This summer, I am completing a RISE (Recognizing Inequities and Standing for Equality) internship with the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Markets Institute at its headquarters in Washington, DC. This being the first ever summer I would spend in the US, I was excited to see what living outside the "Orange Bubble" (what student's call the Princeton universe) feels like, and most of all, how July 4th is celebrated in the U.S., especially D.C. Back home in Australia, I never really celebrated Australia Day, our version of Independence Day. Given the day’s date, which marks the anniversary of the arrival of the English First Fleet on Australian soil, many citizens and especially the Aboriginal Australian community regard it as a day of mourning. However, Independence Day here, from my pop culture knowledge, is a day full of celebration and patriotism–something that I was really interested in experiencing. 

I started off my Fourth of July by meeting up with my friend near Georgetown University. We had pancakes and scrambled eggs for brunch–a fittingly American breakfast. After brunch, I met up with one of my WWF co-interns and headed to the US Capitol. My co-intern’s friend was working at the Capitol and invited us as plus ones to sit on the steps of the building. We decided to go early to avoid the crowds and to set up camp at a good location. When we arrived there, I was impressed by the Capitol’s architecture–it was grand, had a big dome in the middle of the building, and seemed almost out of place amongst the rest of its surroundings due to its neoclassical style. 

When we sat down on the steps, I was amazed by the view. From the Capitol, I could clearly see the Washington Monument and the stretch of green between these two landmarks filled with crowds of people. There was a concert stage right in front of us with an orchestra, choir, army personnel, singers, and dancers. We were handed American flags by some people on the steps, so I felt that I fit right in waving the flag amongst a sea of red, white and blue. 

Not before long, the performances on the stage started. One moment that stood out to me particularly was when the U.S. National Anthem was sung; everyone in the crowd stood up and put their hand on their chest. No one around me actually sang, and were instead silently listening to the singer on the stage. At that moment, I remembered the absurdity of my situation: I was an international student, surrounded by U.S. citizens, in the capital city, during the celebration of America’s Independence. When the song ended, I felt a great sense of gratitude that I had the opportunity to experience July 4th in such a unique and memorable way. 

Before the concert finished, I left the Capitol–albeit a little unwillingly!–and headed to the rooftop of my summer accommodation where I met up with some other Princeton interns to watch the fireworks. While we theoretically had a great, up close vantage point for the fireworks, the wind was blowing smoke in our direction and covered most of the view. Despite this, I loved being with my friends and chatting, listening to the loud pops of the fireworks and seeing flashes of bright, sparkling light light up the night sky behind it. 

When the day was over, I was pretty exhausted. However, I was also impressed and satisfied with how much fun I had. July 4th was the epitome of cultural immersion in the U.S.–I got to experience so much of this country through the food, sights, location, and culture that I encountered that day. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be interning in D.C., and know that I have much more in store for me for the rest of my internship. Future tigers, especially international tigers: I highly recommend applying for summer internships out of your hometown–who knows, you might end up getting to experience July 4th in the nation’s capital!

Toward the end of my first semester at Princeton, I came to the harrowing conclusion that I could no longer study (productively) in my dorm room. 

It was the beginning of the winter reading period — a week-long interval at the end of the semester devoted wholly to producing final essays and projects and, of course, studying. I had an eight-page Modern Fiction paper to crank out. But, sitting at my messy desk, with the temptation of my warm bed calling to me from two feet away, I found that I could not type a word of this essay. So, like a good student, I stashed away my study materials into my backpack, donned my massive winter coat, and prepared myself to brave the impossibly terrifying world outside of my dorm: campus during finals season.

Let me explain: campus is not actually impossibly terrifying during finals season. It’s actually very fun and welcoming. It’s just impossibly crowded. Every formerly tranquil space becomes the opposite — dotted with students who’ve emerged from their campus crevices, with their friendly study buddies and loud conversations. Because of this reality, during reading period, despite its name, I found it almost impossible to read, or focus, or write a paper in any public space on campus. But, as my dorm proved not to be any more of a productive setting, I was forced to go on a quest. A quest in search of a place of quiet — without distractions — and full of sunlight (because I cannot study without some encouraging light). My first stop was Chancellor Green. 

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In my opinion, Chancellor Green is one of the most gorgeous libraries on campus. It shares space with the building of East Pyne — home to many of Princeton’s language and humanities departments — and has more windows than I’ll ever have time to count. I love this library because of its light. Sunshine fills every corner of it. I also love it because of its private study cubicles. The Chancellor Green library has an upper level full of single study desks. After I failed to start my daunting essay in my dorm, I was sure that the omnipresent sunshine and solitude of Chancellor Green would be the perfect ingredients for my much-needed productivity. And I was right. Sitting by a large French window, surrounded by age-old books and alone, I cranked out 2/8 pages of my paper. But, as I tried to brave the third page, I was stuck. It seemed Chancellor Green’s well of reading period productivity had run dry for the day, so I, again, braved the outside world to seek out more.

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My journey and midday hunger brought me to Frist Campus Center — home to the Frist Food Gallery (a cafeteria-esque basement level filled with snacks, a grill, a taco bar, a pasta/salad bar, an Asian food bar, and more). After securing a cheeseburger and fries for encouragement, I settled into Frist’s third-floor McGraw Center library. There, fed and encouraged by some more sunlight, I knocked out two more pages of my paper. I was feeling great about my progress and my discovery of some campus tranquility. But then came the lunch rush. More hungry students, with friendly study buddies and loud conversations, filled my study spot. It was time to disembark, again.

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My next stop was New South — a building home to Princeton’s Creative Writing Department, Princeton’s Writing Center, and many empty classrooms, just waiting to be taken advantage of. Unfortunately, upon my arrival, I discovered that other desperate students had nabbed all these classrooms. But, on the Creative Writing floor, I found an empty table with some gorgeous and encouraging overhead light to knock out the next page of my paper. At this point, I was halfway through and still feeling the momentum. As a reward for finishing another page, another student abandoned their rare gem of an empty classroom, and I promptly seized it. Here, with the gift of a blank whiteboard and a room entirely to myself, I was able to brainstorm the final pages of my paper, pacing back and forth, throwing out ideas aloud, and jotting down notes on the board. It was here that I completed the final three pages of my paper.

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With this completion under my belt, I felt brave enough to brave the monster of all study spots on campus — Firestone Library. I needed one last place to do the final edits on my paper. And I also needed a change of scenery. Firestone Library is the monster of all study-spots during reading period. The library has six levels — all stocked with large clusters of cubicles and a plethora of reading rooms where silence is mandatory. It is the motherlode of tranquil study spaces on campus. But, for a first-year still acclimating to the study culture, finding the right spot can be a little daunting. On this day, however, I was ready.

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I sent the elevator to every floor, quietly and discreetly inspecting each reading room to see which one had the most encouraging sunlight and the least daunting amount of people. I landed on the C-floor Reading Room. Nestled behind the library’s Specials Collection section, the C-floor reading room has a ceiling of windows, so sunlight reaches every corner. It also seems the quietest of all the reading rooms — even during the reading period, many people seem to ignore it or forget that it exists. For me, it was the perfect place to conclude my beast of an essay. There, I completed the majority of edits for my paper, even added an aesthetically pleasing cover page, and called it a day. Throughout my spring semester, I often returned to the study spots I found on this day-long journey for tranquility, sunlight, and productivity. I’ve found that, usually, when I’m too deep into an assignment and unsure of what to write/do next, I just need to move. Having several go-to study spots on campus allows me to circulate, and not stay in one place mentally or physically.

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I’m grateful for the opportunity to study on a campus with such a plethora of tranquil, sunlit spaces to focus, and I look forward to the study-spot discoveries that my next three years at Princeton will bring.

Somehow senior year is already coming upon me, so here is a list of a few things I want to do before I leave Princeton:

1. See the stars at Peyton Observatory. I actually wrote about wanting to learn how to identify constellations at the Peyton Observatory in my application to Princeton and even made it to a public observing a while back, but just as I was making my way up the steps to the telescope, it became cloudy. It looks like the next public observing is in a few weeks, so maybe I can cross this off the list this summer! Another event I hope to attend is a Stargazing Night, held every semester in the Forbes backyard by the Princeton Astronomy Club.

2. Climb up the Grad College Tower. The Grad College is across the golf course behind Forbes, about a 10-minute walk from the rest of campus. You can see the beautiful tower, which I just learned is called Cleveland Tower, from a distance and hear the bells every Sunday. The Grad College, in my opinion, is by far the best dining hall on campus, and I think most undergraduate students have never gone! I have been wanting to climb the tower since freshman year and even spontaneously joined some senior friends who wanted to climb it before they left in May, but it sounds like you need to go when the Porter’s Lodge (the main office) is open to get a key. It looks like you can even request songs to be played on the carillon and get a free carillon lesson if you go on a Sunday afternoon!

3. Swim at DeNunzio Pool. This one isn’t anything too special, but I brought a swimsuit freshman year and still haven’t gotten around to using it. We have two pools: Dillon Pool, which is in Dillon Gym and reopened this past semester, and DeNunzio, which is further from the center of campus but a really nice facility used by the Swimming & Diving and Water Polo teams. Hopefully I can make it to a recreational swim or two!

4. Try aerial silks with Princeton Aerial Arts. The theme of this list seems to be things I’ve been wanting to do since freshman year. I got really excited when I found out about the Aerial Arts Club when looking through the clubs at Princeton but I wasn’t sure how to join. Hopefully I can try it out next year but if not, I’d love to attend one of their performances!

5. Walk across the Swinging Bridge in the Institute Woods. I often run down Mercer St which leads to the Institute for Advanced Study (where much of Oppenheimer was filmed) and the Institute Woods (which even have their own Lonely Planet page!). I haven’t yet made it to the Swinging Bridge because the woods are sometimes muddy and I’ve been too lazy to figure out precisely how to get there, but this is another one I could try to cross off the list this summer.

6. Run the Princeton half marathon. If you told me freshman year that in two years, I would be running half marathons, I probably would’ve laughed in disbelief. I plan on writing a blog about starting to run recreationally (and celebrating my birthday this past May by running the Brooklyn Half Marathon in New York City!) but long story short, now I’m the one trying to convince my friends to run the Princeton half with me. I just registered for the race in November and I’m excited to run some familiar routes and celebrate with my friends afterward!

7. Visit illy Coffee At Earth’s End. I’ve seen this little cafe a couple of times but haven’t gone in yet. After hearing good reviews from my friend who met a woman from church there and reading Odette’s blog, I’m inspired to check it out when I’m looking for a warm drink or a pastry.

8. Sled down the Whitman hill. Elementary schools back home in Alberta, Canada have stores of carpet sleds that we used every recess in the winter. I was surprised when my friends here couldn’t relate, but I guess that makes sense in a place that doesn’t see much snow. Hopefully this winter we’ll get enough to sled down the hill by Whitman College, whether it be on carpet sleds or cardboard boxes.

I look forward to reporting back on how many of these I’m able to finish by the end of senior year!

Work hard, play hard. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard, but is Princeton a place where “work hard, play hard” is alive and well, or perhaps, where does Princeton lie on that spectrum? Work hard, play hard. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard, but is Princeton a place where “work hard, play hard” is alive and well, or perhaps, where does Princeton lie on that spectrum? 

For starters, you often see students lock in during the week and let loose—in many forms—during the weekend. Of course, it depends on the crowd that you gravitate towards. You will meet many students who only “work hard” and only occasionally meet the opposite side of the spectrum. Princeton definitely skews closer towards the work end—not necessarily surprising for the Ivy League. 

The emphasis on work is quite apparent here. Princeton students are passionate about their studies, projects and research. That said during the school year, I’ll admit it’s often hard to feel a separation from school and life. Work often dominates my mind; it’s a priority, and so during the school year most students work, and work hard, sometimes without a second thought about a healthier life balance. Queue, the “Princetonian work ethic.”

But when Princetonians aren't plugged in for the semester, where do our priorities fall? It’s the summer of 2024 and my time off this summer has led me to wonder if this intense “work hard play hard” mentally is a healthy balance. During summer especially, I notice that I struggle when this finely tuned balance between work and play is thrown off. I struggle to enjoy time off without some sense of academic productivity. This leads me to question if Princeton wires us to chase high intensity experiences? Are all Princetonians wired this way? Is it just me?

While I haven’t found the answers to these questions yet, I find them fascinating to explore. During this summer at Princeton, I decided to survey my friends to find some answers. On the work side of the spectrum, I have two friends that come to mind who work hard, and pretty intensely. These friends sleep 4-5 hours a night and are consumed, passionately or stressfully— I’m not sure—with work, projects, and competitions. On the other side of the spectrum, I have several friends who enjoy time off without a second thought. One friend told me “tomorrow is not guaranteed,” so why consume your summer with work? 

With all these different perspectives, the real question is where do I want to lie on that spectrum? I recently realized that it’s very easy for your mindset to conform to the environment that you’re in. That may explain why so many Princetonians feel a need to work all the time: this environment is conducive to it. While I’m still trying to find my own balance between work and play, I admit that part of me is still drawn to that intense balance—partly because I feel it allows me to live life to the fullest. And that’s a theme I see at Princeton. Whether students work hard or play hard, Princetonians have a certain discipline and passion in everything they do. Life is lived to the fullest. 

And while this mentality may serve my college years, I admit that this certain binary scale may not serve me forever. Is my work ethic—my Princetonian Work Ethic—a lifelong thing? I’m not sure. Maybe the wiser of us knows the answer, but all I know is that I’m going to live life to the fullest. Whether that's work, play, or something else, the only thing I can do is keep trying to figure it out. 

Dear Reader,

When one thinks about Princeton, academics, internships, classes, and pre-professional extracurricular activities often come to mind—serious stuff. However, I have been on many side quests, aka. casual things that I enjoy doing just for the sake of them. I hope this first side quest blog will provide a glimpse into something new that I tried for fun, amigurumi, which is a Japanese art form of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures.

I’d never crocheted before Princeton. I always saw it as a tedious, difficult chore to secure each even, endless stitches. Last fall, I joined the Crochet Club with the encouragement of a friend who already knew how to crochet, and secured two free bee crochet kits from the club’s giveaway. It was quite difficult: my fingers cramped, my stitches were loose, and I had a hard time with the “magic loop:” the first few stitches to begin the first row. Fortunately equipped with my patient friend’s help, I began to improve and gradually inched through each row, barely keeping track of the number of stitches (which is not good, since you are supposed to count the stitches in each row). I fell into the comforting pattern of single stitches, and as academic life became more stressful, I gratefully turned to my bee, even just a few stitches a day. After a few weeks, my initially lopsided stitches became more tidy, and I successfully created my first pink bee.

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The week before winter break, the Princeton Student Events Committee (PSEC) hosted a finals event and gave out free Woobles kits, which are self-guided crochet kits with yarn, stitch markers, hooks, needles, and an instruction packet. Eager to practice more, I continued my hobby and created a rainbow narwhal. With more time on my hands, I found many free crochet patterns of cute amigurumi online and embarked on larger projects, like a medium-sized tiger to keep me company on campus! The Crochet Club also has a GroupMe chat for members to share recent creations, yarn recommendations, and more general advice. It was a warm community for us to geek out about one another’s cute projects. Thanks to the club and my peers, I pushed myself to learn something new and am now able to create cute creatures, which make great gifts for my friends and family!

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This summer, I have been giving out yarn and hooks to my new friends and teaching them how to crochet, starting with the “magic circle” and single crochets. The crochet circle is only growing!

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There’s sometimes a sentiment that Princeton is a small town with “not much to do," but I fundamentally disagree with that—let me convince you why. 

First of all, I will admit that, yes, Princeton doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of larger cities. If that’s what you’re drawn to, all the power to you to prioritize that kind of experience. And don’t get me wrong, there is something very enticing about being young and being in the center of all the commotion. Part of me does want that at times. The exhilaration. The grind. The possibilities.  

That being said, I believe many students feel this sentiment and view it as a binary scale. Princeton either fits into that category or it does not. This has resulted in many students putting Princeton into a box, limiting their own experience to the expectations that they’ve preconceived. If you believe Princeton is a small town with nothing to do, then trust me, it will feel that way. But if you don’t let your expectations trump your experience, there are countless hidden gems to discover. 

For example, have you been to the Mendel Music Library, the Architecture Library, or the Stokes Library? I’m always shocked when my friends haven’t poked their heads into every building on campus yet. I’ve learned to be an “explorer”—a title my dad originated and wears very proudly. He’s always trying to sneak into places that he definitely shouldn't be. His attitude has taught me to have an endless curiosity for my surroundings, and further allows me to take full advantage of whatever environment that I’m in. And through my own exploration during the past two years, I’m proud to report that I’ve curated a list of some of my favorite hidden gems on campus. 

1. The Radio Show (WPRM 103.3 FM)

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Did you know that we have a radio station?! I certainly did not. AND WHAT A COOL SPACE! This is my most recently found hidden-corner on campus. It’s located in the basement of Bloomberg and is probably the coziest place I’ve seen on campus. Access is limited—you probably need to know someone who works at the radio show. But ask around and add it to your Princeton Bucket List. It’s worth a visit.

2. Princeton University Press Courtyard

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This is one of my favorite spots to sit and escape the sometimes stressful environment of Princeton. This beautiful courtyard is right next to the Friend center, and in the summer is filled with beautiful flowers. 

3. My Secret Garden

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This was the first hidden gem I discovered on campus. I found it during my orientation week. Slightly/very overgrown, this garden not only feels hidden but also ancient. 

4. 1936 Garden

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Right next to Nassau Hall, and snuggled between Maclean House and Stanhope Hall, this garden is hidden behind brick walls and ivy.

5. Princeton Town Farmers Market

Most student don’t know, the town has a farmers market from May - November right next to the Princeton Public Library. They have fresh produce, pastries, and a great sale on books if that’s up your alley. While this is technically off campus, it shows how much there is to discover in town as well!

Location: Princeton Public Library Square

And while I’m happy to share a few of my discoveries, I will be keeping my absolute favorite corners on campus hidden. But I hope that encourages you to go and find your own. They’re sprinkled all around campus. 

My three best friends and I have this fun tradition of going on a “sweet treat” ice cream run after almost any meal we eat out on Nassau Street. We take our ice cream very seriously, and luckily the bustling downtown Princeton area—which is within arms reach of our campus—has plenty of options. Though this is a heavily debated topic, I’ve decided to share my rankings of Princeton’s ice cream spots:

4) Halo Pub

Coming in at number 4, I’m unfortunately going to have to give this one to Halo Pub. I like their ice cream, but I don’t love it. I will say, however, that the kind of rustic vibe of their shop setup is really nice! I’ve only been there a few times, but when I do, it’s fun to get comfy in one of the red booths with my friends while talking over some ice cream.

3) Thomas Sweet Ice Cream

Now I’ll admit, before this year, I had only ever been to Thomas Sweet once or twice. They’re well-known for their signature “blend-ins” and whimsical store decor. But while I’ve grown to enjoy their ice cream more, they’re located a bit further down Nassau Street than I’d like and sometimes it’s just not worth it to trek over there.

2) The Bent Spoon

Controversial, I know. When people think of Princeton, many think of The Bent Spoon and all its wacky, yet undeniably delicious, flavors. Where else are you going to find Ricotta Pistachio or Lavender Mascarpone ice cream? Bent Spoon is the quintessential ice cream shop of our quaint college town. But as much as I love this place, I’m going to have to give first place to…

1) Kilwin’s

By far my most frequented ice cream joint at Princeton is Kilwin’s. Although it’s a chain store and doesn’t have that small-town charm of Bent Spoon, I’d argue that there is something special about its classic flavors. My favorite thing to get there is a scoop of Mackinac Island Fudge or, when I’m in the mood, a scrumptious hot fudge sundae. Kilwin’s is timeless, and my friends and I absolutely love stopping by for our post-dinner dessert.  (Note: I regret to inform everyone that, since initially writing this blog post, the Kilwin’s location in Princeton has unfortunately closed. :( However, I stand by my rankings and will miss Kilwin’s dearly!)

Though I didn’t choose to attend Princeton because of its ice cream scene, it has certainly been one of the many hidden perks of our community. Whatever your rankings, and with summer right around the corner, be sure to check out these local favorites whenever your sweet tooth is calling! 
 

As summer nears, whether you are an alum returning for Reunions, a student staying on campus, or a prospective student visiting the school, Princeton’s warm weather and lively atmosphere are things to enjoy. Strolling around on a sunny morning, here are my top 5 spots that I recommend checking out!

1. Blair Arch

As a proud resident of Mathey College, Blair Arch is one of the most picturesque spots. Check the time on the clock, read on the steps, rest in the shade, and admire the architecture! Located in the heart of the upper campus, it is frequented by acapella groups and other music groups for performances. The Arch’s acoustic is surprisingly crisp, reverberating the gorgeous singing to a large crowd. Concerts usually happen on Thursday evenings but will become daily occurrences during Reunions.

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2. Murray Dodge Cafe

Do you ever get tired/hungry for a sweet snack in the late hours of the afternoon or evening? Fear not, for Murray Dodge Cafe is the spot to go! The underground cafe is under the Office of Religious Life, with free cookies baked fresh by our student bakers during the school year. There are many different flavors, from strawberry brownies to white chocolate pistachio. With your Princeton ID, you can get a mug and unlimited tea to sip on while you study, surrounded by colorful chalk drawings. For our campus newspaper The Daily Princetonian, I spent twelve hours in the cafe recording everything that happened with my friends, if you would like an immersive experience of how welcoming the space is!

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3. The Graduate College

Summer is peak weather for casual strolls. In a leisurely 15-minute walk you can go from Mathey to the backyard of Forbes College, which overlooks a golf course and the Graduate College, a dormitory for graduate students. At the Grad College you can enjoy meals in the dining hall most days of the week, under beautiful stained glass windows and Harry Potter-like interiors. If you go on a Sunday morning, you will hear the carillon played by Lisa Lonie, a keyboard-based percussion instrument with twenty tons of bronze bells at the top of the Cleveland Tower. 

4. Firestone Library 

While Firestone is typically known for serious studying, its 6th-floor room has a birds-eye view of campus and is a gorgeous sunset spot.  The high ceiling and gothic chandeliers are Princeton classics that should not be missed! Another scenic spot to check out is the C-floor of Firestone. Though it is underground, there is a study space with a high glass ceiling with sunlight streaming down. 

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5. Firestone Plaza & Chapel

If you want to be outdoors, Firestone Plaza has sage-green tables and chairs and a great view of the East Pyne courtyard for the ideal afternoon reading spot. If you get bored, you can pop into the University Chapel, which has magnificent stained glass windows and impeccable architecture. The Chapel Choir has a church service every Sunday morning at 11 am, and the space also hosts other regular concerts if you want to hear the space's acoustics!

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6. Einstein’s Classroom

Albert Einstein used to teach Physics in the historic classroom located on the third floor of Frist Campus Center. Filled with rows of wooden chairs and a giant blackboard, the “dark academic” vibe is strong here. For a snack, the A-level of Frist has a wide array of food and drinks: sushi, pasta, Asian cuisine, a grill station, cereal, fruits, Tico’s yogurts, etc. Depending on the weather, there is both indoor and outdoor seating. Once I saw a double rainbow by the lawn!

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7. Richardson Auditorium

Princeton University Concerts often hosts worldwide musicians and artists with diverse performances, and student performance groups also perform frequently. As a student, you have 4 free tickets for any Richardson event, and you get to pick orchestra or balcony seats! Besides the acoustics, the auditorium has a mosaic art piece in the backdrop superimposed with contemporary ceiling decorations. One of my favorite events was watching the first Mariachi concert in Princeton’s history last month, filled with vibrant decorations, stage lights, and songs to sing along to. 

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My first week at Princeton was humid and hot. On Convocation day, 1400 of us sat under the shade of lush, green trees in front of Nassau Hall, buzzing with nerves and excitement along with the crickets chirping. An almost feverish energy hung in the air, as we erupted into applause after each speaker welcoming “the Great class of 2027.” I could not wait to begin this new chapter. With only Orientation events scheduled, I would stroll for hours around campus with my new friends, getting lost in the gothic architecture and enjoying the nice weather outside. Princeton felt so big then. as a brand new first-year. 

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After a few months, I gradually fell into a pattern for my first semester. New people, new classes, and new things to learn about every day transformed into a familiar routine. The changes in the season paralleled my sentiment: it started slowly, eventually increasing into a blur. As I walked along the pathway from East Pyne between classes, I suddenly noticed the green in the trees had faded into a brilliant gradient of the changing leaves, from tangerine orange to light hazel. The lawns were filled with readers lounging around, bathed in the warm sunlight as a slight breeze rustled the leaves. I was constantly reminding myself to slow down and look around at the beautiful scenery. 

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In the middle of December, darkness descended every day at 4 pm, draping the campus in a cold hush. Overwhelmed with exams and assignments, Firestone Library was littered with late-night goers and frantic typing of keyboards. One tiring night, I was trudging back from a study session when I noticed a flurry in the air. The next morning, the campus was covered with a fluffy snow blanket. Snowmen were scattered around campus, with one being taller than me! I could almost hear the Oppenheimer music playing when I walked under the East Pyne arch. Unfortunately, the snow day did not happen and classes went on as scheduled. Despite the cold, I felt strengthened by the beauty that continuously fell from the sky. Fortunately, I was surrounded by friends and even strangers who were all supportive of one another, serving as reminders that I was not alone even in moments of stress. 

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Last week, the persistent cold finally thawed, replaced by a gentle ray with 50-degree weather. Readers on the lawns returned, the sun lingered past 6 pm, and I took out my sundress. The new semester now felt more exhilarating than scary. I no longer felt as nervous when meeting new people. I walked into my new classes with a spring in my step. Familiar faces popped up and smiled around campus. I looked forward to the new possibilities that each week brought. I was metamorphizing, slowly but surely. I believe this cycle will never end during my time at Princeton. And like my anticipation of the changing seasons, I can’t wait. 

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Amor Fati. It means “love of one’s fate” in Latin. 

While a phrase I’ve studied well through stoicism, I’ve unexpectedly come across this phrase again through a conversation with a friend. It’s made me reflective about my time here at Princeton, and my “love of fate” thus far.

So where am I on my Princeton journey? I’m currently writing this blog post at 11:18pm on May 1st, 2024 - it’s the start of reading week which means a tremendous amount of work for most students here. My days recently have been void of classes yet filled with the slow and often frustrating pace of studying. It’s the end of my sophomore year, and the only word I can use to describe this year would be: unpredictable. 

This year has been filled with struggles I never encountered during my freshman year. My COS (Computer Science) classes have gotten harder. I’ve started to have more anxiety. Socially too, friends and groups have shifted. And that’s not something I expected - however it is part of fate that things change.

All of this is to say that my sophomore year has been overwhelming, and quite the contrast to the blooming, beautiful first year when I arrived at Princeton. I thrived my first year - socially and academically. Initially, this dichotomy between my freshman and sophomore year worried me. I wondered: “Am I not enjoying my time here?” “Am I getting the most out of Princeton?” 

I share this because I’m sure many students feel this way. But my perspective changed when I remembered the words of an alum that I heard during my orientation two years ago.

“Everyone moves through Princeton at their own pace, and on their own path.”

It is normal for things to change. And it’s normal for your path at Princeton to look vastly different from your friends, or even the path that you had the year before. It’s important to remember that Princeton will be unpredictable. You will likely face challenges you didn’t even conceive of facing. And that’s okay! I don’t actually believe in “fate”, but I believe in it as a general concept of the things given to you outside of your control. I find myself grateful for the fate I’ve been given at Princeton - whether the experience was positive or negative. And that is Amor Fati. A true love of one’s fate - a love for the good and the bad that happens. Because from each of these experiences, I’m given an opportunity to grow. And with this, I hope any incoming students can take something from my perspective. That the challenges you will face are valid and unexpected. But you must embrace it all, and simply go along on this wild ride.