Moosilauke Ravine Lodge

Brendilou Armstrong

Class of 2026
A girl smiling in front of a bookshelf
Bio 

Hi there! I'm Brendilou, a '26 from Western Nebraska. As an English major interested in journalism, I'm passionate about writing to educate—to explore differing perspectives, to emphasize the mundane. Through this blog, however, I write to introduce you all to my perspective, my mundane, at the college that's stolen my heart. Welcome to my neck of the woods.

Academic Program 

English and Creative Writing

Favorite Thing Right Now 

Studying on the grass at Kemeny Courtyard

Hometown 

Chadron, Nebraska

Pronouns 

she/her/hers

You are here

Brendilou's D-Plan

What's a D-Plan?

    • FallOn Campus

      Favorite Class: 19th Century British Women Writers

      If you are interested in Victorian literature in any capacity, this is the class for you! It is a course taught by the WGSS (Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) department and combines historical and political aspects into a literary seminar. The material is compelling and allows you to view female authors, including Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, and Elizabeth Gaskell, in a different perspective knowing the societal context of the time period and themes in their most popular works.

    • WinterOff-Campus

      Favorite Class: Off-Term in Chadron, Nebraska

      This would have been winter term of my freshman year, but I decided to take a gap year following my freshman fall instead!

    • SpringOff-Campus

      Favorite Class: Off-Term in Chadron, Nebraska

      This would have been spring term of my freshman year, but I decided to take a gap year following my freshman fall instead!

    • FallOn Campus

      Favorite Class: CRWT 12: Introduction to Poetry

      If poetic language and artistic writing styles are your forte, this is the perfect class for you! Taught by the English/Creative Writing department, Introduction to Poetry is an incredible foundation to storytelling, introducing students to poetry styles from prose to ekphrastic and written to slam. The approach to teaching the course revolved around the strategies of Robert Frost, where the Poetry Room in Sanborn Library held our class, and students' chairs were arranged in a circle rather than in rows of desks. CRWT 12 is one of the most unique and fascinating classes I have taken thus far, and as a result, has become my favorite class I have taken on campus.

    • WinterOn Campus

      Favorite Class: ASCL 70.01: Sacred Architecture of Asia

      Niche classes and concentrations define a Dartmouth education, and before this term, I never intended on taking an Asian art history course, let alone one with such a defined focus. Taught through both the Department of Art History and the Department of Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages by Columbia University guest lecturer Seher Agarwala, this course contextualizes sacred architectural structures of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic faiths. I left this course with a newfound interest in the artistic practices of East Asian cultures and an appreciation for their diverse historical backgrounds and religions.

    • SpringOn Campus

      Favorite Class: HIST 31.03: Migrant Los Angeles

      For any Los Angeles natives or those generally wanting to delve into the history of southern California, this class is for you! Focusing mainly on the contributions of minorities to the area, this class provides insight on the seldom-discussed history of L.A. through the perspectives of non-white settlers from the 18th century to the present day. Through examining controversial films depicting L.A. (including La La Land and Once Upon A Time in Hollywood), I left this course with a deep understanding of the sacrifices made to construct contemporary Los Angeles.

    • SummerOn Campus

      Favorite Class: HUM 04.02: The Sixties

      If the history behind 1960s politics, fashion, art, music, and society interests you in any capacity, this class is the perfect fit for you! Taught through Dartmouth’s Humanities Department, this course covers the late 1950s through the early 1970s, focusing on the era's transformative nature while immersing students in the time period through samples of art and music. What an incredible introduction to an incredibly important decade! 

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: CRWT 11: Writing and Reading Creative Nonfiction

      Of the creative writing courses I have taken thus far, none have aligned with my desired career path as well as CRWT 11: Intro to Creative Nonfiction. If you are a prospective journalist, essayist, or fellow Joan Didion devotee, this class was made for you! Although Dartmouth does not have a designated journalism department, the class effectively delves into the art of it while maintaining a creative foundation. With a flexible schedule of fun, thought-provoking writing assignments and weekly peer editing workshops, CRWT 11 immensely refined my writing skills.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: CRWT 40.15, Tell Me A Story: Introduction to Nonfiction Radio and Podcasting

      If you’re interested in audio storytelling, take CRWT 40.15, Tell Me A Story: Introduction to Nonfiction Radio and Podcasting! Lecturer and producer at Pushkin Industries Sophie Crane uses a hands-on approach for teaching students how to record, edit, and produce their own podcasts. By the end of the term, I had gained extensive experience with Adobe Audition and industry-standard equipment. This is, by far, my favorite class I’ve taken at Dartmouth!

    • SpringHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: CRWT 21: Intermediate Creative Nonfiction

      After taking the intro class in the fall, CRWT 21: Intermediate Creative Nonfiction was the next step in refining my journalism skills. Taught by Professor Jeffrey Sharlet, this class, dubbed “The Reporters,” emphasized storytelling in the Upper Valley. Similar to CRWT 11, the class was structured around peer editing workshops and discussions rather than lectures. To conclude the term, students submitted their final pieces to an online publication created exclusively for this class. I look forward to taking the advanced workshop in the fall!

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: CRWT 60: Advanced Fiction

      Despite my nonfiction concentration, I found CRWT 60, “Advanced Fiction,” to be the most rewarding class of my term. A class of this nature—an advanced workshop—was a prerequisite for my senior honors thesis in creative writing. By virtue of its five-person size, the feedback on submissions was thoughtful, the assigned readings were tailored to our interests, and the discussions felt intimate and productive. The professor, Thomas O’Malley, was deeply invested in each writer’s growth. I’d recommend this workshop to anyone interested in refining their fiction writing.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: CRWT 98: Creative Writing Honors Course I

      I began work for my creative nonfiction thesis this term through CRWT 98: Honors Course I, the springboard for my longest written project to date. During weekly one-on-one meetings with my advisor, Professor Jeff Sharlet, we parsed through interviews and followed their natural through lines to create an outline for my project. I used self-imposed deadlines to keep my writing on track and finished the first draft of two chapters, each around 20 pages in length.

    • SpringHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: CRWT 99: Creative Writing Honors Course II

      CRWT 99: Honors Course II, a continuation of Honors Course I, marked the culmination of my creative nonfiction thesis and undergraduate writing life. Through weekly workshops with my advisor, Professor Jeff Sharlet, I wrote and polished three more chapters. After ten weeks, my thesis totaled 94 pages across five chapters. I presented it to the Department of English and Creative Writing on May 26. Two weeks later, I received high honors and a department award!

Me and my friend holding flowers at the farmer's market

An Organic Shopping Spree: A Morning at the Norwich Farmers' Market!

All reactions: 21 18 22 27 28 22
Add a Reaction
           

With Dartmouth's close proximity to Vermont comes adventures across the border to the VT! This weekend, I journeyed to the Norwich Farmers' Market to spend my Saturday morning shopping local.

Read More

Posted 08/6/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
Connecticut river

Sunshine State of Mind: What am I up to this Summer?

All reactions: 18 21 22 22 22 24
Add a Reaction
           

Sophomore Summer has already defined itself by its exciting, unfamiliar experiences and the relaxed atmosphere of campus. With new classes and clubs in full swing, here is what I have been up to during this wonderful time on campus!

Read More

Posted 07/25/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
blog_4032 × 3024_kayaking

My Spring Term Timeline: An End-of-Term Reflection

All reactions: 1 1 2
Add a Reaction
           

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.

Read More

Posted 06/22/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
blog_3024 × 2419_shaggy

Two Days of Sunshine and Shaggy: Reflecting on my First Green Key!

All reactions: 3 2 2 2 2 20
Add a Reaction
           

Dartmouth's most anticipated spring tradition is over, prompting an influx of Green Key posts from Dartmouth students online (including this one from myself)! Join me as I reflect on the most memorable parts of this weekend!

Read More

Posted 06/14/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
blog_585 × 457_readreceipts

An Interview with a Member of Student Band Read Receipts!

All reactions: 3 1 2 3 4 5
Add a Reaction
           

With Green Key quickly approaching, student band Read Receipts prepares to perform as the opening act before musicians Young M.A. and Shaggy take the stage. Here's what guitarist Jackson Yassin '26 had to say about this surreal opportunity!

Read More

Posted 06/10/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
blog_2802 × 2242_dartmouthhall

My Spring in Full Bloom: What Have I Been Up To This Term?

All reactions: 3 2 4 3 2 2
Add a Reaction
           

With the beginning of Week 5 of spring term already upon us comes an outline of my schedule for the term. From trying new activities to settling into courses and club positions, this is what I've been up to during my most beloved term!

Read More

Posted 05/7/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
The sun blocked by the moon

Unifying & Awe-Inspiring: The Full Coverage Eclipse of Vermont

All reactions: 1 1 1 2 2 2
Add a Reaction
           

With a solar eclipse sweeping across North America for the first time in nearly seven years on April 8th came a road-trip with hundreds of other Dartmouth students to a zone of totality near campus: St. Johnsbury, Vermont!

Read More

Posted 04/30/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
blog_4320 × 3240_frostlights2

My Winter Term Timeline: An End-of-Term Reflection

All reactions:
Add a Reaction
           

This term was defined by its learning experiences and personal firsts, from snowsports to winter traditions. As I wait to board my flight back home for spring break, I reflect on the most memorable parts that made this term one of my favorites.

Read More

Posted 03/29/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts
blog_4320 × 3240_skating

Spinning into Winter: An Introduction to Dartmouth's Ice Skating Lessons

All reactions: 1 3 5 33 35 20
Add a Reaction
           

With the start of winter term comes the beginning of winter sport season! Between academic courses and clubs, one class served as both a helpful learning experience and a fun winter activity where I could destress and unwind: Ice Skating!

Read More

Posted 03/14/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts

Pages