Hello there! I am an avid doodler and caffeine addict who can be spotted 24/7 at KAF (the coffee shop in Baker-Berry Library). I've grown up skiing in the Rockies, so I'm a hype man for low temp activities like throwing snow at friends and carving ice sculptures (yes, I actually did that!). Aside from blogging, I conduct research at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, do UI/UX design for DALI (Dartmouth Applied Learning & Innovation Lab), and travel a ton with the fencing and debate teams.
Freshman fall flew by! While I unwittingly took some of Dartmouth's more difficult classes, I met so many amazing people and got to explore campus with a fresh set of eyes (I'd never visited before). I also got inspired (after taking my prof to lunch) to pursue a major in economics!
Winter was my favorite term freshman year, largely because I felt more settled into the campus rhythm and took awesome classes. Prof. Kalish (my Writing 5 -- a required class for all freshmen -- professor) was not only fun and insightful, but also made an active effort to connect with every student. It's one of the best classes I've ever taken.
In my opinion, Hanover is most beautiful in the spring: you see everything from fluffy snowflakes to vibrant blossoms. The weather kept me cheerful, even if spring was my most rigorous term. My favorite class was Econ 22 with Prof. Comin, who led a case-based course that helped us understand the real-world applications of what we were learning. He's also a super cool guy to chat with, and he's done fascinating research.
Most freshmen don't stay "on" their first summer, but I scheduled my D-Plan around my winter internship. Summer didn't disappoint: I love the new friends I made and the classes I took (and I also got super fit from attending two PE classes). Taking Drawing I was also one of the highlights of my summer. It's a lot of work, but I'd rather spend 10 hours on a drawing than 10 hours on a problem set.
I finally met the '22s!! (Seriously, you all are so cool.) This term, I took a class on game theory, which is basically a subject where we literally learn about games. While it was by far my most challenging class this term, I thought that what we learned was super rewarding.
WinterSalt Lake City, UT
This was my first "off" term since I arrived on campus! I interned for Cross Creek, a venture capital firm in Salt Lake City, Utah (my hometown!).
I could RAVE about public economics and Prof. Skinner for hours. While public econ wasn't easy, it challenged me to think critically about my political philosophies and about the economic theories I'd previously considered fact. Prof. Skinner was one of the most engaged professors I've ever had; he even recommended a few running routes to me!
The famous "Sophomore Summer" and my second summer on campus! I took an unconventional four-course term complete with Econometrics, Gender & Philosophy, DALI Lab Independent Research, and Independent Studies in Engineering!
After a looooong winter away from campus, it's now April and officially spring term!
Spring is a social term because everyone is back! A spring favorite social spot is IC4U (Ice Cream Fore-You). They have soooo many ice cream options and even their "baby" size is giant.
Springs on campus always generate a lot of buzz because nearly everyone comes back to campus (fall and winter are big seasons for studying abroad and interning). As a result, you get to be reuinted with friends you haven't seen in a while. Personally, this spring brings an extra level of excitement, since it marks my first full return to campus (I've never been "off" before this winter). In these past two weeks, I've shared many hugs, happy tears, and obnoxious mini-reunion "dance" parties.
One of my best friends spent her fall term abroad, and since I was off in the winter, I haven't seen her in almost a year. This spring we were finally reunited over a meal at foco (foco is Dartmouth lingo for "food court," more formally the Class of '53 Commons). Reunions are the real beauty of spring; yes, spring brings sunny weather and stunning florals back to Hanover, but it more importantly brings back your closest friends.
With a few of my friends on my birthday at my favorite off-campus spot, Morano Gelato
One added personal benefit to spring: my birthday! I love celebrating my birthday on campus because it gives me an extra excuse to occupy all of my friends' schedules. After a winter away, it's only natural all those days of major FOMO (fear of missing out) would materialize in spending as much time as possible with the people I love.
All in all, spring at Dartmouth is like the universe plopped all your closest friends on campus and put a rosy-hued filter over it all. So you could say, I'm walking with a spring in my step!
I'm going to be completely honest: sometimes college is hard! I've compiled some resources that are great if students want to take some time to de-stress.
Even if I won't see my fellows NADs (our powerful Indigenous community), Questies (Questbridge ʻ23s represent!), and First-Generation Low-Income (FGLI) folks for a little while, you should all know that you make Dartmouth a wonderful place to be.
Because the town and school are small, they are extraordinarily interconnected and, in my experience, people in the community have been super welcoming. One long time Hanover resident even helped me pick out a good winter coat!
When I think of "old" at Dartmouth, I think of the many parts of campus that are rich in history. So this week, I went around to a couple of locations on campus to capture some of the historical parts of campus and their history.
I don't think any place exemplifies the stereotypical college town like Hanover and our dear old Dartmouth. Of the places at Dartmouth that have the best vibes, my vote — without question — goes to The Hop.
When I came to Hanover almost four years ago to start my freshman year, finding every place that serves coffee was of the utmost importance. Here's the rundown on the best places in town for coffee.
Springs on campus always generate a lot of buzz because nearly everyone comes back to campus (fall and winter are big seasons for studying abroad and interning). As a result, you get to be reuinted with friends you haven't seen in a while. Personally, this spring brings an extra level of excitement, since it marks my first full return to campus (I've never been "off" before this winter). In these past two weeks, I've shared many hugs, happy tears, and obnoxious mini-reunion "dance" parties.
