Warning: UCLA and UC Berkeley

Side effects may include imposter syndrome, burnout, and pressure to perform.

If you're interested in applying to or have already been accepted to UCLA or UC Berkeley, congratulations! This is an incredible accomplishment, and you should definitely be proud of yourself. However, there are a few things you should prepare for during the transition to your new school that don't get mentioned in the admitted students packet.

Imposter Syndrome

According to Stanford's Center for Teaching and Learning, imposter syndrome is the feeling of not belonging somewhere and worrying about being exposed as a fraud, often leading to internal questions like, "Why is everybody smarter/more accomplished/more put together/more advanced than me? When will they realize I’m not as competent as them? Do I belong here? Why should I be here when others from my community could benefit from this/are more worthy of being here than I am?" Many students at UCLA and Berkeley struggle with this fear according to student self-reports and social media, so you would not be alone in this situation. However, it still feels very lonely.

The important things to remember when imposter syndrome starts to creep in is that you are qualified to be at your school (or in your organization, or class), and that doing the best you can is enough. Additionally, across T-20 universities, people are ready to show off their new position or internship, but rarely talk about the sleepless nights or long lists of rejections they got to be there. Just because you see your own rejections and problems does not mean others don't have them. It also helps to think back on how far you've come. Think about yourself from 10 years ago, they would be amazed that you got to were you are and can do all the things that you do! Personally, I also keep a list of accomplishments that I have and goals that I've achieved which I can look at when I'm starting to feel bad about myself.

If you are struggling, whether it be with a difficult class or mental health, the UC system has many resources you can use to get back to feeling good, including student counseling and tutoring free of charge. UCLA's resources are here, and you can find Berkeley's here. There's no shame in asking for help when you need it!

Burnout

Another common issue at UCLA and Berkeley is burnout. Burnout, according to Psychology Today, is "a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress." Repeated stress can include difficult classes, doing too much in too many extracurricular activities, or trying to balance an internship or work alongside classes. Berkeley students report burnout, and so do UCLA students.

It is important to distinguish burnout from depression; burnout is mainly based off of overworking, while depression can have many causes including trauma, grief, and even hormonal issues. A good rule of thumb to follow is if you feel relieved at the idea of a long break from school and work, it's probably burnout, while if you feel completely numb or indifferent to the idea of leaving your responsibilities for a vacation, it's more likely to be depression. You can find a more detailed comparison here.

How does burnout feel specifically? For me, it was a complete emotional disengagement from what I was doing. I no longer had any interest or passion for the classes I began as excited about, and my memory would blank out huge chunks of time when I was at work because there was just nothing I cared about. I showed up to club meetings, but I could care less about the content. I dreaded getting out of bed, and I was surviving on caffeine and frozen dinners because I didn't have the energy to cook or the time to go out to a restaurant and enjoy the experience. Another sad facet of burnout is that accomplishments don't feel like anything to be excited about anymore; I received a competitive departmental scholarship with only 2 recipients annually, and I remember twisting my face into a smile for the camera next to the department chair and feeling just... empty.

I'm still on my own burnout recovery journey, but the important steps to take include prioritizing real rest (sleep or screen-free relaxation like walking, crafting, or reading for leisure), talking to a therapist and learning about setting boundaries for myself, and taking up a "pure enjoyment" hobby that was not competitive or resume-building. You can find more doctor-approved recovery strategies here.

Big Fish, Bigger Pond

The final problem that we will address today is what I call “big fish, bigger pond” phenomenon. Especially as freshmen, students start to feel shocked that they are no longer “special”. When everyone was valedictorian at their high school, was president of several clubs, and has all sorts of interesting activities that they are doing, it leads students to feel like they are not particularly special in any regard. This is particularly true for students who come from average high schools, where they were probably seen as special by teachers who were glad to have a very committed student in their class and who were praised in extracurriculars for winning many awards.

If you've ever watched the Disney movie The Incredibles, then you might remember the line, “If everyone is super, then no one will be.” This is somewhat true at most top universities, however, it is important to reframe what “special” or “super” might mean. Sure, almost everyone is getting great grades and is doing many extracurricular activities, but there is definitely something unique that you are doing and contributing to the world. Maybe you're doing research that pushes forward the understanding of curing cancer, or maybe you're still a top-class swimmer on the school team. To overcome feeling like just another fish in the pond, try to focus on your strengths and build goals that make them even stronger. These can be goals related to your career, which you can consult the Career Center for, or they can be related to your personal passions. This university setting is just a transition into the wider fields of work. There will always be someone a little bit smarter, a little bit more productive, or a little bit more advanced than you in any space. Instead of feeling like they're better than you, try to learn from them and see if you actually want to be like them in the first place. Nobody is on the exact same journey as you are, and that's what makes life interesting.

Final Thoughts

Going to UCLA, Berkeley, or any other top university is an amazing accomplishment, but comes with a few hazards to watch out for. When the environment is competitive, students begin to worry that they're not enough, and over-compensate by doing too much and burning out. Despite this cycle, they still compare themselves to those around them and feel like they lost what made them special in high school. However, if you implement the strategies discussed in today's article, you can mitigate the "side effects" often seen with going to UCLA and UC Berkeley. If you would like some help preparing specific strategies to stay on top of student life at the UCs, be sure to schedule a call with one of our counselors today.