Welcome to Cornell, Class of 2030! As you make your trek to Ithaca — whether it’s a 5-hour drive or a 15-hour flight — you’re entering an entirely new stage of your life. It’s easy to dive headfirst into class schedules, coffee chats and club recruitment, but take a moment to celebrate what an amazing accomplishment it is to begin college. Celebrate that you made it here because there’s simply no diminishing the time, effort and dedication you devoted to arriving at this moment.
Familiarity will take time, and for the next few months, every step will be new territory. But you must embrace it rather than reject it for the path of least resistance. College is a chance to learn more about yourself, so stay open-minded, talk to anyone and everyone — you’ll realize that people are more willing to help than you might think. This significant change is an opportunity to build a life of your own, one that is not confined to the social expectations set by your previous chapter.
Our ideas of college can largely differ from the reality of being on campus. The imagination can prepare us for what’s to come, but it can also disappoint us when we’re faced with different outcomes. Remember that you don’t need to adhere to your own expectations. Your major can change; you might join a comedy club; you might even study abroad 10,000 miles away. You truly never know what can happen, so don’t be dissuaded when things change; often, it’s for the better.
Now, while you’re going through this stage of self-growth, remember that college isn’t just about you. You’re building new relationships and discovering the world from a new perspective. At Cornell, you’re also contributing to a long history of brave individuals; you’re joining the likes of Toni Morrison M.A. ’55, Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 and Bill Nye ’77, just to name a few. So challenge yourself because growth doesn’t happen when you're comfortable. A bold university demands boldness, for both its legacy and yours.
Learn from our history: the power of our campus and the power of your voice. From the Willard Straight Hall occupation in 1969 to the Arts Quad encampment in 2024, you can join the long line of students who have fought for their convictions. Ithaca may be isolated, but a college campus can ignite powerful conversations about how we engage with our communities and the world at large. Physically, our university is nothing more than a collection of buildings and students, so as students, we shape what Cornell is every day by standing up for what we believe in. If we make up Cornell, then collectively we are Cornell. It’s a responsibility we accept with grace through every course and every semester.
Now, enjoy the time you have here. Sure, time will fly. Sure, four years will pass by before you know it. But enjoying your time looks like embracing each day and the agency that comes with it. Curate your life to look the way you want it to look. A new environment and new people bring novelty to each day, and you can decide how each day goes. It’s going to be great, and we can’t wait to see you on campus.
Oh, and if you’re ever wondering what’s going on, pick up a copy of The Sun on your way to class. We’re always here for you.
- Sophia Romanov Imber
Sophia Romanov Imber is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the associate editor for the 144th Editorial Board and was a former assistant arts editor for the 143rd Editorial Board. She can be reached at sromanovimber@cornellsun.com.
