This week marks a hundred days until graduation. It’s mind-boggling to think that I will soon be calling myself a Cal alumna. I find myself feeling a mixture of emotions. Nostalgia, confusion and excitement are all at the forefront of my mind. Amidst these emotions, I am beginning to say goodbye to Cal.
There are some parts of Cal that will make this goodbye easy. With club recruitment finishing up this semester, I no longer have to worry about dodging flyers or feigning interest in consulting clubs. Saying goodbye to Moffitt’s fourth floor will be easy though — there was never a space for me to study there anyway. And don’t get me started on the dual-factor verification.
Then again, some aspects of Cal will be missed. In my efforts to be more present in the moment, I am more mindful about what I have and the things I continue to enjoy. I’ve been a student for a majority of my life and I will truly miss it. Grabbing a coffee at Free Speech Movement Cafe at 10 PM, pulling all-nighters at Moffitt and living in a college town are all formative parts of the student lifestyle that I never thought I would cherish. Even now, I look forward to sitting in Ishi Court and walking past Strawberry Creek between classes. Of course, I will not forget our rivalry with Stanford, glading and indulging in Berkeley’s aversion to franchise food. Lastly, I must mention the hardest parts about leaving Cal — my free gym membership (funded by my tuition) and $4.99 Spotify Premium plan.