Arriving at a college campus can be overwhelming for a plethora of reasons. At Cornell, we have many resources to guide you through your academic journey. Below is a list of five resources that may be useful for your time at school. 

Cornell’s Blue Light System 

Like many college campuses across the country, Cornell is no exception to having an assortment of blue lights around every campus street corner. The Blue Light system is part of Cornell’s student safety repertoire, which is especially useful for those unfamiliar with the Ithaca area who may feel uncomfortable walking around campus. Each light has a box underneath with a phone equipped, which, when called, will automatically dispatch to the Cornell police, and they will know where you are located to assist you.  

Additionally, the Cornell Blue Light services has a walking escort program, where students who may want to walk with someone else around campus can call preemptively for assistance. If you may be far from your dorm at night or need to learn your way around campus, utilizing the walking escort service allows a greater sense of comfort and safety around Cornell. 

Cornell Career Services 

Need assistance with preparing a resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile? Cornell Career Services, located in Barnes Hall, has a great expanse of resources to help aid you with your professional and career goals. This office provides an excellent set of career development tools in their Canvas course, which all Cornell students can enroll in. The office’s many staff members bring a range of critical insights to help prepare you for internships, post-graduate opportunities, and developing your professional network through one-on-one appointments and Cornell career fairs. Suppose you are curious about what Cornell students may pursue after graduation or during the summer. In that case, the career services office has collected many students and alumni surveys to reflect these diverse professional paths. Within their office at Barnes Hall, Cornell Career Service also has a profile picture kiosk to take free headshots and professional photos for Cornell students.  

Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives 

The Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives, also known as OADI, is located in the Computing and Communications Center, and hosts a significant number of programs and support for underrepresented and underserved students. OADI supports incredible programs such as the McNair Scholars (for students interested in research), EOP/HEOP, and an assortment of pre-professional programs (P3) for students thinking of pursuing licensed professions (e.g., medicine, law, veterinary medicine). In addition, OADI can help students with funding opportunities that may be useful in developing their careers. OADI’s office is excellent for its range of standardized test preparation material, staff advisors who wish to support you in both academic and professional endeavors, and computer printing services.  

The Tatkon Center for New Students & Learning Strategies Center 

Adjusting to Cornell may be a more complex process, and learning to manage study habits, class loads, and a new environment can be stressful to many. However, the Tatkon Center for New Students located in the Robert Purcell Community Center (RPCC), and the Learning Strategies Center (LSC) in the Computing and Communications Center are critical places to visit for academic assistance. Both the Tatkon Center and LSC have a wealth of resources available to students, including tips for studying, opportunities for peer tutoring or study-buddies, and open spaces for individuals to do work. 

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Cornell Health 

Whether you’re transitioning into college life or need someone to talk to, Cornell’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) through Cornell Health has many resources to support you in the necessary capacity. CAPS has a diverse array of counselors to speak with in both individual and group settings, and if you need to chat with someone without a pre-set meeting, CAPS counselors run “Let’s Talk” drop-in hours during the week. CAPS is a great resource on campus to ensure a healthy and well-focused mind during the semester.