Hello everyone! My name is Jasmine Williams and I am a '20 with a major in Sociology and a minor in Education. I am a Senior Admissions Fellow and an Associate Fellow of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. I have completed two "Hanover FSPs" during my time at Dartmouth and used to be a coxswain for the Women's Varsity Rowing team. During my free time, I love to hang out with friends and listen to music!
Having already taken Greek in high school, I was excited to get a better look at the ancient language at Dartmouth. Fortunately, the class was incredibly small (only four people!) which allowed our professor to interact with us closely and develop a personal relationship with each of us.
I was still getting my footing on Dartmouth’s ten-week terms this winter, but this class made the adjustment much easier. The course focused on the practice of social justice in an urban setting.
This was my first introduction to the Education department and I would still consider this to be one of my favorite cases at Dartmouth. Professor Tine opened our eyes to topics that influence the trajectory of social, emotional, and moral development, such as gender roles, self-esteem, and motivation.
My favorite moment in this class was when we were split into two groups for a class debate. We had to argue whether or not we believed that violent video games created violent adolescents. I was assigned to the group that was tasked with convincing the class that violent video games do make violent teenagers. After a hard-fought debate, my group won!
In the winter, I was taking four courses, as well as training with the rowing team, so I was bit pressed for time. Although it was tough, this class was a true highlight! We spent the term reading black American literature, such as crime novels, and the Blaxploitation era of the 1970s and watching a few films.
I spent a large amount of time traveling for rowing races this term and Professor Rogers was incredibly accommodating and understanding! We delved into topics such as race, class, gender, culture, and connected them to key theories in sociology and this class set the foundation for my love of sociology today.
I was so surprised by how much I loved this class. For a paper, our professor encouraged us to look at the current issues regarding immigration that we face in America and develop ways to rectify these issues. This has been one of my favorite classes at Dartmouth!
During this term, students were broken up into groups and asked to analyze the ways in which a certain demographic learns as a term project. It was incredibly insightful to walk around the classroom and look at everyone’s professional posters on the last day of class.
This was my first Hanover FSP, where I was the Student Life Intern at the Collis Center for Student Involvement. I helped coordinate Winter Carnival and Collis’ 40th Birthday Celebration.
Here we are at my eighth straight term on campus! WOW! This term, I am starting my role as a Senior Admissions Fellow, where I will be leading Information Sessions for prospective students, working on projects around the office, and blogging.
When I chose to go to Dartmouth, I was so excited to finally experience college. I had seen it on television and watched my family and friends travel to schools across the country, so I was ready to create my own memories and start a new chapter in my life. In September of 2016, I arrived on campus thinking that I knew everything I could possibly know about college, but I was so wrong! As I have just started my last year as a Dartmouth student, I have been reflecting on my time here and I have come up with a list to things I wish I knew my freshman year.
No. 1
Step outside of your comfort zone!
I thought I was going to be a psychology major when I came to Dartmouth, but found that I enjoyed the sociology classes much more. You may think that you know what you want to study, but it is likely going to change (and that is completely fine!) Also, you should join that club that you were eyeing at the Club Fair and try something that you have never tried before.
No. 2
Ask questions
You are not expected to know how everything works, so it is perfectly fine to feel a little lost. Nine times out of ten, when you ask someone what their favorite thing about Dartmouth is, they are going to say that it is the people and the community. Everyone is willing to help and there are several resources for you to access when you need help.
No. 3
Time management is key
Dartmouth operates on a quarter system. These ten-week terms move extremely fast, so it is super important to stay on top of your work. Having a planner (and actually using it!) has saved me each and every term. Your academics always come first, but everyone needs time to do the things that they are passionate about. It is all about knowing your schedule and working accordingly!
No. 4
You belong here
It's easy to look around at other Dartmouth students and compare their successes to your own. It’s crucial to remember that you belong here. The Admissions Officers saw something in you! You are just as important as any other student and it is okay to need reassurance every now and again.
No. 5
Cherish your time here
Four years truly fly by! You want to be able to make it to your senior spring and say that you did everything you wanted and have no regrets. Take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to you while you have them.
Coming from a boarding school, I didn't get to work during the weekends. Coming into Dartmouth, I was excited at the prospect of being able to finally get into the workforce. There are many reasons why you would want to work.
My faith is a very important part of my identity. Starting in the fall, I decided to join two Christian groups: Christian Union and Apologia, the Christian thought magazine on campus.
Long time no see, Hanover. How long has it been? Six months and three days? Not that I've been counting, of course. Oh, who am I kidding? I couldn't wait to see you again! How have you been?
The reason I tell this story is to pretty much show that Dartmouth is somewhat of a "nerd sanctuary" — a place where people can do whatever and explore whatever passion they want.
My friends and I had a board games brunch at the dining hall, with many of the games rented from Jones Media Center. It was a highlight of the term — when else can you play Cards Against Humanity with nine friends while enjoying brunch?
With the decade (and year) coming to an end, I thought I would do something fun and look back on everything that has happened this year for me at Dartmouth!
Sometimes I crave homemade Chinese food, which was part of my daily life for 18 years. Luckily, the Dartmouth Chinese Culture Society and the Office of Pluralism and Leadership Asian American Mentoring Program organized a dumpling making event!
This is a post for my blog but also a letter to my future self so that I can remember the strategies I used to make my first term at Dartmouth a successful one.
What happens when you don't want more coffee and you're too far away from your bed? Here is a list of my favorite places on campus to take a quick nap.
