Hi! I'm Chelsea Mills, a '26 from North Potomac, Maryland. I'm a pre-med student pursuing a Psychology major and a Biology minor. I'm a tour guide, co-president of the Student Mental Health Union, and an outreach coordinator for Camp Kesem (a college-run camp for kids with a parent who has cancer). On weekends, you might find me grabbing a bite at The Works Cafe, spending time with friends in my sorority house, or taking a stroll around Occom Pond. I hope you enjoy my blog- thanks for reading :)
Nearly 4 weeks into the winter term, Dartmouth has already celebrated one of its most wholesome seasonal traditions: the annual campus-wide snowball fight. The fight is prompted by the first "big" snowfall. This year, it was marked by around 7 inches. The excitement that followed after, however, was boundless.
Snow started to pile up Thursday night. By the time we woke up, campus was covered in a stunning blanket of pure white. Virtually everyone (myself included) pulled out their phone cameras to capture it. Despite being a great photo op, what we were really excited about was the snowball fight.
Finally, at 4:20 p.m., we got the email. Dartmouth Alumnus Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss!) sends a cute poem to the community, officially announcing the start of the snowball fight that night. Before then, people just talk, speculating when the fight will actually happen.
I had heard so much about the tradition that I didn't take any chances to miss it. Midnight rolled around, and everyone made their way to the Green. I met up with my friends and we started to look for potential victims. There were literally snowballs being thrown in every direction; I tried my best to gather decently sized snowballs before getting hit myself.
I think everyone had a lot of fun—I definitely did. I like how casual and carefree the snowball fight was. Something about throwing a snowball just makes you feel like a little kid again. My hands were practically numb, but I made great memories. I know I'm barely halfway through my first year here, but this tradition is by far one of my favorites.
Winter in Hanover feels like more than just the weather to me. Dartmouth embraces the cold, snow, and all the fun that comes with it. If you're nervous about your first winter here, at least you have Dr. Seuss's email to look forward to. Don't forget your gloves! :)
Winters at Dartmouth are beautiful, but if you're coming from a warmer climate, winter can also feel a little intimidating. Know that you're not alone! This guide covers how to best prepare for the season.
This past Friday, my French program stepped beyond the classroom and into history itself with a day trip to Montauban and Moissac, where art, architecture, and place came together through hands-on learning.
During my freshman year, I lived in the River Dorms as part of West House. This past fall, I moved to Fahey, one of the nicest dorms on campus. Keep reading to see what it's like!
Our first weekend in Toulouse took us to the medieval town of Carcassonne, where exploring historic ramparts, sharing regional food, and traveling together turned history into a communal and meaningful experience.
