What does "Dartmouth" mean to you? It's a hard question to answer, but it's one I aim to explore in my blog. Whether you're considering Dartmouth or anticipating matriculation, I hope my blog serves as an entryway to learning more about Dartmouth! I like learning new instruments and 3D modeling in my free time. Alongside Hanover, I call Queens, New York, home.
Music is primarily received through the ears, but reading it is even more fulfilling. I took this course with no prior knowledge of any music theory. Now I can read treble and bass clef, transpose pieces across different keys, and play some piano! I highly recommend this course, as it can expose you to the Music Department at Dartmouth and the variety of what you can study here.
On what principles are our societies governed? How do utilitarianism and hedonism converge in creating social harmony? How can we thrive as critical thinkers through the human condition? These are just some questions covered in GOVT 006 that continuously ruminate in my mind after having taken the course. This course introduced me to plenty of political thinkers from Socrates to Friedrich Nietzsche (which, in 10 weeks, is an exciting pace). If you're ever curious about how government constitutions are formed, or which ones are the best ones, take this course to see how your inquiries unfold. Keep an open mind, as Socrates would encourage, and do not interpret the readings as merely archaic. Knowledge is powerful, and GOVT 006 is a reminder of how political philosophy and its principles have truly stood the test of time.
I read a lot of Plato in GOVT 006 and enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much that I was super excited for this upper-level Philosophy seminar. Many people know Plato's Republic. But what about his Theaetetus? Gorgias? Timaeus? Philebus? Studying these texts and how they overlap was super interesting. Plato's interpretation of physics gives us a peek at how the worlds of philosophy and science merge, which this course helped me explore even more. This course also helped me see Plato's application of metaphysics, particularly in The Republic. Reading Plato in this deep way is integral to my major declaration in Philosophy, and I'm so grateful to have taken it.
Entering high school, I did not expect to apply to (let alone attend) Dartmouth. Coming from a Title I high school, there were some distinct challenges I faced during my first year at Dartmouth. As my first three terms here wrap up, here's what it was like going from a Title I high school to Dartmouth.
First, I want to describe my high school. I'm from Queens, New York City, so high schools in my area were pretty densely populated. My high school had around the same number of students as Dartmouth's undergraduate population (at least 1,000 kids were in my graduating class).
Adjustment 1 — Size
But if Dartmouth and my high school's class sizes were so similar, why was Dartmouth's size such an adjustment? Think of it this way: we have our D-Plan, which makes it so that not all students are on campus at the same time. In addition, different students at Dartmouth do different things. So at Dartmouth, 4,000+ students are in different academic buildings, pursuing different academic plans. In high school, that same number of students are in the same building, at the same time, for similar reasons.
Neither Dartmouth nor my high school's densities are exactly more favorable. I just found it to be an adjustment period. At my high school, there was a greater rush and I felt that I was seeing completely new faces everyday. However, at Dartmouth, it is an intimate, close-knit community. There is a stronger thread of similarities and culture between students. For instance, you can ask any Dartmouth student about Green Key (check out this blog post by Mario '28!), study abroad programs or academic plans, andhousing communitiesand you can strike a conversation quite easily.
My D-Plan at the moment. And what's super awesome about this interface is that I can adjust it any time. And I can strike up conversations about my plan with another peer at any time!
Our Green is a metaphorical and physical center on campus. This is the view southbound, and you can see the Hopkins Center and some people walking by.
Adjustment 2 — Academic Resources
Dartmouth is admittedly a hard school. Our ten-week quarter system can get hectic at times. And it feels incredibly different from high school. In addition, while my high school offered several Advanced Placement courses, my school limited how many you could take in a given year. So some of my peers may have stronger exposure and experience with college material compared to me. The learning curve for specific styles of writing, thinking, and other skills is initially difficult. But Dartmouth has a great support system such as the Academic Skills Center and faculty that want to teach. Therefore I don't feel hopeless or like I'm drowning in work.
The Academic Skills Center in Berry Library is designed to assist students with the workload at Dartmouth. You can see a "Get it Done" session date on the left—an ultimate lock in space on campus!
Adjustment 3 — Funding
My high school, as a Title I school, did not have as generous funding as Dartmouth did. While my high school was still able to have robust academic programs, Dartmouth is able to allocate funds much more easily to its students, especially since it's so undergraduate focused. For example, clubs can get funding for their endeavors and activities. In addition, initiatives such as the 4E Fund helped me pay off my medical bills within the past year. It was quite a shock to learn how readily available funding is for Dartmouth students, and I couldn't be more grateful for it.
Conclusion
Don't get me wrong, I love my high school. However, there are some objective moments of adjustment coming from a Title I institution to Dartmouth. As I pursue my next three years at Dartmouth, this is a continual learning process and a journey. Yet my experiences in high school truly serve as a launching pad for how I interpret and adjust to college, something I am extremely grateful for.
One of the first Dartmouth terms you'll hear is the "D-Plan." It might sound confusing at first, but don't worry—read on to learn what it is and how it works!
With all the amazing dining options Dartmouth has to offer, rest assured you will not go hungry on this campus! In this blog post, I will be discussing one of my favorite dining locations, Collis Café, with you.
I'm so happy I chose Dartmouth, as it offers unparalleled access to the beautiful outdoors. Click on this blog post to read a poem I wrote in appreciation of nature and Dartmouth!
