Name: Courtney A Kase

Email: cak40@pitt.edu

Hometown: Tinley Park, IL

Interests: Live music, Traveling, College sports, Running, The New York Times, My Family and Friends

Major: Neuroscience, History and Philosophy of Science

Year: Junior

Favorite Quote: "Your life is yours to build as you choose. And did I tell you … I hope it is a good life"

Homesickness: Some people get homesick and others don't; you can't really predict it. Homesickness wasn't an issue for me during my Freshman year, but it actually was the fall of my Sophomore year. There were a few things I found to be helpful to counter homesickness. The simplest is making plans to get meals with my friends; pretty soon you'll be having "family dinners" every week. For me, writing letters home was a way to stay in touch, but also allow me to get used to the separation. Most importantly, make it a point to get to know the surroundings better; the more you know the more comfortable you are.

Student Organizations: The options are practically infinite when it comes to student organizations at Pitt. Cultural, educational, athletic, advocacy, etc; really there is a group for any interest imaginable. Additionally, the process to start a new student organization is not difficult, and definitely encouraged.

Midterms: Being a science major has given me different experiences than those of a different field when it comes to midterms. Specifically in my neuroscience classes, over the course of the semester there are usually 5 non-cumulative exams, and therefore I have those exams about every 3 weeks. Even if this is a different schedule, my advice is the same: exams will converge on the same week, maybe even the same day, so when the syllabus is given out make note of the day. You will be more successful with test taking if you plan ahead and give yourself enough time to study for multiple exams.

What I wish I knew as a freshman: Half-Price - every freshman should know that in the late hours a number of Oakland restaurants will feed them for half the price. Plan out your academic schedule so that classes fit in to the amount of time you want to spend at Pitt. Diverse cuisine - around Oakland and nearby the neighborhoods there are so many delicious food options.

Oakland: Oakland is the home of Pitt's campus. It is one of the neighborhoods of the city of Pittsburgh. The nice thing about Oakland is that it has "college town" qualities and still in a vibrant city. Nearly all students live in and around campus, and there definitely a sense of community. Getting around campus is easy to do because everything is here in Oakland, and with public transportation students are able to go in and around Pittsburgh.