Ola! Welcome to my Dartmouth journey. I'm Adrian, a '25 from Harare, Zimbabwe. With an insatiable thirst for investing, finance, and nature, I'm excited to dive into a major that combines all four passions—perhaps a modified economics major? The possibilities are endless! When I'm not tackling problem sets or immersed in "Things Fall Apart," I'm out and about on campus, discovering hidden gems and capturing countless memories on my phone. Join me as I embark on this incredible adventure!
Academic Program
Economics and African and African American Studies
When you leave home for college, you encounter new people, new experiences, new temptations, new fears, and new decisions, and you are no longer guided and protected by your parents. At the same time, it's thrilling, liberating, and terrifying. Knowing how to restore control is crucial when feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious. Some options are listed below.
1. Take care of your health and happiness.
It is vital to take mental health breaks at any point. If you keep running yourself into the ground, you'll burn out. Getting outside almost always makes you feel less lonely, depressed, or manic. Physical and mental health have long been linked. Include nutritious food, physical activity, and social support in your daily life to promote psychological and physical wellness. Understanding the mind-body connection aids in the treatment of mental health care.
2. Managing your time
Academic success necessitates effective time management. Time, energy, and mental health are all things that must be handled. A time management tool helps you keep organized before your responsibilities pile up, which is excellent for your health.
3. Surround yourself with good people – Don't Isolate yourself
It can feel like you're the only one struggling with mental health difficulties in college, especially in today's society, where everyone wants to put their best foot forward on social media. Don't be afraid to talk to your friends, family, roommates, instructors, or anyone you trust. You'd be shocked how many individuals can relate to your situation and are willing to assist you. Go to class, see what clubs your school provides, sit next to some approachable people in the eating commons, ask your roommate if they want to go for a walk... In college, there are many possibilities to get out and meet new people.
4. Make use of mental health services.
For many students, obtaining mental health care from a counseling clinic often carries a stigma. However, seeking aid is a sign of strength, not weakness. Students must allow themselves and others the time and space to figure out how to best manage their mental health.
This past summer, I was a Dartmouth Bound Leader with Admissions and a leader for Strengthening Educational Access with Dartmouth (SEAD) with the Center for Social Impact. With my rural, low-income background, I found it fulfilling to be a mentor.
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Gabe Brigham '26, a psychology and sociology double major, showed me around his dorm room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
