Hey everyone! I'm Cooper from Wayne, Pennsylvania, which is right outside of Philadelphia. I am a '28 here at Dartmouth, and plan on studying Quantitative Social Science and Cognitive Science. In my free time, I love getting food with friends, playing pickleball, watching sitcoms (personal favorite is Modern Family), and going on walks. I am super excited to be here and cannot wait to take you along my journey at Dartmouth!
Although Dartmouth is located in a rural area, there is an abundance of incredible activities to partake in. I have already found so many places to go with friends, both on and off campus, that are just simply amazing and allow me to get closer with everyone. Here are some of my favorite spots at Dartmouth and in Hanover!
The River: With Dartmouth being conveniently located right next to the Connecticut River, it is impossible not to make the trek down to the river and hang out down there. If you are a student, you can rent paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes for free through the Ledyard Canoe Club! There is also a dock where you can jump off from and swim with friends, so it is just simply such an amazing place to go if you want a break from academics!
Paddleboarding on the river!
The Works Cafe:This cafe, located in downtown Hanover, is simply to die for. They have a wide variety of options, ranging from smoothies to quinoa bowls and they are all absolutely incredible. I like to compare it to Panera Bread as the food is very similar in terms of both the taste and also the quality. My personal favorite is the turkey avocado sandwich and the classic smoothie. Also, all of the options there are not too expensive and are great for anyone with allergies (I can attest because I am in fact allergic to both peanuts and tree nuts)!
Pickleball Courts: For anyone that knows me, I am simply obsessed with pickleball. It is such a great sport to pick up, and it is quite literally addicting. Dartmouth has their own courts which makes it so easy to get together with a group of friends and go play! It is not only an amazing way to get a workout in, but I have found that playing pickleball has allowed me to bond with so many people. No matter how skilled you are, it is undeniable how much fun pickleball is, and I highly recommend it to anyone—you won't regret it!
My friends and I at the pickleball courts after a quick pickup game!
The Green:Ah, the miraculous Green. It truly does live up to the hype; it is absolutely beautiful! Going here to do work, talk with friends, have a picnic, or play yard games is very popular, and I absolutely love how central it is on campus. I find myself just talking with friends and taking in the views of Baker-Berry Library, Dartmouth Hall, the Hanover Inn, and the breathtaking sky. I always go to the Green to decompress and relax after a stressful day, and it is especially incredible to lie on the Green at night and look up at the stars.
This list, however, is not at all exhaustive, and simply every place on campus has its own charm and uniqueness! That's it for now, I will talk to you all soon!
The Sri Lankan New Year falls on the 13th and 14th of April, a time for plenty of celebrations and family time. At Dartmouth, I keep these traditions with my friends and celebrate a part of home every year!
During winter term, I participated in the inaugural program, Tuck Pathfinders, which connected first-year students with Dartmouth alums and provided us with career advice!
