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 :)
At the end of a very busy week with final exams, fall term officially concludes and gives way to our winter break. This year, it fell from November 23rd to January 4th. We colloquially refer to this long period as "winterim." It's a break before a busy winter term, but also a time filled with a lot of opportunity. And when I say "a lot," I really mean it. Some students find a 6-week internship, self-study for a class, train for a varsity sport, travel, or just chill at home. I did a combination of the last two. I visited family in Ghana for a couple weeks, and then enjoyed such time with friends in my Maryland hometown.
The streets of Ghana, ft. my dad
My baby cousin Dietrich!
The quarter system's lack of a "fall break" was definitely something that took some time for me to adjust to. It was hard to go so long without being home. I definitely felt homesick at times, which is why I was so grateful to be able to see my family during winterim. My dad and I flew out to surprise my mom and extended family in Ghana. I hadn't been to Ghana since I was only 9! The trip was long overdue. Everyone there is very friendly, and it was nice to learn more about my culture.
Coming back home, I couldn't wait to be reunited with the little things. I missed my non-twin-XL sized bed, local shopping mall, and the city life of DC. Being away in Hanover made me gain a newfound appreciation for my hometown. I took the time to cherish it.
My high school friends and I (finally) reconnecting!
My friends from high school had somewhat overlapping breaks, though theirs were starting just as mine ended. Luckily, I was still able to hang out with them. We even spent New Year's Eve together :). It was crazy to be in the same room as them again—my friend group ended up going all over the country for college. Writing this now, I miss them all over again.
Winterim, as a concept, is still pretty new to me. I didn't do anything worth adding to my résumé, but it was productive in a different sense. I used the six weeks to reconnect with my pre-Dartmouth life—the people and places outside of Hanover that I call home. Meanwhile, I had time to reflect on my fall term. Here's to 23W(inter term)!
Now, as I'm wrapping up the last days of my freshman year in college (UNBELIEVABLE), I want to share some things that I learned throughout my first year here as well.
Dartmouth is a fantastic place that can be nearly impossible to explain to those who haven't stepped foot on its campus. This was the case with my parents, until this week!
