AboveTheRim

My personal opinion is that he doesn't get it, or he's too shy to ask you out. 
 
If I were you, I wouldn't ask him out on a date. It's waaayyyy too formal and might freak him out. Instead, go grab lunch or coffee or take a walk... Something informal like that. But DON'T talk about research. In fact, once you two are out, make a pinky swear or something "cute" like that to not talk about academics. Maybe mention in passing that he seems like an awesome person but he's "mysterious" or something, and you want to get to know him better. Of course, I would still use research to get him to come to the coffee/lunch/walk thing, because he seems passionate about it.
 
I'm a male, by the way. I don't know if I carry more or less weight on this subject lol

At a previous job of mine, they were really into Steven Covey's planners and his ideas about planning. First thing's first, I would definitely get a planner. It doesn't have to be a Steven Covey planner, but you need a visual daily reminder of what's up next.
 
Then, the thing that I learned that helped me out the most was the idea of "Big rocks vs. Little rocks". Basically, each day (or week, depending on your preference), you plan your day (or week) according to the things most important. So, let's say you have a paper due next Friday. One of your "Big rocks" next week would be to do research, determine a thesis, start an introduction... so on and so forth. This is why daily planning is better, because Sunday could be your research and thesis day, Monday your intro day..........
 
Now, the "Little rocks" are things that need to be done eventually, but aren't pressing issues. Let's say your rent is due on the 1st. Well, today is the 25th, so you want to get the check to your landlord soon, but it doesn't need to be done today (unless you have to mail it). I got so reliant on planning this way, that soon I was planning calls to my parents, lunches, and even naps!
 
Hope this helps somewhat.

My personal opinion is that he doesn't get it, or he's too shy to ask you out. 
 
If I were you, I wouldn't ask him out on a date. It's waaayyyy too formal and might freak him out. Instead, go grab lunch or coffee or take a walk... Something informal like that. But DON'T talk about research. In fact, once you two are out, make a pinky swear or something "cute" like that to not talk about academics. Maybe mention in passing that he seems like an awesome person but he's "mysterious" or something, and you want to get to know him better. Of course, I would still use research to get him to come to the coffee/lunch/walk thing, because he seems passionate about it.
 
I'm a male, by the way. I don't know if I carry more or less weight on this subject lol

My personal opinion is that he doesn't get it, or he's too shy to ask you out. 
 
If I were you, I wouldn't ask him out on a date. It's waaayyyy too formal and might freak him out. Instead, go grab lunch or coffee or take a walk... Something informal like that. But DON'T talk about research. In fact, once you two are out, make a pinky swear or something "cute" like that to not talk about academics. Maybe mention in passing that he seems like an awesome person but he's "mysterious" or something, and you want to get to know him better. Of course, I would still use research to get him to come to the coffee/lunch/walk thing, because he seems passionate about it.
 
I'm a male, by the way. I don't know if I carry more or less weight on this subject lol

My personal opinion is that he doesn't get it, or he's too shy to ask you out. 
 
If I were you, I wouldn't ask him out on a date. It's waaayyyy too formal and might freak him out. Instead, go grab lunch or coffee or take a walk... Something informal like that. But DON'T talk about research. In fact, once you two are out, make a pinky swear or something "cute" like that to not talk about academics. Maybe mention in passing that he seems like an awesome person but he's "mysterious" or something, and you want to get to know him better. Of course, I would still use research to get him to come to the coffee/lunch/walk thing, because he seems passionate about it.
 
I'm a male, by the way. I don't know if I carry more or less weight on this subject lol

My personal opinion is that he doesn't get it, or he's too shy to ask you out. 
 
If I were you, I wouldn't ask him out on a date. It's waaayyyy too formal and might freak him out. Instead, go grab lunch or coffee or take a walk... Something informal like that. But DON'T talk about research. In fact, once you two are out, make a pinky swear or something "cute" like that to not talk about academics. Maybe mention in passing that he seems like an awesome person but he's "mysterious" or something, and you want to get to know him better. Of course, I would still use research to get him to come to the coffee/lunch/walk thing, because he seems passionate about it.
 
I'm a male, by the way. I don't know if I carry more or less weight on this subject lol

My personal opinion is that he doesn't get it, or he's too shy to ask you out. 
 
If I were you, I wouldn't ask him out on a date. It's waaayyyy too formal and might freak him out. Instead, go grab lunch or coffee or take a walk... Something informal like that. But DON'T talk about research. In fact, once you two are out, make a pinky swear or something "cute" like that to not talk about academics. Maybe mention in passing that he seems like an awesome person but he's "mysterious" or something, and you want to get to know him better. Of course, I would still use research to get him to come to the coffee/lunch/walk thing, because he seems passionate about it.
 
I'm a male, by the way. I don't know if I carry more or less weight on this subject lol

My personal opinion is that he doesn't get it, or he's too shy to ask you out. 
 
If I were you, I wouldn't ask him out on a date. It's waaayyyy too formal and might freak him out. Instead, go grab lunch or coffee or take a walk... Something informal like that. But DON'T talk about research. In fact, once you two are out, make a pinky swear or something "cute" like that to not talk about academics. Maybe mention in passing that he seems like an awesome person but he's "mysterious" or something, and you want to get to know him better. Of course, I would still use research to get him to come to the coffee/lunch/walk thing, because he seems passionate about it.
 
I'm a male, by the way. I don't know if I carry more or less weight on this subject lol

Ahhhhhhh!!!! I know EXACTLY how you feel!! I haven't moved to the new city yet, but I'm counting down the days until I do. 
 
On a side note: It's weird saying Goodbye's....

The answer to your question is going to strongly depend on your credit score, which I'm not asking you to share publicly, but just know that if it's under 650, it's best to go with a credit union credit card. The rates are low, but as someone else said you won't get many perks. If you have a score better than 650, you should definitely shop around. You can get a credit card with no annual fee, cash back options, low APRs, etc.
 
Personally, I shopped credit cards by opening an account at www.creditkarma.com . They give you a breakdown of your credit and of credit cards that you're likely to get approved for based on your credit. Best of all, it's free. 

The answer to your question is going to strongly depend on your credit score, which I'm not asking you to share publicly, but just know that if it's under 650, it's best to go with a credit union credit card. The rates are low, but as someone else said you won't get many perks. If you have a score better than 650, you should definitely shop around. You can get a credit card with no annual fee, cash back options, low APRs, etc.
 
Personally, I shopped credit cards by opening an account at www.creditkarma.com . They give you a breakdown of your credit and of credit cards that you're likely to get approved for based on your credit. Best of all, it's free. 

It all depends on your financial responsibilities going into school (car note, phone bill, etc.). Will you be living on campus or off? 
 
Ideally, you want to live bare bones for a couple months and get an idea of how much money you need to survive in a month including bills. Then I would save at least six months worth of that amount. Also take into account difference of living expense from where you are now to Berkeley -- if you are moving. (Congrats by the way).
 
I would also pay off all credit card debt. It's really easy to make minimum payments while in school, which just racks up interest.