Princeton never stops moving. People are always rushing across the street, rushing to class, or rushing to submit an assignment on time. It can push us to race through our time at Princeton — the end of our undergraduate careers might come before we are ready if we don’t pause to look around. If we’re lucky, we can check off everything on our non-academic bucket list before that clock strikes grad. Below is my uncompleted bucket list.
Stargaze on the Forbes golf course
As a Rocky resident, the number of times I have walked past Forbes are few and far between, but the view of the golf course and distant yet stately grad tower is quite the sight. The open sky and vast expanse, partially detached from campus, make it a haven from academic worry and looming deadlines. The scenic green space lets the night fully revolve around the shining stars in the sky in contrast to the rest of campus, lit up by academic buildings and dorms. There would be nothing better than just me, my friends, and the moon.
Go picnicking at Carnegie Lake
Just like the golf course, Carnegie Lake feels like an entirely different world from campus. In the fall, its leaves are vibrant and reflect on the placid water. The air is full of the loud but gorgeous flocks of Canada geese, at least when the rowing teams aren’t shouting and cutting through the lake at surprising speeds. This makes it the perfect place to unwind: on a blanket with a book, an NCW coffee club drink, and some snacks from Maruichi.
Take a quick dip in the SPIA fountain
Anyone who knows me will tell you just how much I hate getting my feet wet in the Jersey rain. However, this may be the one case in which I can get past my pet peeve. Jumping in the SPIA fountain is a tradition that some near-graduates participate in as a celebration of their time at Princeton and an optimistic beginning to their post-grad life. Hailing from Menlo Park, Calif., I have seen Stanford graduates jump in their own fountain near Hoover Tower all my life, and it certainly leads to some fun graduation photos. I will definitely be partaking before I take my final steps through Fitz-Randolph gate.
See an old classic movie at the Garden Theatre
Princeton has many free activities, and the free movies that run at the Garden Theatre are gems. As the Garden Theatre is over a hundred years old itself, seeing an old classic movie there would be a perfect afternoon activity. I’ve seen movies ranging from a new retelling of the second half of “The Odyssey” to “American Psycho.” Nothing makes a better study break than grabbing some free popcorn and catching a quick movie across the street with friends.
Taste the seasonal drinks at Coffee Club
Since before Princeton, caffeine has been a significant driver of my academic motivation, for better or for worse. But I could think of a worse caffeine fix than a Slippery Slope banana bread latte, or the Vietnamese coffee-inspired False Dichotomy to motivate my studies. The combinations are ever-changing and seemingly endless, and it would be a shame to miss even one when they brighten up even the most difficult of Firestone lock-in sessions.
See all of the Princeton University Art Museum and the rotating collection at Bainbridge
As an avid art lover and prospective Art History minor, Princeton’s extensive collection feels unreal to me. I’ve been enjoying it in satellite museum Bainbridge, and I’m excited for the new museum’s upcoming opening. Seeing our extensive collection inspires me in my studies and the simple enjoyment of my Princeton surroundings and is the best possible detour. And the best part? Both museums are free — not just for students, but the whole community. I can’t wait to take advantage of the wealth of history, beauty, and relaxation that the new museum will have to offer.
Stroll the towpath in the fall
If being a California resident has taught me anything, it’s that color-changing leaves in the fall should never be taken for granted. The towpath and forests behind New College West boast some of the most vibrant arrays of this color, and getting to both stretch my legs and see the stunning nature that is still new to many students not from the East Coast will always be a welcome joy.
Shop at the thrift shops in town
Being a broke college student can seem like a death sentence for a girl’s wardrobe, but it doesn’t have to be. Thrift stores like Greene Street Consignment and Nearly New allow students to find perfect pieces to update their seasonal look without breaking the bank. Greene Street, as a consignment shop, can have some high prices, but you can find plenty of bargains on their racks. Plus, the journey of searching through each article for something that perfectly screams “you” can be half the fun. The accessibility and perfect outing these stores provide are something I won’t forget to take advantage of while I am in Princeton.
Attend a concert or orchestra performance at Richardson
Although I live in Holder Hall, I somehow never remember to see performances of the most stunning musical acts happening right outside my door until I see buses of off-campus viewers dressed up in their best outfits waiting outside Richardson Auditorium. There are tons of events each month, including performances from Princeton University Orchestra, Sinfonia, Richardson Chamber Players, and more. As someone who loves classical musical and literary traditions, I am especially looking forward to seeing the Princeton Pianists Ensemble’s “Odyssey” show in a few weeks.
On the whole, Princeton offers far more than just a rich academic life. It also provides nature, foods, arts, and experiences that make all of our time here unforgettable. The constant pressure to meet high standards we often set for ourselves and our futures shouldn’t keep us from seeing all that we have access to as Princeton undergrads. In the (overused) words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” So go get that coffee and thrift before you no longer live a 10-minute walk away from Nassau!
Devon Williams is a contributing writer for The Prospect and a member of the Class of 2028. She can be reached at dw9268@princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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