Hi! My name is Chelsea Mills and I'm a '26 from Maryland. I'm quite indecisive, but currently pursuing a Psychology major and Classics minor on the Pre-Health 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. I can't wait to share my Dartmouth 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.
What NOT to bring to Dartmouth: A non-packing list
High School T-Shirts
I am a proud alumna of The Hill School in Pottstown, PA. This boarding school was my second home from ages 14 to 18. Hill welcomed my involvement and leadership in a plethora of student organizations. Though I'm sure you believe me, I also have a large collection of club t-shirts to show for it.
High school t-shirts are common mementos of our teenage accomplishments. We all have a drawer dedicated to these comfy, nostalgic clothing items. But, if I'm being honest, I'm not all that eager to know what your jersey number was on your varsity lacrosse team or what the Latin motto was for your high school's newspaper. Sorry! I would just rather hear about what future activities you're excited about.
The best part about college, in my opinion, is the opportunity for personal growth. Your high school extracurriculars have already done their part to provide you with fun memories and notable accolades. Once you're in college, you have the opportunity to either build upon that foundation or start anew.
While I love sleeping in my oversized, cotton, "Class of 2022" shirt, I doubt you'll ever see me wearing it outside of my dorm.
My best friend and I participated in our high school's graduation tradition (wearing our class t-shirts)—jumping into the campus pond!
A Car
If you're anything like me, going for a long drive and listening to your favorite songs makes the gas prices (almost) seem worth it. Driving my car around my hometown is my go-to activity for clearing my head.
So, I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when my dad suggested I leave my Jeep Renegade at home. Why would I keep it in my garage when I have yet to experience the joy of driving in Hanover? It wasn't until I arrived on campus during my first-year fall that I understood his perspective. Dartmouth is a compact campus. It's also highly walkable. The length of your daily commute is solely based on your time management skills and familiarity with shortcuts.
Don't get me wrong, I love my car, Charli. But, to my dad's point, I could comfortably walk from French Hall to the Life Sciences Center in just 15 minutes, despite French being the furthest dorm from the Green.
Bedsheets in Any Size Larger Than a Twin XL
Alongside your new adult independence, dorm life becomes your new normal in college. But, for those who have never been to a sleepaway camp, adjusting to a (possibly) smaller living space can take some time. I crawl myself into a ball when I sleep, so I typically don't mind the Twin XL beds that can be found in most Dartmouth dorms. I actually find small dorms to be cozy!
The smaller space is also a pretty good trade-off for what you do gain- a roommate. My first-year roommate, Daphna, quickly became one of my best friends. I can (and do) tell her everything. Our assigned room was somewhat smaller than I had expected. Yet, I fondly reminisce on the meaningful interactions that occurred in French 210. I doubt that Daphna and I would have gotten so close if we didn't share a full-length mirror when we got ready, or a rolling storage cart for our various snack foods. My sophomore roommate group expanded to Sabrina and Grace. The four of us would always chat in the morning and late at night.
Looking back on my first and second years at Dartmouth, I tend to remember these wholesome conversations and memories that I shared with my roommates more than the small Twin XL beds that we occupied during them.
How do Dartmouth students balance their classes and social life in a reasonable way? Somehow, we manage to get good grades and prioritize our academics while also making life-long friendships and memories.
What to bring to Dartmouth and what to buy when you are here? A stress inducing decision making process for most incoming students, here is my perspective on some truly important things to bring to Dartmouth and what to leave behind!
As much as I love studying abroad on Dartmouth's Full Immersion in Rome Italian program, I also really miss campus! Here's a look back at some of the places I can't wait to get back to soon.
