The Prospect

Why you should memorize poetry

"To memorize poetry is to make it sacred, to create its full meaning, and to let it grow within one’s own mind," writes Senior Writer Gabriel Robare, encouraging readers to consider the long-term merits of taking the time to memorize a personal mantra — poetry, or otherwise.

"To memorize poetry is to make it sacred, to create its full meaning, and to let it grow within one’s own mind," writes Senior Writer Gabriel Robare, encouraging readers to consider the long-term merits of taking the time to memorize a personal mantra — poetry, or otherwise.

Triangle's Frosh Week Show and the future soon to begin

“In this instant, the most tangible change I feel is a resurging joy, almost childlike, after a somber year, all thanks to the promise of soon, finally, participating behind the scenes in the Triangle tradition that helped me fall in love with this school and this club when I was only an audience member.” 

“In this instant, the most tangible change I feel is a resurging joy, almost childlike, after a somber year, all thanks to the promise of soon, finally, participating behind the scenes in the Triangle tradition that helped me fall in love with this school and this club when I was only an audience member.”  

A frosh’s guide to thrifting in Princeton

As we approach the beginning of the semester, many of us are thinking about our fall wardrobes — especially those of us who are preparing for our first on-campus semester. If this is your first opportunity to show off your style off screen, here is a guide on where you can thrift some fresh new fits for the fall.

As we approach the beginning of the semester, many of us are thinking about our fall wardrobes — especially those of us who are preparing for our first on-campus semester. If this is your first opportunity to show off your style off screen, here is a guide on where you can thrift some fresh new fits for the fall.

DISPATCH | What being a camp counselor taught me about life after loss

Reflecting on a summer spent working as a camp counselor in Kentucky, Managing Editor AG McGee writes about coming to terms with grief and how to move on after a major loss.

Reflecting on a summer spent working as a camp counselor in Kentucky, Managing Editor AG McGee writes about coming to terms with grief and how to move on after a major loss.

Ten things to do in your first week at Princeton

Welcome to the Great Class of 2025! As students quickly find out, Princeton has an abundance of resources, from how to navigate academics to how to manage relationships with peers. With all that the University has to offer, it’s easy to feel like you’ll forget something. So, as you look forward to campus, arrival activities, and orientation, here’s what we feel you should know about Princeton and a few things you might want to check out during your first week here.

Welcome to the Great Class of 2025! As students quickly find out, Princeton has an abundance of resources, from how to navigate academics to how to manage relationships with peers. With all that the University has to offer, it’s easy to feel like you’ll forget something. So, as you look forward to campus, arrival activities, and orientation, here’s what we feel you should know about Princeton and a few things you might want to check out during your first week here.

Princeton faculty member Nathan Davis wins Windham-Campbell Prize for Drama

This past spring, Professor Nathan Davis won the prestigious Donald Windham Sandy M. Campbell Literature Prize for Drama, receiving an unrestricted grant of $165,000.

This past spring, Professor Nathan Davis won the prestigious Donald Windham Sandy M. Campbell Literature Prize for Drama, receiving an unrestricted grant of $165,000.

USG Movie Review: ‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

For fans of “Snowpiercer” and “World War Z,” Yeon Sang-ho’s “Train to Busan,” should be next on your watch list. The movie’s plot is set into motion when an unknown virus spreads across South Korea and causes a zombie apocalypse. 

For fans of “Snowpiercer” and “World War Z,” Yeon Sang-ho’s “Train to Busan,” should be next on your watch list. The movie’s plot is set into motion when an unknown virus spreads across South Korea and causes a zombie apocalypse. 

Through the Beat: Logic, No Pressure

 “If anything can be learned from Logic’s story, it’s that pressure is a powerful force in life, one that can push you to your limits, for the better or for the worse.” 

“If anything can be learned from Logic’s story, it’s that pressure is a powerful force in life, one that can push you to your limits, for the better or for the worse.”

What to read this summer

Gabe Robare, host of The Prospect’s podcast “Book-ish,” recommends six different books to read this summer, drawing from widely varying genres and authors.

Where can I get spicy food in Princeton?

I quickly realized that if I wanted spice, I needed to find it myself — and I’m proud to report that through extensive research and investigation, I have developed a list of restaurants with cheap, tasty, and (most importantly) spicy meals that you can swing by in between classes, after a long week of papers and p-sets, or even on dates! 

I quickly realized that if I wanted spice, I needed to find it myself — and I’m proud to report that through extensive research and investigation, I have developed a list of restaurants with cheap, tasty, and (most importantly) spicy meals that you can swing by in between classes, after a long week of papers and p-sets, or even on dates! 

A guide to Princeton's night sky

As the days warm up, the nights are becoming less intolerably freezing, so take advantage of the start of spring by heading out for some stargazing next time the skies are clear. 

 As the days warm up, the nights are becoming less intolerably freezing, so take advantage of the start of spring by heading out for some stargazing next time the skies are clear. 

Barely hanging on

“I’m barely holding on, and I would love for you to leave me alone if you aren’t willing to help.” In a guest submission to The Prospect, Associate Opinion Editor Kristal Grant responds to the administration and faculty’s inadequate and too-late (in)action on students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m barely holding on, and I would love for you to leave me alone if you aren’t willing to help.” In a guest submission to The Prospect, Associate Opinion Editor Kristal Grant responds to the administration and faculty’s inadequate and too-late (in)action on students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three poems to read on Earth Day

This Earth Day, celebrate the environment around you by delving into some modern poems which inspire and enlighten — poems that remind us of the reliable rhythms and spontaneous movements of nature. 

This Earth Day, celebrate the environment around you by delving into some modern poems which inspire and enlighten — poems that remind us of the reliable rhythms and spontaneous movements of nature.  

In difficult times, Olsson’s grilled cheeses persist

Despite its perishability, cheese as a concept might be more “pandemic-proof” than it initially seems. 

Despite its perishability, cheese as a concept might be more “pandemic-proof” than it initially seems. 

USG Movie Review: ‘Boyhood’ (2014)

“‘Boyhood’ is an impressive cinematic feat, displaying nuance and restraint in its portrayal of the individuality of Mason Jr.’s life yet also the universality of the obstacles he undergoes — the search for meaning, identity, and belonging in the world. The film offers no grand climax or resolution. It simply moves with clarity and confidence ... ” The Prospect contributing writer Jeffrey Liao reviews the 2014 film “Boyhood.”

“‘Boyhood’ is an impressive cinematic feat, displaying nuance and restraint in its portrayal of the individuality of Mason Jr.’s life yet also the universality of the obstacles he undergoes — the search for meaning, identity, and belonging in the world. The film offers no grand climax or resolution. It simply moves with clarity and confidence ... ” The Prospect contributing writer Jeffrey Liao reviews the 2014 film “Boyhood.” 

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.”  

‘Kajillionaire’: A surreal meditation on yearning, intimacy, and connection

“The fantastic visual elements and heart-rending plot of ‘Kajillionaire’ distinguish it as a film uniquely suited for these trying times.” 

“The fantastic visual elements and heart-rending plot of ‘Kajillionaire’ distinguish it as a film uniquely suited for these trying times.”  

ENG professor Anne Cheng ’85 on racialized gender in writing

As Women’s History Month comes to an end, we want to highlight literature curated by some of the University’s incredible female faculty. 

As Women’s History Month comes to an end, we want to highlight literature curated by some of the University’s incredible female faculty. 

AAS professor Imani Perry on bridging creative and academic writing

Imani Perry is a Professor of African American Studies. She is affiliated with several departments and programs including the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Law and Public Affairs, and the University Center for Human Values. Free copies of her book “Breathe: A Letter to my Sons” were distributed in Summer 2020 to undergraduates who opted in as part of USG’s anti-racism book initiative. 

Imani Perry is a Professor of African American Studies. She is affiliated with several departments and programs including the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Law and Public Affairs, and the University Center for Human Values. Free copies of her book “Breathe: A Letter to my Sons” were distributed in Summer 2020 to undergraduates who opted in as part of USG’s anti-racism book initiative. 

‘Street Food: Asia,’ a masterful balance of all the right ingredients

Netflix’s selection of wonderful cooking shows is a crowded marketplace, but of those served up in recent years, “Street Food: Asia” stands out. 

Netflix’s selection of wonderful cooking shows is a crowded marketplace, but of those served up in recent years, “Street Food: Asia” stands out.