“I just got into Princeton,” a sentence I repeatedly uttered aloud in pure astonishment and bewilderment the night decisions were released — and those feelings still have not worn off! Opening my Princeton-acceptance letter will always be one of my most cherished memories, but I cannot gloss over the many uncertainties and ambivalent emotions that led up to and followed that letter. 

All throughout the second half of my senior year — and even while I put together my application — I had kind of convinced myself that there was no way I would get into a school like Princeton, often thinking, “Tens of thousands of amazing people apply every year. The acceptance rates are very low. Once in a blue moon does anyone from my high school go to an Ivy League school.” In spite of my doubts, though, there was always a slimmer of hope. I prayed about my college decisions, and I knew that wherever I ended up would be where the Lord called me to be, ultimately resting assured that I had done my best and He would do the rest. I applied to a few top schools just to see what would happen, and I had confidence that everything was going to work out according to His perfect plan. 

Well, after decision day and internalizing the fact that this whole Princeton thing was actually happening, my family and I signed up to attend Princeton Preview, which is a full day dedicated to introducing admitted students and their families to the beauty of Princeton. I remember the first time I set foot on Princeton’s campus was the evening before Preview. As my family and I walked through FitzRandolph Gate — NOT through the one big gate in the dead center! — and took in ol’ Nassau Hall, I looked to my parents and aunt, who spontaneously tagged along with us because she was off from work for a few days, and said, “I cannot believe I got into this school….” 

Overall, Preview was fun and really helped me envision what my life at Princeton would look like, but there was still one important question that needed answering before I could seal the deal on Princeton: How much is this school going to cost? About a week after Preview, my family and I received my financial-aid package from Princeton. Well, let me just say that when we saw the amount, we were so grateful that we could have probably done backflips off of each other. Words cannot express how generous Princeton is — do not let finances keep you from applying! In the following days, I officially committed to Princeton. 

Amid all the excitement surrounding my acceptance and enrollment into Princeton, though, there was just as much fear and nervousness. I was fearful of the unknown and nervous about what was to come and how people might engage with me, especially as a small-town Southerner going to an Ivy League school more than 10 hours from home and all the worries that entails. During this time, my faith definitely played a crucial role in dealing with all the thoughts, emotions, and decisions with which I was wrestling. The Lord never leaves us and is always there for us throughout the good, the bad, and all that is in-between. As Carrie Underwood would say, I just had to let Jesus take the wheel, realizing that He has a plan and a purpose for me attending Princeton. Although I was undoubtedly scared and completely clueless of what to expect, I knew I could find security in His everlasting peace and presence.

This blog is kind of a general summary of my “Princeton process” —  I will probably go more in depth on individual parts in future blogs — but I tell it to you in hopes that you may be able to relate to some of my experiences and can find some clarity despite all the chaos you may currently be facing. I said this in a previous blog and will say it again because it is so important to remember: everything is going to be okay. Your college decisions may or may not have turned out as you liked, but I hope you can find some solace in the fact that God has a plan and a purpose for your life — you just have to choose to give Him control and to trust Him. I know it is not easy, and disappointment definitely stings. Nonetheless, never forget that you are loved and will be able to overcome any obstacle that comes your way.

You may not share the same beliefs as me, but I would like to leave you with a Bible verse that has always brought and continues to bring me comfort and reassurance:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

• Jeremiah 29:11

   

Wishing you nothing but the best with your college decisions!

One of my favorite pastimes is going for a walk around campus. Regardless of whatever is going on, I have found that a stroll through campus is always nice, never failing to present me with an opportunity to notice features I never had before and to take some time to reflect. 

As I go on each walk, I get to appreciate all of my surroundings. Outside Henry Hall, which sits along Blair Walk, there is a stone engraving of George Washington crossing the Delaware — it may seem kind of random but is very cool and intricate! I discovered this engraving pretty early on in the school year, so anytime I made my Blair Walk trek to my Writing Seminar in New South last semester, I tried to remember to give Washington a shout-out :). You may have also noticed there are two tigers forming the frame of Washington’s Crossing, so I cannot forget to mention all the engraved tigers across campus. Certain entrance doors to McCosh Hall and 1879 Hall have engravings of tigers that are engaging in a variety of activities, from roaring and prowling around to sleeping, and there are 100+-year-old tigers that welcome those who walk under the archway of Campbell Hall. However, tigers continue to dominate their architectural presence apart from engravings, as there is also a tiger weathervane at the top of each corner of Holder Tower. These are only a few of many small details I have observed from my walks, but I will leave it to you to find other little hidden gems! 

The buildings of Princeton have not just challenged my observational skills but also enabled me to appreciate the different seasons I have had here so far. When my family and I first set foot on campus — around the time of Preview — one of the first parts we saw was the area of New South, which neighbors Whitman College and is, as mentioned earlier, where my Writing Seminar was. If you have not been near New South before, there is a circle of animal-head sculptures right outside of the building. This art piece is really impressive and fascinating, but it definitely caught me off guard when I first saw it. I remember thinking to myself, “Where am I? Why are there just random statues of animal heads on a college campus?” So, when I walk by this art piece now, I cannot help but think back to this funny yet skeptical first impression of Princeton’s campus I had. Additionally, as I pass by the buildings I had my fall-semester classes in, I often reflect on the emotions I felt at the time and some of the lessons each class taught me: somewhat anxiously walking into New South for Writing-Seminar conferences, learning Spanish vocabulary in a classroom of McCosh Hall, getting to know other freshmen and more about literature in my freshman seminar in Blair Arch, to name a few. I laugh at how frequently I find myself falling into nostalgic episodes as I go on my walks — I am only a freshman, so there is really no tellin’ how much nostalgia I will be feelin’ when I am a senior!

With final college decisions being released, I am sure many of you are going to be walking around different college campuses, trying to see which one feels most like home. Whether you are here for Preview or not, I know that the campus of whatever school you go to is going to be even more beautiful because you are a part of it. The buildings and surroundings we walk by on a college campus may strike our attention and leave impressions on us, but what truly makes a campus great is its people. So, as you tour different schools, try to appreciate their architectural surroundings, but also remember that the people are what make the places special — and that you will end up where you are meant to be!

To put it plainly, any type of midterm week can get hectic. I have experienced two midterm weeks at Princeton so far, and these two specific weeks have taught me some valuable lessons that apply to not just academics but life in general. 

Lesson #1: Time management is key. At Princeton, midterm week differs from finals week in that classes are still operating as usual. When finals week rolls around, classes are already done and over, and you have an entire week dedicated to preparing for your final assessments, which is called “Reading Period.” However, classes are in full-swing during midterm week, so you have to balance your regular day-to-day classwork with midterm preparation.​​ This balance can undoubtedly get tricky at times. One helpful hack I have learned, though, is to start midterm preparation early AND finish classwork early. Doing so not only gives you a head start on midterm studying but also provides more room in your schedule for you to focus directly on your midterms. Believe me, not having classwork looming over you is always a plus, especially during midterm week! So, starting early and finishing assignments early is very important!

Lesson #2: Surround yourself with supportive people, and be one of those supportive people. If your midterms are ever making you stressed, the good news is that everyone else around you is likely feeling the same way. Reach out to your friends if you feel overwhelmed, and likewise, encourage your friends. I have found that study sessions with friends are great refreshers, as surrounding yourself with friends who are also doing work is not just motivating but also gives way to some fun conversations and laughs! Midterm week can feel crazy, but surrounding yourself with friends and being a friend can always help keep you grounded and uplifted. 

Lesson #3: Take breaks, and know that everything is going to be okay. For me, I cannot do good work when I am tired. If I feel sleepy or just simply unmotivated, I know there is no point in me trying to complete something complicated because I will likely lose focus and have a harder time understanding whatever it is. Thus, I love taking a rejuvenating break! Whether I am taking a nap, going for a walk/jog around campus, or chatting with friends, I always enjoy a break that helps me “refuel” and stay motivated. Additionally, I have learned to not obsess over midterms or exams. Yes, it is important to prepare and to do your best, but at the end of the day, do not sacrifice your health or well-being for a good grade on an exam — you are a person before you are a student. It is much easier said than done, but as long as you put in your best work, that is all you can do. Just know that you are still amazing regardless of what a grade on an exam says. 

Although it can seem frantic, midterm week is a great way for you to see and to show off what you have learned so far in your classes. They are meant to be “check-ups” on how well you are understanding your class's content and growing as a learner. They are not meant to stress you out, but even if they do, always remember to manage your time well, surround yourself with good people, and rest assured that your best is enough. 

“I’m going to Silicon Valley!”

Back in November, I grabbed a yellow sticky note, wrote down these five words, and stuck it to my wall like they do in the movies. Flash forward, I somehow got myself a seat on Princeton’s Silicon Valley Tiger Trek, a 10-day trip to San Francisco, organized by the entrepreneurship department. Twenty students are chosen to have one-on-one, private interviews with 30 CEOs, founders, and head executives of tech and VC firms. My trip to Silicon Valley felt nothing short a movie script.

When we arrived in early January, the Bay Area was stunning. It’s a stark contrast from the cold, dark winters we see at Princeton. Palm trees and rich blue coasts welcomed us to the mecca of entrepreneurship—and we were there to meet the top players. While every person on the trip had something to teach us, they all had one thing in common: success. And what I took away from these different conversations was that the path to success is often more serendipitous and non-linear than one might expect.

Personally, I’ve never quite known what I wanted to do. I’ve always struggled to settle on a singular career path due to my disparate interests. As a junior, I've been feeling the pressure to apply to linear, corporate engineering roles, but these types of positions have always made me uneasy—worried that they won't leverage my diverse background. So venturing to California, I didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted to do—and I was uncomfortable with that. 

However, I left California with a widened perspective. All the founders we met described unexpected paths to where they got to today. These conversations helped me realize that success is not always methodically planned, sometimes it’s a result of brilliant minds creatively exploring, at the right place, at the right time. Not only did the pressure to decide my career vanish, but Tiger Trek completely opened my mind to different paths like finance and venture capital; coming from a family of engineers and professors, I didn’t know much about the financial world until I became interested in entrepreneurship.  

I feel extremely privileged to have had this opportunity. I can now acknowledge that it might take me several years, or decades even, to find my dream job. And it might also take me some time to find what we conventionally call success. But until then, I’ll celebrate my small wins, including that yellow sticky note on my wall—that I'll keep for just that reason. 

When I was a Freshman, everything at Princeton was exciting. There were always activities to do, places to go, and events being held. But by the time Sophomore year rolled around, the novelty wore off and I found myself constantly escaping to New York City. 

Despite my love for the school, I quickly found that there wasn’t much to do in the immediate area. I would frequent the same three coffee shops, cycle through the same six study spots, and end up back where I started: bored. Three coffee shops expanded to four, and six study spots expanded to eight, but still, there was nothing new, exciting, or anything to look forward to for the weekend.

Spoiler alert: there still isn’t much to do, but in my attempt to combat boredom, I found some not-so-hidden gems that I try to take advantage of whenever I feel that inkling to flee. Here are some of those gems:

1. The Graduate Hotel: Nested next to Sakrid Coffee Roasters, the Graduate Hotel has been a relatively new study spot that I enjoy spending time at whenever I want to feel the quintessential - dare I say - Princeton experience. 
2. Belle Journée: Located across from the Graduate Hotel is a new bakery offering iconic twists on classic pastries. From cookie croissants to coffee buns, the bakery presents exciting options when I’m craving a classic study-break but don’t want to frequent my usual croissant and coffee suppliers.
3. Jazams: Though Jazams has been around for quite some time, I’ve recently found myself obsessed with board games. Every now and then, I’ll host a game night with friends, which not only is a nice reprieve from studying, but also is a relatively easy way to try new activities. We’ll have beverages, snacks, and occasionally play some music in the background and it’s always a fun time.
4. New College West’s ceramics studio: Though only open to students, the ceramics studio is a great way to pass some time. Despite lacking skill in pottery, trying to create new dishes and trinkets in the ceramics studio is a good way to teach myself how to be more creative. Plus, I get to leave with a keepsake. 
5. Hoagie Mail: Though not a place, Hoagie Mail is a gem that has helped me combat the depths of my boredom when I’ve exhausted all else. There are always sales of some kind and it is interesting to see what I can find on rare occasions. From printers to lamps, to sweaters to shoes, you’ll never know what people are selling, and it offers a nice opportunity to find something new. 

Though sometimes it may feel like there might not be much to do, there is always something happening – even if you have to dig for that gem. These are the few that I’ve managed to find, but if you have any others, please feel free to send me an email so I can add them to my list. (Seriously, please).

     Ever since I was admitted to Princeton, I have felt so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to attend such an amazing institution. When I first got in, I remember thinking: what will Princeton do for me? It has taken a while for me to realize this, but that train of thought was so wrong; I should have been thinking, what can I do for Princeton? The magic in Princeton is not the place, academics, or even resources, but the people who utilize these tools to move the world forward. Princeton isn't a place, it's a people. After all, a place cannot be “In the Nation's Service and the Service of Humanity,” only a people can be.

     I bring up this point to shed light on the importance of perspective in understanding the value in being a part of certain communities. At the end of the day, communities are defined by the people who make them up, not the place or anything else. Sure these other factors can influence the people and their way of life, but like I said, at the end of the day, the common denominator across communities is people. This distinction is important because it gives power to you - you can be the difference that you want to see in this world, regardless of what hand you're dealt.

     I’ve come to this realization after having the privilege of visiting my old high school and speaking with a few classes of students. I was in their shoes four years ago, so I knew exactly what they were thinking - ‘Hooray! We get to skip actual class today and listen to our classmate’s brother talk about college.’ While I knew this is what they were thinking, I hope that I was able to get through to some of them and provide some good advice about college. On a more subliminal level, I wanted to inspire them to take a simple message away: make the most of every situation. Many of them will go on to college, so I told them, 1. it doesn't matter where you go but what you do once you're there, and 2. if you don't try the answer will always be a no automatically. I believe this advice applies to anyone and everyone.

     The link between this realization and the broader understanding of Princeton being a people is that people (aka you) are in charge of moving the world forward. It took me a while to realize that an extractive mentality isn't the most productive; instead, to get the most out of a situation, you must give back to those who have helped you get there (including yourself). Change and opportunity do not begin when someone else gives them to you, they begin with you. For me, asking what I can do for Princeton has led me to helping deliver on the informal motto of being “In the Nation's Service and the Service of Humanity,” and I still have a long way to go since this is a lifelong journey. For you, ask not what the world can do for you, but what you can do for the world. 
 

Dinner is served every day at 6:30 pm. However, on special days like today—when we’re preparing Chipotle-inspired burrito bowls at Scully Co-Op—we post a quick update on Discord: “sorry, food at 7 pm”. People often monitor the daily cook shift channels to catch a sneak peek of what’s for dinner before it’s officially posted. Meanwhile, we rush to finish labeling the food as a line of hungry members forms in the dining room.

After studying abroad last spring, I discovered just how much I love cooking with friends and sharing a meal together. I cherished the familiarity and collaborative spirit of cooking with people in a kitchen. One of my close friends had been part of Scully Co-Op since junior year, and she kept encouraging me to join. I finally signed up this year and it has quickly become one of the best experiences of my time at Princeton. Every Monday, I cook with an amazing group of people and we all get to decide what to make. We’ve prepared a wide range of dishes—from Cajun pasta and chicken pesto to chicken parmesan and more!

As a co-op member, my weekly responsibilities include one cooking shift (about three hours) and one cleaning shift (one hour). Dinners are provided every day and we even have brunch on weekends. For other meals, we have complete access to a fully stocked pantry and fridge, plus the option to place orders for ingredients or foods we’d like to cook during our shifts or for our own meals. With around forty members, Scully Co-Op is the perfect place to meet new people.

Beyond the scheduled shifts, it’s also fun to simply have a place to bake or cook with friends. My friends and I constantly use the kitchen to whip up cookies or any kind of sweet treat. Sometimes we even meal prep together so we feel prepared for the week ahead. I love running into people at the co-op—whether it’s a quick late-night strawberry snack or catching someone digging into our bulk vanilla bean ice cream container. Often, I’ll even start chopping fruit like pineapple and these spontaneous moments just add to sharing a space together.

I also get to try a variety of different foods. Some of my favorite dishes that members have cooked include chicken teriyaki, shrimp tempura, lemon blueberry loaf, and cheesecake cookies! I love seeing everyone’s creative ideas and the joy of making food for others. While cooking for a large group can seem daunting, it’s incredibly rewarding. On my cook shift day, I’m extremely busy, but on other days I get to relax, eat, and chat with fellow members. I’m truly grateful to be part of such an amazing community during my time at Princeton, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll create next.

Touring with the Triangle Club was nothing short of an adventure. The Triangle Club is Princeton's oldest touring musical comedy group, in which students write, compose, and perform an original musical from scratch each year. This year’s show, Pageant Pending, debuted in McCarter Theatre during the fall semester, and as tradition holds, we took it on the road before returning for the spring semester. Over the course of our journey, we brought our show to audiences in Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Millburn, experiencing the thrill of performing in new spaces while also immersing ourselves in cities I had never explored before.

As a member of the pit orchestra, I quickly learned the art of adaptation. Every venue posed a new challenge—sometimes we played on stage, other times we were fully backstage, and occasionally we were in an entirely separate room, relying on monitors and headsets to stay in sync with the performers. It was exhilarating to adjust on the fly, knowing that each night would bring a slightly different performance experience.

Beyond the music, what made this tour truly unforgettable was the camaraderie. Spending time with people from all sides of Triangle—cast, crew, pit, and tech—allowed me to form friendships I never would have made otherwise. Whether we were unloading and reloading the truck with all of our sets, costumes, and equipment before and after every show, or simply passing time on the bus, the teamwork and support among us made the long days fun and exciting.

Another highlight of the tour was staying with Princeton alumni overnight in different cities. Not only did it provide a great opportunity to connect with past Tigers and hear about their experiences, but it also brought our group closer together as we shared stories and late-night conversations in unfamiliar yet welcoming homes.

Of course, no tour is without its challenges. One particularly memorable moment was being stuck in traffic for three hours—a test of patience that turned into an impromptu bonding session filled with music, snacks, and ridiculous conversations. And speaking of snacks, the discovery of Buc-ee’s was a game-changer. I had heard about the legendary Texas-based travel stop before, but stepping inside for the first time was like entering a world of endless road trip fuel, from brisket sandwiches to walls of snacks and souvenirs.

This tour wasn’t just about performing; it was about experiencing new places, overcoming unexpected obstacles, and forging friendships that will last far beyond our final curtain call. From the excitement of stepping onto a new stage each night to the simple joy of exploring a new city with friends, the Triangle Club tour was an experience I’ll always cherish.

At Princeton, Wintersession is a time to explore new hobbies, academic interests, or career aspirations on campus during the end of the winter break period. This winter, I had planned to return to campus a week before classes resumed, to give myself some time to focus on my senior thesis. Looking to fill my schedule with some much-needed study breaks, I perused the Wintersession offerings until one event captured my full attention: “Create Your Own Chess Board!”

On a cold Wednesday morning, I made my way over to the Princeton Facilities Carpentry Shop, excited for the day of crafting that lay ahead of me. Our instructor, Jim, kicked off the event with a tour of Princeton’s carpentry shop, showing us the equipment and ongoing projects. He explained his work as a carpenter, which includes tasks such as repairing broken legs from dining hall chairs and custom building retirement presents for his colleagues. 

Once the tour had concluded, it was time to start constructing our chessboards. We started by building the frame from the board, using hammers to nail the wooden pieces together. Next, it was time to select the pieces of wood that we wanted to use for the individual squares. This was the most special part of the entire process, as Jim explained to us that all the wood we would be using came from cherry and willow trees on Princeton’s campus. We inspected pre-cut slabs of wood for desirable coloring and grain patterns, before assembling the wood and gluing it into our frames. We left the glue to dry overnight and returned the next afternoon.

On Thursday, we put the final touches on our chess boards. I used about three layers of wood varnish to give my chessboard a shiny, glossy finish. It was remarkable to see just how much the color changed after the varnish was applied! While waiting for the coats to dry, Jim gave us demonstrations of each of the saws in the Carpentry Shop, and gave us miniature wooden versions of the Princeton crest that he had made in preparation for our last visit. After 2 days and 6 hours of work, my beloved chess board was finally ready to take home!

Altogether, I will cherish this as one of my most special experiences at Princeton. As a senior, this last semester already feels so bittersweet, and I have found myself eager to hold onto mementos before my time at Princeton comes to an end. Knowing that I made this chessboard from trees that grew on campus makes me feel like I am taking a small part of campus with me wherever I bring it. I will cherish it forever!

As hard as it is for me to believe, I’m somehow almost halfway through my last semester at Princeton. Time has flown by! The past 3 ½ years have been full of great friends and even better memories. Yet, there’s still so much on campus that I haven’t been able to do. With the countdown to Commencement starting, I’ve been ruminating a lot on what things I want to see, do, and experience before I graduate. I present to you: my Princeton Senior Spring Bucket List…

1) Eat at the Graduate College (and maybe climb to the top of the tower!)

Although it’s only a short walk across Alexander Street, I’ve never visited our esteemed Graduate College. As undergraduates, we actually do have access to eat meals in their dining hall, which I heard has some pretty awesome architecture (think Hogwarts Great Hall) and delicious food, too. Students have also been able to climb the stairs all the way up to the top of the Graduate College’s Cleveland Tower, where you can get a gorgeous view of the whole campus.

2) See the Danny DeVito Shrine

I’m not kidding. This is 100% legit. There’s apparently a shrine to legendary actor Danny DeVito hidden in the basement of ***** Hall, and I intend to see it before I leave this campus.

3) Walk the towpath

I’ll blame the fact that I’m not much of an outdoors runner for why I haven’t made it to this one yet. It’s true a lot of people usually like to do their morning jogs on the towpath, which runs alongside our beautiful Lake Carnegie. Once the weather gets a bit warmer, I’ll definitely be making my way out there soon with my friends—maybe not for a run, but a leisurely stroll!

4) Use the waffle maker in Choi Dining Hall

I know this one seems silly, but I’ve always wanted to use the waffle maker in Choi Dining Hall. Every time I’m at Saturday or Sunday brunch, I haven’t seemed to make my way over there. But I’m determined to before I graduate and hopefully finally understand all the waffle hype.

5) Take a class at the NCW ceramic studio

This is one that my friends and I have talked about since our first year here. The ceramic studio at our residential college home of New College West has free workshops, open studios, and study breaks that all students can attend. There are both professional and student instructors there, who provide a comfortable environment and are always happy to teach artists of all levels. Though I’ve never made pottery before, I can’t wait to try my hand at it!

6) Go to an Arch Sing

Given how many talented acapella groups we have at Princeton and how many Arch Sings they host over the course of a school year, I can’t believe this one is still on my list! For those who are not familiar, Arch Sings are when the various acapella groups gather in one of our campus arches—usually our famous Blair Arch—and perform a few songs. Besides it being just a cool visual to be surrounded by all the gothic architecture as you listen, the acoustics in the arches also make the experience that much more magical.

This list is still a work in progress, and I’m sure many things will be added between now and Commencement. But to all the prospective students reading this, take my advice once you’re on campus: savor it! Take advantage of every place, tradition, and activity here—even the silly stuff. Because before you know it, you’ll be a nostalgic senior like me, trying to soak in all that Princeton has to offer before I walk back through those FitzRandolph Gates!