Self

Maggie Nelson on freedom, queerness, and (not) knowing ourselves

Maggie Nelson on freedom, queerness, and (not) knowing ourselves

Clara McWeeny

Covering Maggie Nelson’s recent campus appearance in a conversation with professor Gayle Salamon for Princeton’s Public Lecture Series, Staff Writer Clara McWeeny also explores her own understanding of knowing one’s self.

THE PROSPECT | April 13

The art of looking up

Paige Cromley

“It feels whimsical, indulgent almost, to tell people I want to spend this era of my youth studying the stars.” Paige Cromley reflects on declaring as an Astrophysics major and the grounding experience of stargazing.

“It feels whimsical, indulgent almost, to tell people I want to spend this era of my youth studying the stars. However, I think there is something fundamentally grounding about the field — it seems significantly removed from human-scale worries.” Prospect Staff Writer Paige Cromley reflects on declaring as an Astrophysics major and the grounding experience of stargazing.

THE PROSPECT | April 11

Writing myself into Princeton’s story

Writing myself into Princeton’s story

José Pablo Fernández García

“For some reason, I’ve hesitated to write more explicitly about my Mexican identity or my story of immigration. They’re weird, complex identities and issues I often struggle to understand on a personal, internal level, especially as an immigrant to a country with a distinctly difficult history of race and otherness.”

“For some reason, I’ve hesitated to write more explicitly about my Mexican identity or my story of immigration.”

THE PROSPECT | April 10

Doormats, being nonbinary, and me

Doormats, being nonbinary, and me

Aster Zhang

“This journey hasn’t been affirming. It’s not hopeful. It’s crushing.”

THE PROSPECT | April 7

Breaking Up with STEM

Breaking Up with STEM

Kerrie Liang

"And although some days I wonder whether the grass is greener on the other side, for the first time I am learning for the sake of learning — and that should be enough." Assistant Editor Kerrie Liang reflects on her struggles with letting go of her STEM persona.

“And although some days I wonder whether the grass is greener on the other side, for the first time I am learning for the sake of learning — and that should be enough.” Assistant Editor Kerrie Liang reflects on her struggles with letting go of her STEM persona.

THE PROSPECT | March 28

Growing up with instant noodles

Albert Lee

“Instant noodles will always have a special place in my heart.” Senior Writer Albert Lee revisits the roles instant noodles have played in his life and that of his family.

THE PROSPECT | March 22

'Philosophy with the body in it'

'Philosophy with the body in it'

Andrew Johnson

“I found myself in an intimidatingly silent studio dotted with students deep in serene contemplation, forming a perfect circle between the colossal window and mirror.” Contributing Writer Andrew Johnson reflects on his first foray into dance classes at Princeton.

THE PROSPECT | March 21

Flight itinerary: a travel diary

Flight itinerary: a travel diary

Gabriel Robare

Senior Writer Gabe Robare details his travel path from Princeton, N.J., to Buffalo, N.Y., with multiple stops in between.

THE PROSPECT | March 14

It is my birthday

It is my birthday

José Pablo Fernández García

“I feel like I’m entering this year with the world wide open before me.”

THE PROSPECT | March 14

These two years at Princeton

These two years at Princeton

José Pablo Fernández García

“This ending of sorts feels like such a minuscule whimper of a conclusion to what began with a practically inconceivable upheaval to our lives.”

THE PROSPECT | March 3

Celebrating Einstein on and off campus

Celebrating Einstein on and off campus

Clara McWeeny

For The Prospect, Staff Writer Clara McWeeny explores the many ways Albert Einstein’s legacy is honored across campus and town, reflecting on the physicist’s great ambitions.

THE PROSPECT | February 21

On Van Gogh: what it means to be ‘useful’ in the world

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On Van Gogh: what it means to be ‘useful’ in the world

Thia Bian

Staff Writer for the Prospect Thia Bian reflects on Van Gogh’s letters, his desperation to change the world, and the lesson that “little happinesses” are more important than the pressure to be revolutionary.

THE PROSPECT | February 17

Navigating doubts, hopes, and hormone replacement therapy at Princeton

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Navigating doubts, hopes, and hormone replacement therapy at Princeton

Anonymous

“As I waited to be seen by the next practitioner, I thought back through the journey which led me to that room.” In an anonymous guest contribution to The Prospect, a Princeton student shares their journey to beginning gender-affirming care at McCosh Health Center.

THE PROSPECT | February 14

The four songs that got me through my worst heartbreak

The four songs that got me through my worst heartbreak

Claire Shin

This Valentine’s Day, Assistant Editor for The Prospect Claire Shin kills the romantic mood by replaying four songs that helped her heal her heartbreak.

THE PROSPECT | February 13

The love in buying and receiving flowers

José Pablo Fernández García

“At any point, I could have stopped buying flowers. Instead, every two weeks, I chose to keep giving them to myself, to my home. It is that act of renewal that made flowers so beautiful to me.”

THE PROSPECT | February 8

Two years later, back on stage with Triangle

Two years later, back on stage with Triangle

José Pablo Fernández García

After two years away from the stage, the Princeton Triangle Club is premiering its show at the McCarter Theatre. Head Prospect Editor José Pablo Fernández García reflects on the privilege of finally being back in the theater.

THE PROSPECT | January 27