This is part of a series of columns written by Arts & Sciences Student Ambassadors.
Call home regularly!
Plenty of people feel homesick at first and this is completely normal! Regularly updating my family and friends from home with what I am doing on campus helped me feel connected.
Experiment with different libraries and find your favorite
Some days I like to study in collaborative environments (like the Physical Sciences Building, PSB) and other days I need some quiet (Sidney Cox Music Library). Span beyond Olin and Uris and find different spots that bring you joy
Explore classes outside your major! (how I wound up with a second major)
My first semester, I only took two classes for the bio major. Use the distribution requirements as a helpful way to branch out, not as something to just check off.
Talk to your professors outside of class
It can seem scary, but they are here to help! Professors can offer advice about how to succeed in a course or how to explore a topic that interests you more deeply.
Make friends in your classes
At first, I struggled with very large class sizes coming from a small high school. Getting the contact of one or two people in your class or asking to meet for lunch and studying can make a world of a difference.
Learn how to plan your schedule
One of the biggest differences I had to adapt to coming to college was the independence. It is different than a 8-3 class schedule every day. Whether using an online calendar or physical planner keeps you accountable, staying organized sets you up for success.
Get to know the people in your dorm!
Whether you are in smaller suite set-up or have a dorm that is in a long hallway, the people you live with are such a great circle to have. Getting dinner together or attending welcome events is an awesome way to branch out without being too demanding.
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Explore campus outside of classes.
Cornell is full of so many talented and passionate individuals. Whether going to a hockey game, or watching an on-campus dance club, learn to appreciate other peoples’ passions and how they can enrich your experience.
Come up with a favorite way to take breaks
I enjoyed hanging out in RPCC (Robert Purcell Community Center) with friends freshman year, taking advantage of the Tatkon New Student Center often. When it is warm, sitting on a bench on the quad can be the most beautiful moment! Take care of yourself to be the best student possible.
Be grateful for every day in A&S, even the hard ones. It will truly fly by before you know it.
Writing this column as a senior, every day was not easy, but I came out stronger and a better thinker. I love the A&S community and am so sad to leave soon. Treasure every moment in this intellectually stimulating home!
Musso is a biological sciences and Italian major in the College of Arts & Sciences.
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