Usually, I spend Easter with my family. We all go to church, eat lunch at my grandparents’ house, and spend the remainder of the day resting and reflecting on our risen Savior. However, since I live a little over 10 hours away from Princeton — by car — I celebrated Easter this year with my Princeton peeps. As I look back on our Easter extravaganzas, I realize how much we actually did and all the memories we made — and how I still felt like I was surrounded by family. 

After getting all dressed up and eating breakfast at Whitman, the only residential college open before 10:00 a.m. on the weekends, my friends and I made our way to Ecclesia’s 10:00 a.m. church service. Ecclesia, located right in downtown Princeton, is one of many churches Princeton students attend. On this Easter Sunday, some Ecclesia members had hung streams of decorative flowers on the ceiling; we sang songs and heard a great message while the flowers beautifully dangled overhead. I always enjoy Ecclesia’s services, as the pastors are beyond knowledgeable and welcoming and everybody is very kind. Once service ended, we then took a group picture at an Easter-themed photo booth outside of the service/worship area. My friends and I are extremely grateful to have such a wonderful church, whose Easter message reminded us that Jesus’ resurrection marked the start of something new: the free gift of new life, one filled with never-ending grace and mercy and unified with God. 

Just as service ended around 11:30 a.m., we headed toward Sakrid Coffee Roasters, or Sakrid, a coffee shop near the Graduate Hotel, because our fantastic Residential College Adviser, or RCA, was hosting a zee-group study break there. We have zee-group study breaks very often, and they are always such a great way to catch up with everybody. Since course selection for the fall-2025 semester was the week prior, we discussed how things went — my course selection went well, but that was unfortunately not the case for some of my fellow zees. After our RCA offered us some guidance on courses, she reminded us of the sad fact that we only have a few more study breaks left. Our zee group is really close, so the thought of having a final study break is crazy to consider. (We have all decided, though, that we will still try to have some get-togethers/study breaks throughout sophomore year as well.) Although the study break at Sakrid is one of our lasts as freshmen, it was a nice time to just relax and enjoy off-campus Princeton with good friends. 

We made another trip to the town area of Princeton that night. After a much-needed nap and a good dinner at RoMa, some of my friends mentioned going out for ice cream at Halo Pub. As someone who loves all types of desserts, I was down for some ice cream! At Halo Pub, the flavor I chose was so good it was an alliteration: chocolate chocolate chip. We then walked back to our dorm hall and enjoyed our ice cream outside together. I have such a bad sweet tooth, though, so after finishing our ice cream, I suggested that we stop by Murray-Dodge Café to delight in some delicious cookies as well! At the time we went to Murray-Dodge Café, there was not a large variety of cookies, but the ones we got were still really good! Getting some sweets was definitely a solid end to a fun-filled day. 

Although I was not with my family on Easter, I would still say I was with my family – just a different kind. In my Writing Seminar, Friendship, one of the concepts I discussed in my final research paper was how friends can be family. When you are in college, away from your actual family, you notice that your friendships naturally start to feel familial, as you and your friends spend time with, support, and share love and appreciation for one another. For me, this Easter was a great reminder of both the new life we have in Jesus and the beautiful ways that friends can simultaneously be family. 

The school year is officially coming to an end. Reading Period is underway, finals are approaching, and most importantly, summer is right around the corner. Although classes and lots of activities seem to be winding down, I have found that opportunities for me to try something new definitely have not! Over the past several weeks, just from trying new things, I have gained a better appreciation particularly for trivia, my residential college, and the arts at Princeton. 

One Wednesday near the beginning of April, I tagged along with a friend to PSEC, or Princeton Student Events Committee, Trivia Night at Frist Campus Center, and let me just say, we did not leave empty-handed. Upon arriving, we spontaneously ran into a few other friends and created a team with them. Our team name was the definition of intimidating: Tra La La. As each round passed, we “Tra La Laud” our way to victory, finishing in 3rd place overall. Such meant that we not only earned bragging rights but also got to select from a range of prizes, from a heated blanket to a box of cupcakes to an edible arrangement — I got a dope beach towel! PSEC Trivia Night was honestly so much fun, but the fun did not stop there. 

Every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., Rocky College holds its own Trivia Night — all students are always welcome, regardless of whether they are affiliated with Rocky — and since PSEC Trivia finished just as Rocky Trivia was about to start, we victoriously made our way toward the Holder arches to keep the trivia fun going. Now, I do have to confess: I am a proud Rockyite, but I had never actually gone to Trivia Night before. I had always wanted to go but just never gotten around to going. Thus, I was grateful for the chance to finally try out a long-held weekly tradition of my residential college with some good friends.

After the first round, though, I quickly learned that PSEC Trivia Night was child’s play compared to Rocky Trivia Night. At Rocky Trivia, if a team gets more than three questions of each ten-or-so-question round correct, then they are doing really well. Nonetheless, that is what trivia nights are all about: you and your friends can be completely clueless together and still have a great time. At the end of Rocky Trivia, Tra La La was far from 3rd place, but nothing will ever stop the Tra-La-La trivia spirit! Besides, the winners of that night’s Rocky Trivia did not get a beach towel or an edible arrangement; so, I think we are the real winners here ;). 

Nevertheless, I have not just become more appreciative of trivia and Rocky, but by attending various performing arts events, I have also gotten to celebrate the beauty of dance and music at Princeton. Before Princeton, I could probably count on one hand the number of dance shows I had been to, but over the past few weeks, as many campus dance groups have their annual or semester show in either March or April, I feel like I have danced the night away! I know many Princetonians who like to bust a move: my Residential College Adviser, or RCA, is the President of Más Flow (Latin dance), one of my closest friends is a part of the Black Arts Company (BAC, hip-hop), and a number of my Christian Union Nova peeps are members of Six14 (Christian/liturgical dance, contemporary to hip-hop). Throughout March and April, I went to performances for each of these groups, and they are all beyond talented — if you ever want to join a dance group, there are definitely plenty to choose from that will be glad to have you. Just like with dance shows, however, I could also count on one hand the number of musical performances I had seen before coming to Princeton. The other week, I went to the senior piano performance of my Peer Academic Adviser, or PAA, who is majoring in music. Saying that she is “good” is an extreme understatement. She has such a love for music, which radiated during her entire performance. I was simply blown away by all the events I went to, ultimately gaining a stronger appreciation for the performing arts in general, not just those at Princeton. 

Let this be an encouragement for you to try something new! Anything from trivia to performing arts to taking a class outside of your academic comfort zone to dabbling in a new hobby can be a great avenue for discovery, and honestly, some good fun — as long as whatever you are trying is legal, ethical, and wise… be smart, and make good choices ;)! Trying something new does not have to be scary, as taking risks is oftentimes what helps us grow the most. 

When I first heard that Princeton requires all A.B. students, or those who plan to earn a Bachelor of Arts, to obtain — at minimum — a 107/108-level proficiency in a foreign language, I just felt bummed out and a little frustrated. Up to that point, I had already taken three years of elementary Spanish and thought my foreign-language time had peacefully come to an end. Well… I was wrong. So, after taking Princeton’s Spanish placement test during my pre-frosh summer, I grudgingly signed up for Spanish 101 and sighed at the thought of the three long semesters ahead of me — side note: I actually placed into Spanish 102, but that was just because of my lucky guessing skills! ;) 

Spanish 101 was my very first class at Princeton. As I walked into that McCosh Hall classroom, I honestly felt like Dorothy experiencing the Land of Oz for the first time, not just because I was entering my first class on my first day of college, but mainly due to the daunting narrative I had created in my head: “This is Princeton-level Spanish; this is not rural high-school Spanish where you may spend a whole month or two trying to master a set of vocabulary or reviewing one verb tense.” Needless to say, I was hesitant of “Princeton Spanish,” having no earthly idea of what to expect and not really knowing if I wanted to find out.

Upon meeting and getting to know my professors and classmates, though, all my fears were thrown out the window. My Spanish 101 class consisted of two professors, with one in charge of teaching the first month of class and the other one leading from then on. Both of my professors were from Spain and did a phenomenal job at teaching us beginners the foundations of Spanish, like the alphabet, common verbs, and common cultural customs. They were well aware of our toddler-like level of comprehension and were always very encouraging of us, helping us to not only notice our mistakes but to also genuinely learn from them. Thus, as my classmates and I grew to embrace our imperfections, we simultaneously grew closer to one another. In Spanish 101, most conversations revolve around personal interests and day-to-day routines, so as classes went by, my classmates and I gained a stronger understanding and appreciation of both Spanish and each other. By the end of the semester, I had developed a real desire to know Spanish, not just seeing the language as a “requirement” but rather as a radiant world of growth, and I know that is largely thanks to the wonderful professors and classmates who continually challenged and supported me. 

Now, as freshman year comes to a close, so does my time in Spanish 102. Spanish 102 has been just as impactful and family-like as Spanish 101 and more! Because we are now no longer toddlers, our Spanish 102 classes are taught solely in Spanish. I can gladly say that my ability to both comprehend and speak Spanish have substantially improved through the immersive environment of Spanish 102. Every week, we take part in an “improvisational exercise” where each of us is assigned a role and has a one-on-one 10-minute conversation in Spanish with another classmate who has an opposing role — role A with role B. The role-A students do not know the situation of the role-B students — and vice versa — so there never fails to be lots of laughs! I always enjoy these exercises because they enable us to practice recently-covered vocabulary and grammar in a fun yet instructive manner. As a result, just like Spanish 101, I have so much love and gratitude for my Spanish 102 peeps! My outstanding professor is from Mexico, and my classmates are from diverse backgrounds and are involved in a range of activities across campus. I am beyond grateful for the progress and memories I have made through my Spanish 102 class. 

So, if you cannot tell, my perception of Spanish has changed drastically since arriving at Princeton. What I once saw as “three painful semesters,” I now see as “three transformative semesters.” I have enjoyed my Spanish classes so much that I am even considering studying abroad next year in a Spanish-speaking country or possibly minoring in Spanish! Who would have thought that a language requirement of all things would open up a whole new avenue of interest?

Learning a new language, as my professors say, is a “productive struggle.” I still have a great deal to learn, and regardless of where I end up in my Spanish journey, I will always be thankful that Princeton helped me reconsider an area of interest I was ready to leave behind. 

During my first college counseling session, one of the things repeatedly hammered into my brain was, "Don't have a dream school." At the time, dreams were my thing — I had a dream job, a dream house, a dream life, and, of course, a dream school. I could envision my future perfectly — at 17 years old — go to Princeton, become a renowned writer, move to New York City, blah blah blah. I based entire life decisions on dreams I built as a child, so upon hearing that I had to throw away the whole concept of having a dream school, I was obviously a bit stubborn. But as chaos swirled around me my senior year, the dizziness of rejections, acceptances, and deferrals permeated my life, and I learned the bitter truth that having a "dream school" could indeed hurt my feelings. Hence, I worked to unlearn my dream. I repeated the mantra that "the school doesn't matter," "the education is the most important thing," and that "I'd be fine wherever I ended up." Despite these mantras being immensely true, there's pure beauty in having a dream that often can be lost to embracing practicality.

When someone asks why I chose Princeton as my dream school, I tell them one of three stories. 1) I watched Hillary Duff's A Cinderella Story as a child. In the story, the main character is obsessed with going to Princeton. As a child, her late father told her that was where the princesses went to meet their prince. Watching this as a child, I took it literally. Going to Princeton meant going to the "princess school." So, that's where I belonged. 2) Later in life, my dream became more practical; I discovered that I wanted to be a writer. Princeton was the home of renowned writers. Jhumpa Lahiri, Tracy K. Smith, A.M. Holmes, Yiyun Li, Patricia Smith, and more. It was the best place to learn to be a writer. So, that's where I belonged. 3) During stressful times in high school, I'd envision my future. I'd watch college dorm tours on YouTube. I'd read admission site blogs. I stumbled across Tiger Tales — Princeton's admissions blog — at 14 and immersed myself in the world of Princeton. Through the tales of Princeton's student bloggers, Princeton began to feel a home away from home. I could see myself walking in the footsteps of these bloggers: taking Princeton classes and living in the Princeton dorms. So, Princeton felt like it was where I belonged.

By December of my senior year, I had become almost completely indifferent to the college application process. I devoted all my energy to my classes and extracurriculars. I attempted to ignore any emails I received from the few colleges I had applied to at the time. I dismissed most of my teacher's and counselors' advice regarding my application materials. I took the advice of not having a dream school a bit too literally; I chased the entire concept of college out of my mind. But on the evening of December 14, a chill went down my spine. I received an email from the Princeton admissions office that early action decisions would come out the following day. And just like that, the dream I had steadfastly held onto for so many years began to re-glimmer in my mind. I went into the next day anxious and excited at the prospect of either losing or achieving my dream. My mind toggled between worst-case scenarios and visions of what my future as a Tiger could look like. When the decision came around at 7 pm, clicking that "View decision" button felt like a portal to the rest of my life, and I finally understood what my counselor had meant all those months ago about not having a dream school.

Dreams are good. It's good to be ambitious. It's good to strive towards something. But you should never feel like your dreams are bigger than you; that the elusion of a dream means the end of your life. The beauty of having a dream — a dream school, a dream job, a dream city — is that there is something in that thing or place that you feel connected to, that draws you in, that feels like it's yours. Embrace that. But remember that dreams can change and that there are dreams you could achieve someday that you never would've thought of today.

I love being a Tiger. I've met some of my very best friends. I've taken some of the most engaging classes. I've gotten to see parts of the world I'd never even thought about. My vision of what my life will look like has changed immensely. I still want to make it art. I still want to be my own version of successful. But the thing I love the most about being a Tiger is how much it encourages growth. I'm not the same person I was when I selected Princeton as my dream school. I learn a new thing about myself every day. And with each new day, I'm finding new dreams to pursue. 

During my time at Princeton, I’ve talked to a number of prospective students, and through those conversations, I’ve picked up on the biggest questions people have about Princeton, some based on misconceptions, some on rumors, and some… on truth?

I know April can feel overwhelming, high school seniors across the nation are deciding on the next four years of their lives and at Princeton, seniors are wrapping up their own four years with a looming thesis deadline. We’ve all got big things ahead. But I wished I had someone to demystify Princeton for me when I was a 17-year-old just trying to figure out – what even is a thesis?

Is it bad to say I didn’t know I had to write a thesis before coming to Princeton? Kind of ironic, considering it’s one of the things we’re known for – “Hi everyone, here’s my 100-page book!” If you already know about the thesis, you’re one step ahead of 17-year-old me. Aside from that very minor (okay, major) oversight, I was mostly just excited about staying in-state. Seventeen-year-old me loved the East Coast and couldn’t imagine ever leaving. Which brings us to…

FAQ #1: What’s the weather like in New Jersey?

As someone who has lived in NJ her whole life, I can confidently say – even I haven’t gotten used to NJ weather. It’s wildly unpredictable and could probably give you whiplash with how often it changes. But there’s a beauty in that. Some of my best memories have been late-night talks in the freezing cold on Poe Field or warm walks down Nassau Street in the spring. Our campus is beautiful in all seasons, just make sure to pack for all of them.

Now, you might be wondering—Wait, you had time for walks and late-night chats? I thought Princeton students didn’t have a social life! One of the biggest misconceptions about Princeton is that we’re all buried in books in the lower levels of Firestone Library. And yes, we do study. But that’s why balance is key.

FAQ #2: How do you balance academically rigorous work, a social life, and… everything else?

I love this question because my answer has changed throughout my time here.

As a first-year, I refused to give in to the Google Calendar obsession that seems to have every Princeton student in a chokehold. I thought I could handle everything without meticulously planning my week. That illusion lasted until sophomore year, when I realized I was losing track of assignments, work, and time with friends. I finally gave in to Google Calendar, and I’ve never looked back – GCal will be your best friend here.

But beyond scheduling, the real key is making time for what’s important to you. In what feels like a high-pressure environment, things like self-care can feel optional but they’re actually your foundation. As a senior, I can look back and see how much I’ve grown. Yes, I love organizing my week, but I also need those spontaneous moments of talking with friends late into the night or taking a random weekend trip to NYC. Balance looks different for everyone, but the most important thing is to hold onto the things that make you feel whole.

And now, the biggest question—the one that’s probably been on your mind ever since you saw the tiger pop up on your acceptance screen:

FAQ #3: Why Princeton?

Honestly? This question still stumps me. A million reasons come to mind, but none of them might resonate with you.

What I can say is that Princeton has given me everything I ever wanted from a college experience. These past four years have been the best of my life. I’ve studied abroad, worked with professionals in my field, designed and led independent research, and passed on what I’ve learned to the next class of students. I’ve made a core group of lifelong friends and met so many amazing people. I truly believe that knowledge is one of the best things we can share and getting to sit in a classroom, learning from people with completely different perspectives, has been one of the most eye-opening parts of my time here. My professors have been nothing but supportive—challenging me, uplifting me, and pushing me to grow.

I’m grateful that I’m not the same person I was when I first stepped onto this campus. But at my core, I’m still me – someone eager to learn, grow, and share knowledge with others.

At the end of the day, Princeton is what you make of it. The freedom to explore, to grow, to challenge yourself – that’s what makes this place special.

Princeton chose you. Now, it’s your turn to decide if you’ll choose Princeton, choose what excites you! 

When most people think of Princeton, they immediately think about academics and its Ivy League status. While this a common perception, a multitude of other characteristics should be synonymous with the University. I have outlined several of these in my other blogs, yet I have not talked about one of the most important topics - physical health. Between studying, focusing on professional goals, going to club meetings, and studying some more, many often overlook their physical health. While there is always work to be done at Princeton, it is important to make time for yourself. 

One of my favorite ways to remain active, which is the obvious go-to, is by going to the Class of 1986 Fitness and Wellness Center/Dillon Gym. This past fall, the newly-renovated and constructed facility was opened for students. While there is still work being done for the larger vision of the project (outdoor basketball court/ etc.), the gym itself is finished. And let me be the first to tell you - it is state of the art. Given the building constraints, available space, and student population, the University did an amazing job. I rarely have to wait long to use a machine, usually only if it's something there is only one of. I don’t use the treadmills, but some are almost always available. While my schedule fluctuates, I try to go at least three times a week to lift weights. 

Since I don’t like running on the treadmill, this semester I decided to explore some other options and got involved with club flag football (I wish I started going to this sooner!). On this topic, Princeton has a lot of opportunities to join club sports and remain active in a team environment. Some club teams are competitive to join, but others are just for fun - there really is something for everyone. One of the more popular ones is run club, where students just run and socialize. All of these are great ways to remain active and are great things to get involved with as soon as you arrive on campus. 

One of the other related activities are the Intramural League (IM) sport tournaments hosted by Campus Rec (they oversee everything fitness related - gym, club sports, IM, etc.). Basically, you and your friends can sign up to compete in a league for the sport of your choice, and at the end (usually over a few weeks) the winning group usually gets a champions shirt - mostly for bragging rights. My friends and I compete in the IM flag football league and have named ourselves the Milk Men. Lets just say a proper diet is just as important as the fitness aspect of health. 

Before I end this blog, I want to talk about some other cool things that are offered at either Dillon Gym through Campus Rec or the residential colleges. For one, Dillon Gym has a huge indoor pool and once a year Campus Rec hosts a cardboard canoe race. There is also a huge campus dodgeball tournament hosted in the spring. There are also a lot of fitness classes that are hosted by Campus Rec, including some meditation/yoga based ones. Several of my friends are also SPIN (stationary cycling) instructors, which is a really popular activity on campus. As far as things offered by the residential colleges, it really depends but I know some have kayaking/canoeing opportunities on Lake Carnegie. Overall, there are a lot of great ways to remain physically active on campus! 

“I just got into Princeton,” a sentence I repeatedly uttered aloud in pure astonishment and bewilderment the night decisions were released — and those feelings still have not worn off! Opening my Princeton-acceptance letter will always be one of my most cherished memories, but I cannot gloss over the many uncertainties and ambivalent emotions that led up to and followed that letter. 

All throughout the second half of my senior year — and even while I put together my application — I had kind of convinced myself that there was no way I would get into a school like Princeton, often thinking, “Tens of thousands of amazing people apply every year. The acceptance rates are very low. Once in a blue moon does anyone from my high school go to an Ivy League school.” In spite of my doubts, though, there was always a slimmer of hope. I prayed about my college decisions, and I knew that wherever I ended up would be where the Lord called me to be, ultimately resting assured that I had done my best and He would do the rest. I applied to a few top schools just to see what would happen, and I had confidence that everything was going to work out according to His perfect plan. 

Well, after decision day and internalizing the fact that this whole Princeton thing was actually happening, my family and I signed up to attend Princeton Preview, which is a full day dedicated to introducing admitted students and their families to the beauty of Princeton. I remember the first time I set foot on Princeton’s campus was the evening before Preview. As my family and I walked through FitzRandolph Gate — NOT through the one big gate in the dead center! — and took in ol’ Nassau Hall, I looked to my parents and aunt, who spontaneously tagged along with us because she was off from work for a few days, and said, “I cannot believe I got into this school….” 

Overall, Preview was fun and really helped me envision what my life at Princeton would look like, but there was still one important question that needed answering before I could seal the deal on Princeton: How much is this school going to cost? About a week after Preview, my family and I received my financial-aid package from Princeton. Well, let me just say that when we saw the amount, we were so grateful that we could have probably done backflips off of each other. Words cannot express how generous Princeton is — do not let finances keep you from applying! In the following days, I officially committed to Princeton. 

Amid all the excitement surrounding my acceptance and enrollment into Princeton, though, there was just as much fear and nervousness. I was fearful of the unknown and nervous about what was to come and how people might engage with me, especially as a small-town Southerner going to an Ivy League school more than 10 hours from home and all the worries that entails. During this time, my faith definitely played a crucial role in dealing with all the thoughts, emotions, and decisions with which I was wrestling. The Lord never leaves us and is always there for us throughout the good, the bad, and all that is in-between. As Carrie Underwood would say, I just had to let Jesus take the wheel, realizing that He has a plan and a purpose for me attending Princeton. Although I was undoubtedly scared and completely clueless of what to expect, I knew I could find security in His everlasting peace and presence.

This blog is kind of a general summary of my “Princeton process” —  I will probably go more in depth on individual parts in future blogs — but I tell it to you in hopes that you may be able to relate to some of my experiences and can find some clarity despite all the chaos you may currently be facing. I said this in a previous blog and will say it again because it is so important to remember: everything is going to be okay. Your college decisions may or may not have turned out as you liked, but I hope you can find some solace in the fact that God has a plan and a purpose for your life — you just have to choose to give Him control and to trust Him. I know it is not easy, and disappointment definitely stings. Nonetheless, never forget that you are loved and will be able to overcome any obstacle that comes your way.

You may not share the same beliefs as me, but I would like to leave you with a Bible verse that has always brought and continues to bring me comfort and reassurance:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

• Jeremiah 29:11

   

Wishing you nothing but the best with your college decisions!

One of my favorite pastimes is going for a walk around campus. Regardless of whatever is going on, I have found that a stroll through campus is always nice, never failing to present me with an opportunity to notice features I never had before and to take some time to reflect. 

As I go on each walk, I get to appreciate all of my surroundings. Outside Henry Hall, which sits along Blair Walk, there is a stone engraving of George Washington crossing the Delaware — it may seem kind of random but is very cool and intricate! I discovered this engraving pretty early on in the school year, so anytime I made my Blair Walk trek to my Writing Seminar in New South last semester, I tried to remember to give Washington a shout-out :). You may have also noticed there are two tigers forming the frame of Washington’s Crossing, so I cannot forget to mention all the engraved tigers across campus. Certain entrance doors to McCosh Hall and 1879 Hall have engravings of tigers that are engaging in a variety of activities, from roaring and prowling around to sleeping, and there are 100+-year-old tigers that welcome those who walk under the archway of Campbell Hall. However, tigers continue to dominate their architectural presence apart from engravings, as there is also a tiger weathervane at the top of each corner of Holder Tower. These are only a few of many small details I have observed from my walks, but I will leave it to you to find other little hidden gems! 

The buildings of Princeton have not just challenged my observational skills but also enabled me to appreciate the different seasons I have had here so far. When my family and I first set foot on campus — around the time of Preview — one of the first parts we saw was the area of New South, which neighbors Whitman College and is, as mentioned earlier, where my Writing Seminar was. If you have not been near New South before, there is a circle of animal-head sculptures right outside of the building. This art piece is really impressive and fascinating, but it definitely caught me off guard when I first saw it. I remember thinking to myself, “Where am I? Why are there just random statues of animal heads on a college campus?” So, when I walk by this art piece now, I cannot help but think back to this funny yet skeptical first impression of Princeton’s campus I had. Additionally, as I pass by the buildings I had my fall-semester classes in, I often reflect on the emotions I felt at the time and some of the lessons each class taught me: somewhat anxiously walking into New South for Writing-Seminar conferences, learning Spanish vocabulary in a classroom of McCosh Hall, getting to know other freshmen and more about literature in my freshman seminar in Blair Arch, to name a few. I laugh at how frequently I find myself falling into nostalgic episodes as I go on my walks — I am only a freshman, so there is really no tellin’ how much nostalgia I will be feelin’ when I am a senior!

With final college decisions being released, I am sure many of you are going to be walking around different college campuses, trying to see which one feels most like home. Whether you are here for Preview or not, I know that the campus of whatever school you go to is going to be even more beautiful because you are a part of it. The buildings and surroundings we walk by on a college campus may strike our attention and leave impressions on us, but what truly makes a campus great is its people. So, as you tour different schools, try to appreciate their architectural surroundings, but also remember that the people are what make the places special — and that you will end up where you are meant to be!