Few of us are prepared for Princeton. Most of us buy into the idea which dictates that we act, at all times, as if we are perfect Princetonians who are able to manage our classwork, volunteer work, co-curriculars, and our appearance. It’s exhausting to simply pretend to have each facet of life in order. Over the course of six weeks, I will share tips for organizing your: academic life, social life, finances, dorm life, workout schedule, and love life.
Issue One: Academics
Focus One: The Bright Eyed and Bushy-Tailed Freshmen
#ihavenoideawhatisexpectedofme
Freshman year is difficult in its own right; sure, you don’t have a JP or a senior thesis but you have the unmentioned yet extremely difficult class of “acclimating to Princeton” which includes getting lost, losing confidence in your academic talents, gaining the afore-mentioned lost confidence, and learning how to navigate the academic scene at Princeton.
1. Start each semester with realistic goals.
Each and everyone one of us had our “strengths” and “weaknesses” in high school. While I was able to pull off an A in high school calculus (math classes have always been quite a struggle for me), I knew that calculus at Princeton would be an entirely different story.
High school classes and Princeton classes are usually incomparable. This is true for some AP classes as well.
2. Listen to your academic advisor.
Your academic advisor is an invaluable resource and usually knows what is going on. You’ll be assigned an academic advisor who is able to guide you depending on your prospective major. If your academic interests change, you are able to change your advisor.
3. Prepare for the bad, worse, and worst.
Complete the prerequisites of one-two majors so that you aren’t in a bind if you realize that you actually aren’t too interested in being a Classics major. Don’t find yourself in the situation of taking only three classes your freshman spring (by accident); it’s extremely taxing to play catch up at Princeton.
4. Take five classes in a fall semester.
Fall semester is an ideal time to take five classes simply because there are so many breaks (so much time to catch up!)
5. Don’t stress out about distribution requirements.
We all end up finishing them and yes, there is certainly room in your schedule to do so.
Focus Two: How To Keep All Of Your Work Straight
#ithinkicompletedmyproblemsetbutwhereisitagain
This year especially, I’ve come to appreciate my organization system for my classwork. With JPs, six classes, and everything else going on, you can imagine that it can be difficult to remember what you have due let alone to organize all of your work.
1. Keep an official to-do list.
Some of you may be used to simply using a sheet of paper or an index card to write down your daily responsibilities but stray sheets of paper or cardstock are extremely easy to lose (Did you have your “to-do list” when you were in Firestone or did you last seen it in Friend?). Our favorite to-do lists are from Skel & Co. Okay check out all of that variety! How could you ever choose?
Here are our favorites.
b. keep calm and get it done notepads
c. week by week calendar notepads
Why do we love Skel & Co?
- The to-do lists as well as the other products are extremely well made. The to-do list can survive being at the bottom of your backpack for quite some time.
- Minimalist construction. Not extremely bulky or burdenous to carry around.
- Cute design
2. Adopt the binder-notebook-folder system.
In order to keep your separate classes straight, it is often a good idea to keep your materials for a particular class color-coded.
Use a folder to keep track of stray sheets of paper for each subject and keep a corresponding notebook in which to take notes. If you’re anything like me, you don’t need both a notebook and a folder. I personally use a folder to keep track of everything.
Use your binder to dump the contents of folder/notebook (or folder + notebook) post midterm.
Don’t buy your school materials from the UStore. Everything is ridiculously expensive (and the options are quite limited). Our favorite place to shop for binders and notebooks is Ginny Marie Monograms. Perhaps it is the Southerner in me but I can’t imagine anything better than matching monogrammed binders and notebooks.
Focus Three: What To Do When You Spend Far Too Much Time in Class
#idonthaveenoughhoursintheday
1. Prioritize your work.
It is most evident during midterms week but throughout the semester it is extremely hard to keep up with your work for every single class. Something has got to give and it is definitely okay to not be “on your game” for every single one of your classes simultaneously.
2. Sleep more.
This may seem counter-intuitive but you work much more quickly when you are well rested. It is often worth it to take some time off to take a nap and come back to your work with renewed vigor. A quick run or thirty plus minutes at the gym seem to have the same effect.
Of course I don’t have all the advice so if you have your own tips or advice share them below!