Features

‘On everyone's mind’: Imposter syndrome at Princeton

Imposter syndrome is defined by the American Psychological Association as “the situation in which highly accomplished, successful individuals paradoxically believe they are frauds.” Financial disparities, racial differences, language barriers — all of these factors can contribute to feelings of imposter syndrome on a college campus. The Daily Princetonian sat down with students and faculty to learn more about their experiences with the syndrome and how they cope with it. 

Imposter syndrome is defined by the American Psychological Association as “the situation in which highly accomplished, successful individuals paradoxically believe they are frauds.” Financial disparities, racial differences, language barriers — all of these factors can contribute to feelings of imposter syndrome on a college campus. The Daily Princetonian sat down with students and faculty to learn more about their experiences with the syndrome and how they cope with it. 

From performance to non-profit: Camryn Stafford ’23 and the Turning Tables Project

In her sophomore year of high school, Camryn Stafford ‘23 had the idea for the Turning Tables project as a way to address the racial inequities she observed in the dance world. What started as a one-off dance show has since grown into a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization working to increase visibility and resources for dancers of color. 

In her sophomore year of high school, Camryn Stafford ‘23 had the idea for the Turning Tables project as a way to address the racial inequities she observed in the dance world. What started as a one-off dance show has since grown into a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization working to increase visibility and resources for dancers of color. 

With warm popcorn and James Bond, a Princeton institution reopens after pandemic closure

“Today, the Garden Theatre is known as a community gem, a town cultural hub, and an oasis for the weary Princeton student. The theatre has kept its doors open for the past century thanks to the resolve of community members who kept it afloat through various ups and downs — most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“Today, the Garden Theatre is known as a community gem, a town cultural hub, and an oasis for the weary Princeton student. The theatre has kept its doors open for the past century thanks to the resolve of community members who kept it afloat through various ups and downs — most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In Democratic underperformance, Zwicker shines bright

“Republicans picked up 15 new state legislative seats this year across New Jersey and Virginia. Democrats? Just one. Senator-elect Andrew Zwicker, the head of Communications and Public Outreach at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.”

“Republicans picked up 15 new state legislative seats this year across New Jersey and Virginia. Democrats? Just one. Senator-elect Andrew Zwicker, the head of Communications and Public Outreach at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.” 

‘Every good night ends at Wawa’: New Jersey chain battles to keep late-night student cravings at bay

For many Princeton students, Wawa is more than just the location of a late-night snack run. It’s a staple of the Princeton night-life — a place to go after a night out on the Street or in Firestone library. As the ongoing pandemic causes other late-night campus dining options to shutter their doors, Wawa alone offers satiation to midnight hunger pangs.

For many Princeton students, Wawa is more than just the location of a late-night snack run. It’s a staple of the Princeton night-life — a place to go after a night out on the Street or in Firestone library. As the ongoing pandemic causes other late-night campus dining options to shutter their doors, Wawa alone offers satiation to midnight hunger pangs.

The Paul Robeson House: A community rallies around restoration, memory, and history

“Before it was officially denoted the Paul Robeson House, the property at the corner of Witherspoon and Green Street was everything from a grocery store to private residence to rooming house. Notably, it was the home where Paul Robeson, famed athlete, artist, performer, and activist, was born. While the House’s purpose has evolved over the past two centuries, each new version has stood as a source of refuge, amity, and culture for Princeton’s African American community. Today, the House is undergoing a new change as members of the very area it serves rally together to preserve its history and mission.”

“Before it was officially denoted the Paul Robeson House, the property at the corner of Witherspoon and Green Street was everything from a grocery store to private residence to rooming house. Notably, it was the home where Paul Robeson, famed athlete, artist, performer, and activist, was born. While the House’s purpose has evolved over the past two centuries, each new version has stood as a source of refuge, amity, and culture for Princeton’s African American community. Today, the House is undergoing a new change as members of the very area it serves rally together to preserve its history and mission.” 

To listen, to learn: lessons from interfaith dialogue within Office of Religious Life

The University’s Religious Life Council (RLC) hosted an event they dubbed “Speed Faithing,” a play on speed dating that aimed to foster interfaith community building. Students were encouraged to be as silly or profound as they wished in answering questions like, “What is your definition of love?” This event is part of the RLC’s larger initiative to foster interpersonal understanding on campus.

The University’s Religious Life Council (RLC) hosted an event they dubbed “Speed Faithing,” a play on speed dating that aimed to foster interfaith community building. Students were encouraged to be as silly or profound as they wished in answering questions like, “What is your definition of love?” This event is part of the RLC’s larger initiative to foster interpersonal understanding on campus.

Humor, vision, and drive: The road to a Nobel Prize, observed from the sidelines

“The week of Oct. 4, 2021 saw two Princeton University professors awarded Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry, and one alum the Nobel Peace Prize. Syukuro Manabe, David MacMillan, and Maria Ressa ’86 became household names within a week — but to some, they were known and revered long before the international accolades. The Daily Princetonian spoke with people close to the award winners — colleagues, students, and former classmates — to learn more about the people behind the achievements.”

“The week of Oct. 4, 2021 saw two Princeton University professors awarded Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry, and one alum the Nobel Peace Prize. Syukuro Manabe, David MacMillan, and Maria Ressa ’86 became household names within a week — but to some, they were known and revered long before the international accolades. The Daily Princetonian spoke with people close to the award winners — colleagues, students, and former classmates — to learn more about the people behind the achievements.”

Can't bring back the past? Of course we can: a Roaring 20s ball for the Classes of the 2020s

From fake pearls to 1920s-themed appetizers, Princeton’s “Roaring Twenties'' themed Orange and Black Ball on Nov. 4th  was filled with all the glitz and glam that many students missed coming out of a global pandemic. Despite the difficulties the OBB’s date presented for some students — who celebrated the Hindu religious festival Diwali on that night — the ball allegedly saw an attendance increase of about 500 students since the last time it was held two years ago.

From fake pearls to 1920s-themed appetizers, Princeton’s “Roaring Twenties'' themed Orange and Black Ball on Nov. 4th  was filled with all the glitz and glam that many students missed coming out of a global pandemic. Despite the difficulties the OBB’s date presented for some students — who celebrated the Hindu religious festival Diwali on that night — the ball allegedly saw an attendance increase of about 500 students since the last time it was held two years ago.

Tiger Tots: Yisroel, Shua, Sarale, Yosef Webb

In our fourth installment of Tiger Tots, The Daily Princetonian interviewed four of Rabbi Eitan Webb’s children: Yisroel, Sarale, Yosef, and Shua. To the Princeton community, they say: “hi!” “work hard,” “you’ve got this, pull through,“ and “have fun!”

In our fourth installment of Tiger Tots, The Daily Princetonian interviewed four of Rabbi Eitan Webb’s children: Yisroel, Sarale, Yosef, and Shua. To the Princeton community, they say: “hi!” “work hard,” “you’ve got this, pull through,“ and “have fun!”

Princeton parents are active on their Facebook page. Their children? Less than thrilled about it.

Many Princeton parents turn to Facebook, specifically the Princeton Parents Page, to keep in touch with their children’s lives and stay up to date on campus news. While some parents find it a helpful forum to share concerns, announce student accomplishments, and exchange advice, students express concerns about the group’s limited scope of discussions and encroachment on student privacy.

Many Princeton parents turn to Facebook, specifically the Princeton Parents Page, to keep in touch with their children’s lives and stay up to date on campus news. While some parents find it a helpful forum to share concerns, announce student accomplishments, and exchange advice, students express concerns about the group’s limited scope of discussions and encroachment on student privacy.

‘Anyone, anywhere can tell a story’: Rev. Dean Theresa Thames on storytelling, community, and rap aspirations

Reverend Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, is known for bringing compassion and humor to her work at the University. A self-proclaimed storyteller, she shared her experiences bringing people together before and during the pandemic, and how she navigates being “unapologetically feminist and black and queer” in the church. And she’s not stopping there: she’s also an aspiring rapper, barber, and social media influencer.

Reverend Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, is known for bringing compassion and humor to her work at the University. A self-proclaimed storyteller, she shared her experiences bringing people together before and during the pandemic, and how she navigates being “unapologetically feminist and black and queer” in the church. And she’s not stopping there: she’s also an aspiring rapper, barber, and social media influencer. 

Princeton faculty, students with unvaccinated children prepare for an uncertain fall

“On the one hand, I’m really happy because I miss teaching in-person,” Alberto Bruzos Moro told The Daily Princetonian. “On the other hand, I’m worried because, you know, having a kid at home who is immunocompromised, it is a little concerning. At least until he can get the vaccine.”

On Princeton’s campus, Alberto Bruzos Moro is the director of the Spanish language program, slated to teach two seminars this fall. Off campus, he’s a father to an immunocompromised nine-year-old son.

‘A living legend’: The fight for Shirley Satterfield Middle School

“Princeton Middle School” will be the final name for the school previously known as John Witherspoon Middle School — despite strong community support for longtime historian and educator Shirley Satterfield to become the school’s namesake.

“Princeton Middle School” will be the final name for the school previously known as John Witherspoon Middle School — despite strong community support for longtime historian and educator Shirley Satterfield to become the school’s namesake.

‘A long battle fought’: The history of Princeton’s Asian American Studies program and a renewed push to expand

As AASA advocates for expanding the Asian American Studies program in light of a rise of violence against Asians in the U.S., The Daily Princetonian tracks the struggle for representation on campus back to 1988.

As AASA advocates for expanding the Asian American Studies program in light of a rise of violence against Asians in the U.S., The Daily Princetonian tracks the struggle for representation on campus back to the 1988.

Despite isolating conditions, Princeton’s Jewish community connects through prayer, celebration, and tradition

Adapting to the pandemic online stretched all of Princeton’s academic, social, and religious communities, and Princeton’s Jewish community faced its own unique set of challenges. From keeping kosher in quarantine to adapting traditions that require the physical presence of others, the CJL and its student leaders had to adjust how they supported the Jewish community on campus and how they approached building this community in the first place. 

Adapting to the pandemic online stretched all of Princeton’s academic, social, and religious communities, and Princeton’s Jewish community faced its own unique set of challenges. From keeping kosher in quarantine to adapting traditions that require the physical presence of others, the CJL and its student leaders had to adjust how they supported the Jewish community on campus and how they approached building this community in the first place. 

‘I don’t understand who they’re protecting here’: Princeton’s COVID-19 policy frustrated reporting of sexual misconduct allegations, say students

This past semester, one student’s experience shows how the University’s Social Contract, a series of coronavirus-related restrictions, hindered reporting of an alleged incident of sexual misconduct. While some peer institutions offered amnesty to victims, University policy did not offer such protections, despite warnings as early as summer 2020 from campus resources. This story illustrates the unintended — but not unanticipated — effects the policy had on students. “I just feel like the University did everything wrong,” one student told the ‘Prince.’

When the ‘really easy and fun parts of Princeton disappear’: A student mental health crisis and Princeton’s response

Princeton prides itself on its high academic standards, and even in a normal year, some students have difficulty managing these expectations while taking care of their mental health. But this semester, students experienced these challenges on a much more universal scale. Undergraduates and administrators reflect on what intensified mental health struggles this past semester, how students navigated those struggles, and how the University responded. 

Princeton prides itself on its high academic standards, and even in a normal year, some students have difficulty managing these expectations while taking care of their mental health. But this semester, students experienced these challenges on a much more universal scale. Undergraduates and administrators reflect on what intensified mental health struggles this past semester, how students navigated those struggles, and how the University responded. 

‘Our moment in the sun’: Transgender alumni reflect on representation, activism, pride

The Daily Princetonian met with seven transgender and non-binary Princeton alumni who graduated Princeton between 1960–2000. Their accounts shed light on how they explored their identities and navigated the University in their time as undergraduates, as well as how they have renegotiated their relationships with the institution in their time away from it.

The Daily Princetonian met with seven transgender and non-binary Princeton alumni who graduated Princeton between 1960-2000. Their accounts shed light on how they explored their identities and navigated the University in their time as undergraduates, as well as how they have renegotiated their relationships with the institution in their time away from it.

One year later, the Class of 2020 reflects on virtual commencement

Faced with dire circumstances near the start of the pandemic, the University opted for a live-streamed virtual graduation celebration for the Class of 2020, postponing the class’ more traditional in-person ceremony to 2021. But in February this year, the University reversed course and canceled the event altogether. One year later, the Class of 2020 reflects on their virtual commencement.

Faced with dire circumstances near the start of the pandemic, the University opted for a live-streamed virtual graduation celebration for the Class of 2020, postponing the class’ more traditional in-person ceremony to 2021. But in February this year, the University reversed course and canceled the event altogether. One year later, the Class of 2020 reflects on their virtual commencement.