Transfer student quickly invests in Cornell community

Jonathan Lopez, a nurse for the past seven years, decided to pursue another one of his passions: business. When he transferred to Cornell College he realized that switching to the block plan was a bit of an adjustment from his previous experiences studying on the traditional semester schedule—one he was happy to accommodate. 

Even though Jonathan, a business analytics major, has only been on the Hilltop for a short time, he says that forming communities at Cornell is essential for growth inside and outside of the classroom. He took the initiative and enlisted classmates to create a study group in order to help each other succeed. 

“Share your goals and passions, and you’ll be surprised how many people are willing to help you reach them,” Jonathan says. 

Jonathan’s first class at Cornell was Statistical Methods I with Professor of Mathematics James Freeman.

“I quickly learned just how much time I must invest in my education to reach a high level of proficiency,” he says. As a business major, he knows that it is a worthwhile investment.

Teamwork is essential when you hit the ground running. With 18 days to learn an entire subject, every class period and study session counts. Students majoring in business analytics, like Jonathan, might travel with their class to Chicago’s financial district to see what life on the trading floor is really like. Or they might tackle real problems with current business leaders, bridging the gap between the classroom and the business world. 

The best part? Micro-communities of peers, friends, and mentors are there to help every step of the way. 

This is especially important for students like Jonathan, who are reintegrating themselves into the realm of academia. It’s never too late to further your education.

“As a non-traditional student, I have had the opportunity to experience life in the workforce,” Jonathan says. “This experience has been paramount in helping me figure out what career I want to pursue and has given me a sharper focus on what my academic and career goals should be.”