Midterm season is perhaps the most stressful time of the year. Unlike finals, midterms are not accompanied by a gracious reading period, which is the final week before exams when classes are not in session.

As a result, students fight the universal battle of effectively managing regular coursework, extracurricular activities and test preparation. On top of everything, there’s the need to practice self-care, including eating regularly and getting enough sleep, for peak performance on the day of the test.

It’s a lot to ask from anyone. But there’s something unexpected about studying that comes from all the chaos.

I like to study in public places. There is a sense of camaraderie in a crowded study room, knowing that everyone is going through the same experience and working towards similar goals. However, with more than 5,000 undergraduates scrambling to find study spaces, popular locations fill up quickly. In the early days, this left me stranded with no place to go.

So, I started exploring, stepping into uncharted territory, visiting buildings that I would normally never have a reason to enter. Over time, I’ve collected quite a list of nontraditional study spaces. But for now,  I’ll just give you a couple of examples of what I believe to be the most underrated study spaces on campus.

Woolworth Music Building

If you’re not a music major or an arts student, chances are you didn’t even know this building existed. Nestled under the shadow of the Frist Campus Center and among the trees near Prospect House, Woolworth is a perfect space if you’re looking for a smaller crowd. Inside the Mendel Music Library are cubicles and, though not many, spacious tables. This is my favorite study spot when I need room to lay out all my work.

Lewis Center for the Arts Complex

This brand-new building on campus channels a contemporary look. Although the place wasn’t designed to be a study space, Lewis Arts Complex has artsy and comfortable seating areas, perfect for the kind of work that only requires a laptop. Make sure to check out the small library on the 6^th floor of the Arts Tower. This space, which looks like it came straight out of the Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast," boasts a legendary view with an intimate feel of being surrounded by books.

The whistle sounded behind me as I retraced my steps from the train station to Whitman College, lost in memories of a magical weekend.

For two days, my younger sister, Angelina, had stayed with me on campus. During that time, there was no such thing as homework—the only item on my agenda was to have fun with my best friend. Together, we explored the Delaware & Raritan Towpath, laughing as turtles periodically popped their heads out of the canal. We toured the University Chapel, mesmerized by the colored light that filtered through the stained glass windows. We ate dinner at my favorite local sushi spot, Sakura Express, then got ice cream from Halo Pub and people-watched and squirrel-watched on the lawn in front of Nassau Hall. At sunset, we reclined in Adirondack chairs as the sky over Whitman College was painted cotton candy pink. We played foosball in the basement of Butler College—then immediately challenged each other to a rematch. Come nightfall, we lay side by side on the giant sundial beside East Pyne Hall and stargazed, connecting constellations in Princeton's dazzling sky. Afterward, we dropped by Murray Dodge Café for a late-night snack, lured in by the scent of freshly baked cookies. During the walk back to my dorm room that night, we had an impromptu arch sing of our own, allowing our favorite songs to fill the autumn air. Finally, on Angelina's last day here, we ran through the pouring rain to Nassau Street for an early-morning breakfast at Jammin Crepes. We laughed so hard our stomachs ached. We walked so much our feet were sore. It was the best weekend, with the best company, at the best place of all.

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There’s something so special about sharing the place you love with the ones you love. Seeing Princeton through my sister’s eyes made me appreciate my campus anew. No Gothic spire or stained glass window went unnoticed. Angelina’s visit reminded me how important it is to take the time to enjoy where you are—to enjoy the sky above you, the earth below you, and the company beside you.

It made me recognize just how lucky I truly am to call Princeton “home.”

If you're interested in finding out what events are happening on campus and the surrounding area, then this might be the post for you. In terms of performing arts, Princeton's famous Triangle Club performs the musical-comedy "Spy School Musical" at McCarter Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov.11, with an additional matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. However, if you feel like watching some dancing, the all-female contemporary dance group, eXpressions, is performing their show "FUNHOUSE" in the Frist Theater on Friday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m., and twice on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. All tickets can be bought at the physical Frist Ticket Office or online, and students can get tickets to various shows for a reduced rate. Also, students are given two free tickets per school year for any events that are "student events eligible."

Perhaps you're leaning towards more visual stimulation? Be sure to check out the University Art Museum for a range of collections and exhibits, such as: "Making History Visible: Of American Myths and National Heroes," "Hold: A Meditation on Black Aesthetics," and "Rouge: Michael Kenna." There are also free "Highlight Tours" on both Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12, from 1- 2 p.m. where you can receive a guided tour of the Museum's premier collections "from antiquity to contemporary."

These are only a small fraction of all the various events happening in and around Princeton, so if you'd like to get a full list of the events, you can visit the Frist Ticketing Office website, the Princeton University Art Museum website, as well as the McCarter Theatre website. Princeton has so many worthwhile events. I encourage you to take advantage of them!

During the semester I had the privilege and opportunity to work as a veterinary intern at the Princeton Animal Hospital (PAH). PAH is only about ten minutes from the University and handles various medical cases for dogs and cats.

At the clinic, I see a wide range of medical cases, since you truly never know what is going to walk through the door. While at first I was mostly observing and learning the ropes, now that I’ve been there for a few months, I’m able to do much more in the lab. I help with blood samples, prepare injections, pull medications, as well as assist during physical examinations. I have learned so much from the time I have spent in the hospital. The vets are incredible and always try to explain the case to me.

While I’m not in a lecture learning material as with traditional university classes, this internship is teaching me the practical skills that will prepare me for veterinary school. I am learning by doing, which is exactly the type of preparation I need. I am verifying this is the field I want to go into, and I am so thankful that I was able to coordinate the internship with my class schedule to make it happen.

Plus, I have to admit, it’s nice being able to get off of campus twice a week and pretend I am in the real world. Oftentimes, I find myself caught up in the Orange Bubble (how we fondly refer to campus), unable to get off campus and explore the surrounding area. Though I am only traveling ten minutes from campus, it is still a nice way for me to engage with the local community.  

This internship is just one of the many examples of ways in which Princeton students are engaging with the local community. I have friends who tutor off campus, work for the hospice at the nearby hospital, babysit for professors and other townspeople, and intern at other local companies. It is definitely feasible to have an off-campus job if you are willing to put the work into it. For some, that may not be of interest, but if there is an organization or company that you really want to work with, it is possible and 100% worth it.

Last semester, I spent the semester abroad in Panama. I was part of a unique program run through the ecology and evolutionary biology department. When I first started thinking about going abroad, one of my biggest concens was "FOMO": fear of missing out. Would I miss out on fun events with my friends? Would I be sad that I wouldn’t attend spring events such as the annual dodgeball tournament or Communiversity (arts festival)? Would I be upset when I saw Facebook photos of my friends all having a great time without me?

However, once I went to Pamana, I quickly realized that none of those fears mattered. Sure, my friends were having a good time without me, and yes, I was missing out on events, but I was also doing incredible things. When my friends were having a movie night, I was busy celebrating Carnival (a celebration with parades, floats, music and dancing) and going hiking in a rainforest. When they were going out to dinner on Nassau Street, I was busy snorkeling and going to karaoke parties. I was having unique and special experiences that I wouldn’t have been able to have anywhere else. Plus, I was making new friends and getting to explore a new country.

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Another thing that really helped was that I had WiFi and could stay in touch with my friends and family. I didn’t get to talk to them everyday, as I might have back at school, but I was able to Skype when I had free time. I think in some ways it may have even been more special because I had the designated time to catch up with them rather than constantly seeing them in passing at school and remaking how we wanted to get a meal and catch up. Also, for any of you with significant others, rest assured that your relationship can remain and potentially even become stronger while you are abroad.

Upon arrival back at campus, I was also a little frightened about what it would be like. Would people remember me? Would people even have noticed that I was gone? Yet, as soon as I stepped back on campus in May and visited the clubs and organizations where I spent the majority of my time, my fears vanished. I was immediately welcomed back and people constantly came up to me asking how my semester was. It was such a great feeling knowing that my friends did miss me and that they wanted to hear all about my experiences.

All in all, I would honestly say that my social life was not affected by my semester abroad, and if anything, it improved. I met a new group of friends whom with I was able to share a crazy and meaningful experience. Now that I’ve experienced the first half of a real semester back at Princeton, it feels like nothing has changed. I don’t feel out of touch with any aspect of campus life. Things feel normal, despite having been away for a semester.  

In the north of campus sits the cavernous Firestone Library: six floors stuffed with books in an impressively iceberg-ish set up. What appears to be a normal building on the surface actually extends deep in all directions underground. I would say it has something of a villains’ lair about it, as nearly all Gothic buildings with more than two basement floors do, but I can’t: It really is too beautiful for that.

Most people don’t understand why I enjoy—actually look forward to—hunting for books in Firestone Library. To those people I say: fair enough. I admit it, I sound very strange when I talk about this particular hobby of mine. You begin with a paper topic in mind, let’s say West Asiatic elements of early Greek poetry. You get some book references from your adviser, such as “The East Face of Helicon” by M.L. West, you look it up on the catalogue for its Princeton call number—some long string of letters and numbers occasionally interspersed with periods and possibly other non-alphanumeric keys—and thus far I concede it’s all very clear cut. Simple.

But this is when the exciting part happens. You see, there’s no way to know where a book is going to be located in Firestone based on its call number. Well, of course there must be, but I’ve never met anyone who understood the system. To locate your book, you can search on the library’s online database, and provided right there on the book’s catalogue entry is an icon called “Where to Find It.” A map pops up, an orange dot appears that marks the book’s location and a thin stripe trail leads from the library’s entrance to the book's location.

Time to go on an adventure. You’re bound to be more or less alone as you wander through the 70 miles worth of shelves! If you’ve left the reading rooms and study spaces behind, then you’ve left civilization behind. It’s just you and the more than 7 million books that make up Firestone.

I always like to linger. It doesn’t matter what section I’m in—whether sociology, poetry, religion or foreign languages. Sometimes it’s for the bizarre titles—someone wrote a book on that?—and sometimes it’s for the book covers. I actually have a track record of sending pictures of great book covers to my friends. Looking back on all the times I’ve gone to Firestone, I’m not sure there’s ever been a time when I didn’t leave with at least two or three more books than I intended to pick up. There are times when I feel like reading about familiar protagonists like Indiana Jones, Marco Polo or Odysseus; However, oftentimes I wandering around, searching for some rare, hidden artifact, surrounded by authors I’ve never heard of and topics I know nothing about. Who wouldn’t want to turn everyday tasks into adventures? When searching for a book in Firestone, it’s just too easy.

After the end of my first semester at Princeton, I had a week-long vacation. During that time I spent hours looking at the websites of the different centers and programs at Princeton. Although I felt like I already knew the campus well and I had found interesting spaces where I felt comfortable, I still felt like there was a lot going on that I was not aware of. Friends would mention an event they had attended or I would suddenly see a poster somewhere on campus about a series of talks that seemed super interesting but which, unfortunately, had already happened. So when I finally had some free time I decided to look through the websites of all the departments and different centers at Princeton to make sure I would never miss these events! That is how I first heard of places that are now very present in my life at Princeton such as the European Union Program, the Center on Contemporary China or the Women*s Center.

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As a junior, the list of places I now frequent and the number of events I add to my Google Calendar has reached an all-time high, but my experiences in them have changed a lot during my three years here. The center where I have felt this personal growth most clearly is the Women*s Center. During the spring of my first year I decided to go to the Class of ’19 Lunch Group that the Women*s Center hosted for the first time, and I remember how comfortable I felt there talking about the many things that I had experienced my first semester at Princeton, and which I did not know I had been waiting to share. We talked about gender expectations in an Ivy League, about transitioning from high school to university and about the still very real gender disparity in STEM fields. After that first lunch, I went back to the Center every Friday and started bringing my roommate and other friends with me.

Later that semester the Women*s Center started hiring student workers, and I became part of the student staff. One of the best experiences of my sophomore year was working there. Not only because it was my first job ever, or because I also got to personally meet the speakers the Women*s Center brings to campus, but also because I felt like I was encouraged to come up with programming that I found exciting and that I thought the student population on campus could benefit from! That is how I started the Bechdel Film Club: a club that screens movies where women talk to each other about something other than men. This has become one of the most successful programs the Center hosts and it is a great way of taking a step back from our academically-driven life at Princeton and reflect of the world outside of the “Orange Bubble” and the patterns that we also repeat on our campus.

If you are interested in the club, you can read more about it in this interview that The Daily Princetonian, our student newspaper, published about us! My experience at the Women*s Center has taught me to never stop looking for spaces where I can work toward promoting the change that I believe in. So keep on searching!

Fall of junior year has come in full swing, and what a big swing it's been. Gone are the days of merely struggling to balance just classes and social interaction, as Princeton adds on to the workload with junior papers (JPs) and summer job recruiting season. As an Economics major, I was bombarded even as early as July about recruitment events taking place in the fall as well as internship opportunities for next summer! I had heard that these events started early, but wasn't aware of how early.

At this point, I've gotten through a month of classes and various internship-related events, and there are a few pieces of advice I'd like to impart onto you, dear reader:

1. Become very friendly with your calendar: In previous years, I never really relied on a calendar to help me plan out my tasks for the day or week. I would typically type them into my "Reminders" application or just write them down on a sticky note, but that certainly hasn't been enough this semester. Now I almost always put my series of meetings into my computer's calendar; it's been a life-saver. 
2. Prioritize your time: While this piece of advice may sound like I'm stressing time-management skills, I actually like to think I'm making a slight distinction between the two. When I say, "prioritize your time," I don't mean that you should plan out set times in your calendar (see above) to go to every event, because that simply isn't possible (believe me, I've tried). What I do mean is you should selectively choose which of these events is the most important to you, and attend those ones, as it'll save you from the stress of feeling like you can't do it all.
3. Do not take rejection personally: This piece of advice might arguably be the most important one. As Princeton students, whether it's intentional or not, we tend to be accustomed to receiving positive praise for anything we've worked on or strove for (that's how we made it here, no?), and that can lead to feeling "less-than" if things don't go our way. Remember, a rejection means nothing about you as a person, it just means that perhaps your qualities just weren't quite the right fit for that organization. The best thing I've done is to take rejection "on the chin"—to keep moving forward and to keep applying, thinking that the law of averages should eventually work in my favor. After all, you only need one of them to say "yes," right?