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Moving to Berkeley for college is exciting, but it also can feel a bit overwhelming. If you’re new to the university or haven’t explored the city much, it might seem like you’re drowning in high-rise buildings, bustling streets, and confusing bus routes. That’s why we’ve put together these tips for college students in Berkeley:
Exploring Campus
Since the first week of school is coming to an end, you might’ve gotten the hang of your schedule by now. However, for those still swapping and dropping classes, try mapping out your walking paths before enrolling in new courses. That way, you’ll know whether you can arrive at each location on Berkeley time (10 minutes after class is supposed to start).
Once you’ve mastered your schedule, there are a few spots you’ll need to visit. Most obviously, head to the Campanile (that big tower in the middle of campus). It’s where the bells toll every hour and three bell concerts play every day. Next, visit the Memorial Glade located closer to the north end of the school. You might find students picnicking and playing frisbee there. If the libraries are open, check out the stunning North Reading Room and Morrison Library inside Doe Library or walk through the East Asian Library. These are just a handful of must-see stops on the campus tour, but be sure to do some exploring and find your own favorites.
Eating & Shopping
Arguably, one of the best parts of Berkeley is the amount of shops and restaurants on every street. Everywhere you turn, there’s an eatery with lines out the door or a store filled with eager shoppers. While shopping and dining out is fun, every Berkeley student will admit that it can break the bank.
In order to enjoy all that Berkeley has to offer, you’ll need ways to save. That’s where Firstcard comes into play. Firstcard is a Mastercard debit card that instantly gives students 5-15% cash back at all stores in its network, including over 150 in the San Francisco Bay Area alone. You’ll get cash back at Berkeley eateries like Yali’s Café, The Cheese Board Collective, Thai Basil, and Top Dog, as well as stores such as Moe’s Books, Games of Berkeley, and more. It’s free for all students and charges no fees of any kind. With Firstcard, students can enjoy eating and shopping in Berkeley without emptying their pockets.
Taking Public Transport
There are a ton of transportation options in and around Berkeley. Not only is public transit convenient, but it gives you a cheap and fun way to explore the Bay Area. One sure way to expand your activities and impress your fellow students is by becoming a public transportation expert.
For starters, students receive an automated, reloadable transit pass that gives them free unlimited rides on the AC Transit buses and Bear Transit Shuttle. UC Berkeley offers great guides for AC Transit destinations and Bear Transit lines. The student transit pass is also a Clipper card, which is used to travel on Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). You can add money to your Clipper card whenever you ride BART into San Francisco, Oakland, or other locations. Check out the BART website for a full map and live departure times for every station. To become even more of a transit pro, use apps like Moovit to plan your trips.
Now that you know how to best explore campus, save at local shops, and ride public transportation, you’re ready to live it up in Berkeley. Go Bears!
For more information about Firstcard, check out their website.