An Apology to My Dad: How I Learned to Take Control of My Education
During my first two years of High School, I was notorious for procrastinating and going to great lengths to avoid work — even going to the extent of throwing away my math homework, so my dad would not know that I wasn’t doing it.
A Walk Through a Day in the Life of a CLE Student
Things that are normal for CLE students to do can be challenges for them and thus they need the structure and support of their schedules to accomplish them and maintain their lives. Through this structure, a CLE student can work their way to not only independence but also towards living a full and successful life.
New Student Syndrome
Are you a new student? You may have NSS! Fortunately, you can educate and prepare for this affliction by reading ahead.
CLE Was Instrumental in My Success
Allison Kronen came to CLE 4 years ago looking for a program that would offer her the academic and life skills she needed to succeed independently in life. Allison always knew her love for animals, specifically dogs, would bring her to becoming a professional dog groomer. She fondly remembers CLE today as a “Great Home Away from Home.”
Independence, Relationships, and Employment
By Kati Strong, Education Coordinator CLE Austin At CLE, we have the privilege of working with students from all over [...]
Cosplay Explained
By Coral Brown, Student CLE Davie I first got into cosplay because a friend was talking about it. I was [...]
A Growth Mindset
Thomas Edison built hundreds of unsuccessful bulbs before he finally made a perfect one. Having a fixed mindset would have prevented [...]
First Times
My first times: an interview with Rachel Preston, First Year CLE Student.
Japan in Hindsight
Riley Smith is a student at the Costa Mesa center who traveled with CLE to Japan in summer of 2015. He was interviewed about his experience.
My Life with Autism
My life with autism has been an interesting and challenging life, but I never imagined that I would be advocating for people and kids in the autism community. It first started when I was in 8th grade. I was not properly diagnosed until I was 14 years old, and I felt like I needed to tell my classmates about why I acted and learned differently than they did. So I wrote a letter explaining my autism and I decided to read it out loud in front of my class, along with my teacher and school principal. When I first went up, I was a little nervous because I don’t always like talking in front of people, but I got over it fast. All I needed to do was read from my letter, and I did. When I was done, I got an applause. That was my first time telling my personal story of autism, and I thought as I got into high school, I could tell more about the autism community.
New Year’s Revolution
As long as I can remember every January 1st people have begun the New Year with a promise of a better year. It’s a way to re-write the wrongs we didn’t from the previous year. The tradition stems all the way back to the Babylonian era. The Babylonians made promises at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. Doing the right thing and giving back does seem like a worthwhile idea. Sadly, in our modern times it has became more about ‘self’ with improving physical well-being topping the list of most popular goals for New Year’s resolutions.
What I Would Tell my Younger Self
In 2010 I graduated from high school and moved to Austin, Texas where I started College Living Experience. I didn't know what to expect when I got there, it was scary and challenging, but only because I made it that way. At the time, I thought I knew everything about life and I didn’t need to learn anything, boy was I wrong. As a result, I did not listen to others’ advice and I wasted a lot of time instead of making good use of the program and the CLE staff.