Brigitte Harbers

Five ways to disrupt the monotony of Zoom University

Online school has encouraged a single focus on just being a student, with little motivation for any other activities. However, rather than falling back on the age-old habit of starting a new Netflix binge, I suggest that we all explore the idea of the “Five Hobbies.”  

Online school has encouraged a single focus on just being a student, with little motivation for any other activities. However, rather than falling back on the age-old habit of starting a new Netflix binge, I suggest that we all explore the idea of the “Five Hobbies.”  

Do yourself a favor and shamelessly PDF your classes

“My recommendation is to pass/D/fail at least one class this semester: regardless of the grade at the end of the term, take the time to engage with what is actually being taught. Emerge in May being able to actively reflect on what you learned, and think about whether it changed your perspective, or even your desire, to pursue a subject even more or just abandon it.”

“My recommendation is to pass/D/fail at least one class this semester: regardless of the grade at the end of the term, take the time to engage with what is actually being taught. Emerge in May being able to actively reflect on what you learned, and think about whether it changed your perspective, or even your desire, to pursue a subject even more or just abandon it.” 

Episode 1 of the Great Princeton Bake-Off (Quarantine Edition)

Attending classes from the comfort of my bed is turning into my academic Achilles heel. When I’m not in class, I’ve found this time has given me plenty of opportunities to explore hobbies, both old and new. What have I spent all my free time doing? Baking. 

You don’t have an internship — so what?

As students at a demanding university with high expectations, we shouldn’t be manipulated into thinking that it is a waste to take time to recuperate and to explore interests outside our own academic sphere. 

Regrets from freshman year

Becoming aware of these small Princeton quirks wasn’t the only thing I learned as a first-year. Rather, it was a year of learning through mistakes and adjusting expectations of my abilities.

So, what does Princeton mean to you?

Would you give an honest answer — one where you were able to separate your frustrations and share some of the special moments you have had here — or has the stress and anxiety wrapped up in assignments, tests, and grades all but erased the excitement you first felt when you saw that orange “Congratulations!” on your acceptance notification?

Reevaluating your future: when Is the right time?

While facing challenges in the realm of study you want to pursue can be discouraging, those challenges are actually necessary in helping you to evaluate just how serious you are about your intended area of study. I’ve come to realize that if you’re not willing to put in the effort and directly address the areas you are struggling in, you probably shouldn’t be pursuing the path you started on.

Conquering the fear of loneliness through independence

To be confident in your independence is to understand that your existence and success is not dependent on other people.

We may not belong here, and that's okay

So yes, to answer many first-years’ question: part of us does not belong at Princeton. That doesn’t mean we will never belong at Princeton. It just means we need to recognize that college requires a new approach to problem solving and time management. 

Who are we really electing?

Purely based on the multitude of almost identical candidate statements, it’s hard to distinguish what makes each individual unique. I ultimately found myself asking: “Why should I vote for you?”