Each recruitment season I have the privilege of traveling internationally to visit students, parents, and counselors to talk about the Princeton experience and try to demystify the application process. I’m fortunate to read applications from all over the world and with each application comes new insight into their special corner of the world. Still, there’s something to be said for the chance to see the communities where our applicants are coming from in-person. 

This fall I had the opportunity to visit India as I crisscrossed the country for ten days. As this was my fourth trip to India, I’ve come to learn that there’s no amount of time to see or understand everything in this interesting and complex country so I’m grateful for the students and colleagues I met along the way. For most meals I ate with people who live in India full-time – counselors, alumni, and even a close family friend! Sharing meals with colleagues who live in the country I’m visiting is one of the best ways to explore the culture through cuisine.

We’re asking students to move around the world to spend four years with us in Princeton and I think it’s important not only to be in the communities our students are applying from but also to learn about the culture and history of the countries we visit during our recruitment trips. I’ve been able to visit some of India’s impressive landmarks like the Red Fort, Qutb Minar, and Taj Mahal on previous trips, but this time around I spent a lot of time in the car to visit schools further outside the city center so I listened to several podcasts about Indian history and religion as scenes of country and village life rolled by. 

When I’m “on the road” I get a lot of questions about the application process, but conversations tend to end up shifting toward the international student experience at Princeton. Moving thousands of mile from home for four years is a big deal but with students from more than 50 countries (56 in the latest class) trust me when I say that you won’t be alone in transitioning to life in the US! I’m always sure to emphasize the sense of community and intentional support network Princeton offers international students and a few things come to mind on that front:

• The Davis Center’s International Orientation program supports students in their first days in the US when the logistics of getting set up for life in a new country can feel like a lot of pressure. 
• Our residential college system gives students a strong social support network in those first few months when international students are adjusting to a new culture, and perhaps feeling a little home sick. 
• The university’s intentional approach to advising allows international students to feel guided navigating a US university for the first time. 

I’ve been recruiting internationally for twelve years now and from this experience there are a few things I know to be true. That just about every other country has a better train system than we do in the US. That no matter where we’re from we share much more in common than not. That students from every part of the world have similar hopes and worries as they approach their college years, and that those who are supporting them through the admission process want the very best for them. We hope you’ll consider the Princeton admission team among those who are happy to support you so please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!

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In my time at Princeton, I have come to love and appreciate a lot of things orange and black. This has no limits, as it is hard to find something about this school that I do not like. From the countless support resources to the wonderful and smart people, Princeton truly is a place of dreams. However, one of the most impactful experiences in my time here, among the support and the people, is the season—fall. 

The experience coming from Florida—where the seasons are wet and wetter, to Princeton where there are four seasons—has been transformative. I suppose those who have grown up experiencing seasons may not relate to this, but for those that come from a place like me, the first fall is spectacular. There is something about the changing colors on the trees, the enjoyable weather, and the apple cider donuts that make this time of the year my favorite. Autumn has an aura, especially at Princeton where it perfectly compliments the collegiate gothic architecture. 

One of my favorite things in the fall at Princeton are the weekly farmers markets stationed in between East Pyne and Firestone Library. At these markets, local vendors come and sell their products to university students. Just to name a few, some of the products offered are: local produce, flowers, honey, empanadas, pickles, apple cider, and matcha. One of my favorite booths/stands is the vendor who sells flowers because they come in a little flower truck which also displays their assortment. An added bonus, each week one of the class years (ie. ‘26) receive a voucher/coupon from the school! 

Another truly magical part of the fall at Princeton is Halloween. Being that the official color of Halloween is orange, Princeton fits right into the holiday. The weekend of Halloween at Princeton is filled with fall festivities—whether that be school sponsored events like ‘spooky’ study breaks, special dinners at the dining halls, or other Halloween themed events at the eating clubs—there truly is something for everyone! It is always super cool seeing groups of friends dress up in matching group costumes, or others who are so dedicated that they paint themselves as a part of their costume. Although it's not the same as trick or treating, Halloween at Princeton has the same vibes. 

In my time here at Princeton, I have enjoyed a lot of things, but nothing else has come close to how much fall has made me FALL in love with this school. As the leaves continue to change colors and leave their trees, I’m reminded of how I did the same when coming to college. As I find my true colors and grow as a person, I reflect on the journey that has taken me to this point. I might not have everything figured out, but I’m sure it will fall into place! 

October in New Jersey is signaled by the changing of the leaves to vibrant hues of red and yellow, and the cool air that brings in the fall season. It means leaving your dorm room in the morning freezing, but regretting having worn so many layers by midday. I have always loved fall, but there is something special about the season here on campus.

There are a million ways to enjoy the fall in Princeton. Often, residential colleges host trips to nearby apple orchards where students can pick their own apples. The Student Events Committee (PSEC) hosts its annual fall fest with crafts and fall foods. Last week, our student government held a screening of Twilight in one of our lecture halls (the quintessential movie of the season), and for Halloween, the Garden Theatre across the street from campus will be playing Nosferatu. Additionally, Coffee Club—our student-run coffee shop—never disappoints with its fall drinks, and it's not hard to come by donuts and apple cider from Terhune Orchards.

Of course, National Hispanic Heritage Month also takes place in late September and early October. The Princeton Latin American Student Association (PLASA) hosts a variety of events throughout the month, including its annual "Festival Sabrosura" and flag photoshoot. In early November, PLASA always returns with more events for Day of the Dead. Although I did not attend any of PLASA’s events this semester, I took advantage of the many other events taking place on campus.

McCarter Theatre is not directly affiliated with the University, but students can receive free admission to several performances per year. As part of its Hispanic Heritage Month programming, McCarter hosted an intimate performance and conversation with Mexican singer and songwriter Natalia Lafourcade. Growing up listening to her music with my mom made this an extremely exciting opportunity, and it was a heartwarming night of music.

The day after the concert I attended an art workshop hosted by a local community member and artist where I learned the basics of the repujado art form—a traditional Mexican technique in which designs are created on soft metals, like aluminum. We received materials and instructions while enjoying tamales, flautas, and aguas frescas from a nearby Mexican restaurant.

As the semester continues crawling towards finals, I am looking forward to continuing to enjoy the fall, even if it also means inching closer towards the winter. I’m looking forward to more strolls around campus while the leaves fall around me, celebrating my 22nd birthday, drinking more cappuccinos, and finally getting to pull out my warmer sweaters from the depths of my closet.

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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).

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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.

One thing that I was perhaps not so prepared for coming to Princeton was the amount of celebrities I would encounter on campus! Whether it be for performances, guest speaker panels, or movie shoots, the University often attracts famed figures—some of whom are even Princeton alumni. Here are a few that I’ve gotten to see firsthand:

1. SZA

I’ll never forget when Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, came to campus. Students everywhere were lined up to attend her keynote presentation at the event titled “SOS: Race, Art, and Activism,” sponsored by Princeton’s Effron Center for the Study of America. The presentation, followed by a roundtable discussion, centered around Black activism and SZA’s experience as a Black female artist in the music industry. After the event, SZA was even kind enough to take a selfie from the stage with several of the attendees. Not only that, but she also gave free—yes, free!—tickets to her upcoming “SOS” tour to a few random lucky students! You can read more about that here.

2. David Zabel ‘88

This name may not be familiar to everyone, but it certainly was for me! David Zabel, alumni from the great class of 1988, visited the University in September 2023 to participate in the Tigers on Strike! Panel, which was about the SAG-AFTRA strike happening at the time. Zabel is currently the showrunner of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. As a huge fan of the whole The Walking Dead franchise and as a student hoping to work in the media and entertainment industry post-grad, it was insanely cool to get to see him in-person and hear his perspective on the strike and the current state of Hollywood. I even got to speak with him one-on-one after the panel, and he gave me some great advice about working in the industry.

3. Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Jack Quaid, and Christopher Nolan

In perhaps one of my all-time favorite memories from Princeton, I recall walking around campus one day in April 2022 only to find that there was a HUGE gathering of people around the East Pyne Building area. I’m talking about hundreds of students, professors, and Princeton townspeople alike surrounding both the inside and outside of the entire building. As it turned out, actors Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Jack Quaid, and director Christopher Nolan were all inside the East Pyne courtyard filming what would eventually become the award-winning blockbuster movie of Summer 2023: Oppenheimer. Though the scene that they filmed only ended up being about one second of the actual movie, it was nonetheless awesome to witness, especially for a film buff like me. Some students even got pictures with Matt Damon once they were done shooting!

These celebrities are just the tip of the iceberg. Rainn Wilson from The Office, Nick Offerman from Parks and Rec, Larry Owens from Abbott Elementary, and most recently famous singer and musician Laufey—the list goes on and on! Not to mention the many amazing musical artists that perform for us every semester at Lawnparties (which I talked about in another article that can be found here!).

I think this really speaks to the far reach of Princeton’s network, but also the diversity and creativity of the topics they’re willing to explore and the events that they’re organizing. That is to say, many of these celebrities don’t necessarily come to promote their major works but rather to participate in educational discussions. For example, we probably all know Rainn Wilson for his beloved character Dwight Schrute, but his visit to Princeton was actually so that he could share his recent book Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution in a discussion with Professor Ruha Benjamin through the Office of Religious Life.

Finally, besides getting to just see and hear them speak about topics they’re passionate about, these celebrity appearances also offer Princeton students the unique chance to network with industry professionals and, for some students, their idols. There’s much we can learn from their success and experience, and, again as someone hoping to work in entertainment after I graduate, I for one am definitely grateful for those opportunities to connect with such prominent figures!
 

As a Nigerian-American from Prince George’s County, Maryland — home to a large community of Nigerians — I spent most of my childhood in spaces where I could embrace and celebrate my cultural identity. Thus, coming to Princeton — an area with a demographic quite different from my hometown — I initially worried that I’d be unable to find spaces where I could be myself and celebrate my heritage. Fortunately, upon arriving at Princeton, I discovered that this campus is home to many affinity groups, all of which take pride in hosting events with the primary purpose of cultural celebration. Moreover, the first few weeks on campus have been filled with many of these kinds of events — a perfect way to get back into the bustle of things!

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During our first week on campus, the Black Student Union hosted its annual B[l]ack Together event — an outdoor gathering filled with food, post-summer reunions, guest speakers, and affirmations. Yearly, B[l]ack Together serves as a space where Black students can make new friends, network with Black professors and like-minded peers, learn about what it looks like to be Black on campus, and receive words of affirmation as the semester starts. I know so many friend groups that have formed following this event. This year, it was so beautiful to see the first-year students explore this space of solidarity during their first week on campus.

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The next weekend was filled with many different events. As Ethiopians worldwide celebrated the Ethiopian New Year, Princeton’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association hosted a New Year celebration. This event was a beautiful melange of food, Ethiopian music, dancing, and displays of identity. Seeing my Ethiopian friends don their traditional clothing and celebrate their heritage — even so far from home — was wonderful. 

Simultaneously, Princeton’s Society for African Internationals welcomed diasporic students to campus with a welcome dinner. My Nigerian friends and I enthusiastically attended, given the presence of Jollof rice, puff puff, and more of our cultural cuisine — cuisine we often do not have access to during the school year. This event also proved to be a perfect opportunity to meet and network with African international students who were curious about the experience of being African at Princeton.

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Last but certainly not least, Princeton’s Carribean Connection hosted their annual and long-anticipated Rep Yuh Flag event — a night of dancing and music where students from all over the diaspora don flags from their mother countries and celebrate their identities. Last year, I met some of my best friends on campus through this event, and I was beyond excited to participate in it again. Wearing my Nigerian flag on my waist, I spent the night dancing to Caribbean and African music with my friends, feeling immensely proud and rooted in where I come from.

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From language tables where students can speak and practice their native languages to spaces devoted wholly to celebrating our diverse identities, Princeton constantly proves itself as a space where I can not only celebrate my own identity but also learn more about the identities of my peers. With Nigerian Independence Day around the corner, I look forward to celebrating my culture with my Nigerian friends and introducing my beautiful culture to my non-Nigerian peers!

Junior year brings many changes — JPs, eating clubs, thinking about the future — but a change that not many discuss is the shift from underclassmen (residential college) housing to upperclassmen housing. In sophomore year, students have the option to choose to live in one of 15 dorms where only juniors and seniors live, as opposed to staying in their residential colleges where they’ve lived in for the past few years. Having lived in Bloomberg Hall for both my freshman and sophomore years, moving elsewhere on campus was exciting but also very daunting. How am I going to deal with walking more than 2 minutes to eat at Yeh, my favorite dining hall on campus? Where am I going to hang out with my friends if not Butler Basement? How will I survive without Studio 34?

There definitely have been some adjustments I’ve had to make living in my new home, an upperclassmen dorm located near the U-Store. There are some comforts that I miss, such as A/C and a private bathroom, from when I lived in a quingle (a room with four singles) my sophomore year. There’s a good amount of noise on weekends and some of the facilities are a little less updated compared to the newer residential colleges. 

Despite all these concerns, after living a month in my new home, I can confidently say that I don’t regret signing up for upperclassmen draw. There are many benefits to upperclassmen housing, a big one being location. As a SPIA major, I now no longer have to trek up the hill in the middle of the campus to get to my classes in Robertson Hall; I can now wake up 15 minutes before my class and still get there on time. I can also now walk over to U-Store in 2 minutes whenever I crave a quick snack or duck to Nassau Street when I want boba or a meal. 

Even though I no longer have the community of my residential college immediately around me and the pleasure of running into members of my zee group, or my Residential College Advisor (RCA) and Peer Academic Advisor (PAA) around Butler, I get the opportunity to bump into friends that I’ve made from other residential colleges like Rocky and Mathey in my courtyard or when I’m walking to class. My friends who I had to walk up campus just to meet and hang out with are now a door away. What’s even better is that I get to room with my friends from different residential colleges whereas I would’ve only been able to room with my friends who are from Butler had stayed there this year. 

The upperclassmen dorms are also beautiful, and I’ve enjoyed many afternoons looking across my courtyard and seeing the sun dip down below the gothic exteriors of the dorms opposite mine. I’ve walked up and down the path that leads to the dorms during the night with my friends, when the lamps have just been lit up and it feels like we’ve been transported to a quaint, faraway town with cobblestone streets — the views near my new dorm have really felt magical at times. 

There’s definitely pros and cons towards leaving your residential colleges but above all, it’s such a quintessential Princeton experience. In many ways, going to upperclassmen housing is representative of becoming a junior: you experience a change in your life which is not entirely bad and not entirely good, but it’s a change that epitomizes your transformation into an upperclassmen and moving forward in your university career. At the end of the day, what’s a Princeton journey without some challenge by choice?

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After a summer spent catching flights and exploring new terrains, I thought I’d be better adjusted to the idea of transition. But as my car pulled into campus on this year’s move-in day, a familiar yet long-forgotten feeling returned to my stomach. I was homesick. It was strange, honestly. I knew all the buildings and pathways I was wandering. The people who made up my dorm building’s halls were no longer strangers—they were neighbors and friends. Princeton was no longer this mysterious place I needed to acclimate to. Over the past year, it had become my home. And yet, I still felt uneasy.

Thus, I decided to battle this unwelcome feeling the way any true Princeton student would. By keeping busy. I filled my first days on campus with brunches and dinners with friends, long walks, aggressive obsessing over my class schedule, and constant emailing regarding extra-curricular activities. By the time the first day of classes rolled around, I had hardly spent a minute alone or at peace. And that day was no different. I launched into it with full force—no anxiety, just preparation. I believed that mastery of the day meant mastery of any uneasiness that came with it. But as the first day of classes ended, and people retreated back to their dorms, when there was nothing left to obsess over, and that uneasy feeling was still there, I realized it was time to have it out with my homesickness.

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So, I nestled into my quiet dorm and let myself sit with the feeling. It wasn’t until then that I realized how ashamed I was of how I felt. Somehow, it seemed like a failure that I had one full year at Princeton under my belt and had still managed to return to campus with an uneasiness in my gut. I was a sophomore now. I should be used to all of this. However, to my surprise, later at dinner with friends, I learned that I wasn’t the only person who felt this way. As my friends spoke about the anxiety that a new year at Princeton brought on, my uneasiness began to diminish. I wasn’t alone.

Princeton is our home, but there are still so many new things it is throwing our way: new classes, new dorms, new friends, new extracurriculars, the impending decision to choose our major in the spring, and more. The anxiety that came with being back on campus was not something to be ashamed of but rather proof of our shared experience as college students. As students, we’re constantly in a state of transition — going from class to class, major to major, and place to place. It takes our bodies and minds time to get used to this movement. And the beauty of transition is in the moment that we do. Sitting at dinner, bonding over anxiety, the all-too-familiar warmth of feeling at home on campus started to return. And guarding this feeling, I went into the rest of the week committed to being a little kinder to myself. I ate with friends when I could, enjoyed my own company when I wanted to, took time to rest between classes, and narrowed my extracurriculars down to the ones that fed my soul the most. I even minimized my class schedule to make time for the people and things that I loved—including taking time to have it out with the more difficult feelings that come with being at this school. 

Now, as I close out my second week back on campus, I can confidently say that I’m getting back into the bustle of things. My days are a fun mix of hanging out with friends, being creative, and working academically. It’s a balance I’ve come to love. There are still some moments where I feel nervous about the future or uneasy about what will come next, but comfort comes in knowing that I’m not alone. And on this campus, I never will be.

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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!

As I approach my second to last year at Princeton, I find myself astonished at how quickly time passes; days blur into weeks, weeks into months, and then eventually, a whole year has gone by and I find myself looking back at where I was previously and where I am today. Two years is a lot — three is even more. Three years is the right amount of time to self-proclaim myself as an expert on all things Princeton, yet also, a decent duration that leaves me time to humbly realize there is still a lot I have (probably) yet to learn. 

For now, here are some lessons, experiences, and findings I wish a 17 year old me knew when I was applying to Princeton. 

1. Princeton has a lot of resources — a TON. For example, Lewis Library has the Makerspace, which rents out plenty of portable gadgets, devices, and tools for both personal and academic use. The Career Center has frequent drop-in hours for advising sessions alongside numerous networking opportunities. Dillon Gym has a wide breadth of unique classes that one can explore when choosing to work out. Truly — every building here has its own subsection of departmental resources that help to enrich your life at Princeton. 
2. There is plenty of free food on campus. Aside from the dining halls, eating clubs, and numerous cafes at Princeton, one can find food through the FreeFood listserv. The listserv frequently promotes uneaten (and fresh) food that can be found across campus. It redirects leftover food from clubs, halls, and departments, preventing it from going to the landfill by circulating it to anyone interested in grabbing a small bite to eat or a larger meal for the day. It is simultaneously sustainable and convenient for those who find themselves wanting a snack.
3. The Residential Colleges (ResCo) at Princeton host plenty of social activities . Aside from the weekly socials that each ResCo hosts for their members, quite often, there will be opportunities to sign up for excursions with the members of your college. Some examples include going to a baseball game or a musical in Broadway.
4. Princeton has lots of fairs — career fairs, academic fairs, ResCo fairs, etc. From professional networking opportunities to extracurricular and study abroad exploration, these fairs are rich sources of snacks, merch, and information for those on the hunt for opportunities.
5. Orange grows on you — there’s something slightly obnoxious about the color that screams pride. Whether you find yourself intentionally sporting the color on a game day or just hastily slapping on the abundance of merch you find yourself accumulating, you begin to grow a deep found appreciation for orange.

These aren’t the most innovative or extraordinary findings but they are things I assume my younger self would greatly appreciate (or at least find amusing). Perhaps as you embark on your own college journey, you’ll find yourself creating your own list of musings that one day you can look back at with profound gratitude and nostalgia.