I’m a member of the incoming Class of 2019 at Princeton (an international student) and I’d really like to know how college students, especially Princetonians, spend their typical day. It’s just that I’ve heard that Princeton is super hard (duh) and the image that pops up in my head is wake up, get breakfast, classes, lunch, classes, dinner, homework plus extra reading and sleep. I imagine that if I suddenly have a little free time, then I must be doing smth wrong and should study more so that time is not wasted. That’s a quite intimidating thought and I would be very grateful if someone could give me some insight on this matter.
First of all congratulations! Princeton is a great place!
My son is an international student as well and now a rising senior. He is a varsity athlete so his schedule might differ significantly from yours, as well as being a BSE student. First year, he would get up and have a quick breakfast, go to class in the mornings and early afternoons with a lunch break in between (as well as one evening Writing Seminar). After class he would head to his team practices (typically Tues-Thurs), have dinner/hang with friends and then spend the evening (quite late a lot of days) doing homework. Weekends were sports travel (in season) or trips and time with friends (off season), and always a good chunk of time doing homework. First year was the hardest with a lot of labs and class hours but by second year and beyond he had quite a bit less class time each week.
Keep in mind that even among other Princeton students, his friends thought his schedule was crazy so this isn’t quite the norm. But he got really good at using an hour here or there including travel time to and from competitions to get his work done and he still managed to find time for a social life after we really encouraged him that this too is an important part of his college career. At some point that first year he shifted from focusing on grades (which I believe most incoming Princeton students tend to do…that’s likely how you got there!) to focusing on simply learning well. When he did so his grades actually improved significantly and so did his overall social time and outlook.
Having a healthy balance will make you a better student and really enrich your college experience. Yes there will be some weeks where it feels like all you do is homework but that’s true anywhere. Make sure you carve out some time in your schedule to relax and recharge…sharpening the axe is never a waste.
Typical day of a Princetonian?
Let’s see.
Ah, here is the schedule!
Caviar and freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast at 8am. (Yawn!)
Polo at 9.
A bit of sniveling at the bougesiose at 10.
Lobster and crab for lunch at 12.
Oh, and class at 11 and 2 - finance and modern French literature - nearly forgot!
Godiva tasting at 4pm.
A good Chardonnay with swordfish for dinner at 7pm.
A cordial after-dinner chat/ smoking Cuban cigars with Thurston Howell the Third at 8pm - Thurston did go to Harvard but he has a soft spot for Princetonians!
Getting settled down to sleep with a blindfold to keep the early morning sun out of one’s eyes and a generous smattering of moisturizing cream and Retin-A to the cheeks at 9 pm.
Zzzzzzzzzz
That about covers it!
Sorry - couldn’t resist!
@Nerdyparent - Well played. As long as we’re having a little fun:
Q: How many Princetonians does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Two. One to make martinis while the other calls the electrician.
9am: Jeeves arrives in the Rolls-Royce and takes one to class.
9:30 First class: Theory of Sailing
10:30am Second class: Applications of Grey Poupon
11:30am: Lunch. Caviar, champagne, and lobster.
1:00pm: Physical Education: Polo
2:00pm: Afternoon mixer at the pier
3:00pm: Jeeves arrives in the Rolls-Royce to pick one up.
@Mandalorian You utter bastard. That time schedule made me snort as I was drinking coffee, resulting in it dripping down my nose. A duel, I challenge you to!
8:00 alarm #1
8:10 alarm #2
8:15 alarm #3
8:18 alarm #4
8:20 alarm #4
8:35 emergency over-snoozed alarm
8:50 breakfast
9:05 get to first class late
12:30 done with classes, lunch
1:00 dota/anime
4:00 swim practice
5:00 dota/anime
6:30 dinner
7:00 precept/activities
9:00 dota/anime
2:30 sleep
total: 10 hours of dota/anime per day. have ~100 in all my classes. yolo.