Winter has a funny way of feeling like fall right about now.

I think it’s just new-semester weather:

The brisk mornings give way to trees that snap in the wind.

The sun is out, and students study outdoors in brightly-colored lawn chairs.

After a winter break that rid campus of most signs of life, it is once again teeming with activity.

Returning to campus, I made the decision to look into joining an eating club. Here’s a diary snapshot of what my experience has been like:

What is Street Week?

Well, first, what is an eating club? 

Eating clubs are honestly a Princeton social construct. Think of a co-ed social group (not unlike a frat or sorority) except it also doubles as a dining hall for many upperclassmen.

Street week is a series of events tailored towards recruiting new members to join an eating club. Some clubs require you to undergo a process called bicker (the equivalent of rushing a sorority/fraternity) and some allow you to sign-in and join based on a lottery system.

Why Am I Participating?

Since returning from study abroad, I’ve felt disconnected from the other juniors on campus. Last semester, I was independent–meaning I cooked my own meals. As a result, I also ate on my own.

As my time starts to feel more limited, I want to spend less time on cooking while having more structured opportunities to reconnect with friends.

The Perils of the Street

In a way, the Street (where all the eating clubs are) is a fraught place. 

As someone who wears the hijab and does not drink, I often have to choose which activities to sit out of and how I want to show up on the dance floor. 

As a person of color, the Street is a place that confronts me with the predominantly white nature of Princeton. (Who is looking for the pretty Black girls on the Street?)

Throughout my experience of Street week, I continuously need to ask the clubs I’m visiting about their financial aid policies. The crux of my decision is reduced into a math problem: do I want to make friends or do I want to save money?

Hopes 

I have found my conversations with club members to be less draining than I thought they would be. I have been trying to be myself, whatever that means. 

I don’t know if I’ll get into an eating club, and that’s okay.

I let my identities prevent me from exploring the street for so long, so this is me trying to put myself out there. This is me being open to the experience. 
 

As my plane touched down in New York City after a blissful winter break back home in Barcelona, where snow is very rare, the anticipation of experiencing my first snowfall at Princeton was palpable. The air was chilly, and the landscape was blanketed in a pristine layer of snow, transforming the campus into a winter wonderland.

Reconnecting with friends became an exhilarating adventure as we navigated the snowy paths, sharing stories of our travels and catching up on the latest happenings. Whitman College became our playground as we seized the opportunity to sled down its slopes, the laughter echoing through the frosty air. I also got to do my first ever snow angel; a spontaneous creation on the glistening canvas of white. The pristine snow became a symbol of the fresh start that awaited me in the upcoming semester.

However, my early comeback was to experience and participate in Princeton’s Wintersession, which is an oasis of possibilities and trove of experiences. Leading a group to Broadway to witness the amazing performance of "The Lion King" was a highlight, immersing us in the magic of live theater. Indoor skydiving and go-karting injected doses of adrenaline, pushing us beyond our comfort zones and forging unforgettable bonds. Watching “Carmen” at The Metropolitan Opera was a captivating experience that broadened my artistic horizons. Finally, Wintersession's diverse workshops, from drawing and crocheting to sketchbooking, offered a canvas for self-discovery and creativity.

What sets Wintersession apart is its unique ability to kindle passions, both old and new. The sessions are not merely a collection of activities, but a communal journey of exploration. Meeting fellow students with similar interests and diverse backgrounds added a dynamic layer to the experience, turning each event into a shared adventure.

Princeton's commitment to fostering this community spirit is evident in its generosity. The funding support provided by the university allows students to propose and lead their own sessions. This inclusivity ensures that everyone, like myself, can contribute ideas and actively participate in shaping the Wintersession landscape.

Wintersession at Princeton is a celebration of curiosity; a tapestry woven with the threads of exploration and camaraderie. It's not just an interlude between semesters; it's a transformative experience that beckons you to embrace the unexpected, reconnect with your passions, and forge connections that will last a lifetime.

Princeton is a magical place. Yes, it is academically challenging and a break is nice, but there is something special about being back on campus after a long time away.

Princeton’s winter break is long--about a whole month off. Many of my friends from back home only have a few weeks to relax, and they return to school much sooner than I do. This is partially due to our academic calendars not aligning, but regardless by the end of break I feel like I’ve been away from Princeton forever. Now don’t get me wrong, this break is well deserved, but you truly start to miss the best old place of all.

Coming back to campus after winter break is a wonderful experience. In college, campus becomes your home – or rather, home away from home. The longer you are away, the more you miss it. Seeing your Princeton friends again and catching up is super exciting and fun! Hearing about their adventures like traveling to Iceland, interning for a senator, or just catching up on sleep, you never know what you are going to hear.

Another exciting aspect about coming back to campus is preparing for the new semester’s classes. By the time I get back, I have almost forgotten what classes I’ve signed up to take in the spring semester. Looking over what I chose again strangely brings me joy. Princeton has such a diverse and wide variety of classes, so there is something exciting for everyone. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment with how busy you may be at school, so the new year and new semester after a nice break allows for a period of reflection. Looking back at the fall semester and evaluating what went well and what didn’t go so well is super important. Setting up a game plan for the spring is both fun and rewarding. I personally look forward to trying to write out my notes instead of typing them – we’ll see which works best!

In all, coming back to Princeton after the winter break is a wonderful experience. The longer you are out of the Orange Bubble, the more you miss it (no wonder Reunions are such a hit). From catching up with friends, enjoying the architecture/ campus, to planning for the semester and picking out that first day outfit, it feels good to be back home – Princeton that is!

Navigating relationships at Princeton is inevitable when you are surrounded by people who have so much to bring to the table. There are geniuses. Comedians. Dancers. Creators. Visionaries. In fact, it can almost be overwhelming. However, college is a special moment in time where people from all walks of life are within your fingertips and it can be a truly beautiful experience taking advantage of this and getting to know them. That is why, from classes to club practices, there are so many opportunities to introduce new characters to your life. So many people at Princeton are willing to meet others and connect over a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. While it can be daunting taking the first step, you never know where your path might lead you and that is the exciting part of navigating adulthood and building relationships. 

It is true that in an institution that prioritizes rigorous academics, sometimes relationships can be an afterthought, but love is definitely here and it is certainly everywhere. In fact, relationships at Princeton can take shape in many different ways. Sometimes it is romantic and sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes love looks like the warm smiles and friendly chatter between people. Other times, it looks like the couple on the street who is tightly embracing one another. But most times, love looks like people who are kind to themselves. 

Especially at Princeton, there are so many ways to bolster love towards others and love towards yourself. From activities intended to foster positive habits, to tokens of gratitude, love is expressed in a myriad of forms. There are programs and events sponsored by the Residential Colleges dedicated to ensuring that people remain compassionate and connected to each other in times of hardship and difficulty; there are also lavish banquets and spa nights to ensure that people take care of themselves. There are mental health panels, student government sponsored activities, and plenty of other community events to ensure that the Princeton community as a whole can collectively persevere against any hatred or hardship together.

That is why I say love at Princeton is everywhere. Students, faculty, and staff at Princeton try to exemplify love through the intent behind their words but more importantly, their actions towards one another. That is why, approaching love at Princeton doesn’t have to be intimidating. It is in your dorm room, your hall, your classes, your meals, and your school at large. Regardless of its form, love at Princeton manifests itself in many unique forms — both concretely and abstractly. 

Civic service and engagement are a large part of what Princeton stands for. The Pace Center for Civic Engagement provides a very wide range of possible volunteer opportunities for Princeton students. Organizations range across a wide variety of interests and social issues. To highlight just a few, the list includes opportunities to tutor local K-12 students or incarcerated individuals in the NJ-NY area, involvement in a summer camp that supports children affected by a caregiver’s cancer diagnosis, and volunteering at blood drives with the Red Cross.

In addition to the opportunities listed explicitly on the Pace Center’s website, many students become embedded in the surrounding community and engage with organizations that are not necessarily affiliated with the University. For example, many students that I know volunteer with an organization called Solidaridad Central Jersey, which operates a pro se asylum clinic. A variety of individual clubs and organizations on campus also execute their own volunteering efforts. The options feel limitless.

From September through December, I spent my Tuesday evenings teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in the basement of Green Hall. Students for Prison Education, Abolition and Reform (SPEAR) works with the local non-profit, Familias en Resistencia y Acción (previously known as Unidad Latina en Acción NJ), to host around a dozen immigrants in the Mercer County area who are interested in reinforcing or building their English proficiency.

Every week, students are responsible for teaching one two-hour class, either on campus during the week, or in Trenton on Saturday mornings. During the days leading up to each class, co-teachers meet to create their lesson plans. Many times, however, teachers are required to adapt on the spot—we aim to be very flexible and responsive to ESL students’ needs during the classes themselves. There are three English levels taught each day.

SPEAR’s first semester offering ESL classes was in the spring of 2023, but my first time volunteering was not until that summer. Being fully transparent, I had initially been worried about my ability to manage my time well enough to undertake this additional responsibility. However, it was something I really wanted to do, so I joined the team of teachers over the summer to assist with the virtual classes being offered. Every Saturday, my co-teacher and I taught Level 1 English from 6 to 8 PM. It was a great experience, and I am so happy that I continued to teach ESL in the fall.

With the same co-teacher, we taught Level 2 English during the fall semester. It was extremely rewarding not only to see familiar faces from the summer, but also to build relationships with new students. Every class, students became increasingly confident and participated more and more. By the end of the fall semester, our small class felt like a small community and Tuesday evenings were the highlight of my week. As the spring semester kicks off, I look forward to continuing my involvement teaching ESL.

Volunteer opportunities are more than abundant on and around campus. Although it may feel intimidating to devote time to other extracurriculars, it is beyond worth it. Volunteering and engaging with people living in the surrounding community has enhanced my time at Princeton—it feels good to be a part of something bigger.

As winter break draws to a close and the spring semester approaches, Princeton students are gearing up for another Add/Drop! Also known as “shopping period,” this is basically a time when students are trying out various classes and finalizing their schedules. Over the course of the first two weeks of the semester, you can literally “shop” around by sitting in on the first lecture or seminar of different courses to see which piques your interest and which you’ll ultimately pursue enrollment for. I absolutely love Add/Drop because it gives me the chance to actually feel out the vibe of a class in-person—not just from a syllabus or a Canvas page—and make my decision accordingly. If you tend to be indecisive like me, it’s comforting to have the flexibility of this trial period, rather than everything being set in stone and potentially getting stuck in a course you don’t like. Classes that I found and shopped last-minute have sometimes ended up becoming my favorite one of the semester!

But what happens when a class is full and a student can’t get a spot?

Picture this: you’re frantically refreshing the enrollment page every five seconds, hoping and praying that someone, anyone will drop the class so you can be the first one to snag their spot. You don’t want to camp out by your laptop, but you’re scared you’ll miss it if a seat opens! 

Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case. You don’t have to guard the enrollment page 24/7 because your fellow Princeton students actually designed an app just for this purpose. In a previous blog post (which you can check out here!), I explored ReCal, one of the student-created TigerApps at Princeton. While ReCal remains my favorite, I’d like to share another TigerApp that I love: TigerSnatch!

TigerSnatch is designed for students to get real-time notifications when a spot in a class opens up during Add/Drop. As their homepage states, “With TigerSnatch, Princeton students can "subscribe" to full courses and sections and get instantly notified via email and text message when a spot frees up.” Not only that, but the site also provides helpful information, such as how many other people are waiting for a spot, if that class has reserved seats, and the last time a spot opened. 

Like ReCal, this is just another great example of the innovation of our Tigers. TigerApps were made for Princeton students, by Princeton students, so they know what the community is in need of most and can create apps that truly cater to our needs. As someone who uses these apps and websites often, I’m super grateful for them and their efforts to make student lives just a little bit easier! 

During the semi-chaotic, lowkey stressful process known as Room Draw that occurs towards the end of every spring semester, students (usually in groups) enter a lottery-like system to determine in what order they’ll pick their new rooms. Although first-years and sophomores are guaranteed dorms within their respective residential colleges, this is not necessarily the case for juniors and seniors. Once Princeton students approach their third year, they’re given the option to enter their residential college lottery—of which there are only a certain amount of spots allotted for juniors and seniors—and/or enter the upperclassmen lottery and live in parts of campus that are specifically designated for just upperclassmen. (Note: Most draw groups do end up entering both lotteries to see all their options!) 

Well, despite our love for our New College West home, my group was sadly unable to snag one of those junior spots in our res college draw, so we ended up drawing rooms in upperclassmen housing instead. Currently, I’m living with one of my best friends in 1901-Laughlin Hall, a dorm located in the northwest part of campus, among several buildings infamous for being not the most updated.

I’ll be honest—I was worried. I had heard the stories and rumors about living in this stretch of old buildings… cockroaches, lots of noise. Pretty much nothing you’re looking for in an ideal living space and a stark contrast to many of the air-conditioned, elevator-equipped newer dorms. But I decided to remain positive and open to all that my new dorm had to offer.  

I soon discovered that this network of dorms was not without its own charms. After living in it for nearly four months now, I can honestly say that its bad reputation is at least in part over-exaggerated. Sure, you see your decent amount of bugs and experience a fair share of noise on the weekends, but here are some pros (or at least things to take into consideration):

1. People aren’t lying when they say the summer heat only lasts for the first two or so weeks of the fall semester. After that, the heat really wasn’t that much of a bother. Just be sure to pack a fan or two, and I’d recommend trying to go for a room on one of the lower floors to help, too.
2. You can live with your friends from other residential colleges! One major reason that students actually choose to draw into upperclassmen dorms is because they can finally room with friends who belong to different res colleges, which isn’t possible for the first two years.  
3. You’re much closer to Nassau Street and many of the classrooms. This is a game changer for many students, particularly those whose original res colleges were far (sorry Forbes, NCW, and Yeh). It practically cuts the walking distance in half, so you can sleep in for a little longer in the mornings instead of rushing uphill to class! (Bonus: they are also equidistant from Dillon Gym and the U-Store, both of which students tend to frequent, as well.)
4. Speaking of comparisons to other res colleges, the architecture of these buildings is also a huge selling point. If you’re looking for that classic collegiate gothic style that Princeton is often known for, this is the place to be!
5. Lastly, in a similar vein to #2, because it only houses juniors and seniors, you’ll be surrounded by familiar faces. We love all first-years and sophomores, but it’s nice to have a little slice of campus for just our fellow upperclassmen.

So if you do end up living in the older upperclassmen dorms, bring your fans and bug spray—but also enjoy it! The vibes in this part of campus are honestly unmatched, and you’re sure to bond with your friends and fellow upperclassmen that live there.

At Princeton, there are several places to find community. In your residential college, in clubs, in classes. But when there’s a gap to be filled, and students can’t find exactly what they’re looking for, it becomes all the more important for them to make that community for themselves. 

This is precisely what I experienced over the course of the past year. Being a proud Filipino, I recall seeking out any sort of Filipino club when I first came to Princeton. I knew that there were fellow students here that shared my heritage, but it was just a matter of finding them and connecting with them.

I was so glad to hear that there were other students (shoutout to the Qua sisters!), who felt the same way and had already gotten the ball rolling. Thus, the Princeton Filipino Community (PFC) was born. Though versions of the club had existed in prior years, the club had been dormant for some time. The idea first started gaining traction again towards the end of my sophomore year, and it was at the beginning of my junior year when I saw these ideas really come to fruition. 

Over the past few months, we have made huge strides in establishing our tight-knit Filipino family on campus, and I’m honored to have been even a small part in that. This past semester, I served on the leadership team of PFC as the Social Media Manager and have gotten to help plan some of our first few events of the year. 

For instance, our kickoff dinner this past September was super successful. I remember walking out of it being so incredibly happy—“just good vibes” was the phrase that I used to describe the feeling to my friends. Even more significantly, it was also cool to meet a ton of other Filipino undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty alike. I’ve gained so many more familiar faces to say hi to around campus and, for that, I’m grateful!

During our club events, we partake in all the classic activities of our country: from Halo-Halo making; to creating traditional Filipino Christmas lanterns known as parols; and, of course, singing karaoke! Our meetings are also always filled with delicious, authentic Filipino food, so it’s the perfect time to experience a taste of home while at college. Not to mention, all these things are funded by the University! With monetary help from Princeton’s Projects Board, the funding branch of our Undergraduate Student Government (USG), student organizations like ours are really able to thrive.

Though I won’t be serving as an officer next semester, I’m so glad to have been involved in PFC’s revival, and I’m excited to see what else is to come for our club!

Princeton is home to many beautiful coffee shops that are sites of bustling interactions, community building, and personalized comfort spaces. These places — from our beloved Small World to our unique Coffee Club —frequently witness a diverse crowd of students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. From freshly brewed teas to seasonal specialties, a variety of drinks can be found in the hands of loyal customers who indulge in the comforting flavors of their beverage of choice. Indeed, as people flutter in and out of these shops, it becomes clear that coffee is more than just a drink — it is a treat for the exhausted, a buffer between introductions, and a medium to bring community together.

9:01 am: In the mornings, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafts in the air as tired customers head to their shop of choice. As an observer, I watch as greetings and goodbyes intertwine with other chatter. This chatter is rich in substance as students check in with one other, make plans for the week, and navigate the highs and lows of college. There will be students who silently take out their laptops and start working while others will hastily say their goodbyes as they rush to their first class of the day. The crowd ebbs and flows but the mornings in the coffee shops are always filled with life.

12:31 pm: In the afternoons, things seem to be more calm. There is a stillness that seems to anticipate the incoming chaos. Soon, the afternoon lethargy catches up to the early risers and the coffee shops of Princeton become a blur. Orders are repeated, customer names are yelled, and this whole process repeats itself until the midday rush subsides to a peaceful swell.  

3:00 pm: One by one, I can see groups of people come in — coffee shops are now a space where people can work on projects together, study with one another, or simply exist in the presence of others. Coffee is no longer just a pick-me-up, but rather, a symbol for the shared experience that fellow Princeton students go through as they attempt to finish their work. 

6:00 pm: As the night falls and the shops prepare to close, people begin to leave one by one. Farewells are exchanged and tomorrow, the creak of the door will signify the start to a new day.

At Princeton, coffee shops host a vibrant, bustling, culture where people can come together. They are at the crux of our shared experiences as fellow Princeton students, staff, faculty, residents, and visitors are able to undergo an experience that connects us to each other in this quaint college town. Indeed, these shared experiences are a product of our environment; Princeton’s medium-sized campus, rigorous academic environment, and yet its social desire for connection are forged together in the many local coffee shops found nearby. There is something special about being able to feel like there is a place ready to accommodate everybody for every purpose — here at Princeton, whether you visit these sites to grab a sweet drink or to meet others, you’re always in for a treat.

In the thick of my thesis and deep in finals preparation, graduation feels like a very distant prospect at the moment. But come May, I will be donning my cap and gown to process through Fitzrandolph Gate as a new alumna. Seniors are preparing now for life outside the Orange Bubble, and there are many different options to consider. What do Tigers do after graduation?

Some students enter the workforce directly after graduating. My friend Ben, for instance, was offered a position at the company where he interned over the summer. Other students meet potential employers through events like the HireTigers career fair or through the website Handshake. The Center for Career Development is always available to help search for jobs, refine your resume, and conduct mock interviews.

Other students, around 20% in recent years according to the Daily Princetonian, continue their studies in graduate school. This could be a master's program, doctoral program, medical school, or law school. A master's program is generally one to two years and consists mainly of specialized courses. My friend James, for instance, intends to do a one-year master's before becoming a practicing structural engineer. A doctoral program is a longer commitment, typically 5-6 years, that consists of courses and then several years of research.

Some students apply for special one to two year fellowships, like the Rhodes, Marshall, or Gates Cambridge, that provide funding for research experiences. These are often country or university-specific. The Gates Cambridge, for instance, is for several years of graduate study at the University of Cambridge in England. The Office of International Programs hosts information sessions on campus for each of these throughout the year for interested students.

Through my research experiences at Princeton, I've discovered that I really enjoy the problem-solving process of academic research, and I know I'd like to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation. Throughout the summer and fall, I researched different potential programs and advisors in order to prepare my applications for doctoral programs. Most are due mid-December, and I'll hear back in March (stay tuned).

While my preparations for life post-graduation are well underway, I fully intend to cherish my last semester and all its traditions. I'm truly looking forward to all that this coming semester will bring.