
For the second year, the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students asked graduating seniors to write six-word memoirs about their Princeton experiences for inclusion in the Class Day program, and once again, the submissions included scores of pithy phrases, covering a range of topics.
Some touched on the decision to come to Princeton (Jonathan Paranda: “(probably) better than going to Harvard”), while others quipped about campus wildlife (Julie Dickerson: “You will learn to love squirrels”; and an anonymous submission: “Ninja black squirrels are hiding everywhere”). Wisdom for future undergraduates also was a popular theme (Randall Dye: “Look before leaping, but leap anyway”; and Isabel Wojtowicz: “Learn from those all around you”). A handful of the seniors anticipated, or dreaded, their departure (Justin Frick: “Loved it. Can’t wait to leave!”; and Michael Sard: “Four more years, Four more years”). And a few memoirs recapped personal revelations (Lucas Issacharoff: “Comparative literature isn’t my strong suit”).
Below, read an assortment of the Class of 2010’s six-word memoirs. For a selection of the Class of 2009’s submissions, click here.
We are history in the making. – Jeremy Borjon
Orange shade sun nitrogen quorum dancing – Laura Keay
Quorum sensing cholera bacteria laughter wonderful – Karolina Brook
I have loved every single moment. – Emily Silk
A home when I needed one. – Lianna Kissinger-Virizlay
Challenging Rewarding Amazing Testing Fantastic Short – Ian Fox
Love and faith sustain us all – Sherry Zhang
Memories and friends I’ll remember forever – Joel Karacozoff
intense fun educational world-class exciting memory-ridden – Yuhong Liu
Ask me for anything, but time – Mack Pasqual
I don’t know, I loved Princeton! – Julianne Grasso
lawnparties thunderstorms learning the greatest friends – Christine Prifti
Challenge Perserverance Open Dreams Friendship Curiosity – Chang Qing Chris Xu
Thursday Saturday Thursday Saturday Thursday Saturday – Sara Hendershot
shock immersion expansion groundlessness embrace rebirth – Rebecca Foresman
You will learn to love squirrels – Julie Dickerson
Really, Princeton New Jersey? Why, Courtney? – Courtney Quiros
memorable lasting enlightening friendship personal orange – Sarah Johnson
(probably) better than going to Harvard – Jonathan Paranada
Fun Hard Exciting Stressful Awesome – Jonathan Hartmann
Slowly building up and opening out – Anna Moccia-Field
My life inside the orange bubble – Julie A. Steinberg
The Princeton University Figure Skating Club – Aditi Vasan
Not exactly what I was expecting – Aran Char
Always time to meet more friends – Andres Perez
Anything’s possible. I graduated from Princeton. – Jasmine Ellis
Crazy hard great! important friends Triangle – Hannah Barudin
It’s been a wild ride. Thanks. – Laura Fletcher
Gained maturity in mind and spirit – Anthony T Fazio
You only live once, Do Right!!! – Eric Plummer
Friends are what you will remember – Cecily King
Fun Hard Wild academic sweaty fulfilling – Anonymous
Amazing Challenging Exciting Friendly Memorable Fulfilling – Kait Perrelle
hilarious exhausting exhilarating unexpected terrifying WONDERFUL – Katherine
Influential nostalgic intelligent provoking fast over – Aurora Lee
Challenging Engaging Mind-opening fun late nights – Tim Branigan
Met friends, learned tons, incredibly grateful – Liz Dengel
It requires charisma nerve and talent! – Gabriel Rodriguez
Worked hard played hard grew up – Laura Kergosien
My life here has been beautiful – Julia Solorzano
Excruciating Exhilarating Educational Enlightening Entertaining Exhausting – Victoria Shue
The gospel became real Thanks, David – Esther Won
God has blessed me so much! – Molly M. Herring
When in the course of human – Zach Zimmerman
Beautiful intense challenge revolutionary fulfillment development – Jessica Lanney
Princeton: New York state of Mind – Mickheila Jasmin
Everything will happen for the best – Deepika Govind
Playing in fountain after winning game – Andrew Weintraub
I learned a lot of stuff – Peter Tucci
On the top and the bottom – Samuel Page
All’s well that ends well, eh? – Zoe Saunders
It was busy, fun, and fulfilling. – Claire-Marine Sarner
With great challenge came great rewards. – Maria Lacayo
I really hope I grew up. – Deirdre Shannon
each moment ecstasy I forget not – Laura Yue Bai
Music was singing laughing travelling learning. – Paavana Kuhar
Gop Gop Gop Gop Gop Gop – Anonymous
The most rewarding experience ever had – Damaris Suero
Lifelong friends lifelong dreams lifelong memories – Kejia Tang
Finding Family and beautiful, inspiring minds – Clelia Douyan
Firestone. Small World Coffee. Murray Dodge. – Anonymous
Walking down Nassau Street at Sunrise – Anonymous
Make the most of every day – Allison Wood
Princeton opened the world to me. – Cornelia Hall
Tigers work hard but play harder – Sarah Schiff
Boundless giving, endless questioning, life affirming – Heather May
Cap Small World Fencing Family Love – Chandler Clay
Challenging Eye-opening Busy Fun Friendship Social – Victoria Foxgrover
Princeton is often stressful, always transformational – Jack Breslauer
Work hard play hard memories laughter – Zachary Walker
The most valuable friendships I’ve made – Maia McWilliams
Spelman Dickinson love Firestone carrel die – Sucharita Ray
Tigers always work hard play hard – Zach Ruchman
Honeysuckle hourglass, days slip too fast – Maria Shpolberg
Grueling Intense Hard Meaningful Challenging Proud – Andrew Leavity
Soccer Bodyhype Girls Friends Family Love – Antonio Ramirez Jr.
different unique exciting satisfying fun memorable – Patrisa Buster
friends love fun diSiac Ivy knowledge – Jennie E. Sirignano
growth. independence. knowledge. humility. friendship. fun. – Margaret Byron
Evolve your mind – develop critical thinking. – Allen Porter
Take the opportunity to enjoy life – Jesus “Alex” Escoriaza
Love the ocean. Study the ocean. – Darcie Ryan
mistake mistake mistake mistake mistake mistake – Anonymous
Princeton passed; fleeting classes; friends outlast. – Steven Liss
Don’t forget to experience it all – Robert Sobieski
Spring blooms, library books, lifelong friends. – Tamara Spitzer-Hobeika
Thank you to all my friends – Thomas Klingman
It Was Fun While It Lasted – Robert Addis
Walker Wilson Wild Wonderful Woody Woo – Conor Pigott
inspiring happy challenging knowledge international fulfilling – Nihong Chu
late nights are usually worth it – Sara Shaw
exciting exhausting fulfilling enlightening footnote robo – Kevin Jeng
Icahn Whig Poe Friend Sherrerd Brown – Sajid Mehmood
Woody Woo! Ivy Club! Dance! Joyous! – Bridget Barnett
Perseverance is just more hard work – Julius Dimas
nonstop work but loved every minute – Adam Hugh
Thanks for making me grow up – Veronica Pillar
Orange Creative Never-Ending Challenging Rewarding Unforgettable – Anna Peng
Look before leaping but leap anyway. – Randall Dye
Friend center is not my friend… — Jen Chen
Learned some, laughed more. Good decision. – Simonne Li
I will never forget the memories – Rachel Cocalis
Live Love and learn with friends – Deniz Selcuk Arkun
Folkórico Tigressions Latinas strength song perseverance – Viviana Garza
Chris Hepburn is a GEO major. – James Bryant
So when I first came to – John Leonard
Karen Ranna Jon Ann Sara Andres – Anonymous
Four more years Four more years – Michael Sard
Above all, I have found myself. – Thelma G. Ranning
Ended up actually liking this place. – Rafael Palomino
Princeton is what you make it. – Amanda Satterthwaito
LOVE FAMILY TOLERANCE FRIENDS SPORTS COMPASSION – Anonymous
Rewarding Stressful Challenging Short Long Expensive – Alyssa Perry
Princeton has greatly expanded my horizons. – Zi Cheng
Football knowledge Saturdays enjoyment fun experience – Greg Chambers
This sentence will always be false – Nicholas Cox
Inspirational Family Challenging Strengthening Memorable Love – Farah Naim
Faith Fun Friends Cottage Growth Challenge – Chris Lumry
Get in where you fit in – Brian Kenney
Growth Knowledge Challenge Memory Experience Choice – Daniel Webster
Late nights Amusing Stressful Frisbee Novel – David Gibbs
Learn to be humble and confident – Elliot Welder
Do as much as you can! – Phoebe Champion
Take a breath and just chill – Antonio Polanco
International Food Co-op Frivolous substantive conversation – Mike Wang
Only the first bit is over! – Michelle Arader
Great friends, great times, awful weather. – Kathryn Greenberg
Tower Ivy TI Charter Cloister Terrace – Dennis Zollo
Challenging exciting eye-opening rewarding personality-builder awesome – Ryan Morrell
Learning lessons applicable to our futures – Scott Mackenzie
I will forever be a Tiger – Christian Windon
A unique and exciting opportunity – Robert Engelke
Beautiful place to make lifelong friends – Ian Flaniken
Friendship Loyalty Perseverance Love Comfort Life – Michael Graves
I learned through Princeton what’s important. – Jessica Pottenger
Dance Cap Friends Ayshia Economic Opportunity – Xinran Wang
The best decision I ever made — Jose Joel Alicea
Princeton has been an eye-opening experience – Inae Kim
Learning LAUGHTER Loved professors Diana Steve – Emily Garcia
Philosophy All-nighter Tea Work Stout Poetry – Zhou Hay Liew
Sweat blood tears Friends Jeu! Crayzee – Jerry Nnanabu
Fun, Work, Stress, Friends, Study, Freedom – Ghanasyam Bey
Live like you’ve never lived before – Tiffany Tang
Pancakes class track then no sleep – Aundeah Kearney
Community orange black tiger pride spirit – Kelsey Quist
Comparative literature isn’t my strong suit – Lucas Issacharoff
Rewarding fun exciting appreciative challenging creative – Clayton Flanders
Be who you feel you are. – Shenita Baltimore
Loved it, don’t want to leave. – Byron Davis
hands down, i’d do it again – Dana Isokawa
what an adventure this has been – Arthur J. Kennedy
all-consuming unrelenting thrilling wet boundless unlimited – Andrew Chen
Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose – Carl Hamming
What an awesome waste of time. – Shawn Fennell
Hectic Green Allergies Alcohol Spirit WWS – Eric Macias
long conversations, adventures, and laughing lots – Jessica Lander
Never give up, Never back down. – Lauren Sabb
Bonfire Obama Free Trips Study Abroad – Anonymous
Fun challenging Expanding Interesting Crazy Great – Anonymous
Learned how much I’ll never know – Jefferson Steele
Learning to trust through everything here. – Anthony McDougal
History, Chasa, Friends Who Became Family – Whitney Day
Have fun and spread your wings! – Jenna Washabaugh
Intellectual stimulation world citizen friends paths – Katie Pocalyko
constantly inspired by friends and teachers – Elinor Flynn
Valued Time Spent Speaking With Friends – Rachel Lieberman
Challenging revealing fun gutsy intimate proud – Naomi Nix
overwhelming new experiences opportunities need sleep – David Benjamin
gratifying intense community enjoyable memorable life-changing – Melissa Seitz
T.P.: a DREAM that became REAL – David (Trip) Cowin
Stressful sleep-deprived workout multi-faceted depressing challenging – Anonymous
There’s still more homework to do – Casey S. Alexander
Excitement and awe, friends and memories – Lucy Minott
Don’t forget: give time to others! – Rachel Nesbitt
fun difficult challenging nerve-wracking intense savage – Matthew Joseph
Drinking Pimms on the Forbes Terrace – Anonymous
Through Eden took their solitary way – Yujhan Claros
anger depression contempt disappointment FRIENDS! relief – Anonymous
I’ve come to know the world – Joseph Vellone
Enriching Enlightening harrowing developing stimulating frustrating – Anonymous
unexpected eye-opening challenging opportunity family memories – Ukachi Emeruwa
An exhilarating ride I won’t forget – Miriam Camara
Don’t be afraid to redefine success – Ezinne Emeruwa
Open up your heart and learn – Janice Chen
Pushed me to be better person – Martha Carr
Fun stress work eating dining hall – Jayne Choi
the people are the best part – Nicole Fegeas
Exciting Demanding Fun Memorable Awesome Rewarding – Kathryn Rogers
As I tack my path straightens – Anonymous
Wish four years could last forever – Rachel George
Forbes to EQuad and Everything Between – Pandora Chua
All things are possible through Him. – Duane Hynes
So grateful for this incredible experience – Laura Hankin
Learn From Those All Around You – Isabel Wojtowicz
How I wish I tried harder – Yudai Chiba
New experiences new friends new life – Leah Samaha
Learned a lot and found JESUS – Colin Ponce
poblem sessions roommate mischief tulips camaraderie – Emily Margolis
Life is a garden – dig it – Ben Peretsman
Princeton is beauty brilliance struggle inspiration – Yael Nobel
overwhelming empowering enlightening racial laughter stress – Astrid Rousseau
Princeton is what you make it – Anonymous
Young sapling blossoms in orange spring – Michael Chou
Awesome Memorable Politics Ambition Colonial Beast – Xiao Ou Man
Food equals love OA cycling Forbes – Rebecca Levin
Fun Work Lab Travel Amazing Unforgettable – Josh T. Muketha
Hawkeye Firewood Ocho Rugby Terrace Breakfast. – Anonymous
OA engaging eye-opening lawnparties alumni welcoming – Eva Wei
I love this place so much – Anonymous
camaraderie bonding excitement mind-opening appreciative competition – Laura Zhu
I do not want to leave – Alison
Don’t come back for Grad School – John Chang
Read Write Sleep Repeat Repeat Repeat – Jeffrey Campbell
Terrace Terrace Terrace Terrace Terrace Terrace – Andrew
Run, run, run. Stop, breathe. Laugh. – Kate Therkelsen
success pressure achieve Terrace pride compete – Andres Guerra
Princeton is what you make it. – Jonathan Nussbaum
eye-opening stimulating busy nurturing homey challenging – Elizabeth Rosen
challenging proud joyful world-widening crushing best – Christine Emba
Hang out at the Street more – Anonymous
What an experience this has been – Maura Mathieu
And you may contribute a verse – David Fort
Eat Drink Sleep Work Sleep Sleep – Anonymous
Noble Spirit Embiggens the Smallest Man – Samuel Fox Krauss
My wardrobe is mostly orange. THANKS! – Jane Dobkin
On the verge. Set to trek. – Sophie Gandler
Dare, dabble, dine, drink, Drosophila, dance – Virginia Byron
Refined through the flame of Princeton – Ben Kung
memories that could never be traded – Sara Finn
challenging wonderful treasurable beautiful enriching fleeting – Noelle Vinson
Have great memories with great people. – Vanessa Yu
I’d do it all over again. – Caitlin Paul
Forget Everything, Learn Anew, Share Happiness – David Clark
I wish I had more words – Zach Balin
Princeton student self student world student – Katy Pinke
A mountaintop experience with terrifying descents – Blessing Agunwamba
Dear friends, I love you mucho – Ellen Adams
friends, love, and learning = my Princeton – Stacy Testa
Parentals thank you! – Love Care Bear – Carrie Carpenter
Living by faith is kinda hard – Kenneth Tay
Seeing the world on little sleep – Katie C. Friedman
Everyday is a day for laughing – Michelle Thompson
Explore Learn Eat meet have fun – Hao Hong Yiu
Loved it. Can’t wait to leave! – Justin Frick
Jesus, Challenging Inspiring Spoiling transforming Eureka! – Fatu S. Conteh
Do you get up, up, up? – Chris Hernandez
community reflective wonderful forever together tigers – Anonymous
An Extraordinary Adventure with Incredible Friends – Lena Qiu
Ninja black squirrels are hiding everywhere – Anonymous
Inspiration from the support of friends – Lara Yuan
I would so do it again. – Anonymous
the best experience of my life – Rachel
Stupendous sensational rachels orange challenging webmail – Rachel Steinberg
I can’t wait to leave Princeton – Anonymous
Passionate, energetic, grounded people loving life. – Kaitlyn Hay
Growth Change Friends Learning Independence Teamwork – Lauren Clark
Maximum of caffeine, minimum of sleep – Elizabeth Cruikshank
Princeton my home away from home – Kaitlyn Golden
The most inspiring time of my life. – Veronica Demtchouk
Wait, how is it already over? – Jacob Kosior
Do your own thing and study – Zackory Burns
Gaining new friends, perspectives, and experience. – Rebecca Marriott
Busy fun work friends squirrels Charter – Stephanie Anderson
Shenanigans with friends, spontaneity and laughter – Anonymous
My experience in one word: BLESSED! – Julia Neufeld
Don’t forget to have fun here – Jonathan Schwartz
A supportive community that challenges you – Sarah Huah
Economics Athlete Cottage Friends Dedication Incredible – Mark Magnowski
competitive insomnial intellectual interesting grade-deflation memorable – PJ Henley
Fun adventures on the East Coast – Michael Wu
Learning friendship adventures love work smile – Ashley Schoettle
Sacrifice Opportunities Community Determination Insight Growth – Kevin Schenthal
Love others as I’ve loved you – Robert Haraway
I came to the right place. – Noel Gonzales-Luna
exhausting lively urgent brief harried thrilling – Jason
camaraderie rethinking inspiring adventure possibility opportunity – Aditya Panda
Busy Days, Sleepy Nights Tiger Time – Kate Benner
Be grateful for the Orange Bubble – Jing Lin











Hi,
This is Alyssa from SMITH Mag, the creators of the six-word memoir phenomenon. Collecting memoirs from the graduating class is a cool idea. We'd love it if your students submitted their six-word memoirs to the SMITH website, smithmag.net/sixwords. Bonus: They would all have the chance to be published in one of our upcoming books!
Thanks,
Alyssa, SMITH intern