10 things every CWRU student should know: Discover Week edition

Editor’s note: Medha Karumanchi, the author of this story, is a student employee in the University Marketing and Communications department. She is a second-year CWRU student majoring in biochemistry.

By the time your orientation lanyard is tucked away and your first syllabi are handed out, you’ll realize there’s a lot about Case Western Reserve University that no one tells you: the unspoken wisdom, unofficial hacks and small things that only emerge after you’ve been here a while. 

Whether it’s thriving in winter, mastering the dining hall rush or finding the best nap spot between classes, here’s what every new Spartan should know.

Want to feel like you’ve been here for a year already? Keep these tips in your back pocket. CWRU has plenty of official resources, but it’s the little, unofficial lessons that make your first year unforgettable.

1. Don’t underestimate the Leutner lunch rush. 

Yes, the dining halls are all-you-care-to-eat, but during peak times (especially 12–1:30 p.m.), Leutner becomes a slow-moving sea of backpacks and tray traffic. If you want hot food fast, either go early or late. Fribley on South Side tends to be calmer but has fewer seating options. 

And here’s the real secret: The Jolly Scholar may look like just a campus bar, but it serves surprisingly solid lunch wraps and you can use your meal swipes at select times. 

2. Mitchell’s is a local legend. 

New students quickly learn that Mitchell’s Ice Cream is practically a rite of passage. But if you go on a Friday night after 8 p.m., prepare for a line that wraps around Uptown. 

Pro tip: Sneak in that ice cream fix during a weekday afternoon or early evening for peanut butter chocolate chunk bliss without the wait. 

3. There are study spots no one tells you about. 

Everyone flocks to the Kelvin Smith Library (KSL), but upper floors fill fast and outlets are scarce. For a unique setting, the Cleveland Museum of Art atrium is a hidden gem (yes, you can study there and visit for free), with natural light and calming energy. Or head to a high floor of Sears think[box] for views, quiet, and excellent Wi-Fi. 

4. Beware of scheduling self-sabotage. 

Just because you can register for organic chemistry, development and physiology, and an Academic Inquiry Seminar in the same semester doesn’t mean you should. Many students quickly discover what burnout feels like. 

Ask older students, advisors or Reddit—certain class combinations are known campuswide as “no-fly zones.” Plan wisely, and don’t be afraid to leave room for breathing. 

5. There are tunnels!

When the lake-effect snow kicks in and the wind off Euclid Avenue starts attacking your soul, you’ll be grateful for CWRU’s hidden tunnel system. You can walk underground between buildings on Case Quad, such as Sears Tower, Wickenden, and Olin, which is a lifesaver in winter (or when you’re just tired of wet socks). 

6. Keep PBL weird. 

The Peter B. Lewis (PBL) building’s curved staircases and Escher-like layout may seem confusing, but there’s a reason upperclassmen love it. It’s full of sun-drenched nooks that make excellent study or nap spots. 

Bonus: Some rooms overlook Euclid Avenue and are perfect for people-watching during a break between classes. 

7. Laundry Sunday is a trap. 

It sounds smart to save laundry for Sunday evening, until everyone else has the same idea. Machines are packed, clothes get mixed up, and you may have to spend half the night trying to find your missing socks. Try Tuesday or Thursday mornings if you can swing it. 

8. The best social tool? Try GroupMe. 

CWRU students live on GroupMe and Discord. Whether it’s your dorm floor, study group, student org or class section, you’ll probably be invited to five group chats within your first week. That’s where free food announcements, study guides and meme culture live. 

9. Wind tunnels are real. 

Tinkham Veale University Center might look sleek and modern, but it channels wind like a jet engine. Wear a windbreaker (with a hood that stays up) and secure your umbrella if you’re walking past there on a stormy day. Or just cut through Nord where it’s warmer and safer for your hair. 

10. CWRU has traditions. 

You may not understand Hudson Relays, Spot Night or the obsession with Springfest right away, but they’re part of what makes campus feel like home. These events occur annually, draw large student participation, and reflect long-standing traditions that contribute to the university’s culture and student life.