This was my first archaeological excavation and my first time traveling anywhere in Europe, so it was truly a summer of adventure!

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.

In college, you have free rein to do whatever you want between classes. Every day can be different. My class schedule stays consistent, but other than that, nothing is set in stone.

From my daily walks to class to the beautiful libraries, I am surrounded by a campus that not only is a beautiful backdrop to my college life, but also brightens my mood throughout the day.

The best part of my History of Art classes? Walking through the Johnson Museum is part of the coursework!

Welcome to the Big Red community! With the alma mater playing in the background and confetti falling down your screen, I can only imagine what you are feeling right now.

I attended a small all-girls high school in Massachusetts, and I narrowed myself into a small college box. I urge every high school student to take the chance at something unexpected; it might just be the most life-changing choice you ever make.

Since my freshman year in high school, I knew I wanted to go to law school. I adored reading, writing, thinking critically, and making arguments; law school was the path for me.

When I arrived at Cornell, I’ll be honest, I felt overwhelmed by the many opportunities the university offered, such as clubs, events, and majors, and I can see why Cornell emphasizes “any person, any study.”

Before I started at Cornell, I had a whole mental list of what college was supposed to be like. Some of it came from social media, movies, personal stories, and a lot from the pressure of attending a big-name Ivy League school. Turns out, a lot of it wasn’t true.