I hate to break this news to any incoming first-years, but Princeton is littered with construction. Our campus is quite beautiful, and most of the quintessential corners have been left untouched. However, it seems that Princeton is in a never-ending era of construction.
Even as I write this blog, my desk overlooks what should be a beautiful view to Poe Field—a grassy, well-kept lawn which welcomes the New Colleges. While Poe Field is commonly occupied by our frisbee team or by students taking in the sun, all of the grass has been uprooted due to recent construction. From my 7th floor view to the field, cranes and bulldozers look like small yellow play toys. Orange construction cones look like specs of candy corn amidst a bowl of worms and dirt.
Construction is not confined to Poe Field. Princeton is in the works of constructing a new art museum, residential college, Equad extension, and expanded gym all amidst implementation of more sustainable technologies. While this change promises an exciting future for Princeton, it unfortunately promises me noisy bike rides up Elm Drive. I distinctly remember one morning, the haze was so strong that I was coughing amidst the dust and abrasive sounds of progress.
While construction has its downsides, it’s important to see the bigger picture amongst it all. Many students complain about our current surroundings, but forget that construction surrounds us because Princeton is trying to improve itself. We go to a school that strives for excellence - and so it’s interesting that we are often so uncomfortable with the sounds and looks of progress. Princeton has reminded me that progress is not always a pretty picture.
As Princeton is in a seemingly endless era of construction, I have found some interesting parallels within myself. I, like many other students here, strive for excellence. We like to push ourselves in every dimention. And while this is often seen as a strength, I don’t think we view ourselves enough as we view campus—as a construction sight. Just as Princeton is always under construction, let this be a gentle reminder that we too, are always under construction.
Amidst all of our goals and accomplishments, our internships and LinkedIn posts, we are all constantly trying to improve ourselves. From time to time, it’s okay if you find yourself coughing amidst the dust, if the haze makes it hard to see, if progress doesn’t always sound pretty. It’s normal for this to happen. While at times you may feel lost within your own construction site, never doubt your own foundations. Be your biggest supporter. Be conscious enough to put down the orange cones. Know when you might need some reconstructing. But also know that while you place the orange cones, you also wear the orange hat. You are the builder. You are the architect of your own life.
If Princeton’s construction sites have taught me one last thing, it’s that sometimes, a bit of perspective is needed. Like my rooftop view of Poe Field, sometimes the bulldozers should be viewed as toys and the orange cones as candy. I believe that as people, we are all in an era of never ending construction. While this can sound intimidating, no one said construction has to be scary—it can be a positive process. You wear the hat after all. We all see what Princeton is constructing, now the question is, what are you?