Hi everyone! I'm Estelle, a '23 from Seattle, WA. When not in class you can find me perusing every shelf at Still North Books, getting fresh bread at Umpleby's Bakery, spending time with friends, looking for a cup of coffee, and listening to music. I am a member of the Entrepreneurship LLC and a few on-campus clubs focused on service, mental health, and business. I work part-time at the Magnuson Center, most of the time on homework, and full-time at navigating this new world that is Dartmouth!
Banged up blue thermos of tea in one hand and worn out old beach blanket in the other, I've taken myself today to one of the Pacific Northwest's many beaches for the sake of academic edification. I've sent myself to this otherwise empty beach to remedy a problem I've been having: these days, the second I resolve to Get Something Done, time seems to fly and suddenly it's a new day with new work to be done. Perhaps you feel the same?
I'm sat here now determined to make something of this hour and the next and the one after that. (After which I will likely be Out of Steam.) In case you're wondering what a Pacific Northwest beach looks like, imagine a typical beach, and then add lots of rocks, and water which isn't navy nor gray but some thoughtful shade between the two. Though our water is rarely warm and the beaches are composed of nothing close to "white sands," beaches proliferate round little inlets and sounds throughout Washington. Many of these public beaches have fallen quiet since the onset of autumn. My only company right now is a fallen-apart pumpkin which, considering it's only one day after Halloween, probably arrived at its current state by way of being thrown off the rocky cliff above me. And my dog is here too, of course. She finds the pumpkin quite a bit more fascinating than myself.
pumpkin à la rocks
Normally I wouldn't have to set aside these hours for academic or creative pursuits. They'd just happen, the way they're supposed to for a college student. But remember how I've been going on (and on and on) about how "the days are long but the weeks are short?" –With the onset of week eight, that pattern becomes a bit flipped. Now that we're all champing at the bit for the end of term, it's become coy and fleeting, tiptoeing further out of sight with each new assignment. And somewhere in waiting-for-finals I've found myself growing a little weary. The spirit of that bright-eyed class of Fall 2020 has, at least in myself, dimmed to a resentful little glow. I've been getting more easily distracted from my work, and have even had to make a new Spotify playlist simply to keep me going on days when studying replaces sleep. (A second ago I looked up—just to take a sip from the thermos—then to look at the water—and wouldn't you know but my laptop skidded right off my knees and into that endless sea of October rocks.)
This post is for those of you feeling a bit of that Week 8 ennui. (Some of you may read this and think, "What are you talking about? I'm living my best life!" –Which is great! But I might recommend you skip on over to one of my wonderful coworker's posts, which might suit your week-8 style even better!) Whether you're missing home or dreading leaving campus, you may be finding it a bit tough to stay motivated right now. That's very normal. Whatever study-bubble it's so easy to weave around oneself in weeks 1-7 has burst and fizzled away, leaving me suddenly eager to Facetime my Dartmouth friends all around the country or read that book that's finally available on Libby. Which is all well and good, of course, but I've had to face the facts that I'm actively trying to distance myself from my studies in order to fill myself up with motivation and optimism, the better to stare down and wade through the next couple of weeks.
A little flock of ducks is swimming past. They're very grey and brown, the colors of mud-in-the-water, which makes me think they're females. Probably a book club. Maybe reading something local like Where'd You Go Bernadette.
--!
Some of you may be questioning whether you can keep up this pace not simply for the next two weeks, but (if you're a freshman) the following two terms. That, too, is super normal. I love the Dartmouth community and cannot wait to see everyone again, but it's looking like I'll be staying on this coast for the Winter term, which means Facetime and Zoom will have to suffice for a little longer. Though we're all very committed to our studies it's tough to face that reality, to buckle down (again) for a term away from campus. But you can do it! I know you can!
keep roaming around outside! even if you do it to procrastinate, as I do, little jaunts outside are some of the best parts of fall term!
For today, here's my advice: do your best through the next couple weeks, but don't make any final decisions about Winter term while in the midst of finals. Let the next few weeks come as they may and, once finals are over, take a deep breath before moving forward.
But at the end of the day, when people ask me what my favorite Dartmouth memories are, I'm always thinking about the place. Ice skating, pink sunsets, riverbanks, or canoeing? That's my highlight reel.
In a world where proper social distancing is so important, Novack Café has fulfilled a unique desire for current on-campus students; it's a place to study, hang out with friends, and grab a snack—all while staying COVID safe.
The last week of October was especially ~spooky~ as I was able to find more time than usual to enjoy my weekend with friends and the small-town-charm of Hanover.
While the student body at the College may be relatively small, students here recognize that their vote can hold a lot of weight in New Hampshire, a classic swing state.
After walking around campus all day in eye-catching attire, we headed to a Murder Mystery night hosted by Phi Tau (a fraternity) in one of the tents scattered around campus.
My personal visit to Dartmouth was a huge factor in my decision to apply, so in honor of Week 7, I hope this blog post can virtually illustrate some of what Dartmouth has to offer in seven images – worth 7,000 words!
Normally I wouldn't have to set aside these hours for academic or creative pursuits. They'd just happen, the way they're supposed to for a college student. But remember how I've been going on (and on and on) about how "the days are long but the weeks are short?" –With the onset of week eight, that pattern becomes a bit flipped. Now that we're all champing at the bit for the end of term, it's become coy and fleeting, tiptoeing further out of sight with each new assignment. And somewhere in waiting-for-finals I've found myself growing a little weary. The spirit of that bright-eyed class of Fall 2020 has, at least in myself, dimmed to a resentful little glow. I've been getting more easily distracted from my work, and have even had to make a new Spotify playlist simply to keep me going on days when studying replaces sleep. (A second ago I looked up—just to take a sip from the thermos—then to look at the water—and wouldn't you know but my laptop skidded right off my knees and into that endless sea of October rocks.)
keep roaming around outside! even if you do it to procrastinate, as I do, little jaunts outside are some of the best parts of fall term!
