When I packed my bags in Dallas, Texas—a place defined by its skyline, fast pace, and endless options. Moving from a major city to Cornell’s quiet campus in Ithaca felt like stepping into a new chapter of my life, one I had imagined but didn’t fully understand until I arrived.  

When I first got to campus, the difference in environment hit me immediately. Instead of highways and sprawling suburbs, I found myself surrounded by gorges, trails, and buildings that felt like they belonged in a storybook. Cornell’s campus has a way of drawing you in with its mix of history and nature, and I quickly realized how refreshing it was to walk everywhere—to class, to The Commons, and even to watch the sunset on Libe Slope. Despite the slower pace, nothing about Cornell feels still. There’s a quiet kind of energy here, like everyone is moving forward with purpose.  

Academically, I expected a huge adjustment, but the coursework felt more familiar than I thought—it reminded me of my high school in a comforting way. What did challenge me, though, were the class sizes. Going from small classrooms to large lecture halls was an entirely new experience. Suddenly, I was learning in spaces where it was easy to blend in. I had to figure out how to make big classes feel smaller: sitting closer to the front, going to office hours, forming study groups, and not being afraid to ask questions. Over time, I realized that even in a lecture with hundreds of students, I could carve out a space for myself.  

Dorm life has been one of the most enjoyable—and unexpected—parts of my transition. There’s something special about living just steps away from people who are also trying to figure out their place here. Late night conversations in the lounge, quick chats before class, spontaneous plans—they’ve all helped turn a residence hall into a community.  

Making friends has been both easy and new. Easy because everyone is eager to meet people; new because these friendships form in ways I wasn’t used to. You meet people from different backgrounds, different states, even different countries, and each interaction feels like opening a window to a new perspective.  

One of my favorite parts of college so far has been getting involved with campus activities. Whether it’s attending an event on the Arts Quad, checking out a new club, or just wandering into something that looked fun, I’ve learned the Cornell offers more opportunities than you could ever fit into a semester.  

And then there’s Ithaca. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do—the quiet cafes, the local shops, the farmers market. It’s a small town but it never feels small in spirit.  

Right now, I’m still undecided in my major. But instead of feeling lost, I feel open. Cornell has shown me that exploring different paths isn’t something to be stressed about –it’s part of the journey. Every class I take, every conversation I have, helps me get a little closer to understanding what I want to pursue.  

Transitioning to Cornell hasn’t been a single moment; it’s been a collection of small ones. Some challenging, some exciting, some quiet, some unforgettable. But together, they’ve helped me grow into someone more confident, more curious, and more and more excited for the future ahead of me.