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 :)
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)!
Despite Dartmouth being on the periphery of the broader Northeast region, its access to major transportation hubs makes travel stress-free. But, how can students without a car see the rest of New England?
The big-little process in my sorority has strengthened my bond with my big, fostered new friendships across class years, and deepened my sense of community and belonging on campus.
When I look back on my time at Dartmouth, and it is hard to believe I will be graduating in just two weeks, I know that Africa Week will always stand out as one of the moments when this campus felt most alive, most joyful, and most like home.
