram story.

Having built a startup at Berkeley, I’ve decided to pursue it full time upon graduating. To those of you who are looking to do something entrepreneurial after college, yet hope to avoid the traditional corporate America route, here’s a guide on the process.

In evaluating the origin and consequences of gentrification and the housing crisis in Berkeley, we can look to the history of the city’s exclusionary and racist housing policies. 

Ultimately, UC Berkeley will make you a stronger, more confident and more proactive person, and that is something I am grateful for.