Hi! My name is Chelsea Mills and I'm a '26 from Maryland. I'm quite indecisive, but currently pursuing a Psychology major/Classics minor on the Pre-Med track. On campus, I plan to join POCO (People of Color Outdoors). I also love playing tennis, exploring campus with friends, and curling up with a good book. You might see me walking along The River from my dorm or grabbing a FOCO cookie. If not, I can't wait to share my freshman experience with you all virtually :)
I studied Latin throughout high school, and I intended to continue the language at Dartmouth. Latin 3 was a good introduction to the Classics department. I was really surprised with how immersive my class was! We even visited the Rauner Special Collections Library on campus, where we had access to the original manuscripts (made of animal skin!) of Ovid's poems. I'm excited for similar experiences in the near future; I plan on majoring in Classics!
I'm not an Engineering major, but I LOVED ENGS 12. It's the kind of class that you take just because you've heard so many great things about it. A friend recommended this class and professor (Rafe Steinhauer) to me- and I'm so glad they did. Not to be dramatic, but this Design Thinking class literally changed the way I understand the world around me. I learned about creativity, problem solving, and collaboration in an immersive way. The group projects helped my apply this knowledge on a daily basis. I constantly find myself transferring what I learned to my current academic and personal life. I can't recommend this class enough!
"Science Communication & Context" was my chosen topic to fulfill Dartmouth's first year Writing Seminar requirement. My seminar was taught by a notable professor in the Chemistry department. As a pre-med student, I have a lot of interest in STEM. I think the phenomenon of miscommunication in science is one that is both interesting and socially relevant. I also love the discussions in this class because many of my peers come from different backgrounds.
After almost one full year at Dartmouth, I've done quite a bit of exploring on campus. Baker-Berry is no exception. Here's a list of some of my favorite study spots in the library!
Tower Room
Sunlight comes in through the large Tower Room windows; It's always super warm and cozy in here- perfect for reading (or napping!).
The Tower Room is by far the prettiest room in the library. It looks like it belongs in Hogwarts. I love the dark academia aesthetic, and how central it is to Dartmouth's architectural style. I spend so much time in the Tower Room that I often forget to take the time to appreciate its beauty. Rather, I'm usually focused on writing an essay (or this blog post right now) or catching up on a reading. I take comfort in the plush chairs near windows that overlook the Green. They're super comfortable- sometimes I'll go up to the tower room just to take a quick nap in between classes!
Blobby (Baker Lobby)
The calm chaos of Blobby.
As soon as you enter the large central doors of Baker-Berry Library, you'll be greeted by the checkered floors of Blobby's long hallway. I love doing a quick scan of Blobby while I'm walking through the library. I typically find a friend or two that have an empty seat next to them. It's the perfect place to meet for a group project, take a quick zoom call, or just catch up with friends.
East Reading Room
East Reading Room, a quiet room on the first floor of the library (like Blobby!).
Unlike Blobby's social nature, East Reading Room has a much more calm vibe. I often write papers here too. There is peripheral seating across two floors, with a larger open space in the middle. I like the seats against the window the best- it's perfect for people watching!
4FB (Fourth Floor Berry)
4fb, the quietest room in the library
I'm someone who can get distracted very easily, so sometimes I need to just put my head down and get some work done alone. I appreciate the studious atmosphere in 4FB. It's one of the quietest rooms in the library. Everyone sits in cubicles and respects that others around them want to focus on their work. I'll come here before a big exam, or when I have an unusually large amount of homework for the night.
CECS
Women in STEM! Yay!!
The Center for Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) is a beautifully modern building that is also connected to Dartmouth Engineering. It's located in the West End of campus, where my dorm is! I go to CECS whenever I'm tired and don't feel like making the 10-minute trek to the library.
At Dartmouth, there is an undergraduate requirement for language; after all, it is the liberal arts! Fulfilling this requirement looks different for various people and I will focus on my experience.
I have written about being a student worker plenty of times in the past, but I have yet to talk about one of my favorite jobs ever: ticket selling at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a phenomenal total solar eclipse occurred — and we happened to be within the path of totality. As a result, Dartmouth hosted a variety of eclipse-related events on- and off-campus. Find out how I spent the eclipse!
Traditionally, Dartmouth students take three courses during a term, but I decided to take four courses this term! Learn about course load and the academic system at Dartmouth.
