In a religion seminar last semester, we came across the passage in “Confessions” in which Augustine compares the cheerfulness of a drunken beggar to his own respectable but existentially agitated and unfulfilled life, reevaluating the constant struggle for power and position that ultimately leaves him less happy than an inebriated bum. A classmate told us that her gut response to this anecdote was, “Augustine’s a Princeton student!”
We weren’t sure what she meant on any conscious level, but the startled laugh echoing around the classroom was a reflexive and somewhat embarrassed recognition that her statement had hit home.
The student explained that the numerous extracurricular commitments taking up her attention, energy and free time do not make her happy. Positions of responsibility on boards, clubs and committees are more draining than satisfying, and she often asks herself why she does not withdraw from one or all of these groups. Despite not coming up with a decent answer, she persists in sacrificing a great deal of time and effort to multiple demanding organizations.
The professor quickly redirected the conversation back to Augustine, but at that moment I found my classmate’s confession more insightful than the dead saint’s. Her statement revealed a niggling, Freudian qualm that probably haunts a greater number of students than would care to admit it. Her concern, one which I believe is shared and suppressed by many on campus, is that the benefits of taking part in her preferred student groups may not be worth the costs — costs measured in time, effort and, with regard to high-ranking board positions, mental health.
This is not a faithful representation of every student on campus, many or most of whom find all the fulfillment they require in extracurricular involvement. The advantages of club, team or board activities are manifold and meaningful, but every single one comes with a caveat: commitment.
When you run for a position, apply for an acting role or try out for a sports team, you are swearing away a certain amount of free time, a Princeton student’s most precious commodity. Every meeting and practice that you miss is a little more guilt on your plate. A typical student organization at Princeton asks a lot from its members, and this inevitably turns it into a source of stress.
This column, however, is not an argument for reneging on the many extracurricular commitments in your life. On the contrary, it is an attempt to persuade you to add one more. This one, however, should be solely and selfishly for you.
Instead of being part of a team where your performance affects and is judged by your peers, take time to engage in activities that do not come with responsibilities and expectations. Find a regular group pastime that demands nothing of you; not excellence, not reliability, not even attendance. Campus life has plenty of laid-back, no-commitment-required ‘extracurricular’ options. Every Wednesday at Murray-Dodge, students put together song sheets, instruments and voices for a relaxed, informal singing session fueled by cookies. Wilson has a ceramic studio open several times a week where experienced students will teach you to work clay. Once a week Mathey hosts the most informal trivia night ever conceived by clever students with too much time on their hands. Fun group workout options abound. If your packed schedule does not include at least one activity that is neither challenging nor stressful — an activity that you do for the uncomplicated, unadulterated, deliciously egotistical reason of “it makes me happy” — then your schedule is not complete.
A key point here is the social aspect of these no-pressure opportunities. Most students intuitively know that they need to designate time for reading, jogging and other solitary activities that emphasize relaxation and pleasure. What is less widely recognized is the importance of setting aside time for enjoyable, responsibility-free activities in a group framework. There is a palpable difference between hanging out with peers and working with them; extracurriculars too often fall into the latter category. Your weekly schedule should include at least one social activity where a group framework provides a structured, stimulating common pursuit for you and your friends without the usual complementary stress.
Princeton extracurriculars are often as time-consuming and draining as academics; they have the same emphasis on excellence and skill refinement that make our classes demanding. With so much talent on campus, it’s unsurprising that student groups frequently have a serious and competitive edge, resulting in pressure on members to uphold the group’s reputation. That’s not a bad thing. By all means, play lacrosse, dance ballet, act for Intime — but after practice, don’t forget to drop by Murray-Dodge for some relaxed, unrehearsed singing. No auditions, commitment or brilliant performance required.
Tehila Wenger is a freshman from Columbus, Ohio. She can be reached at twenger@princeton.edu.
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