Andrew Beck ’17 (A history major and biology minor from Atlanta, Georgia) looked into the College of Wooster’s resources for people with learning disabilities even before he came here and was impressed with what APEX at Wooster would offer to help him with dyslexia. A goalie for Wooster’s soccer team, Andrew believes that the skills he has developed because of his passion for sports and soccer in particular have helped him hone his approach to academics. He says his focus during the game translates into his focus on academics and school. “I have accepted that I am different [in terms of my learning abilities] but that does not mean that there’s something I can’t do. I don’t know how to quit,” says Andrew. He refuses to be discouraged by his dyslexia and since day one at college, he has taken the help of the Learning Center as well as the Academic Advising staff to help him through his academic career. Andrew meets with Assistant Director of the Learning Center Amber Larson every week to discuss a strategic plan of how to navigate his coursework. They discuss any tests or assignments and his general progress in classes. Aspiring to attend veterinary school in the future, Andrew meets regularly with Associate Dean of Academic Advising, Alison Schmidt to help him plan the classes he needs to take and a general career path after Wooster. Andrews also comments that the Writing Center has been extremely patient with him and has been instrumental in helping him with his difficulties in writing.
“I have been coming to APEX since the beginning. They have really worked hard and done their best to make things easier for me,” Andrew affirms.