u/CollegeAnonymous1

Now that college admission season is over and I have committed, I unironically feel nostalgic for and miss the college admission process. Like it was genuinely so fun to write essays about myself, work with my school counselor, and get decisions back. I always loved the anticipation of opening a letter. It was so fun to visit colleges and also meet people, and asking where everyone is going and everything, celebrating each other’s decision. Before I entered this cycle I dreaded it, wished I could time travel to a future where I already knew where I was going, but now that my wish has been granted through months of hard work, it feels like the end to a hero’s journey, but this time I’m the protagonist. I know that probably sounds narcissistic or something but it just makes me have a bittersweet feeling, like glad it’s finally over but sad that it is at the same time. Some of you guys surely can relate right?

So I’m an entering first year and after realizing Berkeley winters are 1 month long my parents and I are planning a big 1 month vacation to South America and Antarctica which we always wanted to do together but winter break was just too short in high school (2 weeks). I checked the 2026-2027 academic calendar and it says fall semester ends December 18 and instruction doesn’t start up again until January 19. Could I just leave December 19 and not come back until January 18 and not miss out on anything important?