My parents and I had unloaded everything into the dorm, enjoying the perks of early move-in, and now it was time to say goodbye (at least for a couple days). I left them for the check-in table both nervous and excited, unsure what to do with myself. Luckily, I was welcomed by two smiling team leaders who brought me into a room filled with games, new faces, and exciting opportunities.

So many students come to Cornell with a sense of anxious excitement, and a Pre-Orientation Service Trip (POST) meets this feeling head-on, offering empowering experiences and supportive moments that stick with students for the rest of the semester. To explain how much POST meant to me as a first-year student, and why I’m coming back as a team leader, I’d like to share some of these moments with you.

Day One: Gaga Ball

What happens when you bring a bunch of college first-year students to an Ithaca middle school? Little surprise here: they play gaga ball. There’s nothing like a gaga ball pit that gets people to know each other. You have to know who you’re throwing the ball at!

Thanks to the team leaders, day one was filled with plenty of opportunities for my peers and I to grow comfortable with one another. By evening, I could recognize previously unknown faces as people I could laugh with.

But fun activities didn’t stop after the first day. Throughout POST, you’ll get plenty of chances to connect with other students through movie nights, card games, volleyball circles, book conversations, and so much more.

Service Opportunities

Another way to get students to bond (and grow) is by having them learn a new skill together. For me, I got to experience this at a Habitat for Humanity site. POST works with a variety of service partners, ranging from Big Brother Big Sister and the Prisoner Express to Dilmun Hill Farm and a local park. Personally, I didn’t imagine myself learning how to use a power tool with Habitat for Humanity. But the day turned out to be way more fun and rewarding than I expected.

At the site, my team and I helped construct a ramp for a multigenerational family home. I still remember when the organization supervisor showed my partner and I how to use a drill. I wasn’t sure if I could contribute, but I wanted to give it my best shot. My partner and I worked to trouble-shoot the difficulties, offering each other encouragement when we needed it. Soon enough, we developed a steady rhythm of nail drilling.

Learning a new skill didn’t just feel good: it served as an important stepping stone in my Cornell orientation. The process gave me confidence in myself and my ability to work with others, reminding me of my capabilities and the importance of collaboration.

Team Conversations

Each year of POST, the team leaders organize opportunities for students to explore downtown Ithaca. Last year, teams grouped up to dine at their favorite restaurants. I have to say, Kimchi has some of the best Korean food in town.  

But what stuck with me most were the conversations my team had after dinner at Paris Baguette. As we sat around the table, our team leaders asked us questions about how we felt and what we hoped to experience at Cornell. That evening, we received words of advice and assurance that I carried with me throughout my first semester. With topics from homesickness to switching majors, our conversations covered many student curiosities and concerns. Team leaders offer this kind of support throughout the program, and I’ll always be grateful for the impact my leaders had on me.

What POST Means to Me

From day one to orientation, POST helped me connect with like-minded people who care about service and enjoy a good laugh. And with them, I learned new skills and developed the confidence I needed to start my first semester at Cornell. Along the way, inspirational team leaders offered excitement and support through activities and one-on-one conversations.

If volunteering, new friends, and personal growth sound appealing to you, I encourage you to apply to POST. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.