Dear Reader,

Last week, residential college assignments dropped for the Class of 2028 and this prompted me to reflect on my experience living in the Mathey College community last year.

The Clash of the Colleges during orientation week is one of my first and fondest memories at Princeton. Everyone in the college dressed up in Mathey shirts and antler headsets (because our mascot is a Moose!) to compete against the six other colleges: Rockefeller, Whitman, Butler, Yeh, Forbes, and New College West. Marching to the stadium together, we supported our teams as they competed in different team games. The live broadcast showed our Mathey side—a large mass of maroon-colored shirts and deafening cheers—against the field.

 

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Great as Clash of the College was, the first week of school was tough. While the college is historic, with gothic architecture, it lacks air conditioning in the rooms, unlike Butler, Whitman, Yeh, and New College West. Fortunately, Princeton gave out window fans for students like me, so I was soon equipped with a much cooler room. Mathey’s central campus location also became my favorite part: Blair Arch, Nassau Street, East Pyne Hall, Firestone Library, and Richardson Auditorium—all of which are arguably the most picturesque spots on campus—are right next door. (And as an AB student, classes are a short walk away.)

 

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Throughout the semester, I grew only fonder of the Mathey community, particularly through Moose Monday, which is a weekly series of social time with free food, from acai bowls, to waffles, to chocolate fountains for Valentine’s Day! As a proud member of the Mathey College General Council, it makes my day to see others enjoying the delicious food and taking time to relax with their friends after a long day of class. Most of the Moose Mondays are open to everyone in the community, regardless of their residential college, so anyone can join!

 

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Speaking of food, Mathey houses a grand dining hall that most resembles the one in Harry Potter. Lit with golden chandeliers and long wooden tables, the atmosphere is a welcoming one, either for hanging out with friends at dinner or enjoying a peaceful morning breakfast.

 

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Finally, I must not forget to mention (from a totally unbiased perspective) that Mathey has the BEST residential college merch. Jackets, water bottles, beanies, bucket hats, and crewnecks, there is gear for all seasons and weather, all in fashionable maroon. As incoming Gear Chair for the Mathey College Council this fall, I am excited to create more merch for my fellow Matheyites and I am grateful to be part of this community. 
 

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The first drink I ever bought in downtown Princeton was a blueberry matcha from Junbi.

 

It was sweet and cold and a flavor combination I’d never tried before. After this came the strawberry and mango matcha lattes, which I knew I’d hate given my usual taste in fruit, but at that time, it was a part of my attempt to try new things in a brand new place. The madagascar vanilla matcha latte—which would become my sister’s favorite every time she’s in town—was another failed attempt for my lack of a sweet tooth, but I remember how sunny and warm that day was.

 

If freshman year was a drink, it’d be an iced matcha latte, ranging from bittersweet to sickly sweet. It’d be every flavor combination under the sun, sometimes perfect and sometimes not. My first semester at Princeton was filled with a million new and different experiences. Although I remember feeling scared and nervous at times, especially during my first few weeks on campus, I was also the most excited I’d ever been. That’s the thing with uncertainty sometimes—despite dealing with stressors I’d never encountered before, everything was a brand new puzzle to sort out. I was meeting new people, taking classes in as many departments as possible, and experiencing living away from home for the first time. By springtime, I had my usual at Junbi.

 

Sophomore year was the year of routine and familiarity. I knew I’d major in Politics by this point and had started finding my academic niche. I had my specific study spots, I knew exactly how to balance my time, and I’d settled into many fulfilling friendships. Truthfully, it was the most (relatively) relaxed I’d ever been at Princeton. Every exam season was fueled by hot chocolate from Small World, and on Declaration Day, when sophomores declare their majors and take pictures with their department banners, I returned to Junbi for a blended honey lavender matcha. Sophomore year was sweet and comfortable.

 

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And then came junior year, with its new challenges and tribulations.

 

Junior year was a search for the best coffee near campus. It was raspberry vanilla lattes from Small World on my way to an afternoon Politics class; cappuccinos from Maman paired with delicious pastries when on a study break with Anki; seasonal drinks from Coffee Club while I rushed from class to class; warm cappuccinos enjoyed right outside of Illy with my favorite chocolate croissants and iPad in hand; and a constant supply of NOLA cold brews from Small World during reading period.

 

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Truth be told, junior year was more caffeinated than I would have liked—and equally hectic—but it was a year of adjustment and growth within both my routines and myself.

 

From matchas to cappuccinos, I’ve learned my way around campus and navigated life as it has come. Go-to orders change, but the warm feeling of shared memories never does, and if you get at least one thing out of this blog, may it be a thoughtfully curated list of drink recommendations around campus and a reminder there’s something for everyone.

Happy Spring! It’s hard to believe it’s already April, but that also means we are entering one of my favorite times of the year at Princeton, when the flowers are in full bloom. I had a busy Easter weekend, but I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate with friends, soak in the beautiful weather, and enjoy a change of pace from my schoolwork. On Good Friday, I attended a service organized by students in Princeton Christian Fellowship (PCF), Manna Christian Fellowship, and Christian Union Nova which I had been looking forward to all week. The service included beautiful strings and vocal performances, worship songs, a message from a Manna staff member, and a time of prayer. Following the service, we enjoyed apple cider donuts and fellowship in Murray Dodge, the home of the Office of Religious Life. I caught up with some friends about their week, met a few new faces, and even ran into a friend from the Class of 2023 who made a surprise visit from Boston.

On Saturday morning, I had the luxury of sleeping in until I was woken by the sunlight. I went for a 7 mile run, my longest run yet, as part of training for my first half-marathon. I am really happy with how it went and am excited to continue running longer distances in the coming weeks! Afterwards, I headed to my co-op, 2D, which has become one of my favorite places at Princeton. Co-ops are groups of students who take turns cooking one meal each week. To be honest, I think I am eating as well as I might ever eat in my life! I am constantly surprised by the diversity of delicious food which the other students prepare, from dal to mapo tofu, and focaccia to cardamom buns. 

 

 

My cookshift is Saturday brunch, and I usually like to make a tofu stir fry in our wok, which is large enough to cover four burners. After a delicious meal of mushrooms, spicy tofu, salad made with hydroponic lettuce and vegetables from the Forbes garden, squash soup, and cornbread, I headed back to my room to do some schoolwork.

A few hours later, I got ready for my dear friend Mirae’s bridal shower. Mirae was actually my Community Action orientation leader and one of the first people I met at Princeton. She and her then-boyfriend, now fiancé, helped one of my first-year roommates and I carry a free couch we found a mile off campus all the way to our room, even though she had only met me the day before. The bridal shower was beautifully executed by her friends in Princeton Christian Fellowship and beyond, and I was also able to catch up with another good friend from the Class of 2022 who came down from New York City.

 

 

 

 

After the bridal shower, I headed to the International Food Fest organized by our Class Government, which featured food from around the world and was a great chance to catch up with a friend who I studied abroad with last semester and discuss a book we both recently finished.

 

 

My friend and I went back to my room, where I did a reading for my Psychotherapy class before heading over to Richardson Auditorium to watch my first Naacho show. Naacho is Princeton’s premier South Asian dance company. I had always wanted to attend one of their shows, and this year a first-year student from my hometown was performing, so I had an extra reason to go. I was blown away by the dancers’ infectious energy and excitement, the intricate and clean formations, and the diversity of styles they showcased, and I cannot wait to attend another one of their shows next year. Being in Triple 8 has shown me just how much work goes into putting together a show, especially the week leading up to it, so I had a lot of respect for the dancers and choreographers who spent many late nights rehearsing and poured their hearts into the performance. I have never seen so many dancers evidently having so much fun on stage, and the audience was hooked.

 

 

 

After a packed day, I was ready for a good night’s sleep. The following morning was Easter Sunday. I was happy to see the sun was out again, and I headed to the U-Store to catch the bus to Stone Hill Church. Usually, we have approximately 10-15 students on the bus, but this week the bus was completely full, and so was the church sanctuary, which was such a blessing to see! The service was filled with joyous music from our worship team, brass band, and choir, and our senior pastor shared an engaging message which had the entire congregation laughing. After the service, students headed to various Easter brunches generously hosted by PCF staff members and local families. I attended brunch with my “adopted family” from Stone Hill. It was very special to eat an incredible home-cooked meal prepared with love and enjoy the warmth of a home together with other students.

 

 

 

 

After returning to campus, my friend Grace and I remarked how beautiful the magnolia trees were and took advantage of the sunny weather to take a few photos.

 

 

 

 

Next, I headed to Dillon Gym for a Triple 8 rehearsal for a spring choreography video (stay tuned for our video releases this summer!), after which I finally sat down to do some work. The events and celebrations of the weekend were very meaningful and brought me a lot of joy, but I certainly had a lot to catch up on. I spent the rest of the evening working with a friend in Firestone Library and Murray-Dodge Cafe, where we grabbed free cookies to fuel our brains.

 

 

What a weekend! Most of my weekends are not nearly this busy, and I did have some catching up to do the following week, but I wanted to share this special weekend in the life and prove that it is possible to relax and have fun even in the midst of a crazy semester. Thank you to all those who organized these events!

If you’re anything like me, then you’re often finding yourself hungry between the wee hours of 9 PM and 2 AM (especially if you’re pulling the occasional all-nighter!). With all the dining halls on campus closing for dinner at 8 PM, I’ve become quite familiar with all the spots to grab a bite at unconventional hours. Here are my rankings of the best places to find food on campus when you need to satisfy that late night craving:

1) Wawa

I’m originally from northern New Jersey, so I was no stranger to Wawa coming to Princeton. But if you aren’t familiar, Wawa is a local convenience store chain—though, not your typical one. Apart from your standard drinks and snacks, they also have made-to-order hoagies, quesadillas, pizza, and a host of other sides and drinks. Located right in between our Dinky train station and Forbes College, the store offers a great option for both a quick bite or a full-blown meal. And it’s 24/7! That’s right, all day everyday. (P.S. One of my favorite things to get there are their Wawa donuts!) 

2) Studio ‘34

Studio ‘34 is one of campus’s hidden gems. The mini-convenience store is located in the basement of Butler College and operates at the following hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 PM-2 AM. It was closed down during my freshman year, but as soon as it opened back up when I was a sophomore, Studio ‘34 became one of my most frequented hang out spots. It was the perfect place on the weekends to refuel with friends after a late night out on the Street, or even for a snack-and-study session during the week at one of the common spaces nearby. Definitely a go-to place for both eating and socializing!

3) U-Store

The U-Store located at 36 University Place (right by beautiful Blair Arch!) is another great option for late night snacking. It’s half merch/dorm furnishings store, half grocery store, and totally awesome. They have all your basic grocery store items, as well as fresh produce and even packaged meals from local restaurants like Tiger Noodles (a great affordable option if you’re craving food from Nassau Street!). For students who opt to be Independent, or for any students who like to cook, this is an especially convenient spot to grab ingredients. My junior year dorm is only a few feet away from the U-Store, so I’ve definitely gained a newfound appreciation for it this year. 

4) C-Store

Finally, the C-Store is a must have if you’re in a grab-and-go situation. Its options aren’t as plentiful as the first three, but since it's located within Frist Campus Center—the hub of student life at Princeton—many people pass through it on a daily basis. I’ve often found myself snagging a bottle of Coca Cola or a bag of Welch’s Fruit Snacks while I’m at Frist to study. However, the C-Store does close at 9 PM on weekdays and 11 PM on weekends, so if you’re up super late, you’re better off heading to one of the other stores! 
    
Honorable Mention: Late Meal at Frist

As an avid Late Meal enthusiast, I have to give a shoutout to one of my favorite Princeton pastimes. Like the C-Store, Late Meal is located within Frist Campus Center. It’s essentially another little cafeteria, intended for students who aren’t able to eat meals at the normal hours or in the dining halls. And if you’re a freshman or sophomore, then you can automatically get food here for free up to $9.50 everyday! They have a ton of different stations: grill, pasta, pizza, salad, Asian cuisine. The only reason it didn’t make my top four rankings is its time restrictions. Late Lunch is offered Monday-Thursday from 11 AM-4 PM and Late Dinner is offered Monday-Friday from 8:30-10 PM. But when it is open, it’s a student-favorite spot to grab food and hang out! (Be warned, though, it can get super busy during peak hours. I recommend ordering ahead for the grill station using our new TigerDash website!)

There you have it! For all of my fellow snack enthusiasts and night owls, these are my go-to spots that I definitely recommend you check out next time you have that late night craving!

Winter has a funny way of feeling like fall right about now.

 

I think it’s just new-semester weather:

 

The brisk mornings give way to trees that snap in the wind.

 

The sun is out, and students study outdoors in brightly-colored lawn chairs.

 

After a winter break that rid campus of most signs of life, it is once again teeming with activity.

 

Returning to campus, I made the decision to look into joining an eating club. Here’s a diary snapshot of what my experience has been like:

 

What is Street Week?

Well, first, what is an eating club? 

Eating clubs are honestly a Princeton social construct. Think of a co-ed social group (not unlike a frat or sorority) except it also doubles as a dining hall for many upperclassmen.

Street week is a series of events tailored towards recruiting new members to join an eating club. Some clubs require you to undergo a process called bicker (the equivalent of rushing a sorority/fraternity) and some allow you to sign-in and join based on a lottery system.

 

Why Am I Participating?

Since returning from study abroad, I’ve felt disconnected from the other juniors on campus. Last semester, I was independent–meaning I cooked my own meals. As a result, I also ate on my own.

As my time starts to feel more limited, I want to spend less time on cooking while having more structured opportunities to reconnect with friends.

 

The Perils of the Street

In a way, the Street (where all the eating clubs are) is a fraught place. 

As someone who wears the hijab and does not drink, I often have to choose which activities to sit out of and how I want to show up on the dance floor. 

As a person of color, the Street is a place that confronts me with the predominantly white nature of Princeton. (Who is looking for the pretty Black girls on the Street?)

Throughout my experience of Street week, I continuously need to ask the clubs I’m visiting about their financial aid policies. The crux of my decision is reduced into a math problem: do I want to make friends or do I want to save money?

 

Hopes 

I have found my conversations with club members to be less draining than I thought they would be. I have been trying to be myself, whatever that means. 

I don’t know if I’ll get into an eating club, and that’s okay.

I let my identities prevent me from exploring the street for so long, so this is me trying to put myself out there. This is me being open to the experience. 
 

Princeton is home to many beautiful coffee shops that are sites of bustling interactions, community building, and personalized comfort spaces. These places — from our beloved Small World to our unique Coffee Club —frequently witness a diverse crowd of students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. From freshly brewed teas to seasonal specialties, a variety of drinks can be found in the hands of loyal customers who indulge in the comforting flavors of their beverage of choice. Indeed, as people flutter in and out of these shops, it becomes clear that coffee is more than just a drink — it is a treat for the exhausted, a buffer between introductions, and a medium to bring community together.

 

9:01 am: In the mornings, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafts in the air as tired customers head to their shop of choice. As an observer, I watch as greetings and goodbyes intertwine with other chatter. This chatter is rich in substance as students check in with one other, make plans for the week, and navigate the highs and lows of college. There will be students who silently take out their laptops and start working while others will hastily say their goodbyes as they rush to their first class of the day. The crowd ebbs and flows but the mornings in the coffee shops are always filled with life.

 

12:31 pm: In the afternoons, things seem to be more calm. There is a stillness that seems to anticipate the incoming chaos. Soon, the afternoon lethargy catches up to the early risers and the coffee shops of Princeton become a blur. Orders are repeated, customer names are yelled, and this whole process repeats itself until the midday rush subsides to a peaceful swell.  

 

3:00 pm: One by one, I can see groups of people come in — coffee shops are now a space where people can work on projects together, study with one another, or simply exist in the presence of others. Coffee is no longer just a pick-me-up, but rather, a symbol for the shared experience that fellow Princeton students go through as they attempt to finish their work. 

 

6:00 pm: As the night falls and the shops prepare to close, people begin to leave one by one. Farewells are exchanged and tomorrow, the creak of the door will signify the start to a new day.

 

At Princeton, coffee shops host a vibrant, bustling, culture where people can come together. They are at the crux of our shared experiences as fellow Princeton students, staff, faculty, residents, and visitors are able to undergo an experience that connects us to each other in this quaint college town. Indeed, these shared experiences are a product of our environment; Princeton’s medium-sized campus, rigorous academic environment, and yet its social desire for connection are forged together in the many local coffee shops found nearby. There is something special about being able to feel like there is a place ready to accommodate everybody for every purpose — here at Princeton, whether you visit these sites to grab a sweet drink or to meet others, you’re always in for a treat.

Having spent five years as a Princeton undergrad (I took a gap year during the pandemic), I consider myself somewhat of an expert on where to grab a quick bite or cup of coffee. Please enjoy my list of favorites!

Coffee Spots

Sakrid Coffee Roasters

Located just across from Rocky College at 20 Nassau Street, Sakrid is a popular place for students to study or meet up for a great coffee. Its nitro cold brew on draft is especially excellent, as are its cinnamon lattes!

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Rojos Roastery

Rojos is a small-batch, artisan coffee shop located in Palmer Square. It is devoted to maintaining relationships with independent producers, encouraging sustainable, smaller farming practices. Although it has limited seating space, its coffee is fantastic!

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Coffee Club: New College West (pictured) and Prospect Avenue

The Coffee Club has two locations on campus: one in Campus Club on Prospect Avenue, and a second in New College West. With the goal of providing an inclusive space and excellent drinks, Coffee Club is run by students; baristas are often classmates and friends! 

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Small World

Small World is a very popular coffee shop on Witherspoon Street, and many students would recommend it above all other coffee places in town as quintessentially Princeton (t-shirts and stickers are commonly spotted on campus). With lots of seating, it is a great place to meet friends and professors.

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Starbucks

Less exciting but definitely worth mentioning is the Starbucks located on Nassau Street just opposite FitzRandolph Gate, the official entrance onto Princeton’s upper campus. Always a convenient option for a caffeine boost or a treat!

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TAKEOUT IN TOWN

Olives

Takeout food market that features breakfast sandwiches, hot premade specials, salads, all kinds of sandwiches and wraps, bakery items, and snacks.

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Jules

Great thin-crust, organize pizza with various toppings and gluten free options.

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Princeton Soup and Sandwich

Underrated takeout–outstanding soup and sandwiches!!

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Playa Bowls

Morning booster or afternoon treat–bowls and smoothies of all kinds.

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Maruichi Japanese Market

Opened March 2023, Japanese market and deli with great sushi takeout, produce, and specialty items.

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Like most other college students, I am always appreciative of (and searching for) opportunities to eat for free.

This is where Princeton DiningPoints come in.

The DiningPoints initiative was launched in September of 2022 as a way to encourage community among Princeton students, as well as between campus and the surrounding community, without having to worry about spending money out of pocket. The initiative grants all students on the unlimited dining plan 150 DiningPoints at the start of each semester (the equivalent of $150), and any points that are not used during the fall semester roll over into the spring semester.

These points can be used at a wide variety of dining locations both on and off campus, and they are the reason that I made it through some of the busiest times of the fall semester. During reading period, the promise of a hot chocolate from Small World Coffee at the end of each day was all the fuel I needed.

As a love letter and thank you note to this initiative, I present to you, dear reader, a week in my life told through DiningPoints.

Friday:

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Since I try to structure my schedule so that I have no classes on Fridays, I normally use this day of the week to get ahead on a lot of my work to have a more relaxed rest of the weekend. After spending a few hours in Firestone Library, I decided to get myself a cup of Small World hot chocolate to warm up and relax for a bit before meeting up with my roommate for dinner.

Sunday:

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On Sunday after eating brunch, my friend and I decided to treat ourselves to drinks from Junbi during our work session. Since Junbi is so close to the Princeton Public Library, we chose to do some work there for a change of scenery. 

Thursday:

Thursdays are my busiest day of the week, with four back-to-back classes leaving me a very short window available for lunch. I decided to grab a bottle of Tico's juice and a sushi roll to-go from Frist Food Gallery. Although I had to eat somewhat quickly, I took the time to eat outside of my next class and call a friend from back home. 

Although I normally try to space out my use of DiningPoints a bit more, I felt fine using them in this way this week since I had some left over from last semester. There is a lot of freedom in the way you distribute your use of points: some of my friends had used them all up within the first month of the fall semester, while one of my friends still had 120 left by December. No matter how you use them, DiningPoints offer opportunities to connect with friends, take breaks, and treat yourself for all the hard work you accomplish.

New Jersey is known as the Garden State, and you truly appreciate how the state earned its nickname when visiting a summer farmers' market. The abundance of fresh produce and flowers harvested just several miles from campus is astounding. Grab your tote bag and sunhat as I take you on a tour of the vendors at the weekly Princeton Farmers' Market, open at the Dinky train station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Thursday through November.

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Our first stops at the market are the produce booths to stock up on fruits and vegetables.

The offerings from the multiple produce vendors, including Chickadee Farms and Terhune Orchards, change weekly depending on what is in season. Several of my June favorites are the strawberries, kale, and lettuce. July is when the market really shines, as the peaches, plums, blueberries, tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, and summer squash are ready.

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After getting the produce essentials, it's time to find some decor to spruce up your dorm room or apartment. There are several vendors, including Longview Flower Farm, who sell a variety of cut flowers arranged in artful bouquets. I think that the July sunflowers would make a cheery statement centerpiece on a dining room table.

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Next up are the specialty vendors. Davidson Exotic Mushrooms sells, you guessed it, a wide variety of mushroom types, while Pickle Licious sells traditional pickles (of course) in addition to pickles on a stick (not my favorite, but must be appealing to others) and olives.

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Following these unique booths are several stops for prepared foods, like fresh-baked bread from Lost Bread Co., granola from the Granola Bar, and soups from the Soupeteer. There are also several vendors selling hot empanadas.

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To round out your shopping trip and add some pomp to your cooking and dining, you can select among different olive wood serving spoons and cutting boards from Mediterranean Delicacy. A more affordable option to bring the Mediterranean home with you, though, might be to purchase one of their olive oils instead.

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Lastly, Barking Good Bakery sells treats for four-legged friends. If you know any dog owners in Princeton, you could pick up some gourmet desserts for their pets here.

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This concludes the market tour! I'll load my finds into my bike basket and pedal back to my apartment. Visiting the market is a great way to take advantage of living in the Garden State during the summer.