Cornell College Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Bailey

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior and give myself advice, I would tell myself to stop stressing. I spent so much of senior year stressing about applications and decisions that I did not fully get to enjoy so much of my final year in high school. I would have told myself that there is a certain feeling you get when you know what's right for you, in this instance which college is right for me. I knew as soon as I visited Cornell College that that was the school for me. However I didn't do that until February so I could have spent so much less time worrying about making the wrong choice.

Emily

The first advice I would give myself is to enjoy my senior year and also to look into more schools. I did not look into that many schools, although, I do not regret attending Cornell College. I would also look more into scholarships and grants. The best life advice I would give to myself is to live life to the fullest. I worried about a lot of things during my senior year and forgot to actually have fun. That everything is temporary and we should appreciate everything we have.

Memories

Calm down, you stupid girl. Don't judge people as soon as you meet them. When you do that, you've already judged yourself. You have immediately found yourself worthy of being judged by the bane in others' stares. You've already found yourself soaked in their disdain as their eyes pass over you, another average face who can't accept them for who they are. Look in the mirror. What do you see? I see a young confident girl who should be filled with confidence peppered with humility, not conceit and arrogance. Don't shut people out just because you're scared. Don't be afraid to admit when you need help. Everything will be alright, you just need to open up a little and let people in even if you're feeling alright.

Marissa

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would've told myself to keep an open mind about what I want to study. Throughout high school, I was completely sure that I wanted to be a journalism major. It was my dream, and that was all that I focused on. Once I started college, I quickly realized the field wasn't going in the direction I wanted, and so I felt lost. I wish I could've told myself that it's okay to not know what you want to study; most people I know that came into college with an intended major has changed it several times now. It's good to have an idea of what you're interested in, but you'll have time freshman year to try out all sorts of classes and majors, and the most important thing is to find a field you are truly passionate about. Nothing is set in stone when you enter college, and you don't need to force yourself to continue with a major you don't love. Take time and find you passion; that's what college is for.

Claudia

Dear Claudia, As a senior in college who will soon be attending Graduate School, I would like to advice you about your undergraduate life. I will tell you now, do not worry or stress too much. You may feel like a failure when you receive your first B; however, you will understand that your grade does not reflect the amount of knowledge that you gained from class. Also, be prepared to change your professional goals. Finding a profession that satisfies your desire to help people will be both stressful and exciting. However, you will create the best memories along this journey. Along the path, you will find your passion of wanting to become an Art Therapist. In addition, don’t be afraid to make friends. The relationships that you create are going to be unforgettable. Everyone you meet will teach you something new about life. For example, your first roommate will teach you that there is no need to get angry. On the other hand, your second roommate will make you appreciate the fact that you are able to manage stress, and not become upset over small things. Enjoy, and remember, "You cannot fail if you do not give up."

Amy

If I had the chance to give my high school self advice there is a lot I could tell myself but, listed and explain here are two main points of advice. First of all, I would say that all the classes you are taking are very important even if the material seems to be senseless. The course work in college is a much quicker pace and the things you learn in high school will be extremely helpful later in college and in life. The "senseless" work trains your mind to think in different ways which helps with problem solving. Secondly, my high school self would need to know that I should not only complete the bare minimum to just pass the class. Even though you passed the test do you really know what you learned because you will have to know it later. Retaining the information in high school will be much easier in two long semesters rather than in one short semester. If I would have been able to convince my high school self of this I would be doing much better in college and I would have had my degree and be applying for graduate school by now.

Cindy

Be more outgoing! Everyone is in the same situation, it's okay to act a little silly. Get involved on campus right away. Leave your door open. Talk to people!

Allyson

Be flexible and don't get caught up on the little things.

Kimoli

Knowing what I know now about college life and transitions, I think the biggest advice I can give is to, “B.E”. B.E stands for Be Efficient. It’s something I’ve kept telling myself to keep me motivated. After graduating high school you are responsible for your own being, learning, responsibilities & choices. Be prepared about making life decisions, be prepared about giving up what you “rather” do, for what you “need” to do. Most importantly be prepared for stumbles in your educational journey. You may feel as though, the world is caving in—that’s just reality settling in, letting you know you’ll be okay. As a second year college student and first in my family to go to college, I had the choice of either getting a job or attending college and maintaining career. Now self, be smart about all decisions being made and whether it will affect your ability to learn effectively. You will have all sorts of events that you will be invited to. Now whether you go or not, might take away from you being fully focused. Just remember, WORK HARD NOW, AND PLAY EVEN HARDER LATER!

MacKenzie

Attending college has been the most valuable opportunity I have been given, and I am so grateful that I am able to attend. None of this would be possible without hard work and education. I have learned time management and how to prioritze by having to complete assignments before a deadline. Challenging assignments have inspired my creativity and developed my good work ethic. I have become a stronger writer and more dynamic verbal communicator by writing papers and giving presentations. My confidence has grown as I participate in class discussions and build relationships with my professors and advisors. But what I have gained from the classroom is only the tip of the iceberg. Part of a great college experience is actively participating in extracurricular activities such as mock trial, Spanish and kinesiology clubs, and Cornell Republicans. Not only that, but I have become independent and responsible by living in a dorm where I have to keep the room clean and do my own laundry. College will prepare me for living on my own and holding the job of my dreams by instilling a strong work ethic, creativity, motivation, communication skills, and independence.

Rebecca

Choosing Cornell College was probably the greatest choice I ever made. I’ve only finished one semester, and I already feel more at home at Cornell than I ever have before. I've met so many people who are all so different from me, and it’s really opened my eyes to things. I can’t remember how many times I’ve said “this isn’t something I thought I would ever do” and found out it’s exactly what I wanted to be doing. I’ve gotten involved in so many extra-curricular’s; I’ve really found myself at this school. Of course, academics are the reason I’m at school. I was able to realize exactly what I want to major in, and I’ve already started to look into graduate schools I might want to attend. All of the classes I’ve taken are so interesting and diverse, and I’ve learned more about my learning style in the past few months than I did throughout all of high school. I went into college not knowing what to expect, but what I've gotten out of it is better than I could have imagined.

federica

I wish someone told me to be patient with regards to friends. It takes a while to get to know people and you should not jump to befriend someone just because you are homesick and lonely. The best advise is to relax and be lonely for a while, this allows for time to observe and see what the people have to offer, and to find your way around. Having a roommate is not easy if you have not had the expereince of sharing a room with someone before, or maybe even if you have. I wish I would have taken the "roommate" survey mare seriously and had asked more questions. There was a question about sleeping schedules. When there is a question that says" Do you go to bed at a regular time?" It is a good idea to find out what this means. I have learned that "regular" has many meanings. Be confident about what you do not know. You are in school and having an open mind is what will allow you to learn. You do not have to know what you are going to be " when you grow up"., take your time.

Kori

Everything passes in a blur as i walk through the crowded lunchroom, bumping into people wrestling over food. My head is spinning and confused at all the faces i see and voices i hear. It has been a long first day at college. I am feeling homesick and hoping that the lunch i ate will stay in my stomach where it belongs and not become seconds. I make it through the crowd somehow and am pleased to see i somehow got food on my tray. I breathe. Now for the part i dread... finding a seat... alone. I quickly claim my spot in the back of the dining hall by a window. I wonder how i will ever make friends if i am shy. I slowly eat my food...waiting for something. An answer to my prayers i guess. I almost give up hope when a cheerful girl sits next to me and introduces herself. She is all smiles. She tells me she is going to help me. How did she know i needed help? How was she so brave and outgoing? She is very blessed. She is my miracle. If only i had learned to be like her sooner.

Heather

I think I would try harder to find out what I wanted to major in, do after college, and succeed in college. It is hard to go to a small school that is isolated and goes through very harsh winters. I feel disconnected from the outside world at times and that it might be hard to enter back into it after college while trying to find a job. I do think that it has fostered my personality and made me an incredibly strong person who will always stand for the things I believe in. I have learned what is good for me and how to live on my own even though this school does not really foster individual living like a school would in the city. I feel like a very comfortable adult but if I had known what I wanted when coming to this school I think I could have gotten more from the first few classes I took for a more cohesive education. Although, most of us were not sure of ourselves at that time and did not have knowledge of what would come in the future but Cornell was a very open place to do this growing.

Hailey

When you get to college you need to make sure you are outgoing. Don't be afraid to try new things and meet new people. A job needs to come second, school is what is important. You are only going to be at you part-time job for a few years, but you are going to get an education that is going to be with you for a lifetime. Take advantage of the resources available to you, go to the writing centers and tutors, they will help! But most importantly don't procrastinate! This is not highschool, this is college, so go out there and do you best, and have fun with it!

Anastasia

When you get to college relax and try to put yourself out there as much as possible. Once you start making friends school will be a lot more fun and you'll get a lot more out of it. Few classes will be very hard, but those will be worth it. Take classes that will push you, because that's when you'll shine.

Stephanie

My dad has probably given me the best advice for college: talk to people. And I did. And it helped. Talk to people. Talk to everyone, doesn't matter what creed they go by, Satanist, Muslim, flower child, doesn't matter. Everyone has something to contribute. If people don't seem to like you, don't bother with them. If they don't care about you, then they don't deserve to talk to you. Also, focus on your work, but don't bog yourself down. Balance between school and social life, and figure out which one means more to you. Join a club (or two), but you don't need to join them all. Figure out what you want to get out of school, not what you think you need. And figure out what things mean the most to you: does it matter more that you got a good grade, or that you completed a project? etc. And learn what good things are in a class, even if you hate it. There is always something to learn, even from the worst class in the world, taught by the most boring teacher. You're in college to LEARN.

Mackensie

Visiting colleges before you make a decision is really important! I had my heart set on a school until I visited the campus. It was awful, totally not right for me. I wasn't even interested in Cornell until I visited the campus.

Angela

If you pick a college based on its reputation, be prepared to suffer through to get to put that august name on your resume. It is by far better to find a school that fits who you are, where you have met some of the student body and feel as though you are amongst your friends. The school having an impressive name is not a bad thing, but picking where to live four years of your life should include a few more factors. Academics are important. It IS college after all. However college is equal parts education and gaining the life experience you need to become a fully functional member of society. College is the brief period of our lives where no one is going to look down on you, or even ever know, what you did last weekend. So write those papers, but remember that academics are not everything, and attend social functions, make a few mistakes and some great friends, and enjoy life to its fullest. After all, when it?s done you have rejoin the real world and pay off your loans =P

Margaret

When I started the process of selecting a college, I began by narrowing schools down based on what I did not want. This helped me focus myself on what I was truly looking for (i.e. a smaller school that was co-ed and near a city of sorts). I would encourage any high school student to do the same, as the college decision can be overwhelming at first. The second tip I can offer is visit, visit, VISIT! I toured Cornell once and I also spent the night, which truly sealed the deal. I was exposed to the community and got to know the students - their attitudes and hospitality solidified my decision. Another piece of advice in my opinion is to understand that college is the place to discover what you want to do. Students should not feel as though they must have careers picked out in advance. Last but not least, do not be afraid to ask questions! Email students you meet, contact administration, ask around about anything. The only way to get to know a campus is to investigate it. Once you have answers, you can join groups and become more involved. Enjoy this time! Be yourself.

Andrew

The most important thing that a student and parent needs to look into is being comfortable in the setting. Cornell was my last choice for schools but then I visited and it totally changed my opinion of the school. It all comes down to the student and where they feel comfortable.

Sarah

I would suggest that you visit every college you can. Visit, and talk to students, and go to a class. Reading brochures gets you nowhere.

Brittany

Don't set your mind to ONE school too early in the college selection process. You might end up setting your heart on a school that is not totally right for you, and in the end may regret it. Also, to make the most of one's college experience, it is essential to try to step out of your box and test your comfort level by trying new things and meeting new people from different walks of life. Make friends with your professors. And try to learn quickly how you personally need to BALANCE personal fun with studying and your academic life. It can be done, but it takes some time to learn how to do in order to not only survive college, but to flourish in the college environment.

Lindsey

Take your time, look at all the possibilies, visit colleges first to make sure its the right fit. Remember, nothing is permanent, so if you feel like you made the wrong choice in schools don't be afraid to talk to someone about finding a better fit for you.

Jennifer

Be very specific about what you want from a college. Try not to compromise what you need and what you want or you will never be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} satisfied. Make sure to do a lot of research on different schools. That means you need to start early and not put it off. Don't just go with the safety schools beacuse you don't believe you can get into anywhere better and because you don't want to put forth the effort in either your search or your school work. Schools like to diversify their student population and you may be exactly what they're looking for. Be prepared for rejection, even from some of your safety schools. There isn't a sure fire calculation on choosing students for schools. You may not get in one year, but may get in another. Also, you may not get into one school, but you may get into a more challenging school. Make sure you let the school know what you want them to know about you. That means adding more to your application than it asks sometimes. Also, don't be shy, be outgoing and try to make as many friends as possible.

Kara

Make sure to find the balance between fun and studies. It's not easy, but once you do, you will have the fullest college experience that anyone can have!

Robert

Find a college where you are comfortable - don't let institutions swoon you with their fancy gimmicks. Know what you want and expect to get for the money you spend and find it. Don't compromise - remember, this is where you'll live and hopefully encounter some life changing experiences and lessons. It has to be a good fit. When on campus, get involved. Use your time in college to become that well-rounded individual. Of course, maintain excellence in academics but join student organizations, athletics, or service organization. College is not only a time where one learns and crafts interests but it is also a time where one experiences self discovery - a time where you learn a form of independence. Enjoy the experience. There are few occasions in life where one is given an opportunity to spend such focused time studying personal interests and spending time with individuals in the same life situation.

Myka

When looking for a college, trust your instincts! If it feels too big, look for something smaller. Get involved on campus; you will learn new things and make new friends. Do remember why are you in college, though-classes are important. When in doubt, ask a question. Ask your prof, ask a tutor, ask an RA. :-)

Jennifer

Make a list of what is important to you in a college. (fianancial aid, location, amont of extra curricular activities) Write them out in order of priorities. When you're looking at schools keep this list with you so you can see how close the college is to your ideal school but keep your options open and try to find out why this college is different than any other college you're looking at. Visiting helps you learn about the atmosphere of the college. To make the most out of your college experience, always be involved. Be involved in class by asking questions. Be involved in extra curriculars to help make friends, get exposure to things you wouldn't have at home, and combat bordom. Network with people but also master your classes. Be willing to try new things but remember your goals for being in college. Have fun because being in college is fun, life changing, worthwhile.

Brigid

Make sure you talk to people and don't believe everything you read on websites. As a disabled student, people overestimate their abilities sometimes.

Autumn

Visit the schools you are interested in. Don't get me wrong, statistics are important. However, there is more to a school than what you can put on paper. Your school needs to fit right and feel right, or your success there will be questionable.

Esther

The best advice I could give to parents and students is to give yourself time to go through the process. Applying to schools and for financial aid is a very time consuming process that can be very overwhelming and frustrating. Support each other in this process. Trust your gut about a school. VISIT THE CAMPUS! I think that is one of the most important things. Don't go to one of the visit days, but schedule am individual tour and shadow a student. Spend a night in the dorms. Try to really get a feel for the atmosphere. If you plan to stay for four years, you want to know what you are getting into, so ask a lot of questions of the students and professors. Aske students what they love about their school and what they hate. Give yourself options: do you want to stay close to home or go across the country? Do you want to do summer internships? Does the school support/host them? Do you want to live on campus or off campus? What flexibility does the school offer? Allow yourself time to ask questions and to make a choice!

Jill

Start early and have an open mind! Don't go somewhere because your family and friends want you to. Go to a college where you want to go! Visit the college and stay overnight if possible to see how you might fit in and get a real feel of the place. If you like it , then do whatever you can to get in! Also, when looking for colleges don't turn one down based on looking at one brochure picture! Do your research! There are so many small colleges out there that offer great opportunities that get overlooked due to their lack of national recognition by name! And just because a college is well-known doesn't mean it is the best for you - maybe it is well-known for not so good reasons. And lastly, choose a place that feels right in your heart - whether that is close to home or across the country, big or little, public or private - every college hasn't something unique to offer so go out and find the one that is best for YOU!

Mehrdad

Visit campus, talk to random people, are you welcome there or priveleged to be there?

Frank

Attend a college that is out of state or at least 200 miles from home. It gives youa chance to get out and see the country.

Jericha

To fully research many schools and different types of schools. You never know what you might find out!

Alyssa

Parent: Don't be afraid to give your student some freedom. College is a time when students have all new experiences and it's a little hard to do that when it feels like you have mom and dad sitting on your shoulders. Students: Don't be afraid to HAVE experiences. Try new things. GET INVOLVED. How will you know what you're interested in if you don't try things? Make friends with the professors - they've been where you are and they usually have some pretty good stories and advice. (Plus they write awesome recommendation letters!) Focus on your schoolwork, but don't forget to take some time to relax and have fun. If you get bogged down with extra-curriculars and other committments, remeber that school should come first.

Josiah

Find the right school for you're working future. Not everyone can be a proffesional athlete, but you can still enjoy sports at small colleges. You don't want to transfer because it will take longer to graduate. Take a lot of visits so you're sure you make the right choice. Also take it in stride and don't get frustated or worried, because everything will work itself out with hard work.

Heather

Also check out a college you're really interested in more than once. It could be tow completely different reactions.

Kyle

Cost is important, but the type of education is much more important!! I f you have quations about the institution, ask them. Once you deposit your savings into the education, it may be too late. Cornell college costs about 36,000 dollars each year. My advice for parents is to tell your children and work with them in order to get as much financial assistance as you can. It will be a great investment. Make sacrifices! It is your children's future. also know the rules of your college. At cornell, people can no longer smoke on campus (even outside) and certain words that can be considered racist are no longer allowed, even if spoken indirectly. these rules I may not always agree with, but they are made to protect students and your kids. Finally, tell your kids to have a social life. without it, college can be miserable. Thank you, Kyle J. Schveiger Cornell College 2009

Kendall

A lot of choosing the right school comes just from intuition. You shouldn't pick a college based on the location or scenery, nor should you base all of your opinions on what a tour guide tells you about the social life (half the time they will lie if parents are around anyway). Look at what different departments have to offer that relates to you, and try to talk to current students to get a feel for the social situation.

Kate

Don't choose a college simply because it is a big-name university. Refer to lists other than U.S. News and World Report's rankings -- books like Colleges That Change Lives or the alternative rankings from Forbes (which include many schools from U.S. News but uses a different ranking system and provides additional information). There are hundreds of lesser-known colleges that provide highly qualified and extremely caring faculty and staff, countless opportunities for personal and professional growth, and the supportive community that students need when they leave home for the first time. The presence of peers with the same drives is vital to a truly satisfying academic and social experience. Think about what you're seeking on the way to your degree; if your only goal is to graduate and you don't think about the academic work and opportunities along the way, you will get restless and probably won't graduate at all. Seek out the opportunities available besides the classes in your fields of interest; colleges offer opportunities beyond your wildest dreams. Get involved in a meaningful student organization to make like-minded friends and add still more richness to your life.

Veronica

Take the time to visit colleges. Don't let money stop you from seeing the campis; the visiting experience can tell you a lot about the school and is often different from how the school appears on paper. Once enrolled, get involved with everything that you are interested in; you will regret it later if you don't. Don't be afraid of people who are different from you, they may end up being your best friends. Be open to things that you never thought you'd like (ie sororites/fraternities) because some things turn out to be different than you thought. Don't wait to start something. Don't wait until your senior year to start thinking about graduation and the after. Most importantly, have fun! This is the best time of your life and you'll never get it back, so enjoy it while you can. Make memories that when you look back, you'll smile and think how great this time in your life was. Live it up, baby!