<p>So reputation goes that Cornell is by far the hardest Ivy in regards to academics. Could someone from Cornell or someone who actually knows describe what life is like at Cornell? Do people spend forever studying or are there a lot of study groups to help?</p>
<p>There are a ton of study groups and a ton of resources. For some science courses, there are corresponding "00" courses which are basically weekly review sessions. There is a biology learning center that helps people struggling in intro bio and genetics. I found most professors to be approachable. And, of course, students form study groups. </p>
<p>I personally never studied that much. A lot depends on your study skills and your time management skills. Trust me, the reputation is very overblown. We covered more biochem last week (in a 4-day week) in med school than we did in half a semester at Cornell. The pace and material of the courses are very similar to the same courses at other colleges.</p>
<p>It is really easy to get carried away here.</p>
<p>Really easy.</p>
<p>it is really easy to get behind...</p>
<p>do the homework the day assigned (for example...if you have mon and wed lectures dont put off the readings/hw until sunday night o_O)</p>
<p>I find the work load much more manageable than high school, and I'm an engineer.
Since basically all your classes are in subjects that you actually enjoy and are good at the work doesn't seem as bad. I always had the most trouble with my english and history classes, but now the only class that requires me to write essays is my FWS, and I've even found the work and grading in that class to be much easier than high school. </p>
<p>Also, most of the work is more long term, so if you have any sort of time management skills you can get work done when its convenient for you. I spend so much less time actually in classes than I use to so even if the workload is a little heavier there's a lot more free time. I try to get my problem sets done over the weekend or in the afternoon before dinner so I'm free to do whatever I want in the evenings. So far I've gone out to parties every thursday, friday, and saturday night and hung out with friends all other nights.</p>
<p>Experiences vary, but that Cornell is any harder than the other Ivies is probably a myth. The workload is without a doubt difficult to manage for most people, but people here tend to complain too much. Students form study groups, and it will be helpful to join or create one. Professors and TAs are also very accessible. I think the quality of instruction and the resources offered to undergrads here is phenomenal (I remember I noticed last year that it was a huge step up from my high school).</p>
<p>I used to be one of those students who would spend his entire weekend doing work. I worked and had clubs during the week, but I was also a slow learner. Obviously, if you're a slow learner you'll find yourself having to spend more time on homework than others. </p>
<p>Lately I've been going out more often and dedicating more time to extracurriculars, however, and I don't think my academics has slipped as much as I expected them to, if at all.</p>
<p>Be like me, I put it off till today (Sunday), and now I'm dead...</p>