My friend recently wrote a column for The Daily Princetonian in which he reflected on the meaning of community during an online semester. He notes that what makes the Princeton experience so special are the shared experiences we have with others. As he discusses, the Princeton community is more than just our close friends; it also includes the people we wave to on the way to class, and the people we end up studying near every night.

Now, almost halfway through the semester, I realize that the strength of the Princeton community has been what’s sustained me in this unusual period of college, even if making connections online takes a little more planning.

Community can be formed in Zoom breakout rooms, for example. While they can sometimes be awkward, I enjoy them because they allow me to talk to other students in a more personal setting. I’ve made connections with others by learning about my peers in our small group discussions.

While we can’t recreate the experience of whispering thoughts to the friend sitting right next to us, I’ve enjoyed group conversations in the Zoom chatbox filled with inside jokes or smart insights. I probably shouldn’t admit this publicly, but my friend and I often live-text each other during one class, reflecting on the content or laughing at our amazing professor’s extensive use of animal-based idioms.

Professors also enjoy the opportunity to connect with students virtually. By now, I’ve met with almost all of my professors for office hours. One professor remarked that these one-on-one interactions with students were what she enjoyed most about teaching. The shift to an online setting does not reduce the value of these conversations.

Outside of class, my eating club Tower held a speed-friending event where we got paired with another member in a private breakout room. I thought those minutes alone in a room would pass by slowly, but I really enjoyed these intimate conversations with people who I may not have met otherwise. 

I miss gathering together to watch political events with Whig-Clio, but I thoroughly enjoyed the political commentary my friends and I shared during the first presidential debate. The Class of 2022 and many other student groups communicate on the platform Discord now, providing even more opportunites to connect with one another. Whether through text or Facebook message, FaceTime or Houseparty, I know my friends are only a click away.

It does take more effort to make and sustain friendships right now, but I’ve found most people to appreciate any sort of communication. You never know the impact you can have on someone by just texting out of the blue to check in. The support and camaraderie of the Princeton community truly does extend far beyond FitzRandolph Gates.

Before classes went online, I didn’t fully appreciate just how wonderful some of my lectures were. But now, as I sit in my room for yet another month, I find myself reflecting back on the classes that I’ve had and hoping fervently that one day, long before I graduate, I’ll be able to experience that again. 

I think about walking up the spiral staircase to McCosh 10, a lecture hall, after a filling lunch in the RoMa (Rockefeller/Mathey residential college) dining hall with friends, and sitting in a cushy chair to listen to a survey of music through the centuries, dubbed after the Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix by my Marvel-loving professor. I think about my wonderful Children’s Literature class last semester, taught by the inimitable William Gleason, who is one of the most engaging lecturers I’ve ever had. I think about walking past dinosaur bones on my way to my Asian American History class, and learning more about my history in 50 minutes than I’d ever known. Just sitting next to classmates and friends, and hearing the small things, from the rustling and click-clacking of note-taking to the small pop as a water bottle is opened. Planning a day ahead, anticipating a trip to Dillon Gym or checking TigerMenus to see what each dining hall has in store for dinner.

As I sit in my room, far away from Princeton for so long, I cannot help but miss my classes. But I also have been struck by an appreciation for my professors as they too adjust to this virtual semester. I know, by their passing comments laden with hope, that they too anticipate the day when we can safely return. And I see during each lecture that they’ve been putting in a lot of effort to make this semester okay. My heart goes out to my Microeconomics professor, who re-recorded the same lecture five times just to get it right for her students. Everyone has put in so much thought and effort to make this digital transition a smooth one. 

Though I may not have appreciated in-person lectures until they were gone, I will appreciate these online ones. And I look forward to the day when I walk that spiral staircase in McCosh once again, and hear the sounds of students in those old lecture halls once more. 

When this semester started, I was full of uncertainty and no small degree of sadness. Every online class, Zoom meeting, and hour spent in my room reminded me of what I thought my junior year of Princeton would look like. As a Residential College Adviser (RCA) for a group of first-years, I had to put aside my plans for fun study breaks in my room and what interacting with my “zees” (advisees) would look like. It was hard to reconfigure my perception of Princeton, and difficult to overcome how devastated I felt about the state of the semester and the world.

While I don’t think I’ll feel truly settled again until we are all back on the campus I’ve come to call home, I’ve been finding a little happiness in this semester again. Despite being scattered across time zones and oceans, my friends and I have managed to persevere and have fun. In maintaining connections even through these challenging months, our bonds have grown even stronger. And Zoom, despite its imperfections, has made it easier to meet and become closer with more casual friends from when we were on campus.

I’ve also become more deeply aware of the limited time I have left on campus. More than ever, I’m striving to make the most of the opportunities I have around me. I joined a theater group, because what is college without at least one theater memory? I take time to practice basketball in my driveway every day, something I couldn’t always do on campus, so that the next time I play intramurals in Dillon Gym, we’ll win. And I’m trying to get my required classes done this semester, so I have time for that painting class when we’re back. 

This is a semester we all have to work through, but I’m hopeful that we’ll come out the better for it.  

Princeton's Student Events Committee (PSEC) plans weekly, campus-wide programming for students. I joined PSEC last year because I love event planning, and I wanted to be a part of a student group that fosters community on campus. When we found out that this fall semester was going to be remote, we shifted our focus to thinking about virtual events and had to get creative!

At first it seemed like a real challenge, and some of us were disappointed to miss the exciting in-person events we typically do in the fall: Fall Fest, Friendsgiving, fall crafting events, massages during midterms week and more. But instead of lingering on what the semester would have looked like if we were on campus, we quickly turned our energy to adapting existing events to an online version and coming up with new ones. Luckily, we learned a thing or two from our experience planning virtual events in the second half of the spring semester last school year, and kept these takeaways in mind as we planned.

I'm working with three other PSEC Program Chairs to plan Trivia Night on Zoom. Students sign up in teams and compete through several rounds of trivia. We came up with all of the questions and categories, including Princeton Trivia, Movies & TV Shows, Board Games, Celebrities, History, Logos, Books & Authors and a Miscellaneous Challenge Round. I also organized an event earlier this semester called TigerMeet, which was basically “speed-friending” for undergrads. The first day of the event was limited to first-years, so that they could have a chance to meet each other, but the second day was open to all four classes. It can be difficult to meet new people in a virtual class setting, so TigerMeet provided an opportunity to do so. 

Image

PSEC events are always a great way to decompress and connect with friends. While this semester is certainly unique, PSEC is more than ready to adapt. Princeton students are incredibly passionate about what we do and the interests that we pursue. And it's because of that passion and dedication to our clubs, teams, classes, extracurriculars, and more, that Princeton, whether on campus or virtual, will continue to be a vibrant, inspiring community.

Like many of my peers, I was forced to change my plans for the summer as the world shifted online due to COVID-19. While my sophomore summer didn’t turn out exactly how I expected, I feel fortunate to have had a variety of fulfilling and enriching experiences, all from my childhood bedroom in Maryland.

Originally, I was supposed to intern in Congress through the American Association of People with Disabilities Internship Program. I had really been looking forward to living in Washington, D.C. and working on Capitol Hill. The in-person component of my internship was postponed until next year. However, the program still offered all interns a certificate in disability advocacy through American University online. I learned about the impact of important public policy issues like education, employment and healthcare on people with disabilities. I got to meet an amazing group of young adults who share my passion in disability advocacy, and hopefully we’ll all be together in D.C. next summer.

At first, I didn’t think I would find a formal internship, as I expected most to already be filled. I spent a lot of time searching for internship listings related to my interest in women’s rights and social justice. Luckily, my search was successful. After an application and interview process, I received a fantastic internship offer to work virtually as a Communications and Engagement Intern for Global Fund for Women, an international gender justice organization. In this position, I managed a virtual film screening tour, compiled relevant news articles, conducted media outreach, and much more. I gained valuable communications skills and learned what it’s like to work for a nonprofit organization. I look forward to expanding my knowledge about gender justice by taking classes in the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies.

I also worked as a research assistant for a professor in the School of Public and International Affairs. I helped gather information for her research project about mayoral elections. I enjoyed this first foray into political research, and it was good preparation for my upcoming independent work.

As if I wasn’t already busy enough, my final summer commitment was continuing to edit articles for The Daily Princetonian in my position as Associate News Editor. We don’t usually publish much over the summer, but there was so much important news for us to cover. I am glad we continued our mission of keeping the campus connected and informed.

This summer ended up being quite busy, but I enjoyed every commitment I had and I gained many valuable skills and knowledge that will help me in the future. I did somehow manage to find some free time to catch up on my long reading list, binge watch shows on Netflix and talk to my awesome friends. I am grateful I was able to do so much even during a pandemic summer.

No matter your political leanings, there is a place at Princeton for you. Princeton’s long list of student organizations includes many groups that focus on political engagement. We have the Princeton University College Republicans, and the Princeton College Democrats. The Princeton Progressive is a journal dedicated to progressive political thought, while The Princeton Tory is the corresponding journal of conservative thought. These groups foster a community of students with like-minded views and allow these students to explore their political interests.

While it is important to have groups based on political identity, there are also groups at Princeton that are non-partisan and try to unite students who have all sorts of different political opinions. One such example is Whig-Clio, the country’s oldest collegiate political, literary and debate society. Whig-Clio organizes events such as presidential debate and election watch parties, study breaks with friends and food, and guest speakers. Whig-Clio also has several subsidiary organizations, including the Princeton Debate Panel, Princeton International Relations Council, Princeton Mock Trial and Princeton Model Congress. Being a part of Whig-Clio is a great way to meet students passionate about politics and policy. My favorite debate they host has nothing to do with politics at all- it’s the annual Latke vs. Hamentaschen Debate to crown the best Jewish food! I have so many good memories with Whig-Clio, from waiting anxiously for election results to commenting on a presidential candidate's debate performance while chatting with my friends and eating delicious food.

Another non-partisan organization is Vote100, a group dedicated to increasing Princeton students’ voter registration and turnout rates. Historically, Princeton voter turnout has remained fairly low, and Vote100 seeks to change that. In the past, Vote100 hosted voter registration drives, gave out cool gear with a message, and ran days of action where students can contact their legislators. Vote100 recently started a new campaign through TurboVote that makes registering to vote or requesting an absentee ballot as easy as clicking a button (if you’re not a Princeton student, go to www.whenweallvote.org). I’m proud to be part of this organization as we get closer to the 2020 election. 

I think it is important for Princeton students to be politically engaged because young people like us are the future of the country. Luckily, groups like the ones I described here make it easy to become or remain politically active while at Princeton. 

When I first arrived on campus, I hadn’t ridden a bike in over two years. They say you never forget how, but I was still nervous when I first got on one again. It was my friend’s bike, and one day after class we were walking back to Forbes College, when I asked to give it a spin. And that’s when my love affair with biking on campus began. 

Princeton is both a dream and a nightmare for bikes. Forbes is “down-campus,” and the way to class is often uphill. In the mornings when I rush to class, I never bike from my room to McCosh on an empty stomach. But the burn is worth it, because the downhill route back is always a blast. I love biking through Prospect Garden and picking up speed down the main road past Whitman College. In the afternoons, the wind is a joy on your face, and at night the pathways are illuminated by golden lamps. Either way, it’s peaceful and cathartic. I found myself purposefully taking longer routes with the bike while exploring all the gentle slopes around campus. I would even bike for study breaks. After class, I would bike extra routes around campus before getting to my next destination.

Image

But biking isn’t without its hazards. As much as I extol the pleasures of biking across campus, one must also be careful. My aforementioned friend ran into a pole and flipped right over the front of his bike, his hands glued to the handles the whole time - like a minute hand being wound on a clock. Fortunately, he was only dazed, so we all laughed about it.

After that, he let me have the bike. 

It’s a wonderful bike, with a big cushiony seat. And if you’re safe, riding it is one of the underappreciated joys of campus. With the wind in my face, gliding gently across Princeton, I’m always so keenly aware of where I am, and I smile.

We’re a few weeks away from the start of the new year, and it certainly seems like this year will look nothing like it ever has before. For first-year students, the start of their Princeton experience may look different than they imagined, and for upperclass students they will face some pretty big changes in the way they know and love campus life.

I know that, as is the case for many things in our current situation, Princeton will not look how we envisioned. It’s tempting to look at the challenges and inconveniences that lie ahead with pessimism. But as I look to the year ahead, I hope that together as a community we can grow and emerge stronger than before. 

I will be a residential college adviser (RCA) in Forbes this fall, mentoring and providing support for a zee (advisee) group of first-years. (If you're in Forbes, check out our welcome video!) This is a role that I’ve looked forward to having since literally before I came to Princeton and although my experience will look different from the way I imagined it, I am trying to find the bright side every day. For example, although I may not be able to host large study breaks, I’m looking forward to getting to know my zees one-on-one. I had a lot of positive experiences with my own RCA, and I hope to be there for my first-years in the way she was for me.   

As I anticipate starting the school year in August, I know that this will be an unprecedented year. Hopefully, things will soon return to normal - but I’m confident that before they do, we will find ways to make this year unique in good ways too. This really will be a college experience like no other. Let’s make it a happy (and healthy) one.

I did not know I was a dancer or how much I loved to dance until I joined DoroBucci African Dance Company, Princeton’s premier African dance group. I first saw DoroBucci perform at Princeton Preview and instantly fell in love with the energy of their moves and the way that they looked like a huge family on stage just having fun. Joining DoroBucci turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made at Princeton and I cannot imagine my first years here without the family I’ve cultivated through DoroBucci. 

DoroBucci is an audition-based group that encourages any and all interested applicants to audition regardless of dance experience. During auditions, the current members of the group taught us two dances, one high energy and another more swaggy and chill. After that, there's a freestyle portion where everyone dances together and just hangs out. Being that I knew nothing about African dance styles and music, I was so nervous. The dancers and leaders of the group really encouraged me to try even if I did not know what I was doing and were able to walk me through moves each step of the way. DoroBucci changed the way I thought about working in a group and helped me see that family and community are as important as getting moves right and performing. I have formed lifelong friendships, found people who will stand by me during my lowest and best moments, been encouraged by my mentors and supporters and made valuable life lessons.

Image

DoroBucci is a family to me. Oftentimes in high school, we focus on activities and opportunities that we think colleges would like. Well, I’m here to encourage you to try something outside of your comfort zone or your plan. Joining clubs and dance groups on campus have been so important towards my personal and professional development. I’ve learned about team building, leadership, communication, lobbying, advertising and so much more. I’ve learned so much about myself in DoroBucci. The skills we desire and the skills we have can be cultivated and improved in ways that we’ve never imagined on campus. So, allow yourself to learn and grow in whatever you choose to join in college! And if you don't like it, that’s totally okay, but there’s absolutely no harm in trying. 

This past semester, I participated in my second Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) through the Center for Jewish Life (CJL). The fellowship was called Let Our People Go: Mass Incarceration, Liberation, and the Passover Story, and it was taught by Rabbi Julie Roth of the CJL and Professor Udi Ofer of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Professor Ofer is the Deputy National Political Director and Director of the Justice Division at the ACLU, and he has spent his career advocating for criminal justice reform. It was amazing to get to learn about the inequities built into the American mass incarceration system from such an experienced leader in this important area of public policy.

During the fellowship, we discussed the purpose of the criminal justice system, the history of mass incarceration, the role of race, alternatives to mass incarceration, and much more. I hadn’t learned much about criminal justice beforehand, so the fellowship was a real wake-up call to the enormous scale and rampant racism of modern mass incarceration. We then juxtaposed these topics with the Passover story’s themes of suffering and freedom. Rabbi Julie led us in guided readings of the Passover story that made us think about slavery and incarceration in a whole new light. 

Originally, we were supposed to plan and lead a Passover seder based on what we learned during the fellowship. Because of the pandemic, our plans shifted, but we were still able to complete a meaningful final project. We worked in small groups to create a supplement to the Haggadah, the story read at the seder, with text from the Passover story alongside discussion question that related to mass incarceration and criminal justice.

My knowledge about both mass incarceration and Passover grew as a result of this fellowship. The intersection of the two themes was an important reminder of the commitment to social justice ingrained into the Jewish faith. As the problems within the criminal justice system have exploded into the spotlight lately as the result of the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and other Black Americans, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to discuss these topics with passionate students and dedicated experts during the fellowship. 

I am also proud to see the CJL stepping up in this moment to further demonstrate their belief in social justice. Koach, the group of Jewish students in the conservative denomination, ran a successful fundraiser for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. The CJL began a reading group dedicated to books about racism. My favorite Jewish principle is tikkun olam, which means to repair the world. Recent CJL activities, including my JLF program, demonstrate that principle by showing students the importance of dedicating oneself to learning about the problems in society and advocating for equality and change.