Shout Out to DC/MD/VA 2014’s

Earlier this evening I spoke to a crowd of 2014s from the DC Metro area. As promised, here is my complete list of 14 pieces of academic (sort of) advice for the Class of 2014:

1) Take it easy freshman year.
2) Use caution exercising your AP/IB credits.
3) Study abroad is awesome, start thinking about what programs you might be interested in doing junior year.
4) Reach out to professors for research opportunities.
5) Check your book prices on Amazon. You might be able to save hundreds of dollars compared to the Cornell store.
6) Pursue independent study credits, even/especially if you’re in the social sciences/humanities.
7) Pita Pit is the best restaurant in Collegetown.  Get the Dagwood Club, tell them you know Dennis.
8 )  Try taking a wide array of classes your first year, if you have the leeway to do so. You might end up majoring in something you’ve never heard of until coming to Cornell.
9) Work on problem sets with friends, and make as many friends as possible in your new classes.
10)  Don’t get the unlimited meal plan. Nobody goes to the dining hall more than 14 times per week. Ever.
11)  Check out the College Scholar Program if you’re in A&S. It’s one of Cornell’s best kept secrets, in my opinion.
12) Try out the library for studying early on. Many people find it much preferable to their dorm rooms but don’t make the switch until second semester or later.
13) Don’t buy school supplies at the Cornell Store unless you’re dying to pay a lot more money to have “Cornell” logos on your binders and notebooks.
14)  Read the Cornell Insider every day.

Good luck at Cornell, guys!