Stop and look around

Through the haze of job interviews, thesis reading and grad school applications, seniors may feel like graduation cannot come soon enough. Oftentimes, however, the business of our lives coupled with our devotion to meeting certain academic and social goals causes us to miss even the richest of things around us. Princeton, both town and University, is filled with sites and artifacts possessing not only great beauty but also historical and cultural relevance. Princeton students should take a few hours out of their time, perhaps during Fall Break, to sample some of the wonderful things that lie only a short distance from our dorm rooms.

Many seniors may already have a list of things to do before they graduate. But for those who are looking for ideas or those who do not have a list at all, we offer some suggestions:

First and foremost, an Orange Key tour is a must. If you have not gone on one, you might have not ventured into areas like the Trustee Room in Nassau Hall or the University Chapel. On Princeton's main campus alone, there are three National Historic Landmarks: Nassau Hall, the Joseph Henry House and Prospect House. Perhaps when you finish the tour you can visit one of our great human resources as well. Inside Nassau Hall, President Tilghman holds office hours every week. Go and sit down with her for a chat.

The University Art Museum is a fantastic choice for days when one is looking for an off-campus feel yet has no choice but to be at school. Inside this impressive gallery is art ranging from 13th century Egyptian relief to Andy Warhol's to Monet's.

Inside Firestone Library is the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, which includes the Cotsen Children's Library. One-of-a-kind books are the norm here, and the Cotsen library displays books and toys that span the centuries.

A short walk down Witherspoon Street leads you to the peaceful Princeton Cemetery, wherein lie many Princeton luminaries: University Presidents John Witherspoon, Jonathan Edwards and Aaron Burr, Sr.; Aaron Burr, Jr. famous for his duel with Alexander Hamilton; U.S. President Grover Cleveland as well as a large number of members of Congress.

Lace up your shoes and take a favorite running path among students, down past the Graduate College and around the Institute for Advanced Study. Take some extra time to walk around the buildings because you might find wonderfully curious sculptures.

A short drive up Route 1 is the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, a nationally recognized research institution. You can take a free tour to see the building and, more importantly, the scientists who win awards right and left.

Famous buildings merely a walk or short drive away from campus include the houses of Albert Einstein and Grover Cleveland and the official New Jersey governor's residence.

And of course, if you have not been there, make sure to go to the E-Quad. On second thought ...

Happy memory making!