Invaluable lessons from the best teachers at the University

When I told my parents I did something religious on Easter Sunday, they were shocked. I could see them at home, wondering what kind of transformation had befallen me in college. I, after all, am the kind of agnostic who sees Easter as a chance to sleep late and go to brunch. It was only in the interests of spending time with a friend and avoiding my homework that I agreed to attend the inter-denominational Easter celebration in Frist. The event brought together members of the various campus religious groups to sing, pray and give thanks to God. Standing alongside my fellow students, sharing in their songs, I reflected in a different way. I was glad I had stepped so far out of my element, glad that I could take part in this occasion and try to understand what about it meant so much to my friend. While I could have been sitting in my dorm room, doing reading or a problem set, I learned so much more by sharing an experience with those who have the most to teach, my classmates.

Applying to Princeton, I knew that I would find brilliant and talented professors here. I was confident there would be a variety of interesting classes to stimulate and challenge me. What I was worried about was the diversity of the student body. I had heard the rumors and seen the statistics. I had been told that Princeton was not as diverse as many other top schools. Looking back on it now, this concern seems incredibly silly. The friends I have made since I arrived at Princeton are all unique. They come from different parts of the world, have different backgrounds, and are pursuing different interests. Each is fascinating in his own way. While we may not be as socio-economically or racially diverse as other colleges, I would not trade the experience of knowing any of my fellow Princetonians for more appealing statistics.

My freshman year has gone by much too quickly, but what I have learned in my short time here, in addition to French verbs and the concepts of path dependence and kin selection, is that the best teachers on this campus are my peers. With all due respect to professors and advisers, some of my most memorable "classes" have been held in the Mathey Common Room, in the basement of Whig Hall, or on the floor of my Blair double. I am consistently amazed by all that my friends offer me, from new takes on the doctrine of double effect to insights on writing a Regency novel to creatively hatched plans for taking over the world. In the company of these teachers, I am never bored, and I never want for laughter or conversation.

I could not have known what was in store for me when I arrived at college. I came from a high school full of students I had known since we were five years old, students who had grown up in the same town I had and shared in many of the same experiences. My four years there were valuable in their own way, but the variety of experience and opportunity Princeton offers eluded me. So I do not feel guilty when, here at school, I take some extra time away from my work to talk about the South or what it was like to be raised Catholic or to attend an Easter service. I want to take advantage of all that is around me. If that means skipping a reading assignment, or staying up too late to talk, or doing something I've never done before, then so be it.

Most people who know me were amused to discover how I spent my Easter evening. They found it hard to picture me at such an event, taking part in worship and singing. To be honest, I was surprised by the experience myself. Though I have not abandoned my agnostic ways or joined up with a campus fellowship, I did learn a great deal about some of my friends, about their lives and priorities. I hope that I have as much to share with them, that I can give back for all they have provided me in this past year. While I may forget much of what I learn in the classroom, I imagine that years down the road, in that foreboding, blank slate of a future that looms after graduation, these are the experiences and the people I will remember. Fortunately, I have three more years to meet new people, have more discussions, and make more memories.