This is Part Two of a two part series, be sure you've read Part One! 

Myth #3: “You have to do everything.”  

There’s a certain buzz on campus, everyone’s doing something: research, clubs, pre-professional orgs, social events, or side projects. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough unless you’re booked from sunrise to midnight. I definitely fell into that trap early on. I joined countless clubs and organizations my freshman year that I wasn’t fully passionate about, yet I felt like I had to do everything.  

But eventually, I learned that doing “everything” doesn’t mean doing what’s meaningful. I started saying no to things I wasn’t passionate about and started being more intentional about where I spent my time. Clubs that genuinely interested me and sounded like a fun time, and organizations that would further boost my energy. My best college moments so far? Not resume-builders. They’ve been the random game nights in the dorm, spontaneous trips to Anabel’s Grocery for snacks, and late-night walks across the town. Cornell offers so much, but you don’t need to say yes to everything for your experience to be valuable.

Myth #4: “Ivy League students are cutthroat.”

I’ll admit, this one really got in my head before I started at Cornell. I imagined everyone being hypercompetitive. Especially coming from a collaborative high school, I worried I wouldn’t survive in that kind of atmosphere. But the reality here couldn’t be more different.

Yes, we Cornell students are motivated. We’re driven, focused, and care about our futures. But cutthroat? Not even close. From my very first semester, I noticed how quick people were to help, whether it was sending around shared notes before a prelim, inviting others to group study sessions, or just explaining a tricky concept after class. I’ve had classmates DM me practice questions they made just because they thought it might help. I’ve helped people prep for presentations that had nothing to do with my major. That kind of energy motivated me.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that at Cornell, people don’t feel the need to step on others to succeed. The environment encourages collaboration, not competition. We all want to do well, but there’s a sense that we’re in this together. If you’re worried about toxic academic vibes, take a breath. Cornell is challenging, yes, but the people make it human.

Final Thoughts  

College isn’t a checklist; it’s a process. A messy, unpredictable, exciting one. And while the myths I believed before coming to Cornell were rooted in fear, my experience has been rooted in growth. You don’t have to be perfect, or certain, or constantly “on” to thrive here. You just have to be open to change, ready to ask questions, and willing to take the first step, even if it’s a nervous one. Cornell is a place that meets you where you are. And sometimes, the very things you’re afraid of end up becoming your favorite parts of the experience.