Like other colleges, Princeton provides incoming students with orientation programming that prepares them for a smoother transition into life on campus. First-years move in a bit earlier than returning students, and the bulk of orientation takes place during the week leading up to the start of the fall semester. These days are filled with a wide variety of events, socials, and presentations. What many prospective applicants might not know about, however, is the fact that orientation actually encompasses another component at Princeton which begins in the middle of summer.

The first exposure that many students will have to Princeton and the support network awaiting them is through their Peer Academic Advisers (PAAs) and Residential College Advisers (RCAs). Every group of advisees, or “zees” for short, receives an introductory email from their assigned RCA in early July, shortly followed by an introductory email from their PAA and other residential college staff. These two students are responsible for leading many of the orientation events, and every RCA-PAA pair continues to support their zees throughout the school year. From the start, then, every student is provided an ample support network within their residential college, and everyone working behind the scenes is always available to dispel any confusion surrounding either orientation or the school year to come.

As a PAA for Mathey College, I am responsible for guiding a group of zees through an online advising course known as ClassPath. Starting in mid-July, incoming students can access the site. There, they will find a variety of modules and guided assignments focused on different aspects of Princeton academics. In one module, students are instructed to reflect on their path to Princeton and how that may guide their future class and major selections. In another module, students are encouraged to browse through course offerings in anticipation of their meetings with their faculty advisers, who will ultimately help them decide on their schedules for the semester. As students complete modules, I interact with them on discussion boards and provide feedback for submitted assignments. At the end of the course, I host small group discussions over Zoom in order to introduce myself to my zees, allow them a chance to get to know each other, provide important information about orientation, and answer any questions that might have come up over the course of the summer.

Overall, ClassPath is meant to help students know what to expect of Princeton academics before even setting foot on campus. I remember feeling extremely intimidated the summer before my own freshman year, but getting to talk with my PAA and even hearing other students feeling the same way helped me feel more comfortable when the time came to move in. ClassPath is one of many examples showcasing the value placed on advising and intentional community integration within the University.

As ClassPath wraps up for the incoming Class of 2028, I’m excited to meet my new group of zees during orientation and move in for one last year at Princeton.

I’ve lived in the same house all my life and have always had the same bedroom. Over the years, my room became somewhat of a sacred space to me — the place where I was the most comfortable. Moving into college, living — for the first time — in a space away from my childhood home, I was terrified that I’d be unable to replicate the comfort of my childhood bedroom.

However, upon arriving at Little Hall — the home of my first-year dorm within Mathey Residential College — my fears were quickly whisked away. As my mother and I unpacked half of my life into the room that would be my new home for the next nine months, a kind-eyed woman and her curly-haired daughter poked their heads into my spanking new dorm. “Hi!” the woman said. “This is my daughter, Marlie.” And with a grin from Marlie and a handshake, this new and strange building began to feel more like home. As the first few weeks of the fall semester passed, I got to know my other neighbors, and we became friends. We often exchanged complaints about the heat or our new workload as we passed each other in the hall. We’d discuss our courses as we brushed our teeth in the mornings. We’d knock on each other’s doors when we discovered a bug that was too scary to kill ourselves. Although the beginning of college was scary, living near friends put my mind at ease. 

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Simultaneously, I was beginning to create the creature comforts of home within my dorm room. I filled my wall with photos of friends, family, and hometown memories. I organized a bookshelf of all my favorite books. I set up a speaker where I could listen to music as I prepared for the day. I stocked the room up with all my favorite snacks. Slowly but surely, my dorm room became my favorite place to be. After a long day of classes or socializing, I was always most excited to return to my cozy dorm. I had made it feel like home.

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I had also learned how to manage my own space. Cleaning my room and refrigerator weekly became a fun and cathartic ritual. When I found that the lights weren’t working correctly or the door was squeaking unnecessarily, I became accustomed to seeking out the facilities resources that could remedy these problems. I learned to kill bugs by myself (a huge accomplishment for a girl with a massive fear of insects) and would host friends from out of town in my new space. I began to feel very independent.

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However, after the fall semester concluded, as I returned to my childhood home for a month for winter break, I worried that all of the comfort and ease I fostered would disappear by the time I returned to Princeton in January. But this was not the case. Coming back to my dorm after a month felt like coming home in a different way. All the independence, memories, and comfort I had created over the fall semester washed over me as I stepped through the door. Undeniably, my dorm room was my favorite space on campus. I looked forward to hallway and bathroom chats with my neighbors, hosting friends in my dorm, decompressing from a long day with a good movie and the comfort of my bed, releasing the week’s stress as I cleaned, and more. Saying goodbye to friends and professors at the end of the spring semester was difficult, but saying goodbye to my first-year dorm felt impossible. It had become the space where I was the most comfortable.

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Looking back, I know now that although my first-year dorm room was indeed a magical space, what made it most memorable to me were the things I learned about myself living there. The comfort, independence, and memories I had gained residing in this space would not disappear as I moved into a new dorm the following year. They will always be a part of me. What I’ve learned now is that living in a new space allows you to become a new version of yourself, meet new people, and have new experiences. Thus, I’m genuinely ecstatic for the new magic my sophomore-year dorm will bring.

I hate to break this news to any incoming first-years, but Princeton is littered with construction. Our campus is quite beautiful, and most of the quintessential corners have been left untouched. However, it seems that Princeton is in a never-ending era of construction.

Even as I write this blog, my desk overlooks what should be a beautiful view to Poe Field—a grassy, well-kept lawn which welcomes the New Colleges. While Poe Field is commonly occupied by our frisbee team or by students taking in the sun, all of the grass has been uprooted due to recent construction. From my 7th floor view to the field, cranes and bulldozers look like small yellow play toys. Orange construction cones look like specs of candy corn amidst a bowl of worms and dirt.

Construction is not confined to Poe Field. Princeton is in the works of constructing a new art museum, residential college, Equad extension, and expanded gym all amidst implementation of more sustainable technologies. While this change promises an exciting future for Princeton, it unfortunately promises me noisy bike rides up Elm Drive. I distinctly remember one morning, the haze was so strong that I was coughing amidst the dust and abrasive sounds of progress.

While construction has its downsides, it’s important to see the bigger picture amongst it all.  Many students complain about our current surroundings, but forget that construction surrounds us because Princeton is trying to improve itself. We go to a school that strives for excellence - and so it’s interesting that we are often so uncomfortable with the sounds and looks of progress. Princeton has reminded me that progress is not always a pretty picture. 

As Princeton is in a seemingly endless era of construction, I have found some interesting parallels within myself. I, like many other students here, strive for excellence. We like to push ourselves in every dimention. And while this is often seen as a strength, I don’t think we view ourselves enough as we view campus—as a construction sight. Just as Princeton is always under construction, let this be a gentle reminder that we too, are always under construction. 

Amidst all of our goals and accomplishments, our internships and LinkedIn posts, we are all constantly trying to improve ourselves. From time to time, it’s okay if you find yourself coughing amidst the dust, if the haze makes it hard to see, if progress doesn’t always sound pretty. It’s normal for this to happen. While at times you may feel lost within your own construction site, never doubt your own foundations. Be your biggest supporter. Be conscious enough to put down the orange cones. Know when you might need some reconstructing. But also know that while you place the orange cones, you also wear the orange hat. You are the builder. You are the architect of your own life. 

If Princeton’s construction sites have taught me one last thing, it’s that sometimes, a bit of perspective is needed. Like my rooftop view of Poe Field, sometimes the bulldozers should be viewed as toys and the orange cones as candy. I believe that as people, we are all in an era of never ending construction. While this can sound intimidating, no one said construction has to be scary—it can be a positive process. You wear the hat after all. We all see what Princeton is constructing, now the question is, what are you? 

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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One of the biggest questions I remember asking myself after I got into Princeton was: what is my room going to look like? I think it's a valid question especially since you may spend a lot of time in your room, and potentially with roommates. While first years are placed into their rooms by their Residential College’s Dean of Student Life (DSL), the rest of Princetonians have the option to select their roommates and room in a process called Room Draw. A small caveat worth mentioning is that rising sophomores must draw into their residential college again, and rising juniors and seniors have some more options. For some context, I am a member of Butler College and have been in a single, quad, and next year a quingle. 

Singles: As the name suggests, a single is a room where only one person occupies it. Each building’s singles differ in the size and layout but generally are similar. Some buildings have two singles that share a bathroom (called Jack & Jill), which is pretty cool. Singles are highly coveted by all class years. I was placed in a single freshman year in Bloomberg, so feel free to reach out and ask more questions! 

Doubles: Doubles are where two roommates share a single room, which is larger than a single. Depending on the building some doubles come with a common room and a bedroom, which a lot of students convert into two singles. 

Triples: Triples are similar to doubles but the room also varies by building. I believe most triples consist of a common room and two bedrooms. Think of a double and a single that have a common room in between them. Like doubles, most students convert the common room into a bedroom so all three roommates effectively get a single. 

Quads: Quads consist of two doubles with a common room in between them. A lot of quads also have a bathroom, which is really nice. I am in a quad this year in Butler’s 1967 Hall and it's a blast. I would recommend trying to get a quad your freshman year so that you can have some built in roommate friends! 

Quingles: Perhaps the most unique rooms at Princeton, a quingle is the child of a quad and a single (get it, quad + single = quingle). Quingles are four singles connected together via a private hallway, which usually also has a bathroom. Some quingles have a common room on top of that. These are the biggest rooms at Princeton and are also highly sought after. Next year my roommates and I will be in a quingle in Bloomberg, which I’m super excited about. 

Independent/ Co-op: Rising Sophomores and Juniors have the options to draw into independent rooms. This just means that they will not be on the dining hall meal plan. One of the most desired independent buildings is called Spelman. Spelman rooms are like a quingle but also have a kitchen so that students can cook their own meals. There are also some students who opt to room in a Co-op where students take turns cooking dinner. I'm not very knowledgeable about these rooms so that's all I can say on them. 

Other: Outside of these rooms, there are some unique rooms that have different layouts/ number of students living in the room. To my knowledge these deviations are primarily in Upperclassmen buildings, so it’s nothing to worry about for first years. 

Overall, Princeton has a lot of housing options and a lot of different buildings. No matter where you end up as a first year, your room will be amazing. Starting from scratch and designing your own room is a lot of fun. If you have any questions please reach out to me and I’ll answer your questions to the best of my ability. You can also look at the housing website linked here.

Princeton is a magical place. Yes, it is academically challenging and a break is nice, but there is something special about being back on campus after a long time away.

Princeton’s winter break is long--about a whole month off. Many of my friends from back home only have a few weeks to relax, and they return to school much sooner than I do. This is partially due to our academic calendars not aligning, but regardless by the end of break I feel like I’ve been away from Princeton forever. Now don’t get me wrong, this break is well deserved, but you truly start to miss the best old place of all.

Coming back to campus after winter break is a wonderful experience. In college, campus becomes your home – or rather, home away from home. The longer you are away, the more you miss it. Seeing your Princeton friends again and catching up is super exciting and fun! Hearing about their adventures like traveling to Iceland, interning for a senator, or just catching up on sleep, you never know what you are going to hear.

Another exciting aspect about coming back to campus is preparing for the new semester’s classes. By the time I get back, I have almost forgotten what classes I’ve signed up to take in the spring semester. Looking over what I chose again strangely brings me joy. Princeton has such a diverse and wide variety of classes, so there is something exciting for everyone. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment with how busy you may be at school, so the new year and new semester after a nice break allows for a period of reflection. Looking back at the fall semester and evaluating what went well and what didn’t go so well is super important. Setting up a game plan for the spring is both fun and rewarding. I personally look forward to trying to write out my notes instead of typing them – we’ll see which works best!

In all, coming back to Princeton after the winter break is a wonderful experience. The longer you are out of the Orange Bubble, the more you miss it (no wonder Reunions are such a hit). From catching up with friends, enjoying the architecture/ campus, to planning for the semester and picking out that first day outfit, it feels good to be back home – Princeton that is!

During the semi-chaotic, lowkey stressful process known as Room Draw that occurs towards the end of every spring semester, students (usually in groups) enter a lottery-like system to determine in what order they’ll pick their new rooms. Although first-years and sophomores are guaranteed dorms within their respective residential colleges, this is not necessarily the case for juniors and seniors. Once Princeton students approach their third year, they’re given the option to enter their residential college lottery—of which there are only a certain amount of spots allotted for juniors and seniors—and/or enter the upperclassmen lottery and live in parts of campus that are specifically designated for just upperclassmen. (Note: Most draw groups do end up entering both lotteries to see all their options!) 

Well, despite our love for our New College West home, my group was sadly unable to snag one of those junior spots in our res college draw, so we ended up drawing rooms in upperclassmen housing instead. Currently, I’m living with one of my best friends in 1901-Laughlin Hall, a dorm located in the northwest part of campus, among several buildings infamous for being not the most updated.

I’ll be honest—I was worried. I had heard the stories and rumors about living in this stretch of old buildings… cockroaches, lots of noise. Pretty much nothing you’re looking for in an ideal living space and a stark contrast to many of the air-conditioned, elevator-equipped newer dorms. But I decided to remain positive and open to all that my new dorm had to offer.  

I soon discovered that this network of dorms was not without its own charms. After living in it for nearly four months now, I can honestly say that its bad reputation is at least in part over-exaggerated. Sure, you see your decent amount of bugs and experience a fair share of noise on the weekends, but here are some pros (or at least things to take into consideration):

1. People aren’t lying when they say the summer heat only lasts for the first two or so weeks of the fall semester. After that, the heat really wasn’t that much of a bother. Just be sure to pack a fan or two, and I’d recommend trying to go for a room on one of the lower floors to help, too.
2. You can live with your friends from other residential colleges! One major reason that students actually choose to draw into upperclassmen dorms is because they can finally room with friends who belong to different res colleges, which isn’t possible for the first two years.  
3. You’re much closer to Nassau Street and many of the classrooms. This is a game changer for many students, particularly those whose original res colleges were far (sorry Forbes, NCW, and Yeh). It practically cuts the walking distance in half, so you can sleep in for a little longer in the mornings instead of rushing uphill to class! (Bonus: they are also equidistant from Dillon Gym and the U-Store, both of which students tend to frequent, as well.)
4. Speaking of comparisons to other res colleges, the architecture of these buildings is also a huge selling point. If you’re looking for that classic collegiate gothic style that Princeton is often known for, this is the place to be!
5. Lastly, in a similar vein to #2, because it only houses juniors and seniors, you’ll be surrounded by familiar faces. We love all first-years and sophomores, but it’s nice to have a little slice of campus for just our fellow upperclassmen.

So if you do end up living in the older upperclassmen dorms, bring your fans and bug spray—but also enjoy it! The vibes in this part of campus are honestly unmatched, and you’re sure to bond with your friends and fellow upperclassmen that live there.

To say I lucked out with my first year dorm is an understatement. As the proud owner of a single in Whitman college, I felt like I had it all — A/C during the unbearably humid September days, gothic architecture in a new building, and (my personal favorite) a jack-and-jill bathroom. Yet, as my first year at Princeton flew by, I was confronted with the very sobering reality that my 100 square foot home would not be mine for much longer.

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Having drawn for a quad, I knew that during my sophomore year I would have to conquer a challenge that I had never faced before: living with other people. For me, the biggest worry was that I would no longer get any time to myself. Where would I go if I wanted to call my parents? Where would I go if I wanted to hide from the rest of the world? Where would I go if I wanted to cry? These questions plagued my mind in the weeks leading up to move-in day. However, after living with three other girls for 6 months, I have come to realize that I enjoy living with roommates a lot more than I thought I would.

My roommates keep me accountable. When I wake up in the morning to the comforter neatly tucked into the bed next to mine, I feel like the least I can do is make my bed and tidy my shelf. (Though, when my roommate goes home for the weekend I catch myself slacking occasionally). In the evenings, my common room is silent, save for the sound of keys clacking and pages turning. Being surrounded by such a productive environment, I feel inclined to work a little harder myself. So, I begrudgingly pick up my notebook and begin my problem set.

I’d like to think that I also hold my roommates accountable. One time, my direct roommate told me that the reason why she gets up promptly in the morning is because she feels bad that I have to hear her alarm every five minutes. Funnily enough, despite my complaints at the beginning of the year, those alarms are now the primary reason why I am never late to my morning classes.

DEspite those examples, we also keep each other accountable for more than just school and work. When I see the last of the lamps turn off in the common room, I know that it is also my time to retire to bed, no matter how much work I wish I could have gotten done. When it’s 2 am and we somehow find ourselves in the U-Store, I know it’s my duty to stop my roommate from buying a Monster energy drink.

One night, I accidentally fell asleep while doing my readings in bed. The next morning, I woke up disoriented and in a panic. I patted around my bed for my laptop, only to find that it was no longer there. Confused, I stumbled out into the common room to find my laptop and my iPad on top of my desk, both plugged into their respective chargers. On my desk there was a bright green sticky note with the words: “Bozo! Devices charged for you.”

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In some ways, living with roommates is different to living alone — on most days, I wake up an alarm that is not my own and I am extra mindful of being quiet at night. However, in the grand scheme of things, not much has changed. I still call my parents at my desk and I still hide under the covers when I don’t want to see anyone. Sure, perhaps I don’t get as much alone time as I used to, but my roommate is there to drag me out of bed to a multitude of fun adventures from eating club parties to board game nights with friends — and that seems like a much sweeter deal to me.
 

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This past September, I started working at the front desk of the New College West Office — the one-stop shop where you can get answers to any of your “Westie” questions. It’s also home to many of the valuable people and resources that are available to help students throughout their Princeton journeys. Besides getting to earn a little extra money, this job has given me unique insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of my residential college and how one office helps keep the whole community running.

If you’re not a Westie, don’t fear! Each residential college at Princeton has an office just like ours. This is where you can find your college’s specific leaders, such as your Director of Student Life (or DSL for short), Dean of Studies, Residential Life Coordinator, and the Head of College. They all serve different purposes, but ultimately are there to support your needs, both academically and otherwise.

To find out more about your college’s team of awesome staff, click one of the links below! :

• Butler: https://butlercollege.princeton.edu/people/college-staff 
• Forbes: https://forbescollege.princeton.edu/people/staff 
• Mathey: https://matheycollege.princeton.edu/people/college-staff/central-office-staff 
• New College West: https://newcollegewest.princeton.edu/people/college-staff 
• Rockefeller: https://rockefellercollege.princeton.edu/people/staff-0 
• Whitman: https://whitmancollege.princeton.edu/people/staff 
• Yeh: https://yehcollege.princeton.edu/people/college-staff/central-office-staff 

Over the past few months, I’ve gotten to see people come into the office for a variety of reasons. For example, at certain times during the week, the deans will have Drop-In Advising Hours, where any students can walk-in and meet with their respective dean to discuss academic concerns, like picking classes or managing workloads. I’ve also experienced students coming in to propose a community-building or club event that they want to see happen. And more often than not, we have students simply pop in the office just to grab some free chocolate or say hi!

My favorite part of working at the NCW office has to be our weekly res college tradition: Coffee in the Commons! Every Friday, as a study break, we help organize an event where students can gather and enjoy free coffee, tea, and some sort of treat or pastry. Most of the residential colleges do some variation of this event (like Yeh College’s “FriYEH” or the weekly “Teahive” for Butler College Bees), but Coffee in the Commons will always hold a special place in my heart. Most recently, we did a Mardi Gras-themed Coffee in the Commons, complete with king cake and donuts!

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The colleges and their offices are truly another community within the Princeton community. I would highly recommend stopping by to meet the friendly staff members and mentors that will guide and support you throughout your four years here (and, while you’re at it, maybe consider applying for a job there, too!).

One of the topics that incoming students most frequently have questions about is residential life at Princeton. While Princeton prides itself on its superior academic program, residential life is an important component of the student experience here.

I am a Residential College Adviser, or RCA, at Butler College, one of seven residential colleges. My role is to foster and build community among students, as part of a team of Butler College staff, RCAs and other peer leaders within the residential college. One of the ways we do this is by putting on a variety of events for all students in the Butler community, to connect, have fun and take a break from studying. 

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My favorite event is the Butler Teahive, a weekly study break that the Butler College staff organizes for all students. At 3:00 p.m. every Friday, one of the rooms in the Butler basement is transformed into a social hub where students connect with each other over a cup of tea and a selection of delicious desserts and berries from a rotating cast of local bakeries and restaurants. I’ve gotten excellent academic advice from the Butler college staff in a low-pressure environment, I get to see some friends and even make new ones, and there’s always plenty of delicious treats for everyone. 

In addition to the weekly events put on by Butler College staff, the student-run Butler College Council, and RCAs like me, there are also one-time events held regularly. Resident Graduate Students (RGS) or Butler College Council often plan these fun, community building events that try their best to include every type of student. If you’re itching to burst out of the so-called ‘Orange Bubble’ you can join your residential college for a Broadway show or a Six Flags trip. Those with an artistic bent might enjoy the many arts and crafts nights, from paint and sip (with boba) to karaoke night. Or if you prefer a laid-back kind of vibe, there’s always game nights and watch parties (most recently for the World Cup). 

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I’ve spoken about my experience at Butler College, the residence college I work for and have lived in for all of my time at Princeton. But all seven operate in the same way and offer the same amount of programming and community building that we at Butler do. No matter which college you end up in, you’ll have plenty to do and many friends to meet!