We asked our orientation leaders to share something they wished they knew earlier when they arrived at Case Western Reserve University.
“One small but important thing I didn’t realize at first was how much initiative matters in college. Coming in, I assumed that opportunities, like research positions, leadership roles or even friendships would come more naturally over time if I just worked hard and showed up. In reality, I learned that most things require you to actively reach out, follow up and put yourself out there. Whether it was joining clubs, applying for positions or even talking to professors, the people who gained the most from their experience were the ones who took that extra step. Now, I approach things differently. I try to be more proactive, sending emails, attending events even when I’m unsure and following up with people instead of waiting. It’s a small shift, but it’s made a big difference in how much I’ve been able to get involved and grow.”
—Sachi, Class of 2028
“At first I assumed that someone would hold my hand through college like they did through high school. I realized no one is going to make me get up and get my education. I need to have that autonomy. So now, I try to be as proactive as possible about life and lead with the mentality that college is what you make it.”
—Kayla, Class of 2027
“I assumed that people from different years didn't interact with each other much. I thought people kind of hung out with people in their own grades. However, through clubs and classes, there is a lot of interaction between upperclassmen and underclassmen. Looking back, I would have started to talk to sophomore, juniors and seniors way earlier in the year. They really are the best people to approach for advice for school and in life, in general.”
—Oviya, Class of 2029
“When I first got to CWRU, I honestly thought everyone around me had everything completely figured out. I felt like I was the only one struggling to keep up with the workload. Looking back, I wish I hadn't waited until after midterms to ask for help. I’d tell any first-year student to go to Supplemental Instruction (SI) and office hours during their first week at CWRU.”
—Giorgi, Class of 2027
“The small thing I wish I knew earlier is that I did not need to enter college locked into one version of myself. When I first entered college, I assumed I had to act like the ‘perfect pre-med.’ I thought that meant focusing only on the classes and experiences that seemed directly tied to that path, and I treated anything outside of it as a distraction. However, once I came to CWRU, quite the opposite happened. The more I engaged with new classes and experiences, the more clearly I understood what truly interested me. I always knew that I loved science, but it was not until I took a bioethics course that something truly clicked. That class helped me understand why I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, and it opened new research opportunities in areas that genuinely interested me. Looking back, I wish I had let go of that pressure earlier. I still would have worked hard, but I would have given myself more freedom to explore opportunities without feeling like I was drifting from my goal. I believe I would have felt more confident earlier if I had understood that following my interests was not a distraction from my path, but what gave it direction.”
—Bianca, Class of 2028