Hi! My name is Morielle Mamaril. I’m a freshman in ILR from a small agricultural town in California called Watsonville or “Strawberry City.” March 30th, 2023: Ivy Day. After nervously waiting for the “Application Status Update” email, a steady stream of tears flowed as soon as I read, “Congratulations!” Busy in joyous celebration with my mom right beside me, I relished the unknown of what the next four years of my life would look like at Cornell.  

What is PSSP?

As opposed to a more traditional matriculation to college, my admission for the fall semester was made with the condition that I attended the Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP), which was described as “a valuable opportunity to become better acquainted with Cornell while meeting other incoming students and getting a head start on some of your coursework.” I remember the vivid mix of nervousness and excitement on the plane to Ithaca for the first time, asking myself who I might meet, if I’d miss home on the first day, and whether or not I’d “fit in.” However, these initial worries were short-lived, as I joined 200 other students from all of Cornell's undergraduate colleges/schools that summer.  

After the first night settling into McClintock Hall, I awoke the next day feeling adjusted to the unfamiliar but comforting spaces thanks to the intentionally community-oriented nature of the program. Designed to draw us out into the shared living spaces, I formed immediate bonds with my peers, from playing “We’re Not Really Strangers” to gathering at the slope to watch the sunset or taste-testing Cornell’s dairy ice cream flavors at the dining hall, and of course, the classic exploration period around campus to gorges, falls, and trails before our summer classes officially began. The first week was incredibly fun! Given the liberty to manage our time, we explored Ithaca to our heart’s fullest content; we went to Collegetown for boba, to the Commons for Korean barbecue, to the mall, to the Farmers Market, and local state parks.  

Establishing a Routine

In due time, I established a routine typical of a full-time college student. I mastered the essentials of residential life etiquette, doing laundry, and navigating the TCAT bus system. I formed these habits while undergoing personal, academic, and social transformations. Apart from the personal growth I experienced through a tailored lifestyle and newfound friendships, I owe much of my smooth transition to the robust guidance and support I received from my peer mentor, academic advisor, and professors. With each new day, I cultivated genuine relationships that gave me confidence, which I found crucial for eventual personal and academic success. 

The academic period was compressed to a mere six weeks. I faced the rigorous challenge of meeting the demands that a 14-week-long semester would normally entail. My schedule totaled eight credits, which, coming from an underserved high school with limited resources, was enough to require that I put in the effort and get used to managing my time without extracurriculars and focusing on my academics. I took on proven learning strategies based on metacognition to complete my freshman writing seminar, Intro to Microeconomics, and college achievement seminar classes. Everything felt new to me; I was re-learning how to learn. After late nights writing essays and practicing econ problems at the Cocktail Lounge overlooking Libe Slope, I would unwind with a tranquil walk back to North Campus. By the end of the summer, my efforts paid off, even allowing me to take sophomore-level classes during my freshman spring semester and granting me lighter workloads and a smoother transition to the entire academic year.   

Advice for New Students

If there’s one thing that I took away from PSSP, it’s that we all share the ability to truly connect. Ultimately, our time here is an ongoing opportunity for discovery of ourselves and others. There are a few more things I want to leave you with:     

• Protect your peace & be selfish when it is necessary.   
• As cliche as this may sound, everything happens for a reason.  
• Show courage, grow from vulnerability, and stay curious.   

A good friend of mine once said, “From here on out, we walk a new path.” So, as we move forward, please take care of yourselves and the people around you.