My Experience at Cornell University

My Experience at Cornell University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Meghan received her Bachelors degree in English from Cornell University in 2013. She is a Boston tutor specializing in Writing tutoring, SAT prep tutoring,ACT prep tutoring, AP English tutoriing, and many other subjects. Check out her review of her school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Meghan:Cornell is located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and it is a fairly rural campus. It is approximately four hours from New York City, and the closest metropolitan area, Syracuse, is a little more than an hour away. However, Ithaca itself is a rich little city. It boasts more restaurants per capita than most large cities, and it has numerous concerts, cultural festivals, and events. The buses in Ithaca will take you anywhere you need to go on or off campus, and bus passes are free for freshmen. Many upperclassmen have cars. The campus is quite large, so a bike is certainly a nice addition, but everything is within walking distance if you invest in a good pair of shoes and a very warm winter coat! I always felt incredibly safe in Ithaca. I spent a lot of time running by myself and never felt uneasy. The campus is covered in Blue Light emergency phones in case of any incident, and, generally, the city of Ithaca is filled with friendly peoplecollege students and localswh o would help out a stranger at the drop of a hat. The area surrounding Cornell is quite residential and fairly quiet. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Meghan:I was consistently impressed with the willingness of my professors to devote extra time and energy to helping me succeed. My academic advisers were not always the most helpful, and I ended up finding much more comfort in talking with my class professors when I needed advice. Professors are almost always on email, and, in my experience, have been very willing to look at drafts of papers, offer study tips, and help with general college questions, like selecting courses for a new semester or deciding on a major or minor. It was amazing to me how much my professors cared about me, as well as how interested they were in my academic work throughout my undergraduate career. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Meghan:Dorm life at Cornell is pretty spectacular. All the freshmen live together on north campus in a wide variety of dorms. There is an all-girls dorm, a dorm with mostly singles, a dorm with mostly suites, and dorms featuring more classic doubles. There are two dining halls within walking distance of all of the freshman dorms, and the food is greatI still miss it! You can always find a good array of healthy options, as well as vegetarian/vegan meals and cultural foods. Plus, Cornell makes its own ice cream, which all the dining halls carry. The dining halls are not limited to serving meals, and they actually offer lots of opportunities for social activities, ranging from movie nights to video game competitions to fitness classes. Each dorm also has its own weekly events that offer an opportunity to get to know people beyond your floormates. I cannot say enough about living with all the other freshmen your first year; it really helps you make friends and start to feel at home! VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Meghan:I studied English and minored in Music, and found a lot of support for both programs. The English major is very flexible, and I had a lot of freedom in choosing courses that were interesting to me. I chose to complete an honors track in the subject, which allowed me to take some graduate courses and challenge myself at a higher level by writing an honors thesis. I always found support from both my professors and the Academic Dean during these endeavors. Currently, Cornell is building a new humanities building, and I love to see such an assertion of the continued investment in liberal arts disciplines. For a big research university that is understandably focused heavily on engineering and science, Cornell really does a great job continuing to build their humanities programs. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Meghan:Because of the north campus living center, I found it fairly easy to make friends despite being a somewhat shy freshman! I also recommend joining several student clubs and activities as soon as you get on campus. There are so many to choose from, and each offers a great group of supportive people with similar interests who will more than likely become your friends. Cornell is very community-oriented, and there are plenty of ways to make the huge campus seem a little smaller through clubs, activities, and organizations. Despite its large size, by senior year, I never walked anywhere on campus without seeing someone I knew. Greek life is very popular at Cornell, but it does not define the social scene of the campus. A third of Cornellians rush, and most of my friends who did found it fun and rewarding. Outside of social fraternities and sororities, there are also professional and service groups that many students find engaging. I chose not to rush, but I did sing in the Cornell University Chorus and an all-female a cappella group, After Eight. I was also a member of the Concert Commission and played on an intramural soccer team. All of these activities allowed me to meet a huge number of people and really enjoy my time outside of class. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Meghan:Cornell is incredibly helpful regarding career services. They host a huge number of workshops on interviewing and resume building, and they even offer one-on-one services for mock interviews or cover letter writing. Several times a year, companies come to campus for various job fairs or graduate school fairs, and there are always many reputable companies at these events. Oftentimes, companies specifically send Cornell alumni to represent them at such fairs, which provides a really helpful low-stress way to connect and have a conversation with a representative for a company in which you might be interested. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Meghan:With more libraries than you can count on your fingers, Cornell always has room to study. One of the libraries is open 24 hours, all year round, and each dorm has designated study spaces and lounges. There are also coffee shops and open spaces all over campus that are available for group work and individual study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Meghan:I expected Ithaca to be a little bit boring sometimes, being such a small town in rural New York, but I can truthfully say that there was never a time in four years when I felt bored there. Cornell itself is a huge campus featuring giant plantations for running, hiking, or enjoying the scenery, as well as frequent sporting events, exhibitions, and musical or dance events. Beyond Cornell, though, the town of Ithaca is a special place that students should definitely take advantage of. There are several fun museums, an incredible farmers market on the weekends, and really great, interesting restaurants to try. (An all-vegetarian restaurant? Thai cuisine? Tapas? It is all there!) Cornell has its own little town known as Collegetown, which features the incredible sandwich shop, Collegetown Bagels, as well as many bars and restaurants. Students often do stay close to campus, but the center of Ithaca offers more places to eat, shop, and learn, and buses make it easy to get there. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Meghan:Cornell is bigit is about 14,000 undergraduates, so campus is always bustling. However, within that giant number, students are divided into seven different colleges. This allows you to get that small school feel of having a designated quad and buildings that are generally close to each other, while enjoying the benefits of a large institution, such as having thousands of courses to choose from each semester. As an English major, my major courses were always fairly small, ranging from six to thirty or so students, but I did take courses in science and math that were larger lectures of a couple hundred students. These large classes featured once a week discussion sections that divided the class into groups of 15-20, which offered a space to ask questions and work through problems without having to raise your hand in a giant lecture. I loved going to a big schoolthere are so many opportunities for research experiences, plus lots of extracurricular activities to choose from. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Meghan: My junior year I chose to pursue an honors track within my English major, which required writing a thesisa multi-chapter scholarly paper that would take up much of my time and focus throughout the coming year. My favorite professor had already committed to advising another students project, but made me a few recommendations. I emailed Professor Wong based on these recommendations, and, after I explained my project to her, she agreed to be my advisor. I had never taken a class with her, and she knew nothing of my work, but once she agreed to advise me, Professor Wong worked tirelessly to make sure my project was absolutely the best it could be. She pushed and challenged me, offering me difficult reading and making me question my own assumptions about what made good scholarly writing. We met once a week and, though she scheduled the meetings to last an hour, would often go much longer as we worked through the specific issues at hand. She always made sure I left with a huge to d o list and never let me settle for a sub-par chapter, or even a sub-par paragraph. In the end, I worked so hard to produce a paper I was truly proud of, and I earned Summa Cum Laude on my project. It is an understatement to say that Professor Wong helpedin truth, I could not have created such a strong paper without her. She pushed me beyond doing good work into doing my best work, and I learned from her to never settle for less than that. I learned the value of devoting myself entirely to a singular project, as well as to working through the times when it seemed I could not figure out where to go next (or the times when I just really wanted to go to bed). She encouraged me to set my own deadlines and stick to them. I learned a lot more than how to write an honors thesis from her, and I am so grateful. The reason this story stands out to me is not only because she was a great adviser, but because she was a great adviser when she did not know me at all. She agreed to devote hours of her time over the course of an entire year to helping me pursue the academic project I had chosen, even without a personal connection or an experience in a class. She took me on and believed in me on the sole information that I had a goal and I wanted to make it happen, and any professor willing to do that, especially for an undergraduate, is a truly special addition to a university. Check out Meghans tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Top Places to Visit in Spain (+ 10 Faux Pas To Avoid There)

Top Places to Visit in Spain (+ 10 Faux Pas To Avoid There) Suzy S. Want to avoid looking like a tourist during your trip to  Spain? In this post, youll first learn about some of the top destinations in Spain then, tutor  Emmanuel M.  explains what  NOT to do while youre there! Spain is known as a beautiful, romantic, and overall wonderful place to visit. Tourists across  the world visit Spain to explore  the  local sights, food, and traditions. Youll find that the people of Spain  tend to be laid-back, good-natured, and cheerful and there are plenty of options for destinations, from hidden gems of Spain  to the more well-known tourist  attractions. The Top Places to Visit in Spain Located on the Iberian Peninsula in Europe, Spain is a popular travel destination. This beautiful nation is home to stunning coastlines, islands, mountains, and more. Here is a look into five of the top places to visit in Spain. Barcelona Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and for good reason! The city has a little bit of everything, including unique architecture, exciting activities, and beautiful beaches. One of the most interesting areas to explore is Las Ramblas. This district in the old part of the city is open to pedestrians. In this lively area, youll find shops, restaurants, live performers, artists, and more. Another must see is La Sagrada Familia. This large cathedral is visited by  more than  2 million people each year. Although construction began in 1882, the building is still in progress and scheduled to be completed in about 20 years. Want to add a quick stop to this beautiful city to your travel itinerary? Check out these tips on how to see the best of Barcelona in two days from American Travel Blogger. Galicia Also known as the land of the 1000 rivers, Galicia is a picturesque area in northwestern Spain with plenty of old-world charm. This coastal region is home to some of the best beaches found in Spain, including 105 blue flag beaches. Highlights include San Francisco Beach and Praia das Rodas, which was at the top of The Guardians Top 10 Beaches in the World list. Delicious seafood caught fresh in the ocean is abundant here. One specialty is the percebes, or barnacles. This prized catch is caught by brave fishermen near the cliffs of Costa de Morte, which translates to mean Coast of Death. Andalucia If youre interested in learning more about Spains bullfighting history, Andalucia is one of the best places to visit in Spain. Since the 15th century, Andalucia has been an important location for bullfighting and rearing. It is home to Spains oldest surviving bullring, Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea is also located in Andalucia. Built in the 16th century, it is the third-largest church in the world, as well as the burial site of explorer Christopher Columbus. See Also: Important Spanish Travel Phrases (Video) Valencia Valencia is the place to visit in Spain if you are looking for delicious and diverse cuisine. Throughout history, the city of Valencia was invaded and inhabited many times by the Greeks, Romans, and Moors. Each of these cultures influenced the flavors used in cooking, leading to the diverse culinary choices found there today. In particular, Valencia is known as the birthplace of paella. This traditional dish is prepared over a wood fire in a large pan called a paellera. Typically, a paella will include Spanish rice, olive oil, saffron, tomatoes, and chicken. After youve had your fill of paella, visit the Mercado Central de Valencia for cured meats, locally made cheeses, and fresh fruits, including the iconic Valencia oranges. Madrid As the capital of Spain, Madrid is one of the most popular places to visit in Spain. It is home to Palacio Real, one of the most impressive palaces in all of Europe. Each of the nearly 3,000 rooms is luxuriously decorated and furnished with marble, stucco, and mahogany. Along the Gran Via, you will find beautiful, elaborate 20th-century architecture, including the Edificio Metropolis. Also located in Madrid is the Museo del Prado, which is considered one of the worlds greatest art museums. Now that you know the best places to visit in Spain, its time for that trip right? Not so fast! Before you visit, youll want to do a little bit of research so as to not totally look like a tourist. Just like with every country in the world, there are certain cultural faux pas (social “no-no’s”) that you should avoid if you plan on visiting Spain. Lets take a look at the dos and donts as  you assimilate  to some of Spains culture and customs: 1. Fashionably late is the norm â€" NEVER arrive on time! If you get invited somewhere (whether thats someones house, or a place for a party/get-together), keep in mind that everyone is expected to be late! If you show up on time, either youll be the only one there, or the hosts will still be getting ready. Bonus Tip: Carol from  Wandering Carol told us    When heading to Spain, dont make the mistake of trying to keep to the same schedule that you do at home. Dont get upset if the store is closed in the afternoon, or on Sunday. Dont assume dinner is going to be served before 10pm. Dont think you need to rush through lunch (though this is tough when you want to sightsee!) and above all, dont think you wont be dancing until dawn in Madrid. 2. Impatience is a sin (unless it’s during traffic). The people of Spain go about their day  with little  pressure and no rush. Its very common to see the locals  chatting with  clerks at a supermarket or with barbers at a hair salon. Things go at a very slow pace, so  if you show people youre annoyed or impatient, be prepared to face looks of disgust unless it’s during traffic, in which case people  prefer to move faster so that they can  enjoy the rest of their day! 3. Don’t modify ANY food â€" restaurant or homemade! For Spaniards, food means the world. Food is undoubtedly part of their culture, passion, and art. So to go anywhere and modify food thats given to you is like a huge slap in their face. To add a little something (like salt or pepper) to a dish thats served to you is like saying “You did this wrong let me show you how to make it better. 4. Don’t show your disgust or dislike of a food! Since food is so important to the locals of Spain,  if someone gives you a dish that you find appalling, youd better hide that disgust well; the locals might look at you as an uncultured individual who doesn’t appreciate good food. A good excuse is to pretend youre full or you couldn’t eat another bite despite it looking really good. Bonus Tip:  Ken Baldwin, founder of TotallySpain.com,  shared this extra tip with us We recommend reading up on the mealtimes in Spain,  which vary significantly with elsewhere in Europe and North America. When seated at a restaurant and ready to order, look around at the tables next to you for guidance. Keep an eye out for platters of food in the center of the tables that are called  â€˜raciones’. The Spanish love to share  and many menus are designed with this in mind. 5. Always put up a fight, but let them win when they offer to pay for dinner. The people of Spain are very generous and kindhearted, so don’t be surprised if they take you out and volunteer to pay for everything. However, they expect you to put up a fight to show youre being mindful, thoughtful, and respectful of their customs. Always remember to thank them and be appreciative. If you end up spending your own money on other things or on someone else, make sure you know how to be efficient and  save your travel money. 6. Be extremely complimentary of homemade food! Food, yet again, is an important aspect of Spains culture. When youre going over to a Spaniards  house and they offer to feed you, always remember to: a) accept the food and eat it (even if you’re full, always accept to eat at least a little bit), and  b) compliment whoever cooked the food profusely. Its also common  to spend the first few minutes of the meal  talking about  the deliciousness of the food. 7. Do not talk TOO good of other places. Everyone has pride for their hometown and where they come from that’s completely normal. However, when visiting Spain, do NOT spend more than a couple of minutes talking about how amazing your home  is, because they  may get  offended. To them, nothing is like Spain not to mention, they have love-hate relationships with several countries in the world. Be sure to  look at  a few Spanish travel blogs to see how fellow  tourists converse and interact with the locals. 8. Never bring up racist matters in Spain. Unfortunately, racism is alive and well in every  country. Theres no country out there where even a semblance racism isn’t felt. But when visiting Spain, NEVER bring up racist issues â€" remember, youre a guest, so you may not  know the history, current events, public opinions, or customs that all influence racism. Theyre well aware of the matters, but theyll  act very defensively because nobody likes speaking about their country’s problems with foreigners. 9. Don’t have a limp handshake or be awkward when hugging or double-cheek kissing. In Spain its customary to give a sturdy handshake to men and a double-cheek kiss to women (and sometimes men). If you give a weak handshake, its rude and considered an insult. Also, feeling awkward or uncomfortable when doing the double-cheek kiss makes you seem stuck-up and can  also be taken as an offense. 10. Don’t be too polite or well-mannered â€" Spain is casual and you should be too. People in Spain love the easy, calm life. Theyre very casual and would prefer it if you  are too  while visiting. If you portray yourself too seriously and well-behaved, locals might think you’re stuck-up, or perhaps they might  misinterpret your demeanor  as saying you’re better than them. Its smart  to learn a few Spanish phrases for traveling so you can use them in your casual encounters. As Ive said many times before, and will continue to say many times more: Spain is an amazing and beautiful place to visit!  As long as you remember not to commit  these faux pas, youll definitely enjoy yourself. Additional Resources to Check Out Before Your Trip Montserrat Mountain, Spain: a Downhill Trip via Wandering Carol 10 Best Places to Visit in Spain via Touropia 6 Hidden Gems of Spain to Add to Your Bucket List via TakeLessons 5 Travel Bloggers to Inspire Your Next Trip to Spain via TakeLessons My 10 Favorite Underrated Cities in Spain via Young Adventuress Post Author: Emmanuel M. Emmanuel M. teaches Spanish online. A California State University, Fullerton graduate and native Spanish speaker, he also teaches essay writing, study skills, and singing.  Learn more about Emmanuel here! Photos by Nathan Rupert, Jorge Rodriguez, Harshil Shah, Paco Rubio Ordás, vil.sandi Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher