Stepping onto campus for the first time as a Case Western Reserve University student is exciting as you consider your future, what knowledge you will gain here and who you will form friendships with along the way.
But there are plenty of uncertainties, too. Even the most basic everyday activities—such as grabbing a bite to eat or doing your laundry—will look different from your life at home. To help you find your footing, The Daily teamed up with this year’s orientation leaders to hear their advice on what new Spartans should know. Each day this week, we’ll share some of their tips to help you feel more prepared as classes start next week.
Today’s advice focuses on joining extracurricular activities, student organizations and making friends.
Advice responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Trisha Vedula
- Major: Medical anthropology
- Year: Second year
- Trisha’s advice: “It’s super important to get involved in extracurriculars. Make sure you sign up for email lists. It’s really nice to go to the activities fairs and put your name down on all the papers that they have. It’s also really great to make sure to read your email that is sent out from the organizations because they have good opportunities for you to enjoy.”
Hayden Caldwel
- Major: Computer science
- Year: Second year
- Hayden’s advice: “Make sure that you can find your community early on. [Join] a club that interests you or [discover] a new interest—[try] something that you would have never thought to do before. The sooner you do that, the sooner you’ll be able to truly fit into the university community and enjoy your time at [CWRU] more.”
Jummy Adebulu
- Majors: French, pre-medicine and psychology
- Year: 2023
- Jummy’s advice: “Go to the student activities fair–-virtually all the organizations are there, and you can sign up to be on their mailing list. Sign up for everything, then decide which ones you want to focus on; that way, you have options. And it’s a fun way to get to know CWRU and meet other people.”
Vani Subramony
- Major: Cognitive science
- Year: Second year
- Vani’s advice: “If you’re generally introverted, try your best to get out of your shell and talk to people. You probably won’t stay friends with [everyone], but you’ll at least know what it’s like to talk to people different from you. As time goes on, you’ll solidify friendships.”
Sabrina Wicker
- Major(s): Sociology
- Year: Second year
- Sabrina’s advice: “The orientation activities and social nights are where other students are looking to find some friends. Showing up on campus and going to things is a great way to settle and meet people.”
Abby Slates
- Major(s): Civil and environmental engineering
- Year: Fourth year
- Abby’s advice: “If you’re interested in engineering, visit us in the Engineering Peer Advisors office in Nord Hall on the main floor near Einstein’s Bagels. We have some great events coming up this year to help you figure out scheduling and anything like that.”
Learn about the various events hosted during Discover Week 2022.