Name: Xavier Banuelos
Pronouns: He/they
Hometown: Rialto, California
Major: Music and (intended) Psychology
Campus Involvements: Cal Band, The Intermission Orchestra @ Berkeley, Queer Cal Pals, UC Berkeley Philharmonia Orchestra
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students?
Ask for help! Whether you’re navigating academic, financial, mental health, or physical wellness challenges, there are resources and people here that truly want to support you.
Outside of classes, work, and being a Peer Mentor, you can find me . . . playing with Cal Band. And if I am not there, I’m probably sprinting to the next department-led event in search of free food.
Name: Komal Sandhu
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Los Banos, CA
Declared Majors: Political Science and Sociology
Campus Involvements: ASUC, Myriad Legal Consulting, L&S Peer Advisor
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students?
Take advantage of your LinkedIn connections. If you see someone involved in an extracurricular you’re interested in or attending your dream graduate school, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for advice. Most people are more willing to help than you think, and many will gladly share their experiences.
What Berkeley course had the greatest impact on your time at Cal?
AFRICAM 27AC, taught by Professor Cohen. The course explores the history of racism in America in a way that is both eye-opening and deeply thought-provoking. It was one of the few classes that truly changed the way I view the world and my role within it.
Name: Alena Barbir
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Santa Cruz
Intended Major: English and Education
Campus Involvements: Literary Society of Berkeley, CHAOS, Archery, Berkeley Humane Volunteer
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students? Try everything! Seriously, attend any event/club you want to. College is all about experiences. Do it scared, and experience life!
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? I love the ethnic studies library, it’s right next to the forest and has a beautiful bay window. It’s super cozy and never full.
Name: Subhadra Manjula
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Redlands, CA
Major: Applied Mathematics
Campus Involvements: AFX Dance, KOSMOS Tech Team
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students? Take time for yourself! Go on little adventures by yourself; they’re fun and relaxing!
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? My favorite place to study on campus is Lower Sproul. I like watching the skateboarders whenever my readings get boring.
Name: Shriya Perumal
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: San Ramon, California
Intended Major: Neuroscience and English (double major)
Campus Involvements: Staff Writer at Atrium
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students? Find a balance that works for you! College should be an exciting academic and social experience, but should also allow you to have time for yourself and the activities/hobbies that make you happy.
Outside of classes, work, and being a Peer Mentor, you can find me . . . writing, reading, or watching The Pitt with my friends!
Name: Janelle Padilla
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Major: Political Science
Campus Involvements: Work-Study (if you have any questions, let me know!)
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? My favorite place to study is the Public Health Library located in the Valley of Life Science Building. There are three floors, good ventilation, natural lighting, and there is always a study desk/cubicle available, even during finals week!
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students?
Go to office hours!! Yes, it can feel intimidating, but your professors and GSI’s are valuable resources. Not just for class information, but for research positions, internship opportunities, letters of recommendation, college/life advice, and so much more!
Name: Chase Stern
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Major: English
Campus Involvements: BEAM, Literary Society of Berkeley, Barestage, and CHAOS
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? I love studying in the larger libraries, like Doe, because I love being surrounded by my peers!
Outside of classes, work, and being a Peer Mentor, you can find me . . . wandering campus, spending time with friends, or in one of the blue chairs upstairs in Doe!
Name: Varsha Behera
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology (Molecular Therapeutics)
Campus Involvements: Kesem Berkeley, Wellness Ambassador at the Tang Center
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students?
Go to office hours at least once, even if it’s just to introduce yourself!
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? My favorite study spots on campus are either the VLSB or Chemistry libraries.
Name: Sabrina Soh
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Glendale, CA
Intended Major: Neuroscience
Campus Involvements: Phoenix Consulting Group, UCSF Research Lab
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? The music library!
What Berkeley course had the greatest impact on your time at Cal? OChem! It was a challenging course, but I enjoyed it a lot!
Name: Abdullah Enes Kut
Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Rize, Turkey
Major: Political Science
Campus Involvements: UC Berkeley Model UN Delegate & Secretariat Member, Berkeley Political Review Writer, Cal-in-Sac Fellow, Alternative Breaks Leader, School of Public Health Senior Administrative Assistant, College Corps Fellow, Cal Fashion & Student Trends Model & Modeling Director
Outside of classes, work, and being a Peer Mentor you can find me. . . Writing poetry, visiting a new state, getting paint all over myself, or at the gym.
What Berkeley course had the greatest impact on your time at Cal? Professor Di Wang’s “Globalization and Me” has been one of the best courses I’ve taken in my undergraduate career.
Name: Srishti Vadya
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Dublin, CA
Major: Molecular Cell Biology
Campus Involvements: Blood Pressure Project Club, Research, EMT
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? The Engineering Library/Grimes! I love the collaborative environment and always run into some of my friends there.
What Berkeley course had the greatest impact on your time at Cal? IB 198, a DeCal, where I got to attend lectures from various medical practitioners who take on a naturopathic approach. I loved hearing about their different methods for diagnosing and treating disorders, and even got to participate in a study through one of the lecturers!
Name: Keilah Yu
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Intended Major: Public Health
Campus Involvements: Danceworx, Global Medical Training
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students? Don’t be too hard on yourself! As a time with lots of change and adjustment, keep putting yourself out there and make time for your well-being.
What Berkeley course had the greatest impact on your time at Cal? Taking an Ethnic Studies course opened my eyes to how our cultural histories, migration, and systemic inequities shape healthcare experiences. This class also introduced me to the wonderful campus resources and spaces Berkeley has to offer.
Name: Riddhi Nanda Kumar
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Dublin, CA
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology, with a minor in Global Public Health
Campus Involvements: Suitcase Clinic; research lab
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students? Put yourself out there and pursue the opportunities that interest you, even if you’re intimidated or don’t feel fully ready just yet. Know that rejections are also a normal part of the process and accept them as learning experiences.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? I prefer studying amidst some background chatter, to keep my mind from drifting. Apart from the various quaint tea and coffee shops around Berkeley, I find that I can focus well at the Grimes Center on campus.
Name: Elyse Tran
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Orange County
Intended Major: Integrative Biology
Campus Involvements: Disability RadMad Lab; Down Syndrome Community Outreach; Undergraduate Street Medicine Outreach
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give to incoming first-year students?
Not to overload on course units so that you can better adjust and maintain a healthy balance between academics and your social life. College is already a huge transition with classes, clubs, and new responsibilities, and even a single 4-unit class can demand much more time than you expect.
Outside of classes, work, and being a Peer Mentor you can find me . . . taking trips to San Francisco to eat my way through Chinatown’s food scene or walking down to Elmwood with friends to grab something from a local bakery. I love going on walks anywhere, whether it is through nature, neighborhoods, or the city, because it is one of my favorite ways to unwind and explore.