Sometimes, I go on Spotify and look at all the playlists with ‘Princeton’ in the title. I like looking at these playlists because each one was made by someone at Princeton, building a collection of songs during their time here. Each one represents an individual journey through Princeton, and it’s nice to imagine what they could be. 

Every so often, there are songs that I recognize, even have in my own playlists. For the most part, their names are just names - each is a little mystery, revealing nothing about the memories and places and feelings within. 

I call mine the Princeton Playlist, (I thought I was being clever, but this seems to be an alliteration very commonly discovered) and I have editions for each year I’ve spent here. 

Here are some highlights.

“Lovely,” by Billie Eilish featuring Khalid: I think of morning air that is promising fog. I think of the walk to class from Forbes, smelling air that tells me it’s autumn. I walk past Spelman Hall between Zodiac heads by Ai Weiwei and Picasso’s ‘Head of a Woman.’ I walk through Whitman and its stone step that says ‘YES!’ I walk towards the Butler column and Fine Hall in the distance and the quiet surge of students through a college campus in the morning. 

“Seasons,” by Greyson Chance: Elm Drive is a long road that weaves all the way down campus. Usually, only University vehicles trundle along it. However, when everything is quiet and lambent at night, Elm Drive is lit only by the soft lamplight, making it my favorite place to take my bike for a joyride. Past midnight, I would take the long route back home from my friend’s room in Blair Arch. I’d travel through the heart of campus, everything quiet and calm and asleep, the wind in my face.    

“Harmony Hall,” by Vampire Weekend: On the last day of class, I step out of McCosh Hall onto north campus. North campus is closest to downtown Princeton, where Nassau Hall and Firestone Library are located. It is always bustling with activity, more so now that the weather is warm. There had been rain earlier, matting down the grass, droplets still buoyant on flowers. There’s a lot going on over here, from the statues to the architecture. As I bike through it all, I think about going to the gym later, or playing some pool, or enjoying the nice weather - and studying for Dean’s Date, of course.

The air promises possibility.

It’s early morning on a brisk autumn day, or a late night, or a spring afternoon. You’ll have a song for all these moments, too. And many more.

When I was an incoming international first-year student, I remember being super excited about Princeton but also having lots of burning questions about arrival. I wondered to myself, will I need to open a bank account? Where should I buy school supplies? What type of phone plans exist in the United States? I decided to create this four-step guide of my experience in order to help incoming international students with their transition.

Step One: Open a Bank Account

Getting a debit card is crucial to help you pay for expenses and having a U.S. bank account will make it easier to receive money from international currencies. While you will have to build up credit in order to apply for credit cards, it is always good to start by opening a bank account and build a relationship with that bank so that you can later secure a credit card. PNC Bank has a branch located just in front of the University, I highly recommend going there first!

Step Two: Get a SIM Card

It is important to have a U.S. phone number and some type of data plan. While on campus, you won’t need cellular data because you can use the University’s wifi. However, when you go off campus or to New York City, it is always a good idea to have internet access. Verizon, AT&T and Mint are all good options. During International Orientation, phone companies come to campus to help open up accounts, so be sure to be on the lookout for that!

Step Three: Find Dorm Furnishings

While many domestic students are able to bring basic living supplies from their home, international students basically start from scratch. You won’t have to buy any big furniture such as bed frames and closets, as those will already be in your dorm room. However, you will want to get pillows, bed sheets, a mirror, writing supplies, etc… I recommend the U-Store which is located on campus if you prefer convenience and Target if you want more variety in options. 

Step Four: Prepare for Classes

With a phone, debit card and a furnished dorm room, you are all set to start your Princeton undergraduate career! In terms of preparing for classes, you will want to check what textbooks are required so you can get them at the local bookstore, Labyrinth. You can always borrow books at Firestone library if they are available, or sometimes professors will upload digital versions of the reading material. 

These are just a few steps that helped me as an international student at Princeton. I understand how daunting it could be to move to another country, but with these steps and the assistance you’ll receive during International Orientation, you will be well on your way to making Princeton your second home!

POV: You’re having a #tough day on campus because you overslept which means you had to speed walk to class (highly decaffeinated) which means your hair got all frizzy which means you’re not a happy camper, to say the least. When you leave class, you put your AirPods in and start listening to your latest jam, “Better” by ZAYN...and suddenly, all of your stress fades away. Sometimes, that’s all it comes down to: finding the perfect song for the perfect moment. That’s why I've put together a “Tiger Tunes” playlist that coordinates Princeton-specific experiences. Find out when to listen to each song, and scroll down to see the full playlist on Spotify!

• Working out in Dillon Gym: “Stuntin’ on You,” by Tyla Yaweh, ft. DaBaby
• Walking to class in the spring: “Peaches,” by Justin Bieber (clean version)
• Getting ready in the morning in your dorm room: “High Fashion,” by Roddy Ricch & Mustard (clean version)
• Doing laundry: “There She Go,” by Justin Bieber & Lil Uzi
• Studying on C Floor in Firestone: “Perfectly Wrong,” by Shawn Mendes
• Studying on A Floor in Firestone: “Like I Can,” by Sam Smith
• Just got a fire grade on your paper/exam: “Just Like Magic,” by Ariana Grande (clean version)
• Thesis/Junior Paper grind: “Save Your Tears,” by The Weeknd (clean version)
• Studying in Café Vivian in Frist Campus Center: “Watermelon Sugar,” by Harry Styles
• Walking to class in the fall: “Beautiful,” by Bazzi
• Walking to class in the winter: “OTW,” by Khalid (clean version)
• About to go to the eating clubs with friends on a Saturday night: “What’s Next,” by Drake (clean version)
• Applying for jobs/internships on East Pyne couches: “successful,” Ariana Grande (clean version)
• Finishing up an essay in the Tiger Tea Room (while eating a croissant): “Motivation,” by Normani
• Got to Late Meal too late and the cali rolls are gone: “Better Off,” by Ariana Grande (clean version)
• End of the semester: “Memories,” by Maroon 5
• About to see your crush in lecture at McCosh 50: “What You Know Bout Love,” by Pop Smoke (clean version)
• Waiting in line to pick up FREE class gear: “100 Years,” by Five for Fighting  

Ready to download this elite playlist? Follow me on Spotify @msalas-18 or build it yourself by adding the songs here!

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Whenever friends from other universities ask me if I’m part of Greek life, I muster the quizzical response, “Kinda?” This is the inevitable dilemma that every Princeton student must face as they try to describe our campus’s beloved Eating Clubs. Princeton’s 11 co-ed eating clubs are in houses that are all situated along Prospect Avenue, known as “The Street,” and each house boasts their own architectural flair and style. However, what most distinguishes each club is the quality of food offered to their members and the kinds of social events they host.

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These two criteria are on everyone’s mind during “Street Week,” in which sophomores interested in joining an eating club attend various events and meet current members to get a better idea of where they would fit in. While six of the eating clubs require that sophomores undergo “bicker,” a mutual selection process where prospective members meet with students already in the club, five of them are sign-in and extend membership invitations on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This year, I chose to bicker two eating clubs virtually. Here’s my experience with this process:

Pre-Bicker

Each student has the opportunity to request to bicker at only two of the six selective eating clubs, which is a hefty decision to consider for many sophomores. Most bickerees choose where to bicker based on the personality associated with each club or chance encounters that they’ve had with club members. I also took into account where my friends were bickering so that I could be accompanied by familiar faces.

Street Week

Bicker can be a tiresome undertaking, consisting of at least three days of back-to-back socializing with current eating club members. Each bickeree’s main objective is to meet as many members as possible to make connections with current club members and to learn more about the eating club.

Although the process took place online this year, I enjoyed being able to meet and talk with juniors and seniors, especially after an isolated semester away from campus. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to connect with strangers. Overall, Bicker forces bickerees to produce creative, spontaneous answers, yet also demands a healthy dose of introspection, which I say isn’t a bad way to spend quarantine.

Post-Bicker

Afterwards, members of eating clubs regroup and deliberate on which bickerees to welcome into the club. Many clubs have policies in place to ensure that discussions remain positive, and results are released at the end of the week.

Bicker is not the only option!

I woke up to a canopy of snow. Still falling thick and heavy, it had landed gently on branches one by one till the entire ring of trees in the courtyard was a low-hanging forest cloud. 

Snow was scarce my first two years on campus. My first-year fall, it had come early and enthusiastic - I had snowball fights by lamplight and unexpected attacks leaving class at noon. But since then, the skies had been less forthright, and besides a light dusting that I enjoyed in Prospect Gardens in the January of my sophomore year, I missed the opportunity to see campus asleep and then vibrant in the snow.

This year, though, the snow is generous and constant. Snowmen rise and, imprecisely weighted, topple back to earth, where their redolent domes are hidden under a new skyfall. Steady groups make their way to Whitman hill, holding flattened cardboard and plastic lids and other makeshift sleds. 

Golden lamps and old stone walls married to moss and vine are well-suited to the snow. We take walks, following made footsteps where the snow is too deep. We are showered by snow from familiar branches and roofs. 

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We hope it stays, a little while.

When I was applying to Princeton, I was curious to learn more about post-graduation outcomes and the types of careers Princeton students pursue. I hope this blog post sheds some light on what life after Princeton looks like.

Following graduation this upcoming May, I will be pursuing a Master’s in Management at The London School of Economics. I discovered an interest in entrepreneurship during my time at Princeton, so I decided to further my education and strengthen my quantitative skills before launching my career. I am very excited to move to London!

While attending a graduate program in management might be ‘unconventional’ for a history concentrator, there are many skills that I have acquired through my liberal arts education that are essential in the business world: the ability to write a compelling and effective argument, strong reading comprehension skills and a systemic understanding of human institutions.

My friends are pursuing a myriad of careers, all the way from software engineering at Amazon to independent journalism. I have also met many students that changed career interests or are undecided about what they want to do after Princeton and that is totally fine! The advantage of a Princeton education is that the world-renowned academics and extracurricular opportunities provide you with transferable skills that prepare you for the real world.

Princeton is known for its strong alumni network and I have met many alumni that have offered me mentorship and provided invaluable advice. One thing that stood out from my conversations with alumni is that being a Princetonian doesn’t end at graduation. With more than 95,000 Princeton alumni living all around the world, there are various opportunities and events to meet other Princetonians and nurture meaningful connections post-graduation. 

My message to prospective students is that no matter what you want to do in the future, a Princeton education will place you in a good position to fulfill your aspirations. Make sure to tap into the alumni network throughout your undergraduate career and learn from their experiences!

Before the pandemic started, it was always easy to get a workout in at Stephens Fitness Center or play a round of basketball in Dillon Gym. However, with statewide restrictions limiting the capacity of these facilities and the encouragement of public officials to stay indoors, most of us have succumbed to a sedentary lifestyle. Since almost every aspect of school and work transitions into a virtual format, there is little motivation to detach ourselves from our cushioned office chairs. I only realized the severity of my declining fitness levels when I opened the health app on my phone, in which a disapproving message informed me that my average of 9,000+ steps a day during the academic year has now dropped tenfold to only a pitiful average of 900.

Despite all of these challenges, it is of utmost importance that we continue to exercise to reduce our risk of diseases down the line and improve our mental health. Now with students back on campus under social distancing conditions, here is a guide for what you can do at Princeton to maintain your physical wellness.

Dillon Gym

Although Dillon Gym is open by reservation only and available only for students on campus, it still serves as one of the best recreational facilities suitable for anyone’s workout plans. The main gym floor has been retrofitted with strength and cardio equipment in order to create more breathing room in the Stephens Fitness Center, which still offers a wide variety of free weights, benches, dumbbells, and racks. Dillon Pool is also open for any swimmers. Reservations are only 45 minutes long and will only permit users who are enrolled in the asymptomatic testing protocol.

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Poe/Pardee Fields

Located right behind Butler College, these two fields housed Campus Recreation intramural sports pre-pandemic. The vast grassy surfaces are ideal for soccer, softball, lacrosse and other outdoor activities, which are subject to fewer restrictions.

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Towpath Loops

The Princeton Running Club has published a few of their recommended routes on their website. Those who enjoy running can take advantage of the towpaths to see the natural beauties that Princeton has to offer beyond the boundaries of the university, while improving cardiovascular health.

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Your Own Room

I have to admit that during the winter, it can sometimes be too chilly to play an outdoor sport with some friends or make the dreaded walk to Dillon Gym. Especially because of the social distancing and quarantine guidelines in place, it might be wisest to stay within the confinements of your own room. Although you can’t install pull-up bars in dormitory doorways, you can buy a set of dumbbells, a yoga mat, a weighted vest or resistance bands (along with any other equipment) to assemble your own makeshift home gym. If you aren’t sure which exercises to perform, there are plenty of YouTube videos and fitness websites that can give you plenty of ideas to achieve your individualized goals. You could even just turn the music up and jam out at your own private dance party.

Even if you don’t have a specific workout plan, you can include little things in your daily life, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or renting a Zagster bike instead of taking the bus. Fitness doesn’t need to be overly complicated or time-consuming: just take a break from your computer screen and move your body!

As Princeton University prepares to welcome many students back for the spring semester, questions abound about what to bring and how to prepare for a new type of semester.  Whether you’re a first-year student ready to experience your first taste of the Orange Bubble or a prospective student looking to get a better idea of what Princeton is like, I hope this post answers some questions about winter in Princeton.  

I, myself, am from Colorado — a state known for its winters.  But I come from southern Colorado, which is more of a desert climate than our famous mountains.  I’m used to a mix of warm and cold days, with occasional snow, each year from around October-February.  My biggest surprise when coming to New Jersey was that there weren’t really any warm days during the winter.  Some days were nicer than others, to be sure, but it’s still a far cry from the 57 degree Fahrenheit and sunny days that I’ve had here in Colorado these past few days.  

So, what’s winter like in New Jersey?  Well, it’s cold.  Most days are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and often cloudy or overcast.  There’s a mix of rain and snow, but winter storms are rare.  You’re more likely to need rain gear rather than snow gear! 

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My number one suggestion would be a knee-length winter coat.  In Colorado, I had a typical jacket-style winter coat.  It wasn’t until I spent a week in Chicago in March that I learned the value of a longer coat.  It makes all the difference in the world.  

You will also want some type of waterproof shoe for rain and snow.  I have a pair of waterproof hiking boots that I wear on rainy days instead of sneakers, and a pair of fun rain boots I wear with thick socks for other occasions (they have sparkles!).  There’s nothing worse than walking around in wet socks because your shoes soaked through. 

Of course, you’ll want plenty of jackets and hoodies to keep warm.  Luckily, residential colleges often give away jackets, and you can always pick up a Princeton hoodie at the U-Store!  Stay safe and stay warm.