Eloise Taylor

From New Holland to New Hampshire

Just 19 days ago, I moved into my dorm in French Hall. 15 days ago, I slept in a cabin, hiked every day, and discussed nature literature with people I just met as a part of my First Year Trip.

Here's a cabin we visited on First Year Trips!

And last week, I attended my first classes at Dartmouth. In the past month, my life has changed and become something I've never experienced before, yet I'm struck by how similar my life in Hanover is to my life in New Holland, Pennsylvania—my hometown. 

In the mornings, I wake up and get ready, trying hard not to wake my roommate, the same way I did throughout my childhood, sharing a room with my sister. On the walk to class, I listen to my favorite artist, Ashe's new album, the same way I did every day of middle school. After class, I go hang out with friends at various cafes on campus or study in the library, just like I did all throughout high school. 

Baker-Berry library at night!

In the coming weeks, I'll join clubs and get involved in my school community, like I loved doing back home. And in October, while I may be 423 miles away from my home in PA, I'll still be rooting for the Phillies in the playoffs, like I've done every year of my life. 

Sure, college life is a lot different than my high school life. For one, there are no FoCo cookies in Pennsylvania (these are cookies found in the Class of 1953 Commons, Dartmouth's primary dining hall and they are very good). There is also no Twin Valley Coffee in Hanover, the very best coffee from my hometown. 

FoCo at night!

That being said, Hanover and New Holland have more similarities than differences. Most days, walking along Tuck Drive, the main street that connects my dorm to the campus green, I am reminded of people, events, and things from my hometown. 

Dartmouth is very much infused with the memories of my life back home, but this school is also my home now. Who knows what Dartmouth has in store for me? Maybe I'll meet the president, or maybe I'll make a short film, or maybe I'll get published in a nationwide magazine. The possibilities are endless, and soon, the memories of my present will coexist with the memories of my past to make up my life and the two places I call home. 

I am so excited to see what happens this year at Dartmouth, and I'll be blogging it the entire time! This blog will serve as a digital journal and photo album of my first year at college, and hopefully, it can help inform the audience about Dartmouth, a place I am happy to call home. Stay tuned and go Big Green!