Jul throwing discus.

Julianna Thomson

Class of 2020
blonde woman in blue shirt holding Dartmouth pennant

About 

Here on campus, most people know me as "Jul"! I am a Religion major who is interested in eventually working in the field of law. At Dartmouth, I am a sister of Alpha Phi, a current member of the varsity Track and Field team, and also played a year on the varsity Basketball team. When I'm on campus, my favourite things to do are get breakfast at Lou's and go to football games. When I'm not on campus, my favourite things to do are travel and visit my family and friends.

Academic Program 

Religion Major

Favorite Thing Right Now 

Photography

Hometown 

Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Pronouns 

She/Her

You are here

Julianna's D-Plan

What's a D-Plan?

    • FallOn Campus

      Favorite Class: HIST 003: Europe in Medieval and Early Modern Times

      My favourite part about this class was the structure of it! Three times a week, we had a large class lecture. Then, our x-hour was used for a small group discussion with our professor.

    • WinterOn Campus

      Favorite Class: ENGS 002: Integrated Design: Engineering, Architecture and Building Technology

      I loved how interactive this class was. It was a lecture-based class, but we often had in-class building activities and one large project - building a cardboard chair!

    • SpringOn Campus

      Favorite Class: EDUC 001: The Learning Brain: Introduction to Child Development and Education

      Our professor made the class! Professor Tine was so enthusiastic about the content and material in this course, that it made me excited to come to class and learn each day

    • SummerTraveling

      I spend my first-year summer at home with my family and traveling to visit old friends, new friends from Dartmouth, and extended family members. I spent a lot of my summer down south in Florida and Georgia, escaping the Canadian cold.

    • FallOn Campus

      Favorite Class: REL 60: Protestant Reformations.

      Sophomore fall I was on campus taking classes and training for the upcoming Track and Field season. My favourite class was taught by 3 different professors from 3 different departments, looking at the Protestant Reformation from an art history angle, music angle, and of course religious perspective.

    • WinterOn Campus

      Favorite Class: SART 65: Architecture 1

      I spent sophomore winter on campus in Hanover taking four classes and competing in our indoor track and field season. The most interesting class that I took this term was an introduction architecture class where we actually got to build things in the wood shop!

    • SpringOn Campus

      Favorite Class: REL 32.06: Jewish Views of Christianity

      This spring was a busy one for me in Hanover! I competed for our school's varsity track and field team and took three classes, two of which satisfied requirements for my major. My favourite class was "Jewish Views of Christianity", which was cross-listed in the Religion, History and Jewish Studies departments.

    • SummerOn Campus

      It's my sophomore summer! However, instead of taking classes, I'm on campus interning with the Alumni Relations office. Stay tuned to my blog posts for more updates.

    • FallAbroad

      While fall is my favourite time at Dartmouth, I decided to spend this term abroad studying at the University of Edinburgh's New College School of Divinity. I took three classes and spent my extra time exploring Europe!

    • WinterOn Campus

      Favorite Class: GEOG 54: Geovisualization

      This term I am back home in Hanover! I will be taking four classes and competing for the Dartmouth track and field team. I look forward to the beautiful Hanover winter scenery and spending some time skiing on the slopes.

    • SpringOn Campus

      Favorite Class: ENGL 55.12: Dartmouth Fictions

      Spring term means the start of outdoor track and field for my team and a number of fun outdoor activities! Follow along as I take three interdisciplinary classes and continue exploring the beautiful Upper Valley.

    • SummerOn Campus

      This summer I am stepping into my new role as a Senior Fellow here at the Admissions Office. Each day, I get to speak with prospective students and their families about Dartmouth College. Don't worry though, I'll still be blogging!

    • FallOn Campus

      Favorite Class: REL 62: Religion, Politics and the Presidency

      I can't believe that I am starting my senior year here at the College! The past three years have flown by, and I'm so excited for my last full year on campus. Fall is my favorite time of year - I'll spend this term taking three classes, training for track and field, and spending as much time outside as possible. From coding in the humanities to the religion of Ancient Egypt, I'm looking forward to sharing my academic and extracurricular adventures with you this term!

    • WinterOn Campus

      Favorite Class: WRIT 80: Independent Research

      It's my last winter in Hanover and I can't believe it! I am taking three classes that are all related to my major, and competing in the indoor track and field season. This term I am most excited about my independent research where I am looking at religious sentiment in texts from the English Reformation. I'm hoping to spend some free days skiing and exploring this beautiful winter wonderland.

« All Posts by this Blogger

Just Keep Swimming

With summer weather creeping into Hanover, one of our favorite activities for the end of spring term is swimming! Hanover and the Upper Valley boast incredible lush landscapes and by the end of spring term, most of the trees and flowers are in full bloom. One of the best ways to take in the breathtaking views of New Hampshire is to spend time outside, swimming. 

Swimming has been apart of Dartmouth culture ever since the implementation of the 50-yard swim test. This test is a graduation requirement and most students complete it before heading out on their First-Year Trip. However, if you don't know how to swim there's no need to worry! The College offers swimming lessons that students can elect to take if they want some extra practice.

Regardless of your swimming ability, spending time exploring the Upper Valley is a memorable part of anyone's Dartmouth experience. Read on to discover the best places to take an (extended) study break and get outside!

  1. No. 1

    Ledyard Canoe Club and Swimming Docks

    Spending time at the Connecticut River!

    At the Ledyard Canoe Club, students are able to rent canoes and kayaks to spend lazy hours out on the Connecticut River. Students can also elect canoeing and kayaking classes that serve to fulfill the Physical Education requirement. If water activities aren't your favorite, the club has a number of hammocks and lounge chairs set up on the shore, so you can relax and maybe even open a new book!

    A little further down the College officially operates Swimming Docks. During the summer term, these docks are patrolled by lifeguards and are a popular place to cool off during hot summer days. 

  2. No. 2

    Mink Brook

    Located on the southern edge of Hanover, Mink Brook Nature Preserve is a 112-acre tract of land that serves to protect the habitat of trout, bears and other wildlife. However, if you follow the Mink Brook trail out from the south-west end of Maple Street, it will bring you to a large, open expanse of the Connecticut River. Here, students can swim and use the famed rope swing that has been hanging from a large tree for years. There are beautiful views of the treed shoreline of the River.

    This swimming hole is not patrolled by life guards and students must exercise caution while swimming alone!

  3. No. 3

    Wilson's Landing

    Wilson's Landing

    While located a short 5-minute drive off-campus, Wilson's Landing is one of Dartmouth student's favorite places to swim. Constructed as a public dock where locals can launch their boats, there are a number of picnic tables and parking spaces on shore. While students must be aware of boat traffic in this part of the Connecticut River, from Wilson's Landing you can see right across the river to Vermont. 

    This is one of my favorite places to go after a long day of classes and homework because it is usually less crowded than the swimming spots of campus. Removed from the busy everyday life of campus, Wilson's Landing acts as my personal retreat and escape. 

Posted 07/6/2019 at 12:30 PMAll List Posts

Posts You Might Like

Visit the Blog
Main Street, Hanover NH

Tips for Managing Culture Shock

During a recent conversation with my HS friend who also goes to college in the US, we discussed what it's like experiencing culture shock especially as international students. I'd love to share the tips we developed to combat this feeling.

Read More
Chidera Duru '25
Chidera Duru 2025