Freshman Year
“He who chooses the beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determine the end.” -Harry Emerson Fosdick
I awoke to a misty late August morning after a restless night of sleep. My Dad, Mom, and I threw a few last shirts, a pair of shower shoes, and a pillow in the car. I petted Griffey goodbye, and I was off.
Before my freshman year at Cornell, I had never spent more than a week away from my family or probably two weeks away from home. Going to college five and a half hours away would be an adventure.
I remember as we pulled into Ithaca, the mist cleared long enough for us to see Cornell up onto of the Hill. My Mom looked at me and smiled, “It’s waiting for you Nikki.”
Freshman move in day is about the best organized chaos I have ever witnessed. However, all went well without too many hitches, and I soon met my three roommates. Robyn, Alex, Atusko and I had e-mailed a bit over the summer, but I had never met them in person. We hit it off the first night of orientation and remain close friends to this day.
Orientation was a busy and exciting week of meeting hundreds of people – with names I promptly forgot – scheduling classes, loosing myself on campus, and starting to adjust to college life. As the weeks went by, Robyn, Alex, Atusko and I really began to make our quad in Donlon home. We had a common room with two bedrooms attached, which was really fun and spacious.
The common space allowed us more “hang-out” room – areas quickly filled by many of the new friends we made on our floor. Steve was adorable with his semi-British accent, and we loved cheering him on at his a cappella concerts. Kevin, his roommate, was our token nocturnal architect – if I had a late paper writing night, I knew who would keep me company. Sarah made sure we all recycled. Senthil could solve any movie trivia or chemistry quandary. Baba built an igloo on the Donlon quad after a few snow falls. All and all, the 90 people of “D6″ (Donlon, 6th floor) became like a second family to me.
The first six weeks was definitely the toughest time for me during my freshman year. But after fall break, I really started to settle in and it felt like the rest of the year flew by in half the time of that begining period. I acted as Vice President of the Donlon hall council, a group that planed activities for the dorm. As well, I pledged a sorority second semester (freshman go through spring recruitment at Cornell) and did a little writing for the Cornell Daily Sun. All of these activities helped to broaden my circle of friends.
Academically, my freshman year was exciting as well. I was challenged, but coming for a strong public high school was too my advantage; I was accustomed to being in an environment with other motivated students. Attributes of Cornell – like the amazing library system – that I never really considered when looking at schools became very important to my life as a student.
All and all, I loved my freshman year at Cornell. Although there was a bit of an adjustment time – as I think there is for many students – I really felt like Ithaca was my second home. Personally, I think creating a positive campus living, learning, working and of course, eating, environment is one of Cornell’s strongest attributes. With all of the freshman living on North Campus, you really start to bond with your fellow classmates and have many shared experiences together. This support helped to foster new friendships and educational experiences for me that I never could have imagined.
Wahoo for freshman year! For most people, it’s a gread foundation for a most excellent college experience.