Life on the Hill

Wow. An update here is long overdue. I'm halfway through my first semester at Cornell already!

First, a nod to last semester: I finished my TC3 coursework with finesse, earning a 4.0 GPA there. It was a challenge to keep work and school and life generally balanced; I'm glad I learned how to do it, but I also learned that I wouldn't want to do that again!

Being a January transfer has been another interesting balancing act so far. Most people secure housing for the following academic year in the fall, but I couldn't do that prior to getting to campus in January and figuring out what would work best and who I'd like to live with. In another year I'd start looking for summer internships in the fall or over winter break, but this semester I didn't have access to Cornell's resources and Career Development Office until I was here. In the last two months I've had to adjust to a new schedule/routine and new academic challenges, and worry about summer work and next year's housing on top of that!

Fortunately, finding an apartment turned out to be relatively easy. My friend Ana and I secured an apartment on North campus, right across the street from AGR (a frat that my dad, grandpa, and some other relatives are members of). It's surprisingly cheap for near-campus housing, fully furnished, and seems generally comfortable and cozy. I'm really looking forward to living off-campus and with Ana next year!

Since I mentioned it, the Career Development Office has some great resources online that are publicly accessible. The resume resource sheets have already been very helpful (see "Online Ready Reference Sheets")! The job/internship databases are only available to people with a Cornell login.

I seem to be getting B's on my prelims, which is satisfactory (not ideal, but...). I still have room to improve, which I believe I can do in future semesters. Lecture-style classes have taken some getting used to, and I'm finally getting the hang of the academic rhythm and expectations around here. I'm certainly doing better than my first Simon's Rock semester! Organizational skills seem to have sprouted in my head overnight, for which I'm thankful. Actually, I probably picked them up from my mom via osmosis, though I'm not sure why they make sense now when they never did before.

My credit transfer drama has been mostly resolved! The registrar granted me 59 credits with the promise of another credit for my AP US History if I had the official score report sent (it's in progress). They'll take a maximum of 60 transfer credits, so I'm maxed out. I'm not sure what went on behind the scenes, but they seem to have come to terms with my classification as high school dropout with an Associates. That's a load off my back. Once my AP credit comes through, I'll get them to certify my transfer credits in writing so there won't be any nasty surprises before graduation.

Life at Cornell is generally wonderful. I'm a tad bit older than the average junior, which is odd since I'm used to being young for my academic level. I have several groups of friends among students and locals and there is always something to do before, during, and after homework. Assuming I keep up regular posting, there will be more about my social life in the future... for now I have to maximize my Sunday afternoon homework productivity!