It’s gorgeous out. Not the “the-sky-is-only-85%-covered-in-clouds-today-and-it-hasn’t-rained-in-an-hour” weather that usually passes for gorgeous in England, but legitimately, fantastically, gorgeous . Which is why I am extremely bitter to have spent all weekend inside a library*, and am writing this incredibly boring post about… libraries! I never got the sense that Princeton had much of a library… Continue reading Boxed In
There are times when Oxford and Princeton seem eerily similar.* Case in point: the Oxford bubble. As I am prone to do, I occasionally gripe to anyone within earshot about the apathy and inactivity of the student body here. The other day, when I was whinging to my housemate, she sighed and said “Oh, I… Continue reading Oxford, at the margins
This weekend, I took (and – knock on wood – probably passed) my first two proper exams as an Oxford student. Oxford exams are more than just tests, though; they’re an experience – and to be prepared, you definitely have to do more than just study. First up, there’s the attire. At some point, Cambridge… Continue reading Invigilate THIS!
Reunions with fellow marching-bandies are inevitably the catalyst for endless reminiscing, and Bagdis’ recent provided opportunities aplenty. We were skyping with a friend back at Princeton—who, dare say, I predate—and, as usual, I started subjecting her to tales from my orange-plaid glory days (I think being forced to listen to stories from alumni is something… Continue reading Some aimless reminiscing
Since it’s April Fools Day, I thought I would share this (very real) humo(u)rous / completely awful interchange I had with my adviser the other day. (By way of introduction, I should note that my adviser is a somewhat portly, jovial British economist in his mid-60s.) Me: I’m having a lot of anxiety about my… Continue reading Profound Thoughts on Thesis Writing
The borderline-miserable experience of Hilary Term ended yesterday morning at 9:30 a.m., with an overly complicated eight-step process for turning in our only graded assignment of the term. Technically, I had until noon, but having spent eight weeks on a single essay, I was ready to be free of it. Instead – in true Princeton… Continue reading Victory Lap
The following is a brief excursus on the social science disciplines which should be of interest to absolutely no one. It should not be confused with the similarly titled article by Emily Sands ’09, who is brilliant. I’ve already many times registered my frustration with much of the criticism of development coming from the academy. … Continue reading Sexy-Nomics
Not to be overdramatic, but To be completely overdramatic, I have a truly overwhelming amount of reading to do. Now, as an undergraduate, the phrase “I have so much reading” was bandied around quite a bit. Being a student at Oxford, though, gives me new perspective on what “so much reading” means. Take heed, ye… Continue reading Pavlov’s Graduate Students
I don’t want to believe that my life is ever going to “peak,” and I especially don’t want to believe that it “peaked” one year ago today. I should state upfront, as a disclaimer, that this is a very self-involved post. Talking about an award I received a year ago is a bit pathetic, but… Continue reading Frauds and Peaks
Worcester’s college bar is well decorated. This is not a good thing, because usually when I go there I wind up awkwardly staring at the walls rather than talking to people. The pictures of the “Worcester College dart’s team / drinking legends” are always entertaining, as are the pictures of each year’s “beer boat”—senior rowers… Continue reading The Other “Fancy Dress”
Alex V. Barnard - Sociology 