For me, week 12 is also a propitious time to meditate on the past academic year in my favorite thinking place, and it's enough to continue pondering long after I've left the bathroom. Princeton offers overwhelming resources with numerous performances, lectures and academic disciplines. One can't help but feel somewhat inadequate at the end of the day for not taking advantage of them all. What makes things worse, though, is knowing that there are so many extracurricular clubs I've never ever experienced.
It's embarrassing to think that I might graduate without learning to tap dance, or surf, or munch crumpets with the British Society. I've got a plan, though: I'm going spend my senior year joining a ton of student groups, expanding my horizons. It'll be great; I'll have lots of free time taking only three courses with not much else to do.
The only difficulty I'll face is in choosing which clubs to join. There are so many listed on the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students' (ODUS) website that it's hard to know where to begin. I'm intrigued by "Alumbreros," a Spanish literary review. Alumbrero means illuminator, and I think I'd have a lot to offer since I once spent a summer working in a chandelier factory, which is not as MTV as it sounds!
If it turns out I'm not cut out for creative writing, I'll definitely try to get more involved in service activities. There seem to be some really sweet ones I've never heard of, like "Circle K," which seeks to help the "community, nation and world." Sounds like this group really has its eye on the ball.
Still, if saving the world with 10 of my friends doesn't work out, I hope I'll be able to contribute to one of the discussion groups on campus. I like the sound of the "Peace Network." The name makes me think of the "Food Network," but unfortunately it is neither a television station nor connected to food in any way. I'm not sure what goes on in this network, but I might just give it a chance.
Fortunately, I can look forward to joining the "Slow Food" club. My friends are always yelling at me for not eating fast enough, so it's a godsend to find a group of people who know that yes, a PB&J sandwich should take 45 minutes to finish, thank you. Before I commit, though, I ought to check out other food groups like "Epicurious Gourmet Cooking." It's a testament to our community's diversity that Princeton students of so many sexual orientations feel comfortable spending time together in the kitchen, and I'd be proud to support that effort.
I've also always dreamt of joining a dance troupe. I'm afraid diSiac won't take me because I'm not very good at things like turning or jumping. My friend told me she'd heard of this group called "Sesame Street Crew," and at first I thought, "Cool! I call Snuffleupagus!" - you know, because the part doesn't require too much agility. I was crushed to learn that the crew doesn't even dance as characters from the show.
If you check out the ODUS website for yourself, be careful; other group names are misleading, too. For instance, I got really excited about the "Heart Throb Association," picturing millions of women fawning over me. Imagine my disappointment to learn that this organization actually just promotes cardiovascular health. I was likewise disillusioned by "Jock Jams," which I'd conceived of as a music appreciation club for lovers of hits such as "No Limit" and "Boom Boom Boom." Instead, it's an a cappella group for varsity athletes.
Another thing I noticed is that the ODUS website doesn't have anything about Saint A's. I heard it's a really solid book club, and hey, I like to read. The weird thing is I can't find any information on it at all. Could one of you guys let me know whom to contact about joining? Thanks.
Even with all these options, I'm still not completely satisfied. Maybe you and I can start a new group together? More specifically, we can start it together and then you can do most of the work. Sorry, I'll be a senior.
Matt Kandel is an economics major from Boca Raton, Fla. He can be reached at mkandel@princeton.edu.
Read More
Why can’t lecturers win the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching?
Jerry ZhuLet’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Let’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Princeton’s administration of justice is Trumpian
Frances BroganThe disparity between the University’s approach to Giberson and its approach to pro-Palestinian protestors reflects a concerning trend of appeasing an increasingly emboldened right rather than resisting the threat it poses to academic freedom and the wellbeing of Princeton students.
Secular Opening Exercises? Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water
Frank StrasburgerThe secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
The secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
