The rigor is here! And I feel like I am veritably dying in my classes, metaphorically. It can’t be denied that being at Princeton as a student is a privilege. Although it’s very easy to become out of touch with the outside world when walking around the very safe pedestrian campus commonly referred to as “the orange bubble.”

How to describe my first week of spring classes? Easy?

It is only so for now. Princeton’s add/drop period, which many students dub our “shopping” period, is a time when you can “try out” a potential class or classes that you’re including in your schedule. Due to the lower level of commitment, the workload is fairly light for the first two weeks. Once the third week begins, many classes get harder, and the true rigor sets in.

What is it like being a 30-book author at Princeton?

Quite strange. Perhaps historic. I came to Princeton for a couple of reasons: a) safety, b) academics.

What do I mean by safety? Princeton, both the university and the town, are very safe. While I was considering applying to transfer to Ivy League schools, making sure I was in a safe area was a high priority. What was the point of undergoing a rigorous and prestigious education if I ended up dead?