My dorm is exactly 102 years old. First occupied in 1923, Henry Hall has been standing on campus since just after WWI. I can’t lie. I’ve always wanted to live in the old dorms. Contrary to popular opinion, I prefer the old rooms with wood floors, paned windows, no AC and the cast iron radiators that make noise at night. It’s quaint, but it’s filled with history. 

My dorm is nothing short of the quintessential old college dorm one would imagine. This image is Henry Hall from the 1920's. The outside of my dorm hasn't changed much. When you enter my dorm, it's small with a slanted ceiling, giving the space a cozy attic feel. The slanted roof opens up to three beautifully panned windows that face Henry courtyard. My favorite part of the day is in the early morning when the sun shines through these windows, leaving a beautiful pattern on my walls. I remember in the beginning of the year, I would often sit in bed while drinking my coffee - just looking through my windows as I slowly woke up. I’d look out to see the giant tree which fills Henry Courtyard. I’ve lived here long enough to notice a neighbor; a squirrel who always sits on a branch near my window, eating acorns.

In the evenings, my room is just as beautiful - glowing with warm light from various lamps. I’m usually sitting at my desk, nestled into the corner with the slanted roof, where I study. At night, the rooms across the courtyard light up, and if looking close enough, I can see movement in the rooms across from me. 

While I love my room because of its old charm, I also love it because of its history. It's safe to assume that around 100 Princeton students have lived in this exact room - which is pretty crazy to think about. There’s also a mysterious engraving on my window. Carved into the glass is the name “Mayersky”. Lots of Princeton’s older dorms have engraving in window sills or fireplaces, and so I was excited to find this hidden gem. After a quick search on Tigerbook and Tigernet (Princeton’s undergraduate and alumni directory), I found no matching results. . . leading me to believe a student from abroad or from one of Princeton’s summer camps made this engraving. I have no idea how old the carving is, but I will likely follow suit in some small way when I eventually leave this room. 

I absolutely adore my dorm. While it will be painful to move out, I’m grateful to still have my senior year to live in these beautifully-old dorms. And leaving Princeton, I know without a doubt these 100 year old rooms will be remembered for many more than over 100 years.

Princeton’s architecture is extraordinary. After moving in and getting settled here, I had a hard time fully grasping that I was going to be surrounded by breathtaking collegiate gothic architecture 24/7, especially as a member of Rockefeller College, or Rocky. I had to get used to walking under the arches by Holder Hall anytime I went to the dining hall, giving a shout-out to Blair Arch as I made my way to my Writing Seminar, and greeting Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Henry when entering Frist Campus Center. These are some of the most iconic and picturesque parts of campus, and now they are just a hop, skip, and a jump away from me — and I am extremely grateful to get to see them all the time!

However, one architectural feature that really took some getting used to was having stained-glass windows in my dorm room. Before coming to Princeton, if I ever heard someone say, “Stained-glass windows,” a college dorm room was never the first thing that came to mind. Nonetheless, for the amount of surprise I felt toward having such gorgeous windows in my new little home, there was just as much thrill.

Every now and then, in the early morning and late afternoon, right when there is just enough sunlight to seep through the small glass panels, I find myself just sitting and admiring the windows. Blending with colors of other things behind them, like clouds and nearby buildings, the panels transform into an array of hues, with some of the aquamarine squares projecting shades of yellow and green and the blue circle in the middle reflecting an ombré of violets and pinks. Anytime I see the windows in this state of beautiful transition, I feel like I have to pause and remind myself I am in a college dorm room.

Because I admire these windows so much, for a project in my drawing class this past semester, I decided to draw one. Getting the lines and proportions correct was definitely tough, but the part I enjoyed the most was filling in all the panels with their complex aspects. As I made each mark and sketch, I became more aware of how truly detailed the windows are, as beams of sunlight and outside objects enable them to present a unique variation of colors. I hope my drawing was able to do the windows some justice! 

All this talk about windows is to encourage you to never overlook the little things in life — and to show you how BEAUTIFUL Princeton is ;). The “out-of-the-ordinary” are oftentimes sources of genuine beauty, like holding the door open for a stranger, reaching out to a friend you have not spoken to in a while, or appreciating a stained-glass window in a college dorm room. Never take for granted the power of random demonstrations of beauty and goodness — they are more powerful than we know! 

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

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

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

2) See the Danny DeVito Shrine

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

3) Walk the towpath

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

4) Use the waffle maker in Choi Dining Hall

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

5) Take a class at the NCW ceramic studio

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

6) Go to an Arch Sing

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

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

I’m almost halfway through my Princeton journey, and that reality has forced me to take a lot of time to reflect. As enchanting, fun, and maturing as college can be, it can be difficult. Living in a new city, away from your family and hometown friends for 9+ months of the year, balancing academics with social life, extracurriculars, and rest, your time at college is often quite dizzying. However, I’ve found that the thing that has grounded me the most over the last couple of years is the warm and supportive friendships I’ve built. 

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When I first arrived at Princeton, making genuine friends seemed unfathomable. Everyone seemed to be in their own world, and amidst orientation events, the only way to socialize was to ask a revolving door of the same three questions. Where are you from? What are you studying? What residential college are you in? Surely, that could not be the most authentic way to make friends. Unbeknownst to me then, some of these conversations would lead to my strongest friendships on campus. The girl I met spontaneously at a first-year orientation brunch is now one of my closest friends. Despite our busy Princeton lives, we ensure we get weekly meals to catch up and share about one another’s weeks. We talk about classes, what’s stressing us out, what’s exciting us. We study together and have even made a tradition of taking First Day of Classes photos together so that we can see how far we’ve come at the end of each semester. I always look back with gratitude on the chaos of orientation because it brought some of my most fulfilling friendships.

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I’ve also made friends with those who are physically closest to me. Living in Mathey College, I often see the same faces present in the dining hall or at our Residential College events. Sitting with people I saw all the time but hardly ever spoke to has led to fulfilling friendships. These are the people I go to after a long day or long week. We can talk about anything, listen to music, make art, and be safe spaces for each other. This makes the section of campus that I live in feel a little more like home.

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I’ve also learned that some friends come much later than others. There’s a weird assumption people have when they first arrive on campus that if you don’t make good friends during your first couple weeks at college, you won’t make any at all. This assumption can be quite anxiety-inducing for introverts like me or people who just take longer to bond into friendships than others. I’m here to say that that assumption is not true. In fact, some of my closest friendships on campus did not come until my sophomore year. Although we came into each others’ lives later, my core friends and I have formed a tight-knit group for celebrating birthdays, attending each others’ extracurricular events, being shoulders to lean on, and even planning group vacations together. These friendships really affirm to me the importance of patience and the reality that, no matter how long it takes, you will find your people on this campus.

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Being a Community Learning Advisor (CLA) for Yeh College this year has been a unique experience. It’s given me a chance to connect with students across different years, support my peers, and get a better understanding of Princeton’s residential community.

Connecting Across Class Years

Before becoming a CLA, most of my interactions were with people in my year or major. This role has been a great way to meet students from all over campus— sophomores diving into new opportunities, juniors making the most out of the remaining years of college, and senior students who’ve been through it all. Hearing their stories and perspectives has been a reminder of how diverse and vibrant the Princeton community really is. It’s been especially rewarding to meet new students and learn about their backgrounds, interests, and goals. A lot of the students I work with are also in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, which has made our interactions even more relatable and meaningful. Being able to share advice about navigating tough problem sets, picking classes, or handling the challenges of the major feels like paying it forward.

Getting to know these students—not just as peers, but as people with their own stories and ambitions—has been wholesome and fulfilling in a way I didn’t expect. Whether we’re talking about academics, campus life, or just figuring out where to grab the best late-night snacks, these connections have reminded me why building a supportive community matters so much.

Being a Resource and a Listener

A big part of the job is being there when people need support. Sometimes it’s helping someone navigate a tough course or answering questions about campus resources. Other times, it’s just about listening—because college can get overwhelming, and knowing someone has your back can make a big difference. It’s not always about having the perfect solution; just being available can go a long way.

What I didn’t expect was how much I’d learn in the process. Helping others with their challenges has pushed me to think more creatively and be more patient, even in my own life. Whether it’s figuring out a tricky situation or just staying calm when things don’t go as planned, this role has made me better at problem-solving and more aware of how to support others effectively.

Study Breaks and Small Moments

One of the fun parts of being a CLA is organizing study breaks. Whether it’s snacks, games, or just a chance to hang out, these little events are a nice way to pause and recharge. It’s not about doing anything fancy—it’s about creating space for people to breathe, relax, and connect.

Sometimes, the best moments are the unexpected ones: a late-night conversation in the common room or seeing people bond over a shared love for food at a study break. These small, everyday interactions are what make the role feel meaningful. They remind me that, even in a busy place like Princeton, taking time to relax and connect with others can make all the difference.

Princeton’s residential colleges are designed to make campus feel a little less overwhelming, and being a CLA has shown me how much thought goes into building that sense of community. From the people I work with to the students I’ve met, it’s clear that this network of support isn’t just a nice idea—it really works.

Looking back on this semester, I’m glad I took on the CLA role. It’s helped me feel more connected to the campus and given me a new appreciation for the small, everyday ways we support each other.

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.

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?

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. 

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.