Go Bears, Go You: Berkeley-Themed Affirmations to Boost Your Day

Let’s be real. This semester hasn’t just been long; it’s been waiting-for-the-next-episode-of-Tell-Me-Lies-to-drop long. What began with the buzz of ESPN “College GameDay” and some glimmers of hope for Cal Football quickly unraveled into tough losses against University of Miami and North Carolina State. Now, the days are shorter, the Sun is MIA and, somehow, Trump is the president-elect again.

The energy on campus? It’s been grim. I’ve seen it in your furrowed brows, faces down, AirPods in (probably listening to “Slim Pickins”), arms crossed, bracing against the cold. It’s a vibe consisting of more hungover glares than wide-eyed awe. August’s optimism is far in the rearview mirror, lost somewhere between your first midterm and your last late night in the library. 

But here’s the thing. After three years of yoga at Funky Door Yoga on Shattuck Avenue, I believe in balance. For every grievance packed into your left back pocket, there’s something bright hidden in your right. It might feel buried under the weight of deadlines and existential dread, but it’s there. So, let’s unpack it together. 

Here are some affirmations — part pep talk, part wink and a touch of shameless pun — designed to help you see the light in the semester’s home stretch. Who knows? You might even end up dancing through these last few weeks.

Affirmations for when you’re feeling down

1. I am thriving, like Golden Bear Café during coffee hours.

2. I am radiating, like a UC Berkeley tour guide’s performative enthusiasm.

3. I am grounded and wise, like a redwood tree on campus. 

4. I am in control of my thoughts, even when Sproul flyers try to distract me.

5. Like someone who knows exactly where they’re going in Dwinelle Hall (or at least pretends to), I am not only competent but confident. 

6. I smell good, like Eucalyptus Grove.

   
   

Affirmations for when you’re feeling anxious about the future 

1. I am as unstoppable as someone who found an empty table at Caffè Strada. 

2. I am as resourceful as the raccoons behind Foothill Dining.

3. I am fearless, like a UC Berkeley squirrel. I take what’s mine. 

4. I’m reaching new heights, one Wheeler staircase at a time.

5. I will shine as brightly as the Sturdy the Bear statue in front of Memorial Stadium on game day.

6. I carry the brilliance of UC Berkeley’s legacy with me wherever I go.

   
   

Affirmations for when you have a lot on your to-do list 

1. I am as strong as the Wi-Fi in Doe Library (on a good day).

2. I am resilient, like the Campanile standing tall through every storm.

3. I will Evans-tually finish this problem set.

4. I will conquer my to-do list faster than the Free Speech Movement conquered Sproul Plaza.

5. Like the RSF at 5 p.m., I am in high demand and I can handle the pressure. 

6. I have the bear necessities needed to make it through the rest of this semester.

   
   

By now, you’ve hopefully found a few treasures in your mental pocket — a little laugh here, a poke of perspective there. UC Berkeley teaches us a lot: How to deconstruct a theory, how to sit on a waitlist, how to party on Piedmont Avenue and how to survive on four hours of sleep and a cup of coffee afterward. 

But the best lesson? Finding joy in the mess, finding humor in the chaos. Life might be a Berkeley hill, but you’re climbing it, trusting that there’s beauty at the summit. You’re sparkling. You’re brilliant. And like a sunset over the Bay, you’re a sight to behold, even when the fog rolls in.