For someone coming from Barcelona, fall at Princeton is like stepping into a postcard. The campus is surrounded by red and golden leaves, cozy corners for studying appear everywhere, and there’s an almost magnetic pull toward the pumpkin-flavored everything on Nassau Street. But while the season brings all the classic fall vibes, it’s also when midterms, projects, and extracurriculars pick up pace. Finding balance is key—and I’ve learned that the best way to navigate a busy semester is by making space for both the cozy, seasonal distractions and the academic responsibilities that define college life.

Balancing the Cozy with the Coursework
The start of fall always tempts me to slow down. The idea of sipping a hot drink while sitting by a window and drawing or reading a book sounds perfect, especially when Princeton’s fall foliage seems like it’s straight out of a movie. But with a full schedule of classes and assignments, giving in to the seasonal appeal can be tricky. I try to blend the two: setting aside time in the mornings for a coffee run or a quick study session with friends. These small breaks make the workload feel lighter, keeping me recharged and motivated. Sometimes, even just a 15-minute walk outside between classes is enough to reset.

Finding Time for People  
Spending time with friends and classmates is one of the best ways to break up the week, especially as the weather cools and cozy indoor hangouts become more appealing. Whether we’re grabbing dinner after a long day of classes or simply studying together, I’ve realized that these connections are essential. With the heavy workload, I make it a priority to keep these moments part of my routine. Scheduling doesn’t have to be formal, but a quick “Want to grab a coffee?” text can lead to some of the best conversations—and it’s often these unplanned moments that make the semester feel more balanced and enjoyable.

Extracurriculars as Both Commitment and Escape
I’m involved in extracurriculars that give me a break from academics in a way that feels productive and energizing. Whether it’s rehearsing with Sinfonia or Triangle or working on designs for Princeton Racing Electric, these activities give me a chance to apply my skills in a hands-on way. They’re a break from the study grind while still keeping me engaged and focused. I make it a point to carve out specific times for these commitments, so they become a natural part of my week rather than a source of added stress. Extracurriculars give me a change of pace, which can make all the difference during an intense semester.

Setting Aside Time for Myself
Amid the classes, social time, and extracurriculars, I’ve also learned the importance of carving out solo time. Fall invites a sense of reflection, and I find myself leaning into it by journaling or taking short walks through campus. It’s my way of grounding myself, especially when things feel fast-paced. I’ve found that these solo moments help me process what’s happening around me and stay focused on my goals, even as the semester gets busy.

Fall at Princeton may be a season of pumpkin spice and problem sets, but it’s also about making the most of each moment—both academically and personally. With the demands of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, balancing all these elements can be particularly challenging. The MAE workload often involves intense problem sets, lab reports, and late-night study sessions, all of which require focus and persistence. But finding time to enjoy the season, connect with friends, and engage in activities I’m passionate about has taught me the importance of balance. It’s this mix of hard work and meaningful breaks that brings a sense of rhythm and purpose to my college life.

Embracing both the rigor of my studies and the joy of seasonal experiences has helped me approach each semester with a renewed perspective. I’ve found that this balance not only makes the workload more manageable but also makes each success feel even more rewarding. It’s a reminder that while academics are a huge part of my journey, so too are the moments of connection, discovery, and enjoyment that make Princeton feel like home.

Last weekend, I drove more miles in a single day than I’ve driven in my whole life leading up to that point.

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A friend had convinced me to come on a road trip to Niagara Falls, in upstate New York, and I was one of the designated drivers.

In a way, this road trip was a quintessential college road trip. We ate at 2 am in a 24-hour Denny’s, we talked about life on the long drive up, we pulled into rest stops looking for food and fuel.

The Falls were incredible! My friends and I took a boat tour that went just below the falls, and we strolled throughout Niagara Falls State Park.

Although my friend did all of the driving up to Niagara Falls, I was determined to cover at least part of the drive back.

“I can take the first shift of the drive back,” I told my friend over dinner on the last night.

“If you’re sure, then okay,” he said.

Was I sure? I just got my driver’s license last summer. The license wasn’t even three months old yet. Up until that moment, my driving experience amounted to twenty hours behind the wheel, two of which were on the freeway.

Interstates are long and unforgiving… was 2 hours enough to get to the other side? 

Was I out of my mind? That’s what I asked myself as I went to bed, and as I got ready the next morning.

Fun fact: Niagara Falls is close enough to Canada to have a chain of Tim Hortons. That’s where I drove my friends for breakfast.

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The parking lot of this random Tim Hortons… my comfort zone was here. It was time to get out: of Niagara Falls (literally), of my comfort zone (metaphorically). The little voice in my head that doubted my skills–it needed to go out, too. I’ve found that acquiring a new skill is equal parts learning and practice. I had done the initial learning, but practice was how I would get comfortable. “Use it or lose it,” is a saying for a reason.

So much learning happens inside Princeton’s classrooms, but why stop there? This was an opportunity for self-education! Getting comfortable with driving lay on the other side of driving back to campus.

It was in that parking lot that I decided I was sure. This was as safe an environment as any to practice, and this chance wouldn’t come again for a while.

Over the course of the next few hours, I would end up driving 145 miles. In those hours, I learned a lot about freeway etiquette: which lanes to speed up in, how to pass big rigs, the importance of matching other people’s speed.

As the miles passed, from one to ten to fifty, my apprehension gave way to focus. My comfort zone had expanded to encompass this difficult thing I was now doing.

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The miles melted, and I kept driving, and the sun continued its arc across the sky. And there I was, pulling into gas stations and changing lanes. Smiling, because I was proud of myself for getting out.

October has been full of some exciting times. The second month of the semester always proves to be my favorite: everyone seems to be getting back into the bustle of things, the seasons are changing, and newness is in the air! As a sophomore, October can be particularly meaningful. You're learning which classes you like and which aren't your favorite. You're reckoning that you'll select your major in the coming months. You're also reckoning with the fact that you've made an entire trip around the Sun at Princeton. You're quite acclimated and should be a pro at navigating life on campus. October means you've done it. You're no longer a newly minted Princeton student.

This past month has been particularly fun for me. It started with Nigerian Independence Day celebrations. It was amazing to get to celebrate my heritage amongst friends and peers. And then came midterms prep. For me, midterms week was full of lots of writing, with several long papers due before Fall Break. This year, however, I decided against isolating myself in a study room/cubicle to complete my midterms work. Instead, I studied with friends! There was a beautiful solidarity in knowing we were all working towards similar goals. And having that support while working made even the more difficult periods of the midterms week a little more bearable. By the end of the week, I felt proud of myself and my writing. I also felt full of love for my little community on campus.

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Another gem during this week was one of my favorite playwrights visiting campus for a Princeton Atelier-at-Large talk. After the talk, a couple of other theater students and I got to chat with her for a minute, asking for advice on our respective theater journeys, and she even signed her Pulitzer-prize winning play for us! This was a beautiful vignette in the week’s chaos.

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Fall break was a wonderful decompression from the first month and a half on campus. I spent it with family—on a cruise throughout the Caribbean. It was wonderful getting to re-hash my first portion of the semester while simultaneously gearing up for the second part of it. By the time it was time to return to Princeton from break, I felt ready and excited (unlike past semesters, where I was a bit apprehensive). I knew I could brave the obstacles that were coming my way.

And one of my first accomplishments upon returning to campus was voting for the very first time. Upon my return, I found that my mail-in ballot was waiting for me at my campus mailbox. I felt fortunate that despite being far away from home, I could vote both in my local elections as well as the presidential one — even from the comfort of my dorm. As a first-generation American, the act of voting felt very special to me. And my family back home were all super excited.

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And last but not least, Halloween festivities! To break out of the "Orange Bubble" — a nickname for the Princeton campus — my friends and I chose to celebrate the first weekend of Halloween in Philadelphia. A couple of us have family there and friends who attend college in the city, so it was beautiful to visit loved ones, share stories from campus, and see what social life is like at other universities. We all dressed up as the characters of the Scooby gang from Scooby Doo and had a truly wonderful time. And we're gearing up to do it all again — this time on Princeton's campus.

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While months at Princeton can feel very short and fast, they are filled with so much fun and so much love. I'm so excited to see what beautiful memories the next months of the semester bring.

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October in New Jersey is signaled by the changing of the leaves to vibrant hues of red and yellow, and the cool air that brings in the fall season. It means leaving your dorm room in the morning freezing, but regretting having worn so many layers by midday. I have always loved fall, but there is something special about the season here on campus.

There are a million ways to enjoy the fall in Princeton. Often, residential colleges host trips to nearby apple orchards where students can pick their own apples. The Student Events Committee (PSEC) hosts its annual fall fest with crafts and fall foods. Last week, our student government held a screening of Twilight in one of our lecture halls (the quintessential movie of the season), and for Halloween, the Garden Theatre across the street from campus will be playing Nosferatu. Additionally, Coffee Club—our student-run coffee shop—never disappoints with its fall drinks, and it's not hard to come by donuts and apple cider from Terhune Orchards.

Of course, National Hispanic Heritage Month also takes place in late September and early October. The Princeton Latin American Student Association (PLASA) hosts a variety of events throughout the month, including its annual "Festival Sabrosura" and flag photoshoot. In early November, PLASA always returns with more events for Day of the Dead. Although I did not attend any of PLASA’s events this semester, I took advantage of the many other events taking place on campus.

McCarter Theatre is not directly affiliated with the University, but students can receive free admission to several performances per year. As part of its Hispanic Heritage Month programming, McCarter hosted an intimate performance and conversation with Mexican singer and songwriter Natalia Lafourcade. Growing up listening to her music with my mom made this an extremely exciting opportunity, and it was a heartwarming night of music.

The day after the concert I attended an art workshop hosted by a local community member and artist where I learned the basics of the repujado art form—a traditional Mexican technique in which designs are created on soft metals, like aluminum. We received materials and instructions while enjoying tamales, flautas, and aguas frescas from a nearby Mexican restaurant.

As the semester continues crawling towards finals, I am looking forward to continuing to enjoy the fall, even if it also means inching closer towards the winter. I’m looking forward to more strolls around campus while the leaves fall around me, celebrating my 22nd birthday, drinking more cappuccinos, and finally getting to pull out my warmer sweaters from the depths of my closet.

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Senior year is flying by and with midterms approaching, I’m reminded just how fast this semester is moving. Between working on my thesis (which feels like a never-ending list of tasks) and juggling all my commitments, my friends and I thought it’d be fun to create a bucket list of things we want to do before graduation. We haven’t set a date to write it down yet because, of course, we’re busy but we’ve already crossed off a few items from our mental list.

First up was matching socks. We took a trip to Maruichi, one of my favorite stores on Nassau Street and picked out some cute pairs—Hello Kitty, Cinnamonroll and Kuromi. One of my friends is a big Hello Kitty fan, so we all decided to grab socks featuring those characters. It might sound silly but there’s something fun about wearing matching socks. Sometimes we don’t even plan it and we end up wearing them at the same time.

Next on the list is a trip together. We’ve been talking about going somewhere for our last year and after tossing around ideas in South America and Asia, we finally landed on London! I had hoped to visit Guatemala or Los Angeles but when we looked at flights, London just felt right. We booked our tickets that same day; it was spontaneous but we were all excited to have a plan for fall break. The thought of exploring one of my favorite cities with some of my favorite people is unreal.

Then there are our movie nights. I wouldn’t call myself a movie fanatic but we definitely love watching films together. From Iron Man to Saltburn and USG movie nights like Didi, we’ve been staying up late to catch movies almost every week. One of my friends brought her projector, which has turned our hangouts into fun movie nights. It’s one of my favorite ways to unwind after long days and it helps us catch up when we’re all free.

We still have plenty of items left on our list, like senior sunrise, visiting all the eating clubs, picnics and a nice dinner on Nassau Street. Honestly, the list feels endless and I find myself setting different goals with different people. While working on my thesis and applying to grad school are top priorities right now, I think it’s just as important to have this little fun list to look forward to. Each item gives me something to anticipate after long nights or early mornings and with every checkmark, I’m reminded of how grateful I am for my amazing friends as we wrap up this year together.

One thing that I was perhaps not so prepared for coming to Princeton was the amount of celebrities I would encounter on campus! Whether it be for performances, guest speaker panels, or movie shoots, the University often attracts famed figures—some of whom are even Princeton alumni. Here are a few that I’ve gotten to see firsthand:

1. SZA

I’ll never forget when Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, came to campus. Students everywhere were lined up to attend her keynote presentation at the event titled “SOS: Race, Art, and Activism,” sponsored by Princeton’s Effron Center for the Study of America. The presentation, followed by a roundtable discussion, centered around Black activism and SZA’s experience as a Black female artist in the music industry. After the event, SZA was even kind enough to take a selfie from the stage with several of the attendees. Not only that, but she also gave free—yes, free!—tickets to her upcoming “SOS” tour to a few random lucky students! You can read more about that here.

2. David Zabel ‘88

This name may not be familiar to everyone, but it certainly was for me! David Zabel, alumni from the great class of 1988, visited the University in September 2023 to participate in the Tigers on Strike! Panel, which was about the SAG-AFTRA strike happening at the time. Zabel is currently the showrunner of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. As a huge fan of the whole The Walking Dead franchise and as a student hoping to work in the media and entertainment industry post-grad, it was insanely cool to get to see him in-person and hear his perspective on the strike and the current state of Hollywood. I even got to speak with him one-on-one after the panel, and he gave me some great advice about working in the industry.

3. Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Jack Quaid, and Christopher Nolan

In perhaps one of my all-time favorite memories from Princeton, I recall walking around campus one day in April 2022 only to find that there was a HUGE gathering of people around the East Pyne Building area. I’m talking about hundreds of students, professors, and Princeton townspeople alike surrounding both the inside and outside of the entire building. As it turned out, actors Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Jack Quaid, and director Christopher Nolan were all inside the East Pyne courtyard filming what would eventually become the award-winning blockbuster movie of Summer 2023: Oppenheimer. Though the scene that they filmed only ended up being about one second of the actual movie, it was nonetheless awesome to witness, especially for a film buff like me. Some students even got pictures with Matt Damon once they were done shooting!

These celebrities are just the tip of the iceberg. Rainn Wilson from The Office, Nick Offerman from Parks and Rec, Larry Owens from Abbott Elementary, and most recently famous singer and musician Laufey—the list goes on and on! Not to mention the many amazing musical artists that perform for us every semester at Lawnparties (which I talked about in another article that can be found here!).

I think this really speaks to the far reach of Princeton’s network, but also the diversity and creativity of the topics they’re willing to explore and the events that they’re organizing. That is to say, many of these celebrities don’t necessarily come to promote their major works but rather to participate in educational discussions. For example, we probably all know Rainn Wilson for his beloved character Dwight Schrute, but his visit to Princeton was actually so that he could share his recent book Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution in a discussion with Professor Ruha Benjamin through the Office of Religious Life.

Finally, besides getting to just see and hear them speak about topics they’re passionate about, these celebrity appearances also offer Princeton students the unique chance to network with industry professionals and, for some students, their idols. There’s much we can learn from their success and experience, and, again as someone hoping to work in entertainment after I graduate, I for one am definitely grateful for those opportunities to connect with such prominent figures!
 

As a Nigerian-American from Prince George’s County, Maryland — home to a large community of Nigerians — I spent most of my childhood in spaces where I could embrace and celebrate my cultural identity. Thus, coming to Princeton — an area with a demographic quite different from my hometown — I initially worried that I’d be unable to find spaces where I could be myself and celebrate my heritage. Fortunately, upon arriving at Princeton, I discovered that this campus is home to many affinity groups, all of which take pride in hosting events with the primary purpose of cultural celebration. Moreover, the first few weeks on campus have been filled with many of these kinds of events — a perfect way to get back into the bustle of things!

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During our first week on campus, the Black Student Union hosted its annual B[l]ack Together event — an outdoor gathering filled with food, post-summer reunions, guest speakers, and affirmations. Yearly, B[l]ack Together serves as a space where Black students can make new friends, network with Black professors and like-minded peers, learn about what it looks like to be Black on campus, and receive words of affirmation as the semester starts. I know so many friend groups that have formed following this event. This year, it was so beautiful to see the first-year students explore this space of solidarity during their first week on campus.

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The next weekend was filled with many different events. As Ethiopians worldwide celebrated the Ethiopian New Year, Princeton’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association hosted a New Year celebration. This event was a beautiful melange of food, Ethiopian music, dancing, and displays of identity. Seeing my Ethiopian friends don their traditional clothing and celebrate their heritage — even so far from home — was wonderful. 

Simultaneously, Princeton’s Society for African Internationals welcomed diasporic students to campus with a welcome dinner. My Nigerian friends and I enthusiastically attended, given the presence of Jollof rice, puff puff, and more of our cultural cuisine — cuisine we often do not have access to during the school year. This event also proved to be a perfect opportunity to meet and network with African international students who were curious about the experience of being African at Princeton.

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Last but certainly not least, Princeton’s Carribean Connection hosted their annual and long-anticipated Rep Yuh Flag event — a night of dancing and music where students from all over the diaspora don flags from their mother countries and celebrate their identities. Last year, I met some of my best friends on campus through this event, and I was beyond excited to participate in it again. Wearing my Nigerian flag on my waist, I spent the night dancing to Caribbean and African music with my friends, feeling immensely proud and rooted in where I come from.

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From language tables where students can speak and practice their native languages to spaces devoted wholly to celebrating our diverse identities, Princeton constantly proves itself as a space where I can not only celebrate my own identity but also learn more about the identities of my peers. With Nigerian Independence Day around the corner, I look forward to celebrating my culture with my Nigerian friends and introducing my beautiful culture to my non-Nigerian peers!

It’s September 1st as I type this. 2:41 PM to be exact — 40,000 feet above the ground, smooth flying on a United flight. For me, this means my annual migration from Texas to the beautiful garden state of New Jersey has begun. It’s back to school. As a junior, I’m making this pilgrimage for the third time now, and that has me thinking about how much has changed over the years — or on the contrary, what hasn't. 

Some things never change. For example, the commute to Princeton never gets easier for me. As I grow older, I find that the more time I spend at home, the harder it becomes to leave. And I've realized those first-day of school jitters also don’t change. I still feel like a freshman at times. Walking into class I’ll always wonder, who I will meet? What will my classes be like? What memories await me on the other side? 

Some things I never want to change. The welcoming school-wide chaos that wakes you up at 9am on Lawnparties. The dogs that regularly play on Cannon Green. The soon to be married couples taking pictures on campus, or my avoidance the main entrance of FitzRandolph Gate (to skirt bad luck). Or how every time I pass that main gate, I imagine what life will look like the day I walk out of it . 

In some ways, you'll change. Princeton has a tradition where freshmen walk through the main gate of FitzRandolph Gate when arriving on campus for the first time. Students avoid that main gate until graduation, when they walk under it and out of the Princeton bubble. While many things stay the same here, other things are forced to change. Time moves us forward whether we want it to or not, and looming graduation is a kind reminder of just that. Not only are you getting older, but you will grow and change during you time here. For one, you’ll likely change your perspective on what is considered a “good grade.” Sure students still get As, but you become less phased by “bad" grades or challenges. You’ll likely lose the novelty of campus to some degree, which is normal and natural. Blair Arch is no longer a celebrity of landmarks, but just another building I pass by on my way to class. 

There's a quote that I often come back to that I think applies well to this idea of seasons of change: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man”. 

For a small liberal arts school hidden within the overgrown bushes of the garden state, I find that quite a lot happens here. You change, and so will Princeton. Sometimes, you’ll feel like a fish out of water. But remember that you are meant to return to the river. You were made for it. 

Junior year brings many changes — JPs, eating clubs, thinking about the future — but a change that not many discuss is the shift from underclassmen (residential college) housing to upperclassmen housing. In sophomore year, students have the option to choose to live in one of 15 dorms where only juniors and seniors live, as opposed to staying in their residential colleges where they’ve lived in for the past few years. Having lived in Bloomberg Hall for both my freshman and sophomore years, moving elsewhere on campus was exciting but also very daunting. How am I going to deal with walking more than 2 minutes to eat at Yeh, my favorite dining hall on campus? Where am I going to hang out with my friends if not Butler Basement? How will I survive without Studio 34?

There definitely have been some adjustments I’ve had to make living in my new home, an upperclassmen dorm located near the U-Store. There are some comforts that I miss, such as A/C and a private bathroom, from when I lived in a quingle (a room with four singles) my sophomore year. There’s a good amount of noise on weekends and some of the facilities are a little less updated compared to the newer residential colleges. 

Despite all these concerns, after living a month in my new home, I can confidently say that I don’t regret signing up for upperclassmen draw. There are many benefits to upperclassmen housing, a big one being location. As a SPIA major, I now no longer have to trek up the hill in the middle of the campus to get to my classes in Robertson Hall; I can now wake up 15 minutes before my class and still get there on time. I can also now walk over to U-Store in 2 minutes whenever I crave a quick snack or duck to Nassau Street when I want boba or a meal. 

Even though I no longer have the community of my residential college immediately around me and the pleasure of running into members of my zee group, or my Residential College Advisor (RCA) and Peer Academic Advisor (PAA) around Butler, I get the opportunity to bump into friends that I’ve made from other residential colleges like Rocky and Mathey in my courtyard or when I’m walking to class. My friends who I had to walk up campus just to meet and hang out with are now a door away. What’s even better is that I get to room with my friends from different residential colleges whereas I would’ve only been able to room with my friends who are from Butler had stayed there this year. 

The upperclassmen dorms are also beautiful, and I’ve enjoyed many afternoons looking across my courtyard and seeing the sun dip down below the gothic exteriors of the dorms opposite mine. I’ve walked up and down the path that leads to the dorms during the night with my friends, when the lamps have just been lit up and it feels like we’ve been transported to a quaint, faraway town with cobblestone streets — the views near my new dorm have really felt magical at times. 

There’s definitely pros and cons towards leaving your residential colleges but above all, it’s such a quintessential Princeton experience. In many ways, going to upperclassmen housing is representative of becoming a junior: you experience a change in your life which is not entirely bad and not entirely good, but it’s a change that epitomizes your transformation into an upperclassmen and moving forward in your university career. At the end of the day, what’s a Princeton journey without some challenge by choice?

This past Thursday, September 12th, 50 members of the Class of 2025 were treated to a free trip to the Yankees vs. Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium—and I was lucky enough to be one of them!

Organized by our class leadership team (composed of our elected peers!), the trip was a great way to start off the semester before classes get into full swing. We were given free transportation to the stadium via bus, as well as free tickets to the game. Of course, Princeton students very much have a “work hard, play hard” mentality, so while we were all getting hyped up to go to the game, you could also find a few students getting some homework done on the bus ride over!

Once we arrived at the stadium, though, everyone was off to the races and excited to take a well-deserved break from academics. Besides getting to chant with the crowd and cheer for our favorite team (Go Yankees!), my friends and I also personally enjoyed walking around and taking advantage of all the delicious food options at the stadium. We highly recommend the chicken tenders and fries from Fuku and the Mister Softee ice cream for dessert!

The trip was also a great opportunity to meet and get to know other members of the Class of 2025 that we may not have met otherwise. Even though we’ve been at Princeton for over 3 years now, I was surprised to see so many new faces from my class that I had yet to cross paths with on campus. Coming together for the game was a way for us to bond as seniors and make new friends as we embark on our final year together.

All class officers (but especially ours!) do an incredible job of planning excursions like this throughout the school year for their respective classes. In past years, the Class of 2025 has even done a field trip to a local rodeo! However, remember there are usually a limited number of spots available per trip—so definitely be on the lookout for communication from your class leaders and try to grab a spot before they run out! Worst case scenario, there’s usually a waitlist you can be placed on in case other students’ plans change.

With my senior year now underway, I certainly look forward to more fun opportunities like this one to take trips outside of our “Orange Bubble” and decompress with my peers!