Editorial
Get Smart
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The moment of truth is upon you. Four weeks from now, mom and dad will unload your last suitcase from the family minivan and bid goodbye in a tearful scene on North Campus. You’ll oblige mom with the requisite one-armed hug, painfully aware of all the witnesses to your moment of un-cool. And then they’ll be gone, mom, dad and the minivan, and you’ll be left to face that intimidating challenge they call college on your own. Welcome to independence.
As the parentals drive out of Ithaca, heavy of heart but lighter of luggage, you may ask yourself if you have what it takes to navigate this campus. Not to worry: you won’t be the only one.
Cornell is a pretty big place, and its reputation as academically rigorous is not undeserved. The classes are tough, the workload is significant and the students are rather smart.
Spend a few days here, though, and you’ll start to realize that success at the Big Red is easier than it looks. With just a bit of focus and more than a bit of studying, classes will fall quickly into place, leaving you with ample time to get your groove on in the beer-soaked basement of the week.
With classes under control and your Keystone fix satisfied for the time being, you’ll also have the chance to take advantage of Cornell’s extracurricular offerings. From bhangra clubs to drama troupes to Ivy League athletics, Cornell provides students with every conceivable interest the opportunity to create, participate and lead in their college community.
So soak up these last few weeks of pre-college freedom and get ready for the ride ahead. Pretty soon you’ll be in Ithaca, home to cold weather, deep gorges and one pretty incredible university. It’s a good place to be.