Author: Michelle DiGiglio

Freshman year is a time for reinventing ourselves, making mistakes, and trying to pursue the full college experience. For most of us, it’s our first real taste of independence, finally no longer under our parents’ watch. Still, it’s scary being out on our own not knowing what we’re getting ourselves into.

Whether it’s about getting more involved on campus, hitting the books harder, or learning to sit back and enjoy, all upperclassmen have a word of advice for their freshman year self.

We spoke to a number of upperclassmen about what they wish they could go back and tell themselves at the start of their freshman year:

“Be more open to things. It’s hard to overwhelm yourself so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”

“Go up to random people and introduce yourself during the beginning of the year. It’s one of the few times you can do that and it’s socially acceptable.”

 

 

“If you’re deciding between doing homework and late night shenanigans, pick the latter. That being said, you should also make time for studying.”

“Never forget to set your alarm for RPCC brunch.”

 

 

“Be less passive and put yourself out there. Get more involved in clubs and go to events. Go gorge jumping.”

“Just have fun because you really are the best of the best and are going to do great things. You may not do as well as you did in high school but you will do something amazing.”

“Be a hotelie.”

“Say hi to as many people as possible, introduce yourself. and be outgoing. Don’t wait to make friends with people senior year that you could’ve been friends with from the start.”

 

 

“Don’t get overwhelmed with thinking about the future instead of enjoying each day.”

“Don’t stop caring about your academics and social life but don’t care too much. Enjoy the journey.”

“There’s a lot of interesting stuff around you at Cornell and in Ithaca. Don’t be willfully blind to it. Embrace it. You’ll realize Ithaca is a great place.”

“Appreciate Donlon while you can.”

“Don’t be afraid to try new things Go to a club meeting or free events. Don’t be awkward about it — sometimes there’s free food.”

“It’s okay to drop classes.”

“It gets better.”

“Take risks and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. When people ask you to lunch, say yes. Don’t be afraid to leave your door open when you’re in your room. Step out of your comfort zone because you’ll end up meeting some amazing people.”

“Go see as many speakers as you can. You’re not gonna get that opportunity often so take advantage of it. It’ll influence you in a way that classes won’t and five years from now you’re not gonna remember that test you had to study for, but you’ll remember that time you saw someone really cool come speak at Cornell.”

 

 

“Wear sunscreen, especially on Slope Day.”

“Don’t sweat the small stuff because regardless of how it seems, it will all turn out just fine.”

 

 

There’s no such thing as the perfect first year of college. Everyone is bound to mess up every once a while, and most of us don’t accomplish every single thing we set out for in one year. As long as we put in effort and give things a try, even if they may initially scare us, we can minimize the things we may regret missing out on in the future. So go on a gorge jump, join that club, explore off campus, and ditch your books for the night. In the end, it all serves as a learning experience that we can look back on and see that it really wasn’t that bad after all.