<p>Was wondering what you freshmen at cornell and other cornellians think incoming freshmen should do to prepare for cornell, both academically and nonacademically? Maybe what to bring too or somehting? Examples can range from ANYTHING, all will help! Ex. teachers/courses to have and not have, dos and donts, etc etc. (Give us the scoop) I don't know just advice for us class of 2009 would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I would definitely be prepared to have the time of you life. The beginning of the school year is great because you can just chill and hang out before classes begin. This is the time when almost all freshman go nuts and end up drinking excessively much because they do not know their limits. Go out to fraternity parties and have a good time, but be responsible when you drink. </p>
<p>Make sure you bring pictures of your family and keep in touch with them because it will help to make your transition to college easier for you and your family. </p>
<p>Don't over pack because otherwise your half of the room will be way to cramped with useless junk that you do not need. </p>
<p>I would definitely bring a TV and DVD player, even if there is no cable hookup (it depend on which dorm you are in). Even without cable, it will keep you entertained when you do not feel like going out or doing your work. </p>
<p>Make sure you also bring plenty of Poland Spring water because the tap water doesn't taste good in Ithaca. </p>
<p>Save yourself some money and buy all your textbooks online instead of the campus store. I do this and laugh at my friends who still use the bookstore and pay more than double what I am paying. Check out <a href="http://www.campusi.com%5B/url%5D">www.campusi.com</a> to compare book websites. </p>
<p>Get out of your dorm and go explore campus while it is nice out. Make a trip to the apple orchards, the plantations, and down the gorges. If you play golf, bring your clubs because we have a great golf course. </p>
<p>Stock up on Red Bull or Starbucks Double shots to help keep you awake at night when you are studying. Also, study at a library and away from your dorm...it makes it much easier to concentrate.</p>
<p>Carry your Cornell ID with you everywhere you go, you will need to for the dining hall, buying food on campus, the gym, taking out books or laptops from the library...etc.</p>
<p>Buy a bus pass for the year because when it gets down to 15 degrees and windy in January, you will not want to walk to class all the way from North Campus. If you buy it at the beginning of the fall semester, by a certain date, you save at least $50 off the pass.</p>
<p>When you leave Willard Straight Hall, plan your course of exit appropriately because you will be attacked by people handing out flyers and trying to get you to support their cause. </p>
<p>Sign up for the Chef's Table at Appel Dinning Hall. </p>
<p>Join at least one club that really interests you, and try to become an officer as soon as possible. Job recruiters like to see you taking a leadership role.</p>
<p>If i think of more I'll post it...hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thanks, especially for the tip on buying books!</p>
<p>wow that was some great advice thank you! :)</p>
<p>Heres some more</p>
<p>Don't fly into Ithaca Airport (if you can even call it that). My luggage was lost for my first 11 days at Cornell because US Airways didnt know how to correctly tag luggage for delivery to that airport. Instead fly into Syracuse or Elmira.</p>
<p>If you are not from the NE part of the country, or you don't do cold, find someone from your state and ask them plenty of questions about their adjustment to Cornell.</p>
<p>Befriend your college registrar.</p>
<p>Find at least 2 upperclassmen in your major (with strong GPAs) that you can go to for academic advice.</p>
<p>If you don't bring a car, make friends with someone who has one.</p>
<p>Make contact with the Cornell alumni association from your area. They hold gatherings for current students all the time and make excellent contacts for internships.</p>
<p>Never leave you room without small umbrella (at least until the snow starts).</p>
<p>When you get a chance, leave Cornell campus and "explore" Ithaca. There is no much to it (especially if you are from a big city) but its not too bad when you get out there.</p>
<p>Get involved in some community service projects. They look good on resumes and give you an excuse to do something besides study and sleep.</p>
<p>Make a visit to your college's career center early (it doesnt matter that you are just a freshman)</p>
<p>I know you will be excited but hold off on some of the little things for your dorm room until you get to ithaca. You won't believe the crap ppl bring and find out they don't need or have no space for it.</p>
<p>Be flexible with your study habits. What worked for you in high school might not be what works for you in college. </p>
<p>Don't lose your damm mind when you get to Cornell. If you have never had drink before, chugging a bottle of Jack on an empty stomach probably isn't a good idea.</p>
<p>Get a cell phone with Verizon. Its the only way you will keep a decent signal; especially on North Campus.</p>
<p>If you can swim, take the test during orientation. If you can't, try to learn during the summer. Its not fun walking with wet hair (yes it happens even with a swim cap) in 30 degree weather.</p>
<p>Don't freak out about the summer reading. I hardly know anyone who read it.</p>
<p>Get an alarm clock that is nice and loud. </p>
<p>Go to class regularly.</p>
<p>Go to section regularly as well (especially if they take attendance).</p>
<p>Don't pull all nighter right before a prelim.</p>
<p>Go to office hours even if its just to let the professor know who you are. Half of them aren't half as bad as they seem.</p>
<p>Don't go to events or meetings that don't offer you food.</p>
<p>Even if you are stressed out and have a million things to do, call people from home every once and awhile and let them know you are still alive. Besides, it gives you and excellent opprotunity to drop any requests (monetary or otherwise).</p>
<p>Enjoy high school while you still can.</p>
<p>Other then that, just have fun. As much work as Cornell is, you can make things alot harder on yourself by either drowning yourself in work or drowning yourself in alcohol. The trick is finding a balance; one that allows you to get you work done while still taking time to enjoy what Cornell has to offer.</p>
<p>that is really good information~~~ thanx so much! do you have msn by any chance?</p>
<p>wow thanks starmel that was really cool i never thought about half of that stuff.</p>
<p>that's some pretty solid advice I'm going to try to stick to.. thanks for all your information, I can't wait until school starts :)</p>
<p>wow, I already see a whole bunch of retarded things I might have done/not done.</p>