After I finished my last midterm exam, I was definitely ready to be done with the books for a while, and on the first evening of break, my friend Poupée and I went to see The Mousetrap, a play at Princeton's award-winning McCarter Theater.

As I walk down the sacred halls of Target, I am reminded of my favorite time of year—school supply shopping. I remember getting the list of supplies in elementary school: four tissue boxes, a pack of highlighters, colored pencils, scissors … I always tried to get the best deals, searching through the weekly ads every Sunday morning when they were posted. However, when I got to college, I realized the same type of school supply shopping was just not going to cut it anymore. No teacher was telling me how best I should attack his or her class. I had to discover for myself what was going to work best for me. Was it the binder? The folder? Or just cramming papers into my backpack (This final option has never worked for me.)

As corny as it sounds, this idea of school supply shopping is very much like the college process itself. No one is there to tell you how you should spend your time or what you should buy. For most people, it’s the first opportunity to live on your own, decide what you want to eat, what clubs you want to attend, what time you want to go to sleep. Everything is trial and error. And while you might try something for a few weeks, you may realize that it’s not what you want continue. That’s totally okay. College, especially the beginning of college, is all about trying new things and seeing what sticks.

So the best advice I can give you is to go on a shopping trip. Put a bunch of items in your cart, both new and old, and see what works best for you. And I’ll be honest, I brought binders all the way from Arizona, because that’s what I had always used. But after a few days of using them, I went to the U-Store and bought folders, because that’s what worked betterr for me in college.

To be a Princetonian is to have a voice and know how to use it.

My six fellow Bridge Year Brazil participants and I have spent the past seven months living with homestay families in a community in Salvador called Candeal.

The prefrosh are here, which means the semester's almost over and, in my case, my Princeton experience. It's crazy to think that just four years ago, I was deciding whether Princeton was the place for me. So with the nostalgia kicking in big time, I spent some time thinking about advice I would give to my prefrosh self, and asked my fellow bloggers to contribute their thoughts too. Good luck, future Tigers!

Talk to current students and get to know your fellow prefrosh! Aside from exploring the beautiful campus and consuming all of the free food everywhere during Princeton Preview, what made me most excited about going to Princeton was meeting current students and other prefrosh. They were all so friendly, interesting, and easy to talk to, and I couldn't wait to return to campus and get to know more of them over the next four years!

—Serena Zheng '17

Congratulations! You were really hoping for this, and it happened, so you should really celebrate. Go hiking every week, or read 12 books over the summer, or watch all of Sherlock again. Just remember to spend time with family. It's going to be much much tougher for them than it is going to be for you.

Speaking of which, the next few years are going to be incredibly fun, very stimulating, but also challenging at many times. And when that happens, remember that you are extremely special and talented. And sometimes that may not be reflected in a letter or a number, but you are no less special.

On a more tangible note, take the classes that you are interested in, not the classes that you think you should be taking. Well, except Writing Sem, you have to take that. Explore: what you should be doing most at this point is stimulating yourself. 

And apply for the Bridge Year Program; there is no reason not to.

—Avaneesh Narla '17

My best advice to my prerosh self? Well, my best advice would probably be what I have learned about extracurriculars and balance here: that I can realistically engage in three things that I love at Princeton. You'll be bombarded (in the most fun and wonderful way!) with so many clubs and opportunities to try at first—and I definitely enjoyed trying a bit of everything during my first few months at Princeton. But I've found that it's ultimately most meaningful to engage fully with my schoolwork and two more major activities each semester. This, for me, has been most rewarding and has helped me define my priorities - and also leaves some free time for relaxation and friends! I would also say that taking a full day off and leaving campus to spend a fun day in New York City or Philadelphia with friends is sometimes the very best thing, even when you have a heavy work load and it feels irresponsible. I've realized the importance of taking a true break and have found that a day off is often just what I need to reset and to be committed to working hard again for the rest of the week. On a more practical and immediate level, definitely buy a (very) warm winter coat and quality rain coat—sooner than later! Take a lot of pictures—you (and your friends) will be very happy later. And while it's always important to think about the future, don't spend so much time planning for the next thing that you're not fully present here at Princeton. You'll get the most out of your Princeton experience if you see your time here as more than just a stepping stone. Lastly, don't wait as long as I did to realize how delicious the ice cream in the dining halls is! Congratulations, and welcome to Princeton!

—Makenna May '17

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One of the things I wish I had focused more on during my college process was researching some of the specific programs that the school offered that interested me. While some people come into college pretty undecided (which is totally fine!), I came in knowing I wanted a biology degree and to probably go to veterinary school. Of course my path can change, but I wish I had taken some time to see what types of biology classes the school offered, and if there was any animal care experience available for me to pursue while taking classes. Even if I didn’t actually do anything I had intended, it would have been helpful for me to do a bit of research, just so I could have a better idea of what opportunities were available to me before stepping foot on campus. Therefore, I highly suggest looking into any and all departments that sound interesting, just to get a sense of what opportunities you might have when you get to Princeton. Plus, it gives you a list of things to get excited about for when you get to campus.

—Michelle Greenfield '18

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They say hindsight is 20/20. Fitting, I think. (Haha. 2020, get it? Ignore my bad puns; I'm still mid-thesis.) Anyway, it's safe to say that after almost four years here, I'm starting to see things pretty clearly.

I didn't really have a prefrosh experience at Princeton, but I do remember that when I first set foot on this campus freshman year, I thought I had a very clear sense of who I was and the things I would enjoy doing. While there's nothing wrong with that  (it's mostly a good thing, in my opinion) I think it led me to inadvertently limit myself to certain experiences. I did what I knew myself to be good at and didn't jump at the chance to venture into new activities. But college is a perfect opportunity to explore all the things you're even remotely passionate about or interested in, and that's something I realize more and more with each passing day. Soon, I won't have all these options available to me in one place. 

So, dear prefrosh, my advice to you is the same that I give myself every day now: go for it. Even if you find out it's not your thing or you fail spectacularly at it, embrace the chance to learn something new about yourself. 

I didn't try out for the dance group that is now such a huge part of my Princeton experience until the spring of my sophomore year. I went to auditions to support a friend and ended up having so much fun that I came back twice to really try it out. My "prefrosh self" liked to dance, but had never done it seriously and didn't think she could be a dancer. I was so nervous about failing that I almost never went for it. Now, I can barely remember my life here without BAC.

So, to recap, I'm going to hit you with all the clichés: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." "You never know until you try." "Just do it." They're all true and all very useful. Consider holding on to them for at least your four years here.

—Tomi Johnson '16

All of us students have something called the Passport to the Performing Arts. It's a fancy name to essentially say that we are able to attend world-class performances each year without any charge to us.

FOMO—meaning Fear Of Missing Out—is a serious condition that Princeton students know all too well. When this word first became in vogue, I do not know, but since stepping onto the sacred grounds of Princeton’s campus, it has become part of my everyday vocabulary.

See, in high school, I thought I was super busy and always thought life would be easier if I could be in two or three places at once. For instance, I needed to be at softball practice, but a friend of mine invited me to go watch a movie, and then I had an essay to write for APUSH (A.P. United States History). I had to pick priorities, and I thought then, just how would I ever decide what I wanted to do? Little did I know things would get even worse (in the best possible way) when I got to Princeton.

Now, rather than two or maybe three things going on at the same time, I need an army of clones in order to do everything I want to do on a given day. For example, the following is a typical day in the life of Michelle filled with dozens of choices about what to do.

8:30 a.m: I get up to go running. I should have probably slept in since I was up late studying last night, but I need to train for a half marathon. I also could have joined my friends down in Butler College for a group workout, but that would require coming back up campus to shower after, which would eat up valuable time. 

10 a.m.:  I could go to breakfast at Quad (the eating club I am a member at), but I decide to eat an apple and peanut butter in my room and get some reading done. It would have been fun to see my friends or perhaps meet new friends, but getting work done is also a good decision.

11 a.m.: Go to class. It’s honestly a shame I have class at 11 because I need to make a McCosh appointment and 11 was the only time available today, but class is far more important and takes priority.

12:20 p.m.: I want to catch up with my friends at lunch, so I could go to the dining hall. But there’s a speaker coming today at 12:30 p.m. who sounded interesting. I could try to go to the speaker for a little bit and then go eat lunch, but that sounds really complicated, so I decide to just go eat with my friends.

1:30 p.m.: Organic Chemistry Lab. Lab is really interesting, and I often feel like a mad scientist. However, because it’s so long, I’m unable to do anything else that occurs during this three-hour block.

4:30 p.m.: I have a Center For Jewish Life board meeting as soon as I’m out of lab. Unfortunately, office hours for my stats class are at the same time. And to make matters worse, there’s a workshop this afternoon for looking at climate change through the lens of art that I would have loved to go to.

6 p.m.: There is a Firestone society meeting tonight, which is essentially a book club. I also have volleyball practice. There’s an organic chemistry review session that I should probably go to as well, since I didn’t quite understand the lectures this week. And at some point I should probably think about eating dinner.

8 p.m.: Princeton Student Events Committee is hosting a study break tonight filled with smoothies and make your own zen garden. One of my friends is in the Naacho (South Indian dance group) show tonight that I definitely want to be at to support her. There’s an arch sing at some point with a few a capella groups that would be fun to visit. Then there’s my best friend who I haven’t seen all week because she’s been studying for an exam that I really want to catch up with. And I can’t forget about my RCA’s (residential college advisor) study break tonight with grilled cheese from Say Cheese restaurant in downtown Princeton. SO MANY CHOICES!

11 p.m.: Although some people might continue the saga until the early hours of the morning, my day ends here. I want to stay up later to chill with my friends, and I do feel like I’m missing out on fun times by going to sleep. However, I value sleep way too much and know this is the best decision for my well-being.

So there you have it. So much going on in a typical day, and this isn’t even everything. Princeton is incredible in the diversity of events that occur every day, which is absolutely amazing, but it means that I’m faced with hundreds of choices each and every day about how I want to spend my time. Although I still struggle to realize that I can’t do everything and be everywhere, I have to prioritize and do what I think is best for that day.

All in all. This is a great problem to have. I’d rather have too many choices than not enough. It’s just a shame that the choices are all so good!

To the Class of 2020,

One of the things that I love most about Princeton’s campus is its huge variety of architectural styles and beautiful spaces: neo-Gothic dorms and classrooms in the upper part of campus, glassy science laboratories, and grassy sports fields bordering Lake Carnegie on the south side of campus and a whole lot more in between. With such a variety of beautiful places on campus, each with its own vibe, I’m always curious to find out what other people’s favorite spaces are on campus.

So, last week, I asked my fellow bloggers about their favorite spots on campus! Here’s what they shared:

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Avaneesh: “My favorite place in Princeton is the Lake Carnegie Dam. It is located at the end of the lake along the Tow Path, which is one of my favorite running tracks. It has a mill on one side, and on the other side you can look at the entire lake. The water falls over slowly and it's calm and serene. I love running on the tow path, and the dam is my mental goal. Reaching the dam is associated with great sense of happiness and calmness in my head.”

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Ricardo: “Fittingly situated in the backyard of the best residential college ever, which also happened to be a world-class resort in its earlier years, the Forbes backyard has to be one of the best spots on campus … a gorgeous backyard decked with countless vibrant red lawn chairs and sprinkled with a few hammocks, this lawn is a hidden gem kept secret by the Forbes community. Tan in the sun, read your favorite novel, or just enjoy the gorgeous view of a renowned golf course; you'll question whether you're staying in a res college or a resort hotel!”

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Michelle: “When I am in need of a good study spot, my go to place is Guyot. While most may not frequent this building or even know how to pronounce its name (“Gee-yoh,” it’s French), Guyot is my home as an EEB (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) major. It is where many of my classes are, where there are interesting posters about animals and plants to distract me while I’m studying, and most importantly, where the Antrodemus dinosaur roams. There is nothing better than looking up after a difficult reading to see the fossils of some of the most ancient creatures on the Earth, inspiring me to keep pushing on. From the upper floors, you get a bird’s eye view of the campus, and from below, you can tunnel through all of the connecting science buildings, avoiding the nasty weather that sometimes plagues New Jersey. This once museum, now laboratory-filled building is a true gem on Princeton’s campus, and I hope you get a chance to visit if you come to Princeton.”

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Makenna: “One of my very favorite places on campus is the East Pyne library. I love this gorgeous library for so many reasons! First, East Pyne is home to the language departments at Princeton, including my own beloved French department, so it feels like home. And studying in such a beautiful space (and in such comfy chairs) just makes writing and reading that much easier! I definitely consider it to be one of the best study spots at Princeton.”

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Aliisa: “If you have a chance, swing by the north Whitman courtyard and have some fun shouting at yourself! Just find this circle of steps, stand right in the middle of the black plaque, face out into the courtyard, start talking really loudly, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by an echo ringing back to you. I should note: If you're standing on the sweet spot, you will be the only person who can hear the echo. I usually only try it out when I have a friend with me because otherwise, I'm just standing there alone, shouting happily at nothing. But that's totally okay too! You got into this school, so what do you have to prove?”

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Serena: While not very hidden or secret (and quite popular for wedding photos and all kinds of photoshoots), Holder Hall is the quintessential Princeton living experience and a wonderful reflection of residential life at Princeton at any time of day. I personally think that it’s most beautiful and peaceful at night, when dim lamps cast a shadowy glow in the cloistered corridors, and all around the courtyard, windows glow with students quietly studying inside their dorm rooms. I was lucky enough to live Holder Hall for one year during my time in Rocky College. All students live in one of the residential colleges – Rocky, Mathey, Wilson, Butler, Whitman, or Forbes – during their first two years at Princeton. As a proud Rockyite, I will always consider Holder Hall to be my home and my favorite place on campus.

Thank you so much for sharing, bloggers!

If you want to see more of Princeton’s campus, check out our new virtual tour.

Once upon a time, a bright-eyed, freshman me was scouring the diverse entries on Princeton's student employment website.

At college, life often revolves around books, friends, coffee and our favorite treats! The good news is that Princeton has the perfect eclectic café that meets all of these needs in one place. If you're a fan of fair trade coffees, specialty beverages and homemade treats--and you're wondering where you will find that favorite study spot--I think that we have just the place for you. Chances are that you will fit right in with Princeton students' collective love of Small World Coffee, a hip coffee shop just outside of Princeton’s gates on Witherspoon Street!

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Small World is where so many of us students go to study, chat and write. I love that it lets us get into the “real world” without going very far from campus; there’s something so refreshing about getting off campus and doing homework in a place that’s full of not only students, but also families, businesspersons and friends. Small World also has neat events like open mic nights on Mondays and periodic art shows.

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And let’s not neglect the fact that their menu is great too. They sell not only all of the warm and cold beverages to fuel you through any season, but there’s also delicious oatmeal bowls, fresh-baked granola, cookies and the like! You'll likely find yourself as excited about Small World as most of us students are. If so, Witherspoon Café in the Frist Campus Center on campus also sells Small World coffee. So, on those mornings that you are craving your favorite drink on your way to class but don’t have time to get to Nassau Street, you don’t have to miss out!

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One important thing to know about Small World is that they only take cash, so plan accordingly if you are visiting campus this spring and want to enjoy a treat at one of my favorite cafés!