Greetings from the woods! My name is Gavin Fry, and I'm a new student blogger with the People, Places, and Pines team. I'm a proud first-generation college student, carrying with me the full support of my crazy family. I plan to be involved with undergraduate research, outdoor activities, and club golf here at Dartmouth! You can find me geeking out about the weather, reading novels, and always drinking coffee (at any time of the day). So nice to meet you!
Academic Program
Prospective Environmental Earth Science Major with a Minor in Public Policy
Favorite Thing Right Now
My idea of starting a chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) here at Dartmouth!
Week five is in the books for the 2021 fall term here at Dartmouth, and I just can't believe how much has transpired in the past month. Dartmouth's ten-week quarter system makes for a very fast paced environment, as the material you would absorb in a 16-week semester-based system is compiled into these ten weeks, and it's halfway over! What comes with the middle of the term are these scary little guys called "mid-terms," or at least I assumed they were scary, they sound formidable don't they? Now, it is obvious through so many student blogs, Dartmouth's website, tours, etc., that this is a place of constant support and motivation through even the most troubling of times. In terms of a Dartmouth term, these "most troubling of times" objectively falls during mid-terms and finals season. Does the campus atmosphere change or alter with this step-up in rigor and workload?
The answer to that question perfectly exemplifies the biggest reason I continue to fall in love with Dartmouth: its genuineness and continual commitment to its undergraduate students never fails. Your sense of belonging, your mental health, and your productivity can severely be compromised during these times, it's a bit stressful! However, the continued support of the Dartmouth community keeps reassuring me of my college decision. For instance, Dartmouth's First-Generation and Low-Income (FGLI) community (which I'm proudly a part of) sent out little goody bags with our favorite candies and personal motivation notes to keep us going. In addition, Dartmouth reinforces the use of the Student Wellness Center to keep up a check on our well-being through such a busy time in the term. Finally, even the professors are cognizant of the fact that mid-term season brings a lot of stress. All of my instructors noted to my class to keep a check on your mental health and to give yourself breaks from studying frequently! It was so reassuring to hear that they understand what it's like to be a student, especially here at Dartmouth.
FGLI "goody bag" filled with our favorite treats supporting us through mid-term season!
Something I will never take for granted is the ability to go outside and walk around on campus and just take in the beauty of Dartmouth's campus. It may seem like a cliché, but for someone who absolutely loves the outdoors and some fresh air, it is so nice to be able to go outside and see the beautiful fall foliage while seeing the sun set on behind Baker-Berry Library Tower – arguably the most picturesque college scene. Just to clarify, Dartmouth academics aren't similar to high school in the slightest. You will have levels of responsibility beyond any that have been placed on you before. But, at the same time, you will also have mental health resources and constant reassurance and motivation from those around you to keep going! The supportive nature of the Dartmouth family – faculty and staff – is truly an amazing thing and proves particularly refreshing when all of these deadlines, labs, and mid-terms seem to pile up. Dartmouth truly highlights the importance of mental health and student well-being which truly shines through during some of the most stressful times of the year!
Now how could you be stressed getting to witness this scene every night?!
I am writing this blog post as I enter week 9 of my spring term. The weather is so sunny, refreshing, and awesome (it reminds me a lot of the weather in California). I am dedicating this post as a reflection on my week 8.
Now, I am wrapping up my first year at Dartmouth. After reflecting on my experience thus far, I want to offer some advice to prospective and admitted students.
Greek Life encompasses a large, and exciting, part of the Dartmouth experience. With almost 60% of students being affiliated in a fraternity or sorority, it's hard for that not to be the case. Here is my view of Greek Life so far.
Last Saturday, instead of spending time doing work in Sanborn, spending time on the Green, or hanging out in my fraternity house, I spent most of the day out on the golf course, with a backpack full of supplies for outdoor events.
When I applied to college, I was dead set on studying only music and neuroscience. However, I now say go take that course that has nothing to do with your major and maybe find a new passion.
FGLI "goody bag" filled with our favorite treats supporting us through mid-term season! 
Now how could you be stressed getting to witness this scene every night?!
