Cornell students in the Thetas and Delts Greek groups working together to clean up the Cedar River at Palisade Kepler State Park. Photo by Payton Anderson '27.
29 June 2026
Four years on the Hilltop leave a lasting mark. As graduation approached and seniors began thinking about life after Cornell, many found themselves looking back on the moments, places, and people that shaped their time here. Through the senior exit survey, they had the chance to reflect on those experiences and share what they’ll miss most. From the mentors who guided them to the peers that supported them, their responses highlight both the big moments and the everyday rhythms that made their years here meaningful.
Cornell students stop and chat in front of Pauley-Rorem Hall.1. I will miss the people the most. I will miss my best friends. I will miss the professors who know my name walking down the Ped Mall. I will miss telling my past professors in my department about my successes and my plans for the future and hearing their support. Cornell truly is a special place where new connections are made all the time. ~Delaney Barfels, elementary education major with endorsements in social studies and language arts.
3. The Ramily—the best group of peers, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators you ever could hope to find! These were the best four years of my life, all thanks to the incredible people on the Hilltop. I'll forever treasure my memories of this place. ~Jack Carlson, sports journalism individualized major.
4. The support system I had in some really special faculty and staff members. When I got to Cornell, I decided I wanted to be both a musician and an athlete, and I had people in both of those spheres who fully supported that choice. My track coaches, as well as my choir director and voice instructor, worked with me constantly for four years. Their support never once wavered, and I was able to successfully do both activities. ~Ava Claussen-Tubbs, marketing individualized major and applied statistics major.
6. I’ll miss the small, welcoming atmosphere of campus, along with the friends and teammates who made my college experience so memorable. ~Ashley Drake, studio art and English–creative writing double major.A group of students gathers in the Pfeiffer Hall lounge.
8. I will miss the people on campus the most. Whether it was faculty, staff, or friends, each and every person on this campus cared about me as a person and helped me be a successful student and leader. ~Ella Henze, applied statistics major, with a minor in economics and business.
10. Definitely the people. I’ve been lucky enough to have met some of my best friends here on campus, along with professors and coaches who have supported me through so much during my time here. ~Alyza Koppes, German studies and kinesiology–exercise science double major.
11. My choice to come to Cornell was very last-minute, and as such, I had no idea about the block plan. The block plan was an amazing surprise, and I have truly enjoyed focusing on one thing at a time. It keeps my crazy mind in check and definitely helps with my work ethic and output, as well as my time management and concentration. ~Isabella Leo, English–creative writing major, with an ecology and evolutionary biology minor.
Students in the off-campus class Theater and The Arts in New York City had the opportunity to visit an immersive projection design gallery in NYC called Artechouse in the fall of 2025.12. I like how I've been able to take a lot of classes with the amazing teachers in the theatre and dance department, especially Scott Olinger. I've had some really fun and amazing opportunities because of Scott. One example was being able to go to New York City for two weeks. While we were there, we saw 23 shows. One of the shows we saw was "Art," starring Neil Patrick Harris. After that, I had the amazing opportunity to meet him. ~Louisa Ludes-Bedell, Bachelor of Special Studies in dance, choreography, and theatre.
14. It's people, who I have lived with and loved and known for the last four years. Ink Pond, where I have spent my happiest and saddest times. And all the hugs. ~Smriti Neupane, studio arts major and digital communications and media/multimedia individualized major.
15. My friends and brothers of Beta Omicron. ~Brett Pelfrey, engineering major.
16. The environment. ~Monet Roelle, sociology major, with a politics minor.One of the Cornell Chunkies stops to have a snack on his way across campus.
17. The professors! I transferred in from another college and the professors at Cornell are the most knowledgeable, caring, and supportive professors I've ever known. They make Cornell worth everything. ~Jeannie Thao,biochemistry and molecular biology major, with a psychology minor.
18. What I will miss most about Cornell is the comfort and community. While I may not have known everyone, the community was always a welcoming one. The people truly made this experience for me. The comfort and freedom of the campus is something I feel I will have a hard time finding anywhere else. ~Travis Wells, an ecology and evolutionary biology major.
