<p>I’ve never heard horror stories about finals after break. As FightTheTide has pointed out, there is more than enough time after you return to campus to study for finals (and you have the option of doing work during the holidays if you want to). The only thing I’ve heard about finals after break is that some people would prefer to finish finals before break, which is a more traditional schedule–however, I don’t think that’s anything to do with stress. Rather, they just would prefer to have them out of the way.</p>
<p>I don’t think that Princeton is overall more stressful than Yale. For example, at Yale, there is a 36 credit graduation requirement versus Princeton’s 31 credit graduation requirement plus the senior thesis and junior papers. And while writing the thesis can be difficult, I happen to think that the thesis is one of the defining characteristics of the Princeton educational experience. The thesis allows you to work incredibly closely with your faculty adviser, delve into a subject in enormous depth and enhance your analytical and writing skills. It is a bonding experience for everyone at the school and at the end of the process, most students are incredibly proud that they have written something meaningful.</p>