5 Things Freshmen Should Know

As unbelievable as it sounds, we’re nearing the two month mark! Although adapting to my new life went smoother and easier than I thought it would go, there were a few things I wished I knew before starting out:

1. Bring clothes for all temperatures–including summer!
I had read all about the harsh Ithaca winters, so I prepared myself for the worst. I packed all my winter clothes into two big boxes and shipped them up, ready to fill my closet with parkas, thermal shirts and boots. I figured I’d bring a few summer outfits for the first few days at Cornell, when I knew the weather would be relatively warm –and I’m glad I did!

I did not know how bipolar the weather is here! I was expecting to have to break out my winter clothes early in the semester. No one told me that the weather goes from pretty cold one week to warm and sunny the next. Take, for example, Fall Break weekend–I was able to go swimming and tanning without worrying about freezing when the prior week, I was layering shirts to keep warm! I definitely wish I had known to pack a few extra summer outfits for the odd days where Ithaca decides to be kind and give us a little extra sunshine.

2. Campus isn’t a runway.
“I brought a lot of cute stuff to wear, but I noticed it’s not necessary,” says Ana Padilla ’15. “As long as you make it to class, it’s all good!”

As much as you’re looking forward to strutting your stuff on the Arts Quad, remember that in real life, you’re going to be too busy to plan out complicated outfits. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself seeking out less glamorous additions to your closet.

“I had to buy more hoodies and a good pair of rain boots,” Ana says.

3. Study the map! 
While it may seem trivial, I wish I had taken a better look at the map before attempting to set off to the different orientation week events, meeting places and classes. Despite the fact that many other people are doing the same, it’s always embarrassing being that person who is pulling out his or her map to see how to get to the Arts Quad, one of the Libraries or back to North. At one point or another, we all have to resort to looking at the map. But getting familiar with where you’re headed before setting off will help you avoid utter confusion. Karen Li ’15 expressed her frustration with getting Olin and Uris confused: “I walked into Uris Hall’s Rusty’s Café expecting to see a nice area to sit and study, when I saw people typing away with their laptops on their laps and not on desks! I thought: ‘This is supposed to be a library! Where are the desks? Where are the books?’”
 
4. People are actually FRIENDLY!
I got accustomed to hearing how people could be mean in the “real world” after leaving my little “high school bubble.” What I didn’t know was how wrong that was! I arrived at Cornell and was instantly surprised. The people here are some of the friendliest I have had the pleasure to meet. I realized we are all in the same boat: in an unfamiliar environment, looking to make lifelong friendships. People are right in the sense that it is not high school anymore, but that’s a good thing! No one makes fun of you if you sit alone, it’s not weird for you to approach someone who seems to have a similar interest, faculty are always open to listen to anything and no one will give you a rude look and a hasty answer when you ask for help. It was definitely one of the most reassuring things I first encountered on campus!
 
5. Learn to manage your time.
If you thought you procrastinated during high school, the lure of procrastination only escalates in college! Think about it: you’re living with your friends, a café or hang out area is a mere walk away, and in most cases, classes don’t last all day, every day. It’s easy to abuse the freedom we are given: no parents, no one to control what we do with our time. While at first this was music to my ears, I definitely learned the hard way that it is a blessing and a curse. It is extremely tempting to give up studying to walk down the hall to visit a floor mate or join dorm members at the pool or ping-pong table. I realized how simple it was to get behind in reading. Plus, due to the fact that “homework” isn’t really assigned, it feels like the work we are assigned to do can wait. It’s definitely a shock when I sit down to assess what I have to do and see that the work has piled on!