Name: Anita Gupta
Hometown: Cupertino, CA
Activities at Princeton: Naacho, SASA Social Chair, Wilson RCA
Before Princeton, I concentrated on groups that would “look good on college applications,” such as Speech and Debate, Student Council etc. which didn’t really interest me that much but came easily to me. I tried to look like the “ideal” student but didn’t fully pursue my passions or try anything new or different.
I grew at Princeton by taking risks and doing things I had never done before. For example, even though I am Indian, I never participated in Indian Activities. I not only joined SASA, but became the social chair my freshman year, which included throwing an entire Diwali/Eid Banquet by myself. Also, although I have never danced in my life, I tried out for the Indian dance troupe, Naacho, to learn how to dance.
I supported “cross-pollination” by learning how to dance, even though I had never done it before. Now I have even signed up for regular HipHop classes for fun, something I doubt I would have done in high school. I also joined a weekly religious group although I didn’t know much at all about the Hindu religion and am learning for fun.
I learned that it is never too late to learn new things and try things that I wouldn’t have been comfortable doing in high school. Even if I am not good at it (i.e. dance!!) it is nice to have the opportunity to try it with other students.
After reflecting on my experience at Princeton, I have concluded that students should take risks and try things they are not used to, even if it not “ideal” or the “popular” thing to do. If we don’t try these things in college, we may never get the opportunity to do so.
