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.

When winter break rolls around at Princeton, you have several options for how to spend it. You could stay at home with your family, and come back to campus at the end of January (when the Spring semester starts). Or you could be like me, and return to campus two weeks early for Wintersession. 

Wintersession, organized by the Office of Campus Engagement, is a free opportunity for students and faculty members to take classes on anything they want. Past offerings include playing Dungeons and Dragons, decorating cakes, and going on day trips to Broadway. The best part about Wintersession is that there are no grades. What matters is that everyone has fun.

Anybody can teach a Wintersession class. You simply visit the online application, and provide the name/description of your Wintersession offering and your bio written in the third person. You also need to provide details such as your technology needs, your ideal number of participants, and your budget for purchasing materials. If this sounds overwhelming, don't worry, the small but mighty Office of Campus Engagement team will always be there to answer your questions!

I taught my first Wintersession class entitled "The Feeling Power of Mental Health Journaling" my sophomore year. I got the idea from working as a Community Action Fellow with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement.

As part of my CA groups learning about creativity and mental health, I asked poet Topaz Winters '23 to teach virtual journaling workshops. My first year students felt lighter dumping their anticipatory anxiety onto paper, rather than tucking away their heavy baggage. I wanted to recreate this same safe space. Hence, I capped my workshop at twenty people to keep it intimate. I also wanted to get back into journaling. And what better way to hold myself accountable than by journaling in community?

Fast forward to January 16, 2024: the scheduled day of my workshop. Thick snow piles covered our campus, making me wonder if my participants would show up. But despite the snowstorm, ten students and faculty members joined me inside Frist Campus Center. 

I walked my participants through examples of different types of journaling — gratitude journaling, reflective journaling, and manifestation journaling — through ten minute guided prompts. My favorite part was hearing what everyone wrote. Some participants were using Winter Break to get back into old hobbies, like writing a novel. Others, instead of using words, used pictures to express their emotions. There were even participants who disliked writing, but who opened their minds up to my workshop and ultimately fell in love with journaling. 

All in all, “The Feeling Power of Mental Health Journaling” was a powerful way for students and staff members to validate each other's experiences. It's why I’m thrilled to announce that for its second year, "The Feeling Power of Mental Health Journaling" will be offered during Wintersession 2025. I look forward to once again spreading my passions for writing and mental health to the rest of the Princeton community!

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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Commencement is not a single ceremony at Princeton. Instead, it is a multi-day series of events, ceremonies, and traditions to send off the graduating class with no shortage of pomp and circumstance. Here is an overview of what the last month as a Princeton student looks like.

First two weeks: Final exams and presentations

The first two weeks of May involve finishing final papers, presenting your thesis, and taking exams. Once these are complete, not only have you fulfilled all the requirements for the semester, but for your diploma! 

Third week: Dead Week

Between exams and Reunions is Dead Week. Most students have left campus, and there are few events going on, making the campus seem relatively "dead." A number of seniors take a trip to the beach, which is why the week is sometimes called Beach Week. I didn't go to the beach, but I did go home to visit my family in Philadelphia.

Fourth week: Reunions

The campus comes back alive, in full strength, with Reunions. Alumni in all shades of orange and black descend on campus in their class jackets to reconnect with their friends. The highlight of Reunions is the P-rade, where alumni, led by the Old Guard of classes past their 65th reunion, march through campus. The graduating class members are invited as special guests to the P-rade to experience their first alumni event.

Last Sunday: Baccalaureate and Prom

The next day, the official commencement events begin with the Baccalaureate ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Seniors wear their cap and gown and file into the chapel for an interfaith ceremony. That evening, senior prom takes place in Jadwin Gym. The class of 2024 also had a prom in sophomore year, so this will be our second class prom together.

Last Monday: Class Day and Step Sing

On Memorial Day, seniors gather on Cannon Green in the morning wearing their class jackets to listen to the Class Day speaker and for the distribution of several prizes. In the afternoon, each department has their own individual ceremony. My thesis advisor, Dr. Bourg, is the acting Director of Undergraduate Studies this year and will lead my Civil and Environmental Engineering Class Day ceremony. In the evening is Step Sing, when the class gathers on the steps of Blair Arch to sing several pop songs specific to their class year and the traditional "Old Nassau."

Last Tuesday: Graduation

Tuesday morning is the official graduation ceremony, where the valedictorian and salutatorian deliver their speeches, the university president makes his remarks, and students finally get to walk through FitzRandolph Gate. And with that, you are officially a Princeton graduate!

I graduated high school in 2020, the year when most ceremonies were cancelled due to Covid-19, so I'm especially grateful to have all these festivities for my college graduation. I'm looking forward to treasuring these last few moments as an undergraduate at the Best Old Place of All.

As a follow-up to my sophomore blog post about 7 traditions in my first on-campus semester, I now present to you 7 traditions from my final semester. 

1. Taking 3 courses + thesis

In the final semester, seniors generally take a lighter course load to have additional time to focus on the thesis. This spring I only took 3 courses plus the thesis (which counts as a course), giving me more time to focus on my project than when I have a typical 4-5 course load. This also gave me time for graduate school interviews, student visit days, and other tasks associated with planning for life post-Princeton.

2. Choosing a grad school program

Come March, I was notified of my acceptances to the different graduate school programs I'd applied to. In the fall, I'll be starting a doctoral program in Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT working with Dr. Desirée Plata! Being able to share this news with my professors and letter of recommendation writers was exciting and rewarding.

3. Printing and binding my thesis

In mid-April, my thesis was wrapping up, and it was time for official printing and binding. Printing your thesis is optional, but it's traditional to present a leather-bound copy to your advisor. I chose to print my thesis and was incredibly proud to present the culmination of my project to Dr. Bourg.

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4. Stepping into the Fountain of Freedom post-thesis submission

Following submission of the thesis, seniors will step into the Fountain of Freedom to officially mark the beginning of the mythical "PTL" (post-thesis life). The water wasn't very warm on the day after my department's thesis submission date (April 15), but I still honored the tradition by stepping into the water.

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5. Wearing my class jacket

Formerly known as a "beer jacket," to be worn by seniors at the Nassau Inn to protect their day clothes, the class jacket is now the de facto uniform for Reunions. The jacket prominently displays your class year, making it easy to spot your classmates among the masses of orange and black that flock to campus for Reunions each May. Our class voted on the design in the fall, and I'm really pleased with the final design.

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6. Taking photos by the bronze tigers

Our class government offered free sessions with a pro photographer by the bronze tigers, and I also took photos of my friends myself. We brought numerous graduation props (thesis, class jacket, cap) to the session.

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7. Walking through FitzRandolph Gate

At Commencement, I'll walk through FitzRandolph Gate for the first time since the class of 2024 Pre-Rade in my first on-campus semester. Legend has it that students who walk through the gates between the Pre-Rade and Commencement won't graduate in four years. All appears to be on track for me to officially receive my diploma on May 28, but I certainly won't be taking any chances between now and then.

And with that, my undergraduate experience at Princeton has come to a close! I've truly loved my time here, and I'll forever be grateful to Old Nassau.

If you ask a handful of Princeton students what their favorite Princeton memory is, the odds that at least a few of them will say “Lawnparties” is incredibly high. Now, what is Lawnparties you ask? A party on a lawn? Well, yes, but it’s much more than that! A beloved Princeton tradition, Lawnparties is a once-a-semester event filled with food, fun, and music. Let me take you through what it looks like:

The day starts off with students lining up in McCosh Courtyard in the morning to get their wristbands, a necessity for accessing all the events of the day. People will also be getting brunch with their friends at one of the dining halls or on Nassau Street (they also have bagels at the wristbanding tent!).

From there, students usually make their way over to the SPIA fountain area, which has become the go-to site for Lawnparties photoshoots every year. Friends and clubs will take group pictures together and sometimes even jump in the fountain! We also have awesome professional photographers that make their rounds on campus throughout the day, capturing all the fun and posting them for us to access later (check them out here!). And because of all these photo ops, it’s worth mentioning that students do tend to get a little dressed up—sundresses, nice shirts, etc.—but everyone ultimately wears what they’re comfortable in!

Afterwards, everyone starts heading to 'the Street,' which is our nickname for Prospect Ave and the home to our 11 eating clubs. There, students enjoy celebrations at all the different clubs and free delicious food from various food trucks. In past years, we’ve had everything from Nomad Pizza (a local favorite!), Taco Bell, Rita’s Italian Ice, and even an empanada truck. The day can get pretty long, so students are always grabbing a bite to eat and fueling up. There’s also water stations all over the Street so that people can stay hydrated.

Then, towards mid-afternoon, students will begin walking over to the main stage at Frist North Lawn to watch the opening acts. One thing that I love about Lawnparties is that we almost always have at least one student opener each semester, so it’s a great way for student artists to promote themselves and gain experience performing in front of a bigger crowd. And, vice versa, the community also gets to check out all their talented peers and cheer them on!

Finally, after the opening acts, what we’ve all been waiting for: the headliner comes on! Every year, the headliner announcement is highly anticipated. Our USG Social Committee works hard to get us well-known, well-loved performers. Since I’ve been at Princeton, we’ve gotten to watch the following artists perform live for us on campus: A$AP Ferg, Flo Milli, Hippo Campus, Waka Flocka, and, most recently, Loud Luxury! I was especially excited about the last of these, who headlined our Lawnparties on September 10th earlier this year—“Body” by Loud Luxury is definitely one of my go-to party songs. The fact that we essentially get to have all these amazing, famous artists give us a private concert for just our community is honestly really cool and really special; I look forward to it every year!

It should be noted that the past three semesters, it has actually rained on the day of the event. Now, of course, it’s always nicer to have Lawnparties on a day with great weather. It makes for better pictures, parties, and just overall better energy. But in my experience, Princeton students have really chosen to embrace it. The parade of rain ponchos over everyone’s Lawnparties fits is always a sight to see, and a concert in the pouring rain can be legendary. All this to say, it’s a rain or shine event, and the weather has never stopped students from having a good time!

I only have three more Lawnparties left while I’m at Princeton, so I’m trying to savor every last moment of them. I can’t wait to see who our headliner will be in the Spring (when we'll hopefully have some better weather)!

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A chilly morning in late January, with gray but otherwise clear skies, marked the first day of classes of the spring semester. For the class of 2024, this first day was particularly special, as it was our LFDOC (last first day of classes). There is always a photographer on McCosh walk at the beginning of each semester to take FDOC photos, but our class government organized a special session with a unique poster to celebrate the particularly significant LFDOC.

This is indeed my last first day of undergraduate classes, but it's not quite the end, since I will continue to have first days of classes as a graduate student. Even when I'm no longer a student, though, there will continue to be first days: a first day at a new job, followed by a first day in a new position, and then a first day at a new institution or company. There are first days outside of career as well, like your first day in a new apartment or first day in a new city. While the LFDOC marks the end of the student era of your life, there will continue to be first days, in one form or another, throughout life.

To me, it is reassuring to know that there will continually be opportunities for fresh starts throughout my professional and personal lives. A new beginning signals a chance to break out of a particular rhythm, shake up your routine, and learn new habits. It's a chance to meet new people, learn new strategies and information, and expand your horizons of what you're capable of. Some aspects of a new role will be improvements from before, maybe a better schedule or more independence, while others will be less welcome, like a longer commute or a difficult boss. The novelty of the new challenges, though, is exciting in and of itself, and you may surprise yourself in your ability to handle the elements that are more difficult than those in your previous position. There is always hope for the future when you know that things can change over time, and that there can always be another first day.

Huzzah for the LFDOC, and here's to an auspicious start to the last semester!

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The University Chapel is a beautiful Gothic building across from Firestone library in the center of campus. The title "Chapel," conferring the image of a small worship house, is a bit misleading for this vast hall that can seat two thousand. It's where Opening Exercises and Baccalaureate are held each year, and both denominational and ecumenical worship services are held there throughout the week. A small number of Princetonians also return to the Chapel for their marriage ceremony, and it's always exciting to see a wedding party taking their photos in front of the Chapel or on the steps of Whig Hall.

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The Aquinas Institute, the Catholic ministry on campus, celebrates daily mass at 12 p.m. and Sunday mass at 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the Chapel. The Aquinas Institute is part of the Office of Religious Life, which encompasses at least 15 chaplaincies for various faiths and denominations. Several student groups, chaplaincies and affiliated chaplaincies include the Center for Jewish Life, Episcopal Church at Princeton, Hindu Life Program, and Muslim Life Program. For those wishing to continue or deepen a religious practice at Princeton, there is certainly an appropriate group for you to do so, with services held either in the Chapel or elsewhere on campus.

I consider my faith an important part of my beliefs and identity, and I attend Sunday mass at my local Catholic church when I'm at home with my family. During the hectic semester, though, I sort of allow myself a special pass from attending mass. While I don't take the time to attend a formal service, I do sometimes try to stop in to either the Chapel or St. Paul's on Nassau Street for a brief moment of prayer, even five minutes. In addition to the services held each week, the Chapel is simply open to the public for reflection from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. I can discreetly enter and kneel in the back, just taking a few minutes of quiet time alone. You may find a meaningful role as an active member of one of the many religious groups on campus, which could become an integral part of your Princeton experience. Even if you don't though, the Chapel is there to welcome you for whatever small moment of your day you can carve out for prayer or reflection.

The most valuable aspect of Princeton is the community, because the people you meet and friendships you form are what truly make the college experience meaningful. In addition to my living and breathing friends, however, are several non-living ones located in various spots around campus. Here is a roundup of several of my favorite inanimate companions at Princeton.

1. Guyot Dinosaur

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This Allosaurus resides in Guyot Hall, home to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department, the Geosciences department, and the High Meadows Environmental Institute. I have two classes in Guyot Hall this semester, so I get to wave hello to my largest friend on campus several times a week. He appears to perpetually be in a chipper mood.

2. Bronze Tigers

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The two bronze tigers standing in front of Nassau Hall are perhaps the most iconic Princeton statues, and nearly every student takes a photo with them at some point. They're decorated in the photo above for Orange and Black Day, the university's anniversary on October 22.

3. Car Lab Mannequin

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This mannequin is a constant presence in the car lab of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department, where juniors in ECE take a lab course building and racing their own vehicles. I haven't taken the course, but the car lab is the first stop on my tour of the E-Quad, so the ECE man helps me graciously welcome campus visitors.

4. Dillon Gym Gargoyles

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Keeping watch over Dillon Gym are four gargoyles. I can't say with certainty what each one is, but I believe the one on the right (unpictured) is a football player, and the next one in might be a monkey. Don't quote me on these identifications. Dillon Gym is currently undergoing a renovation and expansion, but I'm almost certain they'll keep these loyal guardians in place.

While these inanimate friends are very dependable in that I always know where they'll be, I would have to say that my human Princeton friends are even more loyal and reliable. They are the real stars in my campus experience, but I still appreciate my daily sightings of my non-living companions.

A hallmark of the Princeton experience is the senior thesis, a culmination of the past four years of your academic work and interests. All students, with the exception of BSE Computer Science majors, have to write a thesis before they graduate, though many BSE Computer Science students also choose to write one. As the weather begins to warm and more and more students make their way outside to bask in the sun, more and more seniors will make their way into the depths of Firestone Library, eagerly anticipating the day that they enter PTL (Post Thesis Life).

All departments also have their individual deadlines for the thesis, and at the time of writing, there are some students who have a month left till they have to submit, and others, such as me, who have nearly two months left. My thesis is due on April 24th, both a blessing and a curse because it means I have enough time to finish it, but also that I will be working on my thesis up to the last day of classes. 

Though everyone has a different process, I have found that the best way to approach my thesis is to work on a little bit of it every day. Initially I told myself that I would write a bulk of it in one day (say 5 pages), which became daunting, but not so much if I just spaced out those pages over the course of a week. I am also helped by the fact that my thesis is not that long, at least in comparison to some of my friends. As an East Asian Studies major, my thesis has the minimum length of 60 pages, and my adviser specifically requested that mine not exceed 80 pages. I have found this length to be quite manageable, while at the same time I have become a lot more intentional about all of the words I am writing, as I know I will not be able to keep all of them. 

Currently, I have a thesis draft due on the Friday of midterms week, March 8th, and am mostly done with all of my writing for that draft. Afterwards, there are no more ‘checkpoints’ offered by the department I have to work towards, which means that I will be largely left on my own and will be responsible for keeping myself on track. The good thing is that I will not be alone, as my friends will also all be working towards their final thesis submission. I expect many days in the basement of Firestone Library together, but all working towards the sweet day where we will exit the library, having passed one of the most important milestones of the Princeton experience.