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 :)
It's week 9 of winter term. As we head into the last week of February, it's safe to say that the harsh winter is largely behind us. Campus has weathered the negative temperatures, inches of snowfall, and extreme windchill. And yet, I've managed to survive my first Hanover winter!
My Maryland hometown isn't known for extreme temperatures. Rather, people joke about the "bipolar" nature of the weather. It's sunny, cold, and everything in-between. That being said, I can't even remember the last time I had to shovel snow from my driveway. I was really nervous about the blankets of snow that are characteristic to New Hampshire.
At Dartmouth, I quickly realized that winter is a culture beyond the weather itself. To navigate it, there is a certain mentality that welcomes a successful season. I braced myself. Eventually, I learned how to tackle the cold temperatures and isolation that comes along with it.
I always thought that seasonal depression was a myth. The short days and lack of sunlight do make a difference, though. I found it helpful to take advantage of winter activities. Occom Pond is only a 5 minute walk from my dorm. When the pond freezes, we're allowed to go ice skating. And skate rentals are free! I've also been taking skiing lessons at the Dartmouth Skiway. I had never skied before coming here, so I'm really grateful for the opportunity.
The weather itself is also surprisingly manageable. I did research to find a good, warm winter jacket and snow boots. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. If you're dressed well (layers!), it'll feel like you're walking around in a wearable blanket. Or a big hug :). But there are some times where it feels a bit too cold for comfort. Our campus is pretty small. Yet, you still run the risk of getting frostbite. We're lucky enough to have campus shuttles that run until 2am. I often use it when the 10 minute walk from the library to my dorm feels especially daunting.
Usually, though, I don't mind the cold walks. Campus looks really pretty after a fresh snowfall. It's a beautiful white that brightens my mood. I always look forward to seeing snow in the forecast, and the drive to the Skiway each Sunday for my skiing lesson. Hanover winters aren't nearly as scary as I thought they would be.
Winter is a term that most people spend cozy and indoors. My winter quarter, however, was full of amazing outdoor experiences, mostly through one of my classes! Here's the scoop on BIOL 061: Winter Ecology.
The rumors are true, guys: engineering is hard. It took some adapting for me to find my pace and excel in the major. But, that was only possible due to the kind words of a Dartmouth professor.
In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), a variety of programming was offered to celebrate AAPI students and culture on campus. Read on to hear about my experience serving on the committee and attending events!
The Fourth of July: a federal holiday usually spent over summer break with family and friends. Not this year, though! As a result of sophomore summer, I spent this holiday with my friends at Dartmouth.
