The Gold Book
by Capri Wroten


The Introduction
to The Gold Book
Hello, I am Capri Wroten, a soon-to-be two-time alumna of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. As an East-side Chicago native, I thought I would be able to finesse college in the same way I have my past educational experiences. I have been proven wrong and stood corrected many times at this institution. If I was a case study, I should have graduated in four years and not have endured many of the trials that I have encountered during my undergraduate journey.
Like some of you, I could not attend my first-choice college, but I have learned that when life gives you lemons, make sure not to squirt the lemon juice in your eye. I created this guide because there is so much I wished that I had known and applied as an undergraduate student. I want you to understand that there are systems at play that have made it hard for you to navigate these spaces easily.