This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Princeton chapter.
As a freshman, I had no idea what classes to take out of the hundreds offered on the registrar’s page each semester. This “Best Classes at Princeton” project aims to highlight some of the most interesting courses junior and senior collegiettes have taken at Princeton. If you’d like to advertise your favorite class, email me at kbushko@!
Name: Evaline
Year: 2014
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
What is the best class you’ve taken at Princeton? Who taught it?
During the spring of my junior year, I studied abroad in Panama with a group of Princeton EEB majors. One of our classes was called the Biology of Coral Reefs, EEB346, which was taught by Professors Maria Galvis.
Why did you like this class so much?
Class time for us involved a morning lecture over breakfast on a near-deserted island in the Caribbean, where we lived. Then, we drove out in the ocean on small motor boats, and snorkeled until dinner. We were in the water almost 6 hours a day! I loved being in the water and seeing such amazing coral reefs and organisms. It was absolutely incredible, like Planet Earth but in real life. I also loved that I could use the “bathroom” whenever I wanted while in the water. Freedom!
Was this class for your major or certificate program?
Yes, this was part of an EEB study abroad program.
Did this influence your academic plan in any way?
No, but it confirmed my love for EEB. Majoring in EEB was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Any advice for the next round of students in this class?
Wear your wetsuit! It makes floating so much easier, and protects you from the jellies. Also, don’t be shy about peeing in the water. It’s so liberating!