really random questions about life at cornell

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>are the buildings really heated up during the winter? i read in a bunch of threads comments about how cornell heaters are so intense during the summer that they're almost comparable to the summer temperatures... (sarcasm?).. what temp do they try to keep the buildings at?</p>

<p>are students allowed to step on the grass when trying to get from building to building?</p>

<p>where did you make most of YOUR friends during your first year? from your dorm or from your classes... or from orientation week?</p>

<p>what month does it usually start snowing? i looked up only and i expected a lot of snow but it seems that it's not even really that cold until December? since im going back home only during winter break, should i even bring winter coat, snow boats, gloves, etc or should i briing them in January?</p>

<p>i know it rains a lot at Cornell, so will my regular ol' sneakers get really soggy when it rains? or is the drainage system pretty good and there's not much to worry about when it comes to puddles? do you recommend rain boots?</p>

<p>I know I'll inevitably found out these things myself when i get to Cornell, but i'm eager to know the answers to these somewhat trivial questions right now, just out of curiosity and to prepare myself.</p>

2

<p>I’d like to ask some questions myself, if the OP doesn’t mind ^^;;</p>

<p>The tour guide told me people often lose gloves, so bring three pairs or so. Have you guys lost a lot of gloves, or any other item?</p>

3

<p>I think you meant to say winter*
They don’t make you sweat in the winter that much.
(They have thermostats that you can turn down if its hot) Maybe theirs broke.
(Average temp 70-80)
I actually had a problem where it was a bit on the cool side, maybe I had a draft…</p>

<p>They technically can’t stop people from stepping on the grass. They have to reseed the land like every spring just because the area between the concrete and the grass starts to turn brown and then grass dies. Then they fence off those areas with wooden stakes while the grass regrows.</p>

<p>Most of my friends was from classes and within the dorms on anyday or at social gatherings. Orientation week failed for me and some other people I knew. They couldn’t even remember names for at least 5 minutes. It’s easier for me to make most of my friends where I am most likely to see them at least once a week (same dorm, same classes, same dining hall, same work place, etc.)</p>

<p>It can start snowing in Oct, but doesn’t really start sticking (ground is too warm) til Nov-ish. And it literally can snow until the beginning of May which happened to me.</p>

<p>I don’t think it rains a lot… it’s snows a lot in my opinion. And the rain isn’t flash flood material, so don’t worry about getting soaked.</p>

<p>BTW: I like these questions. Some people don’t really ask these things, but sometimes it’s worth knowing.
I never wore gloves, so yea… I think I saw gloves on the streets when spring thawed out the snow, once.</p>

4

<p>you should really only worry about this 2nd semester…</p>

<p>the only time heat has been a problem was in classrooms…</p>

5

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It only happened last year :slight_smile: and 3/4 years ago…</p>

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People sometimes misplaced them or forgot they brought their gloves with them; that’s how they lost their gloves. If you are careful enough, you shouldn’t worry about it.</p>

6

<p>learn to combat the heat by layering. my core group of friends were from my dorm freshman year - and then friends of friends came into our “group” over time. some also graduated and left :frowning: others came back for masters! :D</p>

<p>i brought rain boots. they’re fun colors usually anyway so even if it’s gloomy, with a chance of rain, i’ll wear them because they’ll cheer me up.</p>

7

<p>Speaking of social stuff, I want to add my own questions.
Do a lot of people go to the frat parties and what goes down there? I’ve never been to one so Im curious what to expect. Do people who usually avoid the party scene still end up going there to meet people?</p>

8

<p>frat parties are ever elusive to freshman so chances are you’ll go at least once with your floor/suitemates…that is unless you’re totally anti-social…</p>

<p>a frat party is just a crowded party with beer…nothing special…</p>

9

<p>The buildings aren’t too hot, with the exception of Mann Library…it’s sweltering there in the winter. But for the most part, I’d just wear a top with a skirt and tights under a big down jacket and I’d be fine. </p>

<p>You can definitely walk on the grass, although it’s covered in snow in winter so…</p>

<p>No on really goes to that orientation stuff, you’ll most likely meet most of your friends from the floor you live on and Greek life (if you choose to go that route).</p>

<p>DON’T wait until after winter break to bring winter-y clothes. Like PH said, the first snow this year was in October, and then sporadically from then on until May. At the very least, get a big down jacket and snow boots; the rest you can ship later. I know that a lot of my friends who live close went home for fall break to get stuff, but it was definitely getting cold (especially at night) by then.</p>

10

<p>I met my best friend the first night of Orientation Week at the first orientation group meeting. We found out we lived three doors down from one another, so I guess he is a dorm/orientation group friend. We didn’t go to any of the other Orientation Week activities (which are usually lame), but don’t necessarily write off the people in your orientation group. The rest of the kids on my floor weren’t too great, but I hung out with them a lot first semester regardless. Second semester, I broke away and befriended people from organizations I was a part of, and they’re my closest friends now (along with the guy I met in my orientation group). And I was a transfer, for what it’s worth.</p>

<p>I lost a pair of gloves after leaving them in Sage Chapel after a rehearsal–they were gone two days later. So, yes, that happens (?), but I don’t think you need to bring three pairs of gloves.</p>

<p>It doesn’t rain as much as it kind of drizzles, and there are constantly little droplets of water in the air and they don’t seem to be falling–they just hang there. It sucks for people who don’t like to get their hair wet (like me), because umbrellas don’t combat this too well. This is typical October weather. I wear rainboots because I like them, but one should be fine with sneakers, should you choose to wear those.</p>

<p>I cut across the grass when it isn’t snowy and I’m in a hurry.</p>

<p>Frat parties are cramped and smelly, but if you’ve never been before, I guess it can be kind of exciting. You’ll probably go with kids on your floor, drink a few Keystones, and make bad decisions. And then you’ll wisen up and head to Collegetown for parties from then on.</p>

11

<ol>
<li><p>the buildings are heated during the winter, i never really found them too hot (except during the spring, because mews hadn’t turned the ac’s on yet and other dorms didn’t have ac, etc.)</p></li>
<li><p>haha of course we’re allowed to step on the grass or it’d actually take a minimum of like 30 minutes to get anywhere. usually there are dirt paths where the grass has been stepped on so much by us that they should really consider just making a footpath there (like on north alongside ckb on the appel side)</p></li>
<li><p>i made my friends in a ton of different places. first was during o-week, i made friends with people on my hall, a group of which i stayed very close through throughout the year, and i made friends with their friends, etc. i also made friends through people i already knew from home who went to cornell. my major is really small (about <20 people) and we’re like a little family so they’re all great friends of mine, and i met more people through them. it would be more difficult to make friends this way if you were in a department where you just took lecture classes (in my lecture classes i sat with people i knew from either my dorm or my major). finally, i joined a sorority in the spring where i made more friends by meeting more people and became closer to others who were previously just acquaintances. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>for me the problem wasn’t finding friends at college, it was more how to manage my time and balance a bunch of very different groups of friends, who weren’t all friends with each other, and choosing who you want to associate more closely with, etc.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>the snow is unpredictable. it didn’t really snow that much last year? at least not more than i had experienced before (nyc suburbs). but last year i remember it snowed one of the first weekends in october (i remember taking a photo on my camera on the way back home from a party), and then there was a week in november when it was like 70 degrees, and i don’t think it snowed again until december. i brought a peacoat, gloves, and a scarf in august, and only brought my heavy winter coat and heavy snow boots at thanksgiving. but if you are only going home over winter break you should probably bring all your winter stuff when moving in (or have your parents ship it to you early november). </p></li>
<li><p>are you a girl? if so i would definitely recommend rain boots, because tons of girls wear them and they are really helpful since you have to walk a lot. mine are jcrew and they’re great cause they’re shearling lined so they can also function as snow boots. they’re practical and worth it.</p></li>
</ol>

12

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<p>actually, i brought three pairs and only had one left at the end :frowning:
i still have one of each of the other pairs, i was hoping their mates would turn up when i cleaned out my room but no such luck. not surprising though, i have a tendency to lose things like that. blah those gloves were so cute! </p>

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<p>a lot of people go to frat parties. mostly freshman, or it seems like mostly freshman because all the sophomores who go are upstairs and all the upperclassmen are at bars. </p>

<p>there people stand in line and try to get in with their friends, if they succeed they drink crappy beer, attempt to get upstairs and get good liquor, usually fail, attempt to speak over loud music, fail, play drinking games (pong, flipcup), dance (well, grind), attempt to hook up, either go back to north with whoever they hook up with or head back with their friends. written like this it seems like a stupid way to spend your time, but i went to a TON of parties last year and had a lot of fun. its not really a great way to meet people (other than hook up with them), but its a great way to bond with people you already know. </p>

<p>the experience is fun and often results in great, entertaining stories and memories. its a way to unwind with friends after a long week, destress, let out some steam, etc. some people, people who would typically avoid the party scene, would disagree, and would much rather just watch a movie in bed or chill with friends, but i think its something you have to experience and decide for yourself. </p>

<p>i think most people, at least me and my friends, find a balance between partying and other forms of entertainment–just hanging out, movies, concerts etc.</p>

13

<p>I lose a pair of gloves every year. I would suggest bringing multiples of warm gear such as gloves and hats.</p>

14

<p>thanks everyone for the great tips.</p>

<p>i have another question: when do parents usually leave during orientation? is there a lot of crying? i know every parent is different, but how did your parents respond?</p>

15

<p>My mom put my stuff in my room and then left… I know a lot of parents stick around for a day, but I was fine with it. Trust me, you’ll want to go out and party for oweek so I am sure thats not as easy with a parent around.</p>

16

<p>@goingonwithlife, Most parents will probably want to see what your room is like, help you put your stuff around, check out the campus, and probably want to see what kind of food your gonna be eating. I mean, it is a $50,000+ price tag for them haha.</p>

<p>But in all seriousness, O-week is always crazy and the po-po’s love going up and down ctown, but that never stops the fun :)</p>