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.
"Work Hard, Play Hard" at Dartmouth: Academic and Social Life Balance
On my tours, I tell visiting families I "always feel safe on campus, even when I'm walking home late at night." But where would I be walking from? On Thursday nights, I might spend long hours in the library to prepare for my two consecutive classes the next day. At the end of that Friday, though, I hardly even look at my phone as I dance the night away with my friends.
Truth be told, time management is one of the most important skills you'll use in college. Exponential personal, social, and intellectual growth occurs during our college years. Maybe even more so than any other period in our lives. Alongside classes, everyone has unique priorities and commitments shaping their college experience. The saying '"work hard, play hard" is famous for a reason. I especially love how Dartmouth students promote work-life balance.
The process of exploring yourself at Dartmouth isn't an individual one. We have an abundance of support in all corners of our lives. Professors help us find our way through classes and departments, regardless of our prior experience with the subject. Upperclassmen and peers socially guide us. During orientation week, first-year students are countlessly advised to try new things. I appreciated the encouragement to get out of my comfort zone. I broadened my academic interests and met friends from different backgrounds.
After you finally decide what "work" and "play" mean for you, you must also find a good balance between these two. It's somewhat hard, because neither side feels fulfilling without the other. They coexist in interesting ways. I used to find myself sitting with my friends in conversational library spaces to find a middle ground between socializing and studying. But over time, I realized that this prevents me from being fully immersed in either activity. So, I decided to be more intentional about how I spent my time.
My friend Jordan and I sit on 2fb (second floor of Berry Library), a conversation-friendly study space in the library. It's a great place for chatting while you get some work done! And in the right photo is my friend Jordan (again) on 3fb! As the floors in Berry increase, the noise level decreases. We were both quietly working on our work independently.
I need to feel good about my current academic performance in order to truly enjoy my time with friends. This doesn't mean I "earn" my social time, but I would say I earn peace of mind. Now, I only decline hanging out with my friends if I think that my academic stress would prevent me from having a good time. I want to let loose and fully enjoy myself with them. This also gives me a goal to work towards when I study.
Dartmouth students truly work and play hard. Unlike other academically rigorous schools, we know how to have a good time! Still, I admire how studious and dedicated my friends are. They inspire me to reach my full potential. They also never turn down a good time. Sure, everyone wants grades that they're proud of. But after these four years, it would be nice to have some fun memories to look back on, too.
As a second-year at Dartmouth, I've embraced leadership roles that foster community, creativity, and support! Here's a look at how each role has shaped my journey.
