<p>Ever since my freshmen year, I just felt like I really dont belong at the school I go to (which is Case Western Reserve University). I loathe waking up everyday to see the people that happen to go to this school with me because I feel that I'm not like them. Dont get me wrong, I've made plenty of friends, but I just dont feel like I fit in with the norm of my school which is "Study All day everyday, with some play on the weekends if possible." I'm more of a "study for a bit, get some relaxing in" kind of guy.</p>
<p>But the dissimilarities dont stop there. I'm not sure if its me or what but I really dont like this school's general taste in music. The majority of students that go here listen to classic rock, pop rock, country, or jazz while I'm inclined to hard rock, r&b, and rap/hip-hop. I try to at least pretend to like some of their stuff but I just dont (im sure they're thinking the same thing about what i listen to). I remember in one of my Portuguese classes, we were going around naming our favorite musicians (5 people in the class) and the other 4 people named legendary jazz musicians and 70s rockers while I named someone more current. </p>
<p>Also, I am a black guy and it seems like everywhere I walk around my school I get awkward stares from the Caucasians, shunned by the blacks (since I'm not "hood" like they pretend to be but thats another story), and just blatantly ignored by the Asians, making it hard to really try to talk to talk to the general populace</p>
<p>anyone else feel like a fish out of water at their school?</p>
<p>People who, in this day in age, believe that racism isn’t still a problem need to open their eyes and ears. </p>
<p>Now back to the initial topic, I don’t think that fitting in with the general population is a big deal at all unless you can’t find your niche. Things like music taste and work ethics are more superficial things that don’t really matter much in the grand scheme of things. Now, perceiving that you are judged because of your race is a serious issue, but also be assured that you aren’t just letting your expectations come to life and that you are making an effort to make connections. I’m probably not going to randomly strike up a conversation with a random black person I walk by, not because they’re black, but because I’m not likely to do this with ANYBODY I walk by randomly. </p>
<p>As for me, I absolutely do not fit with the general campus culture at my school. I don’t like sports, I hate pop and rap, I’m not athletic, I take academics very seriously, and I am not into partying. However, I have my niche and I absolutely LOVE my school because although I’m not like everyone I encounter, most people here are really nice regardless and even if we wouldn’t hang on weekends, we still get along. Then, the little subset of the population that I DO fit into are some of the greatest friends I have made in my life.</p>
<p>Just a bit late. lol jk. but yes I really should have</p>
<p>@hyperJulie</p>
<p>I think you’re right. I haven’t really found a place where I fit in. I tried a few different clubs and organizations and student government, but just didnt really fit in at all. Who knows.</p>
<p>Why don’t you transfer (assuming you still can)? It definitely seems like Case Western isn’t the correct fit for you. My first school wasn’t the experience I was looking for and I got out and found a better fit.</p>
<p>Transferring is an option, but I feel like it is a last resort. If you really feel out of place and that you cannot relate to the people there, then transfer by all means. A lot of people on these boards look down on state schools to a degree, but I can tell you from experience that there is an enormous amount of diversity in these schools. I mean, out of 30,000 students (at least at my school), there are bound to be some people that you would fit in with.</p>
<p>I’ve lived near Case my entire life and had an internship there for the past year and I definitely agree with a lot of what you’re saying. There is this huge divide between the different races and socio-economic statuses. I applied because my mom wanted me too but I was glad to be rejected. The environment is very stuffy and academic all the time. Academics are important, very, but it’s like you’re bombarded with it constantly. Plus, so many people look miserable around campus that there’s no energy. It’s in a very lively part of Cleveland so that’s always bothered me.</p>
<p>If you feel it’s not a good fit, I would look into transferring. It won’t hurt to Google some things.</p>
<p>I considered that. but since I’m 2 years away from graduating (as I’m changing majors), I figure that I survived for 3 years already, I can survive another 2. Living off campus should make things a bit easier. Only needing to go to campus for class and whatever other activity I decide to try. </p>
<p>@meShannon
Thats a very good point about the people looking miserable and sad. Its just frustrating when we have campuswide functions like Spring Fest and people arent even there. its just very depressing. Like school spirit is nonexistent.</p>
<p>Magneto; I’m relieved that you have “plenty of friends”; your posting is a cautionary tale regarding the importance of “fit”. The Fiske Guide rates Case Western as four pens for Academics, two phones for Social, and three stars for Quality of Life. Three of everything is average. Party schools have four or more phones. Thus, it sounds as though your assessment is not too far off base. University of Chicago “where fun goes to die” has five pens and two phones.</p>
<p>When my daughter visited schools, she always asked students what kind of music/artists the kids there listened to. I laugh at this <em>test</em>, but since these were small LACs and not large universities, I don’t think it would necessarily be true that she would find her peeps, esp. since her tastes run urban (vs. suburban). </p>
<p>Continue to work on building YOUR community and support system. Feeling racially isolated is very stressful. You may want to consider cutting some of those AA bros & sistahs some slack and giving them a second chance even though they act cooler than thou. (I went through the same thing when I went to college. Different race, however.) At the very least, the music might be more to your taste!</p>
<p>If you’re not comfortable at a school for any reason don’t feel bad about transferring. If you’re contstantly feeling like you don’t belong then you might not perform as well academically. It could affect other aspects of your life. I don’t go to the same school as you, but I know exactly what you mean by not being “hood” enough. If you can find a niche up there then great, but if you can’t don’t feel bad about deciding to transfer.</p>
<p>Try joining a group or club that caters to your interests. That way people won’t think “oh look, there’s the black guy who doesn’t act like other black guys and doesn’t share my musical tastes or study habits,” instead they’ll think “oh look, another open source software enthusiast, finally I can have a discussion about stuff <em>I</em> care about!”</p>
<p>@CCsiteObsessed
Thanks for that. I try to keep my assessment of Case fair, but sometimes it can be hard since there really is alot that is negative about it. I’ll try my “race” again, but I fear that it wont be successful since most AA people here are too into the clique thing and dont really have a sense of unity given the fact there’s only like 10 of us here (i exaggerate).</p>
<p>@Macro117
I considered transferring, but I’m at the point where I only have 2 years left and I’m switching majors to something less time consuming and miserable. I figure the even if I am miserable, I’ll be off campus anyway so it wont really matter that much. But I understand what you’re saying. This is kind of my fault for not touring the school when I was accepted or applying, but alas in my high school senior year, i didnt really do alot of things that i should of done.</p>
<p>@TomServo
I have tried joining groups. I tried student government but it was completely run by Seniors (since i was a Freshmen) and I personally felt that I wasnt getting anything out of it. I tried to introduce myself to the people in our government but that just didnt go well. I tried the other clubs that I thought would be interesting but those turned out to not be anything exciting. I’m considering joining a fraternity this year with people I’m actually friends with. so hopefully that will make the remaining 2 years bearable</p>