To say junior Anna Czekaj is involved on campus would be an understatement. The psychology and sociology major is an active member of Phi Mu, University Program Board, Student Turning Point Society, Crew Club, Lambda Eta Mu Greek Honors Service Society and Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society—plus, she leads communications for Dance Marathon. So, suffice to say, as Dance Marathon’s Dancing with the CWRU Stars event approaches tomorrow, her classroom and extra-curricular schedules are in full swing.
Between her travel aspirations (she wants to visit all seven continents before graduation) and her on-campus commitments, Czekaj is lucky she mastered time management when she first got to Case Western Reserve University; to this day, it’s one of the most important things she’s learned (see question No. 4).
But, of course, a little teleporting power wouldn’t hurt.
Learn more about the Chicago native.
1. What superpower would you most like to have?
Teleportation! Being able to go from one place to another would be the best thing by far. I could be in class for a little bit and then go home to Chicago to enjoy some home-cooked food for lunch, travel to see my friend in South Africa, and then be back on campus for meetings and practice. It would be perfect.
2. What’s your favorite place to dine in Cleveland?
There is nothing better than a fresh plate of Tree Country’s Pad Thai—I absolutely love it! No other place can make it as well as Tree Country.
3. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Everything and anything. I think I changed my mind every day, from a musician to a teacher to a doctor to an astronaut. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t see myself becoming. If only I knew what I wanted to be now…
4. What accomplishments are you most proud of—personally and professionally?
I’ve always been absolutely fascinated with traveling, especially to other countries. When I was a freshman, I set a goal to visit all seven continents within four years. Back when I first had the idea, I was prepared for it to not entirely go through, but as time passed, every trip became more of a reality. With only three more continents to go, I’m getting closer! Antarctica is a toughy…
But on a brighter note, being able to complete this goal reinforces the saying that if you want something, you have to go after it. Sure, you’ll hit some roadblocks, but the best feeling comes when you overcome it and get exactly what you want in the end.
Professionally? Probably understanding how time management works—ha! If it wasn’t for the Educational Services for Students (ESS) department and their presentation on time management when I was a freshman, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do as much as I do now—or at least not as well. They definitely made me realize how much time in my day was being wasted and how much more I could get done if I just managed my time better. Thanks, ESS!
5. What’s your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve University?
All of the resources! There is something or someone for everything. You don’t really appreciate it until you leave…especially the Internet. Every time I go home, all I do is complain about how slow the Internet is. Way to spoil us, CWRU!