Hi! I'm Berkeley, a current Psychological and Brain Sciences student at UCSB and a very proud Gaucho! I love meeting prospective students and sharing what I love most about being at UCSB, including our beautiful campus, vibrant student life, and my personal best-kept secrets on campus! Whether you have questions about academics, housing, clubs, or what day-to-day life is really like, I'm happy to give you an honest student perspective and help make your visit both informative and enjoyable! I look forward to meeting you soon!

Hometown

San Diego, California

Major(s)

Psychological and Brain Sciences (PBS)

Minor(s)

Philosophy

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Concert Choir, EMT Certification Program, Recreation Center (aka. Rec Cen) Employee, Disabled Students Program (DSP) Notetaker and Test Proctor

Describe your college experience

In high school, I was always involved in Honors and AP classes, extracurriculars, and leadership roles, but I constantly wondered if I was doing enough to prepare for college. Looking back now, I can confidently say that choosing UCSB was one of the best decisions I've made. Thanks to my AP credits, I was able to start my PBS major courses as a freshman while also taking fun electives like Logic and Listening to Jazz. Outside of class, I've gotten involved by working with DSP and the Recreation Center and earning my EMT certification during my first year. UCSB has truly become my home, and I'm excited to share my experience and help you picture what life here could look like!

Tip for future students

If you didn't take AP classes or don't have any AP credits, don't worry! Many of my friends came to UCSB with zero college credits and are still completely on track to graduate in four years. Having AP credits can be nice because they give you a little more flexibility to explore electives outside your major, but they're definitely not a requirement for being successful here. It's also completely okay if you don't know what you want to major in yet! It's much easier to change your major than many people think. I've actually changed mine twice already (I started in Biology, switched to Biopsychology, and now I'm majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences). College is all about exploring your interests, and it's okay if your path changes along the way!

Favorite class

My favorite class at UCSB was Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1), which I took during my freshman year. It was the class that made me realize I wanted to pursue a career in psychology. Before coming to UCSB, everyone told me how incredible the professors were, and this class completely lived up to that. Not only was the professor amazing, but the TAs were also incredibly supportive and made the class even more enjoyable. One of my favorite parts was our weekly discussion sections. Instead of only reviewing lecture material, we often explored new psychology topics that weren't even on our exams. It made learning feel exciting rather than stressful, and it created such a warm, welcoming, and non-intimidating environment. That class reminded me that learning can be fun, and it's still one of my favorite memories from UCSB.

Career goals

After I graduate from UCSB, I hope to continue my education and earn my credential and master's degree to become a licensed school psychologist. My goal is to attend the University of Washington and complete its three-year program, and hopefully stay in Seattle to begin my career. I'm passionate about making mental health support more accessible, especially for children. I believe every student deserves someone in their corner, and I hope to be a trusted adult who can support students through challenges, advocate for their well-being, and make a positive difference in their lives.

Ideal way to spend a free night

It really depends on my mood! Some nights I love staying in with my friends, grabbing takeout, watching a show, or playing games together. Other times, my favorite way to spend an evening is taking a walk on the beach and looking at the stars. One of my favorite things about UCSB is having the beach right here, I’ve had some of my best nights simply sitting in the sand with friends, listening to music, talking, and watching the stars.

High school or secondary school

Valhalla High School (San Diego), Cuyamaca College (Local SD Community College), Grossmont College (Local SD Community College)

Previous college

N​/​A (Attended UCSB as a Freshman)

Favorite spot on campus

My absolute favorite spot on campus is Campus Point! It’s super close to the freshman dorms and only about a five-minute walk from the library, making it the perfect place for a quick study break. I love stepping away from the library, listening to the waves, and taking a moment to relax and recharge. There’s also a campus legend that doing an ocean dip before finals brings good luck!