Hello, Eda here: full-time learner, part-time writer, and pretty much a happy amateur at everything else. My hobbies include reading, discovering new movies, and looking at the pictures of my cat. On campus, you can find me peer supporting for the Mental Health Union and SAPA, writing for Spare Rib, doing research in psychology, or listening to Turkish & English alt-rock. Feel free to ask me about taking a gap year, transitioning to a new cultural space, or college in general!
This class discusses the concepts of sex and gender in the broader context of issues related to race, class, national identity, and more. I loved this class because it helped me better understand how systemic inequality affects individual lives and made me think about ways to change it. Professor A'Ness is such an inspiring prof!
In this first-year writing seminar, we discussed how avant-garde movements from futurism to punk rock have constituted a rebellion against the status quo. I loved all the readings for this class and Professor McCann inspired me to take more courses in the English department!
In this course, we learned all the basics of fiction: character, plot, setting, etc. My favorite parts of the course were receiving feedback from other students, reading my peers' work, and having fiction readings as assigned course work! I also appreciated all the guest speakers we had, who were experienced writers in their respective genres.
As an aspiring clinical psychologist, this course has been one of the best classes I have taken at Dartmouth so far. The class focused on the etiology, diagnosis, characteristics and treatment of various mental disorders. Professor Hudenko has been one of the greatest lectures I had the pleasure of meeting. As a clinical psychologist himself, he had extensive knowledge in not only the theory, but also the practice of clinical psychology. He also succeeded in making a lecture-based class feel interactive and dynamic.
We covered the complex neural and biological mechanisms of multiple mental health disorders ranging from common conditions like anxiety to more complicated illnesses such as schizophrenia. In addition to reading about the cutting-edge research in this area, we also read memoirs and watched documentaries about the mental illnesses to focus on how these conditions are affecting people in real life. Professor Funnell is one of the best profs I had!
As an aspiring clinical psychologist, this has been one of my favorite classes at Dartmouth. We learned about different therapy methods, how and when to use them, their advantages, and shortcomings. The class was incredibly engaging with Professor Hudenko's frequent demonstrations of methods, therapy videos, and guest speakers. I would recommend this class to every psychology major.
I worked at Dimock Health Center as part of my community health internship. I was part of a team of summer interns who were college students like myself. We worked as patient advocates that helped people reach out to resources regarding housing, food, utilities, etc. Most of our work involved calling patients, helping them fill out forms, and researching resources. I learned so much about community health resources and how to communicate with a diverse set of patients. It was an invaluable experience!
I took classes in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary University of London. My favorite class of the term was called London Performance Now, which involved going to different performance events in London and discussing them in class. It was the perfect opportunity to explore the cultural landscape of London.
As the title of the course suggests, this class was about food: its history, economics, and cultural practices. I learned a lot through this course thanks to guest speakers, thought-provoking readings, and engaging assignments. My favorite assignment in this course was writing about a family recipe; I learned so much about my family's history as well as the cultural conflicts in my home country. Overall, it was among the best classes I have taken at Dartmouth. Plus, we even got to eat delicious food cooked by our classmates!
We've all been there: being sick during spring sucks. Being sick at college sucks even more.
Yep, you guessed it right. I am writing this blog from my bed under a blanket, next to my loyal tissue box, and some herbal tea I smuggled from Turkey. I can't say I enjoy being sick because I feel like I am missing out on so many social and academic opportunities on campus. It does not help that my friends are currently on a Boston trip organized by Allen House while I am stuck in my room. But I also know that learning how to take care of yourself is an important part of the college experience. As I have been sick more than ever this year, here is what I have learned works best for me while taking care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Being sick frequently is not only physically tiring but also mentally exhausting. It's because a typical Dartmouth student has a lot of academic, extracurricular, and social responsibilities. When you put even a mild cold on top of all that, everything can feel a little too overwhelming real quick. Fortunately, there are ways to manage all that stress load while taking care of yourself. Many Dartmouth professors encourage students to reach out to them if they are struggling in any way. All the profs I have reached out to when I felt overwhelmed have been super understanding and accommodating.
Another way I have tried to manage stress is to make use of the wellness resources. Dick's House has counselors on call who help students through crises. They have been particularly helpful for me during winter term when I needed help. For students who may benefit from continuous therapy, they offer triage appointments, which may lead to a referral for community care for long-term services, or an intake for short-term counseling through the college. I have friends who benefit from both types of care. Though mental health services can be improved, I was surprised by the quantity and quality of mental health resources at Dartmouth, especially because I come from a country where the mental health of students is unfortunately not taken seriously.
Apart from wellness resources, I have also found small yet effective strategies in keeping myself healthy overall. I used to deny the power of walks, but I have seen the error of my ways. Taking a walk around the campus whenever I find the time helps me collect my thoughts and de-stress in the not-yet-so-warm spring weather of Hanover. Another way I try to get some movement is by making use of the Alumni Gym as much as I can with some friends.
In my third term at college, I am finally getting a better sense of how to take care of myself while maintaining my friendships, staying on top of academics, and engaging with extracurriculars. It is a tough learning curve, but Dartmouth offers you the resources to help you make the best of your college experience.
Through Dartmouth's Guarini Institute for International Study, I am getting to take classes and experience life at Wellesley College, an all-women's school!
