![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=j4p5juit×tamp=1632239532)
![lone pine](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/lone_pine_background_4.png?itok=ZRb_rqlc×tamp=1631566166)
Antônio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=j4p5juit×tamp=1632239532)
You are here
![Julie with the Dartmouth pumpkins](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_0241.jpg?itok=3nFcXzRb×tamp=1636666229)
Wrapping it Up
As the end of my first term in college arrives, a retrospective, reflective kind of mood has got to me. One year ago, as I clicked submit on my Common App, I would never have imagined my freshman fall would have been like this. I took classes in departments I didn't even know existed; joined clubs I had never thought about before; I met the most exceptional and unique people; and, lastly, I applied for the most fun and rewarding campus job: writing for People Places Pines.
Personally, not much has been going on in my life these past two weeks. I have been studying hard for my finals and hanging out with my friends before we have to say bye — especially as some depart to a term off-campus. Although I have finally fallen into a routine — with a set time to wake up and go to bed, classes and clubs to attend, places to be, and people to see — I find myself excited to leave. Of course, I'll miss the campus, the people, the social scene, and, to be honest, my classes. Nonetheless, I feel like the time has come for me to step away, regather with the people I love, and prepare for winter term!
Thinking back to September, I was surprised to see that Darmouth was not what I expected. I wasn't disappointed, to be clear. But I very genuinely had pictured a whole other thing. I had done some research before applying: I knew I was signing up to be surrounded by woods for the next four years; that classes would be academically challenging; that I would have to adapt to a whole new environment and culture. But, when all of this hit, it was still a surprise. What I had failed to predict, however, was how supportive the college community would be. Because of the friends I made here, going through all of this was much easier. And here I include not only my friends from the class '25, but also the upperclass students I had the opportunity to hang out with and the faculty members who have so dearly helped me.
One of the best advices I got this year came from my faculty advisor, prof. Michele Tine. During the course selection process, she told me that, in my freshman fall, I should allow myself to explore. And so I did. I took classes that had nothing to do with my intended major and signed up for clubs that I had never seen myself in, but where I ended up meeting some of my best friends. I am overall really happy with my term and, through this blog, I can now find a little journal of my time here. My heart is full of joy when I come back to read the stories I have shared with you all, and I hope 2022 brings many more of these!
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My first time in Seattle, during the week of the 4th of July! Exploring fish markets and watching fireworks, I had a great time exploring a new city during my off-term!
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As my first year at Dartmouth comes to a close, I am interviewing my peers who lived in the interfaith LLC (Living Learning Community) with me.
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As my first year comes to an end, I would like to invite you to explore the beauty of our campus through my photos!
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
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It's hard to believe I am closing out my first year of college! Here is a reflection of my experiences this academic year.
![Cal standing on the Dartmouth Green in front of Baker Tower](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/untitled_design_6_-_cal_shin.png?itok=eVUxVOeC×tamp=1697736503)
![Food from Base Camp Cafe](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_0607_1.jpg?itok=h4jazU-o×tamp=1717024982)
![Storefront of the cafe, decorated with white, brown, and green details.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_1000x700_brigaderio_exterior.png?itok=Jq20xUWp×tamp=1716611963)
Sweets you can't resist. really. can't.
![Profile picture of the blogger outside Sanborn Library](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/screen_shot_2022-09-18_at_6.33.44_pm.png?itok=4qv8jBTV×tamp=1688587481)
![My friends and I posing by the stage on Gold Coast Lawn surrounded by a crowd of students.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_4341.jpg?itok=581I7AhO×tamp=1717023768)
Green Key is one of Dartmouth's major spring festivities, bringing two popular music artists to our Gold Coast Lawn. My weekend was filled with friends and fun!
![Arianna smiling at the grocery store](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_7676_-_arianna_dunkley.jpeg?itok=eQQiMmwB×tamp=1694612412)
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What an incredible spring! This term was undoubtedly my favorite that I've experienced thus far, and as I wait to board a flight back to campus for a highly anticipated Sophomore Summer, I reflect on everything that allowed this spring term to bloom.
![Me! blog_828 × 1026_brendilou](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1226.png?itok=U8hQQ4ev×tamp=1663881287)
![Young MA performing on stage](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_800x548_youngma.png?itok=SUExslDG×tamp=1716172088)
Green Key: A quintessential Dartmouth tradition along with Homecoming and Winter Carnival—and the one remaining tradition I had yet to experience as a freshman. Here are my impressions of my first Green Key weekend!
![Cal standing on the Dartmouth Green in front of Baker Tower](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/untitled_design_6_-_cal_shin.png?itok=eVUxVOeC×tamp=1697736503)