Case Western Reserve University Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I’d have us drive to campus together to familiarize myself to the campus. As we toured each building I would tell the past me about the all of the different offices and people that could assist me most during my degree quest. My future self would strongly suggest that I should start studying for college early and purchasing or borrowing my books from upperclassmen. I would stress the importance of making friends with other students as well as the faculty. Most importantly, I would reveal that the most significant person in my life, my Mother, would be unable to witness my college experience. Delivering this news would cause me to panic and worry, so I would comfort and assure myself that my purpose of coming back was not to frighten or discourage, but to help the future me deal with my loss so it wouldn’t negatively affect our life. Finally, I would tell my self using last words my mother ever spoke to me that no matter what happens your family loves you and that “you are going to be ok Jessica.”

Don’t be afraid. I know you’re shy and nervous, and while locking yourself in your dorm room may seem comfortable, it’s not a good idea. It might be hard to force yourself to meet new people, but try. Otherwise, you’ll just get lonely as the year progresses, when everyone else has already made friends. But also don’t worry too much if you can’t, you’ll find friends eventually. No one will be there to make sure you do your homework. In fact, usually no one will even check if you do. Do it anyway—the extra practice will come in handy. Try to study with a friend if possible, so you won’t be tempted to slack off. You’re a good student though, so even if the workload and material might seem daunting, you’ll be fine. And there’s plenty of help available if you’re still worried. Finally, make sure you do something other than study. Once again, don’t stay in your room all day. Take a break, and try to join some clubs, learn new things. Don’t end your first year with any regrets.

Make sure to start looking for scholarships early on, and keep tract of everything. Only bring what you actually need to college; the majority of stuff you end up bring will sit unused in the dorm.

During the summer before college, I worked a full-time job to save up money for the coming school year. I knew that college textbooks, accessories for my dormitory, and other expenses would add up quickly. I went into my first year of college with four thousand dollars that I had saved over the summer. I really had never had that much money in my bank account at one time before, and it was overwhelming. In the first couple weeks of college alone, I was invited to dinner, clubs, and to other social events several days a week. None of these events, however, were free but I didn't want to miss out on any of the fun. By the end of my first semester in college, my bank account had been drained. I was irresponsible with my money, and did not know how to handle such a large amount of money on my own. If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would teach myself how to make a budget and alot a certain amount of money for shopping, entertainment, groceries, and toiletries per month.

I started college 17 years after I got out of school. I would tell myself to go much sooner then I did. I spent 15 years working construction and then the real estate market took a crash and I found myself out of work and looking for a new path. I would tell myself to get in college early and give it all that you have because without a degree it is hard to acheive the same level of success.

Do not procrastinate. Although high school may come easy to you, college requires much more work. If you fall behind it is not easy to catch back up. Try to find a friends to study with in each class. Nothing helps you more than to have a friend to discuss hard to comprehend topics with. This will also help to motivate you to study. Get involved in clubs right from the beginning. It's a great way to make more friends, and graduate schools really look for well rounded people. It is important to find friends that care just as much about going to class and making good grades as you. You do not need bad influences in your life, find people that make you want to move forward.

College is challenging under the best of conditions. Tack on a full-time job, the responsibility of supporting a family, a few minutes for personal pursuits (like sleeping and bathing), and sometimes it feels like I’m living in a blender. I’m proud to be part of a growing demographic: adults returning to school. Despite our differences, our common experience unites us; fears faced, obstacles overcome, challenges still ahead. By sharing my story I share OUR story, a story not often told but worth telling. Three years ago, I was a high-school dropout with a low-paying factory job. I worked my way through the GED and community college, before, incredibly, reaching my dream-school: Case Western, a prestigious private university. In many ways, the journey was expensive, but the self-respect gained and the friendships forged are priceless. I was one of many to take this path, and many more will follow. Along the way, we discover qualities the successful nontraditional student must possess: dedication, determination, and the ability to transform our limited resources into something valuable. Far from being a disadvantage, our triumphs over adversity are our greatest assets, and the key to our future success.

My college experience has taught me that I am in competition with a lot of my peers and I must get the top grades and best attendance to be considered in the workforce. It has also taught me how important it is to pursue an education just to have a stable and secure place of employment.

As I have spent time taking classes from a wide range of different subjects, my mind has been filled with a plethora of new and exciting information. I have discovered worlds I never would have known exsited, found pieces of myself I didn't know before, and developed a greater sense of my place in the world. While all of the these things are valuable and worthwhile, the most important thing I have gotten out of my college experience is the ability to learn. While stretching my reach, I have found myself challeged to think deeper and evaluate things more critically. In the workplace I have found the greatest value in my ability to adapt and develop a sense of what is happening at a more intelectual level. College gave me the ability to continue to expand my knowledge and sense of self throughout my entire life. College gave me the opportunity to learn outside the walls of the classroom.

I can honestly say these past four years have tranformed me completely. I came into CWRU as a young girl, who didn't know what to expect from a predominantly white university. There were few people that attended a university and fewer that finished where I grew up. To have went through one of the top universities in my field as a (nurse) and complete this fall, means the world to me. I have a bigger picture on the world. My education has shown me many things that I may aspire to and know that if I can make it through here, I can make it anywhere. The only thing holding me at this point is my financial situation. The school has helped in everyway possible, my parents are even trying to help. As far as I have come, I know that this will not be a deterant from reaching my dreams and goals. As I climb this ladder, I always will remember to assist the next generation, which is one of the qualities that CWRU have installeed in me.