The Observer, September 7, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 2
A Fresh Perspective: Make the most of your first year
And so ends the second week of classes for the Class of 2011. The transition from the never-ending activities of Welcome Days to our courses has been smooth. Most of us are lucky to have professors that are enthusiastic about their work, and you can really see it in the way they teach. The campus is beautiful, despite the occasional 'interesting' sculpture scattered about. Rush week provided a variety of activities for everyone to attend, spanning from free food to fun games.
Opportunities abound both on- and off-campus. Living in the North Residential Village, freshmen are lucky to be very close to the great cultural institutions of the area (I just wish the trek to the quad was as short). Being from New York, I am having difficulty wrapping my head around a city that does sleep, but Cleveland has proved to be a great escape from study and dorm life. The transit system is great; I am taking full advantage of my RTA pass.
Walking around campus, one may observe people playing ultimate Frisbee, simply relaxing between classes, or frantically hunched over their overpriced textbooks. As freshmen, we are thrust into college life, but Case has been very welcoming. Upperclassmen, faculty, and staff have been incredibly helpful and kind.
Thankfully, the food does not live up to the horror stories of college dining. Avoiding the 'freshman 15' will not be a problem as long as healthy choices are made: easy enough to accomplish because of the variety of food the dining halls offer. Leutner has some pretty good choices, as does Fribley.
In order to get to know the campus, I take a different route home each day to get to know the area, and try to eat at different places. I also attended the activities fair, which presented some great opportunities for clubs and organizations. I guess it comes down to making the most out of your college life.
We will make connections that will last us a lifetime, and the same goes for memories. The quality of the memories depends on you; make the most of your college experience.
Victor Rodriguez is a first-year engineering physics major and an enthusiastic memeber of Engineers Without Borders.
