Reflection on Sophomore Year
Friday was the two-year anniversary of my high school graduation. Now, I’m halfway done with college. It’s pretty hard to believe! Two years ago, I never could have predicted the amazing learning, growth, friendships, and independence I would gain throughout my time at Princeton. I also wouldn’t have predicted that I would spend the second half of my sophomore spring semester at home because of a global pandemic. It's certainly been quite the year.
This year, I finally had to declare my major. I had initially expected to major in English, but as much as I love to read, I found myself wanting to learn more about the world outside of books. I ultimately decided to major in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, which is a very long name for what is basically public policy. This interdisciplinary major lets me explore politics, economics, and psychology in the core classes, while allowing me to take elective classes in areas that excite me, such as education, gender and sexuality studies, and healthcare. My junior year independent work includes a policy task force that involves writing about solutions to public policy problems and then collaborating with other students to present our research to experts. I will supplement my major with a certificate in Journalism, which relates back to my passions for reading and writing. This course of studies lets me combine advocacy and communications in the perfect manner.
My sophomore year classes were difficult, yet they were all fulfilling. I really loved my fall semester classes. At that point, I was considering majoring in English, Politics, and the Woodrow Wilson School, so my schedule allowed me to explore all of those options. My Investigative Journalism class was taught by a fantastic former Washington Post reporter. In that class, I completed a semester-long journalism project about the many inaccessible buildings in the town of Princeton. I also really liked my Education Policy class because I learned so much about the complexity of the American public school system. Every week, we focused on a different topic, ranging from segregation to school choice to universal pre-K. I also took State Politics and American Federalism, Science Fiction, and Intro to American Studies.
Even before we went home for the second half of spring semester, I didn’t love my classes. Because I decided pretty late to major in the Woodrow Wilson School, I had three prerequisites left in subjects I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. I struggled more than I ever have before in my Intro to Microeconomics class. However, with the help of tutoring from the learning center and working with friends, I got through the class. My favorite class was American Cultural History, which discussed important topics such as slavery, the civil rights movement, and the women's liberation movement. My other classes were Intro to Quantitative Science and Environmental Science & Policy.
Even though my spring semester classes weren’t my favorites, my life outside of classes had never been better. I had just gotten into Tower, one of Princeton’s infamous eating clubs. Eating clubs are dining halls combined with nightclubs in buildings that look like mansions. I have lots of friends in Tower and I was looking forward to making more throughout the semester. Tower is also known to have the best food out of any of the clubs, so hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy that food soon! This semester, I became an Associate News Editor for The Daily Princetonian (the Prince for short). I’m so glad that now I get to help other writers by editing their articles, while still writing my own pieces when I can. I even got to interview members of Congress about their response to COVID-19! I also got closer with the amazing Prince staff. Publishing daily from home wasn’t always easy, but we knew it was important to keep the campus informed during this period of stress and uncertainty. I was also active in the Center for Jewish Life and worked two jobs as a blogger for the Office of Admissions and a student fellow for the AccessAbility Center.
When I think about this year, I mostly think about the many fun experiences I had with my friends. I was fortunate to make a solid friend group freshman year who I got even closer with, as well as some new friends this year. I want to document some of my favorite memories of the year, partly so you can see that Princeton is much more than just studying, but mostly for me so I don’t forget the great times I had in the 3/4 of sophomore year I got to have on campus.
September 29: I went to Broadway with my residential college to see the musical Oklahoma! I wanted to go mostly to see Ali Stroker, who made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to win a Tony for her role as Ado Annie. Her dad came over to me and my friend after the show and asked if we wanted to meet her. We got to talk to her for several minutes!
November 8: My journalism class took a trip to the Bloomberg News headquarters. It was so cool to visit a real newsroom and learn from expert reporters! When I got back to campus, I went to Shabbat with some friends and then stayed in the Center for Jewish Life talking for a long time afterwards. It was a nice way to end the week.
December 12: Today was one of the last days on campus before Winter Break. I went to a going away party for my friend who was studying abroad in the spring, my friend’s acapella performance in one of our beautiful archways, the newsroom to say bye to my Prince friends, and Tower for some dancing and fun.
January 25-27: I went on a halftime retreat designed for sophomores to take the time to reflect on their Princeton experience so far. I made some awesome new friends and set some goals for the rest of my time at Princeton.
February 7: I found out I got into Tower after a several day bicker period, which is like sorority rush. They sprayed the newest members with shaving cream and then treated us to a delicious brunch.
February 14: Today was the first session of my Jewish Learning Fellowship called that discussed mass incarceration alongside the Passover story and its themes of freedom and suffering. It was co-taught by one of the amazing Rabbis and a professor who is also Deputy National Political Director of the ACLU and Director of the ACLU’s Justice Division. I learned so much about the criminal justice system and Judaism's commitment to social justice.
February 28: Today was the second annual Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month Shabbat that I planned! My friend Jake, who was one of the leaders of my Birthright trip, flew in from California to speak. His words were so impactful and brought a much needed discussion of disability to the campus community.
February 29: Tonight, the Prince editors welcomed the newest reporters to the staff. We surprised them by showing up at their rooms and bringing them to a common location. I got to swear them in on bound copies of the Prince. We all went to the newsroom and celebrated current and future staff. Then, we celebrated Mardi Gras at Tower.
March 7: I saw my friend’s first performance as a newly accepted member of a slam poetry group. I played some fun games at another friend’s birthday party. Finally, I went to my closest friends’ room for what I didn’t realize would be the last time this year. We stayed up late talking and enjoying each other’s company.
My memories of the last three days on campus were much sadder.
March 13: I said bye to one of my favorite seniors and then walked around campus with one of my closest friends. The flowers were just starting to bloom. Spring was the best part of freshman year, and I had to come to terms with the fact that I was missing it.
March 14: My friend group had a birthday party for everyone whose birthdays we would be missing, including those like me who had summer birthdays. I didn’t go to the party because I was isolating myself as much as possible because of coronavirus. However, my friends FaceTimed me in when they sang Happy Birthday.
March 15: Today was the day I left Princeton for an indefinite amount of time. It didn’t fully sink in until my best friend came and said bye. I broke down after she left. This was really happening.
Now, I have successfully completed my sophomore year from home. Spending a quarter of it at home has definitely been difficult. I was more stressed than ever between hard classes, social isolation, and worrying about catching the virus. I couldn’t have gotten through this semester without my friends. We had surprise birthday parties, our own major declaration ceremony, and even a formal over Zoom. I am also grateful for the love and support of my family. The best part of this semester at home has been getting our adorable new puppy, Lacey!
Tomorrow, I will start my position as a Communications Intern for the Global Fund for Women, an organization that gives grants and support to women around the world who advocate for reproductive health, freedom from violence, education, and other women’s rights issues. While I didn't expect to be interning from home this summer, I am really looking forward to this opportunity.
My time at home has made me even more thankful for the 1.75 years I’ve had on campus. When we do return to an in-person semester, I want to truly take advantage of all that Princeton offers us. This pandemic has reminded me to make sure that I don’t take my opportunity to learn and grow as a student and person for granted. I miss Princeton so much, and I can't wait to be back inside the Orange Bubble! Please stay safe and healthy, readers.
Addendum: I can’t publish something online right now without addressing the racial injustice that has reverberated across our nation recently. The killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many others at the hands of police violence are unjust, unethical, and just plain wrong. As a person in a place of privilege due to my skin color, I will never fully understand what Black people go through every day in a country full of obvious and subtle racism. But I am here, I am listening, and I am trying to learn. I urge you to raise awareness, sign petitions, peacefully protest, make calls, donate, be there for your friends, educate yourself, and do whatever else you can. Black Lives Matter.
Here are some resources with ways to show your support and ways to learn: