Senior Reflection FAQs
Q: What is a Senior Reflection?
A: Simply put, whatever you want it to be. A senior reflection/blurb/quote/story is whatever you want to share with your fellow classmates either in the very near future or 20 years down the line. Many wrote a few lines summarizing their careers at Cal, thanking friends and family. Some jot down a quick few sentences retelling a funny story that happened freshmen year. Some offered a few words of advice and wishes of good luck. Others wrote on particular experiences or over-arching memories that made up their time here.
Be as creative, honest, or serious as you wish. The prompt is open ended.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Nothing! Submitting a reflection is absolutely free. However, due to limited space, we cannot guarantee that all submissions will be included in the 2012 Blue & Gold Yearbook. We recommend that you complete and submit your reflection before the deadline to receive priority placing.
Q: When's the deadline?
A: The deadline is Friday, April 27 at 11:59PM.
Q: What are the requirements?
A: A simple sentence to 700-word story written by you, in your own voice, however you want it to be.
Q: Can I include pictures?
A: Yes! In fact, we highly encourage submissions to be accompanied by photographs. We will accept a maximum of seven original, high-resolution photos, whether they are digital files, hardcopy prints or a combination of the two. Hardcopy prints may be dropped off at our office, scanned and returned to you right away. Please do not submit any saved-it-from-Facebook photos. One or up to all seven may be used alongside your reflections.
Q: Will you correct any part(s) of my reflection?
A: All submissions will be subject to editing by our Copy Editor for grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Reflections will be sent back for your review.
Q: Are there any examples for me to look at?
A:Previous Blue & Gold Yearbooks contain past submissions of senior reflections/blurbs/quotes/stories. You may view them in our office anytime during our normal business hours (see our home page).
Q: How do I prepare my reflection for submission?
A: Your reflection file should have the following format:
- Your name and email address at the top
- A headline (if you're submitting a rather long reflection)
- Any special instructions (we will try to accommodate all requests, but again, cannot guarantee it due to limited space)
- Your reflection!
- The reflection file should have this format: SR_LastFirstname.doc
- All digital photographs should have this name format: SR_LastFirstname1.jpg (or .tif, .raw, etc)
- Please caption all submitted photos with the names of those pictured and/or details about the photograph itself (the 5 Ws & H)
Q: I've fully prepared my entire reflection. How do I submit it?
A: Send us your entire submission to info@berkeley.edu with "senior portraits" in the subject line. We will be in contact with you if we come across any issues regarding your submission.
Q: I still have a question that isn't listed here. How do I contact you?
A: Contact us at info@berkeley.edu with your questions.