Dining with the Stars
I am currently the academic chair for Wilson College, one of Princeton's six residential colleges, and am responsible for organizing events where students can interact with professors casually and…
An Afternoon Over Intersession
I awoke to see the reading room much as I remember it before I rested my head on my crossed arms—that is empty and well lit. My skin burned lightly under my left eye, which had adopted the weave of…
Thesis Bootcamp
"Thesis bootcamp." Ever since I first heard it, the phrase frightened me. I imagined some sort of drill sergeant in charge of a room full of cowering seniors, shouting orders for them to "Close…
Popping the Orange Bubble
I've written in the past about leaving the "Orange Bubble," which, for those of you who haven't heard the term before, refers to the insular, world-unto-itself atmosphere that tends to muffle…
A Walk Abroad
This past semester, I studied abroad through the Princeton in London program. I took courses at University College London in addition to a Princeton seminar on "Modernist London." I also…
Forbes: It's Worth the Walk
Underclassmen at Princeton live in one of six residential colleges, each with its own distinct identity. Yet perhaps no other college prompts as immediate a reaction as Forbes. It’s a name that…
10 Tips for Being Premed at Princeton
A few weeks ago, I was a part of a Google Hangout hosted by the Office of Admission (video available, if you’re interested). Because of time constraints, we could only get through about 20 of the top…
The Integrated Science Curriculum
Before coming to Princeton, I received an unassuming message asking me to consider a so-called Intergrated Science Curriculum (ISC). The program offered to teach physics, chemistry, biology and…
Put Your Monet Where Your Mouth Is
This semester, my friend Anna and I took ART 212: Neoclassicism through Impressionism with Professor Bridget Alsdorf. It was a great class; we learned about paintings full of prostitutes and…
On Studying Philosophy
A year and a half ago, I entered Princeton with illusions of concentrating in the Woodrow Wilson School, where I envisioned spending my days reading white papers, sitting on task forces, and learning…
New Semester, New Me?
As we venture into the third week of the spring semester, students have finally settled on their classes, their weekly routines, and the most efficient shortcuts through the cold winter weather. Some…
My favorite running tracks in Princeton
This semester, I have taken to running outside a lot. And I have found that the Princeton area offers many gorgeous paths that both inspire you to run and also pause to let the breathtaking beauty…
A Chinese-American New Year
Every year, since before I can remember, my parents obsessively watch the Chinese New Year Gala (春节联欢晚会). As a child, I welcomed it, as it gave me an excuse to sit on the couch and watch TV for hours…
High Above Antarctica
Image On New Year's Day 2015, at the height of the Antarctic summer, a helium-filled balloon rose into the air…
Life at the Museum: Please touch
Many of you may recall my mentioning that I serve as a student tour guide at the Princeton University Art Museum. I may not have mentioned, though, that I have zero art history background outside of…
Those Things Called Classes
Being the aged and nostalgic blogger that I am, I was recently reflecting on my past posts. I realized I've written about many, many fun things I've experienced since starting…
Home Is Where the Tempura Shrimp Is
I share a double in Pyne Hall with my wonderful roommate Colleen. Image Every fall, Colleen and I go crazy…
The Princeton Visual Arts Program, in 7* Steps
1. Get interested in visual artsGo to museums. New York and Philly are just a train ride away, and the Princeton University Art Museum has an amazing collection in its own right. Take a couple…
A Day in the Life
Over the years, I’ve had so many people ask me what it’s like to be at Princeton. That’s a huge question, and a terribly complex one, but oftentimes it’s followed up with things like: “Is…
Springing Into My New Routine
Here we are, a few weeks into the spring semester. Each semester has a rhythm of its own, and it always takes a few weeks to figure out how to dance to the new beat. I love this time because classes…
College, Eh?
Image It’s a bit strange, being a Canadian at Princeton. While American culture is in many ways congruent with…
A Call to Action
Earlier this month, I stood in front of Frist Campus Center, crying. On any other day I would have been embarrassed. Passersby probably would have been humiliated for me. But on that day, shortly…
Our Confusing Calendar
Last Tuesday, I turned in my Junior Paper (colloquially known as a JP)—a semester’s worth of work compiled into a 24-page document. You’d think after I pressed submit that all the weight…
Wanted: Field Assistant
Looking for a candidate who enjoys hiking and camping for weeks on end (showers are monthly), who can carry tens of pounds of rocks, and who can cook a dinner resulting in leftovers that are the best…
Brief Thoughts on the Delaware and Raritan Canal
Less than half a mile south of Princeton’s campus lies the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Stretching dozens of miles through central New Jersey, it serves as an area of respite from the bustle of…