One of my favorite parts about Princeton is how tradition-laden we are as a campus community. Whether it’s our traditions during reading period, or the bonfire held when we beat both Harvard and Yale during a single football season, tradition keeps our school spirit alive year-round and long after graduation. For incoming students—who move in around ten days before the start of classes and a week before returning students—orientation contains some of our most beloved traditions.

Move-In Day: Welcome Dinner and Ice Cream Social

The first tradition that first-year and transfer students will experience is the welcome dinner, which takes place in every corresponding residential college dining hall the evening of move-in day. Students are joined by their Residential College Advisers (RCAs), Peer Academic Advisers (PAAs), Resident Graduate Students (RGSs), deans, and other college staff. Dining staff works hard to put together a delicious meal with various courses so that students can begin building community amongst their zee groups in an informal setting.

Later on, after students have had a chance to settle into their new dorms, there is an ice cream social for all students in the incoming class. There is ice cream (obviously), music, and usually a large ice sculpture depicting the class year number.

Clash of the Colleges

Every year, clash of the colleges takes place in the football stadium. During this event, each residential college competes against the other residential colleges in a series of games, including karaoke and relay races. Every college dresses up in their colors, brings along their mascot, and comes ready to yell out their college chant. The winner represents the res college with the most school spirit. My freshman year, Mathey College won the clash of the colleges and I remember the Mathey dining hall served a large cake the second week of classes commemorating the victory.

The Annual Pre-Read Assembly

Every incoming class is assigned a pre-read. That is, President Eisgruber chooses a book that is sent out to each incoming student over the summer. During orientation, the author of this book comes to campus and, during a large assembly, engages in a discussion with President Eisgruber. At the end, students are encouraged to ask questions directly to the author. After the assembly, each zee group discusses the pre-read in an informal space with their respective PAAs. This is meant to give students an insight into how classroom discussions function at Princeton.

Opening Exercises, the Pre-Rade, and the Step Sing

Perhaps you’ve heard the rumor that Princeton students cannot walk through FitzRandolph Gate at the entrance of the university. As incoming freshmen, however, students ceremoniously walk through the gate for the first time. The pre-rade is a processional of the entire incoming class, ordered by residential college and joined by select faculty and alumni. On this same afternoon, students hear the president’s opening address and watch the presentation of academic awards to several returning students. Members of the community are welcomed to watch and cheer on the marching students.

Immediately after, students enjoy a welcome barbecue (weather permitting) and participate in the “Step Sing,” which takes place at Blair Arch. Here, students learn the words to Princeton’s alma mater, sing their chosen class song, and sing the song chosen by their grandparent class (for the Class of 2028, that would be the Class of 1978).

Image

These are just a few of Princeton's orientation traditions. Other events include small-group experiences, outdoor movie nights, and a variety of open houses. Orientation is an exciting time for incoming students. As a graduating senior, watching the pre-rade this year was especially bittersweet, but like many others, I was beyond excited to welcome the Class of 2028 to campus.

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. 

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!

One of the biggest reasons that people decide to pursue higher education is to land their dream job after school. Everyone’s paths are different, yet the general sentiment is that education is needed to succeed. While there are many forms this can take, the path I have chosen is the university route. One of the most impactful things that Princeton has done for me, both directly and indirectly, is helping me in my professional journey.

Princeton is amazing for a variety of reasons, which many of my friends/colleagues/peers have written blogs about (hint: check them out!). I wanted to take this time to talk about the resources that help with the pre-professional ambitions of Princetonians. The Center for Career Development is, as the name suggests, the hub for all things helping students with employment. Some of the resources that I have used include resume templates and workshops, interview consultation and practice, coffee chats, networking events, and most importantly, the Fall HireTigers Career Fair. There are a slew of other resources and offerings, so I highly recommend checking out their website.

I was inspired to talk about this after attending this semester's career fair today (9/13/24), because I saw a bunch of first-year students putting themselves out there and trying to learn more. I remembered what it was like two years ago, walking into Dillon Gym and knowing nothing. I am still on my journey, but I have learned a lot along the way. Some of the most important things that I’ve learned are as follows:

1. Have a polished and professional resume 
2. Make sure your LinkedIn and Handshake are up to date
3. Network, network, network (especially with alumni)
4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Genuine curiosity takes you a long way
5. Be more interested than interesting
6. Start early

Of course there are other bits of information or best practices, but generally these are the ones that I think about the most. Making sure to be professional and personable are really important since you can have all the qualifications, but if you can’t be ‘human’ you may fall short. These tips helped me land an internship with Atento Capital this past summer, a company that I learned about after attending last year’s career fair. I am interested in finance and consulting so I always aim to chat with companies in those industries, but with 75+ companies represented at the fair, there is truly something for everyone. I encourage you to explore any opportunities because you never know how things will turn out.

I hope you learned something and I wish you the best of luck looking for a job/internship! 
 

“When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. The second-best time is today.” - Chinese proverb

When I first heard this proverb from one of my friends at Princeton, I understood the meaning, but I did not realize the meaning until much later. This summer, I interned for a venture capital firm in Tulsa, OK. I found Atento Capital through one of the Center for Career Development’s career fairs, and I decided to take a chance. My last blog talks about the value of taking a chance on a small city, so I won’t repeat myself here. What I will do, however, is talk about one of the biggest lessons I learned: the time to startup is now.

Being that Atento’s investment range is pre-seed and seed stage startup companies, I was exposed to the early life of many startups. From firsthand experience, I can say that it is a tough journey starting out. The venture capital world relies on a power rule in order to make money. For example, a firm may hear from thousands of companies, whittle it down to being interested in one hundred, and then investing in ten. Of those ten companies, half will fail, two or three will break even, one may slightly exceed the investment, and one may be a ‘home run’ which yields significant returns. It is a super volatile industry.

In the pivotal moments of a startup's early life, managing money is super important. Having time to deliver on a plan is the second battle, or in other words, managing what is called burn/runway. This is essentially how much time you have left before you run out of money in the bank. There are a variety of factors that influence this, which can become complicated to manage. Failure to do so oftentimes results in the end of the company or the need to raise more capital and lose ownership. This is why the time to make a startup is in college.

There are numerous benefits to starting a startup while in college. First off, The risk of failure is insignificant compared to the consequences if taken outside of college. While you are in school, the worst thing that can happen is your startup fails, you have more freetime on campus, and you learn a few lessons along the way. Perhaps an oversimplification, but while in college, you are in a protected bubble of opportunity. The present talent at school serves as a base to launch a project that can turn into something amazing. What other time will you be surrounded by hundreds of bright individuals within arms reach? On top of this, the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Princeton (and other schools) is very strong. The support is unmatched.

Additionally, pitch competitions often give non dilutive funding/grants to groups who perform the best - this is not something that happens outside of college; if someone gives you money, they expect returns. The worst part of raising funds for your startup is giving part of your business away, so why not take advantage of opportunities where that does not happen. In short, the best time to take a risk on a good idea and found a startup is in the nest of opportunity known as college! Facebook was founded twenty years ago at Harvard, the next ‘Facebook’ startup will be founded today, at Princeton. It's time to startup! 

Image

It’s the summer of 2024, and I’m in that weird purgatory phase between years—feeling too old to claim the title of sophomore, but too young to drop the rising which precedes junior. Through these mixture of titles, I came to the realization that I’m exactly halfway through. Halfway through my Princeton experience.  

Princeton moves fast. Just the other day I remember dreaming of what college would feel like. The independence, the late night talks, the college romances and life-long friends waiting to be met. As a rising Junior, I admit these distant dreams now feel like grounded reality, but more importantly, I feel more grounded in myself. I know that I’ve significantly changed from the 18 year-old who walked through Fitzrandolph gate with eyes wide open but with a mind quite closed and ignorant of the challenges which awaited her. 

With time, I’ve become more aware of my freshman year ignorance. I believe I came into college with an over romanticized vision of adulthood, in addition to a blaring confidence that everything will go my way if I work hard enough. Not to discourage anyone, but college will never be a bed of roses. I think facing this reality, and the many challenges at Princeton, knocked down my 18 year old confidence to a certain degree. While my confidence has been lowered at certain points during my time here—I’m happy to report that it’s been on a steady trajectory uphill. 

A recent conversation with a friend enlightened me on a psychology term which I think accurately describes my growth during my two years here: the Dunning-Kruger Effect. If you’re not a psychology major (like me), you may not have heard about it. The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a cognitive bias where someone’s limited knowledge in a certain area causes them to become overconfident in their abilities. Essentially, when people have a gap in their knowledge, they tend to assume they know it all instead of realizing the gap. Funnily enough, I heard about this effect and thought “Wow! That exactly describes my college experience!”

However, I’m now aware of that gap, and I can therefore place more trust in myself and my judgment. From my two years here, I’ve learned a few things.  For example, I still believe things can go your way if you work hard enough, but now I understand it only comes with the addition of patience and flexibility. Further, I still love to romanticize college, but I no longer have the expectation that every second of it will be filled with those iconic moments. 

If I’ve truly learned anything, it’s that mistakes are meant to be made. They’ve helped me learn about myself, gain a sense of independence, and most importantly, given me a stronger sense of self. I’ve realized, I’m growing up a bit. I’m still proud of where I started, and I’m even prouder of where I’m going. Who knows, with my confidence rising, maybe soon I can drop that part of the title. Maybe being a junior isn’t so bad after all. 

When I first came to Princeton, I was overwhelmed with the amount of opportunity presented to me in just a mere few weeks. Those weeks blended into months and eventually, 2 semesters worth of saying “yes” led to a feeling I couldn’t quite pinpoint: burnout.

Being in the orange bubble is an experience that amplifies your sense of gratitude, confidence, and belief that anything is possible — and it truly is. Possibility is multiplied twofold at a place like Princeton. This is because Princeton connects you with the resources, the education, and the community to pursue your dreams. However, in this pursuit, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself, to build healthy habits, and to form sustainable relationships. 

Naturally then, when this Summer started, the weight of the semester crashed onto me and I felt myself exhausted on all fronts. Exhaustion seeped into bitterness, and soon I was in a battle where the only person I was fighting was myself and the goal was to accept that saying “no” was okay.

There is something scary about seeing passion and hope being overshadowed by discontentment. If passion and hope are the driving force behind joy, then discontentment is the thief of it. By some stroke of luck and a little bit of effort, I was able to overcome this feeling by not letting the orange bubble define me. 

What did this look like? Well this summer, I ventured beyond Princeton and pursued an internship that would place me as far away as possible from New Jersey. This internship was a moment for me to figure out what I wanted to do professionally and subsequently, what type of culture I wanted to surround myself with moving forward. Culture, to me, meant the people I interacted with, the values I adopted, and the feeling that this community gave me.

My main takeaway from this experience is that while Princeton is a part of me, I am also a part of Princeton. Princeton has undoubtedly opened many doors for me that would have stayed closed otherwise. However, I am more than the academic and professional experiences that I have acquired up to this point. I am a culmination of the communities I surround myself with — back home, at school, and the places I’ve intimately explored. 

This summer, I was fortunate enough to meet a remarkable group of individuals who have challenged my perspective and enriched my life in countless ways. Their enthusiasm and passion were infectious, and it was an honor to represent Princeton within this community. They taught me the invaluable lesson that our college experiences are not linear progressions but rather, dynamic journeys marked by growth and transformation.

Through their diverse backgrounds and experiences, I gained a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted nature of our time at Princeton. Our four years are a canvas upon which we paint our own unique stories, filled with both triumphs and setbacks. The orange bubble, while undoubtedly special, is just one chapter in a much larger narrative. By stepping outside of that environment, I realized the importance of cultivating a broader worldview and building connections that extend far beyond the campus.

Ultimately, it is through these experiences—both within and outside of Princeton—that we shape our identities and prepare ourselves for the complexities of the world beyond. The skills, knowledge, and relationships we forge will continue to evolve as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of our personal and professional lives.

If you’re like me, whenever you’re stressed, your go-to comfort drink is bubble tea. The sweet, chewy texture of boba and aromatic, milky tea always hits the spot for me. Incoming tigers, you might be wondering where at Princeton you can find boba – fear not, I’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of five places to get boba at Princeton:

1. Junbi

Junbi is a favorite amongst students. It’s located just a few minutes walking away from campus and it’s a great place to work or hang out with friends. Junbi primarily does matcha, with their Madagascar vanilla matcha latte being one of their most popular drinks. They also sell other drinks like lattes, dirty matchas, other milk tea flavors, soft serves, and rice balls. I typically go there to get a lychee oolong and to get a matcha soft serve as some of their matcha drinks are not as strong as I’d like. However, lots of my friends rave about their matcha drinks. Junbi is a must try at least once in your Princeton career!

2. Kung Fu Tea

Kung Fu Tea is a chain that you can find all over the East Coast, but the one at Princeton is a popular spot too. KFT is located on Nassau Street, the main street located right outside FitzRandolph Gates, Princeton’s main entrance. They sell a broader variety of milk teas compared to Junbi, such as yogurt teas, slushes, and punches. You can also choose to eat at KFT as they have a wide range of Asian-style dishes to choose from including ramen, pho, and other types of noodles. I don’t come to KFT too often, but do remember getting pho there during a cold winter day and loving the taste of the noodles. KFT is a good option if you are looking for a specific flavor of milk tea. 

3. FICUS

FICUS is located a bit further down Nassau Street, but is also a popular option for students. FICUS is primarily a restaurant with a “boba tea bar,” so the boba is a bit more elevated compared to Junbi and Kung Fu Tea. It’s still a popular spot to study and hang out, a bit more away from the hustle and bustle of main Nassau Street. I’ve tried their Thai Tea, and quite liked it, so I recommend visiting FICUS for its vibes and more upscale boba drinking experience. 

4. MTea

MTea is a recent addition to the bubble tea scene at Princeton, and is located only a few shops down from Kung Fu Tea. If you’ve tried boba in Asia, this is the store that’s going to be the most similar to that experience. Their teas range from fresh fruit teas, creme brulee teas and classics like brown sugar milk tea. Their teas are a bit more on the expensive side, but if you’re looking for high quality teas, this is the place for you. They also sell desserts like cakes and mochis, and dishes like sushi and poke bowls. The inside is a bit small, but very comfortable for a one-on-one catch up conversation. I’ve really enjoyed their grape tea in the past. 

5. Fruity Yogurt 

A more unconventional entry into this list, Fruity Yogurt primarily sells frozen yogurt, or froyo. They do sell bubble tea, along with juices, smoothies and milkshakes. While I’ve never been to fruity yogurt for their bubble tea, (I quite like their froyo!) some flavors that my friends have gotten include taro, thai milk tea, and coconut milk tea. If you’re ever tired of the other boba shops around campus, this could be a great place to switch it up. 

If you’re scared of burning too much cash, also fear not! Clubs at Princeton often hold events where they give out free boba. There’s been a week where I’ve been able to get three free drinks from three different events. Also, all freshmen get $150 of credit to spend at certain shops off-campus. As of now, you can use these credits at Junbi to buy however many drinks you want. I hope that you get to try some of the places that I’ve listed in the article – don’t be chai, I promise you they’re all tea-licious!

When winter break rolls around at Princeton, you have several options for how to spend it. You could stay at home with your family, and come back to campus at the end of January (when the Spring semester starts). Or you could be like me, and return to campus two weeks early for Wintersession. 

Wintersession, organized by the Office of Campus Engagement, is a free opportunity for students and faculty members to take classes on anything they want. Past offerings include playing Dungeons and Dragons, decorating cakes, and going on day trips to Broadway. The best part about Wintersession is that there are no grades. What matters is that everyone has fun.

Anybody can teach a Wintersession class. You simply visit the online application, and provide the name/description of your Wintersession offering and your bio written in the third person. You also need to provide details such as your technology needs, your ideal number of participants, and your budget for purchasing materials. If this sounds overwhelming, don't worry, the small but mighty Office of Campus Engagement team will always be there to answer your questions!

I taught my first Wintersession class entitled "The Feeling Power of Mental Health Journaling" my sophomore year. I got the idea from working as a Community Action Fellow with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement.

As part of my CA groups learning about creativity and mental health, I asked poet Topaz Winters '23 to teach virtual journaling workshops. My first year students felt lighter dumping their anticipatory anxiety onto paper, rather than tucking away their heavy baggage. I wanted to recreate this same safe space. Hence, I capped my workshop at twenty people to keep it intimate. I also wanted to get back into journaling. And what better way to hold myself accountable than by journaling in community?

Fast forward to January 16, 2024: the scheduled day of my workshop. Thick snow piles covered our campus, making me wonder if my participants would show up. But despite the snowstorm, ten students and faculty members joined me inside Frist Campus Center. 

I walked my participants through examples of different types of journaling — gratitude journaling, reflective journaling, and manifestation journaling — through ten minute guided prompts. My favorite part was hearing what everyone wrote. Some participants were using Winter Break to get back into old hobbies, like writing a novel. Others, instead of using words, used pictures to express their emotions. There were even participants who disliked writing, but who opened their minds up to my workshop and ultimately fell in love with journaling. 

All in all, “The Feeling Power of Mental Health Journaling” was a powerful way for students and staff members to validate each other's experiences. It's why I’m thrilled to announce that for its second year, "The Feeling Power of Mental Health Journaling" will be offered during Wintersession 2025. I look forward to once again spreading my passions for writing and mental health to the rest of the Princeton community!

I hate to break this news to any incoming first-years, but Princeton is littered with construction. Our campus is quite beautiful, and most of the quintessential corners have been left untouched. However, it seems that Princeton is in a never-ending era of construction.

Even as I write this blog, my desk overlooks what should be a beautiful view to Poe Field—a grassy, well-kept lawn which welcomes the New Colleges. While Poe Field is commonly occupied by our frisbee team or by students taking in the sun, all of the grass has been uprooted due to recent construction. From my 7th floor view to the field, cranes and bulldozers look like small yellow play toys. Orange construction cones look like specs of candy corn amidst a bowl of worms and dirt.

Construction is not confined to Poe Field. Princeton is in the works of constructing a new art museum, residential college, Equad extension, and expanded gym all amidst implementation of more sustainable technologies. While this change promises an exciting future for Princeton, it unfortunately promises me noisy bike rides up Elm Drive. I distinctly remember one morning, the haze was so strong that I was coughing amidst the dust and abrasive sounds of progress.

While construction has its downsides, it’s important to see the bigger picture amongst it all.  Many students complain about our current surroundings, but forget that construction surrounds us because Princeton is trying to improve itself. We go to a school that strives for excellence - and so it’s interesting that we are often so uncomfortable with the sounds and looks of progress. Princeton has reminded me that progress is not always a pretty picture. 

As Princeton is in a seemingly endless era of construction, I have found some interesting parallels within myself. I, like many other students here, strive for excellence. We like to push ourselves in every dimention. And while this is often seen as a strength, I don’t think we view ourselves enough as we view campus—as a construction sight. Just as Princeton is always under construction, let this be a gentle reminder that we too, are always under construction. 

Amidst all of our goals and accomplishments, our internships and LinkedIn posts, we are all constantly trying to improve ourselves. From time to time, it’s okay if you find yourself coughing amidst the dust, if the haze makes it hard to see, if progress doesn’t always sound pretty. It’s normal for this to happen. While at times you may feel lost within your own construction site, never doubt your own foundations. Be your biggest supporter. Be conscious enough to put down the orange cones. Know when you might need some reconstructing. But also know that while you place the orange cones, you also wear the orange hat. You are the builder. You are the architect of your own life. 

If Princeton’s construction sites have taught me one last thing, it’s that sometimes, a bit of perspective is needed. Like my rooftop view of Poe Field, sometimes the bulldozers should be viewed as toys and the orange cones as candy. I believe that as people, we are all in an era of never ending construction. While this can sound intimidating, no one said construction has to be scary—it can be a positive process. You wear the hat after all. We all see what Princeton is constructing, now the question is, what are you?