Welcome to my blog! My name is Ariana and I grew up in the DC metro area. In no time at all, Dartmouth has become my home away from home. When I'm not participating in programs at the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship or DALI Lab, you can find me reading voraciously or indulging my kombucha obsession. I hope my blog can give you a vision of the abundant opportunities available to Dartmouth students!
Academic Program
Cognitive Science Major + Human-Centered Design Minor
This course was a whirlwind introduction to the field of cognitive science, which is the interdisciplinary study of the mind as an information processor. This field incorporates psychology, computer science, neuroscience, philosophy, and linguistics. I loved how each lecture covered something new, with topics ranging from neurological disorders and optical illusions to language learning, moral decision-making, and AI. The course was fast-paced, yet fun and laidback. I came away knowing much more about what makes people tick, and my experience inspired me to major in cognitive science!
What is justice? How do we live well? This course is about the big questions humans have wrestled with since the founding of political society. Reading Plato made me consider philosophy as the only path to stable happiness. Aristotle made me ponder the belief that the purpose of law is to uphold moral virtue. Machiavelli’s “The Prince” felt relevant to today’s politics, hundreds of years after he wrote it. Professor Clarke’s engaging lectures and sense of humor cemented this course as my solid favorite this term. Whether you want to take Political Ideas out of curiosity or to satisfy a Government major requirement, I highly recommend her as a professor!
At its core, good design is about effective communication. This course taught me just that, introducing me to essential design fundamentals such as Gestalt principles, hierarchy, typography, shape language, and color symbolism. I also gained hands-on, resume-building experience with Adobe Photoshop and After Effects, finishing the course with my own portfolio. Professor Mahoney was passionate and inspiring, going well beyond mere instruction in classic design platforms and fostering my love for making beautiful things for others. Paired with ENGS 12: Design Thinking in the same term, this course made me excited to continue pursuing the Human-Centered Design minor!
With its ten-week terms, Dartmouth can be rigorous and intense, and attending lectures and completing homework assignments are rarely the only things on students' minds. Over the course of my first year, many of Dartmouth's resources got me through challenging times, from managing the lethargy that comes with winter's early sunsets to cramming for deadlines on a busy weekend of extracurriculars. So, I'd like to shine a light on those aforementioned resources! Here are my personal recommendations for staying calm and on top of your (academic, mental, emotional, and physical) life as a Dartmouth student:
During the fall of my first year, I met with Rhi, one of the academic coaches at the Academic Skills Center (ASC), almost every week. She helped me not only organize my schedule and plan ahead for exams, but also served as a confidant with whom I could speak openly about my social and emotional life. I always feel better after an appointment with Rhi, and I encourage all my friends to chat with an ASC coach at least once!
Besides one-on-one support, the ASC also provides helpful materials such as termly planners (which I use religiously), study strategies, test prep guides, tips for taking mindful breaks, and more. Read more about how the ASC supports students' time management here.
The ASC itself is tucked away in a corner of the first floor of Baker-Berry Library. Its relative separation from the noisy coming and goings of students along the main first-floor walkway make the center a quiet and soothing place to study. I sometimes go inside just to say hi to the coaches, ASC interns, and other students using the space to do their homework.
This shelf in front of the ASC is an underhyped gold mine for a first-year. (Spot the term calendar!)
The Student Wellness Center (SWC) shares a space with the ASC on the first floor of Baker-Berry Library. Here, you can lounge on the sofas, play with fidget toys, grab a snack or seltzer from the mini fridge, and—best of all—enjoy some serious relaxation in one of the SWC's three massage chairs. I had never experienced a massage chair before visiting the SWC, and let me tell you: it was absolutely amazing.
The Student Wellness Center (SWC) also offers mindfulness and meditation programs, including tips to sleep better!
I attended counseling during the fall of my first year and found it really helpful as I adjusted to college. The Counseling Center at Dick's House operates on a short-term model, so if you need longer-term therapy, the staff can help connect you with a community provider in the Hanover area. Also, as a Dartmouth student, you get free and unlimited access to teletherapy sessions through Uwill, so you can receive mental health support even when you're not on campus. "Free therapy" is music to my ears.
Talk with your dean about what classes to take, what your D-Plan should look like, and steps to get back on track if you get behind due to an illness or mental fatigue. They're a great resource, and can advocate on your behalf to your professors!
In my opinion, one can never get started too early on the internship and job search at Dartmouth, and our Center for Career Design (DCCD) is a great place to start. Click here to learn more about how the DCCD supports students starting from their first year! Plus, here's another article about how the DCCD has been improving by incorporating design thinking into its approach.
I've found that one way to fix my attitude is to get some pumpitude. Seriously, though, regular exercise assists with stress regulation. The Athletic Center is a spacious, modern facility where you can either exercise on your own, attend a group fitness class, or work out with a club (like the Powerlifting Club, which welcomes all experience levels!)
The poet Mary Oliver once wrote, "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" And what better way to explore your wild side than actually getting outside? The Outdoor Programs Office (OPO) is the Dartmouth student's gateway to experiencing all that the gorgeous surrounding landscape has to offer. Whether near or far, whether ice skating on Occom Pond or going on Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) trips to the woodlands of the Second College Grant, the OPO facilitates your gallivanting by lending you free gear. Touch grass, friends!
Skating on Occom Pond with my friends was a highlight of the winter. OPO lends out skates for free, and keep an eye out for free hot chocolate and snacks in the DOC House!
I had a blast hiking and cabin camping around the Second College Grant with folks in Cabin and Trail, a DOC subclub!
And that's a wrap! For more information on student resources, including the Title IX Office and the First-Generation Office, check out this page.
Last September, a friend and I crafted a ten-item bucket list for our final year as undergraduates. It's the end of our senior spring now. These are some of the boxes I've checked.
